Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Today's Devotional

John 10:27 - My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (NIV)

My dog always begs for a walk, regardless of the weather. But on sunny winter days, when the breeze teases my hair from beneath my toque, I am much more inclined to amble along, enjoying our day. Sometimes, her sensitive hunter's nose picks up an interesting scent, and our walk becomes a tug-of-war. Often because she has her nose buried in the scent, she does not see some sharp piece of tin, bottle shard, or other danger. She pulls, and I shout, "Heel!" -- a shout which usually goes unheeded. She puts on her brakes, digs her paws into the snow bank, and jerks me this way and that. By yanking on her lead, I eventually cause her, albeit reluctantly, to come to my side and continue our walk. Even so, she tries to pull, and will amble beside me only if I keep the lead short. It's simply not in her nature to want to follow. Nor is it in headstrong human nature to want to follow.

We want to be Number One, in the lead, CEO, top dog. But that's not what Jesus calls believers to be. He said, "My sheep listen ... and follow me." Jesus used a trait found in sheep to describe how His disciples ought to be. We need to follow behind Him, not simply to walk beside nor pull ahead, like my dog does to me. We are supposed to follow Jesus, and in so doing, He will direct us to be and to do what is best. When we run ahead, pulling as hard as we can, we may stumble, fall, or worse.

For those of us who are inclined to pull ahead under our own power, this means we need, first and foremost, to seek our Lord and Saviour -- which is hard for us to do. Like most of us, I'm a headstrong type. I know what I want to do and tend to do it. Often, it's not what Jesus has called me to do. He usually has to pull me up short to get my attention. Once He does, everything comes right as I follow.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, always enable us to follow Your lead, always. Amen.

Cassandra Wessel <casswessel@ymail.com>
Tionesta, Pennsylvania, USA

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Today's Presbyterian Prayer Partnership prayer request: posted by Heather Chappell <hchappell@presbyterian.ca>
Pray for Canadian Forces members who are suffering from physical, emotional, or spiritual illness.

In His Will. 2/6/12
A house and property has been put up for sale that would help us a great deal in our ministry. If it is God's will we ask that finances be put into place so we may go a head and put in an offer. Only in His name and only if it is His will. Amen

Prayer of comfort and healing posted by Donald Kennedy <d.a.kennedy@shaw.ca> 2/6/12
I like prayers for Rollie Lewis who has suffered two heart attacks and is in hospital trying to survive. I ask for prayers for his wife Norah and their family. I ask prayers for my wife Adrienne who today tell's the surgeon to give her a date for surgery and for myself as I see the Skin cancer Doctor. Praise to your Lord our God now and forever more. Thank you.

Pray for babies and youth! posted by Ruth E. Baker <mamaruth1948@msn.com> 2/6/12
I sadly read or listen to the news and become aware of the abuse and horror put on our youth today.. Parents are killing their children and children are killing their families.. Youth are murdering one another. Our world has become filled with evil, disturbed hearts. Let us all pray the Lord shows us how to help and let us continue in prayer daily for the need of compassion and love in the world. The enemy of our souls is still out to distroy the family unit and also to distroy mankind. We have to stand against the evil with all the weapons the Lord has provided for us to fight against the darkness. Read Ephesians chapter 6 and be reminded we fight not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers of darkness in high places. it goes on to tell us about all the power the Lord has given us to conquer the enemy. We need to be faithful daily and realize the seriousness of the darkness trying to destroy. We can do ALL things through CHRIST who strengthens us. Put on the whole armour of God brothers and sisters and pray the prayer of victory. In Jesus name. As sister in the Lord, Ruth.

prayer for healing -- please dear Jesus posted by CAROLYN SMITH <csmith45331@yahoo.com> 2/5/12
Oh dear Jesus please come into our home and heal my husband and myself thank you in Jesus name

Prayers of thanksgiving. posted by Bob Henderson <bh-ink@webtv.net> 2/3/12
Hi my friends, well G. made it home again and now we need you prayers to God to guide and direct our thinking to do the next right thing and for his will to be done. Please pray with us ,I'm sure that God will guide us and direct us . Thank you all for all your prayers already and for continued prayers . Your friend with God.

Prayer for Healing 2/2/12
Please join me in praying for God's healing spirit to touch Bess who is undergoing treatment for leukemia. She has a sweet spirit that has remained strong throughout this struggle and is blessed with loving and supportive family and friends. My prayer is that God will bless Bess and keep her and shower her with his healing mercies.

My own moral failures 2/2/12
To know the will of the Lord and receive forgiveness and help to cope and overcome faithfully.

Financial 2/2/12
Please pray that NSFs will be prevented. A payment expected has been delayed because of my son's injured back. Please pray for energy, good treatment, food and healing.

Prayers Needed 2/1/12
Please pray for the following people : My sister "A" who has a recent undiagnosed problem in her brain and ears. This could be due to a possible stroke, tumor, or a disease. I'm very worried about her. My Daughter-in-law "S" has reached her 14th week of her pregnancy now and hopefully the baby's out of danger. She lost her first baby at this time last year. My close friend "C" is recooperating from surgery that she had a week ago on her right shoulder. She'll be unable to do anything for 6 weeks. This has caused her to be very overwhelmed and she has other serious health issues as well that her Doctor has been unable to find a solution for. Also please pray for me "J" because I'm concerned how my ongoing severe chronic health problems are affecting my marriage. I'm having terrible nightmares because of this. May God in his infinite love and compassion heal each of us during this difficult time. Amen.

Nothing less than a Miracle 1/31/12
Please pray for a home situation where the father is present but "absent" for 30 years - uninvolved, abusive emotionally, passive aggressive and just uses his family to feed and keep him, but a totally different person in church. Outsiders have NO clue what is going on here! We are stressed beyond capacity and the father is oblivious to what is going on. He does not hug, kiss or encourage. Reads his bible 2 hours a day and prays, but nothing in his life speaks of if.

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