Page 60 - Livin Light Issue 81

PRAYER FOR TODAY
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Friday August 11 - Do it now!
“...but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will... lead you where you do not want to go.” John 21:18
In the hospitals and hospices where I work as a chaplain, a universal sorrow of patients is not being able to come and go as they please anymore. One elderly gentleman captivated me with stories of his time in the army, having seen incredible action, made daring rescues, and after being a Royal Marines fitness instructor, competed in triathlons into his seventies! Sitting in his hospital bed, his spirit was willing but his body weak. He reflected on his times of action with joy.
After Peter is restored to relationship with Jesus and promoted to ‘first shepherd of the church’, Jesus offers a strange reflection. He tells Peter of his end – that the day will come when he is unable to do anything further to extend the kingdom.
A great hymn tells us we are ‘Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven’, but let’s remember that this is for a purpose! Now is the time to launch out and do what you can with what God has given you, however small it may seem. In Luke 9:57-62 a group of people declare they will follow Jesus, but need to go and do some other things first. Jesus tells them to get on with following him rather than looking back!
What has God called you to do? What idea, ministry, book, or church role has been waiting for you to act upon it? Do it now!
Father, I step out in faith today, doing now what you have called me to do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Saturday August 12 - The main thing
When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” John 21:21
Today is ‘the Glorious Twelfth’ in the UK, when the grouse shooting season begins. I have an awareness about events on this date because it is also my birthday! This may be important to me, but it is not the least bit relevant to this devotional!
In life, it is easy to get sidetracked by things irrelevant to our purpose. Peter – restored, promoted, and empowered – looks around and asks Jesus what he’s going to do with John. Jesus asks him what business it is of his! Gossip, jealousy, conflict, side issues and feuds have shipwrecked many a congregation. Let’s not get caught up in others’ affairs because it hinders us from getting on with God’s affairs.
God’s desire is to fully restore you, to promote you and to use your life to bless others. It is like what God promised to Abram in Genesis 12:2-3, that ‘you will be blessed and you will be a blessing.’ Have confidence that God’s intentions towards you are to bring life and hope. Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, sending of the Holy Spirit, and his future return in glory are proof of God’s good intention towards you: ‘...that you may have life, and life in all its fullness’ (John 10:10).
All you need to do is keep the main thing, the main thing: your relationship with Jesus.
Father, thank you for Jesus, and for your Holy Spirit. I have all I need for life and prosperity. Help me to walk fully and freely in it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY