On the Go - December 10, 2008

If we do everything ourselves, others will miss the blessing of having helped us.

Live it
I was told yesterday how a mother never expected her young daughter at home to do anything to help her, like making the bed, picking up laundry or ironing clothes. While that grown daughter was speaking to me, I concluded that her now deceased mother just simply failed to train her. But before I could say anything, she added, "That's because she never thought I could do anything right. It saved time and was less frustrating to do it herself than to redo what I did and then criticize me for doing it wrong."

At that very moment, God reminded how important it is to patiently train those under my authority to do the things I can do faster and better than they can. But more important than the skill training I can offer is the encouragement I can give them, holding back any criticism. I'm reminded that Jesus could have done every single thing he asked his disciples to do, but if he had, would they have become the men and women of faith we now know them to be?

Pray it
Help me apply what the Spirit has shown me today. With a spirit of gratefulness, help me become the teacher that Jesus would be in my place.

Resources
Brooklyn Tab - Sundays are a result of what happens on Tuesday night prayer meeting. (2000)
Samuel became what his mother prayed. (2001)
May we act like an overcomer and not someone who's been run over. (2003)
Before you marvel at Old Testament characters, remind yourself you serve the same God (2004)
Devotional (2006)
The ultimate expression of love is to give your life for someone else. (2007)
We can't listen to God if we're constantly talking. (2008)

How to Pray for...
My husband or wife.
Bless my spouse today with your richest blessing in Christ Jesus.

My children.
Protect my kids today, but do what's necessary to train them to make decisions based on your Word.

Their school.
Give our kids a heart for God that is unapologetic.

Their teachers.
Bless godly teachers richly as they serve you and not man.

My children's friends.
Protect my kids from the bad influence of other kids.

My friends.
Help me be a true and loyal friend today.

My work.
Bless my family and other families through my business.

My city.
Teach our leaders the "right" way to act.

Governmental leaders.
Slow the growth of evil in government and strengthen your people.

My country.
God bless our country if she blesses and honors your Name.

My President.
Give him a tender heart of compassion for those he serves.

My church.
Make our church a place where Jesus is praised, worship is predominant and open to your leading.

My pastor.
Bless those who shepherd rightly; keep the "rancher" mentality away from your flock.

My church leadership.
Magnify the work of our church workers to reach your objective.

Sister churches.
Make all our sister churches as one body doing one work.

Persecuted churches.
Make a way to escape for our brothers in persecution, if you can be glorified that way.

Missionaries.
Provide richly their emotional, spiritual, emotional and physical needs.

The sick..
Heal those suffering with illness in your time and in your way.

The lost.
Win them through the witness of your children.

Those in despair.
Show those in despair the peace of trusting in Your Name.

Those in the hospital.
Protect them from neglect and/or abuse.

Those grieving.
Draw the fatherless to a reliance on you - our heavenly Father.

Widows.
Help us care for those widows who feel alone.

Orphans.
Help your people care for those orphans who feel alone.

Myself.
Use me to do your work and receive my gratitude- a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that praise your Name.

Prayertower Devotionals are the original creation of James R. Green:
Just Thinkin'... (2000-2003)
Read the Bible Thru in 365 Days (2004)
Pray Thru the Word in 365 Days (2005)
One-minute Devotionals (2006 to present).

Scripture provided by God's Word Translation (c)1995 - God's Word to the Nations. All Rights Reserved.