A Christian's Wakeup Call

First turn your heart to

God for grace before you look on any face.

Next, breathe a word of thankful greeting to

Him who watched while you were sleeping.

Now, if you find this hard to do,

invoke your will to help you through.

Just clinch your hands or turn your head,

twill drive the night mists from your bed.

Next say a verse or hum an air to make

an atmosphere of prayer.

At length, when mind is keenly turning,

repeat some new verse you are learning.

Then it will surely clear your vision

to voice in words the day's decision.

To talk with Christ about your work,

for heaven can never bless a shirk.

And now, prepared the day to meet,

arise and stand upon your feet.

Then, from the table while you're dressing,

glean something from the 'Book of Blessing.'

And for the climax of all motion,

fail not to kneel in sweet devotion.

So go you forth with smile to greet

the first and every heart you meet,

And all day long your soul will thrive

and men will thank God your're alive.

Anonymous

Does Prayer really work?

A billboard ad outside of MetLife Stadium during last Sunday's Super Bowl game, paid for by the American Atheists organization, declared in football jargon that prayer doesn't work.   Does prayer work?  This was the topic for our Sunday School lesson this past week.

Often the answer to our prayers are not what we want or expect. God may say No or Wait and this disappoints us, but God knows us better than we know ourselves and he only wants what is good for us.  God wants fellowship with us. Understanding this and making prayer a regular habit deepens our faith so we can pray boldly knowing God's  will .

When you pray:

Come with a quiet passion to seek God and His Power and focus your mind on God .  "Be still, and know that I am God."  Psalm 46:10

Trusting in the truth that you already have is the best way to prepare yourself to receive more.   " Blessed is the man whose trust is in the Lord..."  Jeremiah 17:7

Find a quiet place and read something beautiful and pure an worthy of praise. "...in humility receive the word implanted which is able to save your souls."    James l:21

Ask that God will give you a receptive  heart.  "I will give them a heart to know me."  Jeremiah 24:

Yes, God does answer Prayer.





 



We are told to pray for God's will to be done. 



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Contrary People

Most of us have faced the problem of how to deal with persons who are always anxious to argue, or challenge, or contend that virtually everything you do or say is wrong and they are always right. It may be a member of your family or a friend or even just an acquaintance as is the case here at Chambrel.

One man I encountered recently talked continually at our 'mix and mingle' time.  It didn't make for pleasant conversation, and some people left the group not feeling welcomed.  This defeats the purpose of a social hour.

I have been told to try to find out if possible, just why the person has such an attitude.  Maybe the person has a subtler inferiority complex, or possibly jealousy may be the motive.

I read recently that a complete reversal in the person's philosophy or practices can not be achieved overnight.  It takes diplomacy and tact to change a person's practices.  One way is to try to find something about that person which you really like, a characteristic that is praise-worthy.  When you discover a person's good point, give that person a bit of warm praise.

I read these lines recently:
I want to love you without clutching...
Appreciate you without judging...
Join you without invading...
Invite you without demanding...
Criticize you without blaming...
Help you without insulting...
If I can have the same from you, then we can meet and enrich each other.

"If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceable with all.  Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written: vengeance is mine, I will repay says the Lord."   Romans 12:18,19