A Good Return~

Ecclesiastes 4:9 “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.”

This past Christmas my daughter-in-law, Lis, wanted to surprise Hormone with a pitching mound.  She ordered it on-line, and it arrived within a few days.  Except that it was a bunch of parts and screws with instructions all mixed together in a box.  She needed help.

Jorge to the rescue!

They spent the better part of a day toiling away, and Lis did just as much work as Jorge.  When it was all over, they had the satisfaction of a job well-done as well as a good return for their efforts.

I was so impressed when I came home and saw them having so much fun, that I took a picture to forever remember the day (see below).  Look at them with their matching protective eye wear! Hahaha! 

But I was also immediately reminded of the verse above. 

In this case it was daughter-in-law and father-in-law uniting for their shared love of Hormone, and they had a great experience working together. 

When we work together we help each other succeed.  I wonder if there is more than one application to this verse?

Let’s check it out Thursday.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for reminding us that two are better than one.  We agree!  Fill our lives with those who are willing to go the distance with us, and help us be the kind of person who is also willing to do their part.  We can expect a good return for our efforts!  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~

Grant Me Success~

Greetings~

This week is all about Q&A.

(Q) Is it ok to ask God for personal success.

(A) This past weekend I went up to Vero Beach to a place called Dodgertown to watch Hormone play baseball. As his mom I have always prayed for him to do well, and as always, we refer to the Bible as our ultimate guide for living.

Genesis 24:12
"O LORD, God of my master, Abraham," he prayed. "Please give me success today, and show unfailing love to my master, Abraham."

The verse above was prayed by Abraham's servant, and he was asking God for success for the task that Abraham asked him to do. More on that another day. What I want to focus on are these key points.

• The servant asked; he did not demand.
• He was courteous and showed God all the respect He deserves as our Father and Lord.
• It was a simple, heartfelt prayer.
• It was specific in terms of when he wanted the success, which was "today."

God is approachable and loves it when we include Him in our plans. Abraham's servant was given the enormous responsibility of finding a wife for Abraham's son, and he was wise to first and foremost set out on this endeavor asking, not demanding, God for help. What I love about this prayer is that it shows us that prayer does not have to be some complicated diatribe. God is not impressed with how many words we know.

God also appreciates it when we take a step of faith and invite His power into our situations because it shows Him that we know that we need Him, as if we could ever really fully guide ourselves or protect ourselves or save our own souls...NONSENSE!

And sometimes, dear people, we need the success ASAP.

I am happy to report that God answered the servant's prayer with a hearty "YES!" Everything he prayed for was granted, which shows us that God is a God Who says yes.

Before we finish up, let's turn this around because I recently spoke with a fine gentleman who says he is not comfortable asking God for success for himself or for his kids or for anyone else because God is not concerned with those kinds of things. This is simply not biblical. So I immediately lashed out, (I am sorry), and said, "Repeat after me. Dear God, please do not help my kids today. Whatever they attempt to do in school and in sports and with their relationships, let them fail."

Of course, it is sometimes by the ridiculous that we realize that it is ok, actually very wise on our part, to ask God for success.

I encourage you all to get a new perspective on God and what kind of Father He is. He desires to be included in your life through prayer, and He delights in answering yes.

But what if the answer is no? Oh oh!!! We'll see, and sometimes, believe it or not, we do need to pray for failure.

PRAYER:
Dear Lord,
Thank You so much for Your Word. You have made it clear that we can ask for success and trust You with the outcome. We don't want to see our spouses or children fail, and You don't either. Pronounce a 'YES" over our lives today that we might be successful in our jobs, family life, school work, emotional well-being, and health. In Jesus name, AMEN~