“Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” 1 Peter 5:2-3

We often help others out of guilt or some other emotion that compels us to help reluctantly.  We also help people out of selfish motives because of what they can provide for us in return or so that we are simply seen as a "good person".  Regardless of the reason, we need to help people  In a perfect world, we help because they need help and because we want to help them for THEM and not for us.

Lord, help me to help others and help me to help so that they are helped and I am only helpful.   

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

​Created for a purpose.

Lord, thank You that I don't have to wonder why I am here or ever question if I belong here.

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus" 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Apparently God's will for my life is not a specific job or major or relationship or location or anything else that I may think is important.  God's will is to be in a relationship with Him.  He doesn't really care "where I go" or "what I do" as long as I take Him with me.

Lord, help me to be joyful always and pray continually and give thanks in all things, as this means that I am in a close relationship with You and not out there on my own, doing my own thing.

“Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead.” Proverbs 4:25

We look at all kinds of things.  Not only do we look at a lot, we also pay attention to a lot of things., and we are concerned with a lot of things.  Unfortunately, we look at, pay attention to and are concerned about a lot of the wrong things.  We must be more intentional about what we look at (or don't look at), what and who we pay attention to (or ignore), and what we find ourselves concerned with.  Often times our "gaze" is in the wrong direction.

Lord, help me to focus on the right things with not only my eyes, but with my mind and heart.

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”  Psalm 119:105

Most people can read.  However, fewer and fewer people these days have the patience or attention span or motivation o read more than a sentence or two (For those who are to this point, I would suspect you are part of the less than 5% of the people in the world who will read something this long so I am not preaching to the choir).  We find ourselves lost and confused because we fail to fully read directions, read books, read instructions, read emails, read the "long text", read the right things and/or read the Bible.

Lord, I am sorry for making life more difficult for myself by failing to read.

“So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done for you.”  John 13:14-15

"Narcissism, Vanity, Self-absorption, Self-adulation, Excessive interest in or admiration in oneself and one's physical appearance, selfishness, involving a sense of entitlement, a lack of empathy, and a need for admiration, as characterizing a personality type and self-centeredness arising from failure to distinguish the self from external objects, either in very young babies or as a feature of mental disorder."  There is a huge difference between taking care of your own shtuff and being consumed with yourself.  We should be responsible for our own actions but be aware of others and their needs.  Nothing good comes to us, or to others or to the great good when we are consumed with ourselves.

Lord, loving You and loving others.  Thank you for not providing a third "greatest" commandment.
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“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7

There are a lot of big questions that intellectuals and scholars have contemplated since the dawn of time.  What is the meaning of life?  How big is the Universe?  When you drop a piece of buttered toast, why does it always land face down? Why do we park in a driveway, yet drive on a parkway?  How did Justin Bieber become famous?  Probably a little lesser known question to ponder is ... which is more difficult to do ... to start something or to finish it?   Our first inclination is to say that finishing is much more difficult to do than to start something because it takes more effort, time, determination, motivation, etc, while anyone can start something.  After being on the planet for a relatively long period of time, I have notices that it is actually more difficult for people to start something.  Once things are started, often times, the momentum keeps people going.  However, starting is quite challenging when people doubt or are discouraged or have low self confidence, self esteem or self worth or when they feel there is no hope.  That is where faith comes in.

Lord, help me and those around me to have enough faith to not only finish what they started, when it is difficult to do so, but also to have the faith to start what they need to when they feel overwhelmed or incapable. 

“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” John 16:33

We won't have an easy, comfortable life.  We won't be inconvenienced.  We won't simply have a bad day, bad test, bad performance, bad relationship, bad cup of coffee, bad night's sleep, bad day at work, bad cold, or bad anything.  We will have suffering.  It sucks but if we know it will happen, then we can be prepared.  And if we know it will happen, we will be in a better position to ask God for help.

Lord, help me with my inconveniences and bad days but more importantly with my suffering.

“For nothing will be impossible with God." Luke 1:37

We can't do much.  We think we can but we can't.  God can do everything.  We often think God allows us to do stuff.  The fact is that God does it and we are simply present.  A child can't reach the top shelf.  We can and we do. Sometimes we help the child to reach the top shelf or even grab things off the top shelf.  The child is delusional if they think they actually grab anything from the top shelf, simply because we allowed them to. 

Lord, help me to understand that I can do things with You and not because You simply allow me to and there is a big difference.

“Then a poor widow came and dropped in two tiny coins worth very little. Summoning his disciples, he said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. For they all gave out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had—all she had to live on.’” Mark 12:42-44

​"Trust the Process" is a common phrase these days.  This "poor woman" trusted the process that God has laid out for ALL of us.  He gives and we take.  However, the process should be that He gives so that we can give and He will always provide what we need.  We can't out-give God.

Lord, help me to trust that You will not only provide financially, but in every way imaginable, whether it is emotionally, physically, spiritually or otherwise.