[Faith-talk] Fwd: Morning Thoughts for Thursday, May 5, 2011, National Day of Prayer

[Amy Ragain]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Stephen Smith <stevesmith1943 at me.com>
> Date: May 5, 2011 7:22:18 AM CDT
> To: Morning Thoughts 1 <stevesmith1943 at me.com>
> Subject: Morning Thoughts for Thursday, May 5, 2011, National Day of Prayer
> 
> Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
> (Philippians 4:6, NIV)
> 
> - From Bible Promises for iPhone
> http://biblepromises.reigndesign.com/
> 
> Philippians 4:4-9 (NASB)
> [4]  Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! [5] Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. [6] Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
> [8]  Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. [9] The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
> 
> Philippians 2:1-8 (NASB)
> [2:1] Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, [2] make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. [3] Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; [4] do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. [5] Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, [6] who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but *emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. [8] Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
> 
> Beloved family, these two passages, at least for me, sum up the essence of what my heart should feel as I come before my Lord and Savior in prayer.  Today is our National Day of Prayer, as every day should be.  It is the nation-wide day to recognize that we did not get here on our own.  We did not create our own blessings.  Nothing we have ever done caused even one blade of grass to live.  We do not set the schedule for the sun to rise above the horizon, nor to set when day is done.  Who controls the tides of the sea?  Not you and I.  Today, let us individually and communally humble ourselves, turn from our worldly lusts and pride, submit ourselves to the cleansing fire of the Holy Spirit of God, seek His Will for our lives, practice love as Christ taught us, and be made whole and alive in Him, and in Him alone!!  May your day be filled with the Love of jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior, King, and our very closest and dearest Friend.
> 
> With love and great hope for the future!!
> 
> <3Steve:-))