Thank You Lord

Lord, I want to say thank You

Thank You for sending me friends

They all teach me something

The things You want me to learn

So my life will be better

Happier

More fulfilling

Jesus said He came to give us life

The abundant life

For our joy to be complete

And to honor God

Thank You for sending Jesus

The best friend of all

In His Name I pray, amen.*

*from Gene Allen Groner's book of poetry and prayers, The Nature of Angels.

Gene is the author of 35 books on faith, hope, and love. He also writes inspirational poetry and daily messages of peace, hope and love at www.amazon.com/Gene-Allen-Groner/e/B077YTVSJZ

Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.” Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed Him.

— Matthew 20:30-34

Compassion alludes to kindness and sympathy, but there is something deeper, something even more profoundly powerful, in its meaning.

The origin of the word helps us grasp the true breadth and significance of compassion. In Latin, ‘compati’ means “suffer with.” Compassion means someone else’s heartbreak becomes your heartbreak. Another’s suffering becomes your suffering. True compassion changes the way we live.

“We must learn to regard people less in the light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Gene Allen Groner

Gene is the author of 35 books on faith, hope, and love. He also writes inspirational poetry and daily messages of peace, hope and love at www.amazon.com/Gene-Allen-Groner/e/B077YTVSJZ

Please Accept My Prayer

Dearest Lord Jesus
Your birth is amazing
The way the angel Gabriel came
And told Joseph and Mary
That You would be born

And how the Holy Spirit made it possible
The first miracle
Of the New Testament Bible
That is so amazing!

Thank You Jesus for loving me
And for loving all the world
For all the things You showed us and taught us
How to live and be happy

But did You really have to die that way?
It must have been unimaginably painful for You
I'm so sorry
I'm sorry for my sins

All I can say is thank You
Thank You for forgiving me
And allowing me to come to heaven one day
I'll be so happy to see You

I want to hold Your hand
And say thank You from my heart
Thank You from my heart to Your heart
Please accept my prayer
In Your name, amen.*

*from my book of prayers and poems titled, The Nature of Angels,
available on Amazon.com

Gene Groner

Gene is the author of 35 books on faith, hope, and love.  See Gene's books of inspirational poetry and messages of peace, hope and love at www.amazon.com/Gene-Allen-Groner/e/B077YTVSJZ

Slip-ups, Mistakes, and Shortcomings

I am not my slip-ups, mistakes, or shortcomings.
Disappointment in myself
Is a place to visit,
But not a place to live.
               -Anonymous

This morning I wrapped up all my past mistakes
And placed them in a shoebox.
Then I placed the box
At the foot of the Cross
And gave them all to Jesus.
Jesus Christ forgave all my mistakes
When He died on the Cross.
Thank you Jesus. Amen.

This is a New Year
And I am a new man.
Thank you Jesus. Amen

Gene Groner

Gene is the author of 35 books on faith, hope, and love. He also writes inspirational poetry and daily messages of peace, hope and love at www.amazon.com/Gene-Allen-Groner/e/B077YTVSJZ

January 9, 2019

Let Go and Let God

No one likes to surrender, to admit defeat. But there are times when we need to let go of old thoughts and habits. I have learned that God is always ready and willing to take these thoughts and habits from us so that we can be free--free to become the people He created us to be. Sometimes we need to "Let go and let God" be in charge of our lives. Our lives will be much better and happier, and we will enjoy abundant peace, hope, and love. This is my prayer for today. In Jesus' name, amen.

John 8:36-- “If The Son therefore will set you free, you will truly be the children of liberty.”

January 8, 2019

You will continue to suffer if you have an emotional reaction to everything that is said to you.
True power is sitting back and observing everything with logic; true power is restraint.
If words control you, that means everyone else can control you; breathe and allow things to pass.
                                                                                                     -Sylvester McNutt III

I have devoted my entire life to charity, raising nearly a million dollars for the poor and needy of our world. I take no credit for my accomplishments, but give all the honor and glory to my Heavenly Father, the Creator of the world. We are all children of the Most High God, and it is our duty and privilege to return some of the magnitude of blessings we have received from Our Lord. We can never repay Him for all He has done, but the least we can do is to give Him our very best each and every day of our lives. 

Jesus Calling, January 4

INSPIRATION - Jesus Callingby Sarah Young

I want you to learn a new habit, try saying, "I trust You, Jesus" in response to whatever happens to you. If there is time, think about who I AM in all My Power and Glory; ponder also the depth and breadth of My love for you.
This simple practice will help you see Me in every situation, acknowledging My sovereign control over the universe. When you view events from this perspective--through the Light of my universal Presence--fear loses its grip on you. Adverse circumstances become growth opportunities when you affirm your trust in Me no matter what. You receive blessings gratefully, realizing they flow directly from My hand of grace. Your continual assertion of trusting Me will strengthen our relationship and keep you close to Me.

Gene Groner

Gene is the author of 35 books on faith, hope, and love. He also writes inspirational poetry and daily messages of peace, hope and love at www.amazon.com/Gene-Allen-Groner/e/B077YTVSJZ

The Power to Do Good

I heard a story about former New York City mayor Fiorello LaGuardia. One winter night in 1935, LaGuardia paid a visit to night court in the poorest section of the city. He told the judge to take the night off, took his seat on the bench, and presided over the night’s cases himself.

Soon a tired, despondent elderly woman appeared before him because she had been charged with stealing a loaf of bread. In her own defense, she said, “My daughter’s husband left her. She is sick, and her children are hungry.”

The storekeeper had no mercy. With a sigh, LaGuardia said to the woman, “The law is clear. I have to punish you.” He fined her ten dollars. As he was pronouncing the woman’s sentence, LaGuardia was simultaneously reaching into his pocket to pull out a ten-dollar bill. He dropped it into his hat and said:

“Here’s the ten-dollar fine, which I now remit, and furthermore, I’m going to fine everyone in this courtroom fifty cents for living in a town where a person has to steal bread so her grandchildren can eat. Mr. Bailiff, collect the fines and give them to the defendant!”

The total collected for the grandmother was $47.50.

I like the fact that the mayor of New York City used his position of authority to influence others to help the poor grandmother. Any time we can inspire or provoke others to do good, we need to do so.

Prayer Starter: Lord Jesus, help me to use my influence to help others to do good. Let my heart break with compassion for those in need. Help me to always stand up for the rights of the innocent. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.*

*Joyce Meyer Daily Devotional Jan 02 2019