A reflection on budgeting

Reflections for the day

Proverbs 22

The rich rule over the poor,
and the borrower is slave to the lender.

 

Matthew 6:19-21

 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

1 Timothy 6:10

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

 

2 Corinthians 9:6

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

 

At night when you can’t sleep, 
don’t count sheep – talk to the Shepherd.

A reflection on budgeting

Heavenly Father,

Thou art almighty, and thou art most powerful, and we praise thou for thou power, and we praise thou for thou mightiness. Thou art Our Heavenly Father that knows all, and thou art Our Heavenly Father that sees all, and thou art Our Heavenly Father that hath possession of all thou facts. We acknowledge that all things come from thou, and we acknowledge that all riches, and all honour, come from thou.

Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that thou purpose for all of Mankind is for all of Mankind to draw closer to thou, and we acknowledge that thou purpose for all of Mankind is to emulate thou life of thou Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and we acknowledge that all good things happen to a self who can live a life that can be described as godly.

Heavenly Father, it is at this time we reflect upon the nature of what is described as budgeting. We acknowledge that thou Scriptures reveal much about what is described as budgeting, and we acknowledge that thou Scriptures reveal much about thou desire for all of Mankind to be prudent. We are able to see in a way that is clear that thou desire is for all of Mankind to put thou first in all that is thought, and in all that is spake, and in all that is done. We are able to see in a way that is clear that thou desire is for all of Mankind to turn to thou always, and we are able to see in a way that is clear that thou desire is for all of Mankind to place a worry, and to place a concern with thou.

Heavenly Father, we are able to see in a way that is clear that thou Scriptures reveal much about how a self should be prudent. We are able to see in a way that is clear that thou Scriptures reveal thou desire is for a self to be prudent by what is described as a saving of money, and we are able to see in a way that is clear that thou Scriptures reveal thou desire is for a self is to be prudent by what is described as an avoidance of a collection of  a debt, and we are able to see in a way that is clear that thou Scriptures reveal thou desire is for a self to be prudent by what is described as a keeping of an account of an expenditure of money, and we are able to see in a way that is clear that thou Scriptures reveal thou desire is for a self to be prudent by what is described as being hard at work.

Heavenly Father, it is at this time we acknowledge that there are many who have what is described as a difficulty with finance, and it is at this time we acknowledge that there are many who are unable to see a way forward in a way that is clear in terms of a finance, and it is at this time we acknowledge that a difficulty which is described as one that is financial, is one that is endured by a number of thou people of thou nations of thou world.

Heavenly Father, we ask thou to guide all of Mankind in a life that is daily, and we ask thou to guide a self  to see in a way that is clear an issue  of  concern that is monetary  is an issue that must be addressed. We ask thou to guide a self to see in a way that is clear that thou desire is for all of Mankind not to set a hope on an uncertainty of riches in terms that are monetary.

Heavenly Father, thou art Our Heavenly Father who is loving, and thou art Our Heavenly Father who is compassionate, and thou love for all of Mankind is one that is there for all, and thou love for all of Mankind is one that is all encompassing, and thou love for all of Mankind is one that endures, and thou love for all of Mankind is one that is eternal, and thou love for all of Mankind is one that is not bound by words, and thou love for all of Mankind is one that is not bound by time, and thou love for all of Mankind is one that is not bound by energy. We acknowledge that thou love for all of Mankind is one that enables all to love thou with all of a heart, and with all of a soul, and with all of a mind, and with all of a strength. We acknowledge that thou love for all of Mankind is one that overspills into a relationship, and we acknowledge that thou love for all of Mankind is one that enables all of Mankind to love thou neighbour, in thou way that thou Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, loves us all.

Heavenly Father, we ask thou to guide a self to love thou neighbour, and we ask thou to guide a self to put a need of another before a self, and we ask thou to guide a self to be content with what a self has.

Heavenly Father, it is at this time we ask thou to provide a number of opportunities before all delegates at the United Nations Rio 20 plus Summit, and we ask thou to provide a number of opportunities before all the heads of Government at the United Nations Rio 20 plus Summit, and the opportunities we ask thou to provide are ones to enable all to reflect carefully upon what is described as the current economic situation that exists in thou continent known as  Europe, and to reflect carefully upon the current economic situation that exists in what is described as thou nations of the developed World. We hope and we pray that all will see a need to be prudent, and we hope and we pray that all will see a need to put a need of another before a need of a self, and we hope and we pray that a self will turn to thou always.

Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that where there is a jealousy and where there is an ambition that can be described as selfish doth exist that there will be what can be described as disorder, and what can be described as a practice in a life of a self which is somewhat less than acceptable, and is somewhat less than desirable.

Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that all of Mankind falls short in thou expectation, and we acknowledge that a self is, at times, reluctant to be thou obedient servant, and we acknowledge that a self is, at times, rebellious, and is unable to see in a way that is clear a need to place thou first in all that is thought, and in all that is spake, and in all that is done. We ask thou to guide a self  to remain focused on thou always, and we ask thou to guide a self to be obedient to thou, and we ask thou to guide a self to be ready to do thou will.

Heavenly Father, we uphold to thouself, Our Heavenly Father, all that hath been spake in thou name of thouself, Our Heavenly Father, and we uphold all that hath been spake in thou name of  thou Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for all of Mankind to redeem all of Mankind from all sins, and to show all of Mankind thou way to thou, and we uphold all that hath been spake in thou name of thou Holy Spirit, who lives within Man, and who dwells amongst Man, and who advocates for Man, now and always, for evermore.

Amen

A reflection on advertising

Reflections for the day

Matthew 6:22-23

 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

When prayer has become secondary, or incidental, it has lost its power. Those who are conspicuously men of prayer are those who use prayer as they use food, or air, or light, or money.”  M.E. Andross

A reflection on advertising

Heavenly Father,

Thou art  Our Heavenly Father who is loving, and thou art Our Heavenly Father who is compassionate, and thou loves each and every one of us. We acknowledge that thou love for all of Mankind is one that is all encompassing, and thou love for all of Mankind is one that is not bound by words, and thou love for all of Mankind is one that is not bound by time, and thou love for all of Mankind is one that is not bound by energy. We acknowledge that thou love for all of Mankind is one that allows all of Mankind to love thou with all of a heart, and to love thou with all of a soul, and to love thou with all of a mind, and to love thou with all of a strength. We acknowledge that thou love for all of Mankind is one that overspills into a relationship, and we acknowledge that thou love for all of Mankind is one that allows all of Mankind to love thou neighbour, in thou way that thou Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, loves us all.

Heavenly Father, thou art the creator of thou world that we live in, and thou hath created all things known to all of Mankind, and thou hath created all things unseen by all of Mankind. Thou art almighty, and thou art most powerful, and we praise thou, and we exalt thou, for thou power, and for thou mightiness.

Heavenly Father, thou sent thou beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, into thou world to die for all of Mankind in order to redeem all of Mankind from all sins, and in order to show all of Mankind thou way to thou. We acknowledge that during thou life of thou Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, that thou Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, revealed to all of Mankind that there is a need to focus on thou always, and not on a self.

Heavenly Father, it is at this time we reflect upon the nature of advertising. We are able to see in a way that is clear that much of what happens in a life that is daily is one that is directed by a thought that can be described, at times, to be a thought that is materialistic in nature. We are able to see in a way that is clear that some thoughts are ones that can be affected by what is seen, and we are able to see in a way that is clear that some thoughts are ones that can be affected by what is heard in the media.

Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that thou world today is one that has an expectation, and we acknowledge that an expectation is one that is to do with, at times, a possession that is worldly. We are able to see in a way that is clear that there is a difficulty for a self to do what is described as take a step back and deny a need for a possession that is worldly. We are able to see in a way that is clear that at times, a self, is in need of thou guidance. We are able to see in a way that is clear that at times, a self is led astray by another, and at times, is led astray by a thought of a possession that is worldly.

Heavenly Father, we are able to see in a way that is clear that during a time of thou life of thou Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, that there was an occasion when thou Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, was tempted, and we are able to see in a way that is clear that at a time when thou Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, was tempted, was at a time when thou Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, was in the wilderness, and we are able to see in a way that is clear that a temptation was one where Satan tempted thou Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, with thou world, and we are able to see in a way that is clear that thou Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, rejected a temptation.

Heavenly Father, we ask thou to guide all of Mankind in a life that is daily, and we ask thou to guide a self to guard an eye, and we ask thou to guide a self to guard an ear, and we ask thou to guide a self to guard a heart, and we ask thou to guide a self to turn to thou always.

Heavenly Father, we hope and we pray that many can reflect carefully upon a purchase, and we hope and we pray that a self can discern what is needed as opposed to what is desired, and we hope and we pray that a self can see in a way that is clear that a possession that is worldly is meaningless in thou Kingdom of Heaven. We hope and we pray that all of Mankind will see the error of a way, and we hope and we pray that a self will proffer a sorrow for an error of a way, and we hope and we pray that a self will make the changes that are necessary in a life, so that a self is able to have a life that is eternal with thou.

Heavenly Father,we are able to see in a way that is clear that thou desire is for all of Mankind to turn to thou, and we are able to see in a way that is clear that thou desire is for all of Mankind to put aside a worry, and to put aside a concern, and we are able to see in a way that is clear that thou desire is for all of Mankind to be prudent with a spending, and we are able to see in a way that is clear that thou desire is for all of Mankind to put thou first in all that is thought, and in all that is spake, and in all that is done.

Heavenly Father, we uphold to thouself, Our Heavenly Father, all that hath been spake in thou name of thouself, Our Heavenly Father, who together with thou Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and thou Holy Spirit, reigns on most high, and is, and was, and always will be, the most supreme, and the most absolute power and being, now and always, for evermore.

Amen.

A reflection on litter

Reflections for the day

Revelation 4:11

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

“Time spent in prayer will yield more than that given to work. Prayer alone gives work its worth and its success. Prayer opens the way for God Himself to do His work in us and through us. Let our chief work as God’s messengers be intercession; in it we secure the presence and power of God to go with us.”

Andrew Murray

A reflection on litter

Heavenly Father,

Thou art almighty, thou art most powerful, and thou art creator of the world and all that is in it. Thou instructed us to be keepers of thou world we live in, to have dominion over all things, and to subdue thou earth.

Heavenly Father, thou gave us thou world for safe keeping and there are many of us who are happy with the way things are but there are some of us who believe we have fallen short in keeping thou world in the way that thou created thou world.

Heavenly Father, we are able to see that the future of Mankind is one that can be described as bleak unless we change our ways. We are able to see that much of what hath happened in thou world could have been prevented, and much of what is likely to happen in thou world can be prevented.

Heavenly Father, it is at this time we desire for Man to reflect carefully upon the nature of litter. We acknowledge that many of us are careful about the way in which we dispose of our litter. We are able to see that some of us are less careful than others in the way in which litter is disposed of. We are able to see that much of our litter is collected and disposed of by others, and we are able to see that some of our litter is not collected and disposed of, and that some of this litter that is not collected and disposed of is often blown by thou wind into thou streams, and is often blown by thou wind into thou rivers, and is often blown by thou wind into thou oceans.

We acknowledge that the process known as biodegrading is one that takes many years to complete, and we acknowledge that the process known as biodegrading is one where there are chemicals released and the chemicals that are released are described as toxic, and these chemicals are ones that are leaked into thou soil, and these chemicals are ones that are leaked into thou streams, and these chemicals are ones that are leaked into thou rivers, and these chemicals are ones that are leaked into thou oceans.

Heavenly Father, it is at this time we acknowledge that the presence of litter in thou environment is one that provides a hazard, and this hazard is one to thou wildlife, and we acknowledge that there is a hazard to the health of Man, and this hazard is one that is described as potential, and this hazard that is described as potential is one that is due to the release of chemicals.

Heavenly Father, we hope and we pray that Man will turn to thou and say sorry for the error of a way, and we hope and we pray that Man will make the changes in a life that are necessary, and we hope and we pray that Man will turn to thou, always.

Heavenly Father, it is at this time we ask thou to place opportunities before many to reflect carefully upon the need to make changes in a life, and the changes that are necessary are ones that relate to the disposal of litter, and we hope and we pray that Man will see the need to dispose of litter in a way that is described as fitting.

Heavenly Father, all things are possible through thou if we place a faith and if we place a  trust in thou to help Mankind to decide how to resolve these issues, and to help Man to see clearly the contribution he or she has made to this situation.

Heavenly Father, we uphold these words to thou now in thou name of thou Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us to save us from all our sin and to show us thou way to thou, and in thou name of thou Holy Spirit, who lives amongst us, who dwells amongst us and who advocates for us, now and always, for evermore.

Amen.

A reflection on the homeless

Reflections for the day

Philippians 4:19

 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 6:25-34

Do Not Worry

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life^? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

When a man has found the Lord, he no longer has to use words when he is praying, for the Spirit Himself will intercede for him with groans that cannot be uttered. –John Climacus

A reflection on the homeless

Heavenly Father,

Thou art the creator of thou world and all that is in it, and thou hath created all things known to Man, and all things unseen by Man. Thou created us to be born with a particular appearance, thou created us to be born with a particular shape, thou created us to be born with a particular colour, and thou created us to be born with a particular size. Thou created all Man to be equal in thou eyes.

Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that thou loves each and every one of us, and we acknowledge that thou love is one that is all encompassing, and we acknowledge that thou love is one that enables us to love thou with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind and with all our strength. We acknowledge that there art no words to describe thou love for Man, and we acknowledge that thou love for Man is one that is not bound by words, is one that is not bound by time, and is one that is not bound by energy. We acknowledge that thou love for Man is one that over-spills into our relationships, and is a love that enables us to love thou neighbour.

Heavenly Father, it is at this time we desire Man to reflect carefully upon the nature of homelessness. We acknowledge that thou Scriptures reveal that thou Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, was homeless some of the time, and we acknowledge that thou Scriptures reveal that thou Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, was with thou homeless some of the time, and was with those who were poor some of the time. We acknowledge that thou Scriptures teach us that thou poor and thou vulnerable are the responsibility of Man, and we acknowledge that thou Scriptures teach us that when a person gives unto thou poor, and when a person gives unto thou vulnerable, that person gives unto thou.

Heavenly Father, it is at this time we uphold to thou the good works of St Mungo’s. We are able to see that this is a charity who works with thou homeless, and we are able to see that there is a desire to help those who are homeless, and we are able to see that there is a desire for the homeless to be housed, and we are able to see that there is a desire for the homeless to work, and we are able to see that there is a  desire for the homeless to be able to relate to others, and we are able to see there is a desire for the homeless to be in a state of health that is described as good.

Heavenly Father, we ask thou to bless the good works of St Mungo’s and we ask thou to place opportunities before many to enable their good works to be carried out in a way that is fitting for thou.

Heavenly Father, it is at this time we ask Man to reflect carefully upon those who are likely to be made homeless, and we hope and we pray that Man will endeavour to remain committed to providing housing for those who are vulnerable, and we hope and we pray that Man will endeavour to remain committed to providing housing for those who are poor, and to provide housing for those who are in need.

Heavenly Father, we ask that Man will turn to thou always, we ask that Man will turn a back on greed, and we ask that Man will turn a back upon ignoring the misfortune of others.

Heavenly Father, thou art a loving Father, and thou art a merciful Father, and thou art able to provide us with all our needs. We desire that Mankind will turn to thou always, and we desire that Mankind will emulate the life of thou Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and we desire that Mankind will say sorry for the error of a way and make the changes in a life that are necessary.

Heavenly Father, we uphold these words to thou now in thou name of thou Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us to save us from all our sin, and in thou name of thou Holy Spirit, who lives amongst us, who dwells amongst us, and who advocates for us,now and always, for evermore.

Amen.

A reflection on the sin of materialism

Reflections for the day

Luke 16:13-15

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.

You cry over spilled champagne! Your complaints are not over the lack of necessities, but the abundance of benefits. You bellyache over the frills, not the basics. Over benefits not essentials. The source of your problem is your blessing. –Unknown

Any so-called material thing that you want is merely a symbol: you want it not for itself, but because it will content your spirit for the moment. –Mark Twain

A reflection on the sin of materialism

Heavenly Father,

We are able to see in a way that is clear that Mankind lives in your world which is a world that has been, and is, tainted by materialism. We are able to see in a way that is clear that materialism takes on a number of forms and the forms that it takes on can, and does, affect all. We are able to see in a way that is clear that much of what happens in a daily life is affected by a materialistic thought. We are able to see in a way that is clear that many thoughts are ones that can be, and are ones that are, affected by what is seen, and affected by what is heard in the media.

Heavenly Father, it is at this time during Lent we reflect upon the nature of materialism, and we are able to see in a way that is clear that this was a concern for your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, when a time was spent in the Wilderness. We are able to see in a way that is clear that during a time in the Wilderness that Satan tempted your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, with a thought which was one related to a materialistic thought of your world, and we are able to see in a way that is clear that your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, rejected a temptation that was placed before your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that your people of your world of this day have an expectation, and we acknowledge that an expectation is one to do with a possession that is worldly. We acknowledge there is a difficulty for your children to take what can be described as a step back from all that is worldly and deny a need for a possessions that is worldly. We are able to see in a way that is clear that your children need a guidance and we are able to see in a way that is clear that a guidance is one that is often difficult to administer. We are able to see in a way that is clear that many of your children are led astray, and we are able to see in a way that is clear that many of your children are misguided.

Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that there are times when a value of a possession is demeaned, and we are able to see in a way that is clear there are occasions when there is a  purchase of goods which is unnecessary. We are able to see in a way that is clear that on an occasion this occurs when a brand that is new, and when a brand is marketed as new, and as exciting, is perceived, and is discerned by your children.

Heavenly Father, we hope and we pray that Mankind can reflect carefully upon a purchase, and we hope and we pray that Mankind can see that a possession that is worldly is meaningless in the Kingdom of Heaven. We hope and we pray that Mankind will see the error of a way, and we hope and we pray that Mankind will make the changes necessary in a life so that Mankind is able to have a life that is eternal with you.

Heavenly Father, it is at this time we are concerned with a number of changes that have been made by a budget, and it is at this time we are concerned that a number of changes will mean a downturn in the economy. We hope and we pray that the Government of this country is  able to see a  way forward in a way that is clear, and we hope and we pray that the Government will enable all to live a life that is one that can be described as one that is economically viable.

Heavenly Father, we are able to see in a way that is clear that it is a desire of yourself for Mankind to turn to you always, and we are able to see in a way that is clear that it is a desire of yourself for Mankind to put aside a worry, and for Mankind to put aside a concern, and we are able to see in a way that is clear that it is a desire of yourself for Mankind to be prudent in a spending, and we are able to see in a way that is clear that it is a desire of yourself for Mankind to put you first in all that is thought, and in all that is said, and in all that is done.

Heavenly Father, we uphold to yourself, Our Heavenly Father, all that has been said in the name of yourself, Our Heavenly Father, and in the name of your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, who together with your Holy Spirit, reigns on most high as the most supreme, and as the most absolute power, and being, now and always, for evermore.

Amen.