Author: Pastor Doug

Our scripture this morning is Proverbs 4:23-25 (ESV).

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.

Proverbs speaks to us with wisdom that still resonates after many centuries. Sometimes the examples may seem quaint, but the guidance is eternal. In this passage we learn that what we say and do, as well as what we allow into our lives affects our relationship with God and each other. Jesus has offered us a new way of living and promised that He would prepare a place for us in His Father’s house (John 14:2). He obeyed God’s will for His life here on earth and calls us to do the same. We are responsible to God and each other to use His gifts well and to live as Jesus showed us.

Gracious God, the world is full of distractions! Help us to keep our focus on the path we have been shown and live as You intend for us, loving You and each other, and spreading the Good News everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Romans 15:5-7 (NASB1995).

Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.

We disagree on a great number of things as humans. It’s all part of the selfishness that led us to disobey God in the first place. God gave us the gifts of intellect and curiosity, and free will to choose for ourselves, but we often choose our own way instead of the path we have been shown. Paul prays that we may “be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus.” He also teaches this in Philippians 2:5: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” God won’t force His gifts on us, we must accept them for ourselves. Then we can “accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.”

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we disagree and disrespect one another over worldly things. Help us to be aware of the fears and needs others face, and share the gifts You have given for the benefit of all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 34:17-18 (NASB1995).

The righteous cry, and the Lord hears And delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

God loves us in ways we can’t even describe or understand. He wants to be part of everything we do, always with us but especially present when we call on Him. We often rely on our own resources instead of allowing God to guide us, until we reach a point at which we cry out to Him. Why is He our last resort when He should be our first choice? This Psalm reminds us that we need not hit rock bottom before asking for God’s help. We must never forget His love and presence for us, in good times and bad.

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the times we ignore Your love and care until we have no other options. Forgive our stubbornness and bless us to go in Your name to all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 John 4:18-19 (NASB1995).

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us.

The Letters of John and his Gospel all focus on God’s love for us shown through Jesus coming to be one of us. In John 13:35 Jesus tells us “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Loving one another means not just treating them well, but sharing the joy we have found through our faith and connection to God. John gives this as the purpose for his works: “these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31). We are called by Christ Himself to carry on what He began with His earthly ministry, sharing His love in this way – “you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). This is the basis of being saved, to love God, love neighbor, and make disciples.

Gracious God, we are sorry for the times we have ignored Your call to love each other as You first loved us. Forgive us, strengthen us in faith and send us to be the bearers of the Gospel everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 145:17-18 (NASB1995).

The Lord is righteous in all His ways And kind in all His deeds. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.

There are many songs of praise in Psalms, but this one is specifically titled as a Psalm of praise in many translations and was used by many faithful Jews as part of their daily prayers. It tells of God’s nature and His love for us. It also highlights God’s presence for us, that “the Lord is near to those who call upon Him.” God never abandons His children, but we must be willing to accept Him as part of our lives, part of us. God came as a human in the form of a tiny baby that needed love and care. Jesus walked among us, lived and died and rose again that we could be redeemed from our sins. We must be willing to die to ourselves and live for Him.

Gracious God, You sent Your Son to save us, that we might be forgiven and be new people through Your love. Help us to be Your face and hands to all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Ephesians 6:18 ‭(NASB1995).

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.

Paul asks us to pray “at all times in the Spirit”, meaning we are aware of more than just our human needs in prayer. Paul’s partner in ministry Luke puts it this way: “But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36). We need to make sure that prayer is not an afterthought but our first thought. James 5:16 tells us that “effective prayer can accomplish much.” We have been equipped per the previous Armor of God lesson (Ephesians 6:10-17), prayer is our communication system to understand God’s will for us and our responsibility in His creation.

Today, I’d like you to pray The Lord’s Prayer however you are used to saying it. We all pray to the same Lord, no matter what words we use.

Our scripture this morning is Proverbs 11:24-25 (NASB).

There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, And there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, And he who waters will himself be watered.

This teaching is rooted in the blessing God has given us and our call to share freely with those in need. When God brought His people out of Egypt He told them “You shall generously give to him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings” (Deuteronomy 15:10). Later Paul writes to the church at Corinth “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Because God has given us every good thing, our duty is to share it with our brothers and sisters so that all may be cared for in His love.

Gracious God, we are grateful for all Your many gifts to us. Help us to be good stewards of all Your creation, loving one another as You first loved us. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 121:4-5 (NASB1995).

Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade on your right hand.

This Psalm was sung as pilgrims came to Jerusalem to worship God during holy day celebrations. These helped people remember God’s protection and mercy for them as they wandered in the desert and after they arrived in the Promised Land. The fact that He “will neither slumber or sleep” means He is always there for us and His care is constant. While we may ignore His presence, we can’t escape it. The psalmist says “the Lord is your shade on your right hand”, a way of indicating how close God is to us all the time and His protection, a shade from the blazing desert sun and the fire of evil. All we need to do is reach out to Him, repenting and accepting His forgiveness.

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the times we try to do things our own way instead of listening for Your guidance. Bless us to live in the light of Your love and to share the Gospel everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 24:42 (NASB1995).

Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.

Jesus wants us to know that He will return for us when the Father sends Him. However, we can’t predict or discover when that will be. Just a few verses earlier Jesus says “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone” (Matthew 24:36). We hear a similar warning in Luke 21:36 “But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” The important part is that we are always ready for Christ’s return, loving one another and spreading the Gospel. If we take time to “figure out when He’s coming” we are missing opportunities to share His love. Jesus tells us He has a much better task for us: “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:7-8 ).

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the times we want to know things, but don’t do the things You have asked of us. Forgive us and send us to share Your love and the joy of Christ’s coming return with all the world. Amen.

Our scripture today is Isaiah 12:2 (NASB1995).

Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the Lord God is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.

The second phrase of this verse is a quote from Psalms 118:14. While prophets often used familiar scripture to remind people of what God has promised, it is also a statement of what is expected of us – “I will trust and not be afraid.” We know God wants a connection with each of us and offers us a chance to be forgiven and saved. As Psalm 23 says “I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” God wants us to rely on His love and care, and to share this blessing with everyone. The books of Isaiah and Daniel are known for their references to our Savior. All of scripture tells how much God loves us and wants to redeem us from our sin. All we need to do is come in repentance and accept the saving grace Jesus brings.

Loving Lord, we are grateful for Your love, poured out through Christ’s sacrifice for us. Bless us to be energetic disciples, telling the world the Good News. Amen.