Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this morning is Luke 11:14‭-‬20.

Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. But some of them said, “By Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.” Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven. Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebul. Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”

People often opposed Jesus by claiming His miracles were accomplished through the power of Satan. Jesus responded logically, making them think about the situation instead of just reacting. His lesson to them applies to us today as well.

How often do we see or hear something and respond emotionally, without examining the situation? While our emotions are a gift from God, He also gave us brains capable of understanding and applying the evidence involved to make decisions. Our faith combines both of these blessings, helping us to believe with heart and mind.

We must think and feel in order to believe fully. God doesn’t want robotic followers, pre-programmed for obedience. He could have created us that way if that was His choice. Instead, He gave us the means to choose for ourselves, wanting us to choose Him as our God and Father.

Loving Lord, we are grateful for the gifts of thinking and feeling. Bless us to use all You have given us for the good of Your children and to Your glory. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 36:5‭-‬10.

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals. How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.

This psalm tells of the joy of God’s love and protection given to us. We hear that “People take refuge in the shadow of your wings” (v. 7). Our hope and strength are in the Lord.

We know that God loves us, no matter what and that He waits for us to return to Him. When sin first entered the world, Adam and Eve hid from the Lord in shame (Genesis 3). While there was accountability for their failing, God loved them just the same.

Has something separated you from God? He stands ready to forgive us when we come in repentance, and He will make us whole again. Our human impression of failure must not keep us from the relationship for which we were created.

Gracious God, we ask forgiveness and renewal through Your grace and mercy. Bless us to grow in faith and carry the Gospel throughout the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Luke 11:33‭-‬36.

“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.”

Jesus uses the example of light from a lamp to describe how we are to share His light and love with the world. As the first act of creation, God said “let there be light” (Genesis 1:3). In John’s gospel we read of Christ “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:4‭-‬5)

Light is a unique thing in that it travels amazingly fast and all things are touched by it. We can block out the light and hide from it or close our eyes and ignore it, but it is impossible to stop it. That’s what Jesus wants us to understand – while people may choose not to receive God’s love and light, they can’t stop its spread.

Going a step further, Jesus calls us the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:14), a reminder that we have been blessed and called to shine for Him in an often dark world. Remember the line from the children’s hymn “Jesus wants me for a sunbeam to shine for Him each day”. Let’s shine together to spread the Good News everywhere.

Loving Lord, we are humbled and grateful to be part of Your light. Make us strong in faith to share Your love with all our brothers and sisters. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 106:1‭-‬5.

Praise the Lord! O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever. Who can utter the mighty doings of the Lord, or declare all his praise? Happy are those who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times. Remember me, O Lord, when you show favor to your people; help me when you deliver them; that I may see the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, that I may glory in your heritage.

This psalm reminds us of our obligation to obey God, that “those who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times” (v.3) will be blessed. It tells us that following His commandments brings happiness, something that doesn’t always occur to us. Praise is always joyful, but obedience?

The term joyful obedience is found in many church liturgies and teaches that our ultimate purpose is to love and obey God’s law. Psalm 119:97 says “Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all day long”, something that should lead us to think more about our obligations to Him. How can we fulfill God’s commands if we ignore them?

Promise yourself to spend time in God’s word more regularly. Daily reading and discussing scripture should be part of our routine, the rule rather than an occasional practice. God blesses time spent exploring our faith and sharing with Him.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we have ignored Your law and gone our own way. Forgive us and help us to give You the glory and the place You deserve in our lives. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Isaiah 43:1‭-‬7.

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; I will say to the north, “Give them up,” and to the south, “Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth— everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

God has promised to gather the faithful in the last days. This passage tells the people that God is with those who trust in Him. The prophet Isaiah who often had hard words for Israel shares the love God has for all His children. 

We may not face the trials and dangers that were common then, but we are assailed by sin just as they were. God’s promise is eternal and unchanging, the same for us as for all who have come before. We must remember how much He loves us and through our obedience and care for each other, show how much we love Him.

God says “I have called you by name and you are mine” (v. 1). How wonderful to be connected personally to our Creator! Let this promise of redemption be the focus of all we do, that when Jesus returns for us, we will be ready.

Heavenly Father, we are amazed at the depth of Your love for us. Make us strong in faith and love that we may share the Gospel with everyone. Amen. 

Our scripture this morning is 1 Corinthians 2:11‭-‬16.

For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God’s except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual. Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. Those who are spiritual discern all things, and they are themselves subject to no one else’s scrutiny. “For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Paul’s lesson to the Corinthians in this passage is that we have been given God’s spirit and we must encourage everyone to accept His spirit as well. He explains that the human spirit understands only human things, while the spirit of God within us understands spiritual things as Christ taught. “We have the mind of Christ” (v. 16) to instruct our ministry.

Did you pause when reading that and say “I don’t have a ministry”? Whether you see it or not, we all have a ministry of caring for each other. It was how Jesus reached people and through the Holy Spirit we are called to continue His ministry.

Each of us who accept Christ are called to be in ministry to the world, making disciples of all nations according to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20). How we do that depends on our gifts, our situation and our discernment from the Lord. Each one’s work for Christ may look different, but our mission is the same.

Gracious God, we are grateful for the gift of our savior and the work You give us to continue what He taught. Help us to bring the Good News to everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 5:43‭-‬48. 

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Jesus tells us in no uncertain terms that we are to love each other, no matter what. It is what God does and He wants His children to do the same. Jesus teaches that loving one another is part of loving God.

We have to ask ourselves what that actually means – is it always being nice to everyone, never disagreeing? We keep our children from playing with matches and running in the street to protect them, even though it may make them unhappy. God Himself sends discipline and correction when we stray.

Loving one another doesn’t mean just letting people do whatever they want. God has given us the responsibility to watch over each other in love, and sometimes that is difficult. If we truly want to love each other as God loves us, we must be willing to do what is right even when it is not easy. 

Gracious God, we are humbled that You call us to be part of Your plan and share Your love with the world. May we go in Your name to care for Your creation. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 2:1‭-‬12.

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’ ” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

God called a diverse group of people to visit Jesus following His birth. In Luke 2 we read of the angels giving the message to the shepherds, the lowest of the low in Jewish society. Today we hear of a group of wealthy foreigners who arrive with gifts for the newborn king.

There couldn’t be more difference or distance between these visitors. We know the poor shepherds from the neighborhood were invited specifically by a message from God. The wise men from the East used the gifts God gave them to determine that the star would lead them where He intended them to go. Both Jews and Gentiles were called, indicating God’s gift of the Messiah was for all the world.

We too are invited to visit the manger, no matter our social status, education or country of origin. Like those of long ago, it is up to us to respond, to come to Jesus and return to our lives forever changed. God has given us all the gift of salvation through His son. Oh come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Heavenly Father, we are grateful for the blessing of our savior. May we continue to grow in faith and love that all the world may come to You. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭31:7-10‬.

For thus says the Lord: “Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘O Lord, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’ Behold, I will bring them from the north country and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, the pregnant woman and she who is in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and with pleas for mercy I will lead them back, I will make them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble, for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.’

The prophet Jeremiah tells the people that their sorrows will not last forever and that God calls them back to His love and care. This passage speaks words of comfort to those who have strayed from God’s plan. God promises to heal them and keep them “as a shepherd keeps his flock” (v. 10).

God has offered us this relationship since the very beginning. When we fell into sin, God was hurt by our unfaithfulness but His love is so great He has made a way for us to be reconnected through the life, death and resurrection of His son, Jesus Christ. This promise is given to all His children, regardless of who we are and where or when we live.

Those who return in repentance are forgiven and renewed. We are given a responsibility to care for His people as He cares for us. God has a plan for each of us individually and together as His people; may we go into the world in His strength.

Gracious God, we are thankful to be reunited with You and to be called to share Your love. Help us to be the people You intend, and may we spread the Good News to everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is ‭‭Acts‬ ‭7:44-50‬.

Our fathers had the tent of witness in the wilderness, just as he who spoke to Moses directed him to make it, according to the pattern that he had seen. Our fathers in turn brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our fathers. So it was until the days of David, who found favor in the sight of God and asked to find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. But it was Solomon who built a house for him. Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says, “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? Did not my hand make all these things?”

This passage is part of Stephen the martyr’s testimony before he is stoned by the mob outside Jerusalem. He recounts the history of the tabernacle or tent of meeting which was the place of worship and the building of the temple as God’s dwelling place. However, he reminds them that “the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says” (v. 48), quoting Isaiah 66.

We need to be reminded that everything we have, right down to the subatomic particles that all matter contains, is made by God, not us. Sometimes we get wrapped up in how amazing our technology is and feel we’ve accomplished something wonderful. We have done great things, but only through the providence of God.

Our own strength and knowledge is feeble without God. Nothing we make or do exists outside His creation. Let’s give thanks for everything we have been given, realizing these gifts are to be used wisely for the good of all His children.

Loving Lord, we are ashamed of our foolish pride, thinking we can do anything without You. Bless us to use what we have been given well, sharing Your love with everyone. Amen.