Category: Daily Prayer

Our Gospel this week is Mark 4:35‭-‬41, taken today from the New International Version (NIV).

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Jesus teaches His disciples through parables and explanations, and while they are present when He performs miracles, it is always for others. Only this instance is specifically for them. They are saved from the storm by His power and learn a lesson as well.

It should come as no surprise that all nature obeys Christ’s command. In John 1:3 we hear “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” This is a demonstration of who Jesus is, and it is more powerful than any teaching could be for His disciples.

While Jesus is not physically here with us, we feel His presence through the Holy Spirit and see His power displayed in all of creation. Like the disciples we may be afraid of situations we face, but we know that Jesus is there for us. Trust in the Lord and know He is our savior.

Heavenly Father, we are grateful for the example Jesus came to bring us and the amazing things He taught us. Help us to share His love and lessons with all Your children. Amen.

Our Epistle this week is 2 Corinthians 6:1-13.

As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

Paul’s letter to the Hebrews is an appeal for those who have faithfully followed God’s law to understand that the coming of Jesus is a continuation of their relationship with God. He speaks of what he and other missionaries have endured (and continue to endure today) for the Good News, and quotes Isaiah 49 saying “In the time of my favor I heard you and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Everyone is called to look to Jesus as the representation of God Himself, sent to show us His love.

It is difficult for us to change our thoughts and behavior. Jesus understands this and teaches us that while keeping God’s law is important, treating each other according to His law is essential to our salvation. While our actions can’t earn us eternal life, accepting His love and forgiveness requires that we love each other in the same way.

If we truly love God, we must act according to His goodness and the example Christ has given. Words are important and they have meaning in our lives, but our actions have eternal consequences. Paul was changed by Christ’s love from a persecutor of the church to a builder of the church. May we also be changed for God’s work.

Loving Lord, we often say one thing and do another. Forgive our failings and let us be the servants You send to share Your Word to everyone. Amen.

Our First Reading this week is 1 Samuel 17:41-49.

Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!” David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.

The story of David and Goliath is one many of us heard first as children. It was part of my early Old Testament learning from a Children’s Bible I received as a Christmas present. While it is a beloved lesson to me, I often find I can’t get past my child-like view of its meaning and it disappoints me that I don’t dig deeper.

However, I look at what God has done for me through that story. It told me of His power and love, that by faith we can stand against tremendous odds. It helped me want to know more of His Word. Even though I don’t have a seminary level understanding of this and many scriptures, God used this passage to speak into my life.

Perhaps we put too much pressure on ourselves to fully understand the meaning of scripture. This doesn’t mean we should stop trying, but maybe instead of struggling with deep lessons, we should simply listen for God’s voice and hear what He needs us to know today. God never stops teaching us and we continue to learn and grow through these faithful accounts.

Patient God, we are thankful that You send us lessons through scripture that we may better know You and each other. Help us to hear the message and apply it in our lives. Amen.

Our call to worship is Psalm 107:38-43.

He blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased, and he did not let their herds diminish. Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled by oppression, calamity and sorrow; he who pours contempt on nobles made them wander in a trackless waste. But he lifted the needy out of their affliction and increased their families like flocks. The upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths. Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.

This psalm speaks of the changing fortunes of God’s people as they vacillate between faith and doubt. It tells us the Lord helps those who cry out to Him, but those who rely on their own strength and skill will fail. God wants only good things for us but our choices have consequences.

When we chose to follow our own desires rather than the will of the Lord, He sent us from the garden into the world, for evil cannot stand in His presence. However, He never withdrew His love from us and continued to reach out to us. In His mercy, He sent His son to teach us the way of salvation.

It is our blessing to be able to bring our needs to Him that they might be fulfilled through His plan for us. God wants us to have good things and stands ready to help us when we call. When we humble ourselves before Him and repent, He will always welcome us back.

Gracious God, we are sorry for our wrongdoing and the chaos it brings to Your creation. Help us to be strong in the face of temptation and choose Your love and Your strength over our selfishness. Amen.

Our Gospel this week is Mark 4:26-34, taken today from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

And He was saying, “The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; and he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows—how, he himself does not know. The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head. But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” And He said, “How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the soil, though it is smaller than all the seeds that are upon the soil, yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and forms large branches; so that the birds of the air can nest under its shade.” With many such parables He was speaking the word to them, so far as they were able to hear it; and He did not speak to them without a parable; but He was explaining everything privately to His own disciples.

God’s plan for us is vast and all-inclusive, but at the same time simple and personal. He cares about His entire creation as a whole, but Jesus tells us “Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father” (Matthew 10:29). It is hard for us to understand from our human point of view, but Jesus in His kindness and wisdom uses parables to teach us.

We see how seeds grow quietly, striving to rise through the soil, seeking the light. Jesus calls us to such a faith, breaking through our doubt and disbelief to connect with God. If God has a plan for seeds, how much more are His children planned and cared for?

Like the mustard seed, our faith and ministry to others may seem small, but God blesses our efforts and leads us to grow. He calls us to be part of what He is doing in the world and in eternity. Listen to the lessons we are given, learn and apply them, and like small seeds we may grow to share God’s glory.

Loving Lord, all our gifts are from You and we are thankful to be so blessed. May we use what we have been given to show our love for You and each other. Amen.

Our Gospel this week is Mark 4:26-34, taken today from the English Standard Version (ESV).

And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.

Jesus used parables about nature because it was a familiar subject to most of those listening. He used the parts of God’s creation we can see to help explain the parts we can’t see. This is the reason He came to earth, so we could see in Him God’s love and His plan for us.

It isn’t easy to grasp heavenly concepts and comparing these to earthly things is inadequate. We can’t know the full joy of eternity in our human form, but Jesus taught that it will be more wonderful than anything we can imagine. Knowing God’s love here should energize us to share it and to prepare eagerly for Christ’s return.

While our faith may seem small, and our efforts feeble, God can use us to spread the Good News. We are called to be part of His work here, telling others of His love and mercy. All can be saved and restored through the blessing of Jesus.

Heavenly Father, we offer You our thanks and praise. Help us to share the wonder of Your love and the hope for eternity with You. Amen.

Our Gospel this week is Mark 4:26-34, taken today from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB).

“The kingdom of God is like this,” he said. “A man scatters seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day; the seed sprouts and grows, although he doesn’t know how. The soil produces a crop by itself — first the blade, then the head, and then the full grain on the head. As soon as the crop is ready, he sends for the sickle, because the harvest has come.” And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use to describe it? It’s like a mustard seed that, when sown upon the soil, is the smallest of all the seeds on the ground. And when sown, it comes up and grows taller than all the garden plants, and produces large branches, so that the birds of the sky can nest in its shade.” He was speaking the word to them with many parables like these, as they were able to understand. He did not speak to them without a parable. Privately, however, he explained everything to his own disciples.

Jesus used parables to engage people in the lessons He had for them. It was a means to capture their attention and make them aware of God’s love and how His kingdom works. His parables caused people to think and ask questions, which enabled them to learn more and share the joy of a relationship with Jesus.

This passage tells us that He explained the meaning of the parables in private. This wasn’t “secret” information to be kept from others, Jesus wanted to ensure the disciples knew what they would need to continue His work after He returned to heaven. It was an effective teaching method that shared the Good News and encouraged people to want to know more.

We can share God’s love in similar ways, telling how He has acted in our lives. We don’t need heavy theological themes, just an honest account of our connection with Him. The old spiritual says “if you can’t preach like Peter, if you can’t pray like Paul, just tell the love of Jesus and say He died for all.” What matters most is our earnest desire to help others find their connection with the Lord.

Gracious God, we are thankful for the call to be part of Your work. Send us to share Your love in the world, that all may know the truth of Christ. Amen.

Our Gospel this week is Mark 4:26-34, taken today from the New International Version (NIV).

He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.” With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

In this parable Jesus speaks of seeds as an example of how our faith can grow. Something small to begin with can become great, providing sustinence and protection. However, while we can be part of the process, we don’t make it happen, nor do we fully understand how it works.

Jesus tells us that like a seed, our faith may seem small but over time it can grow, with God’s help. Like seeds nurtured in the earth by sunlight and water, we grow in faith by water and the spirit and the light of His word. The apostle Paul writes “only God gives the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:7), reminding us that while we may tend the process, only our Creator can make it happen.

Are you tending your spiritual growth and that of others? God is always ready to help our faith become stronger. God provides what we need when we come to Him in love.

Heavenly Father, You are the source of life and growth. May we be fruitful in our discipleship, learning and growing and sharing Your love. Amen.

Our Epistle this week is 2 Corinthians 5:6-15.

Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

Paul writes to the church in Corinth with words of encouragement about keeping and sharing their faith. He tells them that this world is only our temporary home (v. 8) and we must be ready to join the Lord in eternity. Things we think are valuable here will be worthless there and we should not become attached to them.

He also reminds them that “we live by faith, not by sight” (v. 7) and what we see is not what should drive our lives. Our relationship with God is the most important connection we will ever have and nothing on earth can compare. Jesus was sent to save us because of God’s love for us.

Paul teaches that “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (v. 10), not because we can earn our way into heaven by what we do, but that our actions are important to Him. When we love God and each other, doing His will in the world, we make ourselves ready for the gift prepared for us.

Gracious God, we are thankful for wise words from those You inspired to teach us. Help us to learn and apply the lessons we receive that all may know the Good News and Your kingdom may come on earth. Amen.

Our First Reading this week is Ezekiel 17:22-24.

This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches. All the trees of the forest will know that I the Lord bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.

God speaks to us through the prophet Ezekiel, expressing His creative power and giving us a glimpse of what is to come. With images of planting a portion of a tree in a new place, He gives an analogy of how He intends to save all His children through the work of the faithful. He tells us “All the trees of the forest will know that I the Lord bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall” (v. 24).

He can employ even the smallest and least to accomplish His purpose. His plan has always been to redeem us from sin and to use us to share His love with the world. Even though we were lost, God reaches out to bring us back into His family.

God’s love for us is eternal and unchanging. He chose us from the beginning and wants us to choose Him in return. Let God into your heart and He will bless you to be a blessing in His world.

Wise and wonderful God, we are amazed at Your creation and humbled that You call us to serve in it. Help us to be strong in Your love, sharing it with everyone. Amen.