Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this morning is Mark 8:35 (NET).

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and for the gospel will save it.

This call from Jesus sounds like a paradox, but it is part of God’s plan for us. The earthly example of saving our lives is doing whatever is necessary to continue our physical existence. While this is important, it is secondary to our need to do whatever is necessary to be saved, believing in Jesus and accepting the forgiveness He offers. Jesus tells us our physical lives are temporary, while our souls are eternal. The joy we think we have here will pale in comparison to the joy in the place He has prepared for us.

Gracious God, You created us in Your own image and gave us free will to be part of Your work. Bless us to be far-sighted, seeing the eternal over the temporary and going to share Your love everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 Timothy 4:12 (NLT).

Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

Paul writes to his pupil Timothy with encouragement that our gifts and our responsibility to share them isn’t based on who we are but rather who God is. Age, position, wealth – any human or worldly aspect – is not a requirement, nor should it be an impediment. Paul says we must be the example of Christ to the world regardless of our situation. We were all made for a purpose. There is kingdom work for each of us and God will equip us for our call.

Heavenly Father, You call each of Your children to be part of caring for creation. Help us to remember that includes each other. May we use all Your gifts wisely and share Your love with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 103:2 (NLT).

Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.

This Psalm offers God thanks for His blessings. One of the things that catches my attention in this verse is the request that we “never forget the good things he does for me.” This is not “has done before” or “will do”, this is God acting for us here and now. We sometimes think God only interacted with special people at special times. This is true if we leave out the “only”. God wants a relationship with each one of us, now and forever. When we come in repentance we can be forgiven and sent to help the world remember the good things He does for all of us.

Gracious God, in Your mercy You sent Jesus to save us from our sin. May we be bold in sharing Your love and Your word everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is John 15:4 (NET).

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.

Jesus tells us that only when we are connected to Him can we be fruitful disciples. His example of the vine and the branches illustrates that our life is in Him, and without this vital connection, we can’t be part of His kingdom. His love flowing through us allows the spread of the Good News. It is our response to the gift of salvation Christ has given us. Like the branches, we are a part of a larger creation in this relationship with Him and we are called to grow in faith and love to reach all God’s children.

Gracious God, thank You for inviting us to be a part of Your work in the world. Bless us to bear fruit for the Gospel, carrying Your word to everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Hebrews 13:16 (NET).

And do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.

From the very beginning we have had a responsibility to look after creation, and that has always included each other. While Cain complains “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9), we know the answer God gives is yes. Jesus gave us the example of caring for one another, becoming a servant to all. God calls us to share what we have been given in many ways, but He wants us to be personally connected. While monetary donations to care ministries are essential, volunteering can be a blessing to those who serve as well as those they serve. May we be ready to do the up close and personal work of caring.

Loving Lord, help us to use the gifts You give wisely, sharing our time, talent and treasure for the good of all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT).

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

In Matthew 18:6 Jesus says “But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.” This is a warning to believers that our words and actions have consequences. This is why Paul tells us “whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” With that as our primary guidance, Paul also teaches in the next verse “Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God”, which is virtually everyone. Paul’s meaning here is that while our words or actions may not be sinful in and of themselves, if we cause others to sin by this, we should refrain. Christ came as our example and calls us to be examples in the world.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the blessing of being Your children and the duty to be Your representatives. Strengthen us in faith and send us to share Your love everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Isaiah 60:1 (NASB1995).

Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

In the Old Testament we find several references to the coming of Jesus. We learn from this that God sending the Messiah to us was never Plan B. In John 1:4-5 we read “In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” He came as a light in a dark world to save us from our sin and show us the way to share God’s love. Later Jesus tells us “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). When we come in repentance and accept Him as our Savior, we become part of that light, called to carry the Good News of salvation everywhere.

Gracious God, we are humbled and amazed that You welcome us back in forgiveness, and send us to bring Your light everywhere. May we shine bright for You in all we do. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Romans 12:2 (NIV).

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

God’s perfect creation was marred by our choice to go our own way. When He brought His people out of Egypt He gave them a set of guidelines to be able to live together in the land He had promised. However, we found ways to create loopholes in order to do what we want and eventually used the laws as weapons to control each other. Once again we subverted God’s will for us. When Jesus came He taught that we must change internally, not restrained by a system of rules and punishments, but motivated by our love for God and one another. Paul says we must be “transformed by the renewing of your mind.” In Philippians 2:5 he gives similar instruction, saying “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” Thinking like Jesus leads to acting like Jesus, with the promise that someday we can be with Him eternally.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we have gone our own way in disobedience. Forgive us and keep us focused on the example of our Savior, that we may share Your love with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalm 27:4 (NLT).

The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.

This Psalm speaks of our longing to be with the Lord always. It is our desire “to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” However, while God wants us with Him constantly we don’t have set up housekeeping in the church to do that! He has sent His spirit to be with us so we can do the things He has asked of us. Jesus taught that we need time alone with God in prayer, Sabbath community worship with other believers, and then going to tell the world. He gave us the model of being with people where they are to share God’s love. While being in His presence in worship is a mountaintop experience, we are called to do the work He has given us in the world until Jesus returns for us.

Gracious God, You created us in Your image and gave us responsibility to take care of things in Your world, most importantly each other. Bless us to be energetic disciples, going everywhere in Your name. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Mark 2:27-28 (ESV).

And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”

I was reminiscing over the holidays about how most businesses used to be closed on Sundays. Part of me was nostalgic for a slower, simpler time (or so it seemed), but when I read today’s scripture it brought me up short. Jesus is talking about this very thing. The Sabbath is God’s gift to us, and there is a commandment to “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). However, while God gave us this guidance, He wants us to obey out of love, not coercion. I remember a pastor during my teen years saying no one will be saved against their will, we must choose to follow Jesus into eternity. Observing the Sabbath and all of God’s instruction willingly, not out of fear of punishment is what He wants for us.

Gracious God, we want to worship You in spirit and in truth. You have given us laws to follow for our own good. Help us to see that You want all Your children back safe as part of the eternal family. Amen.