Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this morning is 2 Chronicles 15:5-7.

During those dark times, it was not safe to travel. Problems troubled the people of every land. Nation fought against nation, and city against city, for God was troubling them with every kind of problem. But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.

God has told us time and again to be strong and courageous in our work for His kingdom. Moses received this command and shared it with God’s people (Deuteronomy 31:6-7). God declared it to Joshua (Joshua 1:9). In today’s passage God again tells His people to be brave in the face of their troubles.

In addition to being strong and courageous, we are told numerous times to “fear not”. We read this in Isaiah 41:10, as God prepares His children for the ordeal of the Babylonian invasion and their eventual return to rebuild the temple. Perhaps the best known of the “fear not” passages is Luke 2:10 as the angels comfort the shepherds and announce God’s presence among us.

We are able to be strong and courageous and fear not because the Lord is with us! God is always present when we invite Him into our lives. Jesus promised us “another comforter” after His return to the Father (John 14:16). We stand in His strength, not our own, to be the people He has called us to be.

Gracious God, we are weak but You are strong. Bless us to go to share Your love with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12.

Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.

Paul’s lesson in this passage to the Thessalonians teaches a peaceful and self supporting way of life, setting an example for others. Being a follower of Jesus means being aware of our needs and those of others, helping as God gives us the opportunity. We are responsible for ourselves, but we must also be ready to assist those who truly need our help.

Paul was a tent maker and often supported himself by plying his trade so as not to be a burden to those he visited. Many others gave to his ministry, and through this he gathered a gift for those who were suffering persecution and poverty in Jerusalem (1 Corinthians 16:1). Caring for others was a key teaching from Jesus Himself.

In Genesis 4:9 Cain asks sarcastically “am I my brother’s keeper?” The answer from God is a resounding “YES!” We are all charged to watch over our brothers and sisters in love. God has blessed us to be able to care for each other as His children, made in His image and sent to share His gifts with everyone.

Loving Lord, You created a beautiful world for us and gave us what we need to live in harmony. Help us to see when others fall below society’s radar and bring Your love and care where it is needed. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 Corinthians 15:56-58.

For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

Paul reminds the Corinthians (and us) that “sin is the sting that results in death”, a stark warning that we are susceptible to the earthly temptations we encounter. Jesus came to bear the burden of our sin and free us from death. All we need to do is accept His gift and follow in faith.

Unfortunately, we often make it difficult for ourselves, straying from His path into the danger of sin. Paul says we must be “strong and immovable”, putting our faith in Jesus and not the worldly things that so attract us. Nothing we make ourselves can be eternal.

Paul encourages us to “work enthusiastically for the Lord” because our works in Him do have eternal meaning. God can use even our most feeble efforts to accomplish wonderful things. By dedicating ourselves to the work of God’s love, we can be part of His plan of salvation for all.

Loving Lord, You have gifted us with Your spirit and called us to go in Your name. Bless us to be full of Your strength and love and to share them with all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 2 Timothy 1:6-8.

This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News.

Think of someone who has nurtured your faith and mentored you over the years. How important have those lessons been and how would your life be different without them? Those who have taught us have passed on their knowledge of God and their relationship with Him that we might be part of God’s plan.

Jesus gathered a group of people to Himself in order to pass on the Good News of salvation. After He ascended to the Father it was up to them to share the Gospel with the world. Through His strength and the presence of the Holy Spirit, missionaries like Paul and Timothy were called to go to far flung and often dangerous places.

Now think of someone you could nurture and mentor in faith. This is part of our call from Jesus, to love God, love neighbor and make disciples. We must pass on the precious gift we have been given, ensuring that those who follow are blessed to continue the work Christ has laid out for us.

Gracious God, in Your love You sent Jesus to teach us how to return to You individually and to share that love with everyone. Strengthen us in faith to go in Your name. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 2 Corinthians 3:17-18.

For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

The presence of God is an awe inspiring thing. In the Old Testament God led the children of Israel “during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire” (Exodus 13:21). In the Temple there was a curtain between the Ark where God’s presence was manifested and the rest of the area, an indicator that sinful humanity cannot be in the presence of God’s holiness.

Luke 23:45 and Matthew 27:51 both record that the curtain was torn at the moment of Jesus’ physical death, opening the way for God’s faithful to have His spirit with them always. Through Christ’s sacrifice we are able to return to God’s presence. By His spirit we go to share His love and truth.

Paul writes in this passage we “can see and reflect the glory of the Lord”, our blessing and our call. Jesus taught us the way. Made in His image we are called to share the Good News with the world.

Loving Lord, You sent Your son to love and save and free us. Send us in Your name to tell everyone of Your gift. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Luke 9:23-24.

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.”

In this passage Jesus speaks to us about dying to self, which means putting God’s priorities above our own. It requires those who claim Him as savior to value what God wants for them and give up our human desires. We must learn what God asks of us and with His help, live into His kingdom.

We read exactly the same words from this lesson in Matthew 16:24 from the New Living Translation. Later in Luke Jesus teaches “if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27). His message for us is always consistent and if we follow it consistently, we can be His disciples.

We owe everything to God! We didn’t create ourselves and we can’t use His gifts well without following His commandments. Jesus wants us to see the blessing God has for every one of us, but we must be willing to accept the call that places on our lives.

Gracious God, we are thankful for all You have given us. Bless us to go in your name that everyone may know Your love for us. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Proverbs 18:20-21.

Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction. The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

Every one of us has probably heard “mom proverbs” such as “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” It was to remind us not to take offense at childish taunts and putdowns. However, our words do have consequences and we need to consider their effect on those around us.

James tells us “Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.” (James 3:2). Paul writes “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them” (Ephesians 4:29). Jesus Himself warns about our words, teaching us “Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one” (Matthew 5:37).

Friends, we live in an age where our words can fly across the world anonymously, read by literally thousands of people. This is an immense opportunity and and a great responsibility! Let’s think before we speak or hit send and ask ourselves “how does this share the Good News and advance the kingdom of God?” We are created in His image and He expects us to speak and act as His loving children.

Heavenly Father, help us to curb our urge to say something at another’s expense. Our world has enough darkness, let our words bring Your light and love instead. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Habakkuk 2:12-14.

Alas for you who build a town by bloodshed, and found a city on iniquity! Is it not from the Lord of hosts that peoples labor only to feed the flames, and nations weary themselves for nothing? But the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.

The prophet Habakkuk writes a warning to all nations that engage in conquest to enrich themselves. Babylon ravaged surrounding territory for their wealth and building material, as well as taking captives for slave labor. God says all their effort will amount to nothing.

The prophet says “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” All will know the Lord, some in love, some in judgement. Jesus tells us “All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (Matthew 25:32).

God is love and light, but those who disregard His commandments will face eternal separation from Him. God wants us all to be saved, but has given us free will to choose. It is up to each of us to accept the gift of salvation He offers and follow the path Jesus has shown us. 

Loving Lord, you have blessed us with everything. Help us to use these gifts wisely and share Your love with all our brothers and sisters. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 23:1-6.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.

Today we conclude our look at the 23rd Psalm. This passage is well known to many, even those who don’t consider themselves “religious”. It speaks to us of the love and protection our God offers to all His children. All we need to do is accept His invitation to eternal life.

I grew up reading this in the Revised Standard Version and later the New Revised Standard Version. During my time in ministry I encountered other versions and while the words may differ, the promise God offers us and the feeling of peace it gives do not. 

I encourage you to read other translations of this to get a better understanding of how great is the Lord’s love for us. Feel His power as He showers us with blessing in the midst of our human issues. Paul writes “For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure” (2 Corinthians 4:17), reminding us that no matter what we face here, God is with us and for us.

Gracious God, we owe You everything for without You we are nothing. Bless us to go in Your name and Your strength to bring Your love to all. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 23:4.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me.

We continue our study of Psalm 23, reading that God is with us even in the worst of times. When we face adversity, God is ready to support us. The apostle Paul writes “If God is for us, who is against us?” (Romans 8:31). God may not remove the difficulties that confront us but He will guide us through if we accept His love and His plan for us.

The rod and staff are ancient symbols of authority and power, reminding us that God is in control no matter what. Unlike other rulers, God is not interested in conquest or treasure. God wants our hearts and minds to join with Him in bringing all creation together in harmony.

When Jesus was preparing His disciples to deal with His return to heaven, He promised them “another Comforter” (John 14:16). This is expressed here in the phrase “for You are with me”. God is always there for us, we only need to call on Him in faith.

Heavenly Father, we are weak but You are strong. Bless us to go in Your strength and love to share the Good News of salvation with everyone. Amen.