Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this morning is ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭6‬-‭9.

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

God calls us to find Him, but He is certainly not hiding from us. God is always available, ready to hear our every joy and concern. It is necessary for us to respond to God reaching out to us in love.

Isaiah writes that our thoughts and ways are not God’s, and in order to live in righteousness, we must forsake the thoughts and ways of the flesh. God made the first move long ago. Now He is waiting for us to come to Him in repentance and receive His forgiveness.

Notice there is no instruction to “get our lives right” before we call on Him. God knows everything about us already, and we can never make our lives right on our own. Only His mercy can save us, and through Christ’s loving sacrifice, that salvation waits for us.

Gracious God, we are sorry for our disobedience and the way we treat each other. Bless us to be the people You created us to be. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is ‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭6‬:‭4‬-‭7.

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

God brought the Israelites out of Egypt and gave them laws to live by, which we know as the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). These were necessary because they had not lived together as a self-governing people for 400 years and He knew they needed guidance. These rules showed them how to live in peace, honoring God and respecting each other.

Approximately 1500 years later Jesus was asked “what is the greatest commandment?” and He replied “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭37‬). He also said loving our neighbor as ourselves was essential, again teaching that honoring God and respecting each other was the most important thing.

Fast forward 2000 years and we are still struggling to learn the lesson about loving God and one another. If we just get this right, the world could be what He intends for us. Living in harmony with Him and our brothers and sisters is the ultimate goal, and we pray that His kingdom may come on earth.

Loving Lord, in Your wisdom You gave us instructions for living together. Forgive us for our disobedience and our treatment of each other. Bless us to be the people You created from love, that we may love You and one another. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭4‬-‭7.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

It sometimes seems strange to me that crusty old Paul the Pharisee could write such beautiful words. Then I remember he encountered the greatest love of all on the road to Damascus when Jesus appeared and his life was completely changed. I also remember that the Holy Spirit was with him and inspired his writing.

Paul is a great example of how our lives can be changed by love. He was devoted to his faith but was going about it the wrong way until Christ intervened. After that encounter, there was no stopping the love in him.

Notice that there is no mention of giving back or being on equal terms in this. Jesus loved even those who condemned and crucified Him, praying “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Real love is given because it comes to us first from the loving God who created us. 

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the times we fail to love as You first loved us. Help us to share Your love with all our brothers and sisters everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭8‬-‭11.

Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

This psalm reminds us who is really in charge and made everything that exists. We sometimes get wrapped up in our achievements and our technology, the wonderful and terrible things we can do. All of these are nothing compared to the power of God Almighty.

He commands an end to our anger and the chaos we cause. God has given us everything to use wisely. “Be still and know that I am God” is more than a stern order to stop, it is an invitation to see the blessing He holds for us all and the beauty of His creation. 

If we pause from the busyness we have made for ourselves, we can know the love by which we were made in the very image of God. Nothing can take that away from us, but in our foolishness we can fail to accept it. Take the time to be still and feel the love of our Heavenly Father.

Gracious God, we are sorry that we rush through our days, concerned about earthly things. Help us to see the wonder of all You have given us and give thanks to You. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭4‬.

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

Jesus came to change our hearts and lives, and this means that our minds are changed as well. Paul speaks of this in Philippians 2:5 saying “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus”. We must think in a new way if we are to follow Him.

This means training our minds in the same way we exercise to stay fit. While it involves cleansing ourselves of earthly thoughts, it must also lead us to think in terms of what Jesus asks of us. We know this through prayer and searching God’s word. In this, “we have the mind of Christ” (‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭2‬:‭16‬).

Much like conditioning our bodies takes time, our minds must practice refocusing on the things that are above. It won’t happen overnight but we must be persistent in our efforts. Through fellowship, study, prayer and worship we mold our thoughts, words and actions to be more like Christ.

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for our sinful ways and want to change our lives. Help us to see what is important in eternity and to go in Your name to share Your love. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬-‭12.

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.

‬Paul writes to followers of Jesus in Rome with words of support. If you think it was tough to be a Christian in Israel, imagine what being faithful in the capital of the empire would be like. Persecution was a daily threat and many Roman Christians died for their faith.

He speaks of gifts that will help them endure the oppression they face – “Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer”. We also have these gifts from God available in our lives. Our task is to share them so that others may come to know God and be saved as well.

Our faith is important to keep us strong when life is difficult, knowing that all earthly things are temporary and we have been promised an eternal home with God. By serving Him here we are part of Christ’s Great Commission to us to “go and make disciples of all the world” (Matthew 28:19). God needs no help from us but He graciously calls us to be part of what He is doing in creation.

Loving Lord, we are grateful for all Your many gifts, none more important than our savior, Jesus Christ. Help us to remain faithful even when it is difficult, rejoicing in the hope that salvation brings. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is ‭‭Luke‬ ‭16‬:‭10‬-‭13.

Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

While Jesus is speaking about money in this passage, He is really teaching us about our character and the gifts we are given. We need to view all our gifts together as resources for God’s work and not focus on the amount of wealth we can collect. God doesn’t care about how much we have, but He is keenly interested in what we do with what we have.

Using the things we have – wealth, skills and time – are important to God and to the call He places in our lives. God has given us everything and He wants us to use these gifts to honor Him and help our brothers and sisters to know Him. We can always find a way to bring His love to others using what we have.

Having wealth isn’t a sin, but what we are willing to do in order to get it and what we use it for can distract us from God’s plan. Jesus says plainly “You cannot serve God and wealth”. Our resources are given by Him and we are charged with using them well in His world.

Loving Lord, help us to see the needs we can fill with the gifts You give us. May we love people and use resources to Your glory. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭30.

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Yesterday we read about Queen Esther, today we have a verse about godly women in general. It’s easy to see that women were not given the status they deserve in many times and cultures, but scripture tells us this is wrong and there are numerous examples in God’s word to show us this lesson.

My first thought on this is who did Jesus first appear to after His resurrection? Mary Magdalene, not Peter or John or any of the disciples. Look back to the genealogy of Jesus and you will find godly women included during a time that women weren’t traditionally mentioned in these lists. In the Old Testament we hear of Deborah who was a Judge over Israel before the time of King David (Judges 4).

Even Paul, who sometimes said confusing things about women, relied on their help and ministry at the places he planted churches. He mentions numerous women in Romans 16, which begins “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchreae,” (‭‭Romans‬ ‭16‬:‭1‬). I’d like to think that Paul changed his opinion about women as God led him on his missions. In any case, God has a place and a plan for all His children. We are all called to go in His name to share the Good News.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the way we divide ourselves according to our characteristics. Help us to see how much alike we all are and to understand our differences as gifts. Amen.

Friends, my apologies for being out of touch at times this weekend. I got back to Omaha last night. The retreat was invigorating and challenging, and I know many others who felt it as well.

Our scripture this morning is ‭‭Esther‬ ‭4‬:‭14.

For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter, but you and your father’s family will perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.

I know the story of Esther but will admit I have never studied it deeply. Esther, a Jewish woman, was chosen by the king as one of his wives. When political intrigue threatens her people, she has the chance to save them, but only by disobeying the king’s edict, which could be punished by death.

How often do we face something this serious with consequences this severe? For most of us the answer is “never”. We have more opportunities to speak out about things than ever before in history. Like Esther, we must be willing to face the challenges of this world in order to do God’s will.

We may never be called to face earthly death for our faith, but it is and always will be a call to eternal life or eternal separation from God. Even when it is difficult or dangerous, we must be willing to stand against evil. God is with us always, and through His love we are strengthened.

Heavenly Father, help us to see what is important in eternity and strive for it, sharing Your love with the world. May we be brave and follow Jesus on the path You have set for us. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18‬:‭19‬-‭20.

Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.

If we read this passage in context, we see that Jesus is speaking about disagreements and discipline in the church. This is a difficult subject but not one Jesus shied away from. Many times we hear Him stand against the Pharisees and other religious leaders, but He also corrects those closest to Him when necessary. Immediately following this we find instructions for offering forgiveness within the early church. Dealing with these as the body of Christ is essential to prevent the false teaching He warned about from becoming accepted, but also to remain faithful to what God has given us in love.

Heavenly Father, we know we are a family, prone to disagreement and differences. Help us to work through these issues, caring for each other as we do so, seeking Your truth and not our own. Amen.