Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this morning is Psalm 139:7-12.

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

In this passage we hear both a blessing and a caution. The psalmist asks “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” The answer is of course, nowhere. The Creator who made everything that exists knows where we are at all times.

Paul writes “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). Nothing other than our own choice can ever isolate us from the love and care of God, and even then, His love and care for us endures.

In Genesis 3:9 we read “But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” Adam and Eve are “hiding” because they are ashamed. God knows where they are and what they have done, but even in this betrayal, God’s love is there for them. We can’t find a place, time or situation in which to run away from God, He is always there and no matter what, He loves us all.

Gracious God, we are grateful for Your mercy, offered when we have fallen into sin. Help us to be close to You at all times through the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Jude 1:20-23.

But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.

History tells us that like James, Jude is a brother of Jesus. Not much else is known of his life or ministry, but this writing has survived. It contains similar teaching to that in 2 Peter, indicating that he and the disciples were telling people the same message about the risen savior.

In this short letter Jude covers several topics, but his primary focus is our faith and how we treat each other. He gives several instructions in this passage on guarding our faith and waiting for Christ’s return. We are encouraged to show mercy to others, but cautioned to avoid their sins ourselves.

Jude writes that we “must build each other up in your most holy faith”, following the Great Commission Jesus gave us to make disciples of all nations. It is essential that as the disciples of today we share our faith and live according to the example He has shown us. While God needs no help in bringing about His plan of salvation, He has called us to be part of what He is doing in the world.

 Gracious God, we are thankful for the Holy Spirit that inspired Your chosen ones to leave us these lessons. May we follow their teachings, knowing that it is Your word being shared with us. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭29‬-‭32.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Paul asks us to look at how we speak about one another, reminding us of the example Jesus has given us. Perhaps we don’t use profanity, but words that demean others are never appropriate. He encourages us to say “only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen”. 

He reminds us of our obligation as followers of Christ to “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you”. We may be called to help correct improper interactions, but we must be careful not to fall into sin ourselves by using the same methods we intend to prevent. Shaming someone into better behavior is not acceptable or effective.

James 3:9 tells us “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.” God gave humans the gift of speech and reason; we must not use them to harm others. All people are God’s beloved children and we are called to love and care for each other, sharing the joy of fellowship and our connection to Him.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the way we treat each other and ask Your forgiveness. Help us to be strong in faith but gentle in our words and actions. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬-‭13.

There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Paul shares a very important truth in this passage, saying “the word of God is alive and active”. The blessing of scripture is a vital part of our lives, leading us to a deeper connection with Him and our brothers and sisters in Christ. In His word we find strength and guidance for the situations we face in our lives.

God didn’t just create us and leave us to go it alone. Even after sin entered the world through our disobedience, God still pursues us with an unimaginable love. We must make a conscious choice to accept His love and forgiveness and apply His gifts (like scripture) in all our actions.

In John 1:1 we read that “the word was with God and the word was God”. He has sent us that word in Christ our savior and through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit recorded in scripture. Worship, prayer, and searching the scriptures give us the strength we need to go in faith to serve one another as Jesus taught us.

Gracious God, we are grateful for Your word, sent to heal us and teach us. May we be alive and active in our faith, telling the world of Your love and salvation. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is ‭‭Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭5.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Paul tells us that when we go through a time of suffering, God can use the experience to deepen our faith and our relationship with Him. God doesn’t send hurting into our lives but He is with us through it, showing us that earthly emotional or physical pain can be endured, not by our own strength but His.

Jesus came to be our example, sharing God’s love with us and showing us that through a life in God’s grace, we can endure the world’s opposition to His message. Make no mistake, there will be resistance from the evil forces we face. However, Jesus said “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭11‬).

When we hurt, God hurts along with us. He is the source of all good things and wants only the very best for His children. Paul writes “God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” and through this we can endure whatever threat the world has for us.

Loving Lord, we are weak but You are strong. Help us to be ready to face worldly issues in faith, relying on Your love and mercy in all things. Amen.

Our scripture today is John 10:1-10.

“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Jesus uses the illustration of the shepherd and sheep to explain to the Pharisees (and us) the relationship His followers have with Him. It is a lesson about those who are leaders for their own selfish purposes – Jesus calls them thieves and robbers. He has come for another purpose, “that they may have life, and have it to the full”.

Jesus refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd later in this passage to teach us that He has come to lead us home. He always tells us the truth, unlike human leaders who may take us down the wrong path. If we follow Him, we will always be on the path that leads to eternal life.

We are sometimes more foolish than sheep, following whatever voice calls to us. Jesus says “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (‭‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭27‬). Following Jesus is the only way for us to be forgiven and saved. 

Gracious God, in Your mercy You sent Your son to gather us up and bring us back into a loving relationship with You. Send us to tell all our brothers and sisters about our Good Shepherd. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 Peter‬ ‭5:6-10.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.

Peter went from being a hothead, an on again-off again believer to a mature and confident leader and teacher because of what Jesus did for him. Jesus can change our lives in the same way if we let Him. In verse 7 we read “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you”. We are called by the Master to give the things that worry us to Him and trust that His sacrifice for us has opened the way to eternal life.

Loving Lord, we are often overcome by what we face in this life. Help us to be the confident believers You call us to be, resting in God’s love. Amen.

Sorry to be short today and tomorrow. I’m traveling, so this is coming from my phone and my fat fingers have difficulty with tiny keys.

Our scripture this morning is ‭‭Romans‬ ‭5:3-5‬.

And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

Jesus told us that because we follow Him, we can expect opposition from the world. Satan thrives on suffering  and chaos, the exact opposite of God’s love and plan for us. When we are up against evil, we can find comfort and strength from the example Christ has given us, and know that the Holy Spirit works within us to keep us on the narrow path.

Gracious God, thank You for being with us always. We press ahead in Your name to share the Good News everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭4‬-‭9.

Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is. Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God.

Sin is a tough subject for us. Most people don’t want to sin, but it happens for a variety of reasons. Sometimes we are lazy in our faith, or selfish, perhaps we are faced with a difficult choice at work or in our relationships. No matter the cause, sin separates us from God.

Sin came into the world because humans chose what they wanted over what God had provided for them. God has a plan for all of us to be saved, but when we choose our way rather than His, the results are not good. It may seem that the wicked prosper and succeed in the world, but that is only temporary and they isolate themselves from what God has for them.

The Good News is that Jesus came to reclaim us all, the faithful and the fallen. No one is beyond God’s love and Jesus calls us to go to all the world with this message. Our task is to reach out to one another as God has commanded, sharing His truth and mercy with everyone.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we choose our path rather than Yours. Help us to remain steadfast in faith and show the world we are Christians by our love. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is ‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬-‭18.

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

The Letter of James is probably best known for teaching us that “faith without works is dead”, but in this short book, he has a lot more to tell us. In this passage we hear “temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away”. God may use our issue to test and strengthen us, but “God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else”.

We know that God is the source of all good things. The Apostle John writes “This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all” (‭‭1 John‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬). James echoes this, saying “whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father”.

Temptation and sin originate in us and it is up to us to ask for the strength we need to meet the challenge. God is always ready to help us, as are those He has given us as brothers and sisters in Christ. We are all called and equipped through His word to stand against the evil we face and be ready for Christ’s return.

Gracious God, we are sorry for the times we let sin control us. Bless us to follow Jesus as our example, accepting the salvation He has won for us, and go to share Your love with the world. Amen.