Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this morning is 2 Corinthians 7:8-10.

For even if I made you sad by my letter, I do not regret having written it (even though I did regret it, for I see that my letter made you sad, though only for a short time). Now I rejoice, not because you were made sad, but because you were made sad to the point of repentance. For you were made sad as God intended, so that you were not harmed in any way by us. For sadness as intended by God produces a repentance that leads to salvation, leaving no regret, but worldly sadness brings about death.

This excerpt from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians is an almost apology. Paul tells them he didn’t want them to be sad at his words but that his lesson was intended to produce a change in them. This is such difficult situation, trying to convince people of the danger of their disobedience.

As Christians we are told not to judge, at least not by human standards, but at the same time Jesus shares this guidance: “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault when the two of you are alone. If he listens to you, you have regained your brother” (Matthew 18:15). We are to watch over each other in love. Is it judgement when we try to prevent people harming themselves or others?

He ends this passage with the reminder “for sadness as intended by God produces a repentance that leads to salvation, leaving no regret”. God doesn’t want us to be sad in a worldly way, but that sadness at sin will lead us back into the relationship God wants with us. When we see our error, we may be saddened by our wrong choice, but we know that God stands ready to welcome us back.

Gracious God, we are sorry for our selfish ways. Help us to hear Your word, feel Your love and share Your goodness with all the world. Amen.

Most of you are aware that I use The Bible App (bible.com) to put together morning prayer every day. It’s also the source of the shareable graphic that I insert daily. Sometimes I feel their daily reading repeats itself – the same passage in a fairly recent period. Then I had to remind myself I often say “if we hear it more than once, it’s probably important!” I hope you are blessed the reading this Sabbath!

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 6:19-21.

Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Jesus taught us that we are to serve one another and showed us in amazing ways. Now it is our turn to serve. (I know you are thinking “how does service relate to treasure?”) Jesus showed us that our service for God’s kingdom and each other is the only way to enjoy the treasure of eternal life.

Selfish people focus on things. Followers of Jesus focus on people. The treasure we are accumulating for ourselves in heaven are far greater than the things of this world and can never be taken away. Earthly treasure is temporary. Things on earth (including us) eventually wear down. Things lose their value, but God’s beloved children do not.

Jesus wants us to be in relationship with God and each other. This is our first and most important task. If we learn and live the teachings He has given us, we will be rich in heavenly treasure.

Loving Lord, help us to see what is eternal, living as You intend. Send us to share Your love with everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 42:8-11.

By day the Lord decrees his loyal love, and by night he gives me a song, a prayer to the living God. I will pray to God, my high ridge: “Why do you ignore me? Why must I walk around mourning because my enemies oppress me?” My enemies’ taunts cut into me to the bone, as they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” Why are you depressed, O my soul? Why are you upset? Wait for God! For I will again give thanks to my God for his saving intervention.

This psalm is a lament, a cry to God. There are many of these passages in which the psalmist pours out their heart asking for God’s help. However, there is always a note of hope, our confidence that God hears and answers prayer.

God wants us to bring our issues to Him. While God already knows everything we experience, we become part of the process when we share our joys and concerns. He wants us to be free from worry, but it is up to us to come to Him in prayer for relief.

The psalm ends with praise to God “for His saving intervention”. With this assurance we rejoice. We know that God is present with us always and His presence gives us comfort and courage to press on.

Loving Lord, we are weak on our own, but with Your love we are strengthened. Help us to be energetic in sharing the Gospel everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Proverbs 22:3-6.

A shrewd person sees danger and hides himself, but the naive keep right on going and suffer for it. The reward for humility and fearing the Lord is riches and honor and life. Thorns and snares are in the path of the perverse, but the one who guards himself keeps far from them. Train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

While proverbs are usually stand alone instructions not necessarily related to the verses around them, this passage connects wise sayings about the path God has planned for us. It reminds us that God has shown us what is right, but we must still choose it. God wants us to be part of what He is doing in creation but He doesn’t force us.

This reading warns that “thorns and snares are in the path of the perverse”. Choosing what we want rather than what God intends always leads to bad results. Jesus teaches “the gate is narrow and the way is difficult that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:14). We must learn to follow Him instead of our own selfish ways.

The sooner we learn this the easier it will be for us. The last verse tells us “train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it”. We have responsibility to learn this for ourselves and help others to find their place in His kingdom.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we stray from You. Help us to return in repentance, safe on the path You have made for us. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is James 1:25-27.

But the one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and fixes his attention there, and does not become a forgetful listener but one who lives it out – he will be blessed in what he does. If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile. Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their misfortune and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

God has given us His will in His word. Scripture is God’s message of love and hope sent to us through inspired writers over the centuries. James tells us if we live out God’s law we will be blessed in what we do.

Doing God’s will means knowing His word. How can we know what God intends for us if we don’t read and listen? Even then, James warns we “must not become a forgetful listener”, that we must do more than that. We are called to act in the name of Jesus to share God’s love.

Each of us are differently gifted and God has a unique purpose for everyone. James instructs us to look to the needs of those around us. Perhaps we can’t solve all the world’s problems but everyone can do something. Ask God to point you in the right direction and go make a difference!

Gracious God, You have called us to share the Gospel with the world. Make us strong in faith and love to reach out to all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Philippians 1:8-11.

For God is my witness that I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And I pray this, that your love may abound even more and more in knowledge and every kind of insight so that you can decide what is best, and thus be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.

Paul writes to the Philippians with words of encouragement from his prison cell. He wants them to know that God’s love is there with him, even in dire circumstances, and that same love is given to them. It is their task to accept and share God’s love with everyone.

Paul went from being a persecutor of Christians to being a persecuted Christian. While we may not face the challenges he did, his lessons are applicable in our lives. He teaches us that we are precious to God and that He is always with us.

We are called to be “sincere and blameless for the day of Christ” by following the example Jesus set for us. Paul’s life was turned around by his encounter with Christ. While we may never have the same experience, we can all know Jesus and make Him part of our lives. Then we can be “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God”, living in Him and for Him.

Loving Lord, we are amazed that You call us back into relationship with You to be part of Your eternal plan. Bless us to grow in Your love and Your spirit to share the Good News everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 6:33-34.

But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.

Jesus continues a series of lessons in this chapter on many subjects, such as prayer, fasting, and giving up our anxiety to God. He presents God’s will and word to us in ways that are welcoming and understandable. He wants us to see scripture not as a rule book but a love letter, a record of our history with God.

Nothing is more important than our connection to our Heavenly Father, and when we allow things to distract us, it hampers the relationship. Even harmless everyday activities can divert us from time needed with God. The story of Mary and Martha is a prime example. Martha certainly isn’t doing anything wrong in preparing for the meal, but when she complains to Jesus her sister isn’t helping, He tells her that “Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42).

Worry is never a solution, it merely wastes energy and often takes time away from working on the issue. Jesus says to continue our efforts for the kingdom and let God handle things. In this way we can better concentrate on the task before us – sharing His love with the world.

Gracious God, we are grateful for the gift of Your son who taught us to love You and one another. Help us to be more like Jesus, trusting You in all things. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 2 Corinthians 5:16-18.

So then from now on we acknowledge no one from an outward human point of view. Even though we have known Christ from such a human point of view, now we do not know him in that way any longer. So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away – look, what is new has come! And all these things are from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

Paul sums up the Great Commission by saying God “has given us the ministry of reconciliation”. Being reconciled means being together again. Jesus puts us together with God again and calls us to do the same for the whole world.

While we are part of God’s plan, we need His help to accomplish it. We may have individual work we are called to, however we also work together as brothers and sisters. We are the body of Christ here on earth and the best way to reach people for Jesus is to meet them where they are on a personal level.

Paul writes “what is old has passed away – look, what is new has come!”, telling us that Jesus has brought about a change in us and calls us to share it with everyone. We no longer look at each other as mere humans but see people as beloved children of God. As such, we are each special and each of us is responsible for spreading the Gospel everywhere.

Gracious God, You sent us Your son Jesus Christ that we might be made new through Him. Bless us to go in faith to tell the world of Your love. Amen. 

Our scripture this morning is Malachi 4:4-6.

Remember the law of my servant Moses, to whom at Horeb I gave rules and regulations for all Israel to obey. Look, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord arrives. He will encourage fathers and their children to return to me, so that I will not come and strike the earth with judgment.

The prophet Malachi writes that God has given us guidelines for our relationship with Him and each other throughout history. God wants us to know what He expects of us and what we can expect from Him. He refers to the Ten Commandments given to Moses and the children of Israel in the desert, and the fact that God’s laws are never superseded.

He tells us that God will send faithful people to share His word, to “encourage fathers and their children to return to me, so that I will not come and strike the earth with judgment”. We must understand that God’s judgement is certain and those that choose to live outside His law will suffer the consequences.

God doesn’t want to lose any of His children, but we must be willing to repent and return to Him. We know what is required of us and what is at stake. Without our confession of sin and His forgiveness, we are indeed lost.

Heavenly Father, we are amazed that You have sent Your son to save us. Help us to follow the example He gave us, loving You and each other. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Luke 6:32-36.

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to be repaid, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, so that they may be repaid in full. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to ungrateful and evil people. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Jesus explains that doing good to those who are good to you isn’t all there is to being His follower. He tells us “even sinners love those who love them”. To share Christ’s love as He commanded we must love each other without distinction or exclusion.

One of the most important teachings here is that we are to love “expecting nothing back”. If we only do good in order to be seen or to reap rewards, we are not loving as Jesus taught. He showed us how to minister to even those considered outcasts.

If we look at ourselves honestly, we are all outcasts – fallen creatures whose sin has separated them from the blessing God intended at our creation. However, our loving Lord is still waiting for us to return in repentance, ready to welcome us back into relationship. We must do the same for all our brothers and sisters.

Heavenly Father, we know we are hard to love, but You love us just the same. Bless us to share the joy of our connection with You with all the world. Amen.