Category: Daily Prayer

Our Gospel lesson this week is Luke 24:44-53, taken today from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising God.

This week we celebrate the Ascension of Christ. Scripture tells us that Jesus visited His followers and continued to teach them after being raised, but the time came for Him to return to heaven. The disciples witnessed Him being taken up and followed His instructions, waiting in Jerusalem for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

One biblical scholar calls the Ascension “when the training wheels came off.” Jesus has taught us of the Father’s love and showed us how to live. Now the responsibility comes to us to carry on the work He began.

It may be hard to believe that we are called to do what Jesus did, but that is the mission He gave us. He has faith in us to share the Good News, teaching others as He taught us. We are His representatives, may we go in His name to tell the world.

Loving Lord, we are amazed that You chose us to be part of Your plan. Help us to be energetic bearers of Your word and Your love. Amen.

Our Epistle this week is Ephesians 1:15-23.

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

“Open the eyes of my heart, Lord; I want to see You.” Composer and singer Michael W. Smith used a phrase from this passage to express our desire to be in connection with God. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians speaks of the love and power the Father has waiting for us.

Paul tells them (and us) that Christ has not only been raised from the dead, but to a position of glory and authority, seated at the right hand of God (v. 20). Through his teachings we are able to see that God wants the same relationship with us, and that we are called to continue the work Jesus began. This is our task and our blessing.

If we see with our hearts, we are better able to know our mission and share the Good News with the world. God wants us to love Him and others with all that we have and all that we are. Christ’s sacrifice has opened the way for us.

Lord, we are blessed by Your love and saved by Your mercy. Help us to be Your people, telling the world of the joy we have in You. Amen.

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

The book called The Acts of the Apostles tells us of the followers of Christ understanding their call and carrying on His ministry after He returned to God. While Peter and Paul are the primary messengers of the Gospel recorded, many others went faithfully to share the Good News. It reminds us that just as those who had known Jesus personally were blessed to continue His work, so we are also charged with telling His story to the world.

Acts means going and doing. In the Great Commission Jesus instructs us to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). We are all empowered by the Holy Spirit to actively share our faith, using the gifts God has given us specifically for this purpose.

While our gifts and our calls may be different, it is the same mission for all – to tell everyone of Jesus love and sacrifice for us. While it may mean serving in far away places, it can also be inviting someone to Bible Study, volunteering at the food pantry or reading to children at the library. Whenever we demonstrate love for others, we share the blessing we have received.

Heavenly Father, we are thankful for Jesus coming to show us Your love. Help us to share that love with all our brothers and sisters everywhere. Amen.

Our call to worship this week is Psalm 93.

The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure. Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity. The seas have lifted up, Lord, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea— the Lord on high is mighty. Your statutes, Lord, stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days.

This psalm exalts God’s creating power and the wonders He has made. We hear of the strength of the great oceans, and then how small they are when compared to the Lord Almighty. We can see how amazing creation is, but we must understand that God is greater than any created thing.

Jesus often called our attention to nature, using birds, plants, and agricultural practices to help teach us about God’s love. Since we were made by the same loving God, we can learn about our connection to Him and all creation through these teachings. God’s plan is displayed through nature’s complexity and beauty, and we are no less complex or beautiful.

Unlike other creations, we are made in His image, gifted with free will to respond to Him. We were created to be in a special relationship with God, and able to share what we have learned with others. Know His love today, know that you are fearfully and wonderfully made, and go to share His love with the world.

Gracious God, You have made us and given us Your creation as our home for now. Help us to remember that there is a far better home for us waiting with You in eternity. Amen.

Our Gospel this week is John 15:9-17, taken today from the New International Version (NIV).

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: love each other.

Jesus emphasizes the importance of loving each other as the way we show our love for God. The lesson in 1 John 4:20 teaches “You cannot love God and hate your brother.” He then encourages us “love each other as I have loved you” (v. 12).

This is often difficult for us, facing conflict in our lives. We feel the sting of disappointment when others reject us, and the rush of anger when we are challenged. Jesus teaches we must love them anyway, forgiving as He forgave even those who nailed Him to the cross.

Jesus wants love for God and each other to be the motivation for everything we do. He says this is the most important commandment of all. When we act out of love, we show that we are God’s children, followers of Christ who share His love and truth with the world.

Loving Lord, help us to see You in all our brothers and sisters, and love them as You first loved us. May we act in Your name, bringing the love You give to everyone we meet. Amen.

Our Gospel this week is John 15:9-17, taken today from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. This I command you, that you love one another.

Jesus has a mission for us. He tells the disciples “I chose you and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit” (v. 16). He has called us to carry on the work He started, sharing God’s love and His desire for us to be connected to Him.

It is amazing that He would trust us to continue the work of the kingdom in His name. We may feel we are unworthy or incapable of doing what Jesus does, but He calls us friends and reminds us He has shared the Father’s will with us. Later, He promises God’s Holy Spirit will come to strengthen and encourage us.

What an awesome responsibility we have been given! While it may seem overwhelming, God has gifted us that we may be able to accomplish the call we receive. We are not alone in this work, Christ is with us in all we do.

Heavenly Father, we find it hard to believe You want us as part of Your plan. Bless us to go in Your name, sharing the love You give and the joy of our eternal connection. Amen.

Our Gospel this week is John 15:9-17, taken today from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB).

As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commands you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me, but I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. This is what I command you: Love one another.

Jesus has much to teach us about love in this passage. He says in verse 9 “As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love.” This tells us that God’s love given to Jesus has been passed to us, and we are invited to be part of all God is doing in the world.

We are not forced to become part of the kingdom but we are asked to choose between God’s everlasting love and the wickedness of the world that puts self first. Jesus came to earth to show us the joy we can know when we put God and others ahead of ourselves, truly loving one another. This is His example to us and the call He places on our lives.

Are we ready to choose? Jesus made the choice to give Himself up for our salvation. We may not be asked to give up our lives but we must be ready to do so in His name.

Gracious God, we are humbled by Christ’s sacrifice to save us. Help us to walk in faith, ready to do what is needed to save others. Amen.

Our Gospel lesson is John 15:9-17, taken today from the English Standard Version (ESV).

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

Jesus gives us a wonderful promise in verse 15, saying “all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you”. Jesus wants us to know His purpose and understand our connection to that purpose. He came to show that our relationship to God is the most important thing there is, and loving each other is equally essential.

He calls us friends, wanting us to be part of His work. We know there is a special bond between Him and the Father, but He teaches that we are loved in the same way. When we accept the invitation to be part of His kingdom, we accept the same obligation to go and share God’s love.

Our task is to tell others all we have heard from the Father, just as Jesus did. We are the disciples of today with the same responsibility He gave His followers originally. He asked us to go and do likewise that all the world may know.

Loving Lord, we are grateful to be called Your children. Help us to bring the joy of Your salvation to everyone, everywhere. Amen.

Our Epistle for the week is 1 John 5:1-6.

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.

John details the fact that anyone who loves God will keep His commandments and will also love His children (v. 2). We don’t get to pick which commandments to obey and we don’t get to choose to love some and not others. Jesus taught that it’s a package deal.

God made each one of us to love Him, and through that relationship love all people. He wants us to see that spark of Him that exists in us, and rejoice that we are all connected. The promise of redemption is offered to all who will accept Christ as their savior.

In order to fulfill the promise, Jesus came to show God’s love and teach us the way. Now it is up to us to follow, ensuring all our brothers and sisters hear the Good News and follow as well. God calls us to show our love for Him through love and service to all His children.

Gracious God, not our will but Yours be done. Help us to love each other as You first loved us. Amen.

Our First Reading this week is Acts 10:44-48.

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.

The addition of Gentile (non-Jewish) believers to the early church came as a surprise to many. Jesus often interacted with people who were not of the faith, but to see the Holy Spirit at work in them likely made His followers stop and think.

Peter’s experience with these new followers of Jesus is detailed in Acts 10. In verse 28 he says “and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean.” This was a huge change for Jewish believers, to understand that any person who confesses Jesus as Lord is part of His church.

How do we see others who may not share our physical characteristics or heritage? God calls us to treat everyone as His beloved creation no matter what their background or situation. The commandment to love one another doesn’t have any loopholes.

Loving Lord, we are made differently but we are all made in Your image. Help us to see the strength our differences provide for the work of Your kingdom. Amen.