Category: Daily Prayer

Our Easter Vigil reading is 1 Peter 4:1-8.

Therefore, since Christ suffered as a human, you should also arm yourselves with his way of thinking. This is because whoever suffers is finished with sin. As a result, they don’t live the rest of their human lives in ways determined by human desires but in ways determined by God’s will. You have wasted enough time doing what unbelievers desire—living in their unrestrained immorality and lust, their drunkenness and excessive feasting and wild parties, and their forbidden worship of idols. They think it’s strange that you don’t join in these activities with the same flood of unrestrained wickedness. So they slander you. They will have to reckon with the one who is ready to judge the living and the dead. Indeed, this is the reason the good news was also preached to the dead. This happened so that, although they were judged as humans according to human standards, they could live by the Spirit according to divine standards. The end of everything has come. Therefore, be self-controlled and clearheaded so you can pray. Above all, show sincere love to each other, because love brings about the forgiveness of many sins.

Holy Saturday (the Easter Vigil) is a time of keeping watch for the people of God. The disciples hide in a locked room, fearing what happened to Jesus may happen to them. The authorities place a guard on the tomb where Jesus was laid (Matthew 27:65-66).

Writing later, Peter tells us that as Jesus suffered for us, we should prepare ourselves for suffering as well. The world does not share our hope in the resurrection, instead it opposes the fact and would convince us to live our lives pleasing ourselves instead of pleasing God. Jesus warned that we would face persecution for our faith in Him.

Instead, we wait for the miracle we can scarcely believe will occur. Oh we of little faith! We have Christ’s promise that can never fail. He will return in glory to share the blessing of salvation He has won for us and by His grace we wait patiently.

Loving Lord, help our unbelief. We are weak but through Your strength and care, we can be restored to the Creation relationship God intends. Bless us to wait and watch for Your resurrection. Amen.

Our Good Friday Gospel is John 18:1-19:42.

After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” They answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus replied, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they stepped back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken, “I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me.” Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?” So the soldiers, their officer, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and bound him. First they took him to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people. Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. The woman said to Peter, “You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing around it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself. Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. Jesus answered, “I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.” When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” Jesus answered, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?” Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, “You are not also one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed. Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate’s headquarters. It was early in the morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” They answered, “If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.” The Jews replied, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death.” (This was to fulfill what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.) Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate asked him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no case against him. But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” They shouted in reply, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a bandit. Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. They kept coming up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and striking him on the face. Pilate went out again and said to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no case against him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” When the chief priests and the police saw him, they shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him; I find no case against him.” The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has claimed to be the Son of God.” Now when Pilate heard this, he was more afraid than ever. He entered his headquarters again and asked Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate therefore said to him, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” From then on Pilate tried to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are no friend of the emperor. Everyone who claims to be a king sets himself against the emperor.” When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside and sat on the judge’s bench at a place called The Stone Pavement, or in Hebrew Gabbatha. Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover; and it was about noon. He said to the Jews, “Here is your King!” They cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate asked them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but the emperor.” Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’ ” Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill what the scripture says, “They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.” And that is what the soldiers did. Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. (He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth.) These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, “None of his bones shall be broken.” And again another passage of scripture says, “They will look on the one whom they have pierced.” After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

It is difficult to read and discuss this passage. There are so many conflicting human emotions – the betrayal by Judas, the denial of Peter, the exasperation of Pilate. Above it all is the calm and measured response of Jesus.

Jesus isn’t afraid to die, He is afraid for us, afraid for the eternal consequences that we incur from our betrayal and denial. Jesus has come to save us from ourselves and the awful curse of sin.

How do we respond? How can we respond? Christ has given His life for us that we might live in Him. All we can do is watch in wonder and love at His sacrifice.

Blessed Jesus, we grieve over what You endured for us, because of us. Help us to be obedient as You are, even unto death. In Your name we pray, Amen.

Today is Maundy Thursday, when we remember Jesus celebrating the Last Supper with His disciples. Our Gospel lesson is John 13:1-17.

“It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

Jesus knew all along what God’s plan was for Him. He spent His time on earth sharing what God had planned for us. He came as the living example of God’s love for us and His desire to renew our original connection.

Jesus spoke often of the last, the least and the lost, and we think “these are those poor souls He wants us to seek out.” The truth is we are those poor souls! Jesus came to save lost humanity from the sin we chose in place of God’s love.

He washed the feet of His friends, a lesson for us to be humble with everyone we meet, treating them as important in the kingdom of God. No one stands above anyone else. We must recognize the image of our Creator in each person, loving them as Christ loves all of us.

Gracious God, You sent Your Son as our brother, example and Savior. Help us to follow the path He has taught us, that all may be saved by Your love and mercy. Amen.

Our epistle this week is Acts 10:34-43.

Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Peter has learned that God loves and calls all people, not just the nation of Israel. He gives his testimony about Jesus to those gathered that they may know the Good News. This is a turning point in his faith and in the spread of the Gospel.

Earlier in Acts 2 we hear that Peter became a powerful and eloquent voice for Christ in Jerusalem. Here in Acts 10 he is called to see a Roman centurion and his family. Observant Jews did not associate with Gentiles, especially members of the Roman legion, but Paul obeys God’s command and visits. He finds a God-fearing group of people and later in the story, the Holy Spirit comes upon them and they are baptized in the name of Jesus.

Peter now sees that the gift of salvation is offered to all people, no matter what our nationality, location or social position. He travels to other Gentile communities and later writes letters encouraging these new communities of believers. He is blessed and a blessing through his discipleship, as we may be also.

Loving Lord, we are grateful to be called as part of Your saving work in the world. Help us to be the messengers of Your love to everyone. Amen.

Our Old Testament lesson is Isaiah 25:6‭-‬9.

On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine— the best of meats and the finest of wines. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken. In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”

The prophet Isaiah writes of God’s saving grace for all people. Everyone is eligible for God’s mercy if they put their trust in Him (v. 9). We are told that He will wipe away our tears and remove our disgrace.

What must we do to earn this blessing? There is nothing we can do, it is God’s free gift to us. After we accept His offer we are called to love Him and each other, and share the Good News.

There are no prerequisites, no entry fee, no act we can accomplish to win God’s approval. God loves and calls each of us without qualification. When we say yes to Him we become part of His plan, responsible to Him and each other for making disciples of all nations.

Loving Lord, we are not worthy to receive the wonderful gift You offer, but You reach out to us anyway. Help us to use our faith to reach others that all may enter Your kingdom. Amen.

Our call to worship is Psalm 118:14‭-‬19.

The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things! The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!” I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. The Lord has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death. Open for me the gates of the righteous; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.

The psalmist sings of God’s omnipotent strength, but also of the blessing of His mercy. We hear that the Lord is mighty and “has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death” (v. 18). God disciplines those He loves for correction, not punishment.

This psalm speaks of our salvation and our obligation as God’s people – “I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done” (v. 17). God has offered us eternal life through Jesus Christ, and in turn we are to tell others about the relationship we have with Him. He wants all of His children to return to Him and we are called to be part of His plan.

Don’t let the evil of this world prevent your witness or distract you from your heavenly connection. God is with us even in the most difficult times. Let His love strengthen you to accomplish the task to which He calls you.

Heavenly Father, in our weakness we cry out to You. Help us to see past our current trials to the eternal promise You offer us all. Amen.

Our Gospel lesson for Palm Sunday is Mark 11:1-11, taken today from the New International Version (NIV).

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’ ” They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna! ” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

Jesus came to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover in accordance with God’s plan. Everything He has done has been in accordance with what God has asked of Him. All the teaching and healing and His entrance to Jerusalem is according to the Father’s plan as well.

The prophet Zechariah was given these words some 500 years earlier: “See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). God had planned for Jesus to enter Jerusalem in this way long ago. It is intended to point out the stark difference between the rule of King Jesus and that of human kings.

Jesus offers us a place in His heavenly kingdom. It us not forced on us by conquest, as earthly rule is often carried out. Jesus invites us to repent and enter His kingdom through His mercy and love. May we hear His gentle call and obey humbly as He has shown us.

Loving Lord, You came as one of us to lead us back to the relationship intended at Creation. Help us to see the blessings in store for us and follow the path You have prepared. Amen.

Our Gospel this week is Mark 11:1-11, taken today from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

As they approached Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples, and said to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one yet has ever sat; untie it and bring it here. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ you say, ‘The Lord has need of it’; and immediately he will send it back here.” They went away and found a colt tied at the door, outside in the street; and they untied it. Some of the bystanders were saying to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They spoke to them just as Jesus had told them, and they gave them permission. They brought the colt to Jesus and put their coats on it; and He sat on it. And many spread their coats in the road, and others spread leafy branches which they had cut from the fields. Those who went in front and those who followed were shouting: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord ; Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David; Hosanna in the highest!” Jesus entered Jerusalem and came into the temple; and after looking around at everything, He left for Bethany with the twelve, since it was already late.

Jesus knew exactly what was asked of Him as He came to Jerusalem. He had told His followers before “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised on the third day” (Luke 9:22). Many who heard didn’t understand – how could the one who came to save them die?

Jesus knew God’s plan because He was in connection with the Father constantly. Jesus knew the importance of prayer, He practiced it and taught it to us. Prayer is the only way to share our lives and our concerns with God, not that He doesn’t already know but when we pray, we become part of the process.

People often say “I wish God would speak to me!” not realizing that He is waiting for us in prayer. When we open ourselves to God, He will open Himself to us. “Take time to be holy, speak oft with the Lord” says the old hymn. Spend time in prayer and you will begin to see the plan God has for you.

Loving Lord, we waste our time on idle pursuits and unfulfilling speech. Help us to find You in prayer that we may be connected eternally. Amen.

Our Gospel this week is Mark 11:1-11, taken today from the English Standard Version (ESV).

Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’” And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Hosanna is a Hebrew term that means “save us”. It seems the people might finally understand who Jesus is and why He has come. They are ready for the celebration of Passover and their expectations are high.

Unfortunately, most of them don’t really get it yet and what they expect is something quite different than what God has planned. Many are hoping for an overthrow of the Roman occupation and Israel’s return as a powerful monarchy under King Jesus. He has tried all through His ministry to teach us that it doesn’t work that way.

Jesus has come to save us from ourselves, from the sin to which we fall prey, and our separation from God. He conquers not through diplomatic negotiations or military might, but by the power of God’s love poured out for us all. We must give up our selfish expectations for getting what we want and follow His path to salvation.

Loving Lord, we are sorry when our earthly desire overrides our connection to You. Help us to see the blessings You have for us and follow Your path. Amen.

Our Gospel this week is Mark 1:1-11, taken today from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

“When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’ ” They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.”

Jesus comes to Jerusalem for the Passover and the people hail Him as “the one who comes in the name of the Lord” (v. 9). It certainly sounds like they understand the teachings and why Jesus is there. However, in the next breath they shout “blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David” (v. 10).

People still have the wrong expectation of Jesus, that He has come to restore the kingdom of Israel. Even after His resurrection (Acts 1:6) His disciples still ask this! Jesus tells us time and again it is not an earthly kingdom, but the kingdom of God.

We must also understand what we are asking when we pray for restoration of our country and our world. We must change our hearts and lives to be His people. God doesn’t want us to be the way we were, He wants us to accept His call and become part of His new kingdom.

Loving Lord, we are wrapped up in our own desires and expectations. Help us to see the promise You have for us and fulfill the purpose for which we were created. Amen.