Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this week is Matthew 18:15-20.

If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 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.

Jesus said the church has a role to play in the disagreements we face. It was His intent that His followers be the voice of reason in the disputes of the world. We are called to help those in conflict find a way to peacefully resolve their differences.

This can be a difficult and sometimes dangerous undertaking. Jesus knew the risk we face when we get involved, but Jesus came to get involved and teach us to do likewise. Our efforts to make a difference in the world are part of our task as the disciples of today.

We can’t save ourselves by doing good, rather doing good is our response to being saved by Christ’s love. When we treat others as Jesus did, we show the world His love as a living, breathing act of sharing. Hear His call on your life today and go to do His will!

Loving Lord, we are Your people, responsible to You and each other for our actions. Help us to be good representatives of Your love, sharing the joy of our relationship with You to all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 18:15-20.

If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 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.

Jesus tells us how important personal contact and communication is to understanding each other. However, He also speaks of the need to involve other believers if the situation is not resolved. Sometimes it’s necessary for others to weigh in on matters to be able to reach a solution.

How do you feel when someone asks you to get involved in a disagreement with someone else? Do you find it hard not to take sides? Jesus asks us to be ready as believers to help mediate disputes according to God’s law and the teachings we have been given.

Is it harder for you to ask someone to mediate a dispute in which you are involved? Like many other issues, we tend to think we can fix things ourselves, when asking for help is the right thing to do. Don’t be reluctant to use the gift of other believers when you reach an impasse, it may be the only way to solve the problem. Prayerful exploration of the dispute and the counsel of others you trust is what Jesus teaches us.

Loving Lord, we are sometimes disagreeable creatures, prone to argue and annoy each other. Help us to see the need for Your love in our lives and treating each other the way You have taught us. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 18:15-20.

If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 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.

Jesus speaks of handling dissent among ourselves in this passage. He knew that we would continue to have arguments and disagreements, and gave us a way of settling them as brothers and sisters. His loving instruction to us is the best way of dealing with conflict, in the church and in the world.

He tells us to speak about the problem one on one. Personal contact is the best way for us to reach each other, and it is both the most satisfying and the most difficult. Jesus knows that face to face conversation helps us to be open and honest, something that is often impossible with other forms of communication.

Personal discussion of a disagreement should begin with only those involved He tells us. Too often we share our problems with the world before giving private conversation a chance. Jesus says “go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone”, indicating it is our duty to approach them and not to include the community at first. If we listen to this lesson, our chances of resolving our issues are greatly improved.

Loving Lord, we are a people who often let our disagreements separate us from one another. Teach us patience and caring to be able to deal with our problems, putting Your love above all else. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 16:21-28.

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Jesus wants the disciples to know that His death will not be the end. He tells them “For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done” (v. 27). This is very different than what they were expecting from the Messiah.

Many thought Jesus came to restore an earthly kingdom, and were shocked when He told them He would die for the world. They were stuck in their own thinking of “how it should be”, something that still troubles us today. Like Peter, we often try to impose our own will on situations rather than listening for God’s will.

When we try to control things, it doesn’t always end well. Jesus wasn’t afraid to give up control, to follow God’s will for Him even when the way seemed hard. We must be willing to let go and listen to what God calls us to as well, knowing His goodness is given to all His children.

Wise and wonderful God, our willfulness often leads us into the wrong things. Help us to be aware of Your call on our lives and follow where You lead us. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 16:21-28.

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Jesus asks us “what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (v. 26) and of course the answer is “nothing”. While our souls are a gift we are charged with using well on earth, we can do nothing to redeem them ourselves. Only through the sacrifice Jesus made for us can we be saved.

We need to understand that our faith is the key to using our gifts properly. Believing that we have been forgiven and can live new lives is the start of faith. Knowing God’s love enables us to go into the world and share the gifts we have been given for the good of all.

We can only be truly happy when we accept the relationship Jesus offers and our actions show our gratitude for that connection. He energizes and empowers us to be His representatives. Without His love and guidance we can do nothing, but with Him we can change our world.

Loving Lord, thank You for the gift of relationship and love to be used for the good of Your children. May we be grateful participants in the coming of Your kingdom. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 16:21-28.

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Jesus tells us again about holding on to earthly things with the statement “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it” (v. 25). This is a little difficult for us to understand at first, but Jesus wants us to see that nothing we have here is as important as our relationship with God and His promise of eternal life. Jesus isn’t saying life is worthless, but that we often strive more for things here than we do for the salvation He brings us.

Jesus wants us to think about priorities and understand the difference between what is temporary here and what God offers us forever. When we accept His forgiveness and truly change our hearts and lives, we become focused on that relationship over all else, including our desire for treasure or power here. We no longer fear what lies ahead, and our concerns for earthly things are lessened.

“Losing” our lives here doesn’t necessarily mean giving up our lives, although many have died for their faith. However it does mean living our lives for more than ourselves, seeing the joy of sharing God’s love as more important than anything else we do. Life is a gift from God to be used as a way of expressing our thanks and reaching others for Him.

Gracious God, we are grateful for the gift of life but even more for the connection it provides. Help us to use this gift to share Your love with all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 16:21-28.

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

If we chase the material things the world deems important, but don’t have a relationship with God, what are we accomplishing? Jesus puts it to us in a straightforward way: “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (v. 26). That’s the very real danger we face if things are more important than our connection with God and each other.

In Matthew 6:24 Jesus says “You cannot serve both God and money”. Paul writes in 1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils”. Does this mean wealth is a bad thing?

Jesus teaches that money is just a tool, it is our obtaining and using it that can cause problems. If we earn an honest living without cheating one another and share what we have, we are doing as God intends. Loving Him first and not becoming obsessed about wealth and possessions is essential to our salvation.

Heavenly Father, we know all good gifts come from You. Help us to be good stewards of the bounty You provide, never seeing it as more important than our brothers and sisters or our love for You. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 16:21-28.

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Jesus tells His followers plainly what will be required of them – “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (v. 24). He doesn’t promise glory or riches or an easy time. He says we must put what God wants of us above what we want for ourselves.

Denying ourselves is a difficult thing for us. Jesus doesn’t say “be miserable” but instead asks us to determine what makes us truly happy. Momentary pleasure may distract us from the path on which He leads us and we may regret the missteps we made.

The joy of of the Lord is that even when we fall, we can be forgiven and restored. In repentance we can go back to Jesus’ side and continue the work He has for us. Our connection to Him can never be broken and He is always waiting patiently for us to return.

Loving Lord, we are weak and often stray from Your love and care. Help us to see that Your way is best for us, even when it is difficult. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 16:21-28.

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Do you think the disciples ever had issues with what Jesus was trying to teach them? I’ll bet there were times He said something and their response was “Huh?”. They didn’t always get it right away either, needing more time and more explanation in order to understand the lesson.

That’s why we need to be gentle with ourselves when we don’t get the meaning of a scripture teaching. We need to read and reread, pray about it, discuss it with others whose faith and knowledge we trust. Scripture was never intended to be “one and done” but a lifelong guide and learning process.

Jesus wants us to know His love and intends that we learn of Him through scripture and the testimony of other believers. He also wants us to share our experience, helping others to know Him as we do. Don’t let a difficult lesson be a hindrance to your spiritual growth! Seek the help that has been provided for us in each other.

Loving Lord, we are often slow to understand what You would have us know, and even slower to apply it in our lives. Help us to seek the knowledge You send and share it in love with all the world. Amen.