Category: Daily Prayer

Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. Luke 12:51

Did Jesus just tell us that He came to divide us? As a matter of fact, He did. I don’t believe that was God’s intention, but He certainly knew what the effect would be. Jesus told us that some would willingly choose not to accept God’s love and forgiveness.

While He was with us, people had strong feelings about Him – one way or another. Jesus knew His presence and His call on people’s lives would stir up emotions as some chose to follow Him and others firmly turned away. He certainly didn’t want to divide us, but He knew that we would divide ourselves by our own choice.

How sad that we did this to ourselves and continue to do so today, especially within the body of Christ. Paul wrote to the Corinthians “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.” (1 Corinthians 1:10). Even when we are divided over issues, it is essential that we agree to treat each other as brothers and sisters in Christ and share God’s love.

Loving Lord, help us to see each other as You see us and not as adversaries to be challenged and defeated. Let Your love cover us and bring us home as Your children. Amen.

“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed!”
Luke 12:49-50

Jesus begins a lesson with a statement that indicates His desire to spread God’s truth, but also shows His obedience to God’s will. Jesus was excited about what was to come, but He knew God had a plan for how it was to take place. Jesus understood that doing what God intended was essential for the world to be saved.

I remember when I was younger I attempted to assemble several model cars and planes. I’ll admit I was not very good at it because I was impatient to get them done and often ignored the instructions, thinking “I know what it’s supposed to look like, I can just put it together myself!” The results were never what they should have been and I was frustrated by the wasted effort.

This is what Jesus is experiencing and sharing with us in this lesson. He knows what God’s plan is supposed to look like and He is anxious for it to come to pass. However, He also knows that without following God’s instructions, the results will not be what was intended. Even if we have good intentions, it is necessary to listen carefully to God and not press ahead with our own plan.

Heavenly Father, we know You bless our actions when we are doing Your will. Help us to hear and understand so that we do not wander off on our own. Keep us in Your love and care today and always. Amen.

In the lesson for this week (Luke 12:32-40) we have encountered several things to examine in our lives. Jesus wants us to look at how we use our resources and what role they play in our relationship with God and others. He tells us that what we use our gifts on determines what is important to us, and warns that too much emphasis on material possessions and how we obtain them can hinder our connection with our Heavenly Father.

An important verse from this scripture says “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32). How wonderful a promise is this? God stands ready to give us the kingdom if we would only seek it! When we let earthly things distract us they lead us away from our heavenly inheritance.

Another verse that gives us insight into God’s promise tells us “It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.” (Luke 12:37). For some of us, this sounds much like Jesus caring for the disciples at the Last Supper. However, Jesus tells us here that God will be ready and waiting to serve those who are found to be ready and waiting for Him.

Are we ready and waiting? We know the call God makes on our lives – to love Him and our neighbors, and to make disciples of all the world. Those who obey His call and wait actively for the coming of His kingdom have been promised a place at His table. Don’t ignore the invitation God has sent you!

Gracious God, we are often led astray by the lure of worldly things. Help us to focus on the eternal importance of a connection to You and serving each other in Your name until Your kingdom comes on earth. Amen.

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.  It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Luke 12:32-40

Jesus has several related subjects for us in this lesson: God has given us the kingdom, we are to provide for the poor and not store up earthly treasure, and we are to watch and wait for His return. That’s a lot to take in through just a few verses! Jesus always had a single plan in mind when He taught – God’s plan for us, and even though there was much to hear and learn, it was all connected to that single truth.

Every teaching connects us to loving God, loving neighbor and making disciples. If we looked at all our thoughts and actions to make sure that it fits one of these commands, we would be more like Jesus every day. Being aware of the needs of those around us and using the gifts God has given will enable us to spread the Good News as we have been called to do.

Jesus told us to wait patiently but actively – always being ready for the coming of the Kingdom, but doing God’s will on earth until that time comes. If we continue His work enthusiastically, we will be the good and faithful servants He expects, ready to welcome Him when He returns.

Gracious God, we are blessed to be part of Your plan, serving You and our brothers and sisters. Thank You for calling us to be participants, not just observers. May we be good stewards of all You give us, using Your gifts wisely and generously. Amen.

“But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Luke 12:39-40

Jesus says that we will not know the time of His return, not to keep information from us, but because that is God’s plan. Just before returning to heaven He tells His disciples “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.” (Acts 1:7-8). In this lesson He tells us that we must be ready all the time for the coming of the kingdom.

God made us and knows that we are prone to wander off in search of our own desires. That is why He says we must always be ready, to keep us mindful of our blessing and our responsibility to be His witnesses. When we put God’s will ahead of our own, we are always ready.

Jesus wants us to know the joy of the same relationship He has with God, and to inherit the kingdom with Him. All of His lessons point us toward God’s plan for us, and help us focus on our response to God’s love. May we all be ready for that wonderful time when we know Him face to face!

Loving Lord, our will is weak and susceptible to falling away. Keep us in Your care, that we may follow You faithfully and be ready to welcome You when You return. Amen.

It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak.
Luke 12:37-38

Jesus offers this opportunity for all of us, that if we are prepared and awaiting His coming, we will be part of His heavenly banquet. It is an example of active waiting, not just passing the time. Like the servants in this parable, we have been given tasks to perform to be ready for the Master’s return.

Jesus was all about active ministry. Yes, there were quiet prayer times and lessons taught to us, but most of His work was with the people, sharing God’s love and bringing them back into connection with Him. During this time, He trained His followers to be the servants the world needs.

We are all called to be His servants as well, helping to prepare the world for His return. In order to do this, we must prepare ourselves, readying our hearts, minds and lives to be able to reach out to our brothers and sisters. Are we ready to be servants of the Master, waiting attentively for Him?

Gracious God, we are grateful for all Your many gifts, none more precious than Your everlasting love. Help us to be good servants, preparing the way for Your kingdom. Amen.

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.”
Luke 12:35-36

When we hear that severe weather may strike, we take precautions and make the appropriate preparations. Not being prepared sounds foolish to us and we encourage others to have what they need and be ready. Jesus uses the example of servants dressed with lamps burning to indicate how we should all be ready for the coming of the kingdom.

Do you know anyone who warns their neighbors but are not prepared themselves? That’s not usually the case – those who are ready encourage others to do so because they understand the need to be prepared for what is to come. Some say “but what if the storm misses us?” It is better to be ready and not need it than the other way around!

We know that Jesus is coming back, there’s no chance that it won’t happen to everyone! We must be prepared ourselves and do our best to ensure others are ready as well. For some who are not ready, His return will be a storm; but for those who are prepared as Jesus taught us, it will be a joyful celebration! Prepare your hearts and share the Good News that everyone may be ready when He comes back for us.

Loving Lord, we trust Your promise that You will return and Your teaching to be prepared. Help us to order our lives and help others to be ready for Your coming as well. Amen.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:34

This simple statement carries a huge lesson for us. Jesus tells us that what we put value on is where our attention will be. That seems pretty self-evident, but let’s look at how this line of thought affects our daily lives.

Jesus teaches that when we focus on something, we tend to put our time and effort – our treasure – into it as well. The process is completed by more attention – our heart – following. This is a wonderful pattern for discipleship, but it is also a definition of the addiction cycle.

In this short verse, Jesus warns that what we spend our time and money on affects our whole lives and our relationship with God. If we are focused on the connection to our Creator, we will continue to grow in our love for Him and use His gifts wisely. However, a focus on earthly things can distract us and cause a disconnection. God will never withdraw His love from us, but we can drift into things that prevent us from being fully alive in Him. Make sure your time and treasure go to things that lead to life!

Heavenly Father, we are easily attracted to things that don’t benefit us or our relationship with You. Help us to seek worthy goals and use Your gifts for the good of all. Amen.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.”
Luke 12:32-33

Jesus continues His lesson about the difference between what we have here and what we are already promised in Heaven. He teaches that the earthly things we strive so hard for are nothing compared to the treasure that awaits us. We must look ahead to the coming of the kingdom and be ready, not being distracted by possessions here.

The difference is that what we have now can be stolen or wear out because earthly things are temporary. We are called to put our faith in eternal things that cannot be taken away because they are gifts from God. Jesus tells us “your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” This isn’t a trick or a simple motivational statement, it is a promise from God that He will care for us.

Today, think about how hard you work for everyday things and temporary benefits. Now consider how much more God’s gifts are worth. We can’t earn them by working, they are already ours. We show our love for God and His blessings by sharing the Good News with everyone.

Loving Lord, we are often led astray by the mindset that we must have things, that our worth is determined by what we own or control. Help us to see that Your gifts are the most important and we need only be faithful to receive them. Amen.

Our scripture for this week, Luke 12:13-21, often has the heading “The Rich Fool”. Jesus begins this lesson after being asked to referee a dispute between two brothers over their inheritance. He declines to become involved in their argument, and teaches about our heavenly inheritance and how our focus on earthly things can keep us from connecting with God as we should.

Jesus has often spoken about the danger of wanting what we don’t have. This is such a problem for humans that God made it part of the Ten Commandments, “Thou shalt not covet…” (Exodus 20:17). While there is nothing wrong with wanting to better ourselves, Jesus reminds us that a rich relationship with God is eternal while possessions and wealth are temporary.

Jesus warns us of becoming so concerned about what we own that we forget who we are – children of the Heavenly Father, made in His image to do His will. When we worry excessively about our finances we can neglect our relationship with God and others. Jesus wants us to know this loving connection with God that is the basis for our happiness and the very source of our lives. Don’t be a rich fool, concerned only with material goods! Love God first and foremost and your life will be changed!

Gracious God, we are distracted by the lure of wealth, thinking it can buy us happiness. Show us the true joy that only comes from a sincere and constant connection to You, and the blessing of being part of Your plan for all things. Amen.