Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this morning is John 1:1-5 (NLT).

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

The poetic opening of John’s Gospel reminds us of the opening of Genesis, which is the opening of everything. It tells us that Jesus the Word was the means of creation and “nothing was created except through him.” Jesus has been part of what goes on in the world from the start.

This passage says “The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.” This phrase is part of the hymn “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” where we sing “light and life to all He brings.” Without Jesus there is no light or life.

It also means His light came to everyone that they would know God’s truth and be reconciled to Him. In Matthew 5:14 Jesus tells us “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.” We reflect His light and love, bringing the Good News to everyone.

Loving Lord, in Your mercy You made a way for us to be forgiven and reconnect to You. Bless us to be light and love to all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Jude 1:20-22 (NLT).

But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering.

The Letter of Jude is a book that contains a lot of great information in a very short space. It is only a single chapter, but it has impacted generations of Christians. This passage speaks of our duty to each other in the faith, calling us to “build each other up.”

It reminds us that Christ’s return is assured, but we must wait for the time the Father has appointed. Waiting is not something we are naturally inclined to, preferring to take action ourselves. This is often the cause of our issues, leading us to trust in our own methods rather than what we have been taught.

Jude writes that even those “whose faith is wavering” deserve our love and care. He specifically tells us to show them mercy, as Christ Himself would do. Jesus intentionally sought out those who had no hope and showed them God’s love. We are all called to go in His name to do the same.

Gracious God, in Your mercy You sent Your son to show us how to live in You and for You. Bless us to take the love we have received into the world and share it with everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 27:4 (NLT).

The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.

During their time of wandering in the desert the children of Israel had the Tabernacle as their place to meet the Lord. Later they came to the Temple and local synagogues for community worship. Now we have churches in many different forms. In some ways this would be a great way to live, sheltered from the hazards of the world.

However, Jesus tells us our mission is out in the world, where people need saving. We gather with the faithful for praise, worship and to renew our strength, but we are called to go to the world with the Good News. Waiting for people to come to us is not effective discipleship.

Enjoy time with your community of faith this Sabbath, but remember that we are called to take this joy out with us where it can grow. God has provided His presence through the Holy Spirit and we don’t have to be anywhere special to be with Him. We can live in the house of the Lord wherever we are.

Heavenly Father, bless our time together today. May we go into Your world refreshed, ready to share the Gospel everywhere. Amen.

Mom is home from the hospital, continuing with meds and physical therapy to regain strength. Bless you all for your prayers for her!

Our scripture this morning is Luke 6:36-37 (NLT).

You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.

Jesus preached an extravagant standard of forgiveness, telling Peter to forgive “Not seven times, but seventy times seven!” (Matthew 18:22). This doesn’t mean 490 times but so many times we forget to count. In this same way God forgives us, saying “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins” (Jeremiah 31:34), quoted also in Hebrews 8:12.

God has forgiven us so much, how could we be unforgiving toward others? This passage concludes Jesus’ teaching here about loving our enemies, a difficult subject as we know. Most of us are way too good at judging and not so hot on love and forgiveness.

We need to forgive those who do not follow the way Jesus taught and love them just the same, because that’s exactly what He did. His love and forgiveness is based on who we are at the deepest level, children made in God’s image. When we forgive those who don’t treat us well, we show the world His love in action.

Gracious God, in Your mercy You made a way for our sin to be blotted out. Bless us to forgive as we have been forgiven. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is James 1:5 (NLT).

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

James writes to remind us that our knowledge alone is not enough. We certainly can’t save ourselves, we need the love and wisdom only God can provide, and He is more than willing to give it to us when we ask.

King Solomon, often noted as a tremendously intelligent man, only become wise by asking God to help him. Solomon says “Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong” (1 Kings 3:9). Because he recognized his need for God’s assistance, God was there for him.

This passage reminds me of my life verse:“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take” (Proverbs 3:5-6). When we give it up to God and accept His forgiveness, He will be with us to guide our steps.

Patient God, we are sorry it takes us so long to quit doing it our way and ask for the help we desperately need. Bless us to be wise in Your ways, sharing the love You have for all of us. Amen.

Thanks for all your prayers for my mom. She’s stable, they are running more tests, and in her own words “I am weak as a cat!” However, she is improving and we appreciate all your love and concern.

Our scripture this morning is Esther 4:14 (NIV).

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?

Esther was placed in a difficult position. Through court intrigue and treachery, a decree to exterminate the Jews had been issued. Her cousin Mordecai advised her to go to the king, uninvited, which was a crime punishable by death. Her people needed an intercessor, someone to speak for them but it will put her at great risk.

The statement “and who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” shouldn’t surprise anyone who has seen God work before. God uses His children as resources for His work here on earth. He certainly doesn’t need our help, but He gifts us with the capabilities necessary to accomplish His purpose.

Jesus tells us “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” (John 15:12-13). Jesus did exactly that, and Esther faces a similar situation. She reacts with faith and courage and goes to the king in spite of the danger. We may not be called to risk our lives, but we are all called to give our lives to Christ and stand with Him in the good fight.

Loving Lord, we know that You didn’t promise our walk would be easy, but You promised to be there with us at every step. Help us to do right things even when they are hard, and to love one another as You first loved us. Amen.

Friends, I need prayers for my mom (91), taken by ambulance this morning in Chicago, infection making her dizzy and confused. Thank you!

Our scripture this morning is Jonah 1:17 (NIV).

Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Most of us know the story of Jonah and the whale, but do we know the meaning of the lesson? God called Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh to warn them against the wicked lives they lived. Instead of obeying God, Jonah ran away. 

During his “escape” from God he encountered a storm at sea, confessed that he was the probable reason and was thrown overboard at his request. God sent an unlikely rescue, “and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” While this doesn’t sound very pleasant, it was God’s way of giving Jonah a “time out”, not as punishment, but as an opportunity to think.

Later, while he obeys God’s call and is successful in convincing the people of their need for repentance, he is angry that they have repented and God will not destroy the city! How often is this the case with us, wanting others to “get what’s coming to them” rather than rejoicing at their return to fellowship with the Lord? We need to see all God’s children as beloved brothers and sisters, and if they are worthy of His love, they are certainly more than worthy of ours!

Gracious God, forgive us for our lack of forgiveness toward others. Help us to see Your face in everyone, and to know them as our own family. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Philippians 1:20-21 (NIV).

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Paul may sound like he doesn’t care if he lives or dies, however it’s not out of depression or defeat, but from his confidence in Christ’s victory. Author Chris Tiegreen paraphrases Paul this way: “Whether we live or die isn’t the highest priority. The goal is to honor Jesus whether in life or death.”

Paul’s faith assures him that he is doing what Jesus called him to, and will continue, if that is Christ’s command, or join Him in eternity. He is happy to carry out the Great Commission, but he is ready to go home as well. This is the calm assurance we can have when we put our trust in Him.

Since Jesus conquered sin and death for us, we need not fear either. We are weak, but He is strong and when we accept Him as our savior, His strength stands with us in every situation we face. Paul knew this and shared it as a blessing we can all claim through our connection to the Lord.

Heavenly Father, we are grateful for the gift of Your Son to save us from sin and death. Bless us to go in Your name to tell the Good News to everyone. Amen.

Good morning friends! Celeste and I are back from a wonderful trip, refreshed but more aware of how happy home makes us and the blessings we have every day.

Our scripture this morning is John 1:29-31 (NIV).

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

John the Baptist is the original Herald of Christ, signaling the coming of the Messiah and urging us to repent and be baptized. He calls Jesus “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”, an indicator of the sacrifice He makes for us and the saving power of the Cross.

In Israel at that time, people would wash to become “ceremonially clean” and animal sacrifices for their sin were performed in the Temple. Our baptism in His name and His Crucifixion reconcile us to God, and we no longer need the ritual washing or regular sacrifice, all we need is Jesus!

One of my favorite anthems during my choir days began with the words “Heralds of Christ, who bear the King’s commands”. By His grace we are saved, and we are all called, as John was, to carry the Good News to the world. 

Heavenly Father, in Your mercy You sent Jesus to be our Savior. Forgive us for our failure and send us to tell everyone of Your love for us. Amen.

Friends, I will be out of touch beginning tomorrow through March 10 as Celeste and I take a retirement trip. Please stay safe and healthy, God bless you all, and I’ll be back online then.

Our scripture this morning is Revelation 4:11 (NIV).

You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.

This passage from Revelation states a very obvious but often ignored fact: Only the Lord God is worthy of our praise and worship because He is the Creator of all things. Everything else that exists was created by His Word and we cannot worship any created thing.

This relates back to Jesus teaching us about the Greatest Commandment, to love God with everything we have and are, and our neighbor as ourselves. This is the starting point for all our relationships, the most important being with Him. If we are honest with ourselves, we see that without Him we are literally nothing.

We learn in Genesis that God created all things through His Word, speaking everything into existence. Human beings are the last of His creation, formed in His image for a special purpose. We are charged with the stewardship of everything else, responsible to the Father for sharing His gifts wisely. In all of this we declare “You are worthy, our Lord and God!”

Gracious God, we owe You everything. Thank You for all You have given us and the love behind each gift. Bless us to go in Your name to all the world. Amen.