Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this week is Matthew 3:1-12.

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

John the Baptist didn’t sugarcoat the truth. He told the people who came to him exactly what was coming – they could be part of God’s harvest or burned up like the chaff. He was straightforward with them about the choice they faced.

We might think of John as a “fire and brimstone” preacher, warning about sin and death. While he tells them some scary things, he wants them to make an honest choice for Jesus and live as Jesus teaches, not just avoiding the unpleasant alternative. We need to learn to be brothers and sisters in Christ, doing the work He has for us gladly rather than the frightened sinners John calls out in verse 7: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?”

John warns the people (and us) that there are consequences for rejecting God’s plan and the Savior He sends us. God loves us and wants us to choose Him, but we must come to with repentance for our failings in order to be forgiven and then “produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (verse 8). Only by accepting Jesus and then living as He has taught us can we be part of the good harvest God desires.

Loving Lord, we are often in opposition to You because of our willfulness. Help us to see that Jesus is the way to forgiveness and the hope of eternal life with You. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 3:1-12.

“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Matthew 3:11-12

John gets to the heart of his ministry, telling the people about Jesus with a description of how the Lord will separate the wheat from the chaff. Jesus uses analogies like this when He teaches saying “All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (Matthew 25:32). While we can’t work our way into Heaven, we are told that there are expectations and responsibilities we must cary out in order to enter the kingdom.

The other part of John’s statement indicates the hope we have in Christ when we accept Him into our lives – “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (verse 11). While this sounds a little ominous, we know that the fire of the Holy Spirit comes to purify, enlighten and energize us, not to punish. His presence with us through the Holy Spirit encourages us to live according to His teaching.

John called the people of his time to repent and live renewed lives through Jesus who came to save us all. We must make our hearts and minds ready to receive Him. As we continue our Advent journey to celebrate His coming among us, may we feel the light and warmth of His love to share with the world.

Gracious God, in Your love and wisdom You sent Jesus to be with us and teach us. May we accept this wonderful gift and be changed by it, ready to go into the world to spread the Good News. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 3:1-12.

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
Matthew 3:7-10

John calls everyone to repentance but he singles out the religious leaders who are supposed to be models for their people, telling them that a change is coming and they must change their lives accordingly. He doesn’t say they can’t be saved, but he warns that they can’t rely on the fact they are special because of their position or their heritage.

The challenge comes to us as well. Our family, job or society can’t save us. We must make the decision for ourselves to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (verse 8). Nothing we do and nothing we are brings us to salvation but we show our acceptance of Christ’s promise and prove our love for Him by the lives we lead.

John has one more warning for us all in verse 10 – “The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire”. The time to change is now, for as we have heard, we do not know the hour when Christ will return. Only you can choose to live a new life in Him, and He is always ready to receive us!

Gracious God, we know we are responsible for our sin and our repentance. Help us to admit our failures and accept the love and forgiveness You send us through Jesus. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 3:1-12.

John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
Matthew 3:4-6

John the Baptist was a throwback to the prophets of the Old Testament in his lifestyle, living away from the cities and eating simple food. Conversely, he was a forerunner of Jesus and we will hear John’s testimony concerning the Lord, saying “But after me comes one who is more powerful than I” (verse 11). He serves as a connection to Israel’s past, to what they have been taught and what they have done, but also a guide to the future, the blessing God has sent in Christ.

John attracted people from all over and preached to them the need for repentance. His ministry was one of leading the people to change their lives. It wasn’t about what they had done so much as what they could do if they turned their lives around. His focus was on the future, guided but not bound by the past.

Our lives today are more similar to this than we imagine. Our actions are often grounded in what we have done before, both good and bad. During Advent, this time of preparation for His coming, we must make ourselves ready to meet Jesus as if for the very first time. Let’s imagine going down to the river with John to have a life-changing experience, to begin a new way of living in and for Jesus.

Heavenly Father, we don’t deserve the gift of Jesus, but He comes to us anyway. We don’t deserve Your forgiveness, but You send it anyway. Help us to begin to live in new ways, sharing Your love with all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 3:1-12.

This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
Matthew 3:3

John the Baptist recalls for the crowd the words of Isaiah 40:3 that speak of preparing the way for the Lord. Israel had heard the summons of God ever since He brought them out of Egypt and into the Promised Land, but they often ignored His call to be ready. They followed their own desires instead.

John is a prophet as in the days past, and he calls them to repentance and being prepared for the King who is coming. Many are gladdened by the promise and are baptized by John, however many scoff and still do not believe God will act. Even these who turn away now Jesus will still try to reach.

People often want there to be an easy way – can’t we keep doing what we are doing and still be saved? John says “no” and Jesus will teach us that “no one comes to the Father except by me” (John 14:6). We need to make the change in our lives now and accept Jesus as our Lord in order to be part of the world that is to come.

Gracious God, we are weak and so stuck in our own ways, Help us to see the light and truth of Christ and to change our hearts and lives through Him. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 3:1-12.

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Matthew 3:1-2

John the Baptist holds a special place in in all of bible history as the last prophet of Israel before Jesus began to teach. As his title implies, he was also responsible for baptizing many who came to him seeking to be forgiven. As we will hear later, even Jesus came to him to be baptized.

Israel had a sad record of not obeying the warnings given by the prophets and many of them were put death for the “bad news” they proclaimed. John was no different, sharing the fact that “the kingdom of heaven has come near” and calling the people to repent of their sins (verse 2). Many heeded his preaching, were baptized and may have later become followers of Jesus.

The members of the religious and political establishment were threatened by his teaching, as they were by Jesus teaching later. It is not easy to hear that things are about to change when you are in control. What things keep us from admitting our sins, and repenting, giving up control to the Lord and living new lives? During this season of Advent we need to examine how we are living and realize that the kingdom of heaven is nearer than we know.

Loving Lord, we are slow to hear the truth and even slower to change our ways. Forgive us and help us to be the followers we should be, sharing the light of your love with everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 3:1-12.

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

There are several references to Jesus coming to be with us in scripture before we reach His presence in the Gospels. In the Old Testament the prophet Isaiah tells us “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Later in Isaiah we read “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

In this week’s lesson we will hear from John the Baptist speaking of “the one who comes after me” (verse 11). John is baptizing people for repentance, teaching that “the kingdom of Heaven has come near (verse 2). In both cases, John is telling them that Jesus is coming and there will be big changes in the world.

Are we ready for the big changes Jesus will make in our world? Advent is about preparation, changing how we look at things to see them as Jesus does, and to share the gift He brings with all the world. We celebrate His birth best when we are ready to love others and live in the light of His glory.

Gracious God, we are grateful for the blessing of salvation we receive through Jesus. Help us to be faithful followers, worthy to be called Your children. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 24:36-44.

Welcome to the first Sunday of Advent! Today we begin the celebration of preparing for the Lord’s coming to be with us on earth. John 3:14 tells us “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” We know Jesus is with us through the Holy Spirit always, but we celebrate His birth as a time of rebirth for us, to be spiritually refreshed and to begin a new year full of peace, love, hope and joy.

So why are we reading this passage from Matthew 24:36-44 as our Gospel this week? Because Jesus coming to be with us is the beginning of God’s plan for our salvation, which includes Christ’s sacrifice for us and the promise of eternal life to those who are faithful. Just as we prepare for His coming as the infant in a manger, we must prepare for His return.

Jesus tells us that His return will come as a surprise to us, but because He loves us so much, He wants to make sure we are safe from evil by warning us to be ready always. Only through our faith in Him can we be saved, and only through sharing His love for others can we be considered faithful.

Loving Lord, we are so grateful for the gift of our Savior. Help us to be faithful followers and good stewards of the wonderful gift we have received. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 24:36-44.

In this passage we are taught that being ready for Christ’s return is part of our faith journey. We are told to keep His commandments and believe His promise to come back for us. If we sincerely follow Him, we will be ready when that day comes.

It is a human thing to want to know about things. We think if we know about something we can control it. We want to know when He will return, what will it be like for those who are left, is there an easier way. Jesus tells us we can’t begin to understand and that only God knows the date and time. Suppose we were told a tornado will strike at 3 pm tomorrow and how things will implode and blow away with great destruction. Does that make us any better prepared? If we know what to do, we’re not listening to the sensational report, we’re getting ready…and if we don’t know what to do, the sensational report does us no good at being ready.

If we put as much thought and effort into obeying Jesus, sharing His love, and being ready for that day as we do into wild speculation about what will happen and when it will occur, we would be ready without worrying about the details. Jesus says “if you love me you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15) and that’s what we should be focused on in order to be prepared when He returns as He promised.

Loving Lord, we are always looking at the details that don’t matter, wanting to try to change what needs to be done. Help us to pay attention to what is most important – our relationship with You and sharing that love with all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 24:36-44.

44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Matthew 24:44

Jesus gives us the summary of this lesson in verse 44 “you must be ready”. Is there another choice? Unfortunately there is, and many are following that path by not preparing their hearts and lives for His return.

It’s not as if they are intentionally saying “I choose evil”. Some do, and it is relatively easy to see. For most it is a little slip here, a short slide there, and as thoughts become actions and actions become habits we fall into sin’s trap. The apostle Peter writes “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

How do we avoid falling into sin? John teaches “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands” (1 John 2:3). The first step away from sin is knowing what God wants of us. Spending time in His Word and discussing with others can show us His will. The second is asking forgiveness when we fail. We are still responsible to God and others for our actions, and there are still consequences, but sincere repentance will mend the relationship and bring us back into compliance with God’s commands.

Loving Lord, we know that a contrite heart and sincere repentance lead to forgiveness. Help us to stay on the path You have chosen for us, living in peace with our brothers and sisters. Amen.