Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this morning is John 8:31-32.

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

During Jesus’ trial before the Roman governor, Pilate asks “what is truth?” (John 18:38). He wasn’t really seeking the truth but a way out of the difficulty he faced. Jesus had told His disciples “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6) but even they who were closest to Him did not understand. He wasn’t speaking of earthly or human freedom but freedom from sin that can only come through our acceptance of Him as our savior. John’s gospel opens by telling us “the word was with God and the word was God” (John 1:1). We know that God’s word is the only truth and that word came to us in human form to love and save and free us.

Gracious God, in Your mercy You sent Your son to teach us love and truth. Help us to share this precious gift with all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Hebrews 4:9-11.

So then, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God; for those who enter God’s rest also cease from their labors as God did from his. Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall through such disobedience as theirs.

The Bible app has used this passage for three days now. When I saw it this morning I thought “haven’t we exhausted this theme yet?” I remember in school if something was important it was repeated multiple times in different ways so we could better absorb the lesson. Apparently, God has more to say to us about this! I encourage you to read this passage again, perhaps in a different version then you normally use to get additional insight. As He led the children of Israel through desert times to a place of rest, God wants to be with us in our trials. He is always there for us if we only call on him and accept the help He offers us. On this Sabbath Day let us turn to Him in repentance and faith.

Loving Lord, You have given us everything, including our very existence. Bless us to use Your gifts well in service to all our brothers and sisters, and rest in You. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Hebrews 4:10-12.

For the person who has entered his rest has rested from his own works, just as God did from his. Let us, then, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall into the same pattern of disobedience. For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Today’s passage continues our focus on the rhythm of God’s creating work and His call for us to rest in Him. We lay down our burdens not because we are lazy but to follow His commandment to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. Through this pause we renew our connection to Him, give thanks for what we have been given and are refreshed by His spirit to pick up our tasks again. The last verse here reminds us that God knows everything about us and nothing is hidden from Him. He made us in His image but gave us the ability to decide for ourselves in the hope we would choose to live in peace with Him and all people. He sent His Son to be a living example for us to follow in love, sharing the blessing of salvation with all His children.

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the times we choose our way rather than Yours and fall from the path Jesus has shown us. Forgive us and strengthen us to go in Your name to spread the Good News. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Hebrews 4:9-11.

So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.

The writer of Hebrews (possibly Paul) speaks of personal and community faith as well as personal and community disobedience. Each person must choose to follow Jesus individually but that choice has an effect on society. As God does not force us into faith, we don’t force others to believe but lead by the example Christ has given us. Our words and actions must encourage people to seek Him. Our blessing and goal is to enter God’s rest for us. There is a special rest still waiting, initiated by Christ’s coming to be with us which will be completed when He returns for us. Until that time, we must stand ready, sharing the love He died and rose to bring us.

Gracious God, we are sorry for the times we fall and more sorry when we cause others to fall. Help us to live in a fractured world that can only be healed by Your love, sharing the joy we have found in You with all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 6:19-21.

Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Focusing on the wrong treasure can lead us astray. In this passage Jesus talks about our material possessions and the fact that eventually they will all be gone. Putting our trust in what awaits us in eternity is the way to salvation. He teaches us “wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be”, a warning that earthly things can be a trap if we become too attached to them. Jesus points us to using wealth wisely, for the good of others and the kingdom. Everything we have is a gift from God and we are commissioned to be good stewards of His property.

Heavenly Father, we are grateful for all Your many gifts, none more wonderful than Jesus our Savior. Help us to see that people are more important than things, and to use what we are given in service to all Your children. Amen. 

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 107:11-14.

They rebelled against the words of God, scorning the counsel of the Most High. That is why he broke them with hard labor; they fell, and no one was there to help them. “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom; he snapped their chains.

We have heard time and again that there are consequences for our actions, but we never seem to learn the lesson completely. This passage tells us “they rebelled against the words of God”. We may see this as rejecting God completely and doing evil things (which is rebellion of course) but what about the smaller, constant everyday things we think and do that are not in line with God’s will? You don’t have to be burning bibles or closing churches to be in rebellion against the Lord, merely not doing His will makes us rebels. We must see that like the people this psalm was written for there will be a response to our rebellion where and when God decides to act. Pray that we don’t get to the point of ancient Israel who saw their society destroyed before they obeyed. We must start with ourselves and the thousands of small daily rebellions we wage, wanting our own way rather than the Lord’s. Going to God in repentance and accepting the sacrifice Christ made for us is the only way we can be saved.

Loving Lord, You have given us everything and we are sorry for the way we respond. Forgive us and bless us to be Your people who go to the world in Your name. Amen. 

Our scripture this morning is James 1:26-27.

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

James warns us about the most devastating human weapon of all – human speech. Our words can wound each other and once they are said they can’t be unsaid. In the next chapter of this letter we read “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be” (James 3:9-10). Especially in today’s world of instant and often anonymous communication we must “keep a tight rein on our tongues”. Our endless arguments do nothing to advance the cause Jesus gave us of loving and caring for one another. James reiterates the Lord’s call for us to “look after orphans and widows in their distress and keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” Our charge is to be the loving face and hands of Christ to all and speak His truth.

Gracious God, You have gifted us with everything and given us the responsibility to care for Your creation. Bless us to go in Your name and bring Your love to all our brothers and sisters. Amen.

Friends, I’m traveling again this week so my morning posts may be posted at different times as I and the internet are able to connect.

Our scripture this morning is 2 John 1:6-8.

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.

Most theological scholars agree that the three letters of John were written by the Apostle John, who also authored the Gospel of John and Revelation. What is most important is that the message of all these writings is consistent – Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came as a human, died for our sins, rose and ascended to Heaven and will return when the Father sends Him. In this passage we hear of the love Jesus taught in all He said or did, and our responsibility to share this love with the world. John warns believers that there are those who deny these facts and will try to convince us to stop or change the work we have been assigned by Christ Himself. In our world today we see and hear many of these same deceptions. It is up to us to prevent these from diverting us from our mission to bring God’s love to a world that is in desperate need.

Loving Lord, thank You for sending Jesus to show us the way to be saved. Help us to help others find Your love and peace. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Proverbs 23:23-24.

Buy the truth and do not sell it— wisdom, instruction and insight as well. The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.

The Book of Proverbs has much to offer in the way of practical wisdom, especially about our relationship with God and each other. It also speaks of the wisdom we receive from Him and our families, specifically our parents. This advice on honoring our parents mirrors the 5th Commandment (Exodus 20:12).

As we celebrate Father’s Day in the US, we need to remember our own fathers and those who have acted as fathers to us. Some have not had fathers in their lives and we as the body of Christ are called to stand in the gap, providing instruction and guidance to the next generation of believers.

God is our ultimate father figure, the example for all parents and the source of all love and wisdom. When we honor earthly fathers, we also honor God who has given us the blessing of those who have gone before. May we remember all who have shaped our lives.

Heavenly Father, we need shepherds and protectors to help us continue on the path Jesus has shown us. Help us to obey and honor those who lead and mold us into the people You want us to be. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Exodus 20:8-11.

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Jesus was asked what is the most important commandment and He replied “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). When we remember the Sabbath as today’s passage from the Ten Commandments instructs, we show our love and respect for God. 

God gave us a day of rest using His creation cycle as our example. He certainly didn’t need to rest from exertion, but He set the example for our lives: “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God.” It is not just so we can rest, but that we may rest in Him, remembering how we were created.

God’s love is built in to us, and everything we see is a gift of love from Him. We return that love through our worship and by executing the responsibility He has given us for His creation, which includes one another. We show our love for God best when we share His love with our brothers and sisters.

Heavenly Father, You have given us everything in love. Help us to be good stewards of all Your gifts, bringing the Good News of salvation to the world. Amen.