Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this morning is 2 Corinthians 5:16-18 (NLT).

So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.

Paul’s words make us think about how we look at each other. He says we should stop evaluating each other “from a human point of view.” While this may be difficult for us, it is what Jesus did and what He asks of us. If “the old life is gone” as Paul says, we must show the world the new life we have been given.

When we accept Jesus as our savior, everything changes. We see things in a new way – our relationship with with Him, with others and what He has called us to do. If we continue to treat people as we did before, we haven’t really gotten the message.

We are given new life, another chance to be the children of God we are blessed to be. Additionally, we are now part of His plan of salvation for all people, tasked by God Himself to reconcile people to Him. We can’t do this if we still see people as competitors or enemies. Paul, who once persecuted followers of Jesus, completely changed due to his acceptance of Jesus, we can and must change as well.

Gracious God, help us to live the new lives You offer, seeing one another as brothers and sisters and sharing Your love with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is John 15:4-5 (NLT).

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

God has made a call on our lives from the very beginning. We read in Genesis 1:28 “Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it.”” God gives us the responsibility for His creation, that we care for it and continue the process along with Him.

God has also promised to be with us from the very beginning. Even when Israel faced dire threats because of their unfaithfulness, God said “I will make my home among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people” (Ezekiel 37:27). His beloved children had turned away, yet He was ready to welcome them back and forgive them.

Jesus amplifies this, adding that He is our connection to the Father (John 14:6) and that without Him we “can do nothing”. Trying to do it our own way will never be successful. Only through our repentance for sin and acceptance of His forgiveness can we be connected to the true vine and produce fruit for His kingdom.

Gracious God, in Your mercy You made a way for us to be saved. Help us to be fruitful disciples, sharing Your love and being part of the growth of Your kingdom. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Colossians 3:1-3 (NLT).

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.

Paul tells us frequently that because of Christ’s sacrifice for us we have been “raised to new life” in Him. This opportunity is offered to all who accept Jesus as their savior and begin to live differently than before. We are to “think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth” because things here are temporary.

This passage gives us the assurance of His love, but also calls us to be mindful of the difference between what we experience here and what we can expect in eternity with Him. Paul says our “real life is hidden with Christ in God.” What a blessing it will be to receive real life!

Dying to our life of sin and living into the forgiveness we have received is what Jesus taught us. He began His public ministry with the admonition to “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near” (Matthew 4:17). God is always ready to welcome us back into the life He intends for us, now and eternally.

Gracious God, we are grateful for Your mercy shown through Your gift of Jesus to us. Strengthen us in faith and send us to share Your love with all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 2 Timothy 2:14-16 (NLT).

Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior.

I read this instruction from long ago and thought how timely it still is today. This is a testament to “the word of truth” and its everlasting application in our lives. Sadly, it is also a testament to the distractions we still allow to interfere with our work for the Lord.

Paul tells Timothy to “command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words.” We know that Satan doesn’t have to drag us into submission, unfortunately we often run there willingly. If we are distracted from our purpose – to love God, love neighbor and make disciples – the work goes undone while we argue over words.

It’s easy to think we live in difficult times and the simple wisdom of long ago doesn’t apply in our world today. This is merely another example of evil distracting us from the truth. If we let angry voices cause us to join the argument, we miss the opportunity to continue doing good. Staying focused on our mission is more important now than ever.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we let earthly things keep us from the eternal work You have given us. Forgive us and guide us back to the path You have set for us. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Proverbs 1:5-7 (NLT).

Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles. Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs shares the wisdom that God has given to inspired people. Fear of the Lord (awe, reverence) involves love, obedience and action, defined here as “true knowledge”. Those who love Him will always want to know more about His will for us and the work He has chosen us to accomplish.

God calls us to listen and learn His Word, and “become even wiser”. We are to “explore the meaning” of this wisdom, an invitation to share our own understanding and receive new insight through our discussion with other believers. God’s Word is meant to be shared with all people.

Fools, those who are obstinately disobedient, will never reach a full relationship with God. It is written that they “despise wisdom and discipline”. However, He is always ready to welcome back those who have strayed when they repent and accept His forgiveness through Christ, the only way we can be saved.

Loving Lord, thank You for sharing Your Word and Your love through the gift of Jesus. Bless us to be eager learners and energetic disciples, sharing the joy we have found in You with everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 2:9-11 (RSV).

When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

The shepherds had come and gone (Luke 2:8-20), the poor and lowly Jews who were close to Bethlehem. Next come foreign dignitaries, wealthy and educated, Gentiles from a far away land. God has invited all people, no matter what their background or status to see the miracle of salvation He has sent us – His Son.

These travelers check in with King Herod, the ruler in that area. When they say “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him” (Matthew 2:2), he is concerned for his position and possibly his life. New kings don’t tolerate old kings well, and vice versa.

However, Jesus wasn’t that kind of king. He cared nothing for territory or wealth, only for the people given to His care – all of us, for eternity. Jesus came to save us but unlike other kings we each have to accept His rule for ourselves, and choosing Him is the only way we can be saved.

Loving Lord, You had already given us everything, but when we fell into sin, You gave us even more. Thank You for the gift of Jesus! May we tell the whole world what You have done for us. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Galatians 4:4-6 (RSV).

But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

I must admit, this was not the scripture I was expecting from the Bible app this morning. We have read of the Annunciation to Mary and her visit to Elizabeth, Joseph’s visit from the angel, and we read the story of Jesus’ birth from Luke 2 at church last night, so I’m not sure what I expected.

Maybe that’s what God is trying to tell me. No one expected the Messiah to come in the way He did. If you asked anyone from that time what they expected they would likely respond “I don’t know, but it wasn’t this.” God worked in a marvelous way to send His son to us, first as one who needed love and care, who would grow into the One who would love and care for us in ways we never expected.

As we complete the time of expecting and live into the now of Christ with us, may we continue to learn from Him and grow into the children of God we are all blessed to be. This morning let us cry “Abba! Father!” with all of creation, greeting Christ our brother with joy, and going to share the love He brings with everyone.

Heavenly Father, in Your mercy You sent Jesus to save us from our sin. Forgive us and send us to share the joy of His coming to all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Luke 2:13-14 (RSV).

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!”

It must have been an amazing event. Can you imagine the shepherds surprise and awe as the usually dark and quiet evening bursts with light and song from the sky? They heard a phrase from scripture that the prophet Isaiah attributed to the Heavenly Host some six hundred years prior: “And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory”” (Isaiah 6:3).

The angels sing of “peace among men”, a total well being, not simply an absence of hostilities, as the Filament Bible Commentary puts it. The people of that time lived under what is known as the Pax Romana – peace enforced by military might, the will of the Roman Empire administered through armed coercion.

God’s eternal gift is for us to accept, not pushed on us by superior force. Peace with Him is achieved through repentance for our sins and faith in His son who came to save us. We must choose to ask Him for forgiveness and willingly go in the name of Jesus Christ to share His love with the world. This is the way for us to please Him. Glory to God!

Heavenly Father, You love us so much that You were willing to do for us what the world can never do – forgive our sins and make us part of Your kingdom work. May we offer our praise and our energy that Your peace may come on earth. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Luke 2:9-11 (RSV).

And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

I don’t think I’m alone in pondering “how would I have reacted if I had been with the shepherds that night?” I ask this about many scripture lessons – Peter, John and James seeing Christ in all His glory (Matthew 17:1-6), the disciples seeing the risen Christ (Luke 24:36-53) or Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:1-19).

We need to remember that the miracle here is not in the appearance but in the message, God continually reaching out for us. Peter, John and James heard God tell them Jesus was His Son. The gathered disciples heard Jesus say they were His witnesses. Paul heard Jesus ask “why are you persecuting me?” In each case, while the message was personal, it was intended for all persons everywhere.

In this passage the angel says “for to you”, individually and personally, but also says “to all the people” – everyone, everywhere, for all time. Jesus came for anyone who repents and accepts Him as their Savior, and no matter how we receive it, this message is the most important thing we will ever hear.

Loving Lord, we are amazed at what You have done for us and what You call us to do in Your kingdom. Bless us to bring the Good News to the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Luke 2:6-7 (RSV).

And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Mary and Joseph were already overwhelmed with the news that they were to be the earthly parents of the Messiah. Throw in a government order that requires them to travel four days from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Of course the baby comes while all this is happening.

Part of me asks “really, Lord? Couldn’t it have waited until things were calmer, perhaps a little less travel and a little more comfort?” God’s answer and God’s timing are always perfect, although we may not see or understand. Like this young couple, our blessings may not always seem to be wonderful gifts at first.

God works in and through every situation we face. This passage shares the greatest testimony that God loves us and is with us, now in the form of a human baby. God nurtures us in faith just as Mary and Joseph nurtured the Christ Child. We are called to remember this and to continue to nurture one another, sharing the love and care He first showed us.

Heavenly Father, forgive our doubts and fears, and help us to see through our human circumstances to the promise You have for all Your children. Bless us to go in Your name to care for each other as Jesus taught us. Amen.