Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this morning is Galatians 2:19-21.

For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God. My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.

True faith is different than the human process of “keeping the Law”. Paul writes “if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.” This leads to the concept of “works salvation” – if we do this, we can be saved. This is a lie: ONLY God’s grace can save us!

The invitation to die to the Law is actually an invitation to live for God. We read that “my old self has been crucified with Christ”, an example of how our lives change when we accept what Jesus has done for us. Author Ian Parkinson says “anything that prevents the thriving of creation will be overcome”, displaying the power of the Lord working in us.

It’s not just waiting for God to act, He already has! Our lives are a response to God’s grace, not an action to earn it. Jesus came to show us that we are part of His plan, we have been gifted and tasked to work for His kingdom.

Loving Lord, we are sometimes trapped by the way we live, thinking we are pleasing You when we are really only living for ourselves. Help us to die to self and live for You, sharing Your love with all the world. Amen. 

Our scripture this morning is Ephesians 5:1-2.

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

By “imitating God” as Paul puts it, we give up living life on our own terms to follow Christ’s example. Just as human children are taught by their earthly parents, we must learn the ways of our Heavenly Father and share His love with the world because we are His “dear children.” God wants us to choose Him and follow His commandments out of love for Him and one another.

How do we best imitate our Lord? “Live a life of love” Paul writes. Following Him means more than learning the lessons, we have to put them into practice. This is where we usually have trouble. Knowing the things Jesus taught is only the first step, now we have to live as He did.

God has called us from the very beginning to be like Him. He created us from love in His very own image. We are to care for His creation and that includes each other. When we fell into sin, Jesus came as the sacrifice for our redemption. Let us live in the forgiveness He has promised!

Loving Lord, thank You for all Your many gifts, none as wonderful as Your Son coming to save us. Strengthen us in faith and send us to show the world Your love. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 2 Corinthians 5:20-21.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent. During this time leading up to Easter Sunday we are called to look carefully at ourselves and our lives. One traditional reading for today is Psalm 51 that asks “create in me a clean heart, O God.” As Paul says in this passage “we are ambassadors for Christ”, His representatives to the world. We are called to be the face of Jesus to everyone we meet.

We know we have sinned. Evil leads us there and then uses it to remind us of our failure constantly. In His mercy, God sent Jesus to love and free us. He taught us the truth of love for God and one another, and was obedient to God’s will even when it was hard. His sacrifice for us allowed us to “become the righteousness of God in Him.”

It is easy for us to focus on our sin, that’s exactly what evil wants. Jesus says “that’s not who you are” and washes us clean to stand before God unashamed. Author Gideon Heugh writes “Sin is a stain upon the fabric, not the fabric itself.” We must remember who we are in Christ, and the plan God has for every one of us.

Gracious God, You loved us so much You sent Your only son to save us from ourselves. Bless us to be a new creation in Him, freed from the curse of sin and ready to go in His name to all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 5:43-45.

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Jesus teaches the true meaning of the Law rather than our faulty human interpretation. In the Sermon on the Mount He challenges our lack of understanding and explains God’s intention for the guidance we receive. Unfortunately, we tend follow the laws we like (often using them as weapons) and ignore or modify those we don’t.

Logic says if something is true, then the opposite is also true (love neighbor, hate enemy). Jesus teaches that everyone is our neighbor (Luke 10:29-37) and points out that what we have “heard” is not the original statement. Exodus 23:4-5 tells us help those who hate you and Leviticus 19:18 states specifically “love your neighbor” but there is no mention of hating enemies attached.

Jesus closes this passage with the observation that God doesn’t withhold His blessings from anyone (sun and rain on the righteous and unrighteous), and we are called to do the same. Our place in the kingdom as His beloved children requires us to love one another without regard to our human relationship. What matters is that God made us all, He loves us all, and wants us to do the same.

Loving Lord, You created us in Your image, but we don’t always live according to Your plan for us. Help us to see Your face in everyone we meet and truly love one another as You first loved us. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Romans 12:10-13.

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Paul’s Letter to the Romans was written to Jewish and Gentile believers with the hope that they would put aside their historical and cultural differences and pursue faith in Christ together. This epistle is often considered a summary of Christian theology due to its wide range of instruction and its constant focus on Jesus as the only source of salvation. In this passage Paul encourages them to “honor one another above yourselves”, an admonition we must follow if we are to obey the commandments Jesus gave us.

Paul writes that our love for those in the family of believers is good and essential, but that we must also show the same love for those outside the faith, that they too may know the love of God. Jesus taught us “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them!” (Luke 6:32). By being “joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer” we can share God’s message with the world.

We read “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Who are the Lord’s people? Everyone! God made us all in His image and He loves us all. Our task is to love as He does, sharing His blessings and spreading the Good News.

Gracious God, in Your mercy You sent Your son to save us. Help us to follow where He leads us, reaching out in love to all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Hebrews 12:12-15.

Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled.

One of the questions people ask about the Letter to the Hebrews is “Did Paul write this?” Paul usually introduced himself but this letter goes right into the subject: in the past, God spoke through chosen prophets; this time it is His son, Jesus Christ that comes to love and lead us. The arguments are logically structured and supported, a hallmark of Paul’s letters. Does it matter? Not really, we can learn much from this, no matter who wrote it.

It is intended for people familiar with Old Testament scripture. Isaiah 35:3 tells us to “Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble” the source of this passage’s opening. We are called to minister to the emotionally and spiritually exhausted that they may be saved. God offers us salvation but it demands a human response.

This lesson teaches that we must care for others that all may be saved, so “that no one comes short of the grace of God.” This is what Jesus called us to do through the Great Commission – to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). He has left us in charge of His ministry, may we be faithful to our task.

Gracious God, we are amazed and humbled to be called as part of Your plan of salvation. Bless us to go in Your strength and love to all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Colossians 3:12-15.

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Paul calls us to unity in Christ with each other through “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” These graces allow us to forgive and receive forgiveness, which is essential for the children of God. Unless we are reconciled to God and each other, we can’t join the kingdom.

Jesus taught us ”For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matthew 6:14). God is willing to forgive our disobedience, but we are to do the same for our brothers and sisters. The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant recorded in Matthew 18:21-35 warns us of the consequences of not forgiving one another.

Part of accepting God’s forgiveness is forgiving ourselves. Yes, we have all made mistakes but God wants us to know that when we come to Him in repentance, we are freed from our sin and it can no longer hold us. We must let go of the hurt and live in the light of His love.

Gracious God, in Your mercy You made a way for us to reconnect with You through our Lord Jesus. Help us to forgive each other and ourselves, going in Your name to all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 Corinthians 12:24-27.

But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.

Paul writes about our spiritual gifts, that we are each given skills necessary to do the kingdom work. We are most fulfilled when we are employed in His service, using these skills for the benefit of His children. Each of us have a contribution to make.

He teaches in this passage that as the church we are “Christ’s body, and individually members of it.” Our fellowship allows us to share our separate gifts with the world out of mutual concern for the well being of others. This is how we obey what Jesus said is the greatest commandment: to love God and one another (Matthew 22:37-39).

All gifts are needed and we must depend on each other to accomplish the mission of the church. We must remember that love is the fuel that drives every gift, without love our gifts are useless. God has a plan for each of us and role for us to play in bringing the world together.

Loving Lord, we are grateful for the blessing of spiritual gifts to use for the good of all creation. Strengthen us in faith and send us to use our talents wisely. In Your name we pray, Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Micah 7:18-19.

Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity And passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in unchanging love. He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities under foot. Yes, You will cast all their sins Into the depths of the sea.

The prophet Micah asks “who is a God like You?” and the answer of course, is no one. While other groups had many “gods”, the children of Israel were unique at that time for their worship of the one true God. Our God cares about us so much He is willing to forgive our sin, something non-believers have trouble understanding.

Our hope is based on God’s everlasting love for us and His unchanging character. God doesn’t act on human whims, wavering with the situation. His word created all that is and we worship Him alone, not anything that was created.

Not only does He forgive us, He will “cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” Isaiah 43:25 says “I am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and I will not remember your sins.” God wants us all back as part of His family to accomplish the kingdom work to which we are called.

Gracious God, we are ashamed of our willful disobedience and we beg Your forgiveness. Wash us clean through the sacrifice of Your son Jesus Christ and send us to share the blessing of salvation with everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Hebrews 6:10-12.

For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Earlier in this letter Paul reprimanded his readers for their lack of action. Here he softens his tone and reminds them of the good work they have done, encouraging them to continue in Christ’s name. Being a follower of Jesus requires faith and persistence.

Paul speaks of “the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.” This is what Jesus meant when He told us ”By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Our love for God can only be shown through our love and care for His children.

This lesson reminds us of how Jesus taught, condemning sinful behavior, but lifting up those who have sinned in love. We are to “show the same diligence”, giving and accepting guidance about our actions toward one another. God’s promises are offered to all of us but we have a duty to fulfill until He comes for us.

Gracious God, in Your mercy You offer us forgiveness and salvation. Help us to live in faith, using Your gifts wisely for the good of all Your children. Amen.