Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this morning is 1 Corinthians 13:9-13.

For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

In 1 Corinthians 12-14 Paul gives a beautiful lesson on becoming mature Christians. He uses the analogy of humans growing and learning about worldly things, and how faith, hope and love affect our spiritual growth. He focuses on how without these our gifts can’t function.

He speaks of our spiritual knowledge becoming whole as we grow in Christ, and the need to “put an end to childish ways”, the things the world tells us are important. Those who follow Jesus “will know fully” and be fully known by Him.

This passage ends with the affirmation “the greatest of these is love.” God’s love is the very source of our being, both the motivator and the energy for all good gifts. Through this we can share His love with everyone.

Heavenly Father, we give You thanks for everything You have given us, especially our savior Jesus Christ. May we grow in Your love and go in Your name that everyone may know You. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 147:7-11.

Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre. He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills. He gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry. His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner; but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.

This praise psalm reminds us that God watches over and provides for His creation – weather, vegetation, animals, and humans are all connected through His love and care. The earth, plants and animals praise God by doing what He created them to do. We however are given free will to accept His love and live under His covenant.

Our gifts from God are not something we can boast about because we have nothing to do with their existence. We can develop and use our gifts for His purpose, but we can’t create anything by ourselves. Only through our relationship with Him can we be made whole.

God takes pleasure in those who revere Him. He has reached out to connect with us from the very beginning. He created us from love and wants that love shared with all His children. We are called to be the bearers of His love to all the world.

Gracious God, we are grateful for all Your diverse gifts to us. Bless us to go in Your name to share the Good News everywhere. Amen. 

Our scripture this morning is Hebrews 10:23-25.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

The Letter to the Hebrews is traditionally accepted to have been written by the apostle Paul, but modern scholars are not certain of its authorship. More important than its writer is the message that it brings to all Christians. In this passage we hear of hope, love and Christ’s return in a way that certainly sounds like Paul’s lessons.

We know that God is constant and faithful to us; it is we who desperately need His help and strength in a world full of ways to fall into sin. We read that we are to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds”, keeping ourselves and each other on the path Jesus shows us.

We are told that meeting and working together are an essential part of God’s plan for us. Jesus promised to return for us when our Father determines the time is right (Acts 1:7). Our task is to remain ready and watchful for His coming, sharing the Good News with the world.

Loving Lord, thank You for faithful disciples who have brought us Your word. Help us to inspire others to know Your love and mercy. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 Peter 3:13-16.

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Peter asks “who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?” Sadly, we have many martyrs of the faith that were harmed for their belief in Christ and their good works. As Jesus tells us in John 15:18 “if the world hates you, keep in mind it hated me first.”

However, Peter reminds us “even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.” Jesus is our example and our guarantee! Our Lord says “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul” – Matthew 10:28. While we don’t seek conflict or suffering, Jesus will bless us and our work for the kingdom even when we face persecution.

This passage emphasizes our responsibility to continue to behave as God’s children no matter how the world treats us. We must “do this with gentleness and respect.” Regardless of the response we are called to continue sharing God’s love.

Heavenly Father, we are grateful to be called Your children and blessed to go in Your name. Strengthen us to stand against evil in the world, bringing the Good News to all. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Deuteronomy 31:6.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

This verse is spoken by Moses as he hands over leadership of Israel to Joshua as they enter the Promised Land. It is spoken later to Joshua by the Lord Himself (Joshua 1:9). Whenever God’s people face adversity, He is there. Scripture is full of God’s promise to be with us and that we should not fear.

Fear came into the world as part of the fall, knowing we had disobeyed God, yet He is gracious to us even in our sin. We are reminded of His constant presence and that He will defend those who have faith and courage to do His will. In Isaiah 41:10 He comforts Israel during the Exile, telling them not to be afraid.

One of the best known examples comes from Jesus as He prepares the disciples for His death and resurrection in John 14:27:“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” The Father and the Son have promised us this, and the Holy Spirit is with us always as a reminder of this blessing. 

Loving Lord, we are grateful for the assurance of Your protection. Help us to be strong and courageous for Your name’s sake and go to share the Gospel everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Isaiah 40:28-31.

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Have we not heard? Sometimes it seems that way. God has been reaching out to us since we were created and we still don’t seem to hear. However, God is unchanging and His love for us never ends.

God’s unfailing energy in reaching out to His people is shown by creation itself. God has made everything that exists and given it to us, along with the responsibility to care for it. This is far too much for us to do alone; we need His help and guidance.

We are not capable of accomplishing our task by ourselves. We read “youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall.” Even at our very best, our human capability is not enough. Isaiah tells us “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” Only through our connection to Him can we be saved!

Loving Lord, we are weak but You are strong. Thank You for the blessing of forgiveness and Your promise that through Christ we can do all things. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 130:1-5.

Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.

Psalm 130 is one of the Penitential Psalms (along with 6, 32, 38, 51, 102 and 143). These express our sorrow for our sin and our longing to be reconnected to God. The psalmist asks God to be “attentive to my cry for mercy”, to be relieved of the just penalty for our wrongdoing.

However, God offers forgiveness to those who repent of their sin and earnestly seek His way. God can restore us from our selfish behavior to reverence and service. Even though we may fail in our human weakness, His love and strength can save us.

This passage closes with the affirmation “in His word I put my hope.” We have His word given in scripture and the Word in His son Jesus Christ who came to save us (John 1:1-4). Jesus is the light of the world and by His sacrifice we are redeemed.

Heavenly Father, we are so thankful for Your love, forgiveness, and the gift of Your son. Help us to be energetic in our outreach to all Your children everywhere. Amen.

Friends, I need to correct something from yesterday’s post. I used the phrase “His will is ever directed to His children’s good” and said it was from the Apostles Creed. It is actually from a faith statement called A Modern Affirmation used by several churches over the last 100 years. I’m sorry for misquoting, I don’t know what I was thinking! I want to blame my pain meds or autocorrect, but it’s on me. Forgive me, please!

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 119:1-5.

Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart— they do no wrong but follow his ways. You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!

Obedience to God’s word is the primary topic of this passage. The psalmist uses several different terms to draw our attention to God’s guidance for us – law, statutes, ways, precepts, decrees – all indicating direction from our Heavenly Father. We are taught that following His word leads to His blessing.

Another essential teaching is that the children of God must “seek Him with all their heart”. While God is always there and reaching out to us, we must go to Him in repentance and accept the forgiveness He offers. God wants to be connected with us forever!

To close this section, the psalmist lifts a plea: “Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!” We know that we fail the Lord through our selfish choices and need His help to stay on the path He has shown us. Admitting our failure to follow is the first step toward being made right with Him.

Loving Lord, we ask Your forgiveness for our sin and want to be part of what You are doing in the world. Bless us to go in Your name to share the Good News everywhere. Amen.

‭‭Our scripture this morning is James‬ ‭1:16‭-‬18‬.

[16] Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. [17] Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. [18] By his own choice, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

James reminds us not to be deceived by Satan’s lies. Good things only come from God! We read that He is “the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

God is constant, unchanging, and as we recite in the Apostles Creed, “His will is ever directed to His children’s good.” God wants us to succeed and be part of His kingdom work. Satan wants only chaos and failure.

We are created in the image of our Heavenly Father and He “gave us birth by the word of truth.” We have a blessing waiting, all we need to do is accept it. Through our obedience to Him we are called to bless the world “as a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.” God sends us to share His love with everyone.

Loving Lord, we are so grateful to be called Your children. Help us to think, speak and act with Your love always. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬-‭8‬.

The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart — not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.

By sharing what we have, others needs are met, kingdom work is accomplished and God is praised. We give out of generosity, sincerity and joy. Our good work is only possible through God’s gifts to us.

We share out of love for God and others, not a sense of duty. Psalm 112:9 tells us “He distributes freely to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. His horn will be exalted in honor.” ‭‭When we pass on what we have been given, we are blessed again.

God doesn’t judge the amount of our gift but rather that it is given in love for Him and His children. Paul tells us “God loves a cheerful giver”, one who shares “not reluctantly or out of compulsion.” We all have gifts to share in various ways, it is essential that we do so with glad and thankful hearts.

Gracious God, thank You for all the blessings You send us. Help us to recognize the needs in our world and use our gifts to serve You and one another. Amen.