Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this morning is Galatians 6:7-10.

Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool. For a person will reap what he sows, because the person who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith.

In this passage we are taught about our actions (sowing) and their consequences (reaping). Paul wants us to understand that while we have been given free will, “God will not be made a fool”. Our relationship with God and others determines our spiritual well being.

Paul encourages us to “not grow weary in doing good”. We may not see the results of what we do but when we act out of our love for Jesus, we know our efforts are not in vain. It’s not about people seeing what we accomplish or basking in the glow of our success, but simply sharing the joy we have found in a connection to our creator.

We know that with the presence of the Holy Spirit, we are inspired and strengthened to accomplish the work the Father has for us. Fueled by His love we can go into an often dark world to tell everyone of the blessing of salvation that is promised to His children. We are called to “do good to all people”, our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Gracious God, we are amazed and humbled that You call us to be part of Your kingdom work. We go in faith to accomplish Your purpose. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Romans 10:14-17.

How are they to call on one they have not believed in? And how are they to believe in one they have not heard of? And how are they to hear without someone preaching to them? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How timely is the arrival of those who proclaim the good news.” But not all have obeyed the good news, for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” Consequently faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the preached word of Christ.

Paul presents a logical case for the Great Commission Jesus has given us to go and make disciples of all nations. As Christ’s brothers and sisters we are tasked to share His love with the world. We can’t truly love one another without ensuring they have heard the Good News.

This doesn’t mean forcing our faith on anyone, each must choose for themselves. I’m fond of the observation that Jesus didn’t run after the rich young ruler to “make” him believe, but likewise Jesus didn’t say “wait, I’ll change the rules for you” (Luke 18). Jesus has told us what is important and how to do it.

The Greatest Commandment and the Great Commission are inseparable. We can’t truly love one another without sharing the truth of Christ and we can’t tell people of His love without loving them as He did. Paul reminds us of our blessing and our duty, and we go in Christ’s name to love and share.

Heavenly Father, we are amazed that You call us to be part of Your eternal plan. Strengthen us in faith and send us to do Your will. Amen.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment accompanied by a promise, namely, “that it may go well with you and that you will live a long time on the earth.”

Ephesians 6:1-3

Paul is writing to a diverse group in Ephesus, but he has one point that most all of them relate to: “honor your father and mother”. We were all children once and we depended on our parents  and other adults to guide and provide for us. God’s plan is that the older generations look after the younger until they are mature, with the hope that as elders the next generations will care for them.

This also the model of our connection with God. Now certainly, God will never need our care when He is old, but He longs for the loving relationship for which He created us. When we return that love by caring for one another and honoring Him with our praise and worship, we fulfill our intended role as His children.

As the family of God we have the pleasure and duty to share His love with the world. God wants all His children to know Him as the loving Father. He stands ready to forgive us when we fall and restore us to our place in His plan of salvation. 

Loving Lord, we regret the times we have rebelled and chosen our own way. Forgive us and send us into the world to reach everyone with the Good News. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 51:7-12.

Sprinkle me with water and I will be pure; wash me and I will be whiter than snow. Grant me the ultimate joy of being forgiven! May the bones you crushed rejoice! Hide your face from my sins! Wipe away all my guilt! Create for me a pure heart, O God! Renew a resolute spirit within me! Do not reject me! Do not take your Holy Spirit away from me! Let me again experience the joy of your deliverance! Sustain me by giving me the desire to obey!

This psalm from King David is a cry from the heart begging forgiveness. He had sinned against God and people for which God had given him responsibility. David had been selfish and deceitful in his choices and now he comes to God in repentance.

We know sin can’t be undone but God can forgive us if we are truly sorry. In the same way, when we forgive someone it doesn’t remove the sin, but it is the first step toward a mended relationship. Forgiveness isn’t forgetting, it is laying down the hurt that accompanies sin.

God is waiting to forgive us when we come to Him earnestly wanting to resume our connection. Jesus tells us “For if you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matthew 6:14). Let go of the pain you have received by forgiving those who caused it; ask forgiveness from others and God for pain you have caused. God comforts us, saying “I am the one who blots out your rebellious deeds for my sake; your sins I do not remember” (Isaiah 43:25).

Gracious God, we are sorry for our sins against You and one another. Forgive us we pray, and lead us in Your righteousness. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Galatians 5:22-26.

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.

Paul speaks of the fruit of the Spirit, behaviors that Christians should exhibit based on our connection to God. These fruits are the direct product of God’s presence with us. Jesus demonstrated every one of these while He was here and He expects us to treat each other in the same way.

Our human nature needs to be tempered and guided by the Spirit. It’s not simply a matter of being nice to people (although that’s a good start), but truly caring about them as Jesus did. Once we accept the promise He offers, our lives will be changed, sometimes immediately, sometimes slowly.

Paul closes this passage with advice to avoid “competing against one another, envying one another”. This includes in our spiritual life. Each of us has an individual and unique relationship with God. While we may have similar experiences, no one else can have the exact same experience. We see this in the different accounts of Christ’s time on earth. We must realize that God sends each of us what is needed to be His people and accomplish the work He has for us.

Gracious God, we are humbled by Your love and grateful for Your mercy. Help us to show Your love through the fruits of the spirit to everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Joshua 1:6-9.

“Be strong and courageous; for you shall put this people in possession of the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance with all the law that my servant Moses commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, so that you may be successful wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful. I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

It sounds like a pep talk from God – “Be strong and courageous”. Easy for You to say, Lord! You’re the creator of everything and nothing can stand against You! We are weak and prone to giving up.

God understands this, so He amplifies it: “I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous”. Now it’s serious. This is not just advice, this is an order! How can we possibly do this?

The answer is we can’t…not alone anyway. Only by trusting in Him and obeying His commandments can we ever hope to succeed against the enemy. However, God isn’t sending us alone. He tells us plainly “the Lord your God is with you wherever you go”. With this assurance we go in His name, knowing that He is with us always.

Heavenly Father, we are amazed that You are willing to forgive our failure. Bless us to be energetic workers for Your kingdom, strengthened by faith and inspired by Your word. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Colossians 3:1-4.

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

Paul teaches that since Christ was raised from the dead, we will be raised as well. If we love Him and keep His commandments, He has a place prepared for us. Jesus wants us to be like Him while we live, and with Him forever.

The concept of eternity is difficult for us. We suffer from a “here and now” complex. However, Paul reminds us to “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth”. When we think more about heaven than earth and more about others than ourselves, we are living as God intends.

This isn’t always easy, but it is what we are called to as followers of Jesus. A life in Christ is one that demonstrates a relationship with Him and shares His love with the world. May we be faithful in all we say and do.

Loving Lord, we want to be like Jesus, but we need Your love and guidance to keep us in the path. Help us to show everyone how true believers live. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 23:1-6.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.

Sometimes when a lesson is very familiar it’s easy to just lose ourselves in the feeling that passage provides and not listen for new or deeper meaning. Psalm 23 is a great example of this. It is often read at funerals because it is comforting to remember God’s promise of provision and protection.

However, there is a lot to digest in this Psalm if we look at it carefully. It speaks of God guiding us to the “right paths for his name’s sake”. God has plans for us but we must accept them for ourselves. It may prove difficult but we don’t need to fear because He is with us.

The vow the psalmist makes to “dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long” should be our response as well. God accepts our commitment and His promise is that we may dwell with Him eternally. If we follow the Good Shepherd, we will never be lost sheep.

Loving Lord, we are grateful for Your care, leading us through troubled times. Help us to share Your love with all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Proverbs 18:20-21.

From the fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is filled with the product of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

The Book of Proverbs has much wisdom for us. It is likely you have heard Proverbs quoted often, perhaps without even knowing the scriptural source. Unlike much of the rest of scripture, which is in narrative or lesson form, these short sayings are little bursts of encouragement or warning for how we live and relate to God and one another. 

This passage about eating and speaking is one that Jesus may have been referring to in Matthew 15:11 when He tells us “It’s not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth — this defiles a person”. In James 3:9-10 we read “With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness. Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way.” Our words have power, and when we speak falsely or cruelly, we harm others and ourselves.

Jesus taught us to speak kindly to those who need comfort and support, and graciously to those who oppose us. The things we say and do mark us either as followers of Christ or those who are still lost. This proverb tells us “death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit”. Instead, let’s eat the bread of life Jesus offers us and love one another as He does.

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the times our words have not honored You or harmed Your creation. Bless us to be the bearers of the Good News in everything we say and do. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Isaiah 43:1-4.

Now this is what the Lord says — the one who created you, Jacob, and the one who formed you, Israel  — “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and the rivers will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, and the flame will not burn you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, and your Savior. I have given Egypt as a ransom for you, Cush and Seba in your place. Because you are precious in my sight and honored, and I love you, I will give people in exchange for you and nations instead of your life.”

The prophet Isaiah wrote much about God’s love for His people and how even their sin couldn’t change that. He warned them of the consequences of their disobedience, but with the promise that God corrects those He loves. Paul would later write about this in His letter to the Hebrews, saying “for the Lord disciplines the one he loves and punishes every son he receives” (Hebrews 12:6).

God hasn’t changed, His love for us now is the same as it has always been. Unfortunately, we haven’t really changed either. It is sad to realize we still make the same mistakes as they did, choosing our own way rather than God’s loving plan for us.

However, we can change our behavior as individuals and we can be blessed as part of His plan of salvation to go to the world in His name. God still wants us back! Through prayer, His word and joining together with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we can make a difference.

Gracious God, we are ashamed of the way we often treat each other and the mistakes we repeat. May we turn to You in repentance and accept Your forgiveness. Amen.