Today’s Verse – Psalm 1:1-2
Blessed is the one… whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. —Psalm 1:1-2 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Delight! Ah, what a wonderful word and an even more meaningful experience. But do you find delight in the truth and law of the LORD? What holy things of the Father in heaven hold your thoughts throughout the day? Why not join me in putting more of God’s word into your head through memorization and hiding it in your heart through prayerful Bible contemplation? During those sleepless moments in the night, those restless concerns during traffic jams or lines, and those anxious moments waiting to see someone special or deal with something important, we can meditate on the words and truth of God. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can even find delight in what can be troublesome times! My Prayer… Father in heaven, you are holy and righteous in all of your ways. I confess, dear LORD, that I do not always make the most of my thought time. I often let my mind drift away into areas I shouldn’t explore. I will occasionally get too focused on inconsequential things. I allow my thoughts to drift into anxious worries about things I cannot control. I want my mind and heart to be tuned by the Holy Spirit to your truth by using your Word to help me know your will and find your way to your peace. Give me true wisdom, enlightened by your Spirit, to see, know, absorb, and contemplate the things closest to your heart and found in your holy Scriptures. In Jesus’ name, I ask this. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
A Father with Two Lost Sons
Note from Jesus Dear Friend, Today, we focus on the final story in Luke’s collection of three of My parables about finding lost things and lost sons. In today’s story in the verses below, you meet a father who had two lost sons. One son stayed at home and saw himself as working hard for many years for his father — literally, he says to his father, “Listen, all these years I’ve worked hard for you.” The other son told his father that he was as good as dead to him, so the son wanted the inheritance he was owed at his father’s death, immediately. Both sons were lost. The son who stayed at home and played the game to get what he felt was rightfully his was lost. The son who wanted his inheritance received it, and then left, was lost. Both sons received their proper share of the inheritance — don’t miss that point: “And so the father liquidated assets and divided them.” Here’s the sad part: neither son appreciated the father. Both sons were lost. Now remember from Luke’s first two verses in the chapter what the situation was that led Me to tell this story as well as the previous stories about the lost sheep and the lost coin: Jesus became increasingly popular among notorious sinners — tax collectors and other social outcasts. The Pharisees and religious scholars noticed this. Pharisees and Religious Scholars: This man welcomes immoral people and enjoys their company over a meal. (Luke 15:1-2) I wanted the “immoral people” to share My fellowship and come home to the heavenly Father by turning their lives away from sin and rebellion. I wanted the outwardly religious folks who thought they were honoring the heavenly Father with their religious games to turn from their self-righteousness and come home to their gracious and generous Father. Both were sinners. Both needed to come home. So that leaves Me with two final questions: Which of these two sons are you more like? What do you need to do right now to turn your life completely over to Me and come home to the Father? Verses to Live Please hear the words that follow as My invitation to come home to the Father! Jesus (with another parable): Once there was this man who had two sons. One day the younger son came to his father and said, “Father, eventually I’m going to inherit my share of your estate. Rather than waiting until you die, I want you to give me my share now.” And so the father liquidated assets and divided them. A few days passed and this younger son gathered all his wealth and set off on a journey to a distant land. Once there he wasted everything he owned on wild living. He was broke, a terrible famine struck that land, and he felt desperately hungry and in need. He got a job with one of the locals, who sent him into the fields to feed the pigs. The young man felt so miserably hungry that he wished he could eat the slop the pigs were eating. Nobody gave him anything. So he had this moment of self-reflection: “What am I doing here? Back home, my father’s hired servants have plenty of food. Why am I here starving to death? I’ll get up and return to my father, and I’ll say, ‘Father, I have done wrong—wrong against God and against you. I have forfeited any right to be treated like your son, but I’m wondering if you’d treat me as one of your hired servants.’” So he got up and returned to his father. The father looked off in the distance and saw the young man returning. He felt compassion for his son and ran out to him, enfolded him in an embrace, and kissed him. The son said, “Father, I have done a terrible wrong in God’s sight and in your sight too. I have forfeited any right to be treated as your son.” But the father turned to his servants and said, “Quick! Bring the best robe we have and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet. Go get the fattest calf and butcher it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate because my son was dead and is alive again. He was lost and has been found.” So they had this huge party. Now the man’s older son was still out in the fields working. He came home at the end of the day and heard music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what was going on. The servant said, “Your brother has returned, and your father has butchered the fattest calf to celebrate his safe return.” The older brother got really angry and refused to come inside, so his father came out and pleaded with him to join the celebration. But he argued back, “Listen, all these years I’ve worked hard for you. I’ve never disobeyed one of your orders. But how many times have you even given me a little goat to roast for a party with my friends? Not once! This is not fair! So this son of yours comes, this wasteful delinquent who has spent your hard-earned wealth on loose women, and what do you do? You butcher the fattest calf from our herd!” The father replied, “My son, you are always with me, and all I have is yours. Isn’t it right to join in the celebration and be happy? This is your brother we’re talking about. He was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found again!” (Luke 15:11-32) Response in Prayer O Father, thank You for Jesus’ story of two lost sons. It grabs my heart. As You know, there are some days I am the younger and rebellious son. Please forgive me. I’m coming back home to You today. Some days I am the older brother, full of self-righteousness and wishing
Daily Prayer for January 26
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. Psalm 145:18-19, NIV Dear Father in heaven, Almighty God, your children look to you in prayer. Hold us always by the hand. Reveal to us that you hear us, that you are among us providing what is best for us, to the glory of your name. In this hour let us experience something from you, the good and merciful One. May we always be glad and thankful for all we have already received from you and for all we are still to receive in our lives. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Leaves of the Tree Jesse Zink The Bible describes a tree with leaves for the healing of the nations. We could sure use such leaves now. Or do we have them already? Read now Where Is God When We Doubt? Edward Bouverie Pusey Anglican theologian Edward Pusey’s letters offer hope for those plagued by unwanted whisperings of doubt. Read now Poem: “The Hum of Light” Robert W. Crawford The power lines are down. We’re in the dark, / the victims of a wet, cement-like snow. Read now Religious Persecution in the World’s Largest Democracy Jetti A. Oliver Attacks on churches and mosques are only one symptom of the Hindu nationalism gripping India. Read now Life without Magic James Smoker In H. G. Parry’s novel The Magician’s Daughter, a sixteen-year-old chooses to leave a magical island for the the wider world. Read now
Today’s Verse – Psalm 1:1
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers. —Psalm 1:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Too often, sin and ungodly living are portrayed as glamorous. These are marketed through previews in the media and championed on social media. The way to true blessings, however, is the way of God. His will is for our good, his commands spring from his mercy and protection, and his way is the path of true life. When we look beneath the thin veneer of those lauded in pop culture, we can see the mess they have made of life for themselves and others. However, we can be blessed to walk with God, do his will, and keep our sights set on our blessings when we go home to the Father in heaven, who sees what we do and appreciates our hearts’ desire for him! My Prayer… Forgive me, please, Father, for believing the lies of the world trying to deceive and entice me with the lies and temptations of Satan. I know that sin brings heartaches, complications, problems, and, ultimately, spiritual death. I also know that choosing the right things, standing up for truth, and living faithfully for you are often difficult. Please use the Holy Spirit to speak to my heart so I can recognize your truth and trust that walking in your will brings me true life — life both now and forevermore. In Jesus’ name, I ask for grace to walk in your way, not the ways of this world. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
The Lost Coin
Note from Jesus Dear Child of God, How precious is a child? What is the value of a human life? What is one person worth? If you want to know the true answer to those questions, watch Me in the coming few weeks as you read My story. Notice what I’m willing to do — be humiliated and hung on a cross when I had the power to prevent it. Notice the price I’m willing to pay — I give up My will to honor the will of the Father and pay the price for the sin of all humankind for all of time. Notice what I’m willing to bear — being betrayed by one of My own, having one of My great potential leaders deny he even knew Me at all and being abandoned by My apostles, so I had to go to the cross alone. So don’t miss My key point found in all three of My stories Luke brings together for you (Luke 15:1-32), especially the one I want you to focus on today: the story of the lost coin. Here’s My key point for My disciples who are willing to join Me in searching for those who are lost: There is joy in the presence of all God’s messengers over even one sinner who changes his way of life. Verses to Live I don’t need to spend many words today to help you see My key point. Don’t miss learning it, being moved by it, and putting it into practice. Notice especially a few words that powerfully emphasize this key point of each of My stories: Search! Diligently! Found! Celebrate! Joy! All! Even one! Jesus (with another parable): Or imagine a woman who has 10 silver coins. She loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the whole house, and search diligently until that coin is found? And when she finds it, doesn’t she invite her friends and neighbors and say, “Celebrate with me! I’ve found that silver coin that I lost”? Can’t you understand? There is joy in the presence of all God’s messengers over even one sinner who changes his way of life. (Luke 15:8-10) Response in Prayer O Father, thank You for the joy of seeing (please use specific names here) being brought to Christ and being saved. I ask that You use me to be an encouragement and help to others (specifically mention them by name), so that they will come to Jesus and we can share in the celebration and joy of heaven together. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2025, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Daily Prayer for January 25
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16, NIV Lord our God, O God of righteousness, let your light shine out. Go with us on our way. May we have clear eyes and hearts through your Word and your Spirit. Through temptations and struggles be always with us, lighting our way to what is right and good. Protect and bless us. Move our hearts from their very depths to thank you for all you have done for us, to praise you, and to glorify you. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Where Is God When We Doubt? Edward Bouverie Pusey Anglican theologian Edward Pusey’s letters offer hope for those plagued by unwanted whisperings of doubt. Read now Poem: “The Hum of Light” Robert W. Crawford The power lines are down. We’re in the dark, / the victims of a wet, cement-like snow. Read now Religious Persecution in the World’s Largest Democracy Jetti A. Oliver Attacks on churches and mosques are only one symptom of the Hindu nationalism gripping India. Read now Life without Magic James Smoker In H. G. Parry’s novel The Magician’s Daughter, a sixteen-year-old chooses to leave a magical island for the the wider world. Read now Sobriety Mountain Jaime N. Green Mind the false summit: when you think you’ve all but conquered, you’ve only just begun. Read now
Today’s Verse – Psalm 29:2
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness. —Psalm 29:2 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Giving glory, ascribing the glory God is due, is not easy for us with our mortal limitations and self-focused ambitions. Let’s admit it: We are self-focused and limited compared to God’s glorious limitlessness! We’re much more accustomed to asking for things for ourselves from God that we think we need than we are focused on praising and thanking God while inviting others to join us in adoring him. Let’s use the rest of this week to pray with thanksgiving and praise, glorifying God’s holy name while not asking for things for ourselves. Let’s try it together! We can choose a day this week and spend an hour praising, adoring, reverencing, and thanking God for who he is, what he has done, and his promises to us. We won’t ask for anything from God during this time. We want this hour to focus on God and what He has done, ascribing to him the glory due him while worshiping him in the splendor of his holiness! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Father, we praise you. You are marvelous and magnificent beyond the power of my earthbound words to describe and praise. Despite my human limitations, you have loved me as I am and are transforming with increasing likeness to be like your Son.* Thank you for sending him to help me glimpse your glory and anticipate seeing you face to face in eternal glory. Thank you for living inside me through your Holy Spirit and doing your work in me. I praise you for sustaining me and those I love with your grace. I thank you, dear LORD, in Jesus’ name. Amen. * 2 Corinthians 3:17-18.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Joy at Finding What Is Lost
Note from Jesus Dear Friend, In the verses today and the next two days, you will find three of My stories — often called parables — about lost things and lost people. Luke collects them together, and you can find them in one powerful chapter of his gospel (Luke 15:1-32). To understand these stories, you need to notice the situation as Luke describes it in his first two verses (Luke 15:1-2). People who were not normally religious were hearing the call of God and following Me — truly following Me by turning their lives to God and living the character and compassion I was calling them to display in their lives. On the other hand, other people who were normally considered to very religious were critical of Me for having fellowship with these sinners and devoting so much of My time and energy to reaching and teaching them and entering into table fellowship with them. I told these three stories to speak to these issues. I wanted everyone to know that I love all people. That’s why you have seen Me in the houses of Pharisees sharing meals with them and also healing a synagogue ruler’s daughter and healing a Roman soldier’s servant. It is also why you have seen Me welcome outcasts and the unclean into My fellowship and why I called Matthew — considered to be a sinner because he was a tax collector — to be one of My twelve apostles. You also see men and women, young and old, rich and impoverished, well and sick, powerful and powerless, all receive My attention and My grace. I have recently reminded you that people count most and that the Father sent Me to give My life on the cross as a ransom for sinners. So as you read My three stories about lost things (a sheep and a coin) and lost people (two sons), remember why I told these three stories. I wanted everyone to know why I joyfully welcomed sinners to repentance and into My fellowship. I also wanted the outwardly religious to know that they could be just as lost as those they counted as worse sinners than themselves and that their hard hearts toward the sinners who repent indicated this lostness no matter how religious their lives seemed. But as most folks know, telling the hard truth directly to your critics seldom gets to their hearts. They tend to raise their defenses and get ready to come back at you rather than listening to you. So I told stories — stories from the way of life these people recognized. These stories remind you that lost people need My grace and when they are found, there is rejoicing in heaven. Verses to Live Today you are going to read a simple story about a lost sheep. For many families during My earthly ministry, any lost sheep was a huge loss and could not be allowed. Know that you, dear friend, are much more important to Me and to the Father than any sheep could be to a shepherd. So imagine the joy when the lost sheep was found. That joy pales in comparison to the joy of heaven when any lost person turns to Me. Jesus became increasingly popular among notorious sinners — tax collectors and other social outcasts. The Pharisees and religious scholars noticed this. Pharisees and Religious Scholars: This man welcomes immoral people and enjoys their company over a meal! Jesus (with another parable): Wouldn’t every single one of you, if you have 100 sheep and lose one, leave the 99 in their grazing lands and go out searching for the lost sheep until you find it? When you find the lost sheep, wouldn’t you hoist it up on your shoulders, feeling wonderful? And when you go home, wouldn’t you call together your friends and neighbors? Wouldn’t you say, “Come over and celebrate with me, because I’ve found my lost sheep”? This is how it is in heaven. They’re happier over one sinner who changes his way of life than they are over 99 good and just people who don’t need to change their ways of life. (Luke 15:1-7) Response in Prayer Father, I am touched by two truths of this simple parable and the reason Jesus told it. First, I am reminded just how precious I am to You and why You paid such a high price to save me. No words are adequate to express my deepest appreciation, but please know that I thank You for welcoming me into Your family and rejoicing with the angels when I came to Jesus. Also, dear Father, I am convicted of how deeply you care about the lost around me and I know you have placed me in the relationships that I have so that I can help them meet Jesus and follow Him. Please help me, dear Father, to keep my heart open to the lost around me so that I can help them find Jesus, in Whose name I pray. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2025, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
24 Jan 2025
May we find favour with God. May He be pleased with us and order our steps. May His love for us never stop and may we continue being the apple of His eye. Proverbs 16:7 & 9.
Daily Prayer for January 24
I have not spoken in secret or kept my purpose hidden. I did not require the people of Israel to look for me in a desolate waste. I am the Lord, and I speak the truth; I make known what is right. Isaiah 45:19, TEV Lord our God, we thank you for giving us your love, for letting us draw nearer to what is right and good. May your Spirit penetrate everywhere, overcoming what is false and helping people everywhere to understand the true nature of your justice. Guard us on all our ways. Protect us when our bodies and our lives are worn down by sickness and distress of every kind. Grant us your help according to your truth and righteousness. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Poem: “The Hum of Light” Robert W. Crawford The power lines are down. We’re in the dark, / the victims of a wet, cement-like snow. Read now Religious Persecution in the World’s Largest Democracy Jetti A. Oliver Attacks on churches and mosques are only one symptom of the Hindu nationalism gripping India. Read now Life without Magic James Smoker In H. G. Parry’s novel The Magician’s Daughter, a sixteen-year-old chooses to leave a magical island for the the wider world. Read now Sobriety Mountain Jaime N. Green Mind the false summit: when you think you’ve all but conquered, you’ve only just begun. Read now The Jakob Hutter Story Jason Landsel, Sankha Banerjee and Richard Mommsen In this excerpt from By Fire, a radical reformer risks everything for a cause. Read now