Daily Prayer for November 21
Accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you. Do all this in prayer, asking for God’s help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God’s people. Ephesians 6:17–18, TEV Lord God, whose might is over all the world, over heaven and over earth, we want to find strength in you, for you have given us thousands of proofs that you are with us, helping in all that happens. And when we meet with difficulties, we want all the more to find strength in you, we want all the more to hope in you and await your victory. Let your light shine into everything, in life and in death. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Perpetual Flame of Devotion Richard J. Foster How can we learn to pray in a way that pleases God? And what stands in the way? Read now Even in the Ironbound Stephen G. Adubato A child of suburbia seeks thicker community in New York City’s enclaves and in a particular Newark, New Jersey, neighborhood that defies stereotypes. Read now I Cheerfully Refuse Despair Joy Marie Clarkson In Lief Enger’s novel I Cheerfully Refuse, one man fights against despair (and wrongdoers) in a post-apocalyptic world. Read now Learning the Violin Maria Baer A mother decides to take up an instrument alongside her young daughters. Read now We Are What We Pray Carlo Carretto A hermit in the Sahara Desert tells us what he’s learned about prayer and contemplation. Read now
Today’s Verse – Proverbs 11:20
The LORD detests those whose hearts are perverse, but he delights in those whose ways are blameless. —Proverbs 11:20 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Blameless? We can’t make a claim to be blameless in our own achievements so how will the LORD delight in me? We are blameless because of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice. God has forgiven and cleansed us and the Holy Spirit is working to perfect us so that we can be blameless like Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). Paul told Timothy that he had been the worst of sinners (1 Timothy 1:12-17), yet Paul was confident that he would wear a glorious crown of righteousness when Jesus comes again (2 Timothy 4:6-8). His assurance was because of God’s grace in Jesus (1 Timothy 1:15-17). I don’t know about you, but I am thankful to know that we can bring the LORD delight as our children bring us delight even though they are not fully mature or perfect in their behaviors. We pursue blamelessness because of Jesus’ sacrifice. God views us blameless because of that same sacrifice. That means our Father in heaven delights in us! My Prayer… May my words and my actions bring you delight, O LORD, my God! You have done so much for me, and I want to bring you great joy as I seek to live blamelessly before you trusting in your grace to make me what I cannot be on my own efforts! In Jesus’ name, I thank and praise you. 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.
20 Nov 2024
May we also realise how fortunate we are to be invited into a relationship with God. May we understand that which we are being called to. Those who accept the invitation are blessed. Hebrews 12:18-24.
Daily Prayer for November 20
Lord, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in time of distress, to you the nations will come from the ends of the earth and say, “Our ancestors possessed nothing but false gods, worthless idols that did them no good.” Jeremiah 16:19, NIV Lord our God, we come to you burdened and driven by every kind of need and oppression, but you will bring light into every situation; in your great goodness and faithfulness you will continue to help. We come to you because you are our help. We want to draw strength from your Word so that we can remain steadfast in these times, awaiting your help and already finding joy and certainty in our expectation. For your kingdom is coming, and your will is being done on earth as in heaven. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Even in the Ironbound Stephen G. Adubato A child of suburbia seeks thicker community in New York City’s enclaves and in a particular Newark, New Jersey, neighborhood that defies stereotypes. Read now I Cheerfully Refuse Despair Joy Marie Clarkson In Lief Enger’s novel I Cheerfully Refuse, one man fights against despair (and wrongdoers) in a post-apocalyptic world. Read now Learning the Violin Maria Baer A mother decides to take up an instrument alongside her young daughters. Read now We Are What We Pray Carlo Carretto A hermit in the Sahara Desert tells us what he’s learned about prayer and contemplation. Read now Poem: “And Is It Not Enough?” Malcolm Guite The poet relishes the beauty of autumn, but sees the stripping away that comes with it. Read now
Today’s Verse – Deuteronomy 11:19
Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. —Deuteronomy 11:19 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Moses gives us three crucial messages about God’s commandments that were given to Moses for the people of God. As parents, it is our responsibility to teach God’s commandments to our children — not the responsibility of the government, schools, or even our churches. While we hope these will reinforce our values, it is our responsibility as parents! We are to teach God’s commandments in the everyday course of life as we go about our routines as a family. This organic teaching method should be built into our daily way of life and help connect our children with the practical application of God’s commands. We are to teach them continuously by both our words and our example as we seek to raise our children to honor God and his holy values. Now we can look at teaching God’s commands to our children as a job, a burden, a heavy responsibility, or we can see it as an opportunity to shape a life for the future and partner with God in raising a child to be a person who will make an eternal difference for the Kingdom of God. What a joy to be a part of such a holy, eternal, and influential partnership! My Prayer… O LORD God, please bless me as I seek to impart my faith to others, especially to those in my family. Please bless me with a consistent and faithful witness to them. Please have the Holy Spirit give me the right words to say and the wisdom to know when the time is right to say them. Please give me the strength and sensitivity to share your truth with loving respect along with the courage to leave a strong Christian example. May those I influence see my joy in living for you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. 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.
19 Nov 2024
Were it not for the Lord’s mercy, we would have been destroyed a long time ago. He loves us and is concerned about us. May we never forget that. Psalm 103:8-14.
Today’s Verse – Acts 11:18
When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.” —Acts 11:18 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Breaking through racial and cultural barriers is never easy, but this was the challenge early church leaders faced when the Holy Spirit led Peter to share the gospel with Cornelius and his household, and they became disciples of Jesus. The Jewish disciples had not anticipated Gentiles to come into Jesus’ church. Thankfully, God’s Spirit didn’t let them settle comfortably into their prejudices. Instead, the Spirit challenged, led, and pushed them to break through racial hatred and cultural ignorance. So must we, today. Let’s be the kind of people, Jesus’ people, who rejoice and praise God as every racial barrier dividing people fall in Jesus. Let’s press on until the triumphant promise of the Gospel is fulfilled: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28). In doing this, we anticipate the incredible chorus of heaven as it praises God with folks from every language, tribe, people, and nation (Revelation 7:9-11). God longs to invite all peoples of the earth into his family of grace, love, and life! My Prayer… Holy God, we ask that you bless all those everywhere who are trying to cross cultural, linguistic, and nationalistic barriers sharing the grace of Jesus with those who do not know you. Help them know they are bringing you joy and anticipating the praise that surrounds you in glory! In Jesus’ name, we pray. 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.
To Thyatira: Some Are Faithful; Some Are Not
Note from Jesus Dear Follower, As the “Son of God,” I want you to think about My watershed statement to the believers in Thyatira: “I am the One Who relentlessly explores the mind and heart, and I will deal with each of you as you deserve according to your acts.” Does this promise strike fear into your heart or give you a reason to rejoice? Is it comforting or threatening to realize that I know and care about what you feel, think, and do? Unlike the influential cities of Ephesus, Sardis, and Pergamum, the city of Thyatira was a second-tier city. For centuries, it served as a frontier military outpost for more important regional and world powers. Because of the mineral content in the nearby Lycus River, Thyatira became well known for its unique “Turkish red” (sometimes called purple, as in Acts 16:14) dye used in expensive garments. The people in Thyatira knew about hard work and hard living. Subtlety was not the temperament of their society. The locals worshiped the false sun god of war, Tyrimnos. Many trade guilds also had their particular patron gods and goddesses. Their regular meetings included “worship” festivals and parties. These events involved drunkenness as well as sexual experiences and performances. Refusing to take part in these meetings was considered anti-social and anti-deity, tantamount to professional suicide. The idolatry and immorality that were woven into the social life, trade guilds, religion, and government of Thyatira placed My followers in a moral bind. How could they take part in these drunken parties and idol-focused meetings filled with sexual immorality and still consider themselves My disciples? But if they didn’t participate, how would they practice their craft, make money to feed their families, and maintain friendships with those they could influence to become My disciples? Believers in Thyatira took different approaches to the problem. Some steadfastly stayed clear of the idol feasts and immorality. Others, however, allowed a self-appointed prophetess to seduce them. Like the ancient Queen Jezebel, this false teacher led My people astray. She encouraged them to mix their faith in Me with worship and activities that involved idolatry and sexual immorality. Her teaching about “deep things” was a perversion of the truth and was sent from Satan to corrupt and dilute the faith of My people. My disciples’ love for each other in Thyatira pleased Me. Unfortunately, some mistakenly thought that love included a tolerance of evil behavior, so part of My message to them was this: “However, I have this against you: you have tolerated that woman Jezebel, who is a self-anointed prophetess and who misleads My followers to commit immoral sexual acts and to eat food prepared for idol worship.” I commanded this Jezebel and all who followed her to repent. I demanded they change. If they didn’t turn away from idolatry and immorality, I would come with swift judgment and severe discipline: “Watch; I will throw her back into her sickbed with those who committed adultery with her, and I will make them a bed of great affliction if they do not abandon her indiscretions and turn to follow Me.” My being “the One Who relentlessly explores the mind and heart” and Who would “deal with each of you as you deserve according to your acts” was a harsh call to repentance! On the other hand, many of My disciples in Thyatira refused any spiritual compromise. Their lives were full of good “deeds, love, faithfulness, service, and endurance.” They were even showing constant improvement in these areas of their lives. I encouraged them to remain steadfast: “Just keep on task, and keep the faith until I return.” I also promised to reward their faithfulness and good deeds: “I will bestow the morning star to the victor.” These disciples were comforted to know that I knew their difficult situation and appreciated their faithful perseverance, character, and grace. What about you? Are you comforted or fearful, encouraged or threatened, to know that I search your heart and mind, know your deeds, and “will deal with each of you as you deserve according to your acts”? If you compromise your life with immorality, then change! Repent and turn back to Me! I long to strengthen and empower you to live a life full of My righteous character and gracious compassion. My desire is to bring you to My home to enjoy the presence of the Father and to share in the glory of His children who will reign with Me forever and ever. Verses to Live My words to the believers in Thyatira are straightforward. For those compromising with idolatry and sexual immorality, My words were shocking and harsh. The disciples had to know that sin and compromise with evil were wrong. For those who were faithful, My words brought them comfort and reassured My presence among them, My love for them, My appreciation of them, and My glorious future that awaited them. As you read My letter to these believers, let the Holy Spirit apply these words to you and what you need as My disciple. The One [Jesus]: Write down My words, and send them to the messenger of the church in Thyatira. “These are the words of the Son of God, the One Whose eyes blaze like flames of fire and Whose feet gleam like brightly polished bronze: “I know your deeds, love, faithfulness, service, and endurance. Your labors greatly increase in quality as you travel along this journey. “However, I have this against you: you have tolerated that woman Jezebel, who is a self-anointed prophetess and who misleads My followers to commit immoral sexual acts and to eat food prepared for idol worship. I have provided her enough time to turn away from her indecency, but she refuses to turn from these immoral acts. Watch; I will throw her back into her sickbed with those who committed adultery with her, and I will make them a bed of great affliction if they do not abandon her indiscretions and
18 Nov 2024
As we take this journey on planet earth, may the Lord guide our steps. May He be merciful to us and reveal His word to us. May it illuminate our path and bring us hope. Psalm 119:17-19 & 105.
Daily Prayer for November 18
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9, NIV Lord our God, we stand before you and rejoice that you want to be our Helper, our Father. We live in a dark and evil time when whole nations groan and lament. Our need rises to you in heaven, and we cry out, “Help us, Lord our God!” Help that your will may be done in all things and that your kingdom may come. Our task is to pray to you at all times, calling, “Come, O Lord God, in Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior of all the world!” For in east and west, in south and north, among all nations, Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. Praise to your name that you have given us this Lord. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Learning the Violin Maria Baer A mother decides to take up an instrument alongside her young daughters. Read now We Are What We Pray Carlo Carretto A hermit in the Sahara Desert tells us what he’s learned about prayer and contemplation. Read now Poem: “And Is It Not Enough?” Malcolm Guite The poet relishes the beauty of autumn, but sees the stripping away that comes with it. Read now The Fire after the Flood Chelsea Boes After Hurricane Helene, neighbors we hardly knew all showed up for a campfire. Read now Christ’s New Command André Trocmé Followers of Jesus are so busy helping their neighbors that it would be unthinkable for them to interrupt this activity to go kill people. Read now