17 Oct 2024
We sometimes need discipline and a rebuke from the Lord. We want the Lord to bless us, but we don’t want His guidance after that. May we be humble enough to hear from the Lord and follow His guidance. Proverbs 3:9-12.
Daily Prayer for October 17
The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Romans 13:12, NIV Father in heaven, we thank you for giving us light. We thank you for the great hope for a day whose light is not of our making, whose source is in you, a day to come that can touch our lives already today. Keep our hearts steadfast, free of all human wavering. May we always hold to the love you have given through your grace, and may we find joy in your love, which is full of light and understanding. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Talks with an Old Friend of God Fyodor Dostoyevsky In this excerpt from the novel The Adolescent, an old and wise peasant shares his worldview with a young man. Read now Dwelling in Fragility J. L. Wall The greatest strain on our marriage, my wife and I agree, is building our sukkah. Read now The Plight of Widows Nadya Williams Jesus paid attention to people whom others considered useless or a burden. Read now Searching for Solitude Jack Nicholson I found myself having tomato soup with an aged Northumbrian hermit in a Thomas the Tank Engine bobble hat. Read now A Life beyond Self George Eliot In her novel Middlemarch, George Eliot describes the “epic life” of Saint Teresa of Ávila. Read now
Today’s Verse – 1 Corinthians 10:16
Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? —1 Corinthians 10:16 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The Apostle Paul makes clear, as Jesus earlier made certain when he instituted the LORD’s Supper, that believers anchor the heart of the Gospel in the death, burial, resurrection, and resurrection appearances of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:1-8). The LORD’s Supper, sometimes called Holy Communion, is vital to our walk with Christ. It is a time when we proclaim the story of the Gospel as we share in remembering it (1 Corinthians 11:26). However, Communion is more than a time of proclamation; it is a time of participation. We share in the Supper with each other and with Christ. We are united with Jesus in his death so that we can leave our worship gathering to live his life in the world. This participation revitalizes our walk with the Savior and helps us re-live his saving death and resurrection, so that we can continue his work in the world. My Prayer… Holy God and loving Father, thank you for giving us the LORD’s Supper. It is such a beautiful and convicting reminder of the tremendous cost Jesus paid for our sins. The Supper is also a powerful reminder of your love for us and the ransom paid to free us from sin and death. Thank you for inviting us to share in the gift of your Son and our Savior. May we never take his sacrificial love for granted or misuse your precious gift of grace in Jesus. In the name of our LORD Jesus, 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.
16 Oct 2024
Knowing God involves finding His divine purpose for our lives and walking in it. When we do that, we shall do exploits, even in bleak circumstances. May we discover our divine purpose and stick to it. Deviating from it has consequences. Proverbs 3:1-10.
Today’s Verse – Judges 10:15
But the Israelites said to the LORD, “We have sinned. Do with us whatever you think best, but please rescue us now.” Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the Lord. And he could bear Israel’s misery no longer. —Judges 10:15 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… When God’s people realized the depth of their sin and their impending punishment by God, they repented and asked for his help. They didn’t try to diminish the gravity of their sin. Instead, they threw themselves on the mercy of the LORD and his graciousness. Unfortunately, today, we often hide, avoid, rationalize, deny, blame, or skirt the seriousness of our sins. We don’t like to admit them, much less confess them, and we sure don’t seem to turn away from them. “It’s not really all that bad. I know a lot of folks who do a lot worse things than I did,” people often rationalize. As Jesus’ followers, we must not view confession of sin as humiliation or weakness. Acknowledging our sins and asking for God’s forgiveness, cleansing, and power open the door for him to use us mightily if we will look to him for our rescue and let him not only forgive us, but forgive us of all of our unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9). My Prayer… Forgive me, Heavenly Father, for my sins. Please eradicate them from my life with the help of your transforming and purifying Spirit as I offer myself daily as a holy and living sacrifice to 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.
15 Oct 2024
Let us also praise God because He is a mighty Saviour. When things look bleak, He is the one who can deliver us from calamity. Daniel’s vision of the kings of the North and South in Daniel 11 are frightening. But there is hope in verse 32. May we be counted as those who know Jehovah.
Daily Prayer for October 15
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:12–13, NIV Dear Father in heaven, we come into your presence as imperfect, sinful children, who do many foolish things and who are involved in much that is evil and corrupt. We come to you, Father, knowing that your fatherly love is with us through all eternity. Be gracious to us and free us from all the harm and injury we are bound to suffer in this earthly life. May the grace your kingdom brings on earth finally blot out the sins of all people, so that as your children they may rejoice because you have helped them. May your name be praised among all people. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Dwelling in Fragility J. L. Wall The greatest strain on our marriage, my wife and I agree, is building our sukkah. Read now The Plight of Widows Nadya Williams Jesus paid attention to people whom others considered useless or a burden. Read now Searching for Solitude Jack Nicholson I found myself having tomato soup with an aged Northumbrian hermit in a Thomas the Tank Engine bobble hat. Read now A Life beyond Self George Eliot In her novel Middlemarch, George Eliot describes the “epic life” of Saint Teresa of Ávila. Read now The Wonderland Trail Morf Morford The only thing that seemed to matter was the wind and the rock and every living thing. Read now
Today’s Verse – Deuteronomy 10:14
To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. —Deuteronomy 10:14 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… It all belongs to God! The multifaceted and creative side of our heavenly Father’s nature is revealed in the astounding beauty and variety in our universe. This is not our world, but our Father has chosen to share it with us as one of his many gifts to us. Our Creator chose to provide us with the changing seasons in each year and the kaleidoscope of colors in each sunset and sunrise to frame our days. These are reminders of his love for beauty and variety, for predictability and also change. In addition to all that God has made and placed before us, he has crowned us, his human children, with glory and honor. Each of us is made, even with all of our differences, in his likeness. We are bearers of his divine image. Each person and all the peoples are precious to him. All the universe is the LORD’s, yet in his greatness, he chooses to know each one of us intimately. Ah, my friend, that is grace upon grace from the LORD who loves each one of us with an undying love as he sustains a universe too vast for us to imagine! My Prayer… LORD God Almighty, the universe is yours. You sustain it by your powerful word. All creation attests to your marvelous power and creative mastery. I pray in awe that you are also my abba Father who welcomes me into your presence. Thank you for using your majesty and might to bless us and provide such a wonderful world. In Jesus’ name, I pray 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.
14 Oct 2024
Let us praise the Lord for the many amazing things He has done. He has saved mankind and continues to shower us with His love and mercy. He is just even as He judges. Psalm 98:1-9.
Daily Prayer for October 14
I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants – but let them not turn to folly. Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. Psalm 85:8–9, NIV Lord our God, you are help, comfort, and life to us in everything we have to endure. We gather before you as poor, weak people, but you can make us rich and give us new life so that our lives prove we hold to your will and to the justice you bring on earth. May we be one in spirit through all we experience in our hearts, to the glory of your name. May the praise and thanks of many people ring out into all the world because you are help and deliverance from all evil. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Plight of Widows Nadya Williams Jesus paid attention to people whom others considered useless or a burden. Read now Searching for Solitude Jack Nicholson I found myself having tomato soup with an aged Northumbrian hermit in a Thomas the Tank Engine bobble hat. Read now A Life beyond Self George Eliot In her novel Middlemarch, George Eliot describes the “epic life” of Saint Teresa of Ávila. Read now The Wonderland Trail Morf Morford The only thing that seemed to matter was the wind and the rock and every living thing. Read now Encounters at the Southern Border Robert Donnelly Who are the migrants seeking asylum in the United States? Read now