22 Jul 2024
When we cannot see any solution or a way out of a crisis, let us not forget that Joseph was thrown into a cistern, sold to Ishmaelites, bought by Potiphar, assaulted and accused falsely by the wife and thrown into prison. All in one lifetime. But the Lord ushered him to be the PM of Egypt and used him to save the nation and its neighbours from starvation. Genesis 37, 39-41
Daily Prayer for July 22
You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom Luke 22:28–30a, NIV Lord our God, we thank you that we may be your children and that we may hope in your Spirit. Your Spirit rules us as people whom you want to draw to yourself, as people who may serve you in their lives here on earth. Grant that we may be childlike, so that your Spirit can rule us more and more and what is good may come to many people in all places. May many come to know that their lives are not merely temporal. May they realize that they can live and act in you, and through you may experience the good that is to come to all nations on earth. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Who Gets to Tell the Story? Lore Ferguson Wilbert In R. F. Kuang’s Yellowface a woman sells her dead friend’s novel as her own. Read now The Wonder of Moths Caroline Moore Gorgeous and fragile, moths showcase nature’s richness and vulnerability. Read now A Requiem for World War I Marianne Wright Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem was intended to serve as a warning to future generations of the futility of taking up arms. Read now When a Bruderhof Is Born Maureen Swinger What’s it like to be a young person in a young community? Read now My Neck of the Woods Felix James Miller The Adirondack Park, a mixture of strongly protected public and private lands, is a great example of how humans can dwell in the natural world in a way that benefits both. Read now
Today’s Verse – Deuteronomy 7:21
[Speaking to the Israelites about their enemies, Moses said:] “Do not be terrified by them, for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God.” —Deuteronomy 7:21 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… What foe can defeat us as the people of God? None when we gladly welcome the presence of our holy God among us! Our God, our Deliverer, is mighty in power, awesome in holiness, and greater than any of our foes. Throughout history, the LORD has repeatedly proven his love, presence, and power in and for us, his people. So, we can refuse to fear what the evil one threatens to do to us because our Savior has already defeated hell, sin, death, Satan, and demons. And we will enjoy that victory with him one day forever. My Prayer… Abba Father, calm my fears and soothe my anxious heart. By the power of your Spirit, please bless me with boldness and confidence as I seek to live for you in a world that is often hostile to my faith and opposed to your values. I ask these graces in the name of Jesus. 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.
Daily Prayer for July 21
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young – a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Psalm 84:2–4, NIV Lord God, our souls long for you and for your glory, for the day when it shall be said, “All is accomplished! Now your kingdom comes. Now your day appears. When we look back on all that has happened to us, everything becomes clear.” We thank you that we can live without fear, again and again refreshed and renewed, waiting for the good you give on earth. Show us the way we have to go. Grant your blessing in our hearts so that in need and death, in fear and distress, we may always have light and strength. You are our salvation, Lord our God. From you comes the salvation of our souls. We trust you today and every day. We praise your name, and in you we hope for the day you hold in readiness for the whole world, the day when light will dawn in every heart. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Wonder of Moths Caroline Moore Gorgeous and fragile, moths showcase nature’s richness and vulnerability. Read now A Requiem for World War I Marianne Wright Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem was intended to serve as a warning to future generations of the futility of taking up arms. Read now When a Bruderhof Is Born Maureen Swinger What’s it like to be a young person in a young community? Read now My Neck of the Woods Felix James Miller The Adirondack Park, a mixture of strongly protected public and private lands, is a great example of how humans can dwell in the natural world in a way that benefits both. Read now Violence Is Counterproductive Conrad Grebel, Felix Manz, Hans Denck and Menno Simons Early Anabaptist writers make the case against a Christian’s use of violence. Read now
Today’s Verse – Ecclesiastes 7:20
There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins. —Ecclesiastes 7:20 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Yep, we’re all broken, flawed, and tainted (Romans 3:9-11, 23-24). Or, at least, that is what we were before God saved us, the Spirit sanctified us, and Jesus brought us into his family (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Praise God! Praise God because of his grace. Praise God for the work of Jesus. Praise God for the presence of the Holy Spirit. Because of these, we can stand before God holy, without blemish, and free from accusation (Colossians 1:22). My Prayer… Forgiving Father and Holy God, thank you for redeeming me from my sinful ways through the loving self-sacrifice of Jesus. Thank you for empowering me to become more like him by the transforming power of your Holy Spirit. Thank you for helping me become more than I could ever be through your grace than I could ever be through my own efforts. Thank you, dear God, for saving me from sin, ransoming me from guilt, and redeeming me to share in your glory. In Jesus’ name, I 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.
Daily Prayer for July 20
They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them. Jeremiah 32:38–39, NIV Lord our God, you want to be our God and you want us to be your people. Give us the inner integrity and the power to discern and reject what does not come from the heart, so that everything may be genuine among us. Then no lies and deception will creep in, and honesty and goodness will flow from our hearts to the glory of truth, to the glory of the gospel and the great hope you give us through the gospel. Guard our hearts. Protect the good that is planted in them, that it may grow and thrive and bear fruit. Amen. Recent articles on Plough A Requiem for World War I Marianne Wright Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem was intended to serve as a warning to future generations of the futility of taking up arms. Read now When a Bruderhof Is Born Maureen Swinger What’s it like to be a young person in a young community? Read now My Neck of the Woods Felix James Miller The Adirondack Park, a mixture of strongly protected public and private lands, is a great example of how humans can dwell in the natural world in a way that benefits both. Read now Violence Is Counterproductive Conrad Grebel, Felix Manz, Hans Denck and Menno Simons Early Anabaptist writers make the case against a Christian’s use of violence. Read now Toward a Gift Economy Simon Oliver Some goods and services have value beyond their market price. Read now
Today’s Verse – Deuteronomy 7:19
[Moses addressed Israel, reminding them of God’s deliverance of them from Egypt, and his commands given to them:] “You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the miraculous signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm, with which the LORD your God brought you out [from bondage and delivered you.]. The LORD your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear.” —Deuteronomy 7:19 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Too often, I fear we look at the past work of God and think we will not see the display of his power in our day as our predecessors did in their day. God used Moses’ farewell address to remind a new generation of Israel that he had delivered their parents out of Egypt and now would go with them and empower them as he had their parents. We also need to expect him to do more in our day than all we can ask or even imagine by his power at work within us (Ephesians 3:20-21). We need to pray that God will do in our day what we heard he did in days gone by with our ancestors of faith (Habakkuk 3:2). And, dear believer in Jesus, we need to remember the promise of our Savior: Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father (John 14:12). Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Almighty God, who is infinitely able to work with power and might for your people, we ask that you use your power to call the unsaved to Jesus in our generation. Please use us as your tools and do mighty works of redemption and revival in our day as you have done in years gone by. Father, we believe in your power and your desire to save. We know the many ways you acted with power and grace in the past to deliver your people. Please act mightily in our day, redeem our generation, and call them back 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.
18 Jul 2024
Now back to the heroes of faith. Hebrews 11:20-35a lists some extraordinary things they experienced and accomplished. They knew who they were in God and were yielded to Him. They were above their different circumstances and were focused on Jehovah. May we develop laser focus that helps us focus on God and occupy till He comes.
Sharing in the Joy!
O God, please, will you let me see a little harvest… Please! Jesus is not in Israel — not Judah or Judea or even Galilee. He is in Samaria that often forbidden area where nothing and no one properly lived — at least from the perspective of a Good Jewish person of Jesus’ day. Jesus has just concluded a public conversation with a woman — ooh, that’s questionable! She was a Samaritan outcast of dubious sexual practices! Ouch, that was forbidden. Yet, Jesus has answered her searching and seeking questions and then led her to faith. She has gone to tell her own people — those who had cast her to the outer margins of their village life. But Jesus’ knows her, knows her faith is real, and that her testimony is about to change village life around her forever. Now, as so often happened, the LORD had to deal with the often “slow-to-get-it” apostles.”Why are you talking to a woman, and why are you not hungry?” they asked Him. Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’ And it’s true. I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.” (John 4:34-38 NLT) I imagine this scene as Jesus talks to His apostles and points to the villagers coming their way. Their white headpieces bobble along as they walk toward them, and Jesus says: “I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe [— the heads of grain are white —] ready for harvest.” There are different kinds of seasons in the life of a follower of Jesus who takes seriously the LORD’s Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8-10). We often find ourselves in the harder seasons. Some are in the planting seeds season, where we keep sowing and can’t see any harvestable results. Some of you have been trying to find good soil. Others have been planting seeds for what seems like a long time with few noticeable results. Others are in the watering and tending phase to see if there is any harvest in sight. Some of you are weary and not sure you can keep on looking for soil, planting seeds, bringing water, tending to the weeds, and waiting on any hint of the harvest. It is hard work getting to know the soil and cultivating relationships so you can sow in a cultural climate hostile to the seed you sow. It is discouraging not to see quick results from all of your labor, sweat, and prayers. This can be a season that leads many of us to doubt ourselves, our calling, and our mission: Did I mishear God’s call? Was I wrong in coming here? Is this what I’m supposed to be doing at this time in my life, and especially in my family’s life? What am I doing wrong? Is there any fruit in sight? O God, please, will you let me see a little harvest… Please! I’ve asked those questions, had those doubts in my patch of ministry dirt that Jesus sent me to prepare for harvest, and felt inept when others around me were harvesting. So, what word is there for the “no-or-slow” harvest seasons of our lives and ministries? Jesus reminds us of an essential truth: “What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’” And I believe the LORD’s promise is true! Jesus promises us that we will share in the joy of the harvest. It may not be now, or soon, or even on the horizon. However, the Chief Sower of seeds promises us we will share in the joy of His bountiful harvest. And if we are blessed with a surprise from God’s gracious love, we may experience a foretaste of this harvest when we least expect it. I am an old dude. My hands-on sowing is less frequent and more restricted. While I do get to hear about our house church planters’ successes and challenges, I don’t get to be there to get wet hugging the newly baptized or lifting my hands with them when they sing their first praises to Jesus. Oh, how I’ve missed that and longed for those experiences! So, imagine my surprise when we visited Rwanda Children Christian School, and I was asked to preside at the baptism of 188 people delivered from animism and incestuous living who were brought into the Kingdom of the Son of God’s love. It was from a neighboring village that time had forgotten. The efforts of loving disciples took over a year of lessons on how to grow crops, training in hygiene, explanations of birth abnormalities because of incestuous inbreeding, health care that provided basic services, education for the children, and lots of love. God’s people did that consistently, beautifully, sacrificially, and hopefully. They planted the seed, watered it, removed the weeds, and then shared the Good News. These practices of gracious sowing, tending, and weeding had guided God’s people in their love for people in desperate need of grace. I was blessed to stand and welcome ninety-eight of those new family members into the fellowship of the saints as they rose from their new birth into God’s family. I got delightfully wet from high-fives, handshakes, and hugs. I rejoiced over them and cried with them. I saw old men and women with tears streaming down their cheeks for joy, many wearing their best clothes to be baptized. I saw pre-teens who were excited but unsure of the road
Daily Prayer for July 19
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9–10, NIV Lord our God, we rejoice that we may be called your children. In our weakness we ask you to shelter us in your hands. Strengthen us in the hope and faith that our lives will surely go the right way, not through our strength but through your protection. Grant that through your Spirit we may come to know more and more that you are with us. Help us to be alert in our daily life and to listen whenever you want to say something to us. Reveal the power and glory of your kingdom in many people, to the glory of your name, and hasten the coming on earth of all that is good and true. Amen. Recent articles on Plough When a Bruderhof Is Born Maureen Swinger What’s it like to be a young person in a young community? Read now My Neck of the Woods Felix James Miller The Adirondack Park, a mixture of strongly protected public and private lands, is a great example of how humans can dwell in the natural world in a way that benefits both. Read now Violence Is Counterproductive Conrad Grebel, Felix Manz, Hans Denck and Menno Simons Early Anabaptist writers make the case against a Christian’s use of violence. Read now Toward a Gift Economy Simon Oliver Some goods and services have value beyond their market price. Read now When the Bees Lose Their Way Nick Ripatrazone A review of Liquid, Fragile, Perishable by Carolyn Kuebler. Read now