02 Jul 2024
Acts 2:38-39 makes it very clear what one should do. Thay repentance is critical and shows a willingness to submit to God’s will. It is a perspective thing, yet the benefits impact others as well.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 7:1
O LORD my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me… —Psalm 7:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Who or what is pursuing you? Is it a past mistake? Is it an old enemy? Is it an addiction in your life that is dragging you down? Is it your conscience? Is it a nagging sense of guilt? Is it someone who wants to do you physical harm? Is it a physical illness? Is it a lingering sense of dread or an uncertainty about your future? We have many things that we can fear and feel — a lingering sense that these things we dread are pursuing us. So the bigger question is: Where do we go to find peace and security amid all the storms and struggles of life? There is only One who can be a true and lasting refuge. Just One: The LORD God! And this One LORD longs to deliver and save you if you take refuge in him! My Prayer… Father God, you are my refuge and source of strength. This is especially true when my courage is gone, and my soul is weary. Please, dear Father, destroy all the forces and powers and enemies that pursue me and seek to take me captive and draw me away from you. In Jesus’ name, I confidently pray that you are my refuge. 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.
01 Jul 2024
What pleases the Lord? A people who are conscious of who they are and what His expectations of them are. That becomes easier when we spend time with Him in prayer, meditation and repentance. As we have an honest conversation with ourselves, we will be able to do this . 2 Chronicles 7:14
Today’s Verse – Exodus 6:30
But Moses said to the LORD, “Since I speak with faltering lips, why would Pharaoh listen to me?” —Exodus 6:30 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Moses had to learn the same lesson most of us have to learn: folks really don’t care that much about what we say. If the truth is known, most of us can’t express ourselves all that well. Communication with others is hard. However, when we offer ourselves to the LORD, he truly works through us and uses us in mighty ways. Ol’ Stammerin’ Moses is a great testimony that God can take a shepherd with his faltering speech and turn him into one of the greatest leaders and speakers of all time. Don’t you think we had better ask what God wants to do with us and get to doing it? God used Moses mightily despite his limitations, and I believe God wants to use us in powerful ways, too! My Prayer… Loving Father, please use me in your service. I recognize that all my gifts, abilities, and experiences came from you. All my capabilities were given to me so I can bring you praise and lead others to you. So please enable me to use my abilities for your glory and empower me to do more than I could ever imagine possible 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.
Today’s Verse – John 6:29
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” —John 6:29 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “What do you do for a living?” It is one of the most commonly asked questions in many cultures. We define each other in large measure by the work we do. God, however, defines us by his gracious love and our belief in Jesus. The work God has for us to accomplish, the way he wants us to “make our living” as Jesus’ disciples, is fully trusting in Jesus and helping others come to faith in Jesus, too. Believing God sent Jesus is not just the orientation point for each of our lives; it is the work of God in our lives! My Prayer… LORD God Almighty, Ruler of Heaven and Earth, I believe in Jesus but help my unbelief. 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.
Today’s Verse – Luke 6:28
[Jesus taught his disciples with these words:] “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” —Luke 6:28 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Outside the example of Jesus, this command makes no sense at all. But Jesus shows us the importance of leaving our destiny in the hands of our Creator and Father. Suddenly, this makes perfect sense. What is the best way to defeat an enemy? Certainly, it’s not to beat or kill that person. No, the way we defeat our enemies is by having Jesus’ grace capture their hearts, having their character conform to that of our King, and having them join us as we live for the LORD! That’s the way we defeat our enemies; we bring them to Jesus, and they become our brothers and sisters in Christ. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Loving and gracious God, please soften my heart and toughen my resolve so I can love as Jesus loved. Make my life redemptive, especially to those who oppose, abhor, ridicule, belittle, and hate me. Use me, dear Father, to bring others to the grace of Jesus. In his 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.
28 Jun 2024
There is nothing that is too difficult for God, whether at personal, family, community, national or international level. We serve the Almighty God, the Creator of the universe, of all that is seen and unseen. Let us not tire calling out to Him for help. Job 5:19-27.
27 Jun 2024
The Lord doesn’t condone hidden agendas. A broken and contrite heart is what He desires. In such difficult times, searching oneself is a good place to start. When one is broken, one is vulnerable and can easily be taken advantage of. May we point each other to God. May His witness be our rudder. Psalm 51:13-17.
Today’s Verse – Matthew 6:27
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? —Matthew 6:27 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… With our busy world, we often preoccupy ourselves with worrisome and inconsequential things. What does this worry get us? Far from making our lives more productive or adding to our longevity, we know for a fact that worry hastens our demise, robs our days of joy, harms our bodies, and leads us to lose sight of grace. So, if worry is so destructive, why not commit our ways to the LORD and seek his guidance instead of worrying about what we cannot change? My Prayer… Father, thank you. Thank you for making the earth hold its orbit and my heart keep its beat. Thank you for giving me a future beyond the boundary markers of my mortality and the limitations of my body. Thank you for pouring your grace and numerous blessings into my daily life. Forgive me, LORD, when I do not count these blessings, and I begin to worry how I might acquire more while fearing I might lose those things that I have already collected. I pray for wisdom to stay in the present, give thanks for my blessings, and rejoice in my future with Jesus, by whose authority 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.
Daily Prayer for June 27
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15–16, NIV Lord God, help us to be holy as you are holy, and free us from all the earthly things that try to torment us. Grant us your Spirit so that we do what is right. May we always hold your hand confidently. Protect your children everywhere on earth, and help them do what is right even if the whole world does what is wrong. Help us, so that all we do becomes holy and pleasing in your sight. Let your grace grow among us and among the nations, and let your hand be strong to bring in your day, your day when everything is made new. May your name be kept holy, your kingdom come, and your will be done on earth as in heaven. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Will There Be an AI Apocalypse? Peter Berkman Marshall McLuhan and Romano Guardini say it’s already here. Read now Charles Dickens Writes to His Son Charles Dickens Dust off some 150-year-old advice for teens leaving home from the author of Great Expectations. Read now Taming Tech in Community Andrew Zimmerman How the Bruderhof community tries to be intentional about personal technology. Read now The Kids Aren’t Alright Abraham M. Nussbaum A psychiatrist reviews Bad Therapy by Abigail Shrier and The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. Read now It’s Getting Harder to Die Lydia S. Dugdale When medical tech can keep us alive, families face tough choices. Read now