Daily Prayer for December 21
He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. 2 Peter 1:17–18, NIV Lord Jesus Christ, to you we may lift our eyes, for you have broken free from our world of death and live in the glory of life, and you offer your life to us on earth. Let the power of your life be revealed today in us and in many others who want to celebrate Christmas. Send your Spirit to move our hearts so that we hear, see, experience, and understand what you and your gift of eternal life truly mean for us. So watch over us in these days and strengthen us in faith. Shed the light of your grace over us and within us. Protect us as your disciples. Lead us into communion with our Father in heaven and into community with you, O Jesus Christ, for all eternity. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Time Is Fulfilled Eberhard Arnold Christmas did not come as the successful result of any human effort. It came as a miracle. Read now The Busted Bean Maureen Swinger Follow an old school bus’s transformation into a space for coffee and camaraderie. Read now Celebrate Advent with Children Julie Kilcur The church’s liturgical traditions remind us that we don’t need to innovate. Advent is a great time to start forging meaningful memories. Read now The Great Floodtide of the Spirit Johann Christoph Blumhardt We are dehydrated people and since we need the Spirit, God will give it again. Read now Let Children Play Peter Gray In an age of high-pressure childhoods, free play is more necessary than ever. Read now
Today’s Verse – 1 Samuel 12:20
“Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.” —1 Samuel 12:20 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Israel wanted a King. This rebellion against God as LORD and King crushed Samuel’s heart and angered God at the people’s lack of faith. Samuel reminded God’s people that while they have stumbled and fallen because of their political concerns, they must not abandon the LORD himself. Instead, their political concerns must give way to their total allegiance to God and a willingness to serve him fully as LORD and King. In the middle of their politically fueled fear, anger, arrogance, disappointment, triumph, defeat, conflict, confusion, confidence, rivalry, and self-will, God wanted them to turn to him — not their political parties and political champions. Their hope must lie with God! I believe this is a lesson from history that we should heed. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Forgive us, dear Father, for our sinfulness, short-sightedness, and silliness that we have, at times, shown regarding rulers, nations, and our source of hope. We want to serve you with an undivided heart, cleansed by your forgiveness and enabled by the transforming power of your Holy Spirit as we trust in you as our LORD, Savior, and King. We thank you and ask for this grace in Jesus’ name, 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 Dec 2024
So once again, scripture affirms the coming of Jesus for the salvation of mankind. That’s the reason for the season. May the reality of this amazing sacrifice be something we hold dear. May Christ live in us and may His presence impact our lives and the lives of those we encounter for our benefit and His glory. Merry Christmas 🎅. Acts 13:18-25.
Daily Prayer for December 20
This is the one about whom it is written: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.” Matthew 11:10, NIV Lord our God, thank you for bringing us into glorious day. Let the rays of your grace, the grace of Jesus Christ, shine into our hearts so that we are truly born of the Spirit and serve you as your children at all times, also when hard days come. Through your might and your revelation pry us loose from all earthly things. Pry us loose from worries and from pleasures. We are your children, O Lord God. We come before you, our Father in heaven, and you will accept us so that we may be a people who prepare the way for you. May all the words you speak be a blessing to us and make us joyful in expectation for the day of Jesus Christ, which has begun in power and glory and will bring power and glory when all is fulfilled according to your merciful and perfect decree. O God, your children entreat you, “Accept us. Hear us. Set the light aflame in our hearts for the coming of your great day!” Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Busted Bean Maureen Swinger Follow an old school bus’s transformation into a space for coffee and camaraderie. Read now Celebrate Advent with Children Julie Kilcur The church’s liturgical traditions remind us that we don’t need to innovate. Advent is a great time to start forging meaningful memories. Read now The Great Floodtide of the Spirit Johann Christoph Blumhardt We are dehydrated people and since we need the Spirit, God will give it again. Read now Let Children Play Peter Gray In an age of high-pressure childhoods, free play is more necessary than ever. Read now We’re Alone Together Caitrin Keiper A review of Edwidge Danticat’s new essay collection, We’re Alone. Read now
Today’s Verse – Proverbs 12:19
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. —Proverbs 12:19 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “Tell the truth the first time, then you won’t have to remember what you said.” This truism by the famous Speaker of the House, Sam Rayburn, is good medicine for us today. Telling a lie seems gratifying at the time, but it nearly always catches up with us and gives us the added burden of trying to remember what we said and why. Truth endures; a lie is a momentary illusion that ends up in a trap filled with burdens. My Prayer… Holy and Righteous Father, please forgive me for lying, exaggerating, and withholding the truth when the truth needs to be told. I yearn for my heart and my lips to be invested in forever — your forever — so please help me as I seek to tell the truth with holy integrity. In the name of Jesus, I ask for your help. 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 Time Is Near and You Are Busy!
Note from Jesus Dear Precious One, Christmas is close! What are you feeling? Is it fear? …pressure? …stress? …worry? …sadness? Please don’t lose Me in the last minute crush of making travel arrangements, buying gifts, running by the bank, planning family get-togethers, and going to church. If you listen carefully to My story, you will find that the same type of stresses that you have also were part of My birth story, too. Magi had seen the star and were traveling a long way to come to bring Me presents and worship Me. My earthly parents-to-be had to make a trip to Bethlehem, My stepfather’s ancestral home, to register for the census for tax purposes. There was no proper place for them to stay or for My mother to give birth to Me. Shepherds made a trip into town to worship Me and everyone got excited. Everything about My birth is a connection of your world to the Father and His grace. The Father wants you to know that He knows all about the pressures, inconveniences, detours, problems, unforeseen changes, and wild things that happen in the rush to see family, buy gifts, travel, juggle finances, and do church stuff. He knows these things not just because He is God; He also knows them because, in Me, God entered your world and experienced them — was in the center of them. Pause and listen to a few words of My story. Listen long enough for these words to touch your heart. If you look and listen for Me, you can find Me, even in the middle of your busy Christmas plans! Verses to Live Taxes, census, travel, family history, medical needs, and trouble finding a room? Yep, they are in My story! Around the time of Elizabeth’s amazing pregnancy and John’s birth, the emperor in Rome, Caesar Augustus, required everyone in the Roman Empire to participate in a massive census — the first census since Quirinius had become governor of Syria. Each person had to go to his or her ancestral city to be counted. Mary’s fiancée Joseph, from Nazareth in Galilee, had to participate in the census in the same way everyone else did. Because he was a descendant of King David, his ancestral city was Bethlehem, David’s birthplace. Mary, who was now late in her pregnancy that the messenger Gabriel had predicted, accompanied Joseph. While in Bethlehem, she went into labor and gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped the baby in a blanket and laid Him in a feeding trough because the inn had no room for them. (Luke 2:1-7) Work, travel, surprising lights, unexpected guests, and worship services? Yes, they are in My story, too. At that moment, the first heavenly messenger was joined by thousands of other messengers — a vast heavenly choir. They praised God. Heavenly Choir: To the highest heights of the universe, glory to God! And on earth, peace among all people who bring pleasure to God! As soon as the heavenly messengers disappeared into heaven, the shepherds were buzzing with conversation. Shepherds: Let’s rush down to Bethlehem right now! Let’s see what’s happening! Let’s experience what the Lord has told us about. (Luke 2:13-15) Are long trips a big part of your Christmas? Yep, they were a part of my birth! Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem, in the province of Judea, at the time when King Herod reigned. Not long after Jesus was born, magi, wise men or seers from the East, made their way from the East to Jerusalem. These wise men made inquiries. Wise Men: Where is this newborn, Who is the King of the Jews? When we were far away in the East we saw His star, and we have followed its glisten and gleam all this way to worship Him. (Matthew 2:1-2) Remember, I’m here with you in the middle of the busy craziness of this time of year if you will invite Me in to share it with you! Response in Prayer Loving Father, as Christmas approaches, please settle my spirit as I try to open my heart to Your gift of Jesus. I don’t want to be distracted by all the things going on around me and miss the gift of Your Son, the love of family, and the many ways Your grace has touched my world. Open my eyes and ears and let the joy of Your presence fill my heart and shine forth in my words and actions as I celebrate the gift of Your love. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2024, 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.
19 Dec 2024
Why should we celebrate the birth of Christ, the coming of our Saviour? His coming brought deliverance and redemption. He did what the law of Moses could never have done for mankind. What an amazing sacrifice. That is amazing love. Acts 13:38-39.
Daily Prayer for December 19
When the Lord brought us back to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! How we laughed, how we sang for joy! Then the other nations said about us, “The Lord did great things for them.” Indeed he did great things for us; how happy we were! Psalm 126:1–3, TEV Dear Father in heaven, we hope in you and in your promise, which we hold in our hearts as our most precious possession. Protect us when times grow hard. May your Spirit come. May your Spirit constantly reveal your Word and give your promise to the hearts of many so that they may share in the hope, the faith, and the struggle for the great day. On that day we will be allowed to rejoice, exulting with all people because your salvation comes for the whole world. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Great Floodtide of the Spirit Johann Christoph Blumhardt We are dehydrated people and since we need the Spirit, God will give it again. Read now Let Children Play Peter Gray In an age of high-pressure childhoods, free play is more necessary than ever. Read now We’re Alone Together Caitrin Keiper A review of Edwidge Danticat’s new essay collection, We’re Alone. Read now How Math Makes You a Better Person Frederick K. S. Leung Across cultures, I found that math can be more than mere problem-solving. Read now Your Guardian Angel Is Always Present Bernard of Clairvaux With angelic protection, you will walk on the asp and the basilisk; you will trample the lion and the dragon underfoot. Read now
Today’s Verse – 1 Corinthians 12:18-20
But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. —1 Corinthians 12:18-20 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The Apostle Paul reminds us that God assigns our roles in the Body of Christ. Several principles interact with God’s choice: First, be faithful in what God has given us to do — until we are faithful in and with little things, he will not entrust us with big ones (Luke 16:10-13). Second, if we don’t use what he has given us, it will be taken away from us (Matt. 25:14-30). Third, we reap what we sow — sinful or irresponsible behavior can create consequences that limit the effectiveness of our service, ministry, and use of our gifts (Galatians 6:7-8). Bottom line: Let’s be faithful to what God has given us. Let’s serve him when given new opportunities using the gifts he has blessed us with and the opportunities he places before us. Let’s honor him with our choices so that Satan cannot use our failure to interfere with our service to others and our faithfulness to the LORD! My Prayer… Dear Father and LORD of heaven and earth, please help me see my opportunities to serve in your Kingdom using the gifts you have given me. Please grow my effectiveness in your service so that I can bring you glory and bless others. In Jesus’ name, I thank you and pray 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.
18 Dec 2024
As Christians, we belong to a rich heritage. We are blessed to be part of this heritage. May we operate with understanding and jealously guard our relationship with God. He has invested heavily in us. Acts 13:16-27.