Today’s Verse – Romans 11:33-36
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! … For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. —Romans 11:33-36 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The apostle Paul wrote these words after concluding his presentation of salvation by grace through faith and God’s plan of redemption for all people, found in his letter to the Romans. These words move me every time I read them. They remind me that some things in Scripture don’t need commentary, explanations, or elaboration; they just need to be spoken and believed. Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! … For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. I encourage you to memorize this short passage of praise and keep it close to your heart, and let it come from your lips during all your times of difficulty as well as times of bounty and blessing and worship. My Prayer… Oh, the depth of the riches of your wisdom and knowledge, O God! All things have come from you and through your grace. For your glory, O God, all things proclaim your creative genius and reflect your majesty. To you be the glory forever! 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 March 23
This is what the Lord says: “In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances.” Isaiah 49:8, NIV Lord our God, protect us in your Spirit. Strengthen our hearts especially when we often have to bear suffering, that we may be steadfast in hope and may again and again experience a day of salvation. Protect us in every way. Accept our praise and thanks, and let our hearts rejoice in what you have already done for us. We want to discern your ways more and more so that we may please you as your servants. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Its Just Stuff What Estate Sales Reveal About Us Sherry Shenoda An estate sale is a sort of liminal space – a passing on of the accumulated flotsam of a life. Read now Can You Find Jesus in This Painting? Sr. Carino Hodder, OP Art often portrays Christ larger than life, but works where he isn’t might tell us more about our spiritual lives. Read now The Rewards of Elder Care Maureen Swinger At the Bruderhof, I’ve learned that caregiving can be draining – and also immensely enriching. Read now She’s Dead! Kate Susong Be forewarned: This story contains death and a dead body. And even worse, you will laugh. Read now Advice from a Senior Demon C. S. Lewis How best to corrupt a human from C. S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters. Read now
Today’s Verse – Psalm 37:6-7
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. —Psalm 37:6-7 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… If you listen to these words carefully, heaven says, “Have a holy chill-out moment.” I’m not making light of this invitation. Heaven says, “Come into God’s presence with dependent yet confident patience and silence.” But how can we when our world is frantic, noise is everywhere, and evil seems to abound? We know God will do what is right for us over the passage of time and eternal time. The Bible is God’s story. More than history, it is HIS-story. It is our great reminder that God is always faithful to his promises, gracious in his power to redeem, and generous with his love shared with his children. So come into God’s presence and be willing to be still, patient, trusting, and hopeful! God is on his throne. We can have a holy chill-out rest in his grace as we trust in his faithfulness. My Prayer… Father, in the quietness of this moment, I consciously relax into your presence as I place the concerns and cares of my heart before you. I trust, dear Father, that you will act redemptively in my life. You will give me peace and I can confidently put my soul, future, and hope in your hands. In Jesus’ name, I rest myself in 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.
21 Mar 2025
Our circumstances may not look good. We may be going through a difficult season, but let us not give up. May our hope in God not be crushed. May His grace sustain us and may He attain what He desires in this season. May we experience His presence in the storm. Romans 5:3-5.
Today’s Verse – Isaiah 41:4
Who has done this and carried it through, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD — with the first of them and with the last — I am he. —Isaiah 41:4 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End (Revelation 1:8). This should be a great comfort for us. We don’t have to worry about our God leaving us as prey for other gods. We don’t have to worry about his truth becoming obsolete or outdated. We don’t have to worry about him abandoning us. His love is faithful. He will be with us always. He is always I Am (Exodus 3:13-14), the LORD from first to last. Our end will not be a lasting end, because it will be life with him forever. My Prayer… Eternal Father, the great I Am, God of mercy and grace, thank you for your faithfulness. You were faithful to your promises to Israel. You were faithful in your promises to send a Messiah. You are faithful to lead and guide me by your Spirit. You will faithfully bring me into your presence at the return of the LORD Jesus. Thank you for being my stable Rock and Refuge in unstable, transient, and fickle times. 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.
20 Mar 2025
Through Christ, we have been reconciled to God. We now enjoy access to God and have hope of eternity with Him. Our ticket to all that is faith. May we exercise faith in God and in what He has done for us. Romans 5:1-2.
Today’s Verse – Proverbs 10:21
The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment. —Proverbs 10:21 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Righteous people have a way of blessing others with their words. They may be words of encouragement, carefully chosen speech, advice full of wisdom, messages of comfort, truth in teaching, or faithfulness to their promises. Now, there are folks who think their words are wise, but they don’t match up to this promise: The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment.” No matter what form, the words of righteous people are blessings to those who receive them. But fools don’t listen to the righteous. The foolish plot their own course, refusing truth, wisdom, and godliness, only to find their lives lost to meaninglessness and folly. My Prayer… Father God, Author of all truth and wisdom, please help me discern those around me who are truly righteous and wise. Please give me the wisdom to listen to what they say. Please help me avoid the pitfalls of pride and arrogance as I humbly seek to hear your truth from those whose lives are conformed to your character. Keep me from the ways of the foolish, I ask, 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.
19 Mar 2025
Guard against arrogance. The Lord despised Moab due to her arrogance. May we be able to have an honest assessment of ourselves. May we also give God the glory for what He does. Jeremiah 48:12-30.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 37:5-6
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. —Psalm 37:5-6 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… How much do we trust the LORD? How much of ourselves have we entrusted to the LORD? We focused the last several days on the promised blessings the LORD longs to give us. Yet, God sometimes chooses to release these blessings dependent upon our trust in him and our asking of him. As long as we grip the steering wheel of our lives, it is hard to let God take us in the direction of his blessings and his will. I once saw a bumper sticker that put it this way: “If God is your co-pilot, then you had better switch seats!” Committing our way to the LORD is offering our lives to him to do his work, to receive his blessing, and to know his presence. So what are we waiting for? Let’s put God in the pilot seat of our lives! My Prayer… Holy, Righteous, and Almighty God, everything is yours except the hearts of stubborn men and women who will not release their will to you. However, dear Father, we commit our hearts, lives, futures, abilities, wealth, and families — our everything — to you. All we have of value has come from you, so please use all of each of us to bring you glory. We invite you to drive the direction of our lives. We love you and thank you 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.
18 Mar 2025
Let us give thanks to the Lord for who He is, what He has done, and what He has promised to do. He is compassionate and has shown us mercy. He has helped us numerous times, and we should be grateful. He also promises us His presence and help. We are blessed. Psalm 100:1-5.