Today’s Verse – 1 Chronicles 4:10
Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request. —1 Chronicles 4:10 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… When we tune our hearts to God’s will and we long to honor our LORD, our Father delights in blessing us in mighty ways. (See yesterday’s devotional thoughts.) So, let’s first set our hearts on doing his will. Then, let’s not be afraid to ask God to pour his blessings on others and share with the LORD the desires of our hearts. Finally, let’s not be surprised at how many ways he blesses us in response to our prayers! My Prayer… O God, please show yourself to be glorious in the ways you bless me, especially the ways you bless those I love. Help all people know that these blessings do not come from our wisdom, skill, or strength but from your grace. In Jesus’ name, I ask it. 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.
13 Mar 2025
The human heart is generally wicked. Devoid of God’s love, man can do atrocious things. Hence the need to surrender to God and to allow Him to mold us into what He wants us to be. Nehemiah 9:26-31.
Daily Prayer for March 12
But now, this is what the Lord says – he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:1-2, NIV Dear Father in heaven, we thank you for the gift of your light in our hearts, allowing us to have faith in you. We thank you for your light, which shows us the many ways you save us from need, darkness, and death. In the midst of this darkness you keep our hearts safe so that we can be faithful until your time comes, the time when you will reveal yourself to the world, and when all voices will cry out as one, “Yes, Father in heaven, we thank you. You have redeemed us all.” Amen. Recent articles on Plough The First Task of the Church Stanley Hauerwas The most creative political solutions Christians have to offer our troubled society are not new laws, advice to policymakers, or social programs. Read now The Flamingo Loophole Alice Pistolesi How a climbing gym in the war-scarred Balkans brought residents and migrants together. Read now Why Watch The Brutalist? Chris Zimmerman Brady Corbet’s Oscar-winning film may be long and bleak, but it won’t disappoint the intrepid viewer. Read now Can Hobbies Bridge Political Divides Aryana Petrosky Bonding over shared passions can help dissipate political divisions, but only if we don’t let our hobbies become politicized. Read now The Divine Rhythm of Work and Sabbath Alastair Roberts The Bible’s story of labor begins in Eden – and its ending is still to come. A journey from Genesis to the Apocalypse. Read now
Today’s Verse – Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. —Psalm 37:4 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Be careful not to misread this promise as saying that God will give us whatever we want. Notice that first emphatic phrase that qualifies this promise: “Delight yourself in the LORD…” As my heart delights in the LORD — in his will and his purposes — I find a fantastic truth at work; he fulfills those desires. When I yearn for what the LORD wants, he enjoys giving me the desires of my heart. An old hymn has us sing this prayer: “Sweet will of God, still fold me closer, till I am wholly lost in Thee.” When I lose myself in the will of God, and my heart delights to honor him, God rushes to bring us the desires of our heart and bless me with more of him! Delighting in the LORD leads to a heart full of the LORD’s delightful presence and blessings! My Prayer… Holy LORD, God of our Fathers and the Great Giver* of every good and perfect gift, thank you for longing to bless me and pour the riches of your grace upon me. Please touch my heart so it will desire your will and then boldly ask you to accomplish it to your glory. In Jesus’ name, I find my delight and joyfully pray. Amen. * James 1:17.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.
11 Mar 2025
Despite our wickedness, Christ died on the cross so that we are delivered from sin and are guaranteed eternal life. He did it once for all. May we also extend grace to others by showing love to them. As we interact, may His love guide our every action. Ephesians 2:4-9.
Daily Prayer for March 11
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1–2, NIV Dear Father in heaven, grant that we may share in the community of your Holy Spirit. In community with you our earthly troubles fall away and we remain in your peace in spite of all our failures and shortcomings, in spite of all the toil we must gladly take upon ourselves. Watch over us. Keep our hearts unshaken, clear, and steady. Keep us in the certainty that your kingdom is coming, is already beginning and can be plainly seen, so that all people can receive the good you have planned for them. Be with us this night. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Flamingo Loophole Alice Pistolesi How a climbing gym in the war-scarred Balkans brought residents and migrants together. Read now Why Watch The Brutalist? Chris Zimmerman Brady Corbet’s Oscar-winning film may be long and bleak, but it won’t disappoint the intrepid viewer. Read now Can Hobbies Bridge Political Divides Aryana Petrosky Bonding over shared passions can help dissipate political divisions, but only if we don’t let our hobbies become politicized. Read now The Divine Rhythm of Work and Sabbath Alastair Roberts The Bible’s story of labor begins in Eden – and its ending is still to come. A journey from Genesis to the Apocalypse. Read now Sailing with the Greeks Adam Nicolson Setting out to sea in a small sailboat, I taste the liquid freedom that Homer extolled. Read now
When Life Is Hard
Note from Jesus Dear Beloved, There are times when life is very hard. Remember when I fed 5,000 people out of five loaves and two fish (Matthew 14:13-21)? The people were tired, the hour was late, and My disciples were not ready to handle the problem. So I want to remind you where I was emotionally before all of this started. Herod had just killed My cousin and great forerunner, John the Baptist (Matthew 14:1-12). I felt both the personal loss of this great servant of God and also the burden of knowing that John’s fate would soon be My own (Matthew 17:10-13). I was trying to get away to a quiet place and pray when the crowd found Me. Matthew sensitively describes My situation: And so he [Herod] sent orders to the prison to have John beheaded, and there was his head, displayed on a platter, given first to Salome and then passed on to her mother. John’s disciples went to the prison, got John’s body, and buried him. Then they went to tell Jesus. When Jesus learned what had happened, He got on a boat and went away to spend some time in a private place. The crowds, of course, followed Jesus on foot from their cities. Though Jesus wanted solitude, when He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, and He healed the sick and the lame. (Matthew 14:10-14) I share this because I want you to realize that I know about life being hard — about needing to grieve and regroup by being alone, yet not being allowed to have that time. So when your life caves in around you, please don’t believe the lies of the enemy that I don’t care about your pain and that your pain doesn’t matter to the Father. There will be times when you are tempted to feel that the devil’s lie is true, but please remember the real truth. I know human anguish. I know it not just because I am God, but also because I have been mortal, God Who is one of you. I know what it’s like to face the storms of life and feel like they are going to swallow you whole. That is why what happens next is so important for you to believe. As I tried to be alone with the Father, I sent the disciples away. Soon, they were overwhelmed in their boat by a storm. What they were facing physically, I was facing emotionally. Nevertheless, I went to be with them. In the middle of My raging emotional storm, I entered into their battle with their storm. While I was approaching them in the storm, Peter did what early Peter often did: he made a bit of a mess of things by presuming to do something the others would never dream to do. But don’t miss this truth: he did it! He walked on the water to Me until he became distracted by the storm. Still, in the roiling power of the storm, this seasoned fisherman — this man so familiar with survival in the sea and her storms — didn’t try to save himself. Instead, Peter cried out to Me to save him, and I rescued him. So here’s the deal. When you are going through your own storms, call out to Me. Welcome Me into the middle of your messes, trials, struggles, and storms. When you do, I will join you in them. You will never be alone (Hebrews 13:5-6). When My arrival seems to take forever, don’t despair. I will come to you in the storm. You may not recognize My presence at first, but keep looking for me. I will be there. One way or another, I will get you to your true destination. You will find rest, hope, and peace for your soul. Don’t forget, I know what it’s like to face the worst storms of life, and I will not abandon you to fight them alone. Verses to Live Please read this account of these important events in My life. They are taken from both Matthew’s account and John’s account of these events. It is more than a story; it just may be your story or the story of a friend. Remember, I won’t abandon you in the storm. Look for Me when the storm seems most fierce and you can’t figure out how to go on — or even better, look for Me at all times and in all situations in your life and stay with Me so you will be ready for whatever comes. Immediately [after feeding the 5,000] Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on to the other side of the sea while He dismissed the crowd. Then, after the crowd had gone, Jesus went up to a mountaintop alone (as He had intended from the start). As evening descended, He stood alone on the mountain, praying. The boat was in the water, some distance from land, buffeted and pushed around by waves and wind. Deep in the night, when He had concluded His prayers, Jesus walked out on the water to His disciples in their boat. (Matthew 14:22-25) After rowing three or four miles through the stormy seas, they [the disciples] spotted Jesus approaching the boat walking mysteriously upon the deep waters that surrounded them. They panicked. Jesus (to the disciples): I AM the One. Don’t be afraid. (John 6:19-20) Peter: Lord, if it is really You, then command me to meet You on the water. Jesus: Indeed, come. Peter stepped out of the boat onto the water and began walking toward Jesus. But when he remembered how strong the wind was, his courage caught in his throat and he began to sink. Peter: Master, save me! Immediately Jesus reached for Peter and caught him. Jesus: O you of little faith. Why did you doubt and dance back and forth between following Me and heeding fear? Then Jesus and Peter climbed in the boat together,
10 Mar 2025
Just to understand how merciful God is, please read how the atonement ritual was carried out for the cleansing of the children of Israel. The Lord delivered us from all that. May we not take His mercy for granted. Leviticus 16:16-34.
Daily Prayer for March 10
My word is like the snow and the rain that come down from the sky to water the earth. They make the crops grow and provide seed for planting and food to eat. So also will be the word that I speak – it will not fail to do what I plan for it; it will do everything I send it to do. Isaiah 55:10–11, TEV Lord our God, light of the world and light of our human life, we thank you for sending your Word into our hearts. Your Word works within us and allows us to rejoice. Even if we often experience hard and bitter times here on earth, we can rejoice already, as the world shall rejoice when your will and your Word are fulfilled. Protect us, and keep us pure and free in spirit, that we may be your servants, that we may sometimes be allowed to say a little word in harmony with the great, powerful Word which you have sent into the world. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Can Hobbies Bridge Political Divides Aryana Petrosky Bonding over shared passions can help dissipate political divisions, but only if we don’t let our hobbies become politicized. Read now The Divine Rhythm of Work and Sabbath Alastair Roberts The Bible’s story of labor begins in Eden – and its ending is still to come. A journey from Genesis to the Apocalypse. Read now Sailing with the Greeks Adam Nicolson Setting out to sea in a small sailboat, I taste the liquid freedom that Homer extolled. Read now The Improbable Revival of the Cloister Shira Telushkin Why are so many young Catholic women choosing radical seclusion as cloistered nuns? Read now Warehouse Workers of Paris Find Their Voice Benoît Gautier In de-industrializing France, a shuttle bus is workers’ last link to stability. Read now
Today’s Verse – John 14:23
If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. —John 14:23 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… This chapter, John 14, begins with Jesus’ promise to return to heaven and prepare a place for us with God (John 14:1-3). In our verse, however, the LORD wants us to know that we don’t have to wait until heaven to be in the presence of God or have his presence in us. As we love God and obey Jesus’ teaching, God comes and makes his home with us. What a fantastic and gracious promise! God, the Creator of the Universe, the Holy One of Israel, comes and makes his home in each of us. My Prayer… I thank and praise you for your abiding presence within me, O God. May my life reflect the holiness and grace of your presence in all that I think, say, and do. My heart shouts for joy as you come to me, and I say to you, dear Father, “Welcome to your home in me!” 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.