Grace and Peace
I know You are with me, Father. May our time together this morning stoke the fire in my heart so that its warmth would radiate through my life this day. I pray that others would be drawn to You through me. Amen
1 Peter 1:1-2 (<<click here)
“May God give you more and more grace and peace.”
Lord, I pray that Peter’s request would be fleshed out in my life today and every day. I really see this as a “receiving” and a “giving” kind of thing.
From You we receive grace – that is Your unmerited (not deserved) favor. One of the many blessings You give us is not giving us what we truly deserve – death for our sin. Instead, You favor us with Your love and forgiveness. We would truly be lost without Your intervention in our lives. Thank You, Lord…
And because of Your gift of grace we now have peace with You. The second verse of the old hymn Hidden Peace, says it well.
Beneath the toil and care of life
This hidden stream flows on.
My wearing soul no longer thirsts,
Nor am I sad and lone.
There’s a deep settled peace in my soul
There’s a deep settled peace in my soul
Though the billows of sin near me roll
He abides; Christ abides. -John S Brown
Lord, You have so generously blessed me with Your grace and peace; but as Your child I must pass them along to a world, devoid of them. Many in our world are at each other’s throats. Vengeance, hatred, apathy fill our world. Lord, enable me to give to others what You have given me. Make me a conduit of Your grace and peace to a world who truly knows neither. May I be generous and give freely to all, as You do with no bias or hesitancy. Amen.
Oct 14th, Fri, 6:45 am
DEATH…It’s Not the End
Father, yesterday I came and sat with You but didn’t write. I have done that many times before to pray or go over a sermon. But yesterday that wasn’t totally my mindset. I prayed some, but probably more before I got out of bed. I just couldn’t get motivated. Some days are tougher than others to get going. May I take advantage of the time we have – it is precious and well worth my investment.
Death…Lord, though followers of You realize it has no power over us – even though we celebrate the fact that it is but a threshold we must cross to eternal life with You – it is still something that brings us heartache and pain this side of eternity.
For those crossing over that threshold, the heartache and pain end with that final breath for those who love You. Instantaneously they are cut off from the frailties of these earthen vessels in which we spend our allotted time on this world of Your creation and they find themselves joyfully in Your presence.
Yes, their struggle is done…but ours continues. We cling to the indisputable truth of the circumstances in which we find ourselves…but we are left to pick up the pieces of our lives that are now not as whole as they once were.
Yes, Lord, we are left with a void. We must carry on, we must continue to move forward. And we will fill that void. Nothing can replace our loved one’s presence in our lives but we will fill the void. May we not fill it with bitterness and anger. May it not be full of depression and grief. It will be a gradual process but, Lord, I would pray that we would fill it with You. May Your living water flush out the bad and fill it with the holy. May the precious memories of our loved ones be enhanced by the hope we have in You. Help us to fully grasp the fact that this is not the end, but that it is just one more step to that great and glorious day when all those who have put their faith in You will be together for all eternity – no more pain, no more tears, no more separation. And most importantly together with You! Amen.
Oct 13th, Thurs, 6:25 am
Gone Too Far?
Father, help me to give my attention to You this morning. You have much to teach me. Help me block out all my mind’s distractions as we come together. Amen.
James 5:19-20 (<<click here)
Why is it, Lord, that we tend to write off those who have wandered from the faith? Why do we not more aggressively pursue those who have let their relationship with You grow cold with the warmth of Your love?
Part of it, I’m sure, is just plain apathy – we just don’t care. Lord, forgive us.
Part of it, too, is that sometimes we don’t really notice. It can be a gradual thing. We get caught up with our own lives and don’t realize what’s happening until way down the path. Lord, make us attentive.
Quite often we feel that they’ve just gone too far, they’ve crossed the line one too many times and that’s it – we write them off. They’re a lost cause. But, Lord, haven’t we all gone too far? Haven’t we all crossed that line one too many times? And do You write us off? No, You don’t! You are the father of the prodigal and every one of us has squandered Your bounty in “wild living” Luke 15:11-32
Lord, fill me with Your grace and mercy. I have wandered time and again and I am now in Your arms of love. None of us is ever so far gone that we would not be welcomed back when we seek Your forgiveness. May I be more like You. May my heart burn with that desire to bring the wanderers back into the fold. Amen.
Oct 11th, Tues, 6:25 am
Prayer of the Righteous
As Your word is before me, Father, I would ask that You open its truths to me. May I glean from it the wisdom You have instilled in it. Implant it in my heart. May it flourish and bear fruit in my life. Amen.
James 5:13-18 (<<click here)
“The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” v16b
The importance of prayer is obvious and as Paul admonishes us, we must “never stop praying.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 That seems like a formidable task, especially when we think of positions in which we pray – eyes closed and head bowed in church or at home. How can we possibly “never stop praying”? The act of prayer is essential but our position of prayer is fluid.
Lord, You commanded us in Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”
Growing up my family made a point of beginning every long distance trip with prayer. We all would bow our heads and close our eyes and my father, our driver, would say that he would, “Watch and pray.”
So in life, we can pray in absolutely any circumstance – anytime, anywhere, with anyone, or all alone. But regardless of the when’s and the where’s, regardless of the position of our bodies, one thing that is of utmost importance is the condition of our souls.
In James’ statement if our prayers are to be effective we must be “righteous” which is a state of being right with God. We must be justified before God – we must be recipients of His forgiveness. To be justified communicates that idea that we are placed in a position in which it can be said that it is “just as if I’d” never sinned.
Lord, if I am to be effective in my prayers for You I must be diligent about keeping myself in right standing before You. Help me to keep myself pure. If I stumble or fall may I immediately ask for forgiveness. May I be the child You need me to be and may my prayers produce “wonderful results.” Amen.
Oct 10th, Mon, 6:23 am
Simple Yes or No
Once again, Father, thank You for waking me. Thank You for enabling me to wrap up some things for church tomorrow. May this day be full of Your blessings. May every word and step be guided by You. Amen
James 5:12 (<<click here)
“…a simple yes or no…”
Lord, I like what my study Bible* has to say about this verse – it’s very much to the point.
A person with a reputation for exaggeration or lying often can’t get anyone to believe him on his word alone. Christians should never become like that. Always be honest so that others will believe your simple yes or no. By avoiding lies, half-truths, and omissions of the truth you will become known a trust-worthy person.
I can’t remember specifics but honesty was one of those things that was driven into my mindset very early on. To this day I couldn’t lie to save myself. I’m not the best front man for getting people to surprise parties, to say the least. I am just not good at contriving a story line that is not truthful – no matter how innocent.
Of course, growing up adds all kinds of complications. And working with people adds even more. Balancing love and truth can be a challenge. But experience has taught me that tough love is sometimes what is most needed.
Lord, You lived out tough love. You were always straightforward but loving when You dealt with sinners – the woman at the well, the rich young ruler, and the woman caught in adultery all come to mind. May I follow Your example every day. Amen.
Oct 8th, Sat, 7:33 am
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation