There is a story of a woman who had been used to every luxury and to all respect. She died, and when she arrived in heaven, an angel was sent to conduct her to her house. They passed many a lovely mansion and the woman thought that each one, as they came to it, must be the one allotted to her. When they had passed through the main streets they came to the outskirts where the houses were much smaller; and on the very fringe they came to a house which was little more than a hut. “That is your house,” said the conducting angel. “What,” said the woman, “that! I cannot live in that.” “I am sorry,” said the angel, “but that is all we could build for you with the materials you sent up.”
Eyes and ears
Lord, how much we’re affected by negative thoughts and worldly conversations around us! How badly we turn to bitterness, anxiety, resentment, worry, and selfishness! Renew our minds daily. Put the word in front of us. Remind us that we have every reason to rejoice.
Thank you for the gift of forgiveness in Jesus Christ, meaning that we can enjoy your presence and blessing. Thank you for the gift of the spiritual family, who befriends us in Christ and prompts us to grow. Thank you for your gift of the Spirit, who dwells in us and produces that spiritual fruit which remains forever.
Help us to use our eyes and ears for spiritual gain. Help us to learn wisdom. Help us to see our neighbor’s need and hear the emptiness of his heart. Help us to speak that word of encouragement, that message of salvation, that he has yet to obey.
While the world rants about politics, corruption, and injustice, let us give example of righteousness, self-control, and honesty. Thank you for the possibility of doing this through your strength and character.
My Lot in Life
By Bobby Cloyd, Smithville TN
Genesis 13
- Our decisions detemine our destiny.
- Get past your past.
- Nothing impacts our success more than our relationships.
Things don’t look good
Lord, from the limited vision of my perch, things don’t look good for the near future, in politics, economy, and society. It looks like Christians will have a harder time of it. They might be tempted to draw back from their efforts to proclaim the Good News in all the world.
But you know all things, you see every maneuver and hidden scheme of mankind. And you can change the course of events in the blink of an eye. You can raise up people and bring down those on high. And you listen to our prayers.
Father, we ask on behalf of your saints and your mission in this world. Do what will be the greatest blessing, what will serve best your kingdom. In our shortsightedness, it seems it would be best to bring new, decent people to take countries in crisis forward for good progress. Create space for such as these, raise up men and women who can point the way to a moral stance and to a society that treats all equally.
Above all, let us seek to be just, righteous, compassionate, and loving, especially to those in the family of faith. Help us to know that among your children you have established that perfect society. Thank you that we are already a part of this spiritual nation. Let us be more diligent in our efforts to show others that it is here, in the body of Christ, where you create the community that demonstrates your character and conduct.
O Savior, Come to Us
Eternal God, Lord over all, the One
To whom we owe both life and breath,
Reveal your love to us in the Son,
To know its height and width and depth.
O Savior, come to us, abide
In mercy with your humble creatures;
Your words of power our surest guide,
Your many works our able teachers.
For us your presence is all we need,
Our only good and pure delight;
Upon your healthy grace we feed,
To keep our holy Lord in sight.
10 reasons to give thanks today
Thanks be to God
- For another day of life, full of blessing, full of your presence.
- For the opportunities you constantly present to us; help us to see and take advantage of them.
- For good study resources and encouraging literature.
- For the message of the Bible that always instructs, inspires, and empowers us.
- For the power of the mind, and the gift of creativity.
- For free will to choose our way and the many good options to use our day.
- For gifts of service, that allow us to glorify your name.
- For sustaining life, providing necessities, offering meaningful work, allowing opportunity of employment.
- For your sovereign rule that guides the affairs of men toward your final goal, regardless of the evil plans and injustice of rulers and governors.
- For friends who love at all times, for brothers and sisters in Christ who encourage in faith, for saints whose examples remind us of our Lord and Savior.
Help me today to speak directly and appropriately to the needs of others, about the solution found always in Christ.
In the End
In the end, there’s only you and me,
For all the love that flowed endlessly
Among my closest friends and family,
Standing on the sands of a timeless sea.
Gifts and gladness filled my days and years,
You gave me strength to overcome my fears,
You taught me through the trials and bitter tears,
With faith that lasts until the darkness clears.
Final words are hard to choose and say,
Knowing there’ll not be another day,
With awe I take the very last step this way,
To live a life beyond this mortal clay.
What yet can be, for all man lost and cried,
A place to rest, where peace and joy abide;
You’ve walked with me, always by my side,
Go with me now to cross the great divide.
I want to live his life
Lord God who makes himself present among his people, thank you for coming in the person of Jesus Christ. I want to be in him. I want to live his life, having died his death. Prepare that eternal place for me, as I obey and welcome your habitation with me now.
Make today a day of joy and progress for the kingdom. Make this day a day of grace and love. Bring to us your power and truth.
Forgive and give us strength to resist temptation. Thank you for the victory in Christ. Let us keep our eyes on the resurrection, that makes all our efforts here worthwhile.
The aim of instruction
1 Tim 1.3-7
- The need for love: false doctrine leads away from love.
- The aim at love: we want to get here for God is love.
- The nature of love: rational “instruction” that can be taught.
The Christian’s calling, Romans 12.1-2
- Consecration: “present your bodies”.
- Separation: “be not conformed.”
- Transformation: “Be transformed.”
—R. Earle, in Beacon Bible Commentary, 8: 241.