How can we be truly blessed and confident before God—now and on the day of judgment?” Merciful and Heavenly Father, You created us for true blessedness and lasting joy, and You have given us Your holy Word as the sure path of life. By Your gracious Spirit, turn our hearts away from sinful desires and … Continue reading Psalm 1 – The Way of True Blessing
prayer
Praying for Those Whom You Love
What do you pray for those whom you love? Here is a great place to start. I have adapted this from Tony Souder’s excellent resource called “Pray for Me: Prayer Guide.” “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love … Continue reading Praying for Those Whom You Love
A Sanctified Will
MATTHEW 26:36–46 In Gethsemane, Jesus shows us what wholehearted surrender to the Father looks like. His prayer—“not as I will, but as You will” (v. 39)—is the pattern for every Christian life. Jesus Praying in the Garden Much of our unhappiness comes from an untamed, self-centered will. From infancy we insist on our own way, … Continue reading A Sanctified Will
Facing Your Sorrows with Hope
Matthew 26:36–46 In Gethsemane, we see Jesus deeply sorrowful and distressed. Why? Not because He feared death itself—many have faced death bravely—but because He bore something infinitely heavier: the full weight of human sin and God’s just judgment on it. The spotless Son of God was made sin for us. The guilt of the world … Continue reading Facing Your Sorrows with Hope
Jesus’ Challenge to Leaders
In Matthew 23:1–12, Jesus warns against hypocrisy, pride, and seeking human praise, calling His followers instead to live with humility, integrity, and a heart to serve rather than to be exalted. Here are three prayer requests drawn from a devotional reading of this passage: Prayer for Integrity and Humility “Lord, guard my heart from hypocrisy. … Continue reading Jesus’ Challenge to Leaders
Jesus is Praying for You
“I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.”- John 17:9 ESV Jesus prays not for the world but for those the Father has given Him. What joy this brings! Our safety rests not in our own strength but in … Continue reading Jesus is Praying for You
Persistently Pleading to a Gentle Jesus who Delights to Answer Prayer
“When the men had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’ ” And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight. Jesus answered and said to … Continue reading Persistently Pleading to a Gentle Jesus who Delights to Answer Prayer
All Saints’ Weekend
Your church may not use the church calendar throughout the year and that is perfectly fine. Therefore, you may not know that this past Friday was All Saints’ Day. This day is a very special day for me because it reminds me to give thanks to the Lord regularly for those whom God used to lead … Continue reading All Saints’ Weekend
It Takes God Time to Answer Prayer
But when it pleased God • GALATIANS 1:15 It takes God time to answer prayer. We often fail to give God a chance in that respect. It takes time for God to paint a rose. It takes time for God to grow an oak. It takes time for God to make bread from wheat fields. … Continue reading It Takes God Time to Answer Prayer
A Prayer of Confession of Sin – On Beauty
Beautiful Savior, You died to make me beautiful — one who was marred and made beastly by sin. Late it was that I loved you, beauty so ancient and so new, late I loved you! Thus, I vacillate between a monkish contempt of physical beauty and a worldly addiction to physical beauty. Unlike the patriarch … Continue reading A Prayer of Confession of Sin – On Beauty
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