Father, You have taught us that we are Your Temple and that you reside in our hearts. It does not surprise us that this temple should not be dragged into sinful situations. If we claim we are Yours, help us to not desecrate the temple, to not embarrass You, and eventually ourselves, by our bad choices.
Anxiety, a prescription for pain!
On many occasions You teach us not to be anxious about anything. Given the number of deep sighs, hands wringing, and perplexed looks we manifest, it seems anxiety and stress are more common than not. But what do You say Jesus, about anxiety? You say, repeatedly, “don’t worry” and then You teach us why.
Which sins anger God the most?
What we notice Father, is that You place pride and disobedience in the same list as sexual immorality and murder and say the same penalty awaits all sinners. Father, we know that sin is sin and that all sin separates us from You. You have told us that You will not permit sin to come into Your presence.
Love without end; perfect fidelity!
Father, this much quoted “love” chapter has some wonderful promises. When we immerse our spirit in Your Spirit, this gift of love lifts us to levels of caring and commitment well beyond anything we can achieve in the flesh.
The perfect Independence Day; freedom from guilt!
Father, we celebrate Independence Day in the United States as a way of marking our freedom from the control of others. When we accept, by faith in Jesus, Your grace and salvation, we celebrate a different kind of freedom. We believe that freedom from dominance by Satan marks that day as the most important day in our existence.
Did you say that God knew me before I was born?
You ordained John before he was born. You set him apart and Father, when he proclaimed the coming of Jesus, You had already seen the entire scene. It is Your omniscience, Your knowledge of the beginning, the process and the end that we are witnessing.
God, how could you possible notice me?
Father, as we look upon the beauty of Your creation, we are overwhelmed at the breadth and depth of the universe and both humbled and overjoyed as we see our children, created in Your image, born. The purity of a child is a representation of Your perfect will for us. Give us the faith and purity of a child as we seek to be as You Jesus.
Anxiety? Happy are the people whose God is the Lord
Your blessings, both small and large give us joy. May we spread that joy among Your people. Lift from us those temporal worries and anxieties that prevent our joy from being fully realized.
Did you say rejoice when times are hard?
What we need Father is a greater and greater dependence on You. Our enduring treasure is in heaven, not on earth. Help us use the assets that You give us in this life to better serve You, to run swiftly toward the goal and to walk with You on high hills, even when experiencing challenges in our day to day lives.
The path to strength and wholeness…a broken heart.
We read that You draw near to those whose spirit is humble and contrite. Keep us this day from prideful behavior and self-serving attitudes.