What was it that made Jesus angry?

Jesus, very seldom did You show anger outwardly. Here You teach us a great deal about what a church should not be. It is not a place where the focus is on raising money, advancing personal interests, or a place where social relationships rise above our purpose in being there.

Thank you Billy… a great warrior of God

How can we know what You expect? You teach us every day to look to Your word for guidance and wisdom. Everything seems transitional as we observe the changing values of the world. Thank You, Father, for being our rock, our never changing anchor.

Curse God; praise God, curse man, praise God…What?

Father, As we try to be a light in the darkness, we sometimes feel rejected, criticized, taunted and teased. Give us Your strength in these moments and help us be patient and kind rather than angry and judgmental.

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.

My sin grieves me. How can I be cleansed?

Most of us have not sought You with our whole heart because that would mean a level of pursuit to which we aspire and but have rarely achieved. We are told to “hunger and thirst for righteousness”, something we want to do. What holds us back from a total committment to You?

Darkness (sin) to light (righteous), an easy choice

Help us this day to put on the armor of Light, to yield to the illumination You are offering. What a precarious thing it is to walk in total darkness. We can visualize how difficult it would be to extend our hands and “feel” our way through each day. That is how You portray one who chooses to walk in sin, as one agreeing to walk in darkness.

I think I will just get through all this on my own…

Father, we seek to be obedient, to know Your will and to do it, this day. Strengthen us and teach us to look to You every moment of the day whether we are encountering stress or joy. We know You draw near to us as we draw near to You and that if we choose to walk away from You, we do so at our own peril.

Is there any reason God won’t listen to me?

What a wonderful truth – that Your mercy endures forever – for those that trust You. You extend Your loving hand, even when we were and are in sin. Father, we want to be more like Jesus and for sin to move farther and farther from us.

Jesus prayed “early” in the morning…Why?

We are encouraged to pray early, Father, just as Jesus did so many times in the Scriptures. Praying about everything all day is Your stated will, but setting aside time with You each morning gives us an opportunity to start the day right, seeking Your blessings and direction.