But while they were all marveling
at everything He was doing,
Jesus said to His disciples,
“Let these words sink into your ears:
The son of Man is about to be delivered
into the hands of men.”
(Luke 9:43b-44)
Let Your words sink into my ears, Lord Jesus. Let them surround my heart, guide my mind, inform my will, and direct my actions. Make Your willing self-sacrifice on Calvary the central truth of my life, my greatest joy, my peace and security, and the example of love I strive to follow. Amen.
Then the word of the LORD
came to me:
“O house of Israel,
can I not do with you
as this potter has done?
declares the LORD.
Behold,
like the clay in the potter’s hand,
so are you in My hand,
O house of Israel.”
(Jeremiah 18:5-6)
Heavenly Potter, Whose designs are always perfect, form me into something useful that adorns Your kingdom and serves holy purpose in the world. Mold me into the shape of Your Son’s cross, that I reach up to You in faith and out to others in love. I ask this through Christ, my Lord. Amen.
Hear my cry, O God,
listen to my prayer;
from the end of the earth
I call to You when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I,
for You have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.
(Psalm 61:1-2)
Holy God, Your Son Jesus is the Rock that us higher than I. When my heart faints before the troubles of life His heart pulses with love. When my heartrate escalates in fear and my blood pressure rises in anger He remains calm and forgiving. Lead me daily closer to Jesus and make daily more like Him. Amen.
Blessed is the man
who remains steadfast under trial,
for when he has stood the test
he will receive the crown of life,
which God has promised
to those who love Him.
(James 1:12)
Faithful God, You have pledged to crown with eternal life all who follow Your Son Jesus. When the world makes following Him difficult, when Satan attacks discipleship, and when my own sinfulness ridicules Christian faith, hold Your promises before me to strengthen me against every trial. Amen.
Has the LORD as great delight
in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
as in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
and to listen than the fat or rams.
(1 Samuel 15:22)
Why, O Lord, do I recoil at the little word, “obey?’ It is Your word; it is a good word; and yet in my sinfulness I battle against obedience. Forgive me! Turn my heart upside down so that I love what You love and embrace it willingly; through Jesus Christ Your Son. Amen.
Let it be known to you therefore,
brothers, that through [Jesus]
forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you,
and by Him
everyone who believes
is freed from everything
from which you could not be freed
by the law of Moses.
(Acts 13:38-39)
Spirit of God, thank You for proclaimers of forgiveness in Christ! I need the message they share and the freedom their message conveys. Grant me both eagerness to listen and, having listened, eagerness to extend to others the same emancipation I have received through Jesus. I ask this in His name. Amen.
But Jesus on His part
did not entrust Himself to them,
because He knew all people
and needed no one
to bear witness about man,
for Him Himself knew what was in man.
and a great many of the priests
became obedient to the faith.
(John 2:24-25)
You know what is in me, Lord Jesus: Sin and faith—sin by birth, and faith by baptismal rebirth. Forgive the former and increase the latter, I pray. Help me and all believers bear witness to You in word and deed, and so bless this testimony by Your Spirit until all people know You and entrust themselves to You. Amen.
Comments are closed