'prayer' Tagged Posts (Page 3)
Daily Devotions
But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.” vs. 5 Romans 4:1-5 It’s been pretty well accepted by folks nowadays that works are no advantage in our relationship with God. We’ve sung “Amazing Grace” so many times, in every setting, that we’ve pretty much taken it to heart. Since God has justified the ungodly, there’s even hope for a wretch like me. The bigger question for us is the matter…
Daily Devotions
For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” vs. 20 Matthew 5:17-20 Jesus wasn’t interested in having his followers be “law-abiding citizens.” He wanted them to be better than that! There were already plenty of scribes and Pharisees in the land, and they were obsessed with keeping every commandment of law. They were known for their righteousness. There was no need for more people like them.…
Daily Devotions
Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn your servant away in anger, you who have been my help. Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, O God of my salvation!” vs. 9 Psalm 27:6-9 People of faith find it hard to remain steadfast through tough times. Even the psalmist’s fine words turned accusatory when the light of the Lord seemed to dim. When there was no response to his prayers for help, he immediately assumed…
Daily Devotions
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” vs. 1 Psalm 27:1, 4-5 The psalmist was in one of those periods in his life when the Lord seemed very near and he had supreme confidence in the direction of his days. He knew that all was right in his world and that he had nothing to fear. The Lord was the stronghold…
Daily Devotions
And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” vs. 6 Galatians 4:6-7 It’s possible to live without any sense of being in relationship with God. In fact, it’s likely that millions of folks could be put into that category. Some of these have deliberately chosen that way of life; they don’t even pretend to believe in God. Others never give the matter a second thought. They focus entirely on…
Daily Devotions
Then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name. Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.” vss. 18-19 Psalm 80: 17-19 As we look over the shoulder of the psalmist, we see the prayer that he put in the mouths of worshipers for a time of crisis. It’s not much different from the kind of prayer that many of us might use…
Daily Devotions
Then Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.’” vs. 32 John 6:25-35 As the years pass each major holiday seems to acquire a unique identity, and that’s certainly true for Thanksgiving. For most Americans this is a day for coming together as families, maybe watching a little football, and then gorging on a multi-course…
Daily Devotions
Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands, to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples…” vss. 6-7 Psalm 149:6-9 In the psalmist’s apocalyptic vision, those heavenly choirs would do more than sing praises to God. It would be their pleasure to take two-edged swords and execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples as God’s chosen instruments of judgment. That kind of language has long had…
Daily Devotions
And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” vss. 7-8 Luke 18:6-8 The parable of the unjust judge has been clear in affirming the faithfulness of God. If a crooked judge will answer persistent petitions, then certainly God will do…
Daily devotions
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart.” vs. 1 Luke 18:1-5 Jesus knew that prayer can often be a disheartening experience, mostly because there seems to be no response from God. So he tells his disciples a parable about an unjust judge who neither feared God nor respected people. But when a poor woman kept coming with a plea for justice, the judge finally granted her request just to keep…
Daily Devotions
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.” vs. 1 Psalm 103:1-8 The word “bless” is familiar to us. Some use it as a closing in their letters to friends and family, while others might use it as a quick response to a sneeze, as in “bless you.” In those instances it’s a prayer for the person addressed, a desire that good things might come to them. But the psalmist uses it…
Daily Devotions
So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.” vs. 9 Luke 11:5-11 Jesus, in teaching his disciples about prayer, does all that he can to assure them that God has an “open door” policy when it comes to interactions with those in need. Just as good parents can be counted on to give good things to their children, God will respond with…