Morning Bible Verse of the Day
January 09, 2025 Thursday
Morning Prayer
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
From: Romans 6:23 (KJV)
Inspiration
If we had been left to our own devices and our life of sin, we would have died and faced damnation. But because of what Jesus Christ did for us, we have eternal life. We have been saved from the flames and we have been brought into a glorious life of eternity.
Prayer
Dear God, I thank you for my salvation. Thank you for saving me from a painful future ahead and replacing it with a life with you, forever. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
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Morning Devotional
January 09, 2025 Thursday
Psalm 40:6-9 (KJV)
Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
I Delight To Do Your Will
Frances Taylor
When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we say “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” In this psalm, we pray that we delight to do God’s will. I wonder if we really mean what we pray, or if we just say the words. First, we need to think about what God’s will really is. When we read the Scriptures we see certain themes – justice, peace, and especially, love. These themes run through the Old Testament as well as the New. We are told to take care of the poor, the most vulnerable in our society. We are asked to remember that we were once strangers in the lands we now occupy. We are told to treat others the way we want to be treated, to forgive. These are not easy tasks and sometimes we do not “delight” in doing them. We want justice but not if it interferes with our comfort. We want peace, but our speech is often loaded with violence. We say we want to be forgiven but find it hard to forgive. We don’t always welcome the stranger, and we sometimes suspect the poor of being responsible for their situation. When we continue to read this psalm, we read a confession of sorts admitting that we often fail in doing the will of God. We also hear the author asking for God’s mercy and faithfulness. We need to look at ourselves with honesty and see how we can work better to bring about God’s will on earth as it is in heaven.
Prayer
Lord, you are my help, do not delay! Amen.
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Night Bible Verse of the Day
January 09, 2025 Thursday
Night Prayer
While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
From: John 12:36 (KJV)
Inspiration
In Jesus, we find the light of truth and love. But the world around us is still lost in the darkness of sin and fear. So we spend time in the light, growing in knowledge, trust, and wisdom in order to prepare for the times when we are sent forth into the dark world. In such times, we must cling to the truth that has been revealed to us, even when the light is hard to see.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for inviting me into Your light. By it, You have shown me Your truth and bathed me in the warmth of Your love. Help me to never forget Your light, which sustains me when the darkness of the world surrounds me. Help me to not give in to doubt and fear, instead trusting in Your assurance. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Morning Bible Verse of the Day
Morning Prayer
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
From: 2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)
Inspiration
Part of being a Christian is humbling ourselves and realizing that without God, our lives truly mean nothing. We are to acknowledge that we have made a conscious choice to turn away from the bad deeds and sinful habits, and we have turned to the holy life God has presented before us.
Prayer
Father, I humbly present myself as one who has chosen to turn away from their sinful ways. It is a choice I made when I chose to follow you and Lord, it is a choice I intend to abide in. Father, help me to walk in a way that is worthy of this calling. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
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Morning Devotional
January 10, 2025 Friday
Exodus 22:20-26 (KJV)
He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.
Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.
If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;
And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.
If thou at all take thy neighbour’s raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:
Reaching Out a Welcoming Hand
Frances Taylor
Our world today has a surplus of displaced people – men, women and children alike. Today’s reading from Exodus discusses this and the problems of widows and orphans and in very direct terms. We are not always welcoming to immigrants and we often do not make life easy for widows or orphans. We have camps in many countries where families who are running from violence, oppression and extreme poverty are held. Often these camps are not places where children can learn, where adequate food or medicine is available and opportunities for work is limited. If it’s not in our neighborhood do we even give it any thought? We may react with generosity when there is a catastrophe in a part of the world, but once another issue comes along do we think about the people who are suffering still? I hear a lot about rescuing animals, but not about rescuing people. There are children all over the world who are homeless, hungry, without the opportunity for education or medical care. This happens in the most developed and wealthy countries as well as in developing countries. In fact, in some of the poorest countries families with little or nothing themselves will reach out to such orphans. I, myself, have been the recipient of the generosity of people in Haiti and in Tanzania. We are all told we must be neighbor to others. Let us not be the ones who feel God’s wrath when his children cry out for justice.
Prayer
Dear Lord, I can become complacent in my life and forget my responsibility to share my blessings with others. May I never refuse welcome to the stranger or aid to those in need. Amen.
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Night Bible Verse of the Day
## Night Prayer
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
**From:** *Revelation 3:20 (KJV)*
Inspiration
Jesus desires to be in communion with us, not just individually but collectively as his church. Yet, sometimes we get so caught up in our own plans, agendas, and desires that we shut him out. When this happens, do we realize that he’s outside? Do we hear him knocking? Let’s let him back in, so that he may be present with us in all that we do.
Prayer
Lord, forgive me for shutting You out. I’ve tried to keep parts of my life out of Your reach. Even as Your church, we’ve sometimes failed to include You in all that we do. Thank You for Your persistent knocking. Give us ears to hear Your knock when we shut You out, so that we may open the door for You and experience Your companionship once again. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Morning Bible Verse of the Day
January 11, 2025 Saturday
Morning Prayer
Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
From: Proverbs 20:22 (KJV)
Inspiration
Contrary to what the world might say, revenge is never sweet. If someone wrongs you, do not seek to get back at them. That is not love and that is not of God. Focus on healing and forgiving instead, and move on with your life. This is mature and it is godly.
Prayer
Dear God, I pray that in times where I am offended may I never stoop to the level of my offender. I pray that you will help me heal and forgive, instead of seek to gain revenge. I know that there is nothing in revenge. May I act in your love instead, Lord. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
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Morning Devotional
January 11, 2025 Saturday
Luke10:17-20 (KJV)
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Bringing The Good News of Christ to Others Brings Me Joy
Frances Taylor
Has someone ever said to you, “You just made my day!” and you wondered what you did or said? Just think for a moment how you feel when that happens. You just brought the Good News of Christ to that person! You made that person feel better about themselves or more loved or more accepted. This is what following Jesus and being a disciple is all about. We don’t always know what it means to someone to say that we will pray for them, or to tell them they’re special or loved. When we act as Jesus would act, we are bringing God’s love into whatever situation we are in. The world can get us down sometimes. We can wonder if it’s all worth it to do the right thing when we see others profiting from the unhappiness of others. We need to hear the good news of salvation. But someone needs to bring us that good news! Bringing someone else joy, gives us joy as well. In our Gospel passage today, the seventy-two disciples returned to Jesus full of joy and couldn’t wait to tell him about their experience of spreading the Good News of the Kingdom. The message of Jesus was and is “God loves you.” When we can look in the mirror, into the eyes of a friend, into the face of a stranger and be able to say, “God loves you,” we are bringing the Good News of Christ to all we meet and we will experience joy. So, this week, go make someone’s day!
Prayer
Lord, don’t let the fear of rejection keep me from spreading the Good News of the Kingdom to all those I meet today. Amen.
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Night Bible Verse of the Day
January 11, 2025 Saturday
Night Prayer
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
From: Isaiah 64:6 (KJV)
Inspiration
Sometimes we compare ourselves to others to make ourselves feel better. We reason that as long as we’re not as bad as murderers, thieves, and child abusers, we’re basically ok. But God reminds us that all of us are a complete mess, subject to ruin, without His grace. Instead of looking to others to feel righteous, we must look to God to be made righteous.
Prayer
Lord, I come before You acknowledging that I am a sinner in need of redemption. The truth of Your righteousness reveals how unclean I am. But I desire to be made clean, and I know that only You can do that for me. So, Lord, I ask that wash away the filthy rags of my unrighteousness and clothe me in the new garments by Your grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Morning Bible Verse of the Day
Morning Prayer
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
From: 1 Peter 1:13 (KJV)
Inspiration
What are your thoughts focusing on today? Stress at work, a relationship, maybe a friend? Try to set your mind on the grace that God will give you when you meet Him in Heaven. We should eagerly await getting to see Jesus face to face. How might your actions and focus in a day change if you are focusing on honoring God before you die and see Him in heaven – or before He comes in the clouds? Focus on things above, not on things of this earth, and you will see a difference in your days.
Prayer
Father God, help me to focus on Jesus’ coming and on meeting Him instead of on my earthly troubles. Set my mind on You instead of the silly things I focus on. Help me to think of You every day and to pray all the time. I want to honor You with my days and live each day as though it were my last. Focus my thoughts on You and help me to not get distracted. I don’t want You to be an afterthought; You are worthy of focusing on. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Morning Devotional
January 12, 2025 Sunday
Mark 10:13-16 (KJV)
And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
Faith To Last a Lifetime
Frances Taylor
There is nothing more lovely to see than a child reaching up to his/her parent in love and trust. It is to such as these that Jesus tells us we must be. Children have faith that they will be cared for by those who love them. When we were children, we didn’t really have any problems believing that God loves us, but as we grow older, we seem to become jaded by a world that lets us down, and so we can easily believe that God will do likewise. The early Christians knew what it meant to be church. They met in homes, gathered to share their memories of Jesus, or the stories they had heard, reading letters from Paul or other disciples and sharing a meal. On the Sabbath they would go to the temple to pray – until it became impossible. As time went by the spreading of the Good News was left to professionals. Today things must change if we want our children to know of God’s love for them. The emphasis now is on our role to reach out to others, to witness our faith in the home, the workplace, the neighborhood. No longer is it just the job of ministers and priests to bring others to Christ, it is our job as well. Change is difficult and personal responsibility is always a challenge. Faith, like any other relationship, needs to be nurtured and this is perhaps the greatest challenge of all. Let us take this year to grow in our knowledge of Christ; let us take more time for prayer; let us delve into the Scriptures and learn just how to truly follow Jesus. Just as we encourage our children to grow and provide opportunities for them, may we take advantage of the opportunities that will be offered to us this year, so that we may have enough faith to last a lifetime and beyond – into eternity.
Prayer
Lord, you asked the children to come to him and then he blessed them. We need to have the faith of a little child to belong to the kingdom of God. Please bless me with the innocent faith of a child, trusting in you and your love for me. Amen.
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Night Bible Verse of the Day
Night Prayer
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
From: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)
Inspiration
It’s easy to be thankful when we are comfortable, prosperous, or healthy. But when we lose loved ones, suffer setbacks, or struggle with illness and conflict, gratitude eludes us. Yet, through even these things, God does not abandon us. Even when we have nothing or nobody else, we still have Him, carrying us through our struggles, and that is reason enough to give thanks.
Prayer
Lord God, thank You for who You are. You are God in all seasons. In triumph and defeat, in illness, grief, and persecution, I know I can count on Your presence and Your provision. Thank You for sustaining me in dark times, protecting me in dangerous times, and bearing with me in seasons of doubt and fear. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Morning Bible Verse of the Day
Morning Prayer
That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
From: 2 Thessalonians 1:12 (KJV)
Inspiration
This is Paul’s prayer for the Christians in Thessalonica: that Christ would be glorified in them, and that they would be glorified with Him. We can pray that same prayer for ourselves and others. When we do things for God, even giving a cup of water in Jesus’ name to someone who asks for it, we glorify God. Doing great things for God often means living for Him in the day to day.
Prayer
Father in Heaven, help me to glorify you. I want others to see You in me. Help me today. If someone needs something, give me compassion for them. Give me grace for others as You have had grace for me. Let others see the love I have for You in my actions. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Morning Devotional
January 13, 2025 Monday
Mark 1:7-11 (KJV)
And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
The Baptism of the Lord
Frances Taylor
We have a lesson to learn from John the Baptist. Many people had approached John wondering if he might be the Messiah. As we see in this passage from Mark’s Gospel, John made sure that they were mistaken, that there was “another” coming who was greater than he who would baptize with the Holy Spirit. Soon Jesus comes to John to be baptized. The lesson we should take from John is that WE are also not the Messiah. Our task, as was John’s, is to lead others to Christ, not to ourselves. I have seen many examples over the years, as I’m sure you have as well, of preachers who seem more interested in drawing attention to themselves rather than to Christ. Who appear to act as if they are the only ones who can save us. They can’t. Jesus has already done that! I once knew a woman who had emerged from a cult and who was engaged to marry a Methodist minister. Even though she had left the cult, she still had fears that by leaving, she was condemning herself to hell. The leader of the cult still held power over her, a power he never should have taken upon himself. Just as John understood that Jesus was the Messiah, the Savior, the promised one, we need to help others to come to know Jesus even if they never come to know us. Once John knew that Jesus had begun his ministry he declared that he, John, must decrease so that Jesus could increase. May we have the humility of John.
Prayer
Dear God, we know that we are all your beloved children, and we want everyone to experience the joy we have in our faith in Jesus, our Savior. Help us to lead others to Christ with humility, never getting in the way of your grace. Amen.
