Night Bible Verse of the Day
February 04, 2025 Tuesday
Night Prayer
Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
From: John 12:42 (KJV)
Inspiration
Have you ever been afraid to speak up for Jesus? Maybe youβre afraid that doing so will cost you friendships, a job, or standing in your community. But perhaps in speaking up, youβll learn that there are others around you who also keep their faith silent, for fear of standing alone in the crowd. Still, even a single voice is never alone, because Jesus remains with us even when nobody else does.
Prayer
God, as I find myself surrounded by others who donβt know You, or even some who oppose You, I pray that You will give me the boldness to speak up with courage and conviction. Give me words when I need them, and keep me close to You, so that I may have the assurance of Your presence even if nobody else speaks up with me. In Jesusβ name, amen.
Morning Bible Verse of the Day
February 05, 2025 Wednesday
Morning Prayer
Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
From: Job 7:11 (KJV)
Inspiration
It is better to be honest with God in our prayers than to be hypocritical. We should always be reverent, but we pray with the knowledge that he already knows and sees our hearts. We cannot hide anything from him, so why would we not tell him βour complaintβ as did Job? If we feel anguish or bitterness, better to admit it to God and to seek his power to change us than to try to hide it from him.
Prayer
O seer of our hearts, you know our thoughts before we think them, our words before we say them. Nothing can be hid from your sight, but all things are naked and bare before you. I will not seek to hide any bitterness, anger, sorrow, worry, or anything else from you but will admit it to you and seek you to help me change. Amen.
Morning Devotional
February 05, 2025 Wednesday
Mark 7:31-35 (KJV)
And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.
And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him.
And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;
And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.
And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.
Ephphatha
Frances Taylor
Be opened! This word β ephphatha β is a part of the Baptismal rite. In it, we pray that the ears of the child will be open to the word of God. How can all of this be achieved if our ears are not open to listen? To whom and what do we listen? Do we listen to the Gospel so that we can follow Jesus? Do we listen to our children so that we know what is going on in their worlds? Do we listen to the voices of the poor, the unemployed, the vulnerable, so that we can find ways to help them? Or do we listen to the voice that tells us that our needs are the most important, that we know best how to live our lives, that we survived our childhoods, so our children will just have to make the best of theirs? Just as we need eyes that are open to the world around us, we need ears that are open as well. It must be difficult for people who were either born deaf, or whose hearing was lost from accident, illness or age, but it is said that when one sense fails, another becomes more acute. The man in todayβs Gospel was brought to Jesus by his friends who knew that Jesus was the answer. Once his ears were opened and his tongue freed from its impediment, he and his friends could not be stopped from praising God.
Prayer
Dear Lord, may we who are blessed to have eyes to see and ears to hear also open our lips in praise to our God. Amen.
Night Bible Verse of the Day
February 05, 2025 Wednesday
Night Prayer
A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
From: Proverbs 1:5 (KJV)
Inspiration
We seek out wise people in our lives because we want to hear what they have to say. But before the wise can speak what they know, they must first learn. And learning comes not from speaking, but from listening. And while there is indeed a time to speak, we never learn from speaking. And so the wise make time to listen, learn and grow, so that they may have wisdom to share when the time to speak comes.
Prayer
Father, thank You for the wisdom of Your word and Your Spirit. Help me to make time to listen so that I may be continuously learning and always growing. Increase my wisdom so that I may seek to know You better, and so that I may speak with truth and discernment when You lead me to speak. In Jesusβ name, amen.
Morning Bible Verse of the Day
February 06, 2025 Thursday
Morning Prayer
A manβs heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
From: Proverbs 16:9 (KJV)
Inspiration
Itβs our human nature to come up with plans, thoughts, and goals for the future. But we need to realize God is the only one who truly knows whatβs best for us. When you have plans you would like to make, or actions you need to take about a particular decision, make sure that you go to God first.
Prayer
Dear God, I commit all my plans, dreams, and aspirations into your hands. These are only products of my thoughts; what I truly want is what you want for me because I know that that is what will truly be best for me. In Jesusβ name, I pray. Amen.
Morning Devotional
February 06, 2025 Thursday
Mark 7:14-16 (KJV)
And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:
There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.
If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
Clean or Unclean
Frances Taylor
Markβs gospel continues with a list of those things that make defile the man: evil thoughts, sexual sins, thefts, murders, adulteries, coveting, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride and foolishness.
Take a good look at the list. How many of these evils are now in vogue as opposed to being considered to be sins. The ads we see are designed to make us covet our neighborβs goods, lifestyle and often, his wife. People climb all over others to get to the top in business. Pride makes us think that we deserve more than our share and thereβs no point in talking about fornication or adultery because we are so past seeing the wrongdoing in either of those. Just listen to the music, watch a movie or television program, not to mention the ads, and we get the picture that this is just normal behavior. Jesus was quite specific in this teaching. Just because everyone is doing it, does that make it right? No wonder our world is in such a mess. Do todayβs Christians even read the Bible? If so, how do we justify our actions or turn a blind eye to the actions of others? Let us take a good look at what βcomes out of usβ and make sure that we eliminate anything that defiles us.
Prayer
Lord, we really need to take a better look at how we live. Let us keep our eyes on you and ask for your help to avoid giving in to temptation. Amen.
Night Bible Verse of the Day
February 06, 2025 Thursday
Night Prayer
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christβs stead, be ye reconciled to God.
From: 2 Corinthians 5:20 (KJV)
Inspiration
In Christ, we have been given the immeasurable gift of reconciliation to God. But this is not for us to hoard and keep to ourselves. Rather, as people reconciled to God, we are now His people sent to invite others to reconciliation. We are not mere vessels of His grace and mercy, but conduits through which His grace and mercy are passed to others.
Prayer
Father, thank You for bringing me into communion with You. It gives me joy to know that I have been reconciled to my Heavenly Father. Please empower me by Your Spirit to overflow with Your love as I proclaim my joy to others, and invite them to know the joy of reconciliation with You, too. In Jesusβ name, amen.
Morning Bible Verse of the Day
Morning Prayer
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
From: Romans 5:6-7 (KJV)
Inspiration
For a person to consider dying for someone, it would take a lot for them to decide to go through with it. A person is more likely to die for someone who has done good things, as opposed to dying for a bad person. But Christ came and died for us when we were at our worst state. Our sinful state was not enough to change his mind towards us. That is true love. That is a love that will never fail.
Prayer
Dear God, I simply pray that I never forget who Christ truly is. May I never make the mistake to think that he was a mere man or figure of history. Christ is so much more than that; he is my Savior. It is because of Christ I can speak to you, O God, with freedom and boldness. In Jesusβ name, I pray. Amen.
Morning Devotional
Mark 7:24-29 (KJV)
And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid.
For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:
The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.
But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the childrenβs bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.
And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the childrenβs crumbs.
And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.
Salvation For All
Frances Taylor
For all those who might think that Jesus only listens to Christians, this should give them pause. Of course the people listening to this exchange were Jews, who thought that the Messiah was only for them. They and we are both wrong. This passage is only one example in Scripture where the healing power of Jesus acts in the life of a non-Jew. If we have any questions about it, these should answer them.
Jesus came for all. He answers the prayers of all. No one has an advantage, we are all Godβs children, we are all brothers and sisters of Jesus. One difference might be that we know God better and know what is expected of us more clearly than others who do not believe. For that reason, more might be expected of us in return. For those of us who claim a special relationship with Christ, it is not an option whether or not we follow the rules and examples that have been given to us.
We understand the importance of love and forgiveness, mercy and working for justice. The first letter of John tells us that God is love and anyone who loves is of God. Love is the key word. The woman who came to Jesus for healing for her daughter knew love and she trusted in the mercy of Jesus. And he didnβt disappoint. When we reach out in prayer, he wonβt disappoint us either.
Prayer
Lord, you teach us by example that love has no boundaries, and that we, too must have no boundaries in our love of others. Amen.
Night Bible Verse of the Day
Night Prayer
But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
From: Matthew 20:26 (KJV)
Inspiration
Have you ever played βking of the hillβ as a child? The person at the top of the hill stays on top by pushing others down and holding them away. And thatβs much the way that worldly power works. But Jesus turns this idea upside down, inviting us to be great the way He is great, by lifting others up and serving them. That is how Godβs kingdom is built up.
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for showing Yourself to be the greatest of servants. You took on flesh and willingly gave Your life so that I could be lifted up by Your mercy. Help me to live in that mercy, serving others and lifting them up in Your love by the power of Your Spirit. In Jesusβ name, amen.
Morning Bible Verse of the Day
February 08, 2025 Saturday
Morning Prayer
For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
From: Psalm 84:11 (KJV)
Inspiration
God will never withhold a single good thing from his children β those who choose to walk with Him. As you live your daily Christian life, be encouraged to know that your needs have been met and God is always with you and that will never change.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for your love that allows me to find everything I need in you. My mind is at rest because I know that you are with me and you will never leave me or forsake me. In Jesusβ name, I pray. Amen.
Morning Devotional
February 08, 2025 Saturday
Genesis 3:1-4 (KJV)
Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
The Knowledge of Good and Evil
Frances Taylor
With one small act of disobedience, sin entered the world. Do you ever wonder what induced Eve and then Adam to eat of the forbidden fruit? You have to admit that the serpent was sneaky! He didnβt say that they would get rich or famous, he came at them through their desire to be more than they were, he said they would be like God. Well he was right about one thing; they discovered the difference between good and evil. Original sin! Which was the original sin β eating the fruit of the tree or wanting to be God? Letβs face it, this goes right to the heart of the first commandment β you shall have no other gods before me β not even yourself! Could you resist the idea of being God, could I? I like to think no, but then I remember when I put myself and my own wants or needs before God. Satan is still up to his old tricks every day tempting us with ways of trying to be God. I am reminded of the story of Snow White. The wicked queen is jealous of Snow White and sets out to destroy her. First, she pretends to need her help and then offers her the reddest and shiniest apple in her basket. Satan can begin by working on our compassion and then offers the poison. All temptation looks good and that is why we fail.
Prayer
Dear God, help us to see through the lies of Satan in our lives. Give us the grace to rest. Amen.
Night Bible Verse of the Day
February 08, 2025 Saturday
Night Prayer
I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.
From: Psalm 143:6 (KJV)
Inspiration
When soil gets dry, it cracks and crumbles, and grass stops growing on it. A little water runs quickly to the deep ground, leaving the soil thirsting for more. It takes a mighty rain to quench the thirst of dry soil. So too, is our thirst for God when we seek Him with all of our heart. Every day, we long to drink in His goodness and be nourished so that life may abound where we are.
Prayer
Father, I come before You thirsty for Your righteousness, for my waters have run dry. Pour out Your love on me so that I may be filled throughout my being, refreshed and restored by Your nourishing Spirit. And use me to bring forth new and vibrant life from the soil of my life. In Jesusβ name, amen.
Morning Bible Verse of the Day
Morning Prayer
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
From: 1 John 4:17 (KJV)
Inspiration
Itβs very easy to become discouraged by the things we see in this world. But you, dear Christian, should not be discouraged because God is always with you. Continue to find solace in Godβs presence, trust in Him, and know that the wicked will have their day. In the meanwhile, stay fixed on God for He is good and his faithfulness if forever.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I am grateful because I know that no matter what I face on this earth, nothing will separate me from the love you have for me. When I am mocked, insulted, or ostracized for choosing to follow you, though it may hurt me, I will not falter in my faith because your love is my strength. You supply me with the peace I need; you remind me of the glory to come. Even as In Jesusβ name, I pray. Amen.
Morning Devotional
Luke 6:43-45 (KJV)
For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
A Tree is Known by its Fruits
Frances Taylor
We have often heard the phrase, βBy their fruits you shall know them.β Perhaps you werenβt aware that it comes from Lukeβs gospel. But this phrase refers to much more than trees, as you can see. The truly gentle person does not make fun of people even in jest. He or she knows that put downs arenβt funny, they are cruel. We have all been exposed to people who think that sexually charged jokes, racial and ethnic slurs are acceptable, but they also are not. I once took a trip to Tanzania and was told by my sister who had been there many times, not to make any negative comments about anything because the people of Tanzania do not and wouldnβt understand why anyone else would. I found this to be true and it was a privilege to walk among such kind people.
We also need to be reminded that, as Christians, we are held accountable for what we say and do. As Christians, we represent Jesus walking today among the people of the world. A good question to ask ourselves is, βWould I follow and listen to someone who acts and speaks as I do?β If Jesus expects us to lead others to him, we need to take responsibility for how we act. Would others describe us as good, kind, forgiving, compassionate, and loving? Iβm hoping no one would ever describe me as evil, but I know that I am not always the person God wants me to be. How about you?
Prayer
Gracious God, help me to be a better example of your son Jesus so as to lead others toward him and not be an obstacle to anyoneβs ability to come to you. Amen.
Night Bible Verse of the Day
Night Prayer
If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
From: Ephesians 4:21 (KJV)
Inspiration
Sometimes, we donβt allow ourselves to get a complete and accurate picture of who Jesus is. Jesus said that He is the Truth, and in Him, all truth is revealed. But our own preferences, desires, and fears sometimes lead us to a faulty picture of Jesus. So letβs seek to know Him, as He really is, and be centered on His truth.
Prayer
Jesus, You have revealed Yourself to me in Your life and in Your word. Yet still, I confess that I sometimes try to make You want I want You to be instead of seeing You as You really are. Please guide me in Your truth, so that I may know and proclaim You faithfully, and I may live according to Your truth. In Jesusβ name, amen.
Morning Bible Verse of the Day
Morning Prayer
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
From: Proverbs 18:24 (KJV)
Inspiration
Jesus Christ is the friend in our lives who sticks closer than a brother. Human beings can let you down; itβs in their nature and it is who they are. But we can be glad and grateful because God has given us Himself and His Son, in whom we can always trust in and rely on.
Prayer
Dear God, I just want to thank you that I can find a true friend in you. Thank you for your love that enables me to call you my friend and my Father. It is something I do not take for granted, Lord. In Jesusβ name, I pray. Amen.
Morning Devotional
Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV)
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Come to Me
Frances Taylor
Just for a moment β before you continue to read β close your eyes and hear Jesus saying to you, βCome to me, and I will give you rest.β Did you do it? Or did you just keep reading to see what I was going to say next? If you did, how did you feel? Could you feel your shoulders relaxing? Your breathing slow?
There is a story that circulates the internet every once in a while about the man who always stops at the tree outside his home when he returns from work and then again in the morning before he head off. When asked what that was all about, he says that he leaves the cares of the day at the tree instead of carrying them into his home so that he can be at peace in his home and with his family.
Jesus is telling us today, that he is willing to shoulder our load all the time, not just at the end of a sometimes frustrating and often tiring day. He willingly takes on our burdens. Why is it that we think we have to go it alone? I know some very caring people who will go out of their way to help a stranger, let alone a friend. However, they never think that someone would be willing to help them and so they struggle alone. Itβs too bad that we think that the βbuddy systemβ is only for children. Have you noticed? Children in a line always go two by two. Why shouldnβt adults? Look around you. There are those who need someone to pray for them, to help them carry their burdens, and there are those who will gladly pray for you and help you to carry yours. Jesus is inviting us. All he asks is that we come.
Prayer
Lord, when we feel burdened, may we turn to you for you are more than ready to help us carry our cross. Amen.
Night Bible Verse of the Day
Night Prayer
God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
From: Acts 17:24 (KJV)
Inspiration
Too often, we try to contain God. We relegate Him to our churches, and to our Sundays. But God is the maker of all things, and He cannot be contained. He is not revealed in our constructs but in the works of His own hands. For He is not only the creator of the heavens and the earth, but He remains sovereign over them.
Prayer
Lord God, You are infinite and powerful. You are the Creator of all things, and Lord over all things. Give me not only eyes to see Your splendor everywhere, but words to proclaim it. For the whole world is Your dwelling place, and You are present everywhere I go. In Jesusβ name, amen.
Morning Bible Verse of the Day
February 11, 2025 Tuesday
Morning Prayer
Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
From: Psalm 37:1,2 (KJV)
Inspiration
No matter how hard things may seem on this earth, though, we have a reason to rejoice because we know that we have a Heavenly Father who calls us righteous and watches over us every day. Our future is certain because we are in Christ, the one who saved us and made us righteous. It is in Him, we can have the confidence in knowing that we will never suffer a painful and perilous fate.
Prayer
Dear God, it can become discouraging in this world when we are cast down and persecuted for our faith in you but, Father, we are thankful because we can have total trust in you; knowing that our lives and our future is secure with you. Please keep us strong in times where we are weakened by what we endure on earth. In Jesusβ name, I pray. Amen.
