Prayer: Our great God in heaven, you who are the only true God, we bless your name today because you care deeply for your people. You have declared that the church is the apple of your eye and a treasured possession. We know that we are such only because of your great grace displayed in the person and work of the Savior. As our holy God, we are saddened at the reality of indwelling sin. These things that dog our days and cause us to fall short of the glory you deserve are those things that we long to be rid of forever. Thus, we look forward to the return of the King, The Lord Jesus.
Read MoreThe Morning Devotional for November 17, 2020
Read More33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil. (Matthew 5:33-37, ESV)
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we gladly bow before you this morning to pray and plead with you for all we need. We acknowledge that we are dependent creatures and need your continual supply of grace each day to live to your glory and honor. We are thankful for the privilege of prayer, but we confess that we do not pray as we ought, and we do not pray as often as we should. Instead, we become distracted by mundane things and find that we waste time instead of redeeming the time for the sake of your kingdom. Forgive us for not praying, and forgive us for not gathering with your people to pray. We are ashamed of our prayerless prayers and low zeal to plead with the God of heaven.
Read MoreThe Morning Devotional for November 16, 2020
Read More33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil. (Matthew 5:33-37, ESV)
Prayer: Our great God in heaven, we bless your name today because you have called us apart and placed your name upon your people. We thank you for adopting us as sons and daughters due to the work of our elder brother, the Lord Jesus Christ. We are thankful that you have given us another Lord's Day that reminds us of that which awaits those who love you. We desire to praise your name as we gather with other brothers and sisters.
Read MorePrayer: Our God in heaven, you are our Good Shepherd and graciously lead and guide the sheep of your pasture, we bless your name today. We are reminded of the church of old though they were enslaved for many generations, were protected and cared for, and ultimately delivered from their place of sin and misery. We thank you that you have not left us in Egypt but, instead, delivered us as well. Though we pilgrim as sojourners in this world, we thank you for the hope of the New Heavens and the New Earth. We look forward, with great expectation, to the joys that await all those who love you. We desire to see our Savior -- to be with him and to be like him. Until then, please help us, by your Spirit, to labor on, never growing weary of doing good. Persevere us to the end. We pray in the name of the Savior. Amen.
Read MoreThe Morning Devotional for November 4, 2020:
SPECIAL EDITION
Read More8 “Remember this and stand firm,
recall it to mind, you transgressors,
9 remember the former things of old;
for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me,
10 declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
11 calling a bird of prey from the east,
the man of my counsel from a far country.
I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass;
I have purposed, and I will do it. (Isaiah 46:8-11, ESV)
Prayer: Father in heaven, we give you the glory due to your name today because you have given promises to your people and have guaranteed to watch over them and deliver them from the mystery of this life. Though there is much we do not understand and cannot explain, we know that you are governing all things through your perfect providence. We thank you that whatever you do is right and good and confess that we do not always recognize your hand in all things. We pray for your help today -- that you would help us to lean not on our own understanding and acknowledge you in all things.
Read MorePrayer: Our God in heaven, you who are the absolute sovereign of all things because you made all things and have decreed all things, we bless your name today because we are told to trust you because you care for your people. We face uncertain days in our lives as we exercise the privilege to vote for our national and local leaders. We know that your Word tells us that the heart of the king is in your hands and that you turn him wherever you desire. We know that you exalt people to positions of authority and that you do so for the good of your church. We confess that your providence is often a mystery to us and that we sometimes grumble and complain at your actions. Forgive us for our weak faith and for failing to believe what you have told your church -- that you love her and care for her and protect her and will bring her safely to her heavenly rest.
Read MoreThe Morning Devotional for November 3, 2020:
SPECIAL EDITION
Read MoreOur God is in the heavens;
he does all that he pleases. (Psalm 115:3, ESV)
The Morning Devotional for November 2, 2020:
SPECIAL EDITION
Read More5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Prayer: Our God in heaven, we are grateful to you for your many mercies and for your constant care and protection in a world that is wrecked by sin. We find that we are often consumed with the uncertainty of our world and the concerns that we often face. We thank you that your eye is always upon us and that you are governing the affairs of this world in order to bring everything under the feet of your Son. We are blessed to know that you regard your people with love -- a love that never wavers. Forgive us, Father, for failing to see things in a way that your Word tells us. Forgive us for taking our eyes off the things that are above and becoming enamored with the fleeting things of this life.
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