Sunday, May 31

“… For this reason I was born and for this I came into the world,
to testify to the Truth. Everyone on the side of Truth listens to me.” John 18:37

This Bible passage was taken from Jesus’ trial before Pilate, who dismissed it by responding “What is truth?”

The old and new Testaments testify to God’s truth. The Psalmist in 119:160 proclaims, “All your words are true and your righteous laws are eternal. The 1st verse in John says “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus, the Word, became flesh and lived on earth. Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, assures that we who believe are saved by Grace and will spend eternity with Him in heaven. God’s message of Truth fulfilled by Jesus Christ!

Today, there are those who pervert the Truth by their words, deeds, and actions. We are at risk to be deceived by false doctrines espoused by the world. Paul warns in Col 2:8 “See to it then no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world, rather than on Christ.”

How can believers be prepared to refute that which is untrue? If we do not know God’s Truth proclaimed, we will be unable to recognize the world’s distortions and the devil’s lies.

We must make a priority in our lives to spend time in God’s Word daily. Before reading His word, we can ask that God reveal himself to us, that we grow in His wisdom, knowledge and faith, and that He grants us a God discerning heart and mind. Finally, we as Christians must live our lives grounded in His word and Truth. We must openly speak out in love against all that is untrue. We must be God’s light in the darkness of the world.

Holy Spirit, we ask that you work in our lives, empower us to renew our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, and be people of faith you would have us be! In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Monday, June 1

“God saw all He had made and it was very good.” Genesis 1:31

Why is there evil in the world? The Bible has the answer to this age old question.

Man was proclaimed “good” by God, Himself. At creation, we were made in God’s image with a thinking mind and free will. With this free will we were tempted and sinned, thinking that we could be like God with the knowledge of good and evil. We, Adam and Eve, chose to sin and thus evil is the result in our hearts and minds.

“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death comes to all men, because all have sinned.” Romans. 5:12 Yes, the wages of sin is death with lives now experiencing mourning, crying and pain. In Proverbs we are told that a fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, and that evil comes to him who seeks it. Isaiah 13:11 we are told “I will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their sins.” Isaiah exhorts us to forsake wicked ways and evil thoughts.

We, Christians struggle with the old Adam and the Spirit of God dwelling in us. We are in conflict in that we don’t do what we want to do, but that which we hate we do. Realizing our sinfulness, we like Paul ask of the Lord – wretched man that I am, who will rescue me from this body of death?

We thank and praise our Triune God, who knowing we would fail and fall, prepared the gift of salvation at creation! He did it all! He sent his only son, Jesus, to become true God and true man. Because of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, we who believe are promised eternal life with Him in heaven. We are redeemed children of God who are washed in the blood of the lamb. We are heirs of His heavenly kingdom clothed in His white garment of righteousness. God is faithful, His Word is Truth!

Dear Lord, in our world we are overwhelmed with the forces of devil, wickedness and evil. You tell us that those who don’t know You are captives of sin and the devil and all will be judged. Heaven and Hell are real. Let us pray for all who do not believe. Open their eyes, hearts and minds so that they will see, know and worship You as Lord and Savior. Give us words of love to witness in Truth to those in our lives who remain captive and unsaved. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Tuesday, June 2

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Pr 1:7

God has created humanity with a mind that hungers for knowledge. We all want to be in the know. But with our sinful nature and mind, we cannot understand or comprehend His power and majesty, nor see His face. But we are told in Jer.24:7 “I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord.”

To know God personally and intimately we are drawn to His Word where he reveals Himself to us and allows us to look upon His face. Indeed, His Word is the compass for our souls. John tells us to continue to grow in grace and knowledge of our Savior.

For us to truly know and see the Heavenly Father we come to His beloved Son. In Col 2:3 we are told for us to have the full riches of understanding and to know the mystery of God, we come to Jesus in whom all wisdom and knowledge is hidden. Eternal life is found in knowing our Heavenly Father and Jesus whom He sent.

When we grow in His wisdom and knowledge we are called to share. How can we not be moved to tell the Truth - to speak lovingly of what God has revealed to us with those in our lives who do not know Him?

Never has the world been so in need of God’s truth. We are being overwhelmed by the “world view order” that is contrary to God’s word. The world has rejected God’s truth and replaced it with Satan’s lies. We, who believe, are truly in a battle.

But thank God, we are provided with His armor of protection. We are assured in 2 Cor 10:4-5 “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish argument and every pretension that sets itself against the knowledge of God.”

Dear Lord, immerse us in Your Word and give us the courage to confess and profess that Jesus is Lord to those who don’t know Him. We thank you that your word is alive, active and stands forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Wednesday, June 3

“God is not a God of disorder but of peace.” 1 Cor. 14:33

God has revealed His nature to us in all of creation. In God there is no chaos or disorder. Everything He created was created for a purpose. All of creation sings His praises and glorifies His majesty. Humankind was the crown of His creation for we are created in His image. Our relationship to God is that of worship. We were created to worship and glorify Him.

The social order of marriage reflects the relationship and nature of our Triune God. While there is one God, His essence is shown in the unity of three persons. God, our Heavenly Father is the one in authority. Jesus, the Son is eternally begotten of the Father, submits His will to the authority of the Father. The Holy Spirit reigns in unity with the Father and Son. There is no disorder in the person of our God.

When God created Adam, He stated that it is not good for man to be alone. He then created Eve and established the order of relationships in the framework of marriage. A husband and wife are united and become one flesh to procreate. The children are to be nurtured by loving parents to know and serve God and to respect their parents.

In this example of Christian unity there is a relationship of love - first the love of God and then their love of each other. When this social order is followed there is unity and peace within the Christian home and family. God established marriage as a foundation of human community.

Today the traditional family is under pressure. In a world filled with evil, God’s gifts of love and grace are challenged. Single parent families, and other broken families also struggle in a sinful and evil world. Yet the love of God through Jesus continues to fill our lives.

And that is the greatest gift of “order” from an orderly God. Nothing in all of creation can overcome the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8). That is the heart and soul of God’s unchanging Word – and in that confidence we are renewed.

Dear Lord, we thank you for creating a world of order. We thank you for creating the social order of marriage, community and relationships. We ask that you would be with all who call you Lord and Master. Help us to reveal Your Truth in love to those who are living in darkness and in bondage to sin. Protect and bless marriages and families. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Thursday, June 4

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God:
that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” 1 John 5:14

My earliest memories of prayer are those of saying “Grace,” “Now I Lay Me,” and “God bless everyone” at bedtime. But the most memorable and touching was that of my Grandmother’s faith and prayer life. I often had “sleep overs” at her home and shared her bed. She ended every day of her life with Bible reading and kneeling in prayer. She assured me that she prayed for me and all of our family nightly, asking God to bless us and meet our varied needs.

How blessed I was to have such a wonderful Christian example of faithfulness. She instilled in me the importance of intercessional prayer.

To be mindful of the needs of others and to faithfully remember them in prayer is a gift of the Holy Spirit. With His guidance, He teaches us to pray. When Christ fulfilled His mission through his sacrificial death and resurrection, He took all of our sins and burdens upon Himself and met all of our needs. Assured of God’s endless love for us, we are free to care and pray for the needs of others.

With confidence we can approach the very throne of God with the names, cares, needs and problems of others. There is nothing too large or small that we can bring to Him. In Jesus’ sake and in His name, God is willing to answer prayers beyond our ability to ask and comprehend. Our Father will meet the needs for whom we pray from His boundless mercy, and will work His perfect will in their lives. God is faithful.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for Christian examples of faithfulness. Teach and encourage us to pray for the needs of others, guided by the Holy Spirit and in Jesus’ name. Amen

Friday, June 5

“Pour out your heart before Him, God is a refuge.” Psalm 62:8

As a Christian, I have experienced both spiritual highs and lows in my life. During the times of stress, illness or problems, I have found that Jesus is truly there for me. I find reassurance in the promises of scripture and solace in the power of prayer. I find the Lord is closest to me at these times.

Why is it Lord, that I become complacent and neglectful during the good times? I do not feel compelled to daily read the Bible and may forget to pray. You are still there, Lord, but I am neither attentive nor attuned to You. I no longer pray without ceasing.

Help me Lord to remember that to pray is not only to ask, but is time to thank! Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, to be sacrificed for me. It is overwhelming to know that He would have still suffered and died, if I were the world’s only sinner. Jesus is truly my personal Redeemer, Savior, and King.

Lord, keep me ever mindful of You by using faithfully the gift of prayer. To give thanks to You for everything is both my duty and my privilege. Attune my heart to praise your name in gratitude for your boundless mercies. Amen.

Saturday, June 6

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39

Who is our neighbor? When Jesus was asked this question he did not answer the question that might have limited our responsibility. Instead He told us that we are to be good neighbors. We are to not only love others as we love ourselves, but to love all as God has loved us.

Jesus has a compassionate heart for the poor and needy. He hears the cries of all in need.
He invites all in Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all who are weak and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” But unfortunately, many in need have not heard this invitation.

We are called to be His presence in the world. We are not to judge others or their circumstances. We are to see every person we encounter as significant and important in God’s sight. In God’s eyes, we are equally valued and loved, for he died for the sins of all. We are not to despise or oppress the poor, for God tells us that all who are kind to the needy are blessed and honor God.

We are to comfort others as God has comforted us. We who are blessed are to be a blessing to others. We are to reach out individually to those in need. As a Christian community, we reach out to missions, and the needs of global communities.

We are all provided with opportunities to be good neighbors in our every day lives. We must be open to the Holy Spirit’s call to reach out to those in need in humility. Christ, who is gentle and humble in heart, lives in and through us.

Dear Holy Spirit, open our eyes and hearts to those we encounter in need. Let us not be people who ignore or walk away from them. Give us generous, loving hearts and minds, for we truly are Your presence in this hurting world. Help us Lord in ministering to others to spread the “Good News.” In Jesus’ name, Amen