You are my portion, Lord;
I have promised to obey your words.

Psalm 119:57 (NIV)

And again, the kingdom of heaven

Is like a merchant in search of fine pearls.

When he found one very precious pearl,

He went away and sold all he had

And bought it.

Matthew 13:46 (BSB)

“The kingdom of heaven

is like treasure hidden in a field.

When a man found it, he hid it again,

and then in his joy went and sold

all he had and bought that field.

Matthew 13:44 (NIV)

Our Father Who art in Heaven and in my heart, Hallowed be Thy Name, the Pearl of Great Price. O LORD, it is not with perishable things such as silver or gold that I have been redeemed from my empty, scattered, unfulfilled life. Though I inherited bad habits from my ancestors, and quirks from my gene pool, You, Father, have Sacrificed the precious blood of Your Son, to save me. Hallelujah!

Forgive me, Father, for even with my daily prayers, lifted to You in sincerity and buoyed with hope, I am still sinning. How difficult was it, Father, for Jesus to walk this earth and witness such persistence in sin? Is this one big reason He sought You in prayer each day? Living in the middle of a cesspool must have grieved Him. And yet, You tell me what brought him back to the road, and the dust, and the misery was love. Hallelujah!

Is love what I am seeking, Father? Is it Your love that helps me to rise each morning to pray? “You are my portion and I have indeed promised to obey Your words.” And thus, I pray. Hallelujah!

For those praying with me, what motivates you to pray?

Heavenly Father, today, only the characters have changed. The cesspool of Jesus’s day, remains. The filth results from Your children seeking silver and gold rather than instruction. And the empty, unfulfilled way of life will remain until each one of us chooses redemption…until each one of us surrenders our backpack of Amazon packages and falls on our knees, saying, “Help me, Jesus!” As in Job, we should know better. “Coral and quartz are unworthy of mention.” And “The price of wisdom is beyond rubies!”

O LORD, we accept! “Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.” Hallelujah!

We pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, the Pearl of Great Price. Amen and Amen.

For you know that it was not

with perishable things such as silver or gold

that you were redeemed from the empty way of life

you inherited from your forefathers,

but with the precious blood of Christ,

a lamb without blemish or spot.

1 Peter 1:18-19 (NIV)

Coral and quartz are unworthy of mention;

the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.

Job 18:18 (BSB)

Blessed is the man who finds wisdom,

the man who acquires understanding,

for she is more profitable than silver,

and her gain is better than fine gold.

She is more precious than rubies;

nothing you desire compares with her.

Proverbs 3:13-15 (BSB)

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Your statutes have been my songs
In the house of my pilgrimage.

Psalm 119:54 (NKJV)

Therefore we are always confident,

although we know that while we are

at home in the body,

we are away from the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:6 (BSB)

“And we know that we are of God,

and the whole world lieth in wickedness.”

1 John 5:19 (KJV)

Our Father Who art in Heaven and in my heart, Hallowed be Thy Name, the God Whose Holy Word Guides My Pilgrimage. O Lord, You have one longing for me and that is for the Word of Your Son, Jesus, to richly dwell in my soul. Paul says it like this: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” There is little renewal for me, LORD, when my mind is focused on issues in a world where I have only a physical residence. My spiritual residence lies elsewhere. And for this reason, there is a restlessness in my soul.

Restlessness is good, when it comes to knowing a Savior. We are never satisfied with earthly outcomes. Who wins or loses an election, or who controls a body of laws, is of little consequence to those whose pilgrimage is guided by the hope of Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!

Forgive me, Father, if I have been acting more like a permanent resident of earth, than one whose heritage and hope belongs in Your Heavenly Kingdom. I believe one reason King David is so popular among those who know Jesus, is He composed music and sang praises to You, LORD, regardless of his circumstances. David shows us how to reside in a foreign land, among those who not only hate him, but continually hunt for him. Hallelujah!

For those praying with me, do you recall that the world in which we live lies in wickedness, and its ruler is Satan?

Heavenly Father, because You have allowed the evil one to rule this world for the time being, we cannot permit our hearts to entertain Satan with acts of sin. Our sin is the evil one’s theater. He rejoices in our wrongs. He belittles our truth. He pouts when we declare, “Jesus is my Lord!” Let us instead, worship our Savior in spirit and in truth. These are the kind of worshippers You seek, Father. We know this from the lips of Jesus. Therefore, may the Word of Christ richly dwell in us as we teach one another with all wisdom. Let Satan be entertained by the antics of those who are perishing, and not by those who are being saved. Lord, may the songs of our pilgrimage reflect our Faith, not our sin. Hallelujah!

We pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, the God Whose Holy Word Guides My Pilgrimage. Amen and Amen.

“They are not of the world,

just as I am not of the world.”

John 17:16 (NASB)

“And we know that we are of God,

and the whole world lieth in wickedness.”

1 John 5:19 (KJV)

You, dear children, are from God

and have overcome them,

because the one who is in you

is greater than the one who is in the world.

1 John 4:4 (NIV)

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Remember your word to your servant,
for you have given me hope.

Psalm 119:49 (NIV)

For everything that was written in the past

was written for our instruction,

so that through endurance

and the encouragement of the Scriptures,

we might have hope.

Romans 15:4 (BSB)

Thus, by two unchangeable things

in which it is impossible for God to lie,

we who have fled to take hold

of the hope set before us

may be strongly encouraged.

We have this hope

as an anchor for the soul,

firm and secure.

It enters the inner sanctuary

behind the curtain,

Hebrews 6:18-19 (BSB)

Let us hold resolutely

to the hope we profess,

for He who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23 (BSB)

Our Father Who art in Heaven and in my heart, Hallowed be Thy Name, the God Who Encourages Me to Take Hold of the Hope Set Before Me. O LORD, I would not be surprised, if many of Your children, though chosen before the world began, have given up hope. Because of the earth’s quagmire of sin and evil, hope is slipping from their grasp. I know it is not possible for You to ever renege on such a promise, as Salvation, but in what the world calls “the furnace of affliction,” faith can get singed. May we pray, just as the criminal hanging on the cross did, and ask, “LORD, remember me in Your Kingdom.” Hallelujah!

Forgive me, Father, for my own sins, of which there are too many to count. It humbles me to know I sin relentlessly, even hurting those I love the most. I embrace Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians, “For all the promises of God are “Yes” in Christ.” The criminal hanging beside Jesus experienced this “Yes!” How glorious. How heartening it must be to hear such positive news, from our Lord and Savior.

For those praying with me, are you leaning on the hope of “Yes,” in Christ?

Heavenly Father, in a world filled with “no’s”, how beautiful are the feet of those who bring the Good News to our door. They bring “Yes in Christ,” to us and for us, when we open the door and ask Jesus into our hearts. Peter declares, “By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading…”

Father, today we pray in hope, drawn from the reserves still buried in our souls and ask You to restore the living hope, placed in our hearts by Jesus, Himself. And as in any restoration, remember our Faith, once gifted Eternally to us by Christ, so we might wait patiently “for the Salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”

We pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, the God Who Encourages Me to Take Hold of the Hope Set Before Me. Amen and Amen.

By His great mercy He has given us

new birth into a living hope through the resurrection

of Jesus Christ from the dead,

and into an inheritance that is imperishable,

undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,

who through faith are shielded by God’s power

for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Peter 1:3-5 (NIV)

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when

You come into Your Kingdom.”

Jesus answered him,

“Truly I tell you, today

You will be with me in paradise.”

Luke 23:42-43 (NIV)

For all the promises of God are “Yes” in Christ.

And so through Him, our “Amen”

is spoken to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 1:20 (BSB)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

By His great mercy He has given us

new birth into a living hope through the resurrection

of Jesus Christ from the dead,

and into an inheritance that is imperishable,

undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,

who through faith are shielded by God’s power

for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Peter 1:305 (BSB)

Yet I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope:

Because of the loving devotion of the LORD

we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail.

They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!

Lamentations 3:21023 (BSB)

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I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.

Psalm 119:45 (NIV)

So He said to the Jews who had believed Him,

“If you continue in My Word,

You are truly my Disciples.

Then you will know the truth,

And the truth will set you free.”

John 8:31-32 (BSB)

However, when the Spirit of truth comes,

He will guide you to all truth.

For He will not speak on His own,

But He will speak what He hears,

And He will declare to you what is to come.

John 16:13 (BSB)

Our Father Who art in Heaven and in my heart, Hallowed be Thy Name, the God Who Has Set Me Free, Indeed. O LORD, there is a lot of talk about just what it means to be free. What does freedom mean to You, Father? You tell me the encumbrance of sin and death weigh heavily upon the hearts of sinners. “As long as my Son walked the earth, He felt this weight upon His chest…and longed to have it removed. He would pray to me each day to have the heaviness in His heart taken from Him. Some say He prayed for the suffering on the Cross to be removed, but truly, Jesus asked me daily to lighten the burden of sin and death that was trying to pierce His heart, just as it has entered the rest of the world since the days of Adam and Eve.“ Hallelujah!

Forgive me, Father, for never understanding what Jesus was talking about to His Disciples. I don’t think they understood it either, for they hid from the Cross, locking their doors, and crying in silence. Thomas, the worst doubter, hung on to his chains the longest. It is not just the act of the Cross, through which the world is being transformed. The double whammy of sin and death, assigned to each human soul, is being lifted from our hearts, thanks to the Sacrifice of Jesus. He walked the dusty roads of Israel preaching and teaching about freedom to love and worship the One true Savior. As Paul promised in Galatians, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by the yoke of slavery.” Hallelujah!

For those praying with me, are you still hanging on to your chains, like Thomas?

Heavenly Father, we celebrate our freedom from sin and death! We acknowledge we allow such a scourge to hang over our heads, like a condemned person who has committed a crime. Jesus knew this feeling, for He experienced it when He was fully God and fully man. Yes, Father, we know the Truth. “For in Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit of life, sets us free from the law of sin and death.” Why do we keep misplacing this promise, as we live each day? Help us, LORD, and in Your great mercy, relieve us of this pressure that Satan longs to have us endure. May the evil one be unsuccessful in wounding our hearts. May we pray this Word from James: “But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—Not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.” Hallelujah!

We pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, the God Who Has Set Me Free, Indeed. Amen and Amen.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered

Once more by the yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1 (BSB)

For in Christ Jesus

The law of the Spirit of life

Set you free from the law

Of sin and death.

Romans 8:2 (BSB)

But the one who looks intently

into the perfect law of freedom,

And continues to do so—

Not being a forgetful hearer,

But an effective doer—

He will be blessed in what he does.

James 1:25 (BSB)

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I shall run the way of Your commandments,
For You will enlarge my heart.

Psalm 119:32 (NASB)

You must walk in all the ways

that the LORD your God has commanded you,

so that you may live and prosper

and prolong your days in the land

that you will possess.

Deuteronomy 5:33 (BSB)

I will give you a new heart

and put a new spirit within you;

I will remove your heart of stone

and give you a heart of flesh.

And I will put My Spirit within you

and cause you to walk in My statutes

and to carefully observe My ordinances.

Ezekiel 36:26-27 (BSB)

Our Father Who art in Heaven and in my heart, Hallowed be Thy Name, the God Who Declares, “If You run in the way of my commandments, I will enlarge your heart.” O LORD, I cannot do Your will alone. I find my own sin pushing against my hope that Christ is risen. To run and not grow weary and to walk and not grow faint is my challenge. I need Your help to keep my feet steadfast and my eyes on Jesus. In Ezekiel, You promise as a believer You will remove my heart of stone, and give me a heart of flesh. I’m weary of stubbornness and rebellion. Gift me, Father, with the Grace to walk in Your Truth. Hallelujah!

Forgive me, Father, for I have limited personal strength to follow Your will completely. I don’t make excuses for my humanity, for You have given me life, and breath, and Jesus. Hallelujah! But as Paul says, …“let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.” I confess I have a self-focused rebellion simmering in my soul. Help me, Father, to walk in all the ways You have commanded me. Hallelujah!

For those praying with me, are you walking in the ways God has intended?

Heavenly Father, we acknowledge our own will is not powerful enough to fulfill Your commandments. Even if we want to walk in Holiness, we are continually tempted to do our own will and not Yours. You have promised, however, that when You give us a new heart and a new spirit, this Heavenly endowment will cause us to walk in Your statutes and obey Your ordinances. We are ready, LORD, to obey, and to live victoriously for Your Son. Therefore, we pray as Jesus taught us to pray, “Deliver us from temptation and keep us from evil,” that we may follow all Your commandments all the days of our lives. Hallelujah!

We pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, the God Who Declares, “If You run in the way of my commandments, I will enlarge your heart.” Amen and Amen.

Therefore, since we are surrounded

by such a great cloud of witnesses,

let us throw off every encumbrance

and the sin that so easily entangles,

and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.

Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

But those who wait upon the LORD

will renew their strength;

they will mount up with wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31 (BSB)

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
From the house of the Lord we bless you.

Psalm 118:26 (NIV)

For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say,

‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

Matthew 23:39 (NIV)

Jesus said to them,

“Have you never read in the Scriptures:

“‘The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes’”?

Matthew 21:42 (NIV)

“And I will pour out on the house of David

and the inhabitants of Jerusalem

a spirit of grace and supplication.

They will look on me, the one they have pierced,

and they will mourn for him as one mourns

for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him

as one grieves for a firstborn son.

Zechariah 12:10 (NIV)

Our Father Who art in Heaven and in my heart, Hallowed be Thy Name, the God Who is Glorified for His Goodness, Especially His Goodness in Jesus Christ. O LORD, You say Israel is living out the consequences of rejecting Jesus as Your Son. Jesus laments how Jerusalem has a history of killing prophets and rejecting divine messengers. Why, LORD? Why? Who can be so blind or so deaf to goodness? I can understand the rejection of power, or the demands of a king to bow before him. But You are proposing a world of goodness, ruled by mercy, and gifted with the love of a Son, Who sacrificed His very life for each of them. Father, I thank You for offering me the gift of Faith in Christ, and the wisdom to understand the outcome of these Scriptures. Hallelujah!

Forgive me, Father, for I’m not sure if You are promising Jesus will not return to earth until the Jewish people accept Him as LORD or is there another way forward? It could be a very uphill battle, Father. For as Paul reminds us in 1 Kings concerning Elijah, “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me.” I know You have an Eternal plan, Father, for You go on to tell Elijah You have reserved for Yourself 7,000 in Israel who have not bowed the knee to Baal. So, there is hope yet for Your chosen people whose stubbornness becomes a wedge between its physical safety and its spiritual Salvation. Hallelujah!

For those praying with me, have you ever considered the words of Jesus concerning the Salvation for Israel?

Heavenly Father, we feel as if we are standing on the steps leading to Your Holy temple, waiting for Jesus to bring forth His promised words: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” There are many theological predictions as to when and why and how Your Son will return to Jerusalem and heal the wounds of Your Chosen People. Some believe repentance will only come on the day Jesus says these very words to Israel-and thus confronts them where they are, and then searches for the 7,000 individuals who have their hope in Jesus Christ.

O Father, where are those 7,000 saved souls in Israel? May they step forward soon, to ease the crushing blow Satan is delivering to the whole earth. Hallelujah!

We pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, the God Who is Glorified for His Goodness, Especially His Goodness in Jesus Christ. Amen and Amen.

“Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me”? And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”

Romans 11:3-4 (NIV)

“I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.”

1 Kings 19:10 (NIV)

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Praise the Lord, all you nations;
extol him, all you peoples.
For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.

Praise the Lord.

Psalm 117 (NIV)

Who will not fear You, O Lord,

and glorify Your name?

For You alone are holy.

All nations will come

and worship before You,

for Your righteous acts

have been revealed.”

Revelation 15:4 (BSB)

Our Father Who art in Heaven and in my heart, Hallowed be Thy Name, the God for Whom All Nations Will Shout, “Worthy is the Lamb!” O LORD, the world has arrived at a spiritual precipice which divides Your children. You have asked. us to choose between earthly time and Eternity, and between love and hate.

On one side of this gnawing gap resides the anger of the hordes and on the other, Your joyous believers who cling to the hope of Jesus Christ. If I listen carefully, Father, I will hear the Heavenly multitudes singing, “Salvation to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

Father, I long to be a member of the Holy chorus of those who are saved and being saved. It frightens me how large the angry crowds are, and how many are pushing and shoving others towards perdition. You remind those who hate are being propelled by acts of rebellion against You. It exhilarates them! Those who love You, need not fear falling over the Great Divide, for those who are saved are being secured by a scarlet chord drenched in the blood of Jesus. Hallelujah!

I am now watching the haters rushing toward the precipice between hate and love. And like pigs possessed with demons, a hatred of Your Holy Word is driving them over the edge.

Forgive me, Father, for not comprehending what is happening in the world right now. I have read Your Holy Word. I have studied Scriptures, but never did I believe it, I guess. Because now You are calling every single person to choose whom they will serve. Your call has spread across borders, and merged into the heavy traffic of the cities. You are calling to us again: “And again: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and extol Him, all you peoples.” Help me, Father, to know whose shoulder I must urge toward the precipice of hope, and those I should turn from, and pray for their souls. Hallelujah!

For those praying with me, are you finding peril and danger around every corner?

Heavenly Father, where is our hope in Jesus, at a time like this? Why did we not cultivate and encourage hope to grow in our hearts while Jesus could still be found knocking on our door? Why did we not water our souls from Your Springs of Living Water? Is this a built-in failure of human behavior, to put You off until the last moment, when You call out like the father of the prodigal son? O LORD, You are our only hope. You are the only way forward. As others are rushing toward the cliff, lead us not into temptation to jump with them, and protect us from the evil of Satan, who rules the earth. Hallelujah!

We pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, the God for Whom All Nations Will Shout, “Worthy is the Lamb!” Amen and Amen. And again: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,and extol Him, all you peoples.”

Romans 15:11 (BSB)

After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count,

from every nation and tribe and people and tongue,

standing before the throne and before the Lamb.

They were wearing white robes

and holding palm branches in their hands.

And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation to our God, who sits on the throne,

and to the Lamb!”

Revelation 7:9-10 (BSB)

What shall I return to the Lord
for all his goodness to me?

Psalm 116:12 (NIV)

For with the heart a person believes,

resulting in righteousness,

and with the mouth he confesses,

resulting in salvation.

Romans 10:10 (NASB)

Our Father Who art in Heaven and in my heart, Hallowed be Thy Name, the God Who Asks Me to Take Up My Cup of Salvation. O LORD, there is within me, an inborn desire to respond to Your amazing Grace appropriately. How can I allow Your mercies to flow into my life without acknowledging them publicly each day? I shall pick up my Cup of Salvation, given freely to me by Your Son, and praise You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I have nothing of value to return for this marvelous gift of Your Grace, except to lift up my Cup of Salvation before others, and to thank You again and again, for saving me. Hallelujah!

Forgive me, Father, for not confessing more often with my mouth, the hope of Christ which resides in my soul? Those who hope in Your Kingdom should not be afraid or ashamed to own our obligation to Jesus, Who purchased Salvation for us. He did so by drinking the cup of wrath, reserved for sinners like me. Hallelujah!

What is holding me back, Father? How can this burgeoning hope not be shared with the world? How shall I express my joy and Eternal thanksgiving for this marvelous gift of Salvation? Whatever and however You choose, I will do it. Hallelujah!

For those praying with me, how do you share Your Salvation with others?

Heavenly Father, we come to You with an apology. We seldom express our gratefulness for the Salvation You have shared through the Sacrifice of Jesus, Your Son.

We live smugly, feeling safe in our own shoes, when the rest of the world walks barefoot through the broken glass of sin. If it would help one soul find Salvation, shall we share our joy with them? How can others know there is another option besides death, if we don’t tell them the whole, amazing story of the birth of Jesus, His walk, His Sacrifice, and His Resurrection? We thank You, Father, for sending us Jesus, and promise going forward to make it a daily practice to ask how we can return to You, the goodness You have given us and the Grace You have shown us. It surely begins and ends with praise! Hallelujah!

We pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, the God Who Asks Me to Take Up My Cup of Salvation. Amen and Amen.

I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.

Psalm 116:1 (NIV)

And you shall love the LORD your God

with all your heart and with all your soul

and with all your strength.

Deuteronomy 6:5 (BSB)

And to love him with all the heart,

and with all the understanding,

and with all the soul, and with all the strength,

and to love his neighbor as himself,

is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

Mark 12:33 (BSB)

Our Father Who art in Heaven and in my heart, Hallowed be Thy Name, the God Who Asks Me to Love Him More. O LORD, I realize the world’s view of love, and Yours are different. I have experienced love unfulfilled, love unrecognized, and love unknown. My attempts to guide my heart are hopeless. And I have little or no control over another’s feelings for me. Each of our lives reads like a roadmap of disappointments where love is concerned. Each of us has been turned down, ignored, or laughed at by those we wish could love us. Father, is the purpose of this pattern of unrequited love, a part of Your plan? Are You preparing us to accept the Good News of One Who gave everything for us? “Greater love hath no man than he lay down his life for his friend.” Hallelujah!

Forgive me, Father, for I confess I need to spend more time learning to love You more and less time making excuses about why my soul is incapable of loving that much. You tell me it is possible to love You with my whole heart, mind, and soul. When I say, “I love You, LORD,” I want to mean it. I want to feel Your hope meeting mine with mutual rejoicing. Help me, Heavenly Father, to live in joyous hope, and the certainty of Salvation. Help me, to lead others with the same expectation. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Hallelujah!

For those praying with me, are you stuck in the past, burdened by memories of unrequited love?

Heavenly Father, we come to you with broken hearts, and with a history of unrealized relationships, fallen hopes, and dreams yet fulfilled. Some of us yearn for the physical touch of another, and some for the emotional grounding that love’s presence affords. And yet, each of us should realize there is only one love that guides our purpose on this earth. And we are called to this love by Jesus Christ. We should love our Heavenly Father more and more each day. We should seek His shoulder on which to cry, and His voice for answers. For we are different from the one who worships an unknown God. We know and love Jesus, Who tells us, “By grace we have been saved. It is not through any good works from ourselves.” Such love is a gift from the Heavenly Father, pouring out of the Fountain of hope. Hallelujah!

We pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, the God Who Asks Me to Love Him More. Amen and Amen.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—

and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

Ephesians 2:8 (NIV)

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May the Lord cause you to flourish,
both you and your children.
May you be blessed by the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

Palm 115:14-15 (NIV)

Only be on your guard

and diligently watch yourselves,

so that you do not forget

the things your eyes have seen,

and so that they do not slip

from your heart as long as you live.

Teach them to your children and grandchildren.
Deuteronomy 4:9 (BSB)

“Do not give dogs what is sacred;

do not throw your pearls to pigs.

If you do, they may trample them

under their feet,

and turn and tear you to pieces”

Matthew 7:6 (NIV)

“Above all, you must understand

that in the last days scoffers will come,

scoffing and following their own evil desires”

2 Peter 3:33 (NIV)

Our Father Who art in Heaven and in my heart, Hallowed be Thy Name, the God Who Urges Me Not to Weaken My Faith During this Crisis of Mockery. O LORD, in Your great mercy, You have revealed to me a pattern of sinful, hostile mockery, which has permeated the world. It came on slowly, merging into lanes it did not belong, and now crashing into homes and businesses as if it held the mortgage. Each of Your children can confess the incidence of mocking another, but You say habitual rage is an addiction which can spread like a plague. It is more dangerous than Covid or Ebola, for once the heart is infected, total disregard for Your Living Presence becomes a way of life. And that life leads to hell. Hallelujah!

Forgive me, Father, for any criticism I have of others. When I speak negatively about another person, I feel You urging me to walk away and repent of this sin. I need not share the disgusting behavior of a mocker with anyone else. It is enough that You know. And You will handle it. Hallelujah! In Proverbs, it says: “Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse. Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you…” Help me to not fall into a pattern of mockery, or habitual criticism. Help me to give mockers a wide berth so their perilous behavior does not rub off on me. Gift me with Your Grace to be a model of forgiveness and mercy, even as mockers go on mocking and laughing and degrading me and those I love. Hallelujah!

For those praying with me, are you being mocked for your beliefs?

Heavenly Father, You are well acquainted with the mocker. Your Holy Word is full of cautionaries about the dangers of mocking others. In Proverbs it says: “Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise” How can we become wise enough to deflect this crisis of mockery now infecting the world? Proverbs goes on to say: “A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.”

Is there no help for the committed mocker? Is his life destined to be lived in habituated rage? How can we show mercy to those who are infected without catching this sin ourselves? You tell us a mocker’s behavior is the direct result of his poor or non-existent relationship with You. It has nothing to do with us, although the mocker impresses upon us that everything is our fault. Stephen Castleberry explains that mockers don’t simply ignore wisdom like the fool; they actively oppose wisdom by demeaning those who are wise.

Father, today, in this present moment, we lift our hearts to Your throne of Grace and ask for help in living among those who use mockery as a weapon. The answer, we know, is not to isolate ourselves from the world, but rather to press on toward the mark, which is spreading the Good News that Jesus is Lord. Biblically, Paul reminds us of our duty which is this: “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.” And Jesus reminds us it is easy to love the loveable. Not so easy to love those who oppose us.

Father, may we be up and doing Your will, and loving those who find exhilaration during this crisis of mockery. Hallelujah! May our pattern of engagement be love. May our hope be in Jesus. May His Righteousness prevail, even among the incoming missiles of mockery raining down on our lives. Hallelujah!

We pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, the God Who Urges Me Not to Weaken My Faith During this Crisis of Mockery. Amen and Amen.

“Let no debt remain outstanding,

except the continuing debt to love one another,

for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law”

Romans 8:13 (NIV)

“Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;

whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.

Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;

rebuke the wise and they will love you”

Proverbs 9:7-8 (NIV)

“A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,

but a mocker does not respond to rebukes”

Proverbs 13:11 (NIV)

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Not to us, Lord, not to us
but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness.

Psalm 115:1 (NIV)

Because of the loving devotion of the LORD

we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail.

They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!)

Lamentations 3:22-23 (BSB)

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God,

the faithful God who keeps His covenant

of loving devotion for a thousand generations

of those who love Him and keep His commandments.

Deuteronomy 7:9 (BSB)

I am the LORD; that is My name!

I will not yield My glory to another

or My praise to idols.

Isaiah 42:8 (BSB)

Our Father Who art in Heaven and in my heart, Hallowed be Thy Name, the God Who Declares He Will Not Yield His Glory to Another, or His Praise to Idols. O LORD, somewhere along the generations, we have lost this Truth. Satan has done a remarkable job of convincing many that You, as God, don’t need the glory for our birth, nor grateful thanks for the very breath we take. In Lamentations, Jeremiah says: “Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!”

We learn from Jeremiah that Jesus has the strength of consistency on His side. He is lovingly devoted to us. Satan has inconsistency and chaos on his. In Deuteronomy it says: “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion for a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.” Hallelujah!

Forgive me, Father, for here is one of my greatest sins. I fear You are inconsistent in Your care for me. My fear of Your inconsistency comes from the tumult of this world, where daily I experience the shock, and disappointment in the inhumanity of others. But You tell me humanity is not Your word, it belongs to the worldly. It belongs to modern translations of Your Holy Word. You prefer the words, “children” or “beloved,” or my precious “sheep.” You look at each of us as Yours, whether or not, we ever say we love Your Son, or pray even to an unknown god. You remind me that the famous phrase, “man’s inhumanity to man,” comes from the 1784 poem by Robert Burns. Hallelujah!

For those praying with me, do you believe Your Savior, Jesus, is lovingly devoted to You?

Heavenly Father, this is Truth: we are fearful Your love for us will wane, much like human love. A human relationship begins with fire and passion, and consummate care for one another, but then often dissipates. However, Your love and faithfulness are without precedence. It may be difficult for us to understand how lovingly devoted You are to each of us. To accept this Truth can seem presumptive. How can Jesus, our Savior, be devoted to sinners like us? Only when we embrace Your Holy promise of loving devotion, we can give You all the Glory, and attribute this Glory to none other than Jesus, Your Son and our Savior. Hallelujah!

We pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, the God Who Declares He Will Not Yield His Glory to Another, or His Praise to Idols. Amen and Amen.

For My own sake, My very own sake,

I will act; for how can I let Myself be defamed?

I will not yield My glory to another.

Isaiah 48:11 (BSB)

Let the name of the Lord be praised,
both now and forevermore.
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the Lord is to be praised.

Psalm 113:2-3 (NIV)

For My name will be great among the nations,

from where the sun rises to where it sets.

Malachi 1:11a (BSB)

So shall they fear the name of the LORD

where the sun sets, and His glory where it rises.

For He will come like a raging flood,

driven by the breath of the LORD.

Isaiah 59:19 (BSB)

Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place

and gave Him the name above all names,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:9-11 (BSB)

Our Father Who art in Heaven and in my heart, Hallowed be Thy Name, the God Whose Deeds Will be Praised from Where the Sunrises to Where it Sets. O LORD, in the Bible there are many praise-worthy stories, from Abraham’s faith to Jacob’s hope; from David’s crown to Christ’s crown of thorns. I understand the Jewish people call Psalms 113-118, the “Egyptian Hallel”, because the verses celebrate how the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery. Tradition says the very first spark of the Hallel happened right after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea and they looked back and realized they were finally free. Is this how the 500 witnesses who experienced the death and Resurrection of Jesus felt, too? Or was it something greater? Did those witnesses to Christ’s Resurrection, experience the feeling of freedom from death itself? Hallelujah!

Forgive me, Father, for failing to sing Your praises often enough. Why have I not composed my own Hallel, to sing Your praises every day? Everyone who truly knows and loves Your Son, has had our own Damascus experience. As Paul says in Philippians, “Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

While the apostates cry out blasphemy, and the ignorant turn their eyes from Your truth, why aren’t we as believers singing and praising Jesus? Hallelujah!

For those praying with me, how is Your own composition of praise coming?

Heavenly Father, there is nothing in the Bible about experiencing the love of Jesus and then keeping it secret. The opposite is true. We are to boldly claim our love for Christ, and then share His Words with all. It is not up to us to choose who will listen or who will not. It is Your call, Father. We are not to hide the light of Christ under a bowl, or walk away from His Living Word, just to get along with a world that is filled with sinners on a sinking ship. Gift us with Your Grace, and fill us with the courage of King David, who willingly faced Goliath. We are no different, LORD. We are facing Goliath today. May we begin that confrontation with songs of praise and Words of hope about Jesus, from where the sun rises and where it sets. Hallelujah!

We pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, the God Whose Deeds Will be Praised from Where the Sunrises to Where it Sets. Amen and Amen.

For I delivered to you

first of all that which I also received:

that Christ died for our sins

according to the Scriptures,

and that He was buried,

and that He rose again the third day

according to the Scriptures,

and that He was seen by Cephas,

then by the twelve.

After that He was seen

by over five hundred brethren at once,

of whom the greater part remain

to the present, but some have fallen asleep.

After that He was seen by James,

then by all the apostles.

1 Corinthians 15-3-7 (KJV)

Praise the Lord.

Blessed are those who fear the Lord,
who find great delight in his commands.

Psalm 112:1 (NIV)

But blessed is the man

who trusts in the LORD,

whose confidence is in Him.

Jeremiah 17:7 (BSB)

Our Father Who art in Heaven and in my heart, Hallowed be Thy Name, the God Who Asks Me to Keep My Confidence in Him. O LORD, I have learned how my Reverence for You, and my Joy, walk hand-in-hand. They are good friends and go everywhere together. United, they bring peace and hope to all who experience them. Yes, Father, Reverence for You is the foundation of a blessed life. And Joy in Your Presence is my inheritance. Hallelujah!

Forgive me, Father, for I hear Your instruction and still ignore it. How is this possible? You remind me that a hard-headed believer is sometimes worse than one who does not know Jesus at all. I am more destructive and more deceitful, Lord, when I am convinced my decisions are worthy. I keep making this mistake! Open my eyes to how broken and impoverished my poor reasoning can be and lift me into the center of Your Righteousness, so my choices align with Your Holy will. Hallelujah!

For those praying with me, have you been making poor choices lately?

Heavenly Father, we confess our lives can become the sum of poor decision making. We are our own worst enemies! We don’t need Satan to clarify our mistakes. He is laughing in the corner, hoping to trip us up again. However, if our confidence remains in You, LORD, we are secure in the hope of Your beloved Son. In Proverbs we read: “Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it…” Hallelujah!

We pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, the God Who Asks Me to Keep My Confidence in Him. Amen and Amen.

Now therefore, my sons, listen to me,

for blessed are those who keep my ways.

Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.

Blessed is the man who listens to me,

watching daily at my doors,

waiting at the posts of my doorway.

Proverbs 8:32-34 (BSB)

This is what the LORD says:

“Maintain justice and do what is right,

for My salvation is coming soon,

and My righteousness will be revealed.

Blessed is the man who does this,

and the son of man who holds it fast,

who keeps the Sabbath without profaning it

and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”

Isaiah 56:1-2 (BSB)

IMAGE CREDIT: JesusChristSavior.net

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;

all who follow his precepts have good understanding.

To him belongs eternal praise.

Psalm 11:10 (NIV)

And He said to man,

‘Behold, the fear of the Lord,

that is wisdom,

and to turn away from evil

is understanding.’”

Job 28:28 (BSB)

How can you believe

Since you accept glory from one another

but do not seek the glory

that comes from the only God?

John 5:44 (NIV)

When all has been heard,

the conclusion of the matter is this:

Fear God and keep His commandments,

because this is the whole duty of man.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 (BSB)

Our Father Who art in Heaven and in my heart, Hallowed be Thy Name, the God Who Urges Me to Seek Glory only from Him. O LORD, in Your great mercy, You have lifted me out of the pit. I can attest that the pit holds the faded glories of humankind. Solomon, as one who was considered very wise, concluded, “When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments because this is the full duty of mankind.”

Is this so, Father? Is my full duty to fear You and keep Your commandments? Well, I know there are some people who would like us to believe they fear You, but their conceit tells a different story. In Proverbs, Solomon goes on to say, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct by deeds done in humility that come from wisdom.” Hallelujah!

Forgive me, Father, for any actions on my part which are done with bravado. I don’t want to be self-serving, but I keep behaving like I’m the only important person on earth. You have given us an ego, and mine loves nothing more than to boast and seek glory from the world. Help me, LORD, to know when to step forward and when to exit with grace. Help me to be a gift to You and not a burden. “Humility comes before honor.” Hallelujah!

For those praying with me, do you believe your whole life’s work should be to fear God and keep God’s commandments?

Heavenly Father, we confess we have our own agendas in life, and they don’t always include You. We recognize the wisdom in keeping Your commandments, but hard choices the world presents, often makes us fall off course. We love Isaiah’s approach: “He will be the sure foundation for your times, a storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure.” Help us, Father, to keep Jesus as our sure foundation—the Cornerstone for all we do. Gift us with the Eternal desire to seek your storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. For this is the treasure of Zion, which You long to share with everyone who will listen. May our ears be open. Hallelujah!

We pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, the God Who Urges Me to Seek Glory only from Him. Amen and Amen.

Who is wise and understanding among you?

Let him show it by his good conduct,

by deeds done in the humility

that comes from wisdom.

James 3:13 (BSB)


The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom,

and humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 15:33 (BSB)

He will be the sure foundation for your times,

a storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge.

The fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure.

Isaiah 33:6 (BSB)

Blessed are they that do his commandments,

that they may have right to the tree of life,

and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Revelation 22:14 (BSB)

While they curse, may you bless;
may those who attack me be put to shame,
but may your servant rejoice.
May my accusers be clothed with disgrace
and wrapped in shame as in a cloak.

Psalm 109: 28-29 (NIV)

Let my persecutors be put to shame,

but do not let me be put to shame.

Let them be terrified, but do not let me be terrified.

Bring upon them the day of disaster

and shatter them with double destruction.

Jeremiah 17:18 (NIV)

Then Stephen fell on his knees and cried out,

“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Acts 7:60 (NIV)

Our Father Who art in Heaven and in my heart, Hallowed be Thy Name, the God Who Urges Me to Love My Enemies and Pray for Those Who Persecute Me. O LORD, I have found the Words of David, and the rest of the Old Testament often disagree with the New. An eye for an eye says it all. And yet Paul says, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old is gone, the new is here!”? As a new Creation, how can I repay my enemies with evil I no longer possess? My old, sinful life, is in the rearview mirror.

I may still be sinning, but I am moving away from sin, not towards it. And as Jesus taught, “I cannot put old wine in a new wineskin.” Old wine is looking for payback, when I already have abundant blessings. Hallelujah!

Forgive me, Father, for any remaining desire I may have to repay the hatred of others, with hatred in return. In my heart, I find no urgency to hate. I find disappointment, but as a New Creation, my eyes remain on Jesus, and His plans for me. Hallelujah!

What a gift, Father, to have a desire for healing of this world and not its destruction. Please expand this longing in my heart to love others as I love myself. Help me to turn away from evil, while doing Your will. Hallelujah!

For those praying with me, are you praying for payback?

Heavenly Father, we remember the story of Stephen and his incredible strength and resolve to show those who were stoning him, that Christ lives. The stones are the Old Testament. Stephen’s Faith in Jesus is the New. In Luke, he writes, “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

Father, we know this is our calling, and yet, we cling to the stones of the Old Testament. We want our enemies to suffer. We admit it. We want those who sin against us and others we don’t agree with to receive what they deserve. But what do they deserve?

Do they deserve to hear the Gospel? Do they deserve forgiveness, like Stephen shared? Here is the hard lesson, Lord. Forgiveness is the only true gift we can give another. Blessing, not cursing, is the path we are meant to walk. Praying for those who mistreat us, is being like Jesus, and not being like those who hold the stones. Hallelujah!

We pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, the God Who Urges Me to Love My Enemies and Pray for Those Who Persecute Me. Amen and Amen.

Bless those who persecute you.

Bless and do not curse.

Romans 12:14 (NIV)

Bless those who curse you,

pray for those who mistreat you.

Luke 6:28 (NIV)

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult,

but with blessing, because to this you were called

so that you may inherit a blessing.

1 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

But I tell you, love your enemies

and pray for those who persecute you,

Matthew 5:44 (NIV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,

the new creation has come:

The old has gone, the new is here!

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

So that Your beloved may be rescued,
Save with Your right hand, and

And answer me!

Psalm 108: 6 (NASB)

Concerning Benjamin, Moses said:

“May the beloved of the LORD

rest secure in him;

God shields him all day long,

and upon His shoulders he rests.”

Deuteronomy 33:12 (BSB)

Surely the arm of the LORD

is not too short to save,

nor His ear too dull to hear.

Isaiah 59:1 (BSB)

Our Father Who art in Heaven and in my heart, Hallowed be Thy Name, the God Who Says, the Defeat of My Enemies is an Integral Part of My Salvation. O LORD, in Your great mercy, You have reminded me of the blessing Moses prayed over Benjamin: “May the beloved of the LORD rest secure in Him; God shields him all day long, and upon His shoulders he rests.”

Father, what joy to realize that upon my shoulders You also rest! What a beautiful attribute given to those who love Your Son. May the peace and security of Jesus rest upon every shoulder who lifts their hands today in praise to You. Hallelujah!

Forgive me, Father, if I drift from Your promises to me that You will be with me always. You will never leave me nor desert me. The defeat of my enemies is as important to You as it is to me. Salvation includes Your protection. Your honor is revealed in my safety and my assured hope. Hallelujah!

I am thinking about Benjamin’s kingdom, Lord. I am amazed to learn who came from its borders: Saul, the first king of Israel, Queen Esther who belonged to the lineage of Benjamin, and the Apostle Paul. From the smallest of kingdom’s arose some of the most significant people in the Bible, and who served Your purposes for exposing sin, stirring up evil, and leading believers to Righteousness. Hallelujah!

For those praying with me, are you feeling too insignificant to be saved from your problems?

Heavenly Father, You are especially fond of the meek and the poor and those the world deems insignificant. This is especially true for children, born and unborn. We must never fall into the belief we don’t matter to You. In Genesis, You warn us: “Whoever sheds human blood, let his blood be shed. Because God made humans in his image reflecting God’s very nature.” And in Matthew You reinforce Your protection for children: “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

Father, may we never be fooled into believing there are individuals so small or insignificant that they are not worth protecting from the rest of the world which would like them gone. Press our hearts into action, LORD, and fill our spirits with Your Righteous indignation, that no human will ever have so much power to declare anyone too small or too insignificant to save. Hallelujah!

We pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, the God Who Says, the Defeat of My Enemies is an Integral Part of My Salvation. Amen and Amen.

Whoever sheds human blood,

by humans let his blood be shed,

Because God made humans in his image

reflecting God’s very nature.

Genesis 9:6 (NIV)

Who is this coming from Edom,

from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments?

Who is this robed in splendor,

marching in the greatness of His strength?

“It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.”

Isaiah 63:1 (BSB)

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—

those who believe in me—to stumble,

it would be better for them

to have a large millstone hung

around their neck and to be drowned

in the depths of the sea.

Matthew 18:6 (NIV)

My heart, O God, is steadfast;
I will sing and make music

with all my soul.

Psalm 108:1 (NIV)

And David sang this song to the LORD

on the day the LORD had delivered him

from the hand of all his enemies

and from the hand of Saul.

2 Samuel 22 :1 (BSB)

You will keep in perfect peace

the steadfast of mind,

Because he trusts in You.

Isaiah 26:3 (BSB)

Our Father Who art in Heaven and in my heart, Hallowed be Thy Name, the God Who Keeps My Heart in Perfect Peace When I Trust Him. O LORD, let me never become like King Saul, who let his obsession with David, drive his whole life into the pit. Saul let his anger take over his life, and he spent years chasing David through the wilderness with an entire army, trying to kill him. Just reading this reminds me how any obsession other than my hope in Jesus Christ, comes to nothing but grief for me and those around me. Hallelujah!

Forgive me, Father, for those hours, days, months, years, I expend in useless worry, anger, or even grief because of the behavior of others. When my mind or my activities are completely captured by something or someone other than You, I know this is idolatry.

When someone’s political beliefs are elevated above their belief and hope in Your Son, they are idol worshippers. When I am focused on my salary and not my Salvation, this is idolatry. May I be more like Isaiah, who said, “You will keep in perfect peace, the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You.” Hallelujah!

For those praying with me, are you worshipping the world, or worshipping Jesus?

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that “Whoever does not love their brother or sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen.”

Whoever claims to love God and then obsesses over someone else, does not truly love You, LORD. In fact, in 1 John, he goes on to declare, someone who claims to love You, but hates their brother or sister is a liar. This hatred for others becomes idolatry, and idolatry leads to apostasy. Why can’t we see this more clearly, LORD? Why are we habitually divided in our focus? You explain it in Timothy, “They are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions.”

Father, if this looks like any of us, please help lift the hatred from our souls, and renew a right spirit within us. Hallelujah!

We pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, the God Who Keeps My Heart in Perfect Peace When I Trust Him. Amen and Amen.

For whoever does not love their brother and sister,

whom they have seen, cannot love God,

whom they have not seen.

1 John 4:20 (NIV)

“No one can serve two masters,

for either he will hate the one and love the other,

or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.

You cannot serve God and money.”

Matthew 6:24 (ESV)

They are conceited and understand nothing.

They have an unhealthy interest in controversies

and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife,

malicious talk, evil suspicions

1 Timothy 6:4 (NIV)

IMAGE CREDIT: Pinterest/ Julie Stiles Mills

Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—
those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
those he gathered from the lands,
from east and west, from north and south.

Psalm 107: 1-2 (NIV)

But now, this is what the LORD says—

He who created you, O Jacob,

and He who formed you, O Israel:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by your name; you are Mine!

Isaiah 43:1 (BSB)

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,

because He has visited and redeemed His people.

Luke 1:68 (BSB)

In Him we have redemption through His blood,

the forgiveness of our trespasses,

according to the riches of His grace.

Ephesians 1:7 (BSB)

Our Father Who art in Heaven and in my heart, Hallowed be Thy Name, the God Who Declares, “Let the redeemed tell their story.” O LORD, in Your great mercy, You sought me out, and gave me the hope of Your precious Son, as a spiritual locket of love. As Peter said, “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.” Hallelujah!

Forgive me, Father, for my reticence to share my own story of redemption. Why do any of us who have been saved by the blood of Jesus, hold back? Does Satan still have his grasp on us, an unseen tether in this world, that ultimately leads us to perdition? Shall I search relentlessly for this link, that ties me to evil? Shall I uncover every stone, and lift every limb that has fallen over my path?

The man who found the pearl of great price wisely sold all he owned to purchase the land, understanding the cost of accepting and loving Jesus. O, LORD, help me to dispense with the filth of poor choices, and grasp the pearl of goodness which is my destiny. Even if it means selling everything to purchase the land where You have buried this pearl, I know this act will release the grasp of Satan from my soul. Hallelujah!

For those praying with me, do you still have an unseen tether tying you to Satan?

Heavenly Father, we confess we do not actually know how deep we are indebted to evil for our successes. We only blame the devil for our failures, and yet today we acknowledge that as the father of lies, he can lead us down the wrong path for what we falsely believe are sound reasons. You, alone, LORD, can save us from ourselves! You alone, LORD, know where the pearl of great price resides. Yes, hard choices must be made. We must seize upon the gift of Christ while it is still being offered. Let us confess that all may hear: “He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, / in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so”). This is an exhortation for those who have experienced God’s rescue to vocalize their gratitude and share their experiences. May it be today. Hallelujah!

We pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, the God Who Declares, “Let the redeemed tell their story.” Amen and Amen.

He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness

and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son,

in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

(“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so”)

is an exhortation for those

who have experienced God’s rescue

to vocalize their gratitude

and share their experiences.

Colossians 1:13-14 (BSB)

For you know that it was not

with perishable things such as silver or gold

that you were redeemed from the empty way of life

you inherited from your forefathers,

but with the precious blood of Christ,

a lamb without blemish or spot.

1 Peter 1: 18-19 (BSB)

IMAGE CREDIT: Pinterest

Let all the people say, “Amen!”

Psalm 106:48 (NIV)

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen,

the faithful and true witness,

the ruler of God’s creation.

I know your deeds,

that you are neither cold nor hot.

I wish you were either one or the other!

So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—

I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Revelation 3:14-16 (NIV)

“Amen, Amen, I say to you,

Whoever believes has eternal life.

I am the bread of life.”

John 6:46-48

Our Father Who art in Heaven and in my heart, Hallowed be Thy Name, the God Who Asks Me Not to Let My Soul Become Lukewarm for Jesus. O LORD, John shares in Revelation that the LORD knows our deeds, and He longs for us not to become complacent or lazy about believing and sharing His Word. “Because You are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth!” Father, could You have more compassion for those who are cold, and lingering on the brink of perishing than on those who know Your Truth, and treat it like day-old bread? Help me, LORD, to remain passionate about Jesus, and ready to do Your will, when and wherever You might need me. Hallelujah!

Forgive me, LORD, for my neglect of Your Truth. When I neglect anything, it can wither and even die. In John 6, it is so important for me to learn and absorb Your calling that You begin the verse with “Amen and Amen…Whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life.” If You say nothing more to me, this should be simple enough for me to remember and absorb it into my soul. Hallelujah! May it be so, Father. May it be so.

For those praying with me, what does “Amen” mean to you?

Heavenly Father, we casually end our prayers with the profession, “Amen.” And yet, it was Your Son’s practice to begin His conversations with “Amen.” Amen is the Hebrew which the Greeks adopted, and means, “Verily, verily….” Jesus used Amen at the beginning of His proclamations at least 25 times in Scripture. Father, why did He do this unless He wanted to leave those He was looking in the eyes with life-saving Truth? And now, we also have the benefit of His Truth in Scripture, when we read, “Verily, Verily…I am giving You Truth.”

And may I humbly paraphrase, “Eat of my flesh, and be saved. Drink of my blood and be absolved of all Your sin.” When Jesus fed the 5,000, it was a remembrance of His feeding the Israelites manna in the wilderness. On each occasion, He longed for us not to grow lukewarm about His provision, but rather be grateful for the grace to be sharing the glorious Truth of Eternal Life for all those who believe in Him and His “Amen.” Hallelujah!

Image Credit: Facebook/DC Hale

Save us, Lord our God,
and gather us from the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name
and glory in your praise.

Psalm 106:47 (NIV)

On that day the Lord will extend His hand

a second time to recover the remnant of His people

from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush,

from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath,

and from the islands of the sea.

He will raise a banner for the nations

and gather the exiles of Israel;

He will collect the scattered of Judah

from the four corners of the earth.

Isaiah 11:11-12 (BSB)

But thanks be to God,

who always leads us

in triumph in Christ,

and through us reveals

the fragrance

of the knowledge of Him

in every place.

2 Corinthians 2:14 (NASB)

Our Father Who art in Heaven and in my heart, Hallowed be Thy Name, the God Who Reveals Through Us the Fragrance of the Knowledge of Him. O LORD, in every corner of the globe there resides a longing for the sweet fragrance of joy and hope and Holiness, that only Jesus, Your Son, provides. Will they wait in vain? It is my prayer, Father, that soon “all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God.” Hallelujah!

Forgive me, Father, if I have ever hindered the spread of the Gospel. I do so when I ignore suffering; when I accept ignorance of Jesus as inevitable; or when I condemn someone for being less than they could be in Your sight. I cannot move the minds and hearts of those who are perishing…only You can. With Your Holy Spirit guiding me, I can however, help meet the physical and emotional needs of those around me, so they may be more at peace, and more hopeful. In this way, I help prepare their hearts for recognizing Your fragrance carried by each believer, as Holy and blessedly life-saving. For as Paul has said in Corinthians, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us reveals the fragrance of the knowledge of Him in every place.” Hallelujah!

For those praying with me, let us be longing for the day when all kingdoms of the earth come to acknowledge Jesus as LORD.

Heavenly Father, we don’t often think about how we differ from those who are perishing. One big difference is the fragrance of Your Holy Spirit which accompanies us where ever we go. The sweetness of Your loving hope cannot help but draw the curious, engage the culpable, and become a savouring discovery for perishing souls.

Let us not take this fragrance for granted, nor flaunt its presence in the faces of others. Help us, dear LORD, to live and act in accordance with Your will and help fulfill Your calling.

It is Your hope and ours, that in all corners of the globe, no one should perish. Hallelujah!

We pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, the God Who Reveals Through Us the Fragrance of the Knowledge of Him. Amen and Amen.

And now, O LORD our God,

please save us from his hand,

so that all the kingdoms of the earth

may know that You alone,

O LORD, are God.”

2 Kings 19:19 (BSB)

IMAGE CREDIT: First Congregational Church of Naples Florida