But here is how God has shown his love for us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) I think it is a life-long journey to figure out what love is. We know all about brotherly love and erotic love and the love of parents for their children. But the kind of love used in this … Read More
Praying for Enough Trouble for Today
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34) I love the way Jesus concludes this little section of the Sermon on the Mount on worry with this reference to trouble. We can see in many places that Jesus’ plan was not to get us out of … Read More
Praying to be who I am
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; … Read More
Praying to be a Living Sacrifice
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God — this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve … Read More
Praying to join in Suffering
Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive … Read More
Praying For the Right Kind of Wisdom
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where … Read More
Praying for Hope
I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is … Read More
Praying for disruptive change
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them … Read More
Praying to handle the truth
2 Timothy 2:15: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” The Scriptures mostly teach us by example: people in situations like our’s that learn how to deal with the same things we’re going through. The Bible as it has … Read More
Praying to not boast
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2: 8-9 Grace is Paul’s word. He uses it about a hundred times in the New Testament documents that have come down to us. He uses it to try … Read More