Wed. Oct. 1 We live in a broken world and everything in nature is falling apart, but God has promised to be with us and to remind us we need him. He also promises a better future. Mark Jeske
Rom 8:22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Ps 91:15 He will call upon me, & I will answer him; I will be with him Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
** Savior and Friend, as we see disasters and trouble of many types; tornadoes, hurricanes and the like, we as Christians are not surprised and yet, we can become discouraged because of our human frailty and the physical, emotional and mental toll it takes upon us. Help us to remain sure in our faith and to help those who are most affected by the troubles of this world. May we not only take food, clothing and help of earthly nature, but share the heavenly food, the spiritual clothing and the eternal help of the Gospel message. Open ears to hear and hearts to respond to your message. Amen.
Thurs. Oct. 2 My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world. So, if you're wondering why I feel so secure, understand this: He said it -that settles it. God is in control, I am on His side & that means all is well with my soul.
Mark 9:24 "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" Matthew 19:26 with God all things are possible."
**Dear Heavenly Father, I DO believe. At times I can say that with such strong conviction and with the courage of young David against Goliath. Then there are those other times when I step away from you and the troubles and of this earth and I allow the pain of physical and emotional trials to hide your beautiful face. I focus on other things beside your promises and feel insecure and full of doubt. Forgive me and pull me back with your Spirit’s leading. Draw me with words from your holy Scripture which bring me the Truth that you have beaten Satan and the World Help me to know my salvation is secure & all you have told me is true. Let me know the joy of my salvation in Jesus my Savior.. Amen in you.
Fri. Oct 3 Fretting springs from our determination to get our own way. Oswald Chambers
Ps 90:14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
**Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the wonderful blessing you provide in sleep. To be able to rest and forget all the troubles of the day and the busy routine of the work day is so refreshing! May we truly be able to peaceful sleep during our nighttime hours. Give us calm and trust in you. Assure us of your Grace and Marcy which makes all events turn out the way you have determined. May we trust you and not strive to get what we want, but be satisfied to know you are in charge and have taken care of all we need, including our eternal future in heaven with Jesus as our Savior. Amen.
Sat. Oct. 4 “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”- Oscar Wilde Romans 3:22-24 There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Isaiah 40:26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens.
Psalm 121:2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
** To know I am a sinner…very important. To know I am saved by grace alone…this is my story to your glory. I have been bought with a tremendous price and I want to praise and thank you with my whole heart and every cell of my being. Forgive me when I fall short of that mark and lift me to yourself for the assurance of my forgiveness. Give me the strength each day to get up and get going. Help me to lift my eyes to the sky at night and behold your glory, for this is my future through Jesus: to see your glory at all times. In the meanwhile as I wait for your return, keep me focused on the daily tasks you give, not finding any beneath me or too great for me as long as you are leading and directing me. Thank you for hearing me, for loving and forgiving me in Jesus my LORD and Savior, in whose holy name I pray. Amen.
Sun. Oct. 5 Justice is getting what we deserve; mercy is not getting what we deserve; grace is getting what we don’t deserve. Psalm 130:2-4 O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. Psalm 103:10-12 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities .For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. **Dearest Heavenly Father, we pray today for those in the bondage of regret and past sins; for those who believe the accusations of Satan and their own flesh. Help them to lay their burdens at the foot of the cross where you accepted the blood of the Holy Lamb, our Savior, in payment for all sin. May we understand the grace and mercy fully, living in gratitude and loving obedience to you because of the love you have shown us. Help us to show grace and mercy to others, bringing them words of comfort from your holy word when they feel shame over present and past sin. Thank you for the guilty conscience that brings us to you for healing. Soften hearts of those hardened by sin or without consciences as well, so they might understand the law’s club and then the sweet message of hope in the Gospel through Jesus our LORD. Amen.
Mon Oct. 6 Jesus’ disciples knew that their prayer lives needed help. They could see that Jesus’ prayer time did a lot more for him than theirs did for them. Mark Jeske Luke 11:1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." Luke 6:12-13 Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, & spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: **Heavenly Father, when I read about Jesus’ spending the night in prayer with you, I feel such shame. Oftentimes I can not even stay awake for ten minutes of prayer before bedtime. I frequently lose focus in church while praying as well. Forgive me, LORD. Remember I am weak and need your Spirit’s help. Help me to read your word and to be in communion with you through your body and blood for strengthening. Prompt me to seek the things of the Spirit and to grow closer to you. May I keep others close in my prayer life, remembering to pray for those I’ve promised. Hear me in Jesus’ name. Amen
Tues. Oct. 7 "Youth fades; love droops, the leaves of friendship fall; A mother's secret hope outlives them all." Oliver Wendell Holmes. It behooves a father to be blameless if he expects his child to be. ~Homer John 2:3-5 When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine." "Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." Proverbs 10:1 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother. **Heavenly Father, thank you for mothers’ love. Thank you for the hopes and dreams they have for their children which support them and encourage them to do their best. Thank you for the unconditional love you give mothers and fathers for their children. Help them to always keep this love tender, yet tough enough to hold them accountable for righteous living. Thank you for father’s high expectations and the toughness a man brings to the family structure. You have created roles for husband, wife and children within the family and yet sin has pretty much destroyed many homes when roles are messed up and divorces and illness or other traumas tear down the foundation. Forgive parents for inconsistencies, forgive children for disrespect, forgive us all for selfish and unrighteous behaviors. Heal families, Strengthen the family unit. Equip parents to be what they need to be as examples, teachers and disciplinarians. Thank you for being the perfect Father who sent His only Son to die for us, making us holy when we were lost and alone. We love you so much because you first love us. Amen
Wed. Oct. 8 Don't worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition. Abraham Lincoln Prov 29:23 A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor. Gal 6:3-4 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else. Ps.138:6 the Lord is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar. Matthew 5:16 let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. **Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me for my selfish need for human recognition. Often I desire to be noticed, appreciated or in someway given some credit for my accomplishments. Help me to remember all that is done is because of your grace and the talents or strength you have provided. May my light shine brightly to glorify and bring praise to you. Help me to strive to do my best and when I succeed help me to test my attitude and motivation. May we instill in our children worthwhile work ethics to bring honor to you, who alone are worthy of Glory and praise now and forever. In Jesus’ holy name we pray. Amen Thurs. Oct. 9 He is my Joy, He is my comfort, He is my Lord, and He rules my life! Psalm 43:4 Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. Psalm 119:76 May your unfailing love be my comfort, Jeremiah 15:16 When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, Philip. 3:8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ. **Treasure of Priceless worth how annoyed you must be with us when we make “gods” of worldly possessions. Thank you for the hardships you give to set our priorities straight. Be with those families of terminally ill loved ones who are rejoicing over just one more day together. Strengthen those who have lost their homes and worldly possessions in the recent hurricanes and flooding. Comfort those who have lost loved ones or those who have lost limbs and abilities due to war. Thank you for the joy you give in spite of earthly sorrow; for the faith you provide and for being LORD and ruler of our lives. As the days of financial trauma continue to hit this nation, may we set our hearts & minds on you. Hear us in Jesus. Amen
Fri. Oct. 10 No message from us ever falls to the floor undelivered, unexamined, unfelt, or unanswered. Every communication from his dear children gets instantaneous processing in the mind of our God. Mark Jeske 1 Thes. 5:17 pray continually 1 John 5:14-15 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.& if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him. **LORD, forgive the times I have doubted you heard my cries for help. Through your Holy Spirit, I believe your words of promise & through His leading, ask according to your will. Remember I am weak, but I want to be strong in you. Bring back to mind your faithfulness to your followers in Scripture. Help me to believe your promises each day of my life. May I show confidence in you, encouraging others in the faith. Hear me for Jesus’ sake who speaks for me at your throne. Amen
Sat. Oct. 11“This is free ground. All the way from here to the Pacific Ocean. No man has to bow. No man born to royalty. Here we judge you by what you do, not by what your father was. Here you can be something. Here’s a place to build a home.. It’s the idea that we all have value, you and me . . .”Joshua L. Chamberlain Matt 6:27,34-35 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?... Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid ,I will trust in you. ** **Forgive me Father, for the worrying I have done; for the anxiousness I sometimes feel over the future and the little faith I show in doing so. You have given us freedom in this land. You have given us food to eat and places to live. Even though many in this land are experiencing hardship and financial struggles, you are still in charge and will see us through. Thank you for what you are doing, for inviting us to focus on the important things of life. Forgive us as a nation for the terrible debts we have made, both personally and as a nation, living beyond our means. Help us to no longer live as pagans, in fear of tomorrow. May we follow your precepts in our daily living and trust in you to see us through. You, who have won our freedom from sin, death, Satan and have conquered the grave, hear us now for Jesus’ sake and in His name. Amen
Sun. Oct. 12 Everyone should have kids. They are the greatest joy in the world. But they are also terrorists. You'll realize this as soon as they are born, and they start using sleep deprivation to break you. Ray Romano Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you. ~Robert Fulghum Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Psalm 51:5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. **Two things we focus on today, LORD. First, that you be with parents of all young children. How tiring these first months of life are for parents! Give them wisdom, confidence and patience to deal with the little sleep and the issues that arise with new babies. Be with parents as the children grow, helping them to discipline with love and consistency, telling them of your Gospel message, but pointing our their sin, so they know a need for you and appreciation of what you have done for them. Help parents of all aged children to live lives of Godly example in word and deed. Help this generation to know the value of hard work and the satisfaction of a job well done. May they learn to lay their sins on Christ’s cross and be able to discern good from evil; truth from a lie. Break the will of those who believe they do not need you. As they reel in the confusion of their own inadequacies, provide for them someone who will lead them to you. May their spirit be quickened with your Holy Spirit’s power and the faith you provide through baptism and the Word of Truth found in Holy Scripture. Give us what we need to lead others to you. Amen in the name of our Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit..
Mon. Oct. 13 To me, life is like the back nine in golf. Sometimes you play better on the back nine. You may not be stronger, but hopefully you're wiser. And if you keep most of your marbles intact, you can add a note of wisdom to the coming generation. Clint Eastwood Proverbs 1:8-9 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. Leviticus 19:32 'Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord. **LORD God, Heavenly Father, Help us to show honor to men and women of all ages, but especially to those in their “golden years.” Forgive those in our society who have discounted the elderly, as if they have no worth unless they meet certain worldly standards. Euthanasia & assisted suicide seem to be gaining in popularity as the baby booming generation ages. LORD, you are the author of life & the conqueror of eternal death through Jesus. You have given each of us worth. Help us to respect the wisdom & mellowness of elderly. May we show honor to all and as we grow older, to place our hope and trust in you for all our needs. Help us to seek your plan for our lives at all ages and stages. Hear us in Jesus. Amen
Tues. Oct. 14 He is the First and Last, The Beginning and the End! Rev. 22:12-14 "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. **Dearest LORD Jesus, those words of yours: “I am coming soon” send goose bumps! It’s exciting to think of you coming back here to get us & take us home to heaven. Thank you for washing us clean in the blood of the Lamb. Open the eyes of those who believe false teachings about you. It’s clear from Scripture you are the only way to the Father. It is clear you are God who is and was and is to come. You are the great “I am” and only way to Heaven. Help us to tell others of you, but Holy Spirit, it is you alone who will open their hearts. May they be receptive to reading & studying the Truth. Amen
Wed. Oct. 15 It's not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can't tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it, myself. ~Joyce Maynard Proverbs 23:13 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Deut. 11:18-20 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, **LORD, while it is true I cannot create faith in my child’s heart and I often can’t motivate him to do what is right, I have the privilege as well as obligations as a parent to discipline and lead my child in the way you would have him go. Help me to study my child to discover his/her strengths. Help me to know my child’s rebellious ways and work to set up boundaries and limitations. Most of all, LORD, may I teach by word, deed and example how to reach for the Son, our LORD and Savior, for forgiveness, healing and eternal life through His work on the cross. May we all grow in his love and grace. Amen.
Thurs. Oct. 16
Only two
things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about
the former.
--
Albert Einstein
Ps
14:1 The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are
corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.
Is 51:6
Lift up your
eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like
smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and its inhabitants die like
flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never
fail. **Heavenly
Father, you tell us not to worry and yet we sometimes act as fools, being
anxious and troubled about everything.. You tell us you are in control. You
have assured us of many things, like in this world there will be trouble, but
you have overcome the world. LORD, even in these turbulent times of financial
troubles, war and natural disasters, we, as Christians rest assured all things
are in your able hands and nothing happens without your attention. Our human
nature tries to control all outcomes. As much as possible we want to achieve
what we can for our own ease, pleasure and happiness on earth. Bless us in
those efforts as you will, LORD, but help us to trust you to handle all for our
good.. Forgive us when arrogantly think we know best or doubt you in any way.
Help all to “look to the heavens” and turn to you for wisdom and for our
salvation. May all be less concerned about the things of this world and think
about our future which has been made sure through Jesus our LORD and Savior.
Bring all to faith in Him whose name we pray Amen
Fri. Oct. 17 When I am broken, He mends me! When I am blind, He leads me! When I am hungry, He feeds me! Psalm 60:2 You have shaken the land and torn it open; mend its fractures, for it is quaking. Psalm 5:8 Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness. Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. Psalm 37:25 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. **LORD, forgive us for complaining about chicken when we don’t have steak; for complaining about our homes when we don’t own a castle; for complaining about anything we have because we selfishly and greedily want more or better. How sinful we are! How much like the Israelites, who complained about their quail and manna! Forgive us, LORD and help us to be satisfied and grateful for your loving kindnesses and your generous providence. We do live in the greatest country on earth. Help us to appreciate what we have and work hard to protect and defend it. Thank you for your love in Jesus Amen.
Sat. Oct. 18 God is not some control-obsessed official who enjoys watching people squirm and making them jump through hoops. This is your Dad you are praying to. Mark Jeske Luke 18:7-8 will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day & night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, & quickly. Galatians 4:6 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." **Father, may I know the love you have for me. Help me to share that love with all I know. Help me to bring healing to the broken and hugs to the lonely. May you show others yourself through me, then, LORD, help me to tell them of your love. So many are feeling rejected and Satan has convinced them you either don’t exist or that you don’t love them. Work with your Spirit’s power to create faith in their hearts so they will be with us in Heaven. Use us Father, to be Jesus with skin on. Help them to know the joy of communicating with you through prayer, learning of you through the Word and growing in faith through communion and study of Scripture. Thank you for being a Father to the Fatherless. Thanks, Daddy, Amen.
Sun. Oct. 19 His ways are right, His word is eternal, His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me. He is my guide, and He is my peace! Psalm 119:89, 160 Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal. Hebrews 6:17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. Ephes. 2:14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, **Oh those precious promises, LORD! Not one of them has been or will ever be broken. Let this fact be a source of strength and comfort to all who call on you for help. Let it be a source of fear to those who do not know you. Allow your word to penetrate the hearts and minds of unbelievers to drive them to you for forgiveness. May they know the joy we have in Jesus. May they know the peace we have because of His work of salvation on the cross of Calvary. Amen in his name.
Mon. Oct. 20 Bodily decay is gloomy in prospect, but of all human contemplations the most abhorrent is body without mind. Thomas Jefferson 2 Cor. 4:8,11,16 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair…For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body…Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2 Cor. 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. **Dearest LORD, we pray today for those who are “wasting away” in body. As we grow older, we know our bodies lose much of their strength and energy. Be with us as we see this happen to ourselves or our loved ones. Be with children who are unable to run and play with their peers because of physical deformities or disease. Hold close those fighting cancer or organ failures. Comfort the loved ones of those caught within their own worlds of mental illness or some emotional traumas which create delusions or fears. If it be your will, Father, heal physical and mental illness with your almighty power and through the help you grant medical professions. We all know because of sin we are on a sure road to physical death. May we be prepared for that time and use our time here on earth to help one another and bring glory to your holy name. Keep us upbeat and cheerful and may we use the knowledge you have granted to learn more of you. Keep us sharp in our Bible reading and verse memorization so we can comfort others with the comfort you have given us in your Holy Word. Bring back to mind exactly what your Word tells us about any circumstance troubling us. Hear us in Jesus Amen.
Tues. Oct. 21 When I face trials, He is with me! When I face persecution, He shields me! When I face problems, He comforts me! When I face loss, He provides for me! When I face Death, He carries me Home! Psalm 91:4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. John 5:24 "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. **LORD, as the days get cooler and Autumn becomes more bitter, your words of “cover” mean more. Father, be our constant cover of protection from the winds and blasts of this world. As many have lost homes and money in the stock market; as countless have lost jobs and wonder when the economy is going to turn around, be our shield and constant companion. May we look to you for strength and hope. Help us to reach out and help one another in Jesus, Amen.
Wed. Oct. 22 It is better to run the risk of being considered indecisive, better to be uncertain and not promise, than to promise and not fulfill. -Oswald Chambers Num 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? Eccl. 5:4-5 When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. Jer 33:14 " 'The days are coming,' declares the Lord, 'when I will fulfill the gracious promise I made to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. **LORD as we face this crucial election in our country, keep the candidates from promising things they have no intention of doing. Open the eyes of the American people to see through lies and empty promises. May we be discerning in whom we chose to follow. Hold accountable each of the candidates in their speeches. Help all Americans to realize there is not free a ride. There is always consequence for behavior. May we each live with truth and integrity and expect and insist on this from those we place into office. Father, help us not to give up and despair in this country, but to work hard to improve things. Prepare us for what you want each of us to do . Help us to walk in your ways and fulfill our purpose in you. Amen.
Thurs. Oct. 23 The attitude that you bring when you pray not only affects how you feel about things but will also affect what happens as a result of your praying. Mark Jeske James 1:6-8 when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. Romans 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. **OK LORD Jesus, you have told us not to be unstable in our thinking and in our prayer life. We ARE going to trust that you have the best in mind for us. Only your Spirit can provide the faith and trust we need to continue the attitude we need to be single=minded. May we believe all things, hope all things and endure all things for the sake of the Gospel. Amen in Jesus.
Fri. Oct. 24 Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed there are many rewards, if you disgrace yourself you can always write a book. -- Ronald Reagan 1 Tim. 2:1-4 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. **Father, help our leaders to take seriously the positions you have laid before them. As this country faces the election, make our candidates set forth clearly their agendas and may the people of this land see clearly which candidates are most likely to fulfill your will for us as a nation. Especially we pray for the presidential candidates as they carry much of the burden our of governmental decisions. Continue to be with President Bush and his cabinet until the end of his term and keep our nation strong against the attacks of Satan in the form of terrorists who seek to keep us in fear. Amen in Jesus.
Sat. Oct. 25 He is everything for everybody everywhere, every time, and every way. He is God, He is faithful. I am His, and He is mine! Ps 33:4 the word of the Lord is right & true; he is faithful in all he does. Ps 145:13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, & your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is faithful to all his promises & loving toward all he has made **Heavenly Father, your faithfulness to me & all mankind was made sure at the cross. As you have been faithful to me & all you have created, help us to carry out your work faithfully, cheerfully & successfully knowing you are always with me. Amen
Sun. Oct. 26 The tasks are done and the tears are shed. Yesterday's errors let yesterday cover; Yesterday's wounds, which smarted and bled, are healed with the healing that night has shed." -Sarah Chauncey Woolsey Isaiah 43:18-19 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. 2 Cor. 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. **LORD, I believe we’re all tired of hearing blame placed on the Bush administration. We’re tired of the mudslinging and the name calling and the dredging up of past mistakes, whether real or perceived. Forgive our country, the candidates and all of us who are living in past regrets or unforgiving spirits. Help us to learn from our past mistakes, whether as individuals or as a nation, and to grow from them and work together to make things more pleasing to you. Give us the true love for one another which sought for your disciples in John 17. How it broke your heart to see them fighting among one another when you knew how much work you had for them to do! LORD, we know this world will never be free of fighting and other forms of sin, but help us as Christians to be lights in the darkness and salve to the hurting hearts. Heal others through us. Amen.
Mon. Oct. 27 There is one unmistakable lesson in American history: A community that allows a large number of young men to grow up in broken families, dominated by women, never acquiring any stable relationship to male authority, never acquiring any set of rational expectations about the future — that community asks for and gets chaos... And it is richly deserved. -Daniel Patrick Moynihan,
2 Kings 14:6 he did not put the sons of the assassins to death, in accordance with what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses where the Lord commanded: "Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sins." 2 Kings 17:14,41 But they would not listen and were as stiff-necked as their fathers, who did not trust in the Lord their God.. .Even while these people were worshiping the Lord, they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their fathers did. 2 Kings 23:32 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, just as his fathers had done.
**LORD God, Heavenly Father, what a sad state of affairs our country is in! Many of the children in the inner cities of our nation are growing up without a father in the home. Many of our young men are growing up without the guidance of any male to look to. Some have terrible role models. LORD forgive those men who have walked out on their families. Forgive those women who have given over to their selfish desires & brought babies into the world without husbands to help care for & raise them. Although we can understand why many turn to gangs & dishonest behaviors, we cannot excuse this behavior and we know you do not as well. Help all to be responsible for their own behavior. Give strength and help to all trying to work with these hurting and misguided souls. Help them not to “walk in the ways of their fathers” when there was such ungodly behavior, but may we as a Christian community do all we can to turn this problem around. Bless us in Jesus Amen.
Tues. Oct. 28 Unease, anxiety, tension, stress, worry — all forms of fear — are cause by too much future, and not enough presence. Guilt, regret, resentment, grievances, sadness, bitterness, and all forms of nonforgiveness are caused by too much past, and not enough presence. -Eckhart Tolle Psalm 16:11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Acts 2:28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence **LORD, whether we are anxious and worried about the past presence or future, we know this is a sin against you and proof of our mistrust and doubt in your ability to provide what is best for us in all things. Forgive us and help us to stop making excuses for this pet sin. Give us uneasiness when we need to take care of something that is not right. May our spirit and our consciences line up with your holy will, but then after we’ve done own best, we pray that it’s blessed and ask you to take the burden off our shoulders. After all, you’ve forgiven us & we have no right not to forgive another. Amen in your presence.
Wed. Oct. 29 He is light, love, longevity, and Lord. He is Goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God. He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure. Ps 31:19 How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Isaiah 54:8 ”…with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you," says the Lord your Redeemer **How wonderful it is just to praise you for who you are and what you have done. We ask nothing of you today, LORD other than to help us know you as you truly are and may we rejoice that you our own LORD and Savior. Through Jesus, Amen.
Thurs. Oct. 30.'People often say that, in a democracy, decisions are made by a majority of the people. Of course, that is not true. Decisions are made by a majority of those who make themselves heard and who vote -- a very different thing. Walter H. Judd Proverbs 31:8-9"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." **LORD God, we bring before you the problem of voting fraud today. In our country, which is to be a democracy, we need to have our votes count for something. Yet others would choose to rob us of our rights and vote multiple times. We ask you, LORD, to thwart their evil plans. Help officials in charge of the elections to catch the criminals who would seek to have their desires met in illegal ways. We know you are still in charge of us and our country and we pray to you to spare this land and help us to make decisions which please you. Help our votes to be wise in your eyes and may they truly count rather than be stolen by illegal means. May we stand up for the unborn, stand against homosexual marriage and other ungodly practices, Hear us in Jesus. God bless our native land. We ask this for the sake of Jesus our LORD and Savior. Amen
Fri. Oct. 31 "Satan loves Halloween because it glamorizes the powers of darkness, drawing little kids into his realm. And it is paying off, witchcraft is exploding among teens today." Christian Youth Alliance Eph 5:10-11 find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them **LORD God, as Christian parents we want to do what is best for our families, not only because we love them but because you have given us the right & responsibility to do so. Lead and Guide us in all things. There are so many dangerous & evil things in this world. Some appear evil & others appear in pretty packages. Whether or not Christian parents allow their children to participate in trick or treating or Halloween, help all parents to train their children in your ways. Give daily wisdom & strength to every parent. May they seek your wisdom from on high, setting godly boundaries and providing the nurturing and love needed to build trusting relationships which will help those children to trust you as their heavenly Father. Amen.
Sat. Nov. 1 All men profess honesty as long as they can. To believe all men honest would be folly. To believe none (are honest) is something worse. John Quincy Adams Proverbs 24:26An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. Proverbs 12:22 The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful. **Heavenly Father, keep us from the cynicism which often develops through the constant barrage of political commercials. We certainly have heard many “twisted truths” if not open lies from candidates who want to be elected. Help us to be responsible citizens who will check out candidates’ voting records & listen for hidden agendas or even open programs which may not line up with your commands. Move us to vote for those who most clearly follow your precepts. We know you place in position those who you desire to lead. May we trust you, but be actively obedient to keeping your commands as best we know by following those who follow you. May the candidates tell honestly what they intend. In Jesus we pray Amen.
Sun Nov. 2 An election cannot give a country a firm sense of direction if it has two or more national parties which merely have different names but are as alike in their principles and aims as two peas in the same pod. F. D. R Exodus 18:21 But select capable men from all the people--men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain--and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Proverbs 14:5 A truthful witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies. **Heavenly Father, Almighty God, you have given us two political parties. As Franklin D Roosevelt said, there should be a definite difference in their philosophies, principles and aims. We have prayed for honestly and integrity in our leaders. Yet, we know there is much “politicking” going on to gain votes. With the election only days away now, we cry out to you for mercy for our country. LORD, we plead for mercy for ourselves and our children. We have lived in greediness for years, not appreciating what you have given us. We have given up many freedoms to those who want religious tolerance and yet don’t want Christians to have their “say.” We have seen millions of babies killed on the altar of abortion. We have seen states give marriage rites to homosexuals; a deplorable sin in your eyes. Yet we plead for mercy. We know we deserve nothing but punishment and death. But Jesus alone can cleanse and heal this land. If it be your will, put into office those who will seek to turn this country around. Hear us and help us in Jesus’ holy name. For his sake we pray. Amen.