“O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!” Deuteronomy 5:29
God’s desire for us, His children through faith in Jesus Christ, is that our hearts would be changed from selfish and sinful hearts into hearts that honor Him, love Him, and trust Him above all things — hearts that gladly and willingly obey His holy commandments — that all would be well with us, and our children. “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” (Ps. 51:10).
O gracious and merciful God, for the sake of Jesus and His cross, forgive me for the evil thoughts and desires of my heart, and cleanse me that I might live for You and serve You with all my heart and soul. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body.” John 2:19-21
The Jews asked for a sign that Jesus truly was and is the Son of God and the promised Messiah and Savior. The sign Jesus gave them was His death and His resurrection on the third day. His hearers didn’t understand, but His resurrection on Easter morning proves He is God the Son and that He has, on the cross, atoned for the sins of all that we might look to Him in faith for forgiveness and life eternal.
Dear Lord Jesus, grant that I see in Your death and resurrection proof that You are the Son of God and my Savior from sin and death that I might trust in You and be saved. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” Proverbs 30:5-6
The Word of God is true and pure, and there is great blessing in accepting God’s every word in faith. But there is danger in adding our own interpretations to God’s Word, in saying more than God has said. Anyone who adds to His words (or takes away from them) will be reproved by the LORD God and found to be a liar.
O Lord God, grant that I accept Your every word in faith, neither adding to Your words nor taking away from them. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with [them], and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Mark 16:19-20
After Jesus had commissioned His disciples to “go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15), He ascended into heaven and was seated on the right hand of God the Father, a position of power and authority over all things, that His word might be preached in all the world by his followers and believed on by His chosen ones.
O risen and glorified Christ Jesus, You rule over all things and have commanded us to preach the Gospel in all the world. Enable us to faithfully proclaim the Gospel of forgiveness and life through faith in Your name, and bless the preaching of Your Word that those who hear also believe and are saved. To You be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Romans 8:16-17
Through Spirit-wrought faith, we trust in Christ as our Savior and are children of God. As such, we have an inheritance awaiting us with Christ Jesus in heaven. However, as followers of Christ in this world, we can expect to share in His sufferings before we share in His glory.
O Savior, grant that we hold fast to You in faith through the persecutions and sufferings we, as Your followers, must endure in this world that we might also share with You in glory. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
