John 11:21~ Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
Martha knew Christ's power to keep alive and to heal even those on a death bed, but she did not yet know his power to give life to one already dead. Her faith was hard pressed by the death of her brother, but it was there and real. Jesus would strengthen her faith and grow it by a powerful display when he raised dead Lazarus by a simple command.
Prayer: O God of re... moreGood night brothers and sisters
John 11:21~ Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
Martha knew Christ's power to keep alive and to heal even those on a death bed, but she did not yet know his power to give life to one already dead. Her faith was hard pressed by the death of her brother, but it was there and real. Jesus would strengthen her faith and grow it by a powerful display when he raised dead Lazarus by a simple command.
Prayer: O God of resurrection power, you give life or take life as you please, for it is all in your power and authority to do so. There is no situation too bleak for you reverse it and turn it into a great display of your power and glory. Strengthen my faith, Lord, and let me not doubt you. Amen.
John 7:30-31~ Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?
Jesus' enemies had tried over and over to get hold of Him. But the Gospel of John keeps telling us that no one could catch Jesus until He gave Himself up. Jesus was just as careful to follow God's plan for time as He was to... moreGood morning brothers and sisters
John 7:30-31~ Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?
Jesus' enemies had tried over and over to get hold of Him. But the Gospel of John keeps telling us that no one could catch Jesus until He gave Himself up. Jesus was just as careful to follow God's plan for time as He was to do what His Father wanted. So we can be sure that Jesus died not because He couldn't defend Himself but because He wanted to save us and do what His Father wanted. Jesus' death is a sacrifice He chose to make. It shows that He chose to do what His Father wanted more than what He wanted for Himself. He did what was right, and we are saved! He gave Himself as a sacrifice so that we could be brought into the family of the Father.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I appreciate You for respecting and obeying our Father and following His plan for Your life. I'm grateful that You decided to give Your life in order to atone for my sins. I really appreciate Your amazing act of compassion and love, Father, which cost You so much. Please let me understand more deeply how important and valuable I am to You, since I am aware of the high cost You paid to save and adopt me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Matthew 7:28-29~ And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Jesus didn't have to use obscure quotes from other teachers to back up what He said, like the teachers of His time did. Jesus, who was the Word of God, spoke God's own words. He said and did what the Father wanted Him to. His life and words had the ring of truth and a sense of po... moreGood night brothers and sisters
Matthew 7:28-29~ And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Jesus didn't have to use obscure quotes from other teachers to back up what He said, like the teachers of His time did. Jesus, who was the Word of God, spoke God's own words. He said and did what the Father wanted Him to. His life and words had the ring of truth and a sense of power that reach back through time and call us to His truth. This Jesus, who is our Lord and Teacher, is different. His words have a lot of force. The things He says are true. So we must be driven by His will!
Prayer:Holy God, thank you for speaking to us through your prophets and your books. But, Father, I thank you that your most important message came through Jesus. I'm drawn to you because of the kind of person he is. As I hear how real his words are, I try to obey him in a humble way. Thank you for sending Jesus to teach me, lead me, be my King, and save me. It is in his name, Jesus, that I pray. Amen. Honest and trustworthy God, my Father who has kept me alive and given me blessings, thank you for being in my life and making promises for my future. Bring me to you with great joy, just like you said you would, so I can live in your house forever. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.
1 Corinthians 11:11~ Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
Paul teaches in this chapter on the roles of women and men in the local church. He says that the woman is "of" the man since God made Eve from Adam's rib. But men are "of" women in that they are born of them. But all things are "of" God, the Creator. There is a difference of role between men and women in the Church, but they are equal as to ... moreGood morning brothers and sisters
1 Corinthians 11:11~ Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
Paul teaches in this chapter on the roles of women and men in the local church. He says that the woman is "of" the man since God made Eve from Adam's rib. But men are "of" women in that they are born of them. But all things are "of" God, the Creator. There is a difference of role between men and women in the Church, but they are equal as to salvation and value before God.
Prayer Maker of mankind, who created us male and female, you have the right to decide the roles appropriate to each gender both in your Church and in the world generally. You have wisely designed men and women differently for different purposes, but all are your creations and serve to your glory. Let us seek guidance from your Word in these matters no less than in all matters. Amen.
Deuteronomy 7:26~ Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.
A little corruption, a little poison, or a little rot are all oxymorons. Through Jesus, God has made us pure and whole. What a wonderful idea! Why would we want to ruin His goodness with bad things? Our Father wants us to give ourselves to Him and live as H... moreGood morning brothers and sisters
Deuteronomy 7:26~ Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.
A little corruption, a little poison, or a little rot are all oxymorons. Through Jesus, God has made us pure and whole. What a wonderful idea! Why would we want to ruin His goodness with bad things? Our Father wants us to give ourselves to Him and live as His holy people (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Pet. 1:13-16).
Prayer: God, you are holy and righteous. Please give me the strength to say no to temptation and run away from sin. Give me a stronger desire to treasure and protect the purity you gave me through Jesus' sacrifice. Give me a holy disgust for bad things and evil. Bring my heart closer to yours and make me want to be holy like you. Thank you for making me holy and important to you. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.
Acts 7:25~ For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.
It's all about the timing. Well, not everything, but something very important. God's will and power give us everything we need. Finding the right time and power for that plan is very important. Moses failed when he tried to save God's people on his own. After being humbled in the wilderness, God called him back to save the people a... moreGood night brothers and sisters
Acts 7:25~ For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.
It's all about the timing. Well, not everything, but something very important. God's will and power give us everything we need. Finding the right time and power for that plan is very important. Moses failed when he tried to save God's people on his own. After being humbled in the wilderness, God called him back to save the people at the right time and according to the Almighty's plan. The result was the Exodus, when God's holy people were saved and given a new start.
Prayerear God in heaven, I get angry and impatient when I have to wait. Dear God, please forgive me for trying to rush Your plans and assuming that my plan is Your plan. Please give me the wisdom to know what to do, where to go, and when to act. In the name of Jesus, I ask for this kind of patience and wisdom. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.
Ezekiel 7:23~ Make a chain: for the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence.
God hates it when violence and bloodshed happen to people who have done nothing wrong. He hates bad things and dirty politics. He hates false courts and leaders who use their power in bad ways. We should be sure that He will save His true followers and give justice to those who have hurt or abused other people, if not in this life, then for sure in the next.
Ezekiel 7:23~ Make a chain: for the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence.
God hates it when violence and bloodshed happen to people who have done nothing wrong. He hates bad things and dirty politics. He hates false courts and leaders who use their power in bad ways. We should be sure that He will save His true followers and give justice to those who have hurt or abused other people, if not in this life, then for sure in the next.
Prayer: Father, thank you for telling me that those who are violent, corrupt, evil, and abusive will eventually get what's coming to them. Give us the patience to wait with hope until that day when justice will be done for all. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.
2 Samuel 7:22~ Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
God's promises to Abraham and David, what God did through Jesus, and how He kept both Abraham's and David's lines going until Jesus are nothing short of miraculous. They are proof of how reliable and strong God is. When we get down because of all the unfaithfulness and blasphemy in the worl... moreGood morning brothers and sisters
2 Samuel 7:22~ Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
God's promises to Abraham and David, what God did through Jesus, and how He kept both Abraham's and David's lines going until Jesus are nothing short of miraculous. They are proof of how reliable and strong God is. When we get down because of all the unfaithfulness and blasphemy in the world, we need to remember that God is always true and that His chosen people show us how powerful He is.
Prayer: Father of all, Provider and Protector of your people, please give me a sense of reverent wonder at your faithfulness and a sense of courageous awe at your power. You are the only being or power that is like you, because you are God. I thank you for your greatness and kindness. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.
Deuteronomy 7:20~ Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible.
Who or what can beat God's people? None! Our God, the one who saves us, is powerful, holy, and stronger than all of our enemies. We don't care what the bad guy threatens because our Savior has already won in the end.
Prayer: Abba Father, please calm my fears and make my heart feel better. Please give me courage and faith through the power of Yo... moreGood night brothers and sisters
Deuteronomy 7:20~ Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible.
Who or what can beat God's people? None! Our God, the one who saves us, is powerful, holy, and stronger than all of our enemies. We don't care what the bad guy threatens because our Savior has already won in the end.
Prayer: Abba Father, please calm my fears and make my heart feel better. Please give me courage and faith through the power of Your Spirit as I try to live for You in a world that is often against my faith and Your values. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.
Nehemiah 9:30~ Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands.
God showed great forbearance toward Israel in warning them again and again, sending his prophets among them, and testifying of to them of their sins. Yet, Israel still rebelled and went into captivity. But (verse 31) God did not utterly destroy them,... moreGood morning brothers and sisters
Nehemiah 9:30~ Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands.
God showed great forbearance toward Israel in warning them again and again, sending his prophets among them, and testifying of to them of their sins. Yet, Israel still rebelled and went into captivity. But (verse 31) God did not utterly destroy them, but out of mercy spared a remnant and brought them back to their land 70 years later.
Prayer: You are a God of mercy, O Lord, but also a God who will punish iniquity. You pour out your wrath and justice on the lost and discipline your children when they go astray. To the lost, you are a Judge before whom they stand condemned; to us, you are a loving Father who corrects us when we stray or a watchful Shepherd whose rod and staff guides us and comforts us (Psalm 23). Amen.
CAA Eric Hartman
Priory of St. Michael the Archangel
Fides Et Veritas