27th. April. 2021. Daily Devotion.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ~ Ephesians 2:8

Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. ~ James 2:17

I read the following comment on these verses:

“Many people assume that by trying to live a good life, they have done all that is necessary to get to heaven. They rest their confidence on the good works they have performed to satisfy the demands of God’s justice.

This is a futile hope. God’s law requires perfection. Since we are not perfect, we lack the necessary goodness to enter heaven. Thus, goodness can never be achieved by living a good life. We can only receive it by trusting in the righteousness of Christ. His merit is perfect and is made available to us through faith.” R. C. Sproul.

This is a simple but deep truth: to claim to have faith and to be graceless and loveless is as bad as trying to be good without trusting first the mercy and acceptance of God.

Lord, let my conduct and actions always reflect the deepest faith. Amen.

Meditation

“Never be wise in your own sight.” ~ Romans 12:16

Hymn Before Prayer

I bending my knee
In the eye of the Father who created me,
In the eye of the Son who purchased me,
In the eye of the Spirit who cleansed me,
In friendship and affection.

Through Thine own Anointed One, O God,
Bestow upon us fullness in our need:
Love towards God,
The affection of God,
The smile of God,
The wisdom of God,
The grace of God,
The fear of God,
And the will of God

To do on the world of the Three,
As angels and saints do in heaven;
Each shade and light,
Each day and night,
Each time in kindness,
Give Thou us Thy Spirit. Amen.

Rune Before Prayer, from “Carmina Gadelica”, collection of ancient Scottish prayers

Pray today especially for the people of India and Brazil where the suffering caused by Covid-19 is immense.

Prayer to bring comfort to those who suffer

So many people are hurting during this time of pandemic.
The reports of deaths and sickness brings sadness
Heavenly Father, watch over us with your
deep abiding unconditional love for us.

Bring comfort to those who suffer
let them know that they are not alone.

Lead me Lord to be a neighbour to those in need.
Let me share my time and attention
with the people who are lonely and afraid.

Give me courage to follow your teachings to think of others;
and to offer some small charity to my neighbours.

This prayer is raised in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen ~ A Columban missionary