16th. September. 2022.Daily Devotions.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

It is one of those parts of the Bible that people want to hold in one part of their mind, the religion closet, separated from the other part of their mind, the daily life living room. We want to be rich and powerful and sexy and beloved of the world, and yet, have the blessing of Christ upon us. But loving Christ is a choice that involves, in His own words, picking up a cross and following Him. Where do you suppose that we are going to follow Him if we pick up a cross? To the bank? in a cruise ship headed for Monte Carlo?

Do not bemoan things if you feel like you don’t have enough money or you aren’t famous or beautiful or your health is finicky (or even terrible). You do not have to worry because Christ has promised that if you follow Him, these things will become temporary inconveniences and, in fact, if you suffer them in His name, will become treasures in heaven. “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness’ sake, for they shall be filled.”

We need always to try to raise our concern with what it means to follow Christ and put our natural human concern to strengthen our secular weakness into the perspective of eternity. It is so often a lust for more of this world that drives us to pride, or greed, or envy. But when we have our minds set on Christ, these temptations grow ever more dim; and if we will be perfect, as Christ says, they will disappear. M Barge.

Lord Christ, let me always remember that the power of this world is temporary. Amen.

Almighty God, each day you cause the sun to rise high in the sky
scattering the shadows, we pray for enlightenment.
Help us to see the world as you see it, in all its beauty and its brokenness.
Touch us and change us and show us ways to turn darkness into light and sorrow into joy, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

The greatest commandment is to love one another as you love us. Loving God, we speak of love, yet find it hard to consistently show this love to others in our communities. Help us Lord to reach out to other people suffering from a lack of love, those who are hurting and hiding away. People with so many needs that we often fail to see them, because we are so busy. You love me Lord, yet I do not always show this love to others. I ask for help in seeing this need so that I can offer love and friendship as you offer it to me, in happy and sad times. Amen.

May you bless us and make your face shine on us this year O Lord, as we strive to love you with all our heart, all our soul, all our strength and all our mind and to deepen our relationship with you. May we walk in your ways and follow in your footsteps. Amen.  A Manx Prayer.

We pray for the people of the Ukraine and the people of Russia, for their countries and their leaders.
We pray for all those who are afraid; that your everlasting arms hold them in this time of great fear.
We pray for all those who have the power over life and death; that they will choose for all people life, and life in all its fullness.
We pray for those who choose war; that they will remember that you direct  your people to turn swords into ploughshares, and to seek peace.
We pray for leaders on the world stage; that they are inspired by the wisdom and courage of Christ.
Above all, Lord, we today pray for peace in Ukraine.
And we ask this in the name of your blessed Son. Lord have mercy. Amen