23rd. February. 2022. Daily Devotion.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, ~ Isaiah 61:1

Have you ever wished you could go back and relive your life, so you’d know what mistakes to avoid? I read a science fiction book once, about a person who made just that wish, and it was granted to him. But — he started making exactly the same mistakes he made the first time. It was his nature. His actions were determined by what was inside him.

One of the key aspects of being a Christian is that we can be free of slavery to our nature! God lives within us and one of His avowed purposes, and promises, is to free us from the yoke of sin that we were born with. So let us love God, relish our freedom, and take advantage of it. No matter how long or short the time we have left, we can live it in the presence and love of God, becoming beacons to the world around us of hope and love. ~ M Barge

Lord, let me live my remaining days in the freedom, truth, and love that can come only from You. Amen.

For a Cheerful Disposition in All I Do Today

Holy God, who has filled me with the joy of your grace and salvation, assist me this day that I may do all things I am called to do without grumbling or complaining. I call on your Spirit to assist me, that I may be blameless and innocent, a child of God without blemish amid a crooked and twisted generation.

Let me follow holy Christ and all his saints: Let me shine as a light, a beacon in a world where darkness seeks to overcome us in everything and at every moment. And help me to hold fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ’s return I may be proud that I did not strive in vain.

I pray this not for my own glory, but in all humility before you, to whom be all glory and honour, Amen.

Though we cannot love you as we ought, O Lord, let us love you as we are able, that guided by your light and kept by your power, we come at the last, into your glorious presence. Amen. Thomas Ken (1637-1711)

Loving God, I long for a place where all are welcome regardless of gender, ethnicity, status, ability, and sexuality. A place where it doesn’t matter if I am on my own, or my upbringing is different, or my politics and views are not the same as others near me. I long to see a smile, and Christians willing to be accepting of everyone, prepared to welcome just as Jesus did. Amen.

 For Ukraine
Almighty God we pray for the situation on the border of Ukraine
We pray for those who live in fear, that you may grant them peace
We pray that the voices for discernment and peaceful solutions may prosper.
Lord, we ask that you raise up peacemakers on all sides, that war and violence might be averted.
Give diplomats wisdom, understanding and build trust.
We ask for the church in the nations involved, may they be salt and light in a dark situation. Lord, we lift this dangerous situation to you. May your kingdom come, Amen`