25th. January. 2021. Daily Devotion.
This week I am sharing some short reflections by Max Lucado which touch upon our faith and our hope.
Blessed is the one
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
2 Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord does not count against them
and in whose spirit is no deceit.
3 When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night
your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave
the guilt of my sin.
Psalm 32:1-5
Give God your worries.
When I kept things to myself, I felt weak deep inside me.
Ask yourself two questions: Is there any unconfessed sin in my life? Confession is telling God you did the thing he saw you do. He doesn’t need to hear it as much as you need to say it. Whether it’s too small to be mentioned or too big to be forgiven isn’t yours to decide. Your task is to be honest …
Are there any un-surrendered worries in my heart?
“Give all your worries to him, because he cares about you” 1 Peter 5:7.
The German word for worry means “to strangle.” The Greek word means “to divide the mind.” Both are accurate. Worry is a noose on the neck and a distraction of the mind, neither of which is befitting for joy. from When God Whispers Your Name
For Forgiveness
Almighty Father I enter your presence confessing the things I try to conceal from you and the things I try to conceal from others. I confess the heartbreak, worry, and sorrow I have caused, that make it difficult for others to forgive me; the times I have made it easy for others to do wrong; and the harm I have done that makes it hard for me to forgive myself. Lord have mercy on me and forgive me for all my sins against you and against others. And teach the grace to forgive others to all who ask for it, through the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Prayer for the Morning
Good morning, dear Father; thank you for this day,
Help me to follow you in every way.
Let me speak as you speak and do as you do;
Let me help others, as you help them, too.
Help me to be honest, don’t let me play games,
Help me to grow, yet still stay the same.
Help me not to be selfish, to give of my heart, my mind and my labor;
Give all – not just part.
Help me to love others, my family, my friends,
Bless all of my foes, help me make amends.
Help me be kind, Father, where I am needed, let
Me give warm attention, and see all needs are met.
Help keep me busy, to strive for the best,
Help me not to be lazy, but find needed rest.
Let me come to you, Father, throughout the day,
Often to thank you, often to pray. Amen
Now I have Time
How life has slowed down! I used to be engaged in frenetic activity.
Now I am limited by constraints from Covid-19. I always wanted to rest, to simply have time to be at peace. Now I have that time. But instead, I am anxious, upset and worried about getting back to the way it was. Maybe my idea of peace is not the Lord’s. Now I am beginning to understand these words:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Lord help me to take advantage of this time to accept the peace that only you can give. Amen. ~ By a Columban Missionary.
