30th. September. 2021. Daily Devotion.
4 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered round him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. 2 He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: 3 ‘Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.’ Mark 4:1-8
We need to ask ourselves, “What does my garden of my life look like? Are the weeds choking it out? Does it need to be watered so the roots will be established? Could it use a little ploughings and pruning? Does it produce a harvest of plenty?”
If we desire the next generation to enjoy the same beautiful garden of abundance that Jesus has endowed to us, then we need to tend to our garden with diligence. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to water, weed, plough and prune us into the likeness of Christ. As a result, we are able to bless others with our crop of goodness, out of His love for us. Bid all to come to His table. There is always room for one more. ~ Jenny Calvert
Oh Lord, Thank you for sending us your Son so that we could have fellowship with you. Help us to spread that message to the world. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Christ Jesus, before ascending into heaven, You promised to send the Holy Spirit to Your apostles and disciples.
Grant that the same Spirit may perfect in my life the work of Your grace and love.
Grant me the Spirit of Fear of the Lord that I may be filled with a loving reverence toward You; the Spirit of Piety that I may find peace and fulfilment in serving You, while serving others; the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and, with courage, overcome the obstacles that interfere with my salvation; the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know You and know myself, and thus grow in holiness; the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your truth; the Spirit of Counsel that I may choose the surest way of doing Your will, seeking first the Kingdom; Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may aspire to the things that last forever; Teach me to be Your faithful disciple. Animate me with Your Spirit in every aspect of my life, today and throughout the week to come. Amen.
Doxology
Now to him who is able to keep us from stumbling and to present ourselves blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Prayer as the pandemic continues
Dear Lord, Jesus brought healing during his ministry on earth. He healed the sick and brought the dead to life. By his own death and resurrection he brings the promise, hope and means of healing to us all. Now we need his healing more than ever. We need not only the healing from physical illness brought on by the COVID-19 virus but healing for human hearts, communities and world society. Open our hearts that we may not turn in on ourselves and our own needs. Let unity, compassion and care mark us all. Inspire us to serve the poor and abandoned. May we use our skills in service of others. May more fortunate countries come to the aid of those less prosperous. May we be concerned less about public image but more about doing the right thing. “This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples:
if you love one another.” (John 13:35). Amen.