Daily Devotion for December 15, 2009
Prayers
Scripture
Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Prayer for the Morning
Oh Lord, most heavenly Father, Almighty and everlasting God, who has safely brought me to the beginning of this day; I give you thanks for my creation, preservation, and all the blessings of my life. Grant that this day I fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger; but that all my doings, being governed by your will, may be righteous in your sight. Through Christ our Lord, I pray.
Prayer for Grace and Strength
Lord God, I pray that you will fill my heart with the blessing of your Holy Spirit. Grant me this day the strength to be temperate in all things, diligent in my duties, and patient under my afflictions. Direct me in all my ways. Give me grace to be just and upright in all my dealings; quiet and peaceable; full of compassion; and ready to do good to all people, according to my abilities and opportunities. For the sake of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
Community of Prayer
Heavenly Lord, I know I am not alone saying these prayers or reading your Word this morning, but many people unknown to me, from all stations of life, have joined together in this brief moment of devotion. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be among the community of all who pray in the name of Christ this morning, and remain among us always.
Think of the day ahead in terms of God with you, and visualize health, strength, guidance, purity, calm confidence, and victory as the gifts of His presence.
John 5:30-44
The True Witness to Christ
I can do nothing by myself. I judge as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will, but the will of the Father who sent me.
If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. There is another who gives witness of me; and I know that the witness he bears is true. You sent to John, and he gave witness to the truth. But I do not receive testimony from men, but from what I say, that you might be saved.
He was a burning lamp and a shining light; for a season, you were willing to rejoice in his light. But I have a greater witness than that of John; for the works which the Father has given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father has sent me. And the Father himself, who sent me, has borne witness of me.
You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. His word does not abide in you; for the man he has sent, you will not believe. Search the scriptures. For in them you think you have eternal life: and that is where you will find testimony of me.
You will not come to me, that you might have life. I receive no honor from men. But I know you, and I know that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in my Father's name, and you receive me not; if another were to come in his own name, him you will receive. How can you believe, when you honor from one another, and seek not the honor that comes from God only?
Do not think that I will bring accusations against you to the Father. There is already one who accuses you: Moses, in whom you trust. Had you believed Moses, you would have believed me, for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe not his writings, how shall you believe my words?
