Daily Devotion for October 29, 2017
Daylight Savings Time ends in U.K.
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.
Our “Virtual Sunday Church” this week takes us to King’s Chapel at Cambridge. This anthem from the Tudor Masses is so quiet, you might want to play it while you pray.
A Prayer Before Reading Scripture
Open my eyes, gracious Lord, as I turn to your word. I long to know you, to understand life, and to be changed. Examine me, Lord, by the floodlight of your truth.
Prayer of Praise to Christ
Lord Jesus, You are the First and the Last, and the Living One; You were dead, but You are alive forevermore, and You have the keys of death and of Hades. You are the Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David and the Overcomer. You are the Lamb who was slain and whose blood purchased for God people from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You are worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.
The kingdom of the world has become Your kingdom, and You will reign forever and ever. You are called Faithful and True, and in righteousness You will judge and wage war. You are King of kings and Lord of lords. You are the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. And You are coming quickly, and Your reward is with You. Come, Lord Jesus.
Prayer of Repentance
Lord Jesus Christ, my God and Savior; You saved the dying thief on the Cross who confessed faith in You and asked You to remember him in Your Kingdom. Remember me as well, O Lord in Your Kingdom. I repent to You my Holy Savior every sin which I have committed, in word, deed, and thought.
I acknowledge that without your Grace and Compassion, I would be lost. Please, do not allow me to be lost, O my Heavenly Father, but strive with me always. Keep me in the hours when I fall into temptation, guide me back to the light by the Holy Spirit. I ask that when my time comes to depart from this physical life, that I may have a peaceful and prayerful hour in which to depart into your Holy Arms. May I be washed white as snow by the power of Your Holy Blood; to live forever in the endless Glory of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Benediction
May the Passion of Christ be ever in my heart. May your law and your goodness guide my every thought, O Lord. And may the power of your Holy Spirit flow through my words and my actions today, and 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.
Prayer
“Oh, men and women, pray through; pray through! Do not just begin to pray and pray a little while and throw up your hands and quit; but pray and pray and pray until God bends the heavens and comes down.”
~ Reuben Archer Torrey, American evangelist (1856-1928)
James 1:2-11 (ESV)
Facing Life’s Troubles
My brothers, consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops patience. Patience must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. Such a person should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
Anyone in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.
Comment on the Scripture
he quoted passage speaks of developing patience, but the word is also translated as “endurance” or “perserverance.” Our faith is tested every day in countless ways. We judge others automatically by some little bit in our brain, something about the way they look or how they act. We get angry and curse other drivers in traffic or people waiting in line at the post office or bank. We are given opportunities to witness to our faith and let them pass.
Often, we don’t know what to do. We have been promised, however, that if we have steady faith, we can ask God for wisdom and He will give it to us. Most of us handle situations better if we have time to pray and meditate about them, setting aside emotional or intellectual turmoil and letting God's wisdom guide us. And if our faith is steady, God will supply wisdom.
