Daily Devotion for January 25, 2023
I love the work of illustrators from @ 1880-1930. Unfortunately, many of their names are almost impossible to recover.
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.
The Hooker Family reminds us where to look, when the world has abandoned us.
Prayer for the Morning
Heavenly Lord, you have brought me to the beginning of a new day. As the world is renewed fresh and clean, so I ask you to renew my heart with your strength and purpose. Forgive me the errors of yesterday and bless me to walk closer in your way today. This is the day I begin my life anew; shine through me so that every person I meet may feel your presence in my soul. Take my hand, precious Lord, for I cannot make it by myself. Through Christ I pray and live,
For Each of Us in Our Work
Almighty God, heavenly Father, who makes it possible for me to work and who gives every creature its food, declaring your glory and showing your handiwork in the heavens and in the earth; Deliver me, I pray, in my work, from coveting material goods, from falling into the temptation of serving mammon and putting money in the forefront of my life.
Help me to perform the work which you have put at my hand, in truth, in beauty, and in righteousness, with singleness of heart as your servant, and to the benefit of my fellow men as well as myself; for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lived and died only to serve us.
Prayer to Inspire Others
Lord, I ask you to inspire me to encourage others by what I say and do today. God and Father of all people, never let me look down on others or make anyone feel inferior.
Lord, show me how to live today with genuine concern for others. In expressing my care, may I show people that they are valued, loved and appreciated for who they are.
Dedication
Finally, let me go forth in thanks for the victory I have been given through our Lord Jesus Christ. May I be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, and always remembering that in the Lord our labor is not in vain.
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.
Today’s “Remember the Bible” Question
What verse tells us that Christ is the only way to salvation?
Suffering
The person who bears and suffers evils with meekness and silence, is the sum of a Christian man.
~ John Wesley
1 Peter 4:12-14 (ESV)
Suffering as a Christian
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
Notes on the Scripture
he first sentence of today’s passage is a chilling reminder of what these people’s faith meant to them. When Peter speaks of suffering, we must remember he is addressing people who are in real danger of being dragged out and murdered, often in a gruesome manner. Imagine that you are faced with the possibility of being arrested at any time and, without a trial, transported to a sports stadium, where you and your church friends would be turned loose with a pack of hungry lions, while a crowd of cheering people mocked you.
How many of us would meet such a test of faith? Some, but not all; it is impossible to predict how people will react to extreme danger. But what would living under such a threat do to our faith? It would make us value our faith infinitely more. Those who must work hard or pay dearly for something, hold it more dearly.
We can give thanks that we live in a time and place where we will not be killed or severely persecuted; but there is a cost to our comfort, and that cost is less dedication. Like the children of rich parents, we lose toughness and drive.
But we do have a challenge, which is complacency. Christianity is being trimmed from society by degrees, slowly, as the government grows ever larger and ever more aggressively secular.
Peter asks us, “what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” We, all of us, must make an effort to support Christianity in every way we can: with our work, with our words, with our time. And, as Peter teaches us again and again, by our example: acting honorably in all things with an open profession of our faith.
Comments (4)
To Douglas,
I am so sorry to hear of your tragic news. That is so sad and I can understand your heavy heart. I will be praying for God to give you strength and comfort. I will also be praying for your safety everyday. That is a dangerous job but remember that God is with you and will bless your efforts. Be safe and may God bless you.
I agree with you William. I think the time is coming when we will face persecution and I pray I can be strong and stand up for my beliefs. What a joy there is in knowing there are better things to come! Praise God!
I pray that we won’t face that kind of persecution in our lifetime. But the worse things get, the more likely it is to occur. May God grant us strength of faith to endure in hope of better things to come.
Lord, show me how to live today with genuine concern for others. In expressing my care, may I show people that they are valued, loved and appreciated for who they are.