Morning Prayer 76

 

Abba,

My heart overflows this morning with wonder at Your goodness to me. In Your grace, You have granted me life, health, peace, purpose, the love of family and friends, and the hope of an eternal home with You. I am filled with awe: “When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place—what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?” (Psalm 8).

Protect my heart from selfishness. Help me to live generously, remembering that I am blessed to be a blessing, and that those who give of themselves liberally will find themselves refreshed.

I pray for those who suffer, that they may know Your comfort. I pray for those living under the threat of war or oppression; bring them peace, and defeat evil at every level of human relationships. I pray for those who are hungry—physically or emotionally—that they may be fed and experience the fullness of Your care. I pray for those who are lost, without hope, and living in darkness. Let us be a light to them, and reveal Yourself, Lord Jesus, as the Way.

When I come to the end of this day, I pray it will be without regret, having invested each moment wisely and for Your glory.

In the Holy Name of Jesus,

Amen.

Ideals, Principles, and Ordinary People

I recently watched a documentary series about the third President of the United States, the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, a man who penned those enduring words that shape our national ideals: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Thomas Jefferson embraced lofty ideals and principles but did not consistently live by them. He died without freeing the more than one hundred enslaved people whose labor sustained his life and estate. Equally disturbing is his decades-long relationship with the enslaved woman Sally Hemmings, who was more than twenty years younger than he was and with whom he fathered several children. She remained a slave until her death!

It’s not fair to hold Jefferson to standards of the 21^st century, but it is troubling that a man who inspired a revolution for liberty and freedom refused to apply the ideals of which he wrote to his own life mostly because of the cost to his chosen way of life. Do Jefferson's choices make his words meaningless? I don't believe they do. Rather, his actions should remind us that we all, even the ‘great’ are just ordinary sinners!

My purpose is not to excuse sin or minimize failure. Instead, I hope we can learn to extend grace to one another, to remain inspired by truth even when its messengers fall short, and to recognize that we are all striving toward a life that none of us has yet fully attained.

I love Paul’s words that were inspired by the Spirit.
“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 3)

Did you read that carefully? Paul aspires to turn his back on desires for recognition, on his legalistic religious accomplishments, on his own pride so that he can fully know Christ. BUT he recognizes that he is a work in progress – ‘not that I have already obtained all this.’  He refuses to wallow in guilt or shame. He does not go back repeatedly to try to fix it all. He pushes forward focused on the grace of Jesus and the prize the Kingdom of Heaven. “I press on!”

Who among us can honestly claim to live every principle or ideal we hold in our mind?

In my 70 years on this earth there are some chapters of success and some of glaring failures. Perfection eludes me. I am quite certain that there are places in my life to which I am blind, moments of sin despite my best intentions, compromises of convictions made for convenience of the moment.

Yet I, like Paul, aspire to ‘know Christ’ and I press on.

The wonder of the Gospel of Christ is its reach, totally removing our guilt even as He inspires us to look higher. The Word tells us that we are ‘God’s masterpiece so that none of us can boast’ of our self-perfection or look down on those we might consider weak or failing. I confess that I am an ordinary sinner and I hold to the promise of adoption into God’s holy family through the inexhaustible grace of God, shown to me in Christ Jesus! The realization of that grace humbles me.

Are you conflicted, confused, or unsure of God’s grace?

Let God love you to life today.
Set aside the condemnation of Self or others.
Aspire to live by the Spirit and grow up into spiritual maturity.
Pray for the ‘beauty of His holiness’ to be seen more clearly each day in your life.

The word from the Word says “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do.

He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.” (Romans 8)

Let’s live by the Spirit, no guilt, no shame – beloved Children of the Heavenly Father – who press on to greater glory day by day.  Amen

Morning Prayer 74

Abba, I awakened with thanksgiving for Your amazing goodness – for life, health, peace, and joy. The lyrics of an old song ran through my mind. “Who am I that a King would bleed and die for? … The answer I may never know, why He ever loved me so.”  Lord, teach me to live hopefully in that love.

Lord, my heart felt real sorrow when memories of the successes and love of yesterday came to the forefront of my thoughts. Renew the hope of eternal life even as You lead into a new day and the opportunities for life and love that yet remain. May this word guide me. “Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.”  May I remain contented in this moment but never without vision for what remains.

As I walk into a new week lead me, Spirit of God. Grant focus and clarity.
Shape my life so that I bring blessing and peace into my corner of the world.

In Jesus’ Holy Name, I pray.
Amen

Let the Spirit Speak!

Yesterday I had the opportunity to spend time with a young man who is in jail on some serious charges. Sitting in that little visiting room, I opened my Bible and shared a passage from Philippians with him, urging him to spend some time thinking it over when he returned to his cell. Later in the day his sister texted me what he texted to her -  “what he read hit me so hard… it meant a lot. … next time I want to take notes and bring back to everyone here what he has to say.”  In fact, it was not what I said that spoke to him, it was the Spirit using the Truth of the Word.

Do you love Truth? Do you receive the Scripture eagerly, allowing God’s Spirit to shape your thoughts? In Psalm 119 we read “How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life.”

What you feed your mind becomes what you believe. On those convictions you lay the foundation upon which your life is built. For the Believer, there is a primary source of truth. It is the Holy Scripture that teaches
Who God is,
What He has done, and
How we can please Him.

You do not have to be a Biblical scholar to read the Word. You do not need a degree in ancient literature to understand. What you need is a faith-filled heart that invites the Spirit to speak. Yes, of course, it is important to have teachers who help you to unwrap the text’s meaning. We need the counsel of wise and skilled Pastors and teachers to keep us from going off the rails with false conclusions. BUT we will gain great wisdom IF we open the Bible and read it for all it’s worth.

It is powerful! Paul urges us to "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly." (2 Timothy 2:15-16, NIV) Correctly handle the Word of Truth! Do you study, know, understand, and apply the truth of the Scripture to your life, Believer? God gave us the Scripture to bring us to life, godliness, and wholeness. The Psalmist says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (Psalm 119:105, NIV)

It is of great concern to me that so many Christians in 2026 have a such superficial knowledge of the Bible, knowing only a few verses they cherry-pick from favorite passages but lacking a deep understanding of the magnificent wisdom for life that is revealed in those pages. Yes, we must avoid using the holy text like a ‘magic book’ or as ‘verse of the day’ source!

We are rich in resources for study. (A caution – not every commentary, book, or You-tube teacher is of equal value but that is for another CoffeeBreak.) If you want to start to learn Scripture I offer this advice.

 

 

1.       Get a modern language translation so that you do not have to struggle through English that is 500 years old. I recommend the New International Version (NIV) or the English Standard Verson (ESV) as trustworthy.
There are some great apps for your phone such as YouVersion that give you the texts.
Online for your PC I suggest – Biblegateway.com

2.       Find a Bible study group that is solid. Avoid the ones that are tangled up in single cultural issues, or obsessed with prophecy, or who read the text looking for support for their own pet ideas.

3.       Regularly read it with prayerful expectation of God’s Spirit to speak to you. Fifteen minutes each day that are focused on reading and meditating on the Word can be life changing.

4.       Respect it. There will be passages that leave you wondering. Some will provoke real doubts. Others will become shining light for your life. Regardless, treat the Word as it is – the revelation of God to us.

This word from the Word is an inspiration. May the Spirit write it on our hearts.
“I have hidden your word in my heart,
    that I might not sin against you.
I praise you, O Lord;
    teach me your decrees.
I have recited aloud
    all the regulations you have given us.
I have rejoiced in your laws
    as much as in riches.
I will study your commandments
    and reflect on your ways.
I will delight in your decrees
    and not forget your word.”  (Psalm 119, NIV)

Let’s read the Word again and become ‘people of The Book.

Morning Prayer 72

Abba, I praise You for the joys of yesterday, for the Presence of the Spirit that I sensed as I made my way through the moments and opportunities that came my way. In this new day, I ask to be kept by Your grace, living an adventure of faith.

Forgive me, Lord, for slipping into lazy ways, self-indulgent moments that avoid what is hard or challenging. Lead me to those who are in need. Give me an awareness of ways in which I can serve You and others and may I do so generously and joyfully.

Help me to be voice of mercy and reason in a culture of fear and hatred. This nation in which I live is torn by strife and too many are influenced by leaders who make scapegoats of those who are ‘different.’ Give me courage to love well, to be an advocate for those without a voice or power, and to point the way to a balance of justice and mercy.

I remember Your love for me and confess this Word – living Truth! “I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.”

Jesus, let me live well today, guided by the Light of Eternity that is my final home.

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
(1 Timothy 1)

Just exhausted?

Are you tired? 

Millions of Americans are coping with exhaustion. There are many underlying issues – the inability to ‘unplug’ from work and responsibilities for meaningful breaks, the phones we carry with us that keep us ‘on the alert’ for too many hours, a culture that floods us with information creating a sense of crisis even about those things we cannot control … well, you could probably add your own idea.

I am blessed by the ability to fall asleep in about 30 seconds. When I am on the road, I often find myself nodding in the mid-afternoon. I can fight it, but the best remedy is to find a rest stop, pull up under a shady tree, recline my seat, and drift into a 15-minute nap. Many find it hard to believe that I fall asleep in 10 seconds and wake up with no fatigue.

Unlike most mornings, today I realized that I'm tired! Last week was a high output time, quite enjoyable but a drain on my energy and I need time to recharge, something that does not happen quite as quickly these days as it once did! Being a ‘doer’ by nature, my inclination when I’m tired is to push harder.

However, God's wisdom teaches me that He creates ‘rest stops’ and invites us to find renewal – even while He leads us to be steady, faithful, and to pace ourselves while we wait on His will to be revealed.

Isaiah was inspired to give us these words, mostly likely familiar to you, but rich in promise and hope. "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:28-31, NIV)

Fatigue can be dangerous! As I mentioned, I get tired when I’m on the road. IF I push myself too long in that state of drowsiness, when I’m nodding off, I am risking real injury to myself or others because of my lack of alertness. It’s just plain dumb to try to deny the reality.

Friend, when we are tired, we can say cruel things, reach wrong conclusions, making a wreck of life.
When we are exhausted, we are much more likely to experience the tug of temptation as we see what looks like certain relief in things we know are not in the will of God for us. 
When we're really exhausted, we might even become open to the lie that God does not care, that He is not listening.

Pull over! Take a break!

Our American culture presses us to work harder, to keep the lights on well into the night. It’s almost a badge of honor to be exhausted. God invites us to a different way. He says that "those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength." (Isaiah 40:31, NIV)

That phrase is translated in various ways in different Bible versions. In place of 'hope,' some translations say 'wait.' Others say 'trust.' The Hebrew of the original text being expectation, anticipation; hence to “wait hopefully!” Since that is God's counsel, we would be wise to let it speak to us, wouldn't we?

Are you exhausted – mentally, physically, or spiritually? There’s no shame in admitting it.

Find a rest stop and 'wait' for Him.’ 
Learn how to step away for an afternoon to refocus, taking a break where you find a quiet place with God’s Spirit.

Let me add this caution. While entertainment and distractions can be great for us and wonderful fun, there is a difference to be found in real rest, in turning it all over to the Lord, and taking a real rest. It is not something many of us do naturally, but anyone can learn to have a ‘quiet heart.’  How?

1.       Schedule regular time for contemplative prayer, time when you are silent before the Lord.

2.       Turn off the technology for an hour every day; no phone, no noise, no TV – just alone.

3.       Make worship a faithful habit, relearning the “Sabbath” principle taught by the Scripture.

4.       Turn your attention to others. Surprised? So much of what we do is centered on our own agenda, our hidden need to feel ‘successful.’  Regularly serving in a way that has no benefit to us but gives time and attention to others is amazingly renewing.

The birthright of the Christian is ‘abundant life’ not exhaustion! Refuse the lie that you must ‘do more’ or ‘work harder’ or go ‘somewhere to retreat’ before you can rest. Make time to ‘wait on the Lord’ and I can assure you from experience - there will be 'fresh strength!'  Isaiah beautiful picture is that of an eagle that soars on the air currents under his wings.

“Spirit of God, may your gentle Wind blow over me, helping me to rise up, to soar when others sink.”