Today We Pray

Dear Lord, You know me better than I know myself. Search the deepest parts of my heart for anything that is displeasing to You. Cleanse me of my wandering ways and lead me in Your good and righteous way.

Be present with me always. Dwell within my heart, O Lord. With thy light and thy Spirit, guide my soul, my thoughts, and all my actions, that I may teach thy Word, that thy healing power may be in me and in all the saints of thy church universal.

I praise You for Christ’s resurrection and victory, and for His promise to all people, that He will intercede for us at our death, and bring us to eternal life. Today, I remember and celebrate His resurrection, giving all glory to Father, Son and Holy Spirit for this miracle and the redemption of our own lives. Through Christ, I pray.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - Psalm 139:23

Let Him search thoroughly our hearts. Let Him investigate our lives. Let Him find out everything about us. Let Him cross-examine and test us, and get a clear picture of what we're about. Let Him do those things to see for ourselves whether we’ve done anything wrong. Then, He could guide us on the road to eternal life.

The Daily Grace - God's Sandpaper

My friend's words stung. Trying to sleep, I battled to stop mulling over her pointed comments about my strong opinions. As I lay there, I asked for God's wisdom and peace. Several weeks later, still concerned about the matter, I prayed, "I hurt, Lord, but show me where I need to change. Show me where she's right".

My friend had acted as God's sandpaper in my life. My feelings felt rubbed raw, but I sensed that how I responded would lead to the building of my character - or not. My choice was to submit to the smoothing process, confessing my pride and stubborn stance. I sensed that my bumps and imperfections didn't glorify the Lord.

King Solomon knew that living in a community could be difficult, a theme he addressed in the book of Proverbs. In chapter 27, we see his wisdom applied to relationships. He likens the sharp words between friends as iron sharpening iron: "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another" (v. 17), shaving off the rough edges in each other's behavior. The process may bring about wounds, such as the hurt I felt from my friend's words (see v. 6), but ultimately the Lord can use these words to help and encourage us to make needed changes in our attitude and behavior. How might the Lord be smoothing out your rough edges for His glory? The Lord allows our rough edges to be smoothed over through the sandpaper of life.

Today We Pray

Dear Lord, how often I forget that it is because of You that I live. You made all of us from the very dust that You created. Then You did the most wondrous of all things, You made us in Your image and You breathed life into us.

This shaping process hurts, but I want to submit to the process. Mold me and smooth me. And having learned so much, I thank You that I can hear with my ears your wonderful works, the testimony of the earth and the spirit, like a light shining in the darkness.

I join those praying with me today in thanking You for our lives. We pray that You continue to sustain us each day. From Your heavenly place, accept our prayers and our praise. 

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - Proverbs 27:17

This verse talks about the influences of the people around you. Through discussions, you can sharpen one another and learn one another. It's like you use steel to sharpen steel. This is how one friend sharpens another. A man sharpens the countenance of his friend to show rage or worthy purpose.

A friendly discussion is as stimulating as the sparks that fly when iron strikes the iron. Friends sharpen the minds of each other. Pray for a friend who will do the same for you. Through this, it can help your growth in all aspects of your life.

The Daily Grace - Walking with the Lord

A small pamphlet I received from a friend was titled "An Attempt to Share the story of 86 Years of Relationship with the Lord". In it, Al Ackenheil noted key people and events in his journey of faith over nearly nine decades. What seemed to be ordinary choices at the time - memorizing Bible verses, meeting for prayer with others, telling his neighbors about Jesus - became turning points that changed the direction of his life. It was fascinating to read how God's hand guided and encouraged Al.

The psalmist wrote, "The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him" (Ps. 37:23). The passage continues with a beautiful description of God's faithful care for everyone who wants to walk with Him. "The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip" (v. 31). Each of us could create a record of God's leading and faithfulness, reflecting on God's guidance - the people, places, and experiences that are landmarks on our pathway of faith. Every remembrance of the Lord's goodness encourages us to keep walking with Him and to thank someone who influenced us for good. The Lord guides and guards all who walk with Him. You are headed in the right direction when you walk with God.

Today We Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, Your faithfulness to us is unfailing. Thank You for leading, guiding, and providing so many spiritual encouragers and mentors. Bless those today who have helped us so much.

In You, I live and move and have my being. I humbly pray You so to guide and govern me by Your Holy Spirit. In all the cares and occupations of my life, I may not forget You but may remember that I am ever walking in Your sight.

May the God of hope fill me and all of us with the joy and peace that comes from believing. May we abound in hope, by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Christ's name, I pray.

Amen