Reading for today
Old Testament: Isaiah 42, 43, 44
New Testament: Revelation 3
Thoughts from today’s reading
Isaiah 43:1-4. The blessings of belonging to the Lord are too innumerable to count. This is why it doesn’t make sense for us to try and handle our problems without His help. He can keep us in the most improbable situations, just like he made the Israelites pass through water, or like He delivered the three Hebrew boys from Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace of fire.
Revelation 3:14-21. The words of this prophecy sent to the churches thousands of years ago still ring true today and do apply to our churches. We can claim success on the outside yet be in a state of compromise and depravity on the inside. It is only God who can give us the pass marks of achievement when we adhere to His standards, and not those set by men.
Prayer
1. Lord, I trust you today as the owner and keeper of my life. You are the great and mighty one who holds all power in His hand. Surely, in your hand I am safe and secure from all alarm, fear, and anxiety. A thousand may fall at my side or ten thousand at my right hand, but that which makes them fall will never come near me because you have hidden me in the shadow of your wings. Thank you Lord for your great love and protection over my life. Thank you for keeping me by your great power.
2. Father, we come before you today as we examine our hearts and lifestyles. Lord we repent where we are not living up to your expectations of us as a church. Father we put away from us the definitions of success by the standards of men, and we take on your counsel to receive that which you offer us, sincere faith, righteousness and eyes that see your ways clearly. As you stand at the door of our hearts knocking, Jesus we say come in and dine with us, take your place and let your agenda replace all of our own. Thank you that you warn us because you love us and desire our highest good.