PRAYER PRACTICE
Prayer Journal –
To begin your daily worship today, grab a pen and paper and write out a prayer
to God. Not sure what to write? Try using ACTS to frame your prayer. Begin with
adoration for who God is. Then move on to confession – being real about where
you have fallen short in the last day or two. Give thanks to God for all that
He gives (including forgiveness for the sin you just confessed!). And then
finish with supplication – with your prayer requests to God. When you are done,
tuck this away somewhere (so you can read it later and see how God has answered
your prayers) and then move into hearing from God through His Word.
DAILY READING
DEVOTION / REFLECTION
An Equal Playing Field
By Nancy Gleeson
I don’t know about you, but I would rather not admit that I
have a problem if it is too big for me to solve on my own. Denial is
perfect for keeping me from telling myself the truth about my sin and
imperfection. But if there were outstretched arms wanting to hold me and offer
me not only grace but also a solution, I just might be willing to face my stuff
head on.
John the Baptist wanted to reach the people unwilling to
see themselves as sinners, to prepare them for the Savior who was to
come. You see, the Jews thought their hope rested in their lineage. They
held the belief that God would judge other nations by a certain standard but
the Jew with another. John told them that racial privilege meant nothing.
Those who were enjoying power and privilege did not realize
God’s judgment was good news, but it showed that God cares about justice. God
intends to right the wrongs of this world! John’s message was good news
because he prepared the way for Jesus, announcing the coming of Christ's
salvation. Even the tax collectors and sinners, even those with hearts of
stone will raise up children of Abraham!
John said to keep the Law of God but told of salvation
apart from keeping the Law. John made it simple by stressing integrity in the
ordinary things as the best mark of genuine repentance. It was John’s
conviction that nowhere can a man serve God better than in his day’s work.
How would the message,
“You can turn from the wrong you’re doing!” touch your
life?
Heavenly Father,
I want to serve you better. Show me where I can produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Help me to open my eyes to see my sin, no matter how big or small, because I know it separates me from your will. I want to lessen my pride to reveal for all to see that it is YOU who gives me strength and shows me the way. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
