Oct. 26 - Nov. 1, 2014

Holy Lord, thank You that when I come into Your presence, I need not fear evil, darkness or anything in the world around me. In You is light and no darkness at all! Thank You for that message from Your Word to me. Help me to declare it to the world around me that abides in darkness without fear or apology and always with love. Finally Father, I ask you to help me to always walk in Your light and to forsake any path that may lead me or others away from You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

"Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him."
I John 1:5 (HCSB)

March 17- March 23, 2013

Heavenly Father, In this season of Jesus’ greatest act of love help us to follow His example of humility and service. If we cannot wash the feet of others we can be of service to them in other ways. We can donate to a food pantry, give needed clothing, help an elderly neighbor, or extend a hand of comfort to someone in distress. Jesus is our role model. Father, guide us into places where we can be a humble servant to others. We ask this in the precious name of Jesus.
Amen

"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you… 
Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."
- John 13:14-15, 17

March 10 - March 16, 2013

Heavenly Father, In this season of Jesus’ greatest act of love help us to follow His example of humility and service. If we cannot wash the feet of others we can be of service to them in other ways. We can donate to a food pantry, give needed clothing, help an elderly neighbor, or extend a hand of comfort to someone in distress. Jesus is our role model. Father, guide us into places where we can be a humble servant to others. We ask this in the precious name of Jesus

Amen

"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you…
Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. "
— (John 13:14-15, 17 )

Week of Feb. 3 - 9, 2013

God and giver of all good gifts, You have let us see Your face in the love You bear us through Jesus Christ our Lord. May we who look for You with longing, radiate to the world the light of Your coming by our love for all peoples, through Jesus, our Savior. Amen.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

— John 13:34-35 (NIV)

Week of July 29 - Aug. 4, 2012

Lord God Almighty, the Father of Lights from Whom all good things flow, we praise You for being the ultimate source of light, hope, and everything that we long for that is good and worth having.  Forgive us for the times of darkness in our loves when we blame You for the suffering, pain, and evil around us (and within us), rather than looking for Your light to guide us out of darkness. Thank You for the Gospel message that not only leads us out of darkness, despair and death, but strengthens us to give a hand up to others who still dwell in darkness. Lord, guide us today. Lead us by the heart so we can walk in Your light and be light to others.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.


“Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you:
 God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him.”

( 1 John 1:5  HCSB)

Week of April 29 - May 5, 2012

 Dear Father, may the same Spirit Who raised Jesus, our Lord, from the grave be ever present in us, Your children. You have given us life and have called us to love our neighbors as ourselves. May Your perfect love shine through us to care for those in need, for the ill, and for the broken-hearted. Please strengthen our faith in You. Help us to see everyone we encounter through the eyes of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

We thank You, Father, for the gift of Your only begotten Son, for His resurrection, and for the blessed hope of eternal life with You and our loved ones in heaven. We give You all the glory and praise. We pray this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.


“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son,  that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

(John 3:16) NIV

Week of March 25 - 31, 2012

Lord Jesus Christ, You stretched out Your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross, that everyone might come within the reach of Your saving embrace. So clothe us in Your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring to those who do not know You, the knowledge and love of You, for the honor of Your holy name.

Amen.

“Jesus cried out in a loud voice and said, ‘It is finished.
Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’
When he had said this, he breathed his last.”

- John 19:30 (NIV)

Week of March 4 -10, 2012

Precious heavenly Father, as we reflect on Your word, You tell us that You alone are the author of perfection. Use us to fulfill Your will regardless of our past. We know, Lord, that without You we can bear no fruit. Prune away our flaws and anything that would stand in the way of praising and honoring You. Even through our difficult times, help us, Father, to understand how meaningful it is to be in a real relationship with You. It is only through Your mercy and grace that we can receive Your gift of eternal life in Your presence. Continue to shower us with Your love, and guide us to be branches that bear the fruit of Your love for others, especially those who do not yet know of Your love. We ask all this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

John 15:5 (NIV)

Week of Feb. 12 - 18, 2012

God of peace and mercy, You sent Your Son, Jesus, to become one of us, to show us how to be merciful and compassionate. Strengthen in us Your grace so that we may be Your disciples, seeking peace in our world, reverencing life, and reaching out in love to our fellow brothers and sisters. We ask all this in the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.

“These works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.”

John 5:36 (NAV)

Week of Jan. 15 - 21, 2012

Heavenly Father, walk with me as I journey through life.
Take my hand and lead me with Your Holy Spirit.
Fill me, inspire me, free me to respond generously to Your call.
For I believe You desire my deepest joy,
And it is only in Your company that my soul will be satisfied
And my life will find its meaning and purpose. Amen.

(Author Unknown)

“If we love one another, God remains in us,
and His love is brought to perfection in us.
This is how we know that we remain in Him
and He in us, that He has given us of His Spirit.”

— 1 John 4:12-13 (NAB)

Week of Dec. 25 - 31, 2011

Heavenly Father, we give thanks for the birth of Your Son whose life taught us to live a life of service one to another. Guide us to reach outside our zones of comfort to those who are alone, abandoned, homeless, tossed aside, sick, disabled, depressed, overwhelmed by life, bewildered, or have walked away from You. A smile or kind word may be all that is needed to redirect them to Your loving mercies. As we look upon the Babe in the manger, may we see Your loving face. Give us the gift to express that love to others. In the name of Jesus, the Child of Bethlehem, we pray, Amen.

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?”

(1 John 3:17) NAB

Week of Nov. 6 - 12, 2011

Heavenly Father, thank You for the men and women who gave their lives to protect the United States. May Your mercies bountifully abound upon those presently serving in the Armed Services. Strengthen and encourage them daily as they willingly give their all to protect our nation. May we never forget to honor their sacrifices, and offer comfort and support to their families. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

(John 15:13, ASV)

Week of April 4

Lord, Jesus Christ, You stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross, that everyone might come within the reach of Your saving embrace. So clothe us in Your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring to those who do not know You, the knowledge and love of You, for the honor of Your holy name. Amen.

"So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished!' And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit."

-John 19:30 (NKJV)

Week of March 28

Father, You are the One who has taught us the true language of love through Your Son, Jesus Christ. So great a love You have lavished on us through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross! Had it not been for Calvary, we would have no entry into heaven. Thank You, Lord, first and foremost for the love You have bestowed upon us through the cross. Thank You for the love You have placed in our hearts, that we are able and must continue to strive to love one another, as Christ has loved us. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

(John 3:16, NKJ)

Week of January 24

Lord, You came as our Savior that we may have life, life to the fullest. I am ready for what might unfold in this new year. You have blessed me with an abundance of grace and blessings. Let today and each day of 2011 be my time to give back. Let me extend my hand to someone who is lonely. Let me open my ears to someone who needs a listening heart. Let me open my eyes to see the needs of others. Let me use the talents and gifts that You have given me to make this world a better place. May I be a source of encouragement and new life to others. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

"I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

(John 10:10, NASB)