Category: Daily Prayer

OBEY AND DESTROY

“Have You come to destroy us?” –Mark 1:24 The demons spoke to Jesus through the mouth of the possessed demoniac, saying “Have You come to destroy us?” (Mk 1:24) The answer to that question is “Yes.” “It was to destroy the devil’s works that the Son of God revealed Himself” (1 Jn 3:8). Jesus is gentle and humble of heart with sinful human beings (see Mt 11:28-30; 12:19-20). However, Jesus is not gentle with the strongholds of the evil one. He casts out demons and destroys the works of Satan’s kingdom of darkness with power and authority (see Mk 1:27)....

CARING ENOUGH TO CRY

“Hannah, why do you weep, and why do you refuse to eat?” –1 Samuel 1:8 In 2021, did you bear abundant fruit for Jesus? (see Jn 15:5) How many did you lead to new birth and new life in Jesus? Jesus has called us to be fishers of men and women (Mk 1:17), to work in His harvest (Mt 9:37), to do anything we can to win over as many as possible to Himself (1 Cor 9:19). Are you fruitful like Mary or barren like Hannah? If we have been barren and have not birthed many people into God’s kingdom,...

LOVE LASTS

“You are My Beloved…” –Luke 3:22 On the last day of Christmas, my true Love, Jesus, gave to me a deeper life in the Spirit. On the last day of Christmas, my true Love, the Holy Spirit, cried out in my heart “Abba” (“Father”) (Gal 4:6). On the last day of Christmas, my true Love, Jesus, revealed God the Father to me in a new way (Lk 10:22) and gave me an even deeper life in the Spirit (Jn 14:16). On the last day of Christmas, I was caught in the crossfire of the Trinity’s love. The Father spoke; Jesus...

FINDING JOY IN DECREASING

“It is the groom who has the bride. The groom’s best man waits there listening for him and is overjoyed to hear his voice. That is my joy, and it is complete.” –John 3:29 I was once a “best man,” at the wedding of a high school friend. I was overjoyed to see my friend marry his sweetheart. As a best man, your thoughts are wholly occupied with the groom. There is no disappointment for the best man when all the attention is being focused on the groom. It is a delight to see the groom’s joy in marrying his...

THE WORLD WAR

“Who, then, is conqueror of the world?” –1 John 5:5 During the Christmas season, it becomes even more obvious that there is a battle between Christians and the world. The world is focused on selfishness, pleasure-seeking, the lusts of the flesh, and the pride of life (1 Jn 2:16, RSV-CE). Christians focus on Christ, the Father’s will, the gifts and the fruit of the Spirit, and humility. Consequently, the world hates Jesus’ disciples as it hates Him (Jn 15:18). Through the Holy Spirit, we Christians have proven the world wrong about sin, justice, and condemnation (Jn 16:8). Through the cross,...