Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
But seek first his kingdom
and his righteousness.
Prayer before dusting
(not a problem)
Bible study before that new novel
(I suppose)
Worship instead of sleeping in
(do I have to?)
I posted the next Prayer School lesson here. It’s my favorite lesson–at the end I tell my aunt Peg’s remarkable story.
Years ago, a coworker and I were discussing a difficult colleague.
“Pray that something bad happens to him so he doesn’t become our boss,” my coworker suggested.
I was shocked, “I can’t pray that!”
“Then pray that he gets a better opportunity somewhere else,” he answered.
I don’t think that’s what Christ was thinking when he said,
John 15:12 (NIV)
My command is this:
Love each other as I have loved you.
A line from the Easter cantata keeps playing in my head: “If you love me, keep my commands.”
It comes straight from Jesus.
John 14:15 (NIV)
“If you love me, keep my commands.”
Which commands of Jesus cause you the most trouble?
Let’s be honest. If God showed his love for us the way I show my love for him, there’d be no Easter.
“But, because Jesus has been raised from the dead,
there is hope—even for the most hopeless prisoner.”
(from Ocean’s Story, Prison Fellowship)
That’s the reason for prison ministry–whether it’s ordinary folks heading into their local jail, or national organizations like Prison Fellowship. It all started with Christ’s own words:
Luke 4:18 (NIV)
“The Spirit of the Lord . . . sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners.”
Bodies may be locked in the darkest of prisons, but souls can safely rest in the shelter of God’s love.
Dear God, set the prisoners free! Open their hearts to the Easter message of salvation. Shelter them with your mercy and grace. Be with those who share your story behind bars, Lord Jesus, and raise up even more willing workers.
Philippians 2:8 (ERV)
He humbled himself
by being fully obedient to God,
even when that caused his death—
death on a cross.
“What He says we will do,
Where He sends we will go.
Never fear, only trust and obey.”
Trust and Obey, 1887
John H. Sammis
Jesus told this story:
Matthew 21:28-32 (NIV)
“There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
“‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
“Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
Your will be done. Do you mean what you pray?
