Beware: False Prophets. “Watch out for false prophets! They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. By their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matthew 7:15). Here is Jesus once again announcing …
Beware: The Yeast of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees’… Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:6, 12). Jesus wasn’t afraid to give fair warning. …
Scripture Meditations at Noonday. “God uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.” (2 Corinthians 2:14-15). “Work willingly and heartily at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” (Colossians 3:23). “What joy for those …
Prayers for Midday. Here at the middle of the work day, Lord, renew within us the vision of work as redemptive, as done for the sake of your glory. Give us energy and motivation to complete today’s work with excellence and hopefulness. Help us to continue working heartily, as something done for the Lord and …
Isaac and the Midday Prayer. The Jewish sages based each of the their weekday prayers on the character and actions of the patriarchs. Thus, the recommended daily prayers of Jewish believers were inspired by Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Abraham represents the morning prayer, since he often “rose early in the morning to the place where …
In Our Midst: A Nightly Prayer. “Lord, you are in the midst of us, and we are called by your Name; Do not abandon us, O Lord our God.” (Jeremiah 14:9; prayed in the middle of the Compline, a nightly service of prayers). The Hebrew word for “in the midst” means in the very center of, …
The Song of Simeon as an Evening Prayer. “Lord, you now have set your servant free, to go in peace as you have promised; For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, whom you have prepared for all the world to see. A light of revelation to the nations, and the glory of your …
Evening Prayers of the Orthodox Church. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3 x). Opening Prayer: O eternal God, King of all creation, Who have kept me safe to attain this hour, forgive me the sins which I have committed this day in thought, word, and deed. And cleanse, O Lord, …
Nightly Reassurance. “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show …
Nightly Refuge in the Names of God (Psalm 91:1-2). The New International Version (NIV): “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” The New …
Stillness in the Night. “Know that the Lord has set apart for Himself the faithful one. The Lord will hear when I call to Him. Be angry and do not sin; Meditate within your heart on your bed and be still.” (Psalm 4:3-4, NKJ). Holy. Evidently there are various interpretations to this first part of verse 3, …
Refuge in the Night. “Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe, for you are my crag and my stronghold. For the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me.” (Psalm 31:3, Authorized Version in the Book of Common Prayer; Psalm 31 is one of the readings in the Compline, a night …