Father, we consider with deep gratitude our endless blessings as we are among “all peoples on earth” transformed by the good news of great joy the angels delivered on that unforgettable night! The Savior, yes, the Lord Jesus Christ who was born in Bethlehem, the city of David, is Messiah. He is our Emmanuel, God with us, who has redeemed us from the pit of despair in this life and eternal damnation in the life to come. He will guide us through the dark and difficult places and set our feet upon a firm foundation to stay the course and sustain us on life’s path. Thank You for Your endless mercies. Amen.

Father, we thank You for the love letters from John who presents important truths and none so important as Your relentless love for us. You are love, the very embodiment of that which You teach us to feel and to practice. It is also seen in our attitudes which then is made visible by our words and our actions. We are amazed by Your love and rely on it for our salvation, our daily existence, our present and eternal future and for our every provision. We express our love to You by giving You our lives. How easy and inviting that is because You are a loving God and we fully rely on You! Amen.

Father, I thank You for the marvelous transaction that took place when You delivered me from the domain of darkness and transferred me into the kingdom of Your Son in whom I have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. There is no earthly transaction that will ever bring about such a major change in my life or affect my future such as Your mighty deliverance. I was lost in darkness without hope but now, because of Your glorious deliverance and transfer, I walk in endless hope in the radiant light of Jesus. I have been found by Your love and kept by Your grace. Praise be to Your name! Amen.

Father, this journey of faith began at Mile Marker One which was, for those who believe, the moment we personalized the tremendous sacrifice of Jesus’ death on the cross. After we repented of our sins we began this faith journey and the milestones along the way have assured us that the route we’re on leads to eternal life. We reject the philosophies that originate from this world and follow Your roadmap that keeps us on the highway of holiness. All the while we are ever watchful for the prowling enemy who attempts to steer us off course. Though sorrow and mourning have accompanied us on this journey, we will enter Zion rejoicing and singing as You crown us with everlasting joy! And the marvelous blessing is that the end of this earthly journey is really only the beginning of eternal bliss! Thank You, Jesus, for making it possible! Amen.

Father, we are so grateful for the power of prayer and its positive affect in our lives. Yet we confess that we don’t avail ourselves to Your prescribed means of communication nearly as often as we should. Jesus quoted Scripture when refuting Satan’s temptations in the wilderness experience and He spent time in intense prayer when He needed strength, courage, and faith for the trials that lay ahead. We likewise pray for our brothers and sisters, that their faith in You will mature and that they will remain faithful in times of testing. We pray for ourselves that we will stand firm and remain confident in our Christian faith as we oppose the evil forces in this world. In the name of Jesus we ask these things. Amen.