Jesus, to embrace Your teaching is life-transforming but to deafen our ear to Your words keeps us ever searching and never finding life-long answers to that which matters most. May we hunger and thirst for Your righteousness. Help us to apply Your wisdom to our lives and instruct those You’ve entrusted to our care to walk in Your ways. Our foundation will be unshakable and storm-proof as You build our lives based upon Your eternal truths. Amen.

Father, we are among those who once walked in darkness, but You rescued us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of Your beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. There is nothing we could seek in this life that could bring greater freedom and joy here and now, and treasures forevermore as we abide with You through all eternity. Help us never to lose sight of the great contrast You bring into our lives as we walk out of darkness and dwell in Your radiant light. You are phenomenal God whom we love with all our hearts. Amen.

Father, from time to time we turn our eyes from You and become consumed with troubles that surround us, or worse, we become consumed with self-pity. Our emotions cloud our view of eternity giving us the false notion that here and now is all that matters. The apostle Paul stated, “If in this life we have hope in Christ only, we are of all people to be pitied”. We can become “much discouraged because of the way” that our journey through life is not smooth, predictable, nor can we avoid the twists, turns, and detours by using a gps. You never promised that our Christian walk would be easy, but You did promise never to leave us or forsake us. You promised to come alongside us and work out even the bad things we encounter for our overall good and for the good of others. Keep us faithful and trusting during the journey we pray. Amen.

Father, though we don’t know the day nor the hour, You already have the blessed event of Christ’s return on Your heavenly calendar. Even as the Son of Man ascended into heaven He will come again, but this time we have the blessed hope of ascending with Him and joining with those of like precious faith. Thank You for loved ones and witnesses of the truth who have repeated this glorious life-transforming message to us over the years preparing our hearts for this major event. Help us to be faithful and eager for the blessed hope of Your second coming when believers on earth will take up eternal residency in heaven. In Your name, Jesus, we pray and watch for Your reappearing. Amen.

Father, help me to remember that my character reflects that which I pursue daily. When I reflect that which is good it is because I am pursuing the Kingdom of God that is full of righteousness, peace, and joy. Help me to diligently exercise the gift of discernment so that I will always recognize the kingdom of darkness which is full of evil, deceit, and chaos. Because of Your Holy Spirit abiding in my life I know that Your good in me is greater than the evil that is in the world! By Your grace I will recognize and overcome the destructive forces of evil as I am in daily communion with You! I pray this in the loving and holy name of Jesus. Amen.