Father, we who were once darkness, are now light in the Lord, through our salvation in Christ Jesus. We live as children of light partaking of the fruit of the light which consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth. We seek to find out what pleases You, rather than ourselves. The vast majority take no thought for their future life but live only for the “here and now”. They gather treasures that have no eternal value, that are washed away like the sand when the waves wash upon the shore. To their eternal demise they dismiss the treasures that lasts for all eternity; those which never perish, spoil or fade kept in heaven for believers who will later claim their treasure trove. Help us, as children of light, to be faithful in exposing the darkness of this world and the dangers that lie therein, warning those who travel alongside us to prepare not just for this life, but for all of eternity. Amen.

Father, we thank You for the shepherds whose hearts are fashioned in Your likeness, who lead us with knowledge and understanding. Protect them from the evil one. We look to our shepherds for example, guidance, and clarity and affirmation of the teachings from the Word of God. It is Your wisdom given to wise men and Your knowledge given to those of understanding who illumine our way in these days of confusion where wrong is upheld and right is disdained by the current philosophies and mindset of the world. We will persevere even if the foundations are destroyed, living for Jesus drawing others to Him in whom the light dwells. Amen.

Father, as we review the passages in Jeremiah 6 we read of the pending disaster that was soon to be inflicted on Jerusalem and its impenitent people. But you raised up Jeremiah as a faithful prophet who called them to repentance. If the people would only turn to You they would be saved. Yet they refused to listen and judgment was imminent. It’s such a stark reminder that our nation is going down the same road. Though messengers of the inerrant Scriptures warn of pending judgment people refuse to listen. They prefer to listen to those who teach a false message of “peace, peace when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14). What we know is that we must continue to preach truth as presented in Scripture even when people say, “We will not listen.” Our message must not change due to current opinion polls and we must live that which we preach. We cannot change our message to bring it into conformity with the moral teaching or lifestyle of those with whom we seek favor. Scriptural teaching is not just for a lab discussion or seminary setting; it is to be lived out in our daily lives even in the midst of the hostile society in which we live. Help us to be faithful watchmen during our watch in this brief journey in which we sojourn here below. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Father, we thank You for this day, the day which You have made. Like the Psalmist, we look to You to “bring us word of Your unfailing love, for we have put our trust in You.” We expect good and not harm from Your unfailing love, so we struggle when the circumstances of our lives would appear otherwise. As we mature in our faith help us to weigh the experiences of our life here on earth with the eternal outcome of all the blessings You have waiting for us in heaven. Help us to recognize that there is much we endure on this side that serves as an example to others such as the jailers and other prisoners who looked on when Paul and Silas sang in prison. The fruit of the spirit can be exemplified in believers who rise each morning with the joyful proclamation, “This is the day which the lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Amen.