Father, since we have been raised to new life with Christ Jesus, we set our sights on the joyous realities of our future home up in heaven. Focusing our attention and affection there cushions the painful realities we experience or see in other lives down here. We do not lose heart or allow sin to have dominion over us if we fix our eyes on Jesus, His promises, and our future home in heaven. We do not divert our attention to the world but devote our heart to You, dear Father, so that all will be well with our soul, even when trouble surrounds us. Many need that same hope today, so we must go to this world that is dying and tell of Your salvation to all who will hear this glorious message. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Father, we know that everyone who lives leaves a legacy. An obituary is a bird’s eye accounting of what they valued in life and often reveals what their children value as a result. We want to leave a legacy of love, the purest and highest kind of love, that can only be found in the Person of Jesus Christ, who laid down His life that we might be forgiven and enjoy eternal life. We want to remain steadfast in our Christian convictions so that we pass on that which makes a hopeful, positive, and eternal difference in one’s journey here below and up above. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Father, after the busyness of a work week, checking off our list of many obligations, coming here or going there and fulfilling our daily duties it is so fitting that we set aside a day where we consecrate our hearts for worship and fuel up spiritually for another week. You knew our need when You established the Ten Commandments that command us to remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy. Temptations come from many sources that would squeeze out our holy obligation to worship with other believers on the Lord’s Day. Whether we are single or a family unit help us to establish the weekly pattern of gathering with other saints, to hear what You would have to say to us and to declare Your worthship in our worship. Like the Psalmist, “I was glad when they said unto me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord’”. Amen.

Father, because of Your marvelous grace You commissioned Your Son, Jesus, to die for an ungrateful, unreceptive and hostile people, and that includes me. It’s easy to be critical of Peter who so boldly asserted that he would never deny Christ, but did so within hours and at such a critical moment. Yet Peter’s actions help us to view the tender grace You poured out on him at his lowest moment. His bitterness dissolved into brokenness. You are close to the brokenhearted, and deliver those whose spirit has been crushed. It is so instructive and encouraging to know that weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning. Peter, a fearful failure who grew into a faithful follower, eventually gave his life for the cause of Christ. May we too have such a resolve to follow you even if it means we may lay down our life for You. Thank You for Your amazing grace that looks beyond our faults and sees our need. Amen.

Father, Your divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness. It is through Your engrafted divine nature that we are able to escape the corruption in this world caused by evil desires. As we add to our faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge, and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love, then we possess these godly qualities in increasing measure and they will keep us from being swayed by the deceitfulness of the enemy who masquerades as an “angel of light.” It is in the powerful name of Jesus that we discern good from evil and it is in His strength that we are able to cast off that which hinders our spiritual growth. Amen.