“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7
“Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.”
Ephesians 6:24
“Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”
Ephesians 4:15
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!”
Philippians 2:5-8
Father, we want to fix our thoughts upon the living hope we have in Jesus Christ our Lord. We anchor our soul in the bedrock of Your Holy Word so that when other viewpoints counter the truths You teach our anchor remains firm. When difficulties appear insurmountable remind us that we serve an extraordinary God who does not rely on natural solutions but works in the supernatural realm to meet our needs. Satan builds brick walls in our mind to block our faith and trust in Your plan to make “all things work together for good to those who love You and are called according to Your purpose.” Our faith is grounded in the living hope of our resurrected Savior and it is in His name that we pray.
Amen.
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”
Philippians 1:20
“You know that is was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”
1 Peter 1:18-19
Father, the permanence and sting of death was removed when You raised Christ Jesus from the dead. Had You sent ten thousand angels to rescue Him from the hands of His enemies and thwarted His execution on the cross we would not know of Your awesome power according to the Spirit of holiness by Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Though Satan plotted Your plan prevailed, and because of that, we who believe are now raised with Christ, who is seated at Your right hand. You have set eternity in the hearts of people and because of that we can set our affections on things above causing us to be homesick for a place we’ve never been. Where You are is where we long to be. In Christ’s Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.
Father we thank You for Jesus who endured suffering, humiliation, and the reproach of sinners that He came to save. He could do this because He never lost sight of the future joy that would be His when He accomplished His earthly mission and would return to sit at Your right hand. Though He endured the opposition of sinners, Jesus became obedient to death, even death on the cross in fulfillment of Scripture so that we might inherit eternal life through the forgiveness of our sins. How eternally grateful we are. We thank You in Jesus’ name.
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.