So was the prayer of Jesus concerning His disciples.  He desired that His followers would experience the closeness and singleness of purpose He had with His Heavenly Father.  The Psalmist said, “How good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.”

Instead of trying to be different, try to achieve unity with those you are near in the Kingdom of God.  You will thereby fulfill Christ’s desire.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, work Your work in my heart so I can see how I can achieve unity with my brothers and sisters in Christ.

DAILY READING:  John 17-19

Jesus gave this comfort to His disciples as He described the challenges life would throw at them.  The key, He said, was learning to abide in Him.  Protection, provision, direction, and miracle working power were all freely given to those who would live according to His teachings and keep close communication with Him through prayer.

Yesterday I was able to encourage a young minister by reassuring him that He could trust the Lord’s leading in his life as I have done for over 50 years.  Tears came to his eyes as he soaked up my support and testimony.

It’s the best way to live.

DAILY PRAYER:  Father in Heaven, we want to fully abide in Christ Jesus and reap all the benefits made available to us in this glorious salvation.  We will do Your will as You grace us with the power.

DAILY READING:  John 15,16

As Jesus was giving His disciples critical instructions on how to live when He was gone, He gave this over-arching principal, “Love one another … as I have loved you.”  He also declared that the first would be last and the last, first.  As He came among His disciples to serve rather than be served, we can take this cue to live likewise.

Paul echoed this principal when he said we should in honor prefer others above ourselves.

Today, let’s take this step of humility and love so Christ’s love can still impact people.

DAILY PRAYER:  Father, forgive us for looking out for ourselves all the time.  We commit to loving others today.

DAILY READING:  John 13,14

The Heavenly Father glorified His name through the life of Jesus Christ. Jesus sought the approval of God rather than the approval of man. We are given the same choice. Paul said if I am seeking the approval of man, I cannot please God.

Through prayer and the daily reading of His Word, God will show you how to please Him.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, more than anything else, we want our lives to please You. Glorify You name through the way we live today.

DAILY READING:  John 11,12

An important criteria for teachers and leaders at Trinity Christian school is that they are born again Christians who know the Lord’s voice. They will not follow another. There are many voices in the earth today trying to destroy God’s precious seed, but nurturing, Christian teachers help develop an ear in our students to likewise hear the Lord’s voice of direction.

Please pray for TCS as we hire new teachers and coaches. The Lord is building His Kingdom.

DAILY PRAYER:  Father in Heaven, continue to guide TCS in paths of truth and righteousness for Your names’ sake.

DAILY READING: John 8-10

Jesus demonstrated and encouraged good stewardship when he said “Let nothing be wasted.” He had just fed a large multitude with a few fishes and loaves of bread, yet in the abundance of miraculous leftovers, he made sure his disciples took good care of the extra food.

How wasteful we are. Yes!  The Lord wants us to take good care of and use everything he has miraculously provided. If you take good care of what he entrusts to you, He will give you more.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, forgive us for being so wasteful. Develop within us good stewardship over all your provision today.

DAILY READING:  John 6,7

It seems, when reading the Gospels, that Jesus avoided credit and glory from men. What he did desire was for them to honor him by hearing his teachings and forsaking their own ways. In so doing, they also honored his Heavenly Father.

He said if you have my teachings and obey them, you are showing your love and honor to me. (Jn. 15:10)

Read the red and DO IT!

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, You have the words of life. Give me grace today to be obedient to what You ask of me.

DAILY READING:  John 4, 5

Mary, the mother of Jesus asked him to help with the wine situation at the wedding in Cana as recorded in John chapter 2. He asked her, why she involved him. However, he granted her request when he turned the water into wine. He performed a miracle at her request. Is that not what prayer is … Asking Jesus to involve himself in the needs of our life? We don’t have because we don’t ask. “Ask and you shall receive that your joy may be full” were the words of Jesus himself. Let’s not be guilty of not asking.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, we ask with humility and faith that you involve yourself in our daily needs. Give us miracles when our human resources are exhausted.

DAILY READING: John 1-3

Luke 24 contains two occasions where Jesus opened the eyes of understanding for His disciples. One when two of them were with him as he broke bread. The other as he appeared before them together in Jerusalem. He gave them understanding of the scriptures.

Ask for understanding as you read the Word.

DAILY PRAYER:  Father, open the eyes of our understanding that we might see clearly how to live.  We want to bring glory to Your name.

DAILY READING:  LUKE 23,24