” … so you don’t enter into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  [Matt. 26:41]  As Jesus and His disciples were in the garden to pray and wait for His accuser, Judas, to come and betray Him precipitating His sacrificial death, Jesus gave this key insight to us.

I believe He meant that a person who prays often and stays sensitive to the Lord’s interests in this life will be fit spiritually, strong enough to overpower the pull toward satisfying the interests and desires that are not Godly.

DAILY PRAYER:  Father in Heaven, as we devote ourselves to increased prayer, deliver us from evil and temptation.

DAILY READING:  Matt. 25-6

As Jesus instructed His disciples concerning the end times, He described the peril of the days as being labor pains like a woman ready to give birth.  He encouraged a greater focus on looking forward to His return and praying than He did on dealing with the distress.  We then should apply Paul’s admonition, “Be anxious about nothing, but in everything by prayer …”  [Phil. 4:6]

A life of prayer is a life of readiness.  Our focus is drawn away from our abilities and placed upon the Lord and His provision.  Remember, Jesus said, “Be of good cheer.  I have already overcome the world.” [Jn. 16:33],

DAILY PRAYER:  Father, forgive us for our fear and distrust.  We trust in You and keep looking up in anticipation of the coming of Christ to receive His Bride.

DAILY READING:  Matt. 23-4

When challenged about paying taxes, Jesus replied, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

What belongs to God?  Well, … everything!

Exactly right!  We are thereby stewards of all that we have.  It’s only entrusted to us to live here in this life.  God has given to us the means to navigate this life.  What do we give back to Him?

We can give Him ourselves and our offspring for His service.  When He sets up His Kingdom here on earth, we will be glad we were faithful to Him in our stewardship.

DAILY PRAYER:  Father, help me to see with spiritual eyes the meaning to life, and focus on those things that are of eternal value.

DAILY READING:  Matt. 20-2

The multitude who had followed Jesus to hear the Words of Life became hungry.  They were hungry for the right reasons.  It could be said they hungered and thirsted for the sake of righteousness.  The need and circumstance provided Jesus a marvelous opportunity to demonstrate His ability to miraculously supply their needs.  They all ate and were satisfied.

God’s miraculous provision is a benefit of following Jesus.  We should never worry.  He is a compassionate provider.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, we are grateful to know that You can provide for our needs.  We trust You.

DAILY READING:  Matt. 15-19

In your womb has happened the second greatest miracle in the universe, the formation and birthing of a baby, second only to the miracle of spiritual birth into the Kingdom of God.

We salute you! … right, men?

These were Jesus’ words as He preached in the towns of Galilee, establishing the characteristics of His Kingdom.

Many years ago, I received a vision of this Christ, standing before all with hands opened, beckoning for us to come to Him.  I can always see it in my mind’s eye.  It’s a vision of a compassionate shepherd, ready to receive us when we’re burdened, infirmed, discouraged, weak.

He’s always there.

DAILY PRAYER:  Thank You, Lord, for Your gentle, humble nature.  Make us like You.  We want to show Your love to this world.

DAILY READING:  Matt. 11-14

These were the words Jesus spoke to His disciples in Matt. 10 when He was sending them out to proclaim the message of His Kingdom and do His works.  They were to “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,  and drive out demons.”  These were His instructions. 

As freely as they accepted the salvation He offered, so freely did they receive the power to perform these miraculous deeds He commanded them to do.

In His name, His power and His authority, you and I can go and do likewise, for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, by faith we will launch out today and begin performing the works You commanded Your disciples to do.  Let Your Kingdom come, Your will be done.

DAILY READING:  Matt. 8-10

(CORRECTION: Rahab was Boaz’ grandmother rather than mother.  I apologize.)

Matthew chapters 5-7 contain the greatest concentration of Jesus’ teachings in the Bible. Practical spirituality to be lived out is made clear by this sermon.  He ends it by saying if a person builds his life on these teachings, he is wisely building a lifestyle that will weather any storm.

That’s exactly what my father, David Demos, did about 70 years ago.  Having lost his own father when he was ten, David looked to this passage to give him the life guidance he didn’t have from an earthly father.  It worked.  My Dad has been a spiritual rock for our entire family, and many others searching for the meaning of life.  He’s still living, and is the godliest man I know.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, thank You for the words of life that You speak to us if we’ll listen.  Bring these words to our remembrance throughout the day so we can be faithful to Your Kingdom.

DAILY READING:  Matthew 5-7

When reading the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1, we are intrigued to see the name of Rahab, the harlot.  Translations even use the word prostitute to describe her.  How can a woman with such questionable morals be considered to be included in the lineage of the faultless Son of God?

Consider also the integrity of her son, Boaz.  She must have been a good mother.  Who was his father?

As the Lord instructed Peter, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”  [Acts 10:15]  We are informed in Hebrews 11 that it was Rahab’s faith and obedience that qualified her for all the good the Kingdom of God has to offer, even being included in the bloodline of our Savior. The just live by faith.

DAILY PRAYER:  Father, cleanse us of our judgmental spirits.  We live in amazement of Your cleansing power that not only touched Rahab, but makes us acceptable in Your sight.

DAILY READING:  Matt. 1-4

The last verse of the Old Testament, Malachi 4:6, ends with the threat of destruction or a curse. The last verse in the New Testament, Revelation 22:21, speaks the Lord’s blessing of grace upon the hearer.  This contrast characterizes the different flavor of messages in the two major portions of the Bible.

The Old Testament is the New concealed.  The New Testament is the Old revealed.  God is capable of both curses and blessings.  The job of the prophets of the Old Testament was to identify the need for salvation and the depravity of man.  Christ came to offer hope and The Solution to man’s sin problem.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, You are our hope and salvation.  To Whom do we turn for every need of our lives?  You!  

DAILY READING:  Malachi 1-4