My prayers inspired by my daily scripture reading.
1 “Brothers and esteemed fathers,” Paul said, “listen to me as I offer my defense.” 2When they heard him speaking in their own language,a the silence was even greater.
3Then Paul said, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and …
I was struck this morning by how often proud people mocked Jesus. I’ve been reading the Gospel of Matthew and reached the section about Jesus’ trial and crucifixion. I was amazed.
15This is what the Sovereign Lord,
I am the vine, you are the branches. The man who remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
Holy Spirit, open my mind and heart to your meaning, and then help me change to live as you mean me to.
You are the vine. My friends have a few grape vines and I know someone who has …
Isaiah 18: 4
4For the Lord has told me this:
Isaiah 17:6-10
1There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the saints. 2For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. 3But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting …
22In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 23As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. 24Therefore show these men the proof …
19What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. 20We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but …
16But thank God! He has given Titus the same enthusiasm for you that I have. 17Titus welcomed our request that he visit you again. In fact, he himself was very eager to go and see you. 18We are also sending another brother with Titus. All the churches praise him as a preacher of the Good News. 19He was appointed by the churches to accompany us as …