Category: “Listening to God” Devotional

Read chapter in full: www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Matthew+15

MATTHEW 15 (ESV)

 

¹ Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, ² “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” ³ He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? ⁴ For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ ⁵ But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” ⁶ he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. ⁷ You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:

⁸ “‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me;
⁹ in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

¹⁰ And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: ¹¹ it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” ¹² Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” ¹³ He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. ¹⁴ Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”¹⁵ But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.”¹⁶ And he said, “Are you also still without understanding? ¹⁷ Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? ¹⁸ But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. ¹⁹ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. ²⁰ These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”

 

REFLECTION

• The delegation from Jerusalem challenged Christ with not teaching His disciples to “wash their hands” before they ate. This washing was not hygienic, but a matter of ritual “cleanness”. In Old Testament religion, to be “clean” meant to be in a state of ritual purity that permitted a person to approach and worship God. The Pharisees and teachers of the Law had multiplied the rules governing ritual purity, and treated them as though their rules had the force of Scripture.
• Jesus directly attacked this whole way of thinking when He taught that “what goes into a man’s mouth” (external) cannot make him unclean. What really disqualifies a person for worship are those things which “come out of the heart”.
• Are you like the Pharisees, caring much about how you look on the outside, but neglect the purity on the inside; focusing on legalism/following the rules instead of being faithful to God and sensitive to the Holy Spirit?
• Read through the sins listed in v19. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the filth and darkness there.  Ask God for forgiveness and cleansing of your heart.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Read chapter in full: www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Matthew+14

MATTHEW 14 (ESV)

 

²² Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. ²³ And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, ²⁴ but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. ²⁵ And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. ²⁶ But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. ²⁷ But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

²⁸ And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” ²⁹ He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”³¹ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” ³² And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³ And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

 

REFLECTION

• Events moved rapidly. John the Baptist was beheaded. Jesus miraculously fed 5,000 and walked on water. But official hostility grew.
• Why do you think Jesus invited Peter (and us) to step out onto the water? When did Peter begin to sink? Why then and not earlier?
• When are you most tempted to take your eyes off the Lord and to sink in doubt?
• In verse 33 the disciples worship Jesus and declare, “Truly you are the Son of God.” What do you see in this incident that leads you to worship Jesus?
• How can these things help you to trust Jesus the next time you are tempted to doubt?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Read chapter in full: www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Matthew+13

MATTHEW 13 (ESV)

 

¹ That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. ² And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. ³ And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow.  ⁴ And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. ⁵ Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, ⁶ but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. ⁷ Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. ⁸ Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. ⁹ He who has ears, let him hear.”……

¹⁸ “Hear then the parable of the sower: ¹⁹ When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. ²⁰ As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, ²¹ yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. ²² As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. ²³ As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

 

REFLECTION

• Jesus told a series of parables to the puzzled crowds, and in another series, He told to His disciples. Jesus explained the unexpected aspects of His kingdom.
• This parable makes clear that reception of the gospel depends on the soil, i.e. the condition of the recipient. In this parable, the seed and the sower are the same in each case, but the soil varies.  There are many who do not respond favourably to Jesus’ message, but the few who did produced remarkable fruit.
• What kinds of worries have potential to choke your growth in Christ? How can you free your life from these “thorns”?
• What helps a believer to have deep “roots” which prevent one from falling away? What gives you root?
• What “crop” does Jesus want believers to yield? How would you increase your “crop productivity”?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Read chapter in full: www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Matthew+12

MATTHEW 12 (ESV)

 

⁹ He went on from there and entered their synagogue. ¹⁰ And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might accuse him. ¹¹ He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? ¹² Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” ¹³ Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. ¹⁴ But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.

¹⁵ Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all ¹⁶ and ordered them not to make him known. ¹⁷ This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:

¹⁸ “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
¹⁹ He will not quarrel or cry aloud,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;
²⁰ a bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory;
²¹     and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

 

REFLECTION

• As it became increasingly clear that one must choose for or against Jesus, opposition to Him and to His kingdom hardened. Jesus claimed to be Lord of the Sabbath and the Servant predicted by Isaiah. This brought direct conflict with the Pharisees.
• Jesus didn’t have a smooth ministry. In fact, he met a lot of opposition.  Jesus responded to the hostility by simply asking those healed not to tell who he was (v16) and leaving the area.  Why?
• Matthew explained by quoting a passage from one of Isaiah’s “servant songs” (Is 42: 1-9). Messiah “will not quarrel or cry out”.  He will be so gentle that He will not even snap a worthless reed flute, or discard a soot-filled candle wick.
• Continue concentrate on your Lord Saviour and get to know Him deeper by reflecting on the characteristics listed in the passage. Praise and thank Him for His humility and gentleness and also the wonderful work He’s done in your life.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Read chapter in full: www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Matthew+11

MATTHEW 11 (ESV)

 

¹ When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

² Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples ³ and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” ⁴ And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: ⁵ the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. ⁶ And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

⁷ As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? ⁸ What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. ⁹ What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ This is he of whom it is written,

“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’

¹¹ Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ¹² From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. ¹³ For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, ¹⁴ and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. ¹⁵ He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

¹⁶ “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,

¹⁷ “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

¹⁸ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ ¹⁹ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”

 

REFLECTION

• Jesus encouraged and praised demoralized John. Jesus then damned the cities that refused to repent despite His miracles. Yet the weary who come to Jesus will find rest.
• What kinds of “prison” tend to bring out doubts for you regarding Jesus? In those period of discouragement and doubt, what most renews your courage and faith? How might Jesus’ reply to John “Go and tell John what you hear and see…” (v4) help to answer your doubts?
• Where have you seen the work of Jesus in your life and lives of those around you? Write down at least three things. Then, utter a thanksgiving prayer to God.
• In what specific way can you be an encourager to someone in church leadership? In your family? Among your friends?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Read chapter in full: www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Matthew+10

MATTHEW 10 (ESV)

 

⁵ These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, ⁶ but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. ⁷ And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ ⁸ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. ⁹ Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, ¹⁰ no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. ¹¹ And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. ……

¹⁶ “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. ……

²⁶ “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.²⁷ What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. ²⁸ And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. ²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.³⁰ But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.³¹ Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. ³² So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, ³³ but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

³⁴ “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. ³⁵ For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. ³⁶ And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. ³⁷ Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. ³⁸ And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ³⁹ Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

 

REFLECTION

• There is no greater challenge than to live our lives as disciples of Jesus, the Servant-King. The marks of Jesus’ disciples according to this passage include: acknowledging Jesus before men (v32), placing loyalty to Christ above even the bonds of family (vv34-35), taking up his cross and following Jesus by subjecting one’s will to God even as Jesus chose to subject Himself to the cross (v38), surrendering all for the sake of his Lord (v37).
• In a culture that values family highly, is it possible that you can be blinded by familial loyalty to the truth of the Gospel?
• What does “take his cross and follow Jesus” mean to you? How are you sharing Christ’ suffering in discipleship?
• What does the paradox “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (v39) mean to you? How can you lose yourself for Christ this week?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Read chapter in full: www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Matthew+9

MATTHEW 9 (ESV)

 

¹ And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. ² And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” ³ And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” ⁴ But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? ⁵ For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? ⁶ But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” ⁷ And he rose and went home. ⁸ When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

⁹ As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

¹⁰ And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. ¹¹ And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” ¹² But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ¹³ Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

 

REFLECTION

• Jesus’ kingly authority can overcome not only nature and demons (Ch 8), but even human sin. This shows that God was doing a brand new work among men. Jesus raised a dead girl and continued to heal and cast out demons, providing a ministry model for workers in His kingdom.
• The calling of Matthew exhibited Jesus’ calling of outcasts and despised sinners. The Pharisees, with their strict following of both ritual and moral purity, could not understand why Jesus would have meals with these unworthy people.  Whom can you identify more easily, Matthew or the Pharisees?  Why?
• Do you see Jesus’ calling of you, inviting you to follow Him? What’s your response?  Do you enjoy eating, drinking, celebrating, resting, having fun with Jesus?
• Why did Jesus quote “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” (v 13)? Could it be because love and mercy reveal that we have a transformed heart, while sacrifice is an outward act that can be done regardless of the condition of our heart?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Read chapter in full: www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Matthew+8

MATTHEW 8 (ESV)

 

¹ When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. ² And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” ³ And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. ⁴ And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”

⁵ When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, ⁶ “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” ⁷ And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” ⁸ But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁹ For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” ¹⁰ When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. ¹¹ I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, ¹² while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” ¹³ And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.

¹⁴ And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. ¹⁵ He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. ¹⁶ That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. ¹⁷ This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”

 

REFLECTION

• Jesus displays a royal power over all forces in natural and supernatural worlds. King Jesus is willing and able to heal all kinds of illness and suffering.
• The Leper realizes that Jesus has the power as God to heal sicknesses and to correct evils that torment mankind. But the leper also realizes that Jesus has a choice about whether to heal or not.  Again and again Jesus exercised His power as God, and each time it was to help or heal a human being in need.  Christ is willing.  And He is able too.
• Recall a time when you were touched by the loving hand of God. What was it?  How did you feel?
• What did your past experience of God’s touch and healing teach you about God’s power and His love? Spend a few moments conversing with God and listening to what God is trying to tell you.
• “He’s Able to carry me through”  www.youtube.com/watch?v=Whgmpd2WFR0

 

Prayer & Journaling:

On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Read chapter in full: www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Matthew+7

MATTHEW 7 (ESV)

 

¹ “Judge not, that you be not judged. ² For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. ³ Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? ⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

⁶ “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

⁷ “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. ⁹ Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? ¹¹ If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

 

REFLECTION

• Kingdom citizens have an “in-secret” relationship with God (6:1-4). Therefore, we do not judge others, and we consciously depend on our Father, and choose His “narrow gate”. As we do, God’s power is exhibited in our good lives and in our obedience.
• Each of the images of prayer – ask, seek, knock- suggests persistence. Each also conveys a promise.  Ask, it will be given; seek, you will find; knock, the door will be opened.  What encourages us to be actively involved in prayer, and to claim these promises, is the certainty that God is our Father.  Our Father loves us.  He provides what we need, not because we bother Him, but because He cares.  And He is eager to give us good gifts.
• When you pray to make a request to God, do you rely on your persistence to “persuade” God? Or do you rely on God’s pervasive love and rest assured of the good gifts He’s going to give you?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Read chapter in full: www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Matthew+6

MATTHEW 6 (ESV)

 

⁵ “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ⁶ But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

⁷ “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. ⁸ Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. ⁹ Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
¹⁰ Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread,
¹² and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

¹⁴ For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, ¹⁵ but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

 

REFLECTION  

Prayer is an expression of intimate relationship with God. Here Jesus invites us to explore what prayer is, and what it can mean to us.

 

Lord, I cannot say “Our”…

if my faith has no room for other people and their needs.

Lord, I cannot say “Father”…

if I fail to resemble You in the way I live my daily life.

Lord, I cannot say “Who are in Heaven”…

if my attention is focused only on earthly things.

Lord, I cannot say “Hallowed be Thy name”…

if I, who am called by your name, am not holy.

Lord, I cannot say “Thy Kingdom come”…

if I fail to acknowledge your sovereignty in my life.

Lord, I cannot say “On earth as it is in Heaven”…

unless I am truly ready to serve You here and now.

Lord, I cannot say “Give us this day our daily bread”…

without doing an honest day’s work, and

without considering the needs of those less fortunate.

Lord, I cannot say “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”…

if I harbour a grudge against my brother or sister.

Lord, I cannot say “Lead us not into temptation”…

if I deliberately choose to remain in a situation

where I am likely to be tempted.

Lord, I cannot say “Deliver us from evil”…

if I am not prepared to take a stand against injustice in my society.

Lord, I cannot say “Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory”…

if I do not submit to Christ as King,

if I fail to trust You to act in my life,

or if in pride I seek my own glory.

Lord, I cannot say “Amen”…

unless I can honestly say, “Come what may, this is my prayer.”

(Author Unknown)

 

Prayer & Journaling:

On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.