Morning Prayer
If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
Inspiration
Jesus explains to us that there is a cost to discipleship. We must be willing to give up everything and surrender our lives to follow Him. Jesus sacrificed His life for our salvation because it was part of God's plan. What is God's plan for our lives today? Are we willing to give up our time, money, addictions, or relationships to follow Him? We find it challenging to lay down materials, thoughts, or lifestyle choices to walk with Jesus because the cost seems pricey. We will turn to God and ask for strength as we let go.
Prayer
Dear God, We are ready to pay the cost of discipleship. We are eager to lay down everything that separates us from You. Please strengthen us as we answer Your call today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Night Prayer
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Inspiration
We despise the thought of a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. The outside is easy to clean; it's the caked-up residue on the inside that's so difficult to remove. Jesus compares the scribes and Pharisees with dishes that have been wiped clean on the outside while dirty inside. The Pharisees took exceptional care of their outward appearance and neglected their inward spirits. We are guilty of allowing our hearts to be left filthy as well. We look and act as we should while our souls are full of darkness. We must continue to converse with the Holy Spirit daily and trust His guidance to cleanse our sinful nature.
Prayer
Dear God, Please forgive our sinful nature. We yearn for cleansing from within, so we are genuine witnesses to Your name. In Jesus' Name, Amen.