Night Prayer
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Inspiration
Do you remember learning in school about if-then conditional statements? For example, IF you wash your clothes, THEN they'll be clean. In today's verse you may be asking "What things will be given to me?" Jesus had just spoken of the magnificent 'clothing' of the lilies, the food and drink we all need, and how our Heavenly father knows we need these things. Jesus then calls us, you and me, to rest in the knowledge of God's love as we live and work, affirming that 'if' we actively seek His reign in our lives, and live accordingly, 'then' all these things are guaranteed. Truth.
Prayer
Lord, I ask You to help me live according to the principles of Your kingdom. I want to get this right, believing in Your words that things will fall into place as I get my priorities straight, with the help of Your Spirit. Reign in me, Lord. 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.
