Morning Prayer
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Inspiration
When the commands of men, even of those in governmental or religious authority positions, conflict with the commands of God, we must obey God and not men. While Christians are supposed to submit to legitimate governmental authorities, they are instructed to practice "civil disobedience" if a law of man tells them to violate a law of God.
Prayer
Lord, let us not be such as rebel against governments which you have ordained and pridefully say that we have no obligation to submit to man's laws. For there is no power but of God, and the powers that be are ordained of God (Romans 13). But let us also have courage to stand firm and resist if we are forced to choose between obeying you and obeying mere men. 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.
