Morning Prayer
As he spake these words, many believed on him.
Inspiration
John chapter 8 is a very unusual and startling chapter. Here in verse 30, many are said to have "believed on him. " But yet, he immediately says that only if they continue in his word are they truly his disciples. (verse 31) By the end of the chapter, Jesus has called many of them children of the Devil and they have taken up stones to stone him, but could not because his hour had not yet come.
Prayer
O Lord God, there is that which is true saving faith and that which is merely external and intellectual and even temporary. By your grace, let us continue in walking in your Word, showing ourselves to be your disciples indeed. We shudder to think of false believers, but we know they exist. Let us examine ourselves to see if we be in the faith. Let your Spirit confirm to our spirits that we are the sons of God. 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.
