Opening Prayer

Spirit of God, you are my primary teacher of God’s Word; I yield my heart and mind, my soul and spirit, my will and imagination to you as I immerse myself in the Word during these dedicated moments. Teach me in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 10:1

Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.
~ Apostle Paul

Pondering Point

For the Israelites to be saved: This is God’s heart; it is Jesus’ heart; it is Paul’s heart.

But this desire to save is not just for the Israelites – the desire is to make disciples of ALL nations, beginning in Jerusalem. (Matt. 28:19).

Salvation is in knowing God. Once Paul got to know Jesus, his whole life became centered on helping everyone else experience God. It became part of his heart prayer and his heart’s desire.

What is your heart’s desire and how does it relate to God? How are you investing in that heartfelt desire? Just as Jesus gave his life, you can see that the Apostle Paul gave his life to carry out God’s will also. What about your life? What claim do you see God having on your life?

Prayer

Please use Monday's Opening Prayer at the beginning of each devotion this week or create a similar prayer that prepares you for God's Word each day.

John 17:13-19

I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they (his disciples) may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
~ Jesus

Prayer

Lord Jesus, angels sang for joy after your birth. You prayed for joy before your death. Both instances were about joy to the world, and both centered around you – the real joy of the world. 

Conclude your prayers by asking Jesus to intercede for you regarding the four points shared above, then conclude as you see fit.

Isaiah 9:1-11

1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—

2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.

4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.

5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

8 The Lord has sent a message against Jacob; it will fall on Israel.

9 All the people will know it— Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria— who say with pride and arrogance of heart,

10 “The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.”

11 But the Lord has strengthened Rezin’s foes against them and has spurred their enemies on.

Pondering Point

What does spiritual darkness look like? How does it manifest itself? With Jesus as the light, what would “seeing the light” mean? In what ways does the light of Christ shine in you? In what ways does his light shine through you?

Prayer

Father God, scatter any and all darkness in my life. Let your light dawn in my heart never to go away. May Jesus find a home in my heart and shine in all I do. Amen.

Matthew 1:18-25

God’s Disciple:
The Groom-to-be Joseph

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

We aren't told what Joseph's prayers are. We have to infer. The musical artist Michael Card has taken a shot at this with his ballad titled Joseph's Song. We do know that Joseph had a heartfelt struggle about what to do once he found out that his fiancée Mary was expecting a child not his own. God characterizes Joseph as a righteous man who eventually chose to divorce her quietly.

How much prayer went into that decision we do not know. We do know that once he had made the decision, the Lord came to him in a dream. The Lord put Joseph at ease about Mary’s pregnancy and about moving ahead with still marrying the woman of his dreams. There would be no need for that divorce. That must have been a relief to the heart of Joseph who had been set on marrying this woman. Sometimes our heart prayers can take a hit when life does not take the turns we anticipate. God can still be in the middle of such situations and work wonderful things under his will. Dig into Matthew 1:18-25 and enjoy this story from God's word.

Prayer Prompt

Consider using a media platform such as Youtube to locate and listen to Michael Card’s composition Joseph’s Song. Think about the position God put Joseph in as you listen in on this envisioned prayer for him.

Prayer for the Pastor

This second prayer comes from Pastor’s personal daily prayer and he would relish you joining him in praying this prayer on his behalf.

Lord God Almighty, our Father and our God, I pray that you enable Pastor Paul’s mind (heart, soul, and will) to gain understanding – and that he humbles himself before You. God,

You are seeking after him and there are things happening around him that are calling for a deeper spiritual understanding and practice on his part. Help him to rise to the occasion.

Bless him as he comes to experience more of this needed spirituality in this climate of today. Help him choose to not settle for less, but hunger for you above all things. He comes at your request knowing that he cannot find you without the Holy Spirit. He needs you today.

Bless him to hear and follow. Show him the way and strengthen him as he pursues it. Guide him and enlighten him -- particularly in those spiritually dark places; encourage him when he gets weary, challenge him in the comfortable and ordinary places - and protect him, Father God, from his enemy, the evil one.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.