Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of Jesus. We need the example of the One who was truly great humbling Himself in so many ways. Our hearts can desire greatness in place of being a servant. Please help us to live as servants as Jesus did. We need Your help to live in Your service.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
Dear Heavenly Father, we struggle under the weight of the burdens we bear. Thank You that Your burden is light. We need the freedom You offer through service to You. Please helps us to see the weight we carry that is not ours to bear. Please help us to take the yoke You have and find the rest You promise. We need Your help.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
I think this part of God’s will is often considered the same thing as suffering. Government overreach can be difficult to navigate. However, God tells us that we are to obey the government. The reason is to keep foolish people silent. Those who hate God want to silence those who seek to honor God. If we live appropriately, we will silence the critics. They will have nothing to say against us.
This can be hard to do, but is worth the effort. Those of us who have trusted in Jesus Christ have help from God to obey. He gives the strength needed to do what is right.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for providing authority to punish the evil. Please help us to obey the authority even when it is hard. Please help us to remember that You have a purpose for our obedience. We need Your strength to obey.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
I think one of the hard parts of Jesus’ example prayer is “Your kingdom come”. I don’t think we realize how often we seek to build our own kingdom. 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 talks about having freedom for the sake of building others up. I fear that we want freedom for our own selfish purposes too often. The Bible repeatedly talks about using our freedom to build others up. In this passage we are told “all things are lawful, but not all things build up.”
We need to make choices that help build God’s kingdom. We do that by living in a way that draws people to the One we serve. We need to share that hope to those who have never heard and remind the ones who know Christ of how wonderful the eternal hope of God’s kingdom is.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us direction about how to use the freedom You allow. Please help us to be aware when our own selfishness takes over. Please help us to use our freedom for the sake of the gospel and do everything for Your honor and glory.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
The book of Proverbs is full of wisdom. These verses follow some of the most famous (trust in the Lord in vs. 5-6). We are told to avoid wisdom according to our own thinking. If we allow God His proper place, we will benefit from it.
It is worth spending time learning God’s wisdom according to the Bible. I hope God’s Word is something that fills your year. You will find this pursuit to be worthwhile.
Dear Heavenly Father, I praise You for the wisdom You have provided through Your Word. Please help us to read and study the Bible in the year to come. We need Your help.
I pray this in Jesus name.
God is so good.
I enjoy the 4th of July in the United States. I get the day off work, sometimes spending time with friends, and maybe enjoy some fun fireworks. I am thankful to have so much freedom in the country of my birth.
God provides freedom. We are free from the bondage of sin (unless we choose to give in). We have many choices in life that God allows us to make. Unfortunately, we sometimes use our God given freedom selfishly. Our freedom according to this verse is to be used to serve others. Some days that can be difficult. Others are not always fun to serve. However, I have learned that doing what God commands brings intense satisfaction. There is an internal freedom when my selfish wishes are not dictating my life. I’m not saying it is easy, but I know it is worth it.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the freedom You provide. Please help us to use that to serve others.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
Pleading in Prayer 