Morning Prayer: 2/24/23

Philippians 4:4-7; Psalms 95:7-11

Father, Your peace that passes understanding has walked me through many storms on the raging seas of life. I am so grateful to You for that peace, and I crave it in these troubled days in which we live.

The wind and waves of storms tend to catch our attention, distracting us from focus on being attentive to You – listening for You. Forgive us when distraction wins, leading us to fight the wind and waves from fleshly panic and prideful arrogance. Empower our hearts to turn to You with full focus. Grant us spiritual ear buds that cancel out the noise that leads to fleshly responses on storm tossed seas. Focus us on You, Your presence, Your wee small voice sounding, “This is the way. Walk in it.”

With focus on You, grant us to enter into and remain in Your rest. Empower us to hear and heed Your instruction and walk in Your Spirit to victory over the destructive forces around us. We need You, Father. Make us attuned to paths of righteousness where peace resides and rest rules; where we are made visible lights, drawing others to You. In Jesus, amen.

Praise God for the Empty Tomb

I was listening to a song, the words of which say “the cross has the final word.” Truly though, did it?

Before hanging me on one, please hear me out.

When Jesus was brought down off the cross, men had to carry him and bury him; and Satan – shouting “VICTORY!” – thought he won. But then…three days beyond the scenes of the cross, Jesus took a breath, sat up, cast off His burial clothes, and walked out of that grave, defeating sin’s death. With an undeniable shout of glory from Father’s mercy seat, the devil wept.

At the cross, the work was finished. At the now empty tomb, new life has come. The grave is where The Final Living Word spoke loud and clear.