PrayerBits for Wednesday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Wednesday

Scripture lesson: Ephesians 1:3-14 An inheritance

Time to reflect: One of the characteristics of an inheritance is that someone else has done all the work. That the heir is getting an essentially free gift.

Moving through the day: Meditate on what we have “inherited” from Christ, and what that means to you.

 Scripture:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.

PrayerBits for Wednesday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Wednesday

Scripture lesson: Ephesians 1:3-14 An inheritance

Time to reflect: One of the characteristics of an inheritance is that someone else has done all the work. That the heir is getting an essentially free gift.

Moving through the day: Meditate on what we have “inherited” from Christ, and what that means to you.

 Scripture:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.

PrayerBits for Monday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Monday

Scripture lesson: Isaiah 9:2-7 No more boots

Time to reflect: The Old Testament often gets the reputation of being full of violence and warfare. Warfare was then and is now a fact of life. But God's will is always suggesting that peace is a better way and that in the end when God reigns, all warfare and violence will cease.

Moving Through The Day: Read again the message of verses 6 and 7. Pray for peace.

Praise the LORD.
       Sing to the LORD a new song,
       his praise in the assembly of the saints.

 Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
       let the people of Zion be glad in their King.

Let them praise his name with dancing
       and make music to him with tambourine and harp.

 For the LORD takes delight in his people;
       he crowns the humble with salvation.

Let the saints rejoice in this honor
       and sing for joy on their beds.

May the praise of God be in their mouths
       and a double-edged sword in their hands,

  to inflict vengeance on the nations
       and punishment on the peoples,

  to bind their kings with fetters,
       their nobles with shackles of iron,

to carry out the sentence written against them.
       This is the glory of all his saints.
       Praise the LORD.

PrayerBits for Sunday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Sunday

Scripture lesson: Luke2:22-40 Simeon and Anna

Time to reflect: Two touching stories of faithful people who had waited a lifetime with hope for their people and hope for the coming of the Messiah. Their hope was rewarded by an opportunity to see the Christ child before they died.

Moving through the day Pray a prayer of thanksgiving that you, too have had an opportunity to see the Christ child. But you also have the blessing of knowing the end of the story. Of how exactly Christ became the Redeemer.

Please note, West Side's computer will be done on Monday and Tuesday. There will not be any prayerbits.

Scripture:

2When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"^[a]), 24and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."^[b]

 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
 29"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
      you now dismiss^[c] your servant in peace.
 30For my eyes have seen your salvation,
    31which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles
      and for glory to your people Israel."

 33The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

 36There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.^[d] She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

 39When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

PrayerBits for Saturday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Saturday

Scripture lesson: Galatians 4:4-7 A child of God

Time to reflect: This is a recurring theme in the New Testament and is a rather startling thought if we stop to think about it. In what way are we God's children. This is to be more than a vague analogy. Paul says we are heirs of God – we receive some kind of “inheritance” from God. What does that mean?

Moving through the day: Meditate on how you view your relationship with God. In what way do you view yourself as God's “Child?”

Scripture:

But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba,^[a] Father." 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

PrayerBits for Friday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Friday

Time to reflect: Can God really get the praise and glory God deserves?

Moving Throughout the day: Visualize all the creation, animate and inanimate, praising God. Visualize yourself joining in.

 Scripture:

Praise the LORD.
       Praise the LORD from the heavens,
       praise him in the heights above.

  Praise him, all his angels,
       praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

  Praise him, sun and moon,
       praise him, all you shining stars.

 Praise him, you highest heavens
       and you waters above the skies.

 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
       for he commanded and they were created.

 He set them in place for ever and ever;
       he gave a decree that will never pass away.

Praise the LORD from the earth,
       you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
       stormy winds that do his bidding,

  you mountains and all hills,
       fruit trees and all cedars,

  wild animals and all cattle,
       small creatures and flying birds,

  kings of the earth and all nations,
       you princes and all rulers on earth,

  young men and maidens,
       old men and children.

  Let them praise the name of the LORD,
       for his name alone is exalted;
       his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

  He has raised up for his people a horn,
       the praise of all his saints,
       of Israel, the people close to his heart.
       Praise the LORD.

PrayerBits for Thursday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Thursday

Scripture lesson: John 1:1-5,10-14

Time to reflect: John's theological birth story.

But people insisted on building a temple for God. It was devastating when it was destroyed (do you think God was devastated by it?) and people still mourn it's loss.

Moving through the day: Read this passage slowly, trying to read it as if for the first time. Think about each new thought and what that means.

Scripture:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

PrayerBits for Wednesday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Wednesday

Scripture lesson: Luke 2:8-20 The Shepherds

Time to reflect: A trivial point, but although we all picture these things as happen during a short period of time, in reality they would have covered a couple of years. Luke presents only the humble shepherds visiting Jesus, Matthew only mentions the “Wise men.” What significance is there in this? Which of the two groups are more “impressive” to us?

Moving through the day: Meditate on the idea that Jesus was born in a cow barn and visited by such humble people.

 

Scripture:

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
 "Glory to God in the highest,
      and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

PrayerBits for Tuesday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Tuesday

Scripture lesson: Psalm 98 A New Song

Time to reflect: This is a song of victory by a country. The “new song” is a song celebrating this new event. It would be added to their repertoire of such songs celebrating other special events.

Moving through the day: What new songs do you need to celebrate what God has done for you?

Sing to the LORD a new song,
       for he has done marvelous things;
       his right hand and his holy arm
       have worked salvation for him.

  The LORD has made his salvation known
       and revealed his righteousness to the nations.

  He has remembered his love
       and his faithfulness to the house of Israel;
       all the ends of the earth have seen
       the salvation of our God.

  Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth,
       burst into jubilant song with music;

 make music to the LORD with the harp,
       with the harp and the sound of singing,

  with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn—
       shout for joy before the LORD, the King.

  Let the sea resound, and everything in it,
       the world, and all who live in it.

  Let the rivers clap their hands,
      Let the mountains sing together for joy; 9 let them sing before the LORD,
       for he comes to judge the earth.
       He will judge the world in righteousness
       and the peoples with equity.

PrayerBits for Monday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Monday

Scripture lesson: Isaiah 9:2-7 No more boots

Time to reflect: The Old Testament often gets the reputation of being full of violence and warfare. Warfare was then and is now a fact of life. But God's will is always suggesting that peace is a better way and that in the end when God reigns, all warfare and violence will cease.

Moving Through The Day: Read again the message of verses 6 and 7. Pray for peace.

Praise the LORD.
       Sing to the LORD a new song,
       his praise in the assembly of the saints.

 Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
       let the people of Zion be glad in their King.

Let them praise his name with dancing
       and make music to him with tambourine and harp.

 For the LORD takes delight in his people;
       he crowns the humble with salvation.

Let the saints rejoice in this honor
       and sing for joy on their beds.

May the praise of God be in their mouths
       and a double-edged sword in their hands,

  to inflict vengeance on the nations
       and punishment on the peoples,

  to bind their kings with fetters,
       their nobles with shackles of iron,

to carry out the sentence written against them.
       This is the glory of all his saints.
       Praise the LORD.

PrayerBits for Sunday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Sunday

Scripture lesson: Luke1:26-38 The promise to Mary

Time to reflect: Modern people keep getting hung up on how all this was supposed to happen historically and scientifically. We get in fights over defending or attacking the account. This is such a side issue! If God wanted it to be supernatural God could certainly to that, if God wanted to use a natural process (possibly one not known and understood by Luke) that is certainly possible too. What really matters is the substance of the promise. Read the passage again looking for the core meaning.

Moving through the day Pray a prayer of thanksgiving for the coming of the Christ child.

Scripture:

There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ."

 They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?"
      He said, "I am not."
      "Are you the Prophet?"
      He answered, "No."

 Finally they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"

 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.' "

 Now some Pharisees who had been sent 25questioned him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"

 "I baptize with water," John replied, "but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie."

 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

PrayerBits for Tuesday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Tuesday

Scripture lesson: Jeremiah 31:31-34 Writing on our hearts

Time to reflect: Among other things this passage suggests that we need to have God within us. This is not just a matter of memorizing rules, or watching others for misbehavior, or working from a checklist of dos and don'ts but rather working off of a deep understanding of God's will.

Moving through the day: Pray for help in tapping into that “deep understanding” that is there, according to God's promise.

"The time is coming," declares the LORD,
       "when I will make a new covenant
       with the house of Israel
       and with the house of Judah.

 It will not be like the covenant
       I made with their forefathers
       when I took them by the hand
       to lead them out of Egypt,
       because they broke my covenant,
       though I was a husband to them, "
       declares the LORD.

 "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel
       after that time," declares the LORD.
       "I will put my law in their minds
       and write it on their hearts.
       I will be their God,
       and they will be my people.

  No longer will a man teach his neighbor,
       or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,'
       because they will all know me,
       from the least of them to the greatest,"
       declares the LORD.
       "For I will forgive their wickedness
       and will remember their sins no more."

PrayerBits for Monday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Monday

Scripture lesson: Psalm 149 Praise and calls for vengeance

Time to reflect: This goes from being a beautiful song of praise to requests for violence. Keep in mind that the Psalms are prayers from real people expressing their real feelings. It does not mean that God approved of all that is said in them.

Moving Through The Day: Can you relate to the praise sections? Can you relate to the vengeance section? How do you feel God would answer your prayers for vengeance?

Praise the LORD.
       Sing to the LORD a new song,
       his praise in the assembly of the saints.

 Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
       let the people of Zion be glad in their King.

Let them praise his name with dancing
       and make music to him with tambourine and harp.

 For the LORD takes delight in his people;
       he crowns the humble with salvation.

Let the saints rejoice in this honor
       and sing for joy on their beds.

May the praise of God be in their mouths
       and a double-edged sword in their hands,

  to inflict vengeance on the nations
       and punishment on the peoples,

  to bind their kings with fetters,
       their nobles with shackles of iron,

to carry out the sentence written against them.
       This is the glory of all his saints.
       Praise the LORD.

PrayerBits for Sunday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Sunday

Scripture lesson: John 1:6-8, 19-28 John the Baptizer

Time to reflect: John was an important figure but exactly what his role was confusing. John, the Gospel, tries to clarify it in this passage. But we see the confusion in several places in Scripture. Did you know that there is a sect still in existence – the Mandeans, in Iraq – who are followers of John? They were still a factor during the early years of the Christian Church.

Moving through the day It has always been easy to be a follower of this person or that. What makes Jesus unique and beyond all those we are tempted to follow?

Scripture:

There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ."

 They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?"
      He said, "I am not."
      "Are you the Prophet?"
      He answered, "No."

 Finally they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"

 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.' "

 Now some Pharisees who had been sent 25questioned him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"

 "I baptize with water," John replied, "but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie."

 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

PrayerBits for Saturday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Saturday

Scripture lesson: 1Thessalonians 5:16-24 Charges and benediction

Time to reflect: A lovely, caring conclusion to a letter.

Moving through the day: Pray and meditate about “giving thanks in all circumstances.”

Scripture:

 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

 Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.

 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

PrayerBits for Friday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Friday

Scripture lesson: Psalm 126 Joy

Time to reflect: This is a song of joy of a people saved from suffering. Interestingly, it is being sung before the fact. The restoration hadn't happened yet, but they had received to promises of restoration (Isaiah and others) and that was good enough for them. They could go ahead and start the celebration.

Moving Throughout the day: Do you always have to wait for a situation to be fixed before you can praise God? Thinking about the promises of God, the coming of Jesus, make this a joyful day of celebration knowing that God is with you.

 Scripture:

When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion,
       we were like men who dreamed.

  Our mouths were filled with laughter,
       our tongues with songs of joy.
       Then it was said among the nations,
       "The LORD has done great things for them."

 The LORD has done great things for us,
       and we are filled with joy.

 Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
       like streams in the Negev.

 Those who sow in tears
       will reap with songs of joy.

  He who goes out weeping,
       carrying seed to sow,
       will return with songs of joy,
       carrying sheaves with him.

PrayerBits for Thursday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Thursday

Scripture lesson: Isaiah 61:1-4,8-11 Hope

Time to reflect: This passage needs to be read as it was intended by Isaiah – words of hope for the people of Israel in exile. What would these words have meant to a suffering Israel in exile? But these words also indicate something about the nature of God. Therefore they did not only apply to that one people at that one time. They are words of hope for all oppressed and discouraged people. They proclaim a God that could/would come personally, as Jesus, to give this comfort to all of us in person.

Moving through the day: Meditate on what Isaiah's original message means today and to your life. Then meditate on how Jesus proclaims this message in his person, life and nature.

Scripture:

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
       because the LORD has anointed me
       to preach good news to the poor.
       He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
       to proclaim freedom for the captives
       and release from darkness for the prisoners,

to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
       and the day of vengeance of our God,
       to comfort all who mourn,

  and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
       to bestow on them a crown of beauty
       instead of ashes,
       the oil of gladness
       instead of mourning,
       and a garment of praise
       instead of a spirit of despair.
       They will be called oaks of righteousness,
       a planting of the LORD
       for the display of his splendor.

  They will rebuild the ancient ruins
       and restore the places long devastated;
       they will renew the ruined cities
       that have been devastated for generations.

"For I, the LORD, love justice;
       I hate robbery and iniquity.
       In my faithfulness I will reward them
       and make an everlasting covenant with them.

 Their descendants will be known among the nations
       and their offspring among the peoples.
       All who see them will acknowledge
       that they are a people the LORD has blessed."

  I delight greatly in the LORD;
       my soul rejoices in my God.
       For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
       and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,
       as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
       and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

  For as the soil makes the sprout come up
       and a garden causes seeds to grow,
       so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise
       spring up before all nations.

PrayerBits for Monday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Monday

Scripture lesson: Luke 3:1-6 John the Baptizer, take 2

Time to reflect: Compare todays reading to yesterdays. Luke probably had Mark in front of him when he wrote. What and why are the differences?

Moving Through The Day: We take the saying from Isaiah to be figurative, not a desert highway construction project. In what ways can your life be prepared for the coming of the Lord?

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
   "A voice of one calling in the desert,
   'Prepare the way for the Lord,
      make straight paths for him.
 Every valley shall be filled in,
      every mountain and hill made low.
   The crooked roads shall become straight,
      the rough ways smooth.
 And all mankind will see God's salvation.' "

PrayerBits for Sunday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Sunday

Scripture lesson: Mark 1:1-8 John the Baptizer

Time to reflect: John had two purposes. His primary purpose was to be an Old Testament type prophet, pointing out people's sin and calling them to repentance. He was eventually killed for this. The other purpose was to set the stage for the coming of Jesus. In this Advent season, we need to look AHEAD to the coming of Jesus and prepare ourselves for that.

Moving through the day Are there areas of your life you need to repent of? What will the coming of Jesus into your life mean this Advent?

Scripture:

 The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

 It is written in Isaiah the prophet:
   "I will send my messenger ahead of you,
      who will prepare your way"
 "a voice of one calling in the desert,
   'Prepare the way for the Lord,
      make straight paths for him.' "And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

PrayerBits for Saturday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Saturday

Scripture lesson: 2 Peter 3:8-15a One more time with the thief in the night bit

Time to reflect: People are impatient aren't we? How may times did the Bible tell us that we won't know when the Second Coming will be, but we still keep speculating.

Moving through the day: “Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by God at peace, without spot or blemish...”

Scripture:

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.

PrayerBits for Friday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Friday

Scripture lesson: Psalm 85:1-2,8-13 Righteousness and Peace will kiss each other

Time to reflect: These are promises that seem impossible in this world. They are like the New Testament concept of the “Realm of God.” We must always be doing our part to bring this to pass, but it won't finally come to pass at the Second Coming. (For the Psalmist, this would have been expected to come to pass with the coming of the Messiah.)

Moving Throughout the day: Meditate on what you can be doing to help usher in the Realm of God.

 Scripture:

You showed favor to your land, O LORD;
       you restored the fortunes of Jacob.

  You forgave the iniquity of your people
       and covered all their sins.
       Selah

I will listen to what God the LORD will say;
       he promises peace to his people, his saints—
       but let them not return to folly.

  Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,
       that his glory may dwell in our land.

  Love and faithfulness meet together;
       righteousness and peace kiss each other.

  Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
       and righteousness looks down from heaven.

  The LORD will indeed give what is good,
       and our land will yield its harvest.

  Righteousness goes before him
       and prepares the way for his steps.

PrayerBits for Tuesday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Tuesday

Scripture lesson: Luke 7:24-28 Expectations

Time to reflect: John was a personality, but was also disturbing to everyone. So people were attracted and repelled at the same time. They wanted him to be different and to say softer more pleasant things. (Don't worry about the”least in the kingdom of God” part. That is a recurring theme in Jesus' teaching – the humble get the best seats.)

Moving through the day: What messages do you get from today's “prophets” that you wish you didn't have to hear? Pray for wisdom in sorting out false messages from true ones regardless of whether you agree or disagree with them.

  After John's messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:
   " 'I will send my messenger ahead of you,
      who will prepare your way before you.' I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."

PrayerBits for Monday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Monday

Scripture lesson: Malachi 3:5-6 The forgiving God

Time to reflect: This passage both indicates that God does have standards and expectations and that God is a loving forgiving God, if we'll just turn back to God.

Moving Through The Day: What can you do to become closer to God?

"So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me," says the LORD Almighty.

Robbing God

 "I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.

PrayerBits for Sunday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Sunday

Scripture lesson: Mark 13:24-37 De-Creation

Time to reflect: This is another of the passages that indicate that we cannot predict when then end of time will occur and that we need to be ready any time. Verses 24-27 are standard Biblical images that refer to God's dismantling of the universe at the end of time. Even though our understanding of how the universe is constructed, (Although we no longer believe that the stars are things hung from the dome above the earth) we understand that this is referring to the destruction of the universe. We could rewrite this to reflect our understanding of the universe.

Moving through the day We are not called on to speculate too much about the end time. But we can pray that when the time comes we are ready.

Scripture:

But in those days, following that distress,
   " 'the sun will be darkened,
      and the moon will not give its light;
 the stars will fall from the sky,
      and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.

 "At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

 "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

The Day and Hour Unknown

 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

 "Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' "

PrayerBits for Saturday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Saturday

Scripture lesson: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 “Grace to you”

Time to reflect: When writing this letter Paul was really upset and worried about his old congregation, and yet he is able to pen this beautiful expression of thanksgiving. Paul never gave up on people or congregations. He loved them “even though...”

Moving through the day: Meditation about where you stand with your congregation. Are you fully happy with them? Do you need to love them “even though...”?

Scripture:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving

 I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

PrayerBits for Friday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Friday

Scripture lesson: Psalm 80 A Psalm of Lament

Time to reflect: A large percentage of the Psalms are “Psalms of Lament.” These were formal petitions to God, presented in the Temple by people suffering in various ways. This Psalm is a Psalm of Lament of the People, when the King, representing the whole nation made an appeal in their behalf. It is important to recognize that these are requests. We don't always know what God's response might have been.

Moving Throughout the day: Pray in behalf of your country.

 Scripture:

Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel,
       you who lead Joseph like a flock;
       you who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth

  before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
       Awaken your might;
       come and save us.

 Restore us, O God;
       make your face shine upon us,
       that we may be saved.

  O LORD God Almighty,
       how long will your anger smolder
       against the prayers of your people?

  You have fed them with the bread of tears;
       you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.

  You have made us a source of contention to our neighbors,
       and our enemies mock us.

  Restore us, O God Almighty;
       make your face shine upon us,
       that we may be saved.

  You brought a vine out of Egypt;
       you drove out the nations and planted it.

  You cleared the ground for it,
       and it took root and filled the land.

  The mountains were covered with its shade,
       the mighty cedars with its branches.

  It sent out its boughs to the Sea,
       its shoots as far as the River.

  Why have you broken down its walls
       so that all who pass by pick its grapes?

  Boars from the forest ravage it
       and the creatures of the field feed on it.

  Return to us, O God Almighty!
       Look down from heaven and see!
       Watch over this vine,

  the root your right hand has planted,
       the son you have raised up for yourself.

  Your vine is cut down, it is burned with fire;
       at your rebuke your people perish.

  Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand,
       the son of man you have raised up for yourself.

  Then we will not turn away from you;
       revive us, and we will call on your name.

  Restore us, O LORD God Almighty;
       make your face shine upon us,
       that we may be saved.