PrayerBits for Sunday

PrayerBits

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

Sunday

Scripture lesson: John 10:1-10 False Messiahs

 

Time to reflect: There will always be people that will try to lure us away from the Truth. Beware!

Moving through the day: Who are some of the people that mislead or give an attractive “gospel” in our society? Pray for protection from being misled.

 

Scripture:

"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.

 Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

PrayerBits for Saturday

PrayerBits

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

Saturday

Scripture lesson: 1 Peter 2:19-25 The Ultimate victim

 

Time to reflect: Being a victim on behalf of another is both honored by our society and viewed as unnatural and only for special people. 1 Peter suggests that it is a proper attitude for all of us.

Moving through the day: Think of a time when you did or you might in the future suffer for the sake of others. Pray a prayer of thanksgiving for the sacrifice and suffering Jesus went through on your behalf.

Scripture:

For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
 "He committed no sin,
      and no deceit was found in his mouth." When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

PrayerBits for Friday

PrayerBits

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

Friday

Scripture lesson: Psalm 23

 

Time to reflect: If you can try to find a different translation of this. Regardless, try to read it as if you were not familiar with it. What does it mean? What parts are unclear or confusing? What parts are particularly comforting.

Moving Throughout the day: Recite the Psalm slowly, line at a time.

Scripture:

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

  He makes me lie down in green pastures,
       he leads me beside quiet waters,

 he restores my soul.
       He guides me in paths of righteousness
       for his name's sake.

Even though I walk
       through the valley of the shadow of death,
       I will fear no evil,
       for you are with me;
       your rod and your staff,
       they comfort me.

 You prepare a table before me
       in the presence of my enemies.
       You anoint my head with oil;
       my cup overflows.

 Surely goodness and love will follow me
       all the days of my life,
       and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
       forever.

PrayerBits for Wednesday

PrayerBits

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

Wednesday

Scripture lesson: Luke 12:6-7 Our God is a personal God

 

Time to reflect: An ancient Jewish concept, which we see frequently in the Psalms, is that God has to consciously keep each of us in existence.

Moving through the day: Visualize God focused on keeping you together. Thank God for that personal attention.

 

Scripture:

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

PrayerBits for Tuesday

PrayerBits

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

Tuesday

Scripture lesson: John 10:11-16 The Good Shepherd

Time to reflect: A different analogy: The Good Company CEO. The one who founded the company and always tried to look out for the benefit of employees will not run when the company is struggling or under attack, but the outsider CEO may take the Golden Parachute and flee at such times.

Moving through the day: Think of someone who was strong and faithful under adverse conditions to your benefit. (Plan on thanking them sometime today, if possible.) Give thanksgiving to Jesus for being stronger and more faithful than anyone else.

Scripture:

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

PrayerBits for Tuesday

PrayerBits

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

Tuesday

Scripture lesson: John 10:11-16 The Good Shepherd

Time to reflect: A different analogy: The Good Company CEO. The one who founded the company and always tried to look out for the benefit of employees will not run when the company is struggling or under attack, but the outsider CEO may take the Golden Parachute and flee at such times.

Moving through the day: Think of someone who was strong and faithful under adverse conditions to your benefit. (Plan on thanking them sometime today, if possible.) Give thanksgiving to Jesus for being stronger and more faithful than anyone else.

Scripture:

"Oh, that my words were recorded,
       that they were written on a scroll,

that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead,
       or engraved in rock forever!

  I know that my Redeemer lives,
       and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.

 And after my skin has been destroyed,
       yet in my flesh I will see God;

  I myself will see him
       with my own eyes—I, and not another.
       How my heart yearns within me!