PrayerBits for Monday

PrayerBits

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

Monday

Scripture lesson: Psalm 126 “reap with shouts of joy”

Time to reflect: “The watercourse of the Negeb” are deep ravines that will be bone dry one minute and full the next. They are used as images for being unpredictable and dangerous, but also for sudden abundance. This Psalm can help us keep perspective, recognizing that good things can happen just as suddenly as bad things and that while we may suffer for awhile, better times are possibly coming.

Moving Through The Day: Think of a time when things seemed hopeless -- but wasn't. Pray for strength in hard times and joy in good times.

Psalm 126

A song of ascents.

 1 When the LORD brought back the captives to [a] Zion,
       we were like men who dreamed. [b]

 2 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."

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

 4 Restore our fortunes, [c] O LORD,
       like streams in the Negev.

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

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

PrayerBits for Sunday

PrayerBits

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

Sunday

Scripture lesson: Luke 3:7-18 Don't count on it

Time to Reflect: The Israelites, the Judeans, the Jews, (the Americans?), all kept thinking that there was something about them that would cause God to protect them even when they didn't deserve to be protected. Again and again they were in for an unpleasant surprise. John was calling on them to not count on their heritage alone, but to straighten up an fly right.

Moving through the day: Do we as a people, a church, or as individuals think God will bless us even when we are not behaving as “children of God?” Pray about this

Scripture:

Luke 3:7-18

7 John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor”; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 9Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.’

10 And the crowds asked him, ‘What then should we do?’ 11In reply he said to them, ‘Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.’ 12Even tax-collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’ 13He said to them, ‘Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.’ 14Soldiers also asked him, ‘And we, what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.’

15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah,* 16John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with* the Holy Spirit and fire. 17His winnowing-fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’

18 So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.

PrayerBits for Saturday

PrayerBits

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

Saturday

Scripture lesson: Philippians 4:4-7 Exhortations

Time to reflect: These are commands not gentle reminders...

Moving through the day: Write each of the commands in this section separately on a piece or pieces of paper. Each hour of the day successively take one as the as “theme of the hour.”

Philippians 4:4-7

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.* 5Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

PrayerBits for Thursday

PrayerBits

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

Thursday

Scripture lesson: Zephaniah 3:14-20 Return from Babylon

Time to Reflect: The future event of this passage is, today, a past event. The restoration of Jerusalem and the return of the people from the Babylon Captivity (verse 20), happened in the 6^th century B.C.E. (B.C.) The promise was fulfilled. This helps us to come to trust the promises of God. Of course the people became unfaithful again (and again) and new cycles of loss and redemption occurred. The once and for all promise, of course is Jesus, the Messiah.

Moving Through the Day:The Bible isn't all just ancient history, nor is it all predictions of the future. It is God's Word to all generations. Meditate on what this means to you.

Scripture: Zephaniah 3:14-20

A Song of Joy

14Sing aloud, O daughter Zion;
   shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
   O daughter Jerusalem!
15The Lord has taken away the judgements against you,
   he has turned away your enemies.
The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
   you shall fear disaster no more.
16On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Do not fear, O Zion;
   do not let your hands grow weak.
17The Lord, your God, is in your midst,
   a warrior who gives victory;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
   he will renew you* in his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing
18   as on a day of festival.*
I will remove disaster from you,*
   so that you will not bear reproach for it.
19I will deal with all your oppressors
   at that time.
And I will save the lame
   and gather the outcast,
and I will change their shame into praise
   and renown in all the earth.
20At that time I will bring you home,
   at the time when I gather you;
for I will make you renowned and praised
   among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes
   before your eyes, says the Lord.

PrayerBits for Wednesday

PrayerBits

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

Wednesday

2 Peter 3:1-9 Keeping things in perspective

Scripture lesson:

We tend to think in a very limited present tense: life is all about what is occurring to us, right now. It is hard for humans to even keep in mind our own personal history and its ups and downs. This is calling us to put even that in perspective to the God of the Universe and all of Time. Maybe, possibly we don't see how it all fits together.

Time to reflect:

Think for a moment about all the people, conditions, circumstances – from the beginning of time – that came together to create you.

Scripture:

2 Peter 3:1-9

The Promise of the Lord’s Coming

3This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you; in them I am trying to arouse your sincere intention by reminding you 2that you should remember the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour spoken through your apostles. 3First of all you must understand this, that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts 4and saying, ‘Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since our ancestors died,* all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation!’ 5They deliberately ignore this fact, that by the word of God heavens existed long ago and an earth was formed out of water and by means of water, 6through which the world of that time was deluged with water and perished. 7But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, being kept until the day of judgement and destruction of the godless.

8 But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. 9The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you,* not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.

PrayerBits for Tuesday

PrayerBits

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

Tuesday

Scripture lesson: 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 What is our foundation

Time to reflect: Paul was using this analogy in relationship to the church in Corinth, to let it be known that his successor pastor there was legitimate and could be different and do different things, that he, Paul, was only the layer of the foundation. As is typical of Paul, he wanted to draw the attention away from himself and his successor and put the attention on Jesus.

Moving through the day: Apply the analogy to your life. Do you have a solid foundation in Jesus the Christ on which the rest of you life is built? Every building is different, but it takes a solid foundation to hold the building in tact.

1 Corinthians 3:10-15

10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. 12Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. 14If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15If the work is burned, the builder will suffer loss; the builder will be saved, but only as through fire.

PrayerBits for Monday

PrayerBits

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

Monday

Scripture lesson: Luke 5:27-32 Why do you eat and drink with tax collector's and sinners””

Time to reflect: Jesus was always in trouble with his society for hanging out with the “wrong crowd.” However, Jesus was strong enough to influence them rather than vice versa. His being with the “tax collector's and sinner” because he cared about them is different from going along with the crowd and indistinguishable from them. Jesus was clearly non-judgmental and didn't care that he was criticized for this. But he also called the people he was with away from their destructive ways. This is an important message for us all.

Moving Through The Day:Pray for people you need to reach out to and help.

Luke 5:27-32

Jesus Calls Levi

27 After this he went out and saw a tax-collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ 28And he got up, left everything, and followed him.

29 Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house; and there was a large crowd of tax-collectors and others sitting at the table* with them. 30The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax-collectors and sinners?’ 31Jesus answered, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; 32I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.’

PrayerBits for Sunday

PrayerBits

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

Sunday

Scripture lesson: Luke 3:1-6 Baptism

Time to Reflect: The rite of Baptism seems to have come from John the Baptist and to be unique with him. It really doesn't line up with the concepts of the Jewish Mikveh or any other predecessor practice. The key to John's baptism was the idea of symbolically washing away confessed sin.

Moving through the day: Pray a prayer of confession, then praise to God for washing away these impurities.

Scripture:

Luke 3:1-6

The Proclamation of John the Baptist

3In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler* of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler* of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler* of Abilene, 2during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,
‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
   make his paths straight.
5Every valley shall be filled,
   and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,
   and the rough ways made smooth;
6and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” ’

PrayerBits for Saturday

PrayerBits

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

Saturday

Scripture lesson: Philippians 1:3-11 Pastor Paul

Time to reflect: Paul is sometimes a controversial character, but one thing that we should always keep in mind was that he was a real Pastor serving real churches. He had to deal with all the things that go on in modern churches. He had good days and bad days. Sometimes his churches exasperated him and sometimes excited him. But through it all, he loved his people and was most concerned about their spiritual well being.

Moving through the day: Picture this passage being read in your church from a former minister.

Philippians 1:3-11

Paul’s Prayer for the Philippians

3 I thank my God every time I remember you, 4constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, 5because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. 6I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. 7It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart,* for all of you share in God’s grace* with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel. 8For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. 9And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight 10to help you to determine what is best, so that on the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, 11having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

PrayerBits for Friday

PrayerBits

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

Friday

Scripture Lesson: Luke 1:68-79 A Psalm of Praise

Time to reflect: This psalm, prayed by Zechariah, father of John the Baptist, is not so much celebrating John's role or relationship with God, but rather what John's birth means – that it means that the Messiah is coming.

Moving Throughout the day: It is hard to think of ourselves as being of value only as a servant, a servant of God. Contemplate how your servanthood is supposed to play out.

Scripture

Luke 1:68-79

68‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
   for he has looked favourably on his people and redeemed them.
69He has raised up a mighty saviour* for us
   in the house of his servant David,
70as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
71   that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
72Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors,
   and has remembered his holy covenant,
73the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham,
   to grant us 74that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies,
might serve him without fear, 75in holiness and righteousness
   before him all our days.
76And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
   for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77to give knowledge of salvation to his people
   by the forgiveness of their sins.
78By the tender mercy of our God,
   the dawn from on high will break upon* us,
79to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
   to guide our feet into the way of peace.’

PrayerBits for Thursday

PrayerBits

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

Thursday

Scripture lesson: Malachi 3:1-4 Surprise, surprise

Time to Reflect: This passage does not refer to John the Baptist or Jesus. It is about the expectation that God would send a prophet with good news about God's coming. The prophet of Malachi (the name translates into English as “My messenger”) is warning that for many of them, this would be bad news, not good. We all want “cheap grace” where nothing is expected of us and to have everything work out to our benefit... We might be in for a surprise.

Moving Through the Day: The next time you say (or hear) “Oh, my God!” Think about whether, at that moment, you really want to have God respond.

Scripture:

The Coming Messenger

3See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?

For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; 3he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness.* 4Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.

PrayerBits for Wednesday

PrayerBits

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

Wednesday

Isaiah 45:5-8 God forms light and creates darkness

Scripture lesson:

This is not a past tense, once and for all statement. There is an wonderful ancient Hebrew idea that God has to consciously hold the universe together, moment by moment. That God has to consciously hold us together, keep us alive, moment by moment. That if God got distracted, we'd all go poof.

Time to reflect:

Through the day try to think about the idea that God was consciously keeping the laws of the universe working, moment by moment.

Scripture:

Isaiah 45:5-8

5I am the Lord, and there is no other;
   besides me there is no god.
   I arm you, though you do not know me,
6so that they may know, from the rising of the sun
   and from the west, that there is no one besides me;
   I am the Lord, and there is no other.
7I form light and create darkness,
   I make weal and create woe;
   I the Lord do all these things.

8Shower, O heavens, from above,
   and let the skies rain down righteousness;
let the earth open, that salvation may spring up,*
   and let it cause righteousness to sprout up also;
   I the Lord have created it.

PrayerBits for Tuesday

PrayerBits

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

Tuesday

Scripture lesson: Psalm 96 “For all the gods of the peoples are idols”

Time to reflect: We are not conscious of our idols because they are not little statues. But if we ascribe power and control to anything except (ultimately) God, then we have a idol. For many of us Science is an idol. Whenever we believe that science can fix any problem and that science for science sake, regardless of moral implication, is a good thing. We have an idol. When we fixate on money being the solution to everything, we have an idol. And so forth.

Moving through the day: Think about what are the idols in your life. Repeat the phrase “for all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the Heavens” every time you are confronted with one of your idols today.

Psalm 96

Praise to God Who Comes in Judgement

1O sing to the Lord a new song;
   sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
   tell of his salvation from day to day.
3Declare his glory among the nations,
   his marvellous works among all the peoples.
4For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
   he is to be revered above all gods.
5For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
   but the Lord made the heavens.
6Honour and majesty are before him;
   strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

7Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
   ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
8Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
   bring an offering, and come into his courts.
9Worship the Lord in holy splendour;
   tremble before him, all the earth.

10Say among the nations, ‘The Lord is king!
   The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved.
   He will judge the peoples with equity.’
11Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
   let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12   let the field exult, and everything in it.
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13   before the Lord; for he is coming,
   for he is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
   and the peoples with his truth.

PrayerBits for Monday

PrayerBits

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

Monday

Scripture lesson: Psalm 13 ”How long, O Lord”

Time to reflect: Even the greatest of Saints sometimes feel abandoned by God, and wonder how long they will have to suffer. But eventually the faithful learn to be confident in God.

Moving Through The Day: What areas of you life cause you to want to say “How long, O Lord?” What % of your total life is that? Pray to God for confidence and patience.

Psalm 13

Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies

To the leader. A Psalm of David.
1How long, O Lord? Will you forget me for ever?
   How long will you hide your face from me?
2How long must I bear pain* in my soul,
   and have sorrow in my heart all day long?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

3Consider and answer me, O Lord my God!
   Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,
4and my enemy will say, ‘I have prevailed’;
   my foes will rejoice because I am shaken.

5But I trusted in your steadfast love;
   my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
6I will sing to the Lord,
   because he has dealt bountifully with me.

PrayerBits for Sunday

PrayerBits

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

Sunday

Scripture lesson: Luke 21:25-36 “Be alert”

Time to Reflect: We have to live each day as if it were the last and as if it was one of 1000s more. We'll never know which it really is.

Moving through the day: If this were the end of the world as we know it, would you feel fine? Contemplate your readiness.

Scripture:

Luke 21:25-36

The Coming of the Son of Man

25 ‘There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in a cloud” with power and great glory. 28Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

29 Then he told them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Exhortation to Watch

34 ‘Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, 35like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.’

PrayerBits for Friday

PrayerBits

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

Friday

Scripture Lesson: Psalm 25:1-10 “do not remember...”

Time to reflect: This psalm, and so many others, imply a moveable, interactive, interpersonal God. This is not the Divine Watchmaker but one that cares, can be persuaded, has the capacity to rise above rules, personal insults and sin and show grace and mercy.

Moving Throughout the day: Pray a personal prayer, asking God for forgiveness for sin – be specific.

Scripture

Psalm 25

Prayer for Guidance and for Deliverance

Of David.
1To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
2O my God, in you I trust;
   do not let me be put to shame;
   do not let my enemies exult over me.
3Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;
   let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

4Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
   teach me your paths.
5Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
   for you are the God of my salvation;
   for you I wait all day long.

6Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,
   for they have been from of old.
7Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
   according to your steadfast love remember me,
   for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!

8Good and upright is the Lord;
   therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9He leads the humble in what is right,
   and teaches the humble his way.
10All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
   for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

PrayerBits for Thursday

PrayerBits

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

Thursday

Scripture lesson: Jeremiah 23:14-16 “The Lord is our righteousness”

Time to Reflect: Although Jeremiah was picturing someone more like an earthly king, we feel that Jesus was the fullest and best fulfillment of this passage. The Hebrews had a more concrete concept of “Righteousness” than we do. We tend to feel it is a personal choice to do right. They felt it was a divine quality imparted to humans that required right behavior.

Moving Through the Day: Contemplate how God is our righteousness. What does that mean to you?

Scripture:

Jeremiah 23:14-16

14But in the prophets of Jerusalem
   I have seen a more shocking thing:
they commit adultery and walk in lies;
   they strengthen the hands of evildoers,
   so that no one turns from wickedness;
all of them have become like Sodom to me,
   and its inhabitants like Gomorrah.
15Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets:
‘I am going to make them eat wormwood,
   and give them poisoned water to drink;
for from the prophets of Jerusalem
   ungodliness has spread throughout the land.’

16 Thus says the Lord of hosts: Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you; they are deluding you. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.

PrayerBits for Wednesday

PrayerBits

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

Wednesday

Matthew 10:16-22 “The one who is faithful to the end...”

Scripture lesson:

It would be easier to be faithful if we were persecuted as foretold in this passage. Then the issues would be stark and clear and not so muddled, confusing and uncertain as we have in our lives.

Time to reflect: Pray to God asking help in figuring out the right thing to do to be faithful when the issues are so vague.

Scripture:

Matthew 10:16-22

Coming Persecutions

16 ‘See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; 18and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. 19When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; 20for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; 22and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

PrayerBits for Tuesday

PrayerBits

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

Tuesday

Scripture lesson: 2 Peter 1:1-11 Start with faith and then build on it

Time to reflect: There is a lot in this passage that can be commented on, but I'd like to focus on the sequence of 5-7 and the fact that this passage indicates that faith and godliness is a process and one we can/should work on constantly.

Moving through the day: Think through the sequence of qualities and see if you can determine what the writer had in mind in linking these and in this order.

2 Peter 1:1-11

THE SECOND LETTER OF

Peter

Salutation

1Simeon* Peter, a servant* and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have received a faith as precious as ours through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ:*

2 May grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

The Christian’s Call and Election

3 His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by* his own glory and goodness. 4Thus he has given us, through these things, his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of lust, and may become participants in the divine nature. 5For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with goodness, and goodness with knowledge, 6and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, 7and godliness with mutual* affection, and mutual* affection with love. 8For if these things are yours and are increasing among you, they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9For anyone who lacks these things is short-sighted and blind, and is forgetful of the cleansing of past sins. 10Therefore, brothers and sisters,* be all the more eager to confirm your call and election, for if you do this, you will never stumble. 11For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.

PrayerBits for Monday

PrayerBits

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

Monday

Scripture lesson: Psalm 46 “He makes wars cease”

Time to reflect: Commenting on the three stanzas: 1) “though the earth should change” Our earth is changing in ways the Psalmist could not have imagined. But we still have the assurance of God's presence; 2) This is talking about Jerusalem which they felt was the “center of the universe” and where God, in some sense or other, dwelt; 3) This is talking about something still in the future: the coming of the Realm of God when all are at peace.

Moving Through The Day: Pray for the coming of the Realm of God, both in this world and in the world to come.

Psalm 46

God’s Defence of His City and People

To the leader. Of the Korahites. According to Alamoth. A Song.
1God is our refuge and strength,
   a very present* help in trouble.
2Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
   though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
3though its waters roar and foam,
   though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
          Selah

4There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
   the holy habitation of the Most High.
5God is in the midst of the city;* it shall not be moved;
   God will help it when the morning dawns.
6The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;
   he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7The Lord of hosts is with us;
   the God of Jacob is our refuge.*
          Selah

8Come, behold the works of the Lord;
   see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
9He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
   he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;
   he burns the shields with fire.
10‘Be still, and know that I am God!
   I am exalted among the nations,
   I am exalted in the earth.’
11The Lord of hosts is with us;
   the God of Jacob is our refuge.*
          Selah

PrayerBits for Sunday

PrayerBits

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

Sunday

Scripture lesson: John 18:33-37 Are you a king?

Time to Reflect: Pilate was trying to prove that Jesus was a revolutionary and claiming to be a King, contrary to Roman Law. This would have then justified having him executed. Jesus makes clear that he was not a revolutionary or usurper with a really strong argument in verse 36.

Moving through the day: “Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice” Pray that you may clearly listen to Jesus voice as it is found in Scripture.

Scripture:

John 18:33-37

33 Then Pilate entered the headquarters* again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ 34Jesus answered, ‘Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?’ 35Pilate replied, ‘I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?’ 36Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.’ 37Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’

PrayerBits for Saturday

PrayerBits

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

Saturday

Scripture lesson: Revelation 1:4b-8 Who is God, who is Jesus

Time to reflect: While I have this opportunity it needs to be said that the Book of Revelation is NOT a time table for the end of the world. It is a sermon of exhortation and encouragement to a persecuted and discouraged people. It is written in code (and we mostly know the code now) and uses vivid and dramatic imagery that is not to be taken (cannot actually be taken) literally. The “seven churches” translates to “every church,” the “seven spirits” is “the spirit of every church.” “Alpha and Omega” translates to “First and Last.” The point of this passage is to clearly state John of Patmos' basic theology, what he believes about God and Jesus.

Moving through the day: Unpack the passage, recognizing what John is saying about God and Jesus. Does his ideas make sense to you? Do you agree? Do you ever really think about God and Jesus in these terms?

Scripture:

Revelation 1:4b-8

4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and freed* us from our sins by his blood, 6and made* us to be a kingdom, priests serving* his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
7Look! He is coming with the clouds;
   every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him;
   and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail.
So it is to be. Amen.

8 ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega’, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

PrayerBits for Friday

PrayerBits

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

Friday

Scripture Lesson: Psalm 132:1-12 A Psalm of Ascents

Time to reflect: This is probably was a Psalm pilgrims to Jerusalem sang when approaching the Temple. It is affirming the importance of the Temple and the connection between the Temple, the Royal line of David and God.

Moving Throughout the day: Presbyterians don't have “sacred spaces” since all of God's creation is viewed as sacred. Through the day think about God being present and blessing and making holy everywhere you go.

Scripture

Psalm 132

A song of ascents.

 1 O LORD, remember David
       and all the hardships he endured.

 2 He swore an oath to the LORD
       and made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:

 3 "I will not enter my house
       or go to my bed-

 4 I will allow no sleep to my eyes,
       no slumber to my eyelids,

 5 till I find a place for the LORD,
       a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob."

 6 We heard it in Ephrathah,
       we came upon it in the fields of Jaar

 7 "Let us go to his dwelling place;
       let us worship at his footstool-

 8 arise, O LORD, and come to your resting place,
       you and the ark of your might.

 9 May your priests be clothed with righteousness;
       may your saints sing for joy."

 10 For the sake of David your servant,
       do not reject your anointed one.

 11 The LORD swore an oath to David,
       a sure oath that he will not revoke:
       "One of your own descendants
       I will place on your throne-

 12 if your sons keep my covenant
       and the statutes I teach them,
       then their sons will sit
       on your throne for ever and ever."

PrayerBits for Tuesday

PrayerBits

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

Tuesday

Scripture lesson: Luke 13:18-19 The Mustard Seed

Time to reflect: For the horticulturalists out there, this was probably the wild black mustard plant, which was, in ancient Palestine, the smallest known seed and, growing wild, could reach 6+ feet in height. The point, of course, is that a little faith can go a long way

Moving through the day: Rather than focusing on how little faith we might have, focus on growing it.

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

18 He said therefore, ‘What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? 19It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.’