PrayerBits for Sunday

PrayerBits

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

Sunday

Scripture lesson: Mark 12:38-44 Who are like the Scribes?

Humans love to be ostentatious and we tend to honor and respect those who put on the right airs. We just went through an era when large cars and mansions were a sign of one's importance. As usually is the case, this was all sham. But, of course, it does not need to be that dramatic and obvious. We can put on airs in humbler ways as well.

Moving through the day: Think about ways where you try to inflate your position by means of external displays.

Scripture:

Mark 12:38-44

Jesus Denounces the Scribes

38 As he taught, he said, ‘Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, 39and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honour at banquets! 40They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.’

The Widow’s Offering

41 He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. 43Then he called his disciples and said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. 44For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.’

PrayerBits for Friday

PrayerBits

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

Friday

Scripture Lesson: Psalm 127:1-2 “unless the Lord...”

Time to reflect: Any human activity is at least meaningless without the Lord's involvement and blessing.

Moving Throughout the day: Pray that God be directly involved in all the tasks you have today.

Scripture

Psalm 127

God’s Blessings in the Home

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.
1Unless the Lord builds the house,
   those who build it labour in vain.
Unless the Lord guards the city,
   the guard keeps watch in vain.
2It is in vain that you rise up early
   and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
   for he gives sleep to his beloved.*

PrayerBits for Thursday

PrayerBits

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

Thursday

Scripture lesson: Ruth 4:13-17 The Ruth story completed

As mentioned in a previous PrayerBit, Moabite Ruth took on her Israelite mother-in-law's responsibility for producing a male heir to continue the family line. This is the central theme of the book. In these verses it all comes to fruition as she bears, by Boaz, the male relative that accepted the responsibility, Obed the grandfather of King David.

Moving through the day: Naomi and Ruth went through a great deal of hardship, poverty, and uncertainty before they enjoyed this happy ending to their faithfulness. Think about a time, perhaps now, when it was hard to see a possible happy end to a bad time. Pray for wisdom at such times.

Scripture:

Ruth 4:13-17

The Genealogy of David

13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When they came together, the Lord made her conceive, and she bore a son. 14Then the women said to Naomi, ‘Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without next-of-kin;* and may his name be renowned in Israel! 15He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has borne him.’ 16Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom, and became his nurse. 17The women of the neighbourhood gave him a name, saying, ‘A son has been born to Naomi.’ They named him Obed; he became the father of Jesse, the father of David.

PrayerBits for Wednesday

PrayerBits

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

Wednesday

Romans 12:1-3 Transformed

Scripture lesson:

This is another cram packed set of verses that would take a week of PrayerBits to unpack. But to focus on the hardest practical concept: we are not to be conformed to this world. We are not even aware of how and when we are conforming unless we are transformed in mind to discern the will of God. This takes, prayer and Bible Study, practice and patience.

Time to reflect: In prayer review your day and consider when you are conforming to the world in an unacceptable fashion (some instances of conforming do not matter, and some are against the will of God).

Scripture:

Romans 12:1-3

The New Life in Christ

12I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters,* by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual* worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world,* but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.*

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

PrayerBits for Tuesday

PrayerBits

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

Tuesday

Scripture lesson: 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 Even Lectionaries recognize stewardship season..

Time to reflect: The given text for today is a common one at this time of year. I have little to add. “cheerful giver” is not an oxymoron, by the way. Part of the point of this passage is about starting attitude. One's attitude about giving affects the out come for giver and receiver.

Moving through the day: Everyone is a little bit crazy when it comes to money. Pray to God for guidance on how to be a “cheerful giver.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

6 The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.

PrayerBits for Monday

PrayerBits

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

Monday

Scripture lesson: Acts 3:1-10 “I have no silver and gold”

Time to reflect: Even those of us who have silver and gold have something more precious – “the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.” Are we giving that to people or keeping it along with our silver and gold.

Moving Through The Day: Pray that we not hoard our possessions, especially our knowledge of the Savior of the world.

Scripture:

Acts 3:1-10

Peter Heals a Crippled Beggar

3One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o’clock in the afternoon. 2And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. 3When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. 4Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, ‘Look at us.’ 5And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6But Peter said, ‘I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,* stand up and walk.’ 7And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9All the people saw him walking and praising God, 10and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.