PrayerBits for Tuesday

PrayerBits

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

Tuesday

Scripture lesson: Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4 If it seems to tarry, wait for it

Time to reflect: Only by looking at history in the broad do we see the work of God and the failure of evil people and destructive forces. God's world is not structured to always favor individuals but over time humanity as a whole and people in large groups are preserved and good eventually prevails. So if things don't work out for us, it is enough that it works out for humanity.

Moving through the day: Pray that you and people remain hopeful and patient.

Scripture:

Habakkuk 1

 1 The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet received.

Habakkuk's Complaint

 2 How long, O LORD, must I call for help,
       but you do not listen?
       Or cry out to you, "Violence!"
       but you do not save?

 3 Why do you make me look at injustice?
       Why do you tolerate wrong?
       Destruction and violence are before me;
       there is strife, and conflict abounds.

 4 Therefore the law is paralyzed,
       and justice never prevails.
       The wicked hem in the righteous,
       so that justice is perverted.

Habakkuk 2

 1 I will stand at my watch
       and station myself on the ramparts;
       I will look to see what he will say to me,
       and what answer I am to give to this complaint. [a]

The LORD's Answer

 2 Then the LORD replied:
       "Write down the revelation
       and make it plain on tablets
       so that a herald [b] may run with it.

 3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
       it speaks of the end
       and will not prove false.
       Though it linger, wait for it;
       it [c] will certainly come and will not delay.

 4 "See, he is puffed up;
       his desires are not upright—
       but the righteous will live by his faith [d] -

PrayerBits for Monday

PrayerBits

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

Monday

Scripture lesson: Lamentations 3:19-26 Being a refugee

Time to reflect: The Book of Lamentations are set of poems by Judaean exiles from Jerusalem bewailing their fate. They are actually, in the Hebrew, amazing pieces of literature.

Moving Through the Day: Pray from all the refugees around the world – regardless of why they are refugees and the politics involved.

Scripture:

19 I remember my affliction and my wandering,
       the bitterness and the gall.

 20 I well remember them,
       and my soul is downcast within me.

 21 Yet this I call to mind
       and therefore I have hope:

 22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
       for his compassions never fail.

 23 They are new every morning;
       great is your faithfulness.

 24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
       therefore I will wait for him."

 25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
       to the one who seeks him;

 26 it is good to wait quietly
       for the salvation of the LORD.

PrayerBits for Sunday

PrayerBits

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

Sunday: Luke 16:19-26 The Parable of the rich man and the poor man

This is a parable and the name Lazarus is not connected to the story of Lazarus in John. The point of the parable is in verses 30-31: If someone isn't inclined to believe there is nothing that will convince them.

Moving through the day: Pray for those who seem to have a hard time accepting the Gospel – what humans can't do (bring people to Christ) God can do.

Scripture:

The Rich Man and Lazarus

 19"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

 22"The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23In hell,[a] where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'

 25"But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.'

PrayerBits for Saturday

PrayerBits

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

Saturday

Scripture lesson: 1 Timothy 6:6-16 What are your priorities?

Reflections:There are a lot of things to think about in this passage.

Moving Through the Day: Focus on either or both the ways you might be “trapped by many senseless and harmful desires” caused by money or the list of things we should be pursuing in verse 11.

Scripture:

 6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Paul's Charge to Timothy

 11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

PrayerBits for Friday

PrayerBits

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

Friday

Scripture Lesson: Psalm 91:1-6,14-16 God is our sustainer

Time to reflect: A straight forward Psalm of praise. The Psalmists had an amazing ability to trust God no matter how bad things got. They didn't just wish or plead for God's help, they had complete confidence in it.

Moving through the day: Pray a prayer where you express confidence in God's love.

Scripture:

Psalm 91

 1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
       will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. [a]

 2 I will say [b] of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
       my God, in whom I trust."

 3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
       and from the deadly pestilence.

 4 He will cover you with his feathers,
       and under his wings you will find refuge;
       his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

 5 You will not fear the terror of night,
       nor the arrow that flies by day,

 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
       nor the plague that destroys at midday.

14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
       I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

 15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
       I will be with him in trouble,
       I will deliver him and honor him.

 16 With long life will I satisfy him
       and show him my salvation."

PrayerBits for Thursday

PrayerBits

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

Thursday

Scripture lesson: Jeremiah 32:1-3a,6-15 Jeremiah was full of surprises

Time to Reflect: After a life time of negative prophesies of doom and gloom, while the predicted destruction of Jerusalem was being carried out and Jeremiah was soon to be kidnapped by his friends to go to Egypt, Jeremiah gives a prophesy of hope and restoration, symbolized by his buying a piece of property in the soon to be ruined city.

Moving Through the Day: Even the worst of situations are temporary (even, we Christians believe, death is temporary). Think of past times of despair, then subsequent times of joy. If you are currently suffering, find a way of symbolizing your future hope, like Jeremiah's property.

Scripture:

Jeremiah 32

Jeremiah Buys a Field

 1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar. 2 The army of the king of Babylon was then besieging Jerusalem, and Jeremiah the prophet was confined in the courtyard of the guard in the royal palace of Judah.

 3 Now Zedekiah king of Judah had imprisoned him there, saying, "Why do you prophesy as you do? You say, 'This is what the LORD says: I am about to hand this city over to the king of Babylon, and he will capture it.

 6 Jeremiah said, "The word of the LORD came to me: 7 Hanamel son of Shallum your uncle is going to come to you and say, 'Buy my field at Anathoth, because as nearest relative it is your right and duty to buy it.'

 8 "Then, just as the LORD had said, my cousin Hanamel came to me in the courtyard of the guard and said, 'Buy my field at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. Since it is your right to redeem it and possess it, buy it for yourself.'
      "I knew that this was the word of the LORD; 9 so I bought the field at Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel and weighed out for him seventeen shekels [a] of silver. 10 I signed and sealed the deed, had it witnessed, and weighed out the silver on the scales. 11 I took the deed of purchase—the sealed copy containing the terms and conditions, as well as the unsealed copy- 12 and I gave this deed to Baruch son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the presence of my cousin Hanamel and of the witnesses who had signed the deed and of all the Jews sitting in the courtyard of the guard.

 13 "In their presence I gave Baruch these instructions: 14 'This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Take these documents, both the sealed and unsealed copies of the deed of purchase, and put them in a clay jar so they will last a long time. 15 For this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Houses, fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land.'

PrayerBits for Monday

PrayerBits

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

Monday

Scripture lesson: Hebrews 5:7-6:2 Keep growing and learning

Time to reflect: [Melchizedek is from Gen 14 and was the King/Priest of Jerusalem from the time of Abraham. Not much is said and so he became an object of speculation in the intertestamental period. Hebrews uses the figure as a precursor symbol for Christ.] We are called on here to keep working at our theological understanding, not accepting easy answers nor giving up and deciding we know all we need to know.

Moving Through the Day: Make a plan for expanding your knowledge and being challenged, theologically this year.

Scripture:

  7During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Warning Against Falling Away

 11We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Hebrews 6

 1Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,[a] and of faith in God, 2instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

PrayerBits for Saturday

PrayerBits

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

Saturday

Scripture lesson: 1 Timothy 2:1-7 Pray for everyone

Reflections: It is a part of our Christian duty to pray for others, including political leaders.

Moving Through the Day: Do so now.

Scripture:

 1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. 7And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.

PrayerBits for Friday

PrayerBits

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

Friday

Scripture Lesson: Psalm 79:1-9 The Unburied

Time to reflect: Ancient Middle East societies viewed being left unburied and unmourned as the greatest humiliation, insult and desecration. Conquering armies routinely did the things listed in this Psalm. The Psalmist, naturally wanted revenge (remember that it is a psalmist saying these things, not God), for he was horrified by the situation.

Moving through the day: Warfare brings out the worst in a person and a people. My Lai and Abu-Gharib show that even we can resort to this kind of behavior and attitude. Pray that our society may not have to be involved in warfare and when we do that we do so honorably.

Scripture:

A psalm of Asaph.

 1 O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance;
       they have defiled your holy temple,
       they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.

 2 They have given the dead bodies of your servants
       as food to the birds of the air,
       the flesh of your saints to the beasts of the earth.

 3 They have poured out blood like water
       all around Jerusalem,
       and there is no one to bury the dead.

 4 We are objects of reproach to our neighbors,
       of scorn and derision to those around us.

 5 How long, O LORD ? Will you be angry forever?
       How long will your jealousy burn like fire?

 6 Pour out your wrath on the nations
       that do not acknowledge you,
       on the kingdoms
       that do not call on your name;

 7 for they have devoured Jacob
       and destroyed his homeland.

 8 Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers;
       may your mercy come quickly to meet us,
       for we are in desperate need.

 9 Help us, O God our Savior,
       for the glory of your name;
       deliver us and forgive our sins
       for your name's sake.

PrayerBits for Thursday

PrayerBits

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

Thursday

Scripture lesson: Jeremiah 8:18-9:1 A Balm in Gilead

Time to Reflect: Since originally prophetic utterances were done live in dramatic presentations it would have been easy to determine “stage directions” and when a speech was from God and being quoted by Jeremiah and when a speech was Jeremiah was speaking for himself, as he often did. I believe that this particular passage came from Jeremiah and was his lament over his people's situation. Even though he proclaimed the destruction that came upon his people, he suffered in their behalf.

Moving Through the Day: When one person condemns another it should be out of love and compassion, not hatred, jealousy, or ethno-centricity. Pray caringly for an enemy.

Scripture:

18 O my Comforter [a] in sorrow,
       my heart is faint within me.

 19 Listen to the cry of my people
       from a land far away:
       "Is the LORD not in Zion?
       Is her King no longer there?"
       "Why have they provoked me to anger with their images,
       with their worthless foreign idols?"

 20 "The harvest is past,
       the summer has ended,
       and we are not saved."

 21 Since my people are crushed, I am crushed;
       I mourn, and horror grips me.

 22 Is there no balm in Gilead?
       Is there no physician there?
       Why then is there no healing
       for the wound of my people?

Jeremiah 9

 1 Oh, that my head were a spring of water
       and my eyes a fountain of tears!
       I would weep day and night
       for the slain of my people.

PrayerBits for Tuesday

PrayerBits

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

Tuesday

Scripture lesson: Amos 2:3-8 Social Injustice and Idolatry

Time to reflect: The two recurring themes in the writing prophets, that which God condemns, is social injustice, as outlines with examples in Amos 2:6 and the first half of verse 7, and Idolatry – worshiping other gods, as expressed with examples in the second half of verse 7 (temple prostitutes) and verse 8.

Moving through the day: Meditate on what God would consider social injustice and idolatry in our society.

Scripture:

 3 I will destroy her ruler
       and kill all her officials with him,"
       says the LORD.

 4 This is what the LORD says:
       "For three sins of Judah,
       even for four, I will not turn back {my wrath}.
       Because they have rejected the law of the LORD
       and have not kept his decrees,
       because they have been led astray by false gods, [a]
       the gods [b] their ancestors followed,

 5 I will send fire upon Judah
       that will consume the fortresses of Jerusalem."

Judgment on Israel

 6 This is what the LORD says:
       "For three sins of Israel,
       even for four, I will not turn back {my wrath}.
       They sell the righteous for silver,
       and the needy for a pair of sandals.

 7 They trample on the heads of the poor
       as upon the dust of the ground
       and deny justice to the oppressed.
       Father and son use the same girl
       and so profane my holy name.

 8 They lie down beside every altar
       on garments taken in pledge.
       In the house of their god
       they drink wine taken as fines.

PrayerBits for Monday

PrayerBits

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

Monday

Scripture lesson: James 3:1-12 The unbridled tongue

Time to reflect: This is a string of maxims and images about our human tendency to use language to hurt and destroy rather than help and build up. Each maxim and image is independent and should be considered separately, but we should also get the overall effect of the larger passage.

Moving Through the Day: We all say things that we regret – but we keep doing it. Trying writing this phrase on something you'll see all day: “Think twice, speak once.”

Scripture:

 1Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.

 3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

 7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

 9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt[a] water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

PrayerBits for Sunday

PrayerBits

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

Sunday: Luke 15:1-10 How much joy for one sinner repenting!

Can you think of an analogy in your life that would correspond to these First Century examples? Perhaps like landing a major job or deal that was unexpected but will have great positive impact on your life, career, finances?

Moving through the day: Pray that the angels may rejoice over you.

Scripture:

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

 1Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."

 3Then Jesus told them this parable: 4"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' 7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

The Parable of the Lost Coin

 8"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' 10In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

PrayerBits for Saturday

PrayerBits

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

Saturday

Scripture lesson: 1 Timothy 1:12-17 An assurance of pardon

Pray this passage as if it was you talking.

Scripture:

12I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

 15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

PrayerBits for Friday

PrayerBits

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

Friday

Scripture Lesson: Psalm 14 “no, not one”

Time to reflect: It is this condition of universal sinfulness that generated the need for Jesus, the Savior of humanity.

Moving through the day: Pray a prayer of confession, then remind yourself that “In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.”

Scripture:

 1 The fool [a] says in his heart,
       "There is no God."
       They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
       there is no one who does good.

 2 The LORD looks down from heaven
       on the sons of men
       to see if there are any who understand,
       any who seek God.

 3 All have turned aside,
       they have together become corrupt;
       there is no one who does good,
       not even one.

 4 Will evildoers never learn—
       those who devour my people as men eat bread
       and who do not call on the LORD ?

 5 There they are, overwhelmed with dread,
       for God is present in the company of the righteous.

 6 You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor,
       but the LORD is their refuge.

 7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
       When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people,
       let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

PrayerBits for Thursday

PrayerBits

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

Thursday

Scripture lesson: Jeremiah 4:11-12,22-28 “I will not make a full end”

Time to Reflect: This apocalyptic passage is about the destruction of Israel not the world, which wasn't a concern of Jeremiah's. Although graphic and exaggerated, the destruction of Israel came during Jeremiah's lifetime. The interesting thing about his expression of what God was going to have to do, was that one little phrase “I will not make a full end.” Sure enough, the Jews were never completely annihilated.

Moving Through the Day: Pray for God's patience with us.

Scripture:

11 At that time this people and Jerusalem will be told, "A scorching wind from the barren heights in the desert blows toward my people, but not to winnow or cleanse; 12 a wind too strong for that comes from me. [a] Now I pronounce my judgments against them."

 22 "My people are fools;
       they do not know me.
       They are senseless children;
       they have no understanding.
       They are skilled in doing evil;
       they know not how to do good."

 23 I looked at the earth,
       and it was formless and empty;
       and at the heavens,
       and their light was gone.

 24 I looked at the mountains,
       and they were quaking;
       all the hills were swaying.

 25 I looked, and there were no people;
       every bird in the sky had flown away.

 26 I looked, and the fruitful land was a desert;
       all its towns lay in ruins
       before the LORD, before his fierce anger.

 27 This is what the LORD says:
       "The whole land will be ruined,
       though I will not destroy it completely.

 28 Therefore the earth will mourn
       and the heavens above grow dark,
       because I have spoken and will not relent,
       I have decided and will not turn back."

PrayerBits for Wednesday

PrayerBits

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

Scripture Lesson: Psalm 51:1-10 A prayer for cleansing from sin

Time to reflect: The ancient Hebrews believed that sin caused an actual physical pollution that needed to be removed before they could appear before God. Even though that image is foreign to us, it is actually helpful because we tend to intellectualize sin and therefore disarm it making it intangible and of little meaning to us.

Moving through the Day: As you go through the day when you do something you consider wrong, even something as simple as forgetting about God for awhile, picture you having become “dirty” and you need to wash your hands to remove this dirt. How does this affect your view of sin?

Scripture:

 1 Have mercy on me, O God,
       according to your unfailing love;
       according to your great compassion
       blot out my transgressions.

 2 Wash away all my iniquity
       and cleanse me from my sin.

 3 For I know my transgressions,
       and my sin is always before me.

 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
       and done what is evil in your sight,
       so that you are proved right when you speak
       and justified when you judge.

 5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
       sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

 6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts [a] ;
       you teach [b] me wisdom in the inmost place.

 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
       wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

 8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
       let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

 9 Hide your face from my sins
       and blot out all my iniquity.

 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
       and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

PrayerBits for Tuesday

PrayerBits

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

Tuesday

Scripture lesson: Exodus 32:7-14 God changes God's mind

Time to reflect: Some of us, some of the time prefer a God that is distant, impersonal, unmoved and fully in control of everything. But then, some of us, some of the time prefer a personal caring God that can give us a break. How do we reconcile these two opposing views? Maybe we don't have to. God, being God is beyond strict categories and either/or choices like this. Maybe the omnipotent (all powerful) God choose to interact with us on our level and with our kinds of feelings and reactions...

Moving through the day: Which view of God do you prefer? What difference would it make to you to view God in the other way?

Scripture:

7 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. 8 They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, 'These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.'

 9 "I have seen these people," the LORD said to Moses, "and they are a stiff-necked people. 10 Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation."

 11 But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God. "O LORD," he said, "why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians say, 'It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth'? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. 13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: 'I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.' " 14 Then the LORD relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.

PrayerBits for Monday

PrayerBits

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

Monday

Scripture lesson: Acts 26:24-29 Taking advantage of a situation

Time to reflect: This was not the best possible situation for trying to convert his listeners – Paul was on trial for his life. But Paul took every opportunity.

Moving Through the Day: Are there going to be opportunities for you to get in a good word about the Good News today?

Scripture:

 24At this point Festus interrupted Paul's defense. "You are out of your mind, Paul!" he shouted. "Your great learning is driving you insane."

 25"I am not insane, most excellent Festus," Paul replied. "What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do."

 28Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?"

 29Paul replied, "Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains."

PrayerBits for Sunday

PrayerBits

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

Sunday: Luke 14:25-33 What is the cost?

Time to Reflect: We think, we hope, that this passage was addressed to potential disciples. Jesus knew that anyone following him at the time was going to have to make extreme sacrifices and he was asking if they were really ready for this. They needed to count the cost. Hopefully we don't have to make the extreme choices the so many followers then and now have had to make.

Moving through the day: If it came down it, if being a believer and follower of Jesus became a challenge, what would you be willing to sacrifice for faithfulness?

Scripture:

The Cost of Being a Disciple

 25Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

 28"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'

 31"Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

 

PrayerBits for Saturday

PrayerBits

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

Saturday

Scripture lesson: Philemon 121 Subversive Paul

Time to reflect: Back in the bad old days this book was used as an argument for the acceptability of slavery, since Paul, on the surface seemed to be accepting of the institution and was sending a runaway slave back to his master. However, a careful reading gives an entirely different picture. If caught Onesimus (and Paul) would have been executed – probably horribly (boiled or skinned or various other forms of torture). Onesimus was dead no matter what Paul did, unless... He sends Onesimus back to his Christian master as a fellow Christian and exhorts Philemon to receive his “slave” back as a brother. So, without directly, and dangerously, attacking the institution he cut the ground out from under. We can't prove that it is the same Onesimus, but that was a rare name: shortly after this time there was a bishop named Onesimus!

Moving through the day: What evils need to be attacked in our society? Can they be attacked positively and subversively like Paul did here?

Scripture:

1Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

   To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, 2to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home:

 3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

 4I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. 6I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. 7Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.

Paul's Plea for Onesimus

 8Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— 10I appeal to you for my son Onesimus,[a] who became my son while I was in chains. 11Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

 12I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. 14But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. 15Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good— 16no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.

 17So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. 20I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

 22And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.

 23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. 24And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.

 25The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

PrayerBits for Friday

PrayerBits

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

Friday

Scripture Lesson: Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 Do you really think you can hide from God

Time to reflect: We all affirm that God is “All seeing, All knowing” but do we really believe it? Do we act as if we believed it?

Moving through the day: Is there anything in your life that you would do differently if you thought that God was watching?

Scripture:

Psalm 139

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

 1 O LORD, you have searched me
       and you know me.

 2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
       you perceive my thoughts from afar.

 3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
       you are familiar with all my ways.

 4 Before a word is on my tongue
       you know it completely, O LORD.

 5 You hem me in—behind and before;
       you have laid your hand upon me.

 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
       too lofty for me to attain.

13 For you created my inmost being;
       you knit me together in my mother's womb.

 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
       your works are wonderful,
       I know that full well.

 15 My frame was not hidden from you
       when I was made in the secret place.
       When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

 16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
       All the days ordained for me
       were written in your book
       before one of them came to be.

 17 How precious to [a] me are your thoughts, O God!
       How vast is the sum of them!

 18 Were I to count them,
       they would outnumber the grains of sand.
       When I awake,
       I am still with you.

PrayerBits for Thursday

PrayerBits

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

Thursday

Scripture lesson: Jeremiah 18:1-11 The angry potter

Time to Reflect: When a potter creates an item that doesn't work right or doesn't look right, they smash it. God is our creator... The comforting thought is the recurring idea of God's patience: The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. (Psalm 103:8)

Moving Through the Day: Pray for God's patience.

Think of one thing you can do to help those in dire straits today. And not just giving someone money. Something that takes sacrifice on your part.

Scripture:

1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD : 2 "Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message." 3 So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. 4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.

 5 Then the word of the LORD came to me: 6 "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. 7 If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, 8 and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. 9 And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, 10 and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it.

 11 "Now therefore say to the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, 'This is what the LORD says: Look! I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. So turn from your evil ways, each one of you, and reform your ways and your actions.'

PrayerBits for Wednesday

PrayerBits

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

Scripture Lesson: Psalm 1 The two ways

Time to reflect: This Psalm was added late and to be an introduction to the whole collection of Psalms. It actually makes a good introduction to the Bible as a whole.

Moving through the Day: Substitute “Bible” for “Law” and read it as an exhortation from God.

Scripture:

 1 Blessed is the man
       who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
       or stand in the way of sinners
       or sit in the seat of mockers.

 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
       and on his law he meditates day and night.

 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
       which yields its fruit in season
       and whose leaf does not wither.
       Whatever he does prospers.

 4 Not so the wicked!
       They are like chaff
       that the wind blows away.

 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
       nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

 6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
       but the way of the wicked will perish.

PrayerBits for Tuesday

PrayerBits

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

Tuesday

Scripture lesson: Matthew 5:1-12 The Beatitudes

Time to reflect: The Beatitudes were intended to be shocking if not offensive. They were to set common wisdom in its head. Much of this shocking character is lost in translation and familiarity.

Moving through the day: Read this passage in the Peterson's “The Message” Bible. Try to recover the shocking feel of each Beatitude.

Scripture:

1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
 3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 4Blessed are those who mourn,
      for they will be comforted.
 5Blessed are the meek,
      for they will inherit the earth.
 6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
      for they will be filled.
 7Blessed are the merciful,
      for they will be shown mercy.
 8Blessed are the pure in heart,
      for they will see God.
 9Blessed are the peacemakers,
      for they will be called sons of God.
 10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.