Ken Crawford

Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
Psalm 63:3 NIV

Dear brothers and sisters,
I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join me
in my struggle by praying to God for me.
Romans 15:30 NLT

Prayer must always be our first priority in daily life. The praise of God and the petition of Spirit are the empowering factors that we experience in Christ. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we pray (Rom. 8:26-27). The Holy Spirit pours love into our hearts to give us hope and endurance (Rom. 5:5). So it shouldn’t surprise us that the love we have from the Holy Spirit moves us to pray for others in their struggles. Praying for others, what is sometimes called intercessory prayer, is a great gift empowered by the love that comes from the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives. Paul wanted this Spirit-led and love-driven prayer to focus on his desire to proclaim Jesus, something we’ve focused on for several days. However, this Spirit and love driven kind of prayer can be offered for almost anything that another brother or sister in Christ needs. Let’s remember that the love we feel for others and the prayer we are given by the presence of the Spirit are there as gifts to equip us to pray for others!

On this day Father, I want to pray for a number of folks on my heart who face struggles of all kinds. Some are family members… some are friends… some are faithful servants of your Kingdom doing your work in hard places… some are grieving… some face tough times… some are making hard decisions… some have family struggles… some have great opportunities they don’t want to miss… some are overcoming addictions… and there are so many others. Please hear my prayers for them today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life,
but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:4 (NIV)

Words are very powerful. Communicators and negotiators know this. Deep down, you know this too. Words have blessed you and words have devastated you. The healing that comes from a kind and tender word is precious. The destruction of a cruel taunt or a well-told deception is crushing.

To have such power is absolutely amazing. To use this awesome power found in our speech is an awesome responsibility. Words do have the power to give life, hope, and peace when offered in love to honor Jesus. Let’s speak the good and kind words today!

Father God,
I want my words to be a blessing today.
I want them to reflect your grace.
I want them to bring healing to the hurting
and comfort to the grieving.
I want them to be tender with the broken.
I want them to be honorable and truthful
in difficult circumstances.
I want them to be upright
when the language around me is crude.
Through your Spirit, use my speech
to bless others and bring you praise.
In the name of Jesus, your ultimate Word,
I pray.  Amen

Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.
Luke 1:1-4 NLT

The opening statements of the Gospels of Luke and John prepare the reader for the incredible and wonderful message of salvation. Each day, we could be living in the grace of salvation. It is so easy to get caught up in the rush of life’s chores that we can take all too lightly the wonder of each day. It is necessary to properly prepare for the events of the day.

We live in a world that is confused about truth. Truth has become a subjective choice rather than the unquestionable and indisputable reality of God and his grace. Darkness tries to cover up the value of truth and some people are easily misled. Today, try to become a reflection of the light of grace by starting with the Word of God before trying to seize the day. The message we send by our actions is noticed by others.

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
John 1:1-5 NLT

Navigating the stresses of everyday living can either help us grow or make us weak. When we rise to the challenge to become people of peace, joy will fill our hearts and the overflow will proceed from our mouths. Take some time today for the seeking of God’s perfect peace and you will not be disappointed. Say a little prayer each day to begin the process.