Simple Short Daily Prayer Books Series Book 2

July 25th

July 25th Daily Prayer
To the end He may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God even our Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. 1st Thessalonians 3:13

Prayer 261: Dear Lord keep working in me, my family and friends to establish holiness in my heart to make it an unblameable holy heart for Your Spirit to dwell in Jesus' name I pray amen.

1. Read Deuteronomy 32–34 and Mark 15:26–47
2. Joshua 1–3 and Mark 16.
3. Joshua 4–6 and Luke 1:1–20
4. Joshua 7–9 and Luke 1:21–38
5. Joshua 10–12 and Luke 1:39–56
6. Joshua 13–15 and Luke 1:57–80

1. "'I Am'"
Read Exodus 3:11–15
God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM."
Exodus 3:14

Jack a professor philosophy and literature had a brilliant mind. He declared himself an atheist at the age of fifteen and in adulthood adamantly defended his "atheistic faith" Christian friends tried to persuade him. As Jack put it, "Everyone and everything had joined the other side." But the Bible he had to admit was different from other literature and myths. About the Gospels he wrote: "If ever a myth had become fact had been incarnated it would be just like this,"
One Bible passage became most influential to Jack–Exodus 3. God was calling Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses asked God, "Who am I that should go to Pharaoh? (Verse 11). God responded, "I AM WHO I AM" ((was one of the many responses in that passage)) (Verse 14). This passage is a complex play on words and names but reflects God's eternal presence from the beginning. Interestingly later Jesus echoed the same when he said, "before Abraham was born I AM." John 8:58.
Jack better known as C. S. Lewis was deeply persuaded by this passage. This was all that the one true God should need to say–simply that He is "I AM." In a life-changing moment Lewis "gave in and admitted God was God." This was the beginning of a journey for Lewis toward accepting Jesus.
Perhaps we (all) struggle with belief as Lewis did or maybe (some of us) with a lukewarm faith. We might ask ourselves if God is truly the "I AM" in our lives. –Kenneth Petersen.

What does it mean to you to hear God say, "I AM."
How might it influence your days ahead?

Prayer 262: Dear God I come to You in awe of who You are. You are the "I AM" in my life and there is no other in Jesus' name amen help me remember this always every day morning and evening when I fall asleep.

2. Master In Heaven
Read Colossians 3: 22–4:1.
Masters treat your servants considerately.
Be fair with them. Don't forget for a minute that you, too, serve a Master–God in heaven. Colossians 4:1.

Singapore's Ministry of Manpower announced in 2022 that all migrant domestic workers must be given at least one rest day a month that employers couldn't compensate them for instead of giving them the day off. Employers, however, were concerned they wouldn't have someone to care for their loved ones on those days. While the logistics of caregiving could be solved by making alternative arrangements, their attitude in not seeing the need for rest wasn't as easy to solve.
Treating others considerately isn't a new issue. The apostle Paul lived in a time where servants were seen as the property of their masters. Yet, in the last line of his instructions to the church on how Christlike households should operate, he says that masters are to treat their servants "justly" (COLOSSIANS 4:1 ESV). Another translation says, "Be fair with them" (THE MESSAGE).
Just as Paul tells the servants to work "for the Lord, not for human masters" (3:23), he reminds the masters also of Jesus' authority over them: "you also have a Master in heaven" (4:1). His purpose was to encourage the Colossian believers to live as those whose ultimate authority is Christ. In our interaction with others-whether as an employer, employee, in our homes or communities-we can ask God to help us do what's "right and fair" (V. 1).
–Jasmine Goh.

When haven't you treated someone fairly? In your work or your home what changes will you make to treat others considerately?

Prayer 263: Heavenly Father please forgive me for times when I don't treat others fairly. Help me to submit to You as the Master of my life in Jesus' name amen I pray.