Tag: bible

  • A Prayer for a World in Transition, August 15, 2025

    Dear God of justice, mercy, and mystery, we come before you in reverence, bearing the weight of headlines and the quiet ache of our hearts. In a world shifting beneath our feet, we seek your wisdom to guide us, your peace to steady us, and your love to remind us of our true selves.

    As leaders convene in Alaska for high-stakes discussions on Ukraine, we lift up the people whose lives hang in the balance. May diplomacy be rooted in truth, and may peace transcend political outcomes—may it be a healing balm for nations and neighbors alike.

    We pray for the people of Washington, D.C., as legal battles unfold regarding the control of their police force. May governance be shaped by integrity, and may the dignity of every community be protected. Let justice not be seized but served.

    We observe the skies as Hurricane Erin intensifies, threatening coastlines from the Carolinas to New England. Protect those in its path, O God. May preparation be swift, and may compassion rise with the tides.

    We grieve the unraveling of protections as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau faces mass firings. For those who serve the vulnerable and those who depend on their work, we ask for provision, clarity, and courage.

    We lament the collapse of the United Nations’ plastics-pollution treaty, where responsibility was dispersed and action was deferred. May we not lose heart. May nations return to the table with resolve, and may we remember that stewardship is sacred.

    We reflect on the transformation of New York’s skyline, where boardrooms become bedrooms, and spaces once reserved for power now shelter lives. May this shift bring hope, not displacement, and may every home be a sanctuary of peace.

    In all these matters, in every summit and storm, in every courtroom and city street, we ask: Let peace prevail. Let justice be our guiding principle, and love our enduring legacy. Amen 💕✌️🙏

  • Top Life Goals: What Are Yours Right Now?

    What are your biggest goals in life right now? 💕✌️🙏

  • Lessons from Mark 9:7: Listening to the Son

    Hey friend, let’s take a look at Mark 9:7. Think about the times when you went your own way and didn’t listen to the Son. Also, remember when you did listen to Him and how that changed your life. 💕✌️🙏

  • A Prayer for Justice, Shelter, and Peace, August 14, 2025

    Dear God of mercy and truth, we come to you with hearts full of concern and reverence, bearing the weight of a world in motion—a world yearning for justice, safety, and belonging.

    We lift up the people of Ukraine, exhausted by war yet excluded from peace talks that may shape their future. May their voices not be silenced, and no agreement be made without the dignity of those who suffer most. Let peace be just, not convenient.

    We pray for the vulnerable in our cities as policies shift and cooperation with ICE intensifies. May compassion temper enforcement, and every person—documented or not—be seen as your beloved child. Let justice walk hand in hand with mercy.

    We reflect on the Supreme Court’s decision, allowing age-verification laws to shape how young people engage online. May wisdom guide our efforts to protect without isolating, to shield without silencing. Let our laws reflect care, not fear.

    We lift up those detained in new facilities, such as the “Deportation Depot” in Florida. May their humanity not be lost in the machinery of policy. Let your Spirit move through every corridor, bringing comfort, dignity, and hope.

    We watch the skies as Hurricane Erin gathers strength. For those in its path, we ask for protection. May communities prepare with wisdom, and neighbors rise to help one another. Let your peace be a shelter in the storm.

    We hold close the older Americans choosing not to own homes, seeking freedom from burdens and simplicity in their days. May they find joy in new rhythms, and society honor their choices with respect and support. Let home be defined not by walls, but by love.

    And in all these things, in every headline and every hidden story, we ask: Let peace prevail. Let justice be rooted in love. Let our hearts remain open, and our hands ready to serve. Amen 💕✌️🙏

  • Understanding God’s Communication in Mark 9:7

    Hey friend, let’s take a look at Mark 9:7. Think about how God usually communicates with you, and then try to figure out why you might not be listening. 💕✌️🙏

  • Celebrating Personal Development Achievements

    What are you proud of when it comes to your personal development? 💕✌️🙏

  • A Prayer for All Beings in a Time of Reckoning and Renewal, August 13, 2025

    Dear Spirit of Peace and Justice, you reside in every trembling heart and every rising tide, encompassing the halls of power and the quiet corners of conscience. Today, we come to you with reverence and humility, bearing the weight of conflict, transformation, and a glimmer of hope.

    We extend our prayers to the people of Ukraine and Europe, urging them to exercise restraint and seek justice in anticipation of the upcoming summit between Trump and Putin. May no land be traded for silence, and may peace be forged with dignity, not concession. Sovereignty shall be honored, and the voices of the vulnerable shall never be excluded from the dialogue.

    We extend our support to the artists and institutions of culture, particularly the Kennedy Center, as it undergoes a profound transformation. May creativity remain a sanctuary for truth, and the arts continue to reflect the full spectrum of human experience, encompassing both the privileged and the marginalized.

    We hold in prayer the city of Washington, D.C., where dozens have been arrested, and concerns about the potential rise of authoritarian control persist. May justice be pursued through partnership rather than force, and autonomy be protected, ensuring that every neighborhood is treated with dignity.

    We remember the agents and administrators at ICE, despite receiving substantial funding, who are struggling to fill their ranks. May recruitment be guided by integrity, and enforcement never overshadow compassion.

    We reflect on the subtle shift in hearts, as more Americans than ever choose not to consume alcohol. May this be a sign of awakening, a manifestation of care for one’s physical well-being, clarity of mind, and reverence for life. Let every choice be rooted in love, and may healing resonate through generations.

    For all beings—the grieving and the rejoicing, the powerful and the powerless, the seen and the unseen—may peace prevail, love lead, and hope endure. Amen 💕✌️🙏

  • This Week’s Biblical Lesson: Grace as the Source of True Identity

    Theme:

    We are not defined by our past, our performance, or our perfection—but by the grace of God that calls, shapes, and sustains us.

    Key Scripture Passage:

    1 Corinthians 15:10

    Reflection:

    Dr. Don Keathley’s quote “By the Grace of God, I am what I am;” beautifully mirrors Paul’s declaration in 1 Corinthians. It is a statement of radical humility and deep confidence—not in self, but in the transformative power of grace.

    Paul, once a persecutor of the church, became one of its greatest apostles. He did not hide his past nor did he boast in his achievements. Instead, he pointed to grace as the reason for everything: his calling, his labor, his identity. “By the grace of God, I am what I am.”

    This is the essence of Grace Theology: God’s unmerited favor defines us. We are not the sum of our failures or the measure of our successes. We are beloved, chosen, and empowered—not because we earned it, but because God gave it.

    Grace does not just forgive—it transforms. It reshapes how we perceive ourselves and how we live. It removes the pressure to perform and replaces it with the freedom to grow. It silences shame and awakens purpose.

    Application:

    * Embrace Your Identity in Grace: Let go of labels that shame or limit you. You are who you are by God’s grace—loved, accepted, and called.

    * Let Grace Have Its Effect: Like Paul, allow grace to move you into action—not out of obligation, but out of gratitude.

    * Live Free from Comparison: Grace Levels the Ground

    Grace serves as a foundation, eliminating the need for self-comparison. Remember that your worth is not earned but bestowed upon you by God. Be a source of affirmation and hope by reminding those around you that their worth is inherent.

    Prayer:

    Dear Father of Grace, I express my gratitude for your love and for shaping me into the individual I am becoming. By Your grace, I am not defined by my past or confined by my weaknesses. Allow Your grace to fully manifest within me, transforming my heart, guiding my steps, and inspiring my life.

    Help me to cultivate humility, walk with confidence, and extend grace to others as freely as You have bestowed upon me.

    In Jesus’ name, Amen 💕✌️🙏

  • Hearing God’s Voice: Reflections on Mark 9:7

    Hey friend, today’s challenge is to read Mark 9:7 and take some time to think about some things you’ve talked about with God. After you’re done, listen for His voice. 💕✌️🙏

  • Cultivating Self-Compassion for Personal Growth

    How do you foster self-compassion in your growth journey? 💕✌️🙏