Matthew

You are the light of my life…without You as my guide, I could not find my way. But in today’s culture it is easier to remain silent and simply follow the crowd.

The pressure to conform…to be accepted…can be overwhelming. It is easier to be modern and “Progressive” in America today, but that would mean I must abandon the truth and declare with Peter of old, “I never knew Him.”

Forgive me for the times I’ve chosen the fleeting praise of men instead of speaking up for what is right.

Father, help me to stand firm in the truth even though it may cost me. Strengthen me and give me the courage to stand in the gap against the wokeness enveloping America today.

AMEN

Scripture:  “Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many that go in by it. Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life…” Matthew 7:13-14

I confess that often I come to you with anxious concerns. I know…both by Your word and my life experience, that Your plans for me are best…and nothing can derail them. So why am I concerned?

Prices are up 16.9% while wages have dropped 3%.
Mortgage rates are the highest in 22 years.
Many cannot afford daily essentials.
Nearly 60% of Americans share these concerns about the future.

It is easy to become insecure yet, those of us who call You “Father” and “Savior” couldn’t have a more secure future.

I know the truth. I must light the way for living in darkness and fear. I don’t know my tomorrow…but I know who does and I trust Him.

Help me share the light of Your forgiveness and provision.

AMEN

Scripture: “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:30-34

You are at work to bring light to the darkness. It is only by Your power that our country lifted

the death sentence from babies “Made in America”. The most evil court ruling in the past 100 years was overturned…Thank You, Father.

Without You, this reversal would be impossible…with You all things are possible! Continue to reveal truth to our culture…heal our divides…remove the coarseness of our language… mend our relationships…help us to be forgiving and care for one another.

Revive Your church and use her to bring a fresh awakening to our land. The possible demise of Roe v. Wade is good news…but the best Good News remains, Jesus died for me…conquered death for me…and gave me a new life! You reign over all creation.

AMEN

Scripture: “But Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” Matthew 19:26

Your simple command…treat others as you wish to be treated sems too hard to implement in my life… I am not the only one finding this hard to live up to daily.

Every 21st century social indicator establishes America as perhaps the rudest, crudest, meanest most immoral, criminal culture in our history.

A recent article in Atlantic magazine asks how a culture devoid of moral education…with generations raised in a morally inarticulate, self-reverential world, expect anything else. Well stated.
Between 1962 and 1973 The US Supreme Court removed God’s word and prayer from our public schools while declaring murder of unborn children a protected right.

Brooks is right about our deranged culture but misses the cure. Lord, send a fresh wind of Your Spirit sweeping across America…begin with me.

AMEN

Scripture: ““In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12

Your love continually lifts me to new heights…Your faithfulness inspires great confidence. I have learned how much You care about the things that concern me.

You challenge us in Your word not to be like a foolish man who builds his house on sand. But that is exactly what America is doing and our house is nearing collapse.

Please restore our foundation. Place us once again upon the solid rock of Your truth and heal our homes.

Give me the wisdom and the courage to be a part of a great awakening in the soul of America.

AMEN

Scripture: “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house upon the rock.” Matthew 7:23

You have the final authority. The plot is resolved and confirmed in heaven by the blood of Messiah.

I’m surprised as the end approaches, how mankind continues as though there was a plot line yet to be revealed. Mankind doesn’t seem to know the movie’s over but for the credits. We’re still foolishly fighting for any scrap of the credit we can claim.

Historically, when Hollywood strikes, these human attributes are on full display. “Give me my share” rings out loudly across the vacant studios.

When the self-confessed brilliance of Hollywood is not producing the enemy’s propaganda, American families benefit.

In heaven, success will not be a contest. But available for those who humbly worship at the throne of glory. Help many escape the burning theater of the absurd.

AMEN

Scripture: “In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat.” Matthew 24:38

It’s an inspiration anytime the men and women of America’s youngest generation stand boldly before a loud megaphone and proclaim the Lordship of Christ in their lives without fear of the pushback against their voices from the evil intentions of a lost culture.

Separately, from every corner of our great country we are hearing the bold testimony of our youth. From the Asbury Revival on a small Kentucky campus, to High School Valedictorian speeches across America…from young athletes given a microphone to describe their success, to young parents pushing back against a “woke” culture, Spiritual light is breaking out across the land.

May I boldly add my voice to the growing chorus; “Go Shout it from the Mountain, over the hills and everywhere, Jesus Christ is born”

AMEN

Scripture: “Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Just as a valley of dry bones was given life by Your breath, Your Holy Spirit breathes life into lost and dying souls today.

I’m so grateful that when I cried out for help as I struggled with the darkness You sent the Holy Spirit to breathe eternal life into me.  Your Spirit now lives within me…He calms the storms of life…guides me to still waters…restores me to the pathway of blessing…gives me peace beyond anything this world can offer. Having Your presence with me, life’s chaos cannot defeat me. I am an overcomer.

I want to share this amazing truth with the lost world around me.  Give me courage…empower my voice…let my life shine truth into a dark and depraved world. Use me for Your glory.

AMEN

Scripture: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

I am often saddened by what has happened to the organized church in America today. With some exceptions, our churches today have become proselytes for the demonic philosophies of our “woke” culture.

Instead of speaking Your truth into the darkness of our culture…the attacks on women, children, marriage, and traditional families…the many false prophets of our day have embraced the cruel and selfish ideologies associated with gender fluidity, same-sex marriage, schools over parental rights, unsustainable debt and the list expands daily…from our pulpits.

We need Your Spirit, Your truth more now than ever before in our history. I have been guilty of silence in the face of these powerful lies which grip our nation. Strengthen my spine…fill me with Your righteousness…make me a champion for Your truth.

AMEN

Scripture: “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.” Matthew 7:15

Two centuries ago on a Saturday, You, the Christ, the only hope for all mankind, lay in a borrowed tomb…beaten, speared, dead. Many had believed You were sent to rescue Israel from cruel Rome…others believed You’d been sent to fulfill Old Testament prophecy about a Messiah come to rescue mankind from the power of death and offer eternal life.

None believed You were supposed to die. They were confused and hopeless.

I get them…often I don’t understand how You’re going to make it all work out. What’s up? … You’re too patience? … Your letting things get so out of hand? Like those so many years ago, I don’t understand. I guess it seems darkest just before dawn.

This I know…You’ve never failed me…and You’re not starting now.

But just like then, I know…There’s a “WOW!” in my future.

AMEN

Scripture: “Then Joseph put the body (of Jesus) in his own tomb that had been cut into solid rock and had never been used. He rolled a big stone against the entrance to the tomb and went away.”  Matthew 27:60