Category: Devotions

Philippians 1: 9-11(NKJV): “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of

righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”

This a scripture prayer that you can pray for your family, friends, and even yourself knowing that you are always in the will of God. As you read the Bible, you will find other verses that you can pray as certain

situations arise. Colossians 1: 3-6(NKJV): “We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which is come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it also among you since the day you heard of it and knew the grace of God in truth. “This is another passage for those growing in their walk with Christ.

Challenge yourself to pray these scriptures for a month. I will do the same. See what Jesus will do in your life and the lives of those you pray for.

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January Devotions

Are you willing to get out of the boat in 2023?

Matt 14: 22-34 (NIV) tells the story when came to the disciples walking on the water during a terrible storm around three o’clock in the morning. The disciples thought they were seeing a ghost until Jesus said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Matt. 14: 27)Then the disciple Peter asked Jesus to tell him to come to him on the water. Jesus said: “Come.” (verse 29) Peter got out of the boat and begin to walk on the water. The other disciples did not follow, but stayed in the boat.

Peter foolish for getting out of the boat and being afraid when the he began to sink? At least he got out of the boat while the others stayed in the security of the boat. Peter did not miss the opportunity to stretch his faith.  Of course the wind died down when Jesus got back in the boat and those in the boat worshipped him saying: “Truly you are the Son of God.”(vs 32)

So, here we are today. As the Holy Spirit leads, are we willing to get out of the boat and serve the Lord His will everyday? This be your courageous prayer with Jesus’ help in the New Year.

We start our New Year at St Petrie, may we pray each day for the opportunity to share Christ with someone.

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The first is fear of the Lord.  This does not mean to be afraid of God, but to reverence Him for His power and glory.  This is an acknowledgement of all that God is including a respect for His holy wrath and anger.

Psalm 11: 10 tells us that the fear of the Lord is the

beginning of wisdom and leads to life, rest, peace and contentment (Proverbs 19: 23).  Proverbs 14: 26 states that the fear of the Lord provides security and a place of safety for us.

With all those promises, we should reach out in faith to God’s Son, Christ, who died on the cross for our sins.  Why wouldn’t we all willingly come to the Savior who has poured out so much love to us?

The second kind of fear in this world is of the devil.  The Bible gives promises to stand against Satan.  1John 4:4 says: “Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.”   11Timothy 1:7 tells us: “For God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.”

The key to overcoming fear is complete trust in Jesus Christ.  Ask Him for it.  Proverbs 3: 5,6 says;  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.  Lean not unto your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.”

***** Remember when we learned Isaiah 41:10 in Sunday School?

“Fear not, for I am with you.  Be not dismayed for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, I will help, uphold you with my righteous right hand.”                                           ~cms

In John 15: 13-15 (NIV) Jesus said: “You are my friends if you do what I command.  I no longer call you

servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business.  Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

Where do we learn how to be friends with Jesus?  He says: “Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV).  We can know that He “is our friend that sticks closer than a brother.” Prov. 18:24b (NIV).  These are promises from the Bible.  We are so thankful that Jesus died for our sins and rose again, the Son of God.

Talking to Jesus everyday really helps and getting connected with Christ-centered friends keeps you in touch with Him. 

So, what is the bottom line?  We need each other and we need Jesus.  As we read His Word, we learn the “master’s business.”  He has promised to always be with us.  He is right there while you are reading this devotion!! 

As Valentine’s Day approaches, remember Jesus Christ is the best friend you will ever have — please don’t forget that.

cms / St. Petrie

“Silent Night”

There was a little church, St. Nicholas, in Obendorf, Austria preparing for a Christmas Eve service.  The Assistant Priest, Joseph Mohr, sat down to practice the organ and not a sound would come from the instrument.  What could he do?  The organ would not play on that all important night of the year when we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Joseph knelt and prayed for inspiration from the Lord.

Not too long before, Mohr had visited a family with a newborn child and been inspired to write a poem with six stanzas entitled “Silent Night.”  He thought of this poem and then of his friend, Franz Gruber, a school teacher and guitarist at the church.  The priest went to Gruber’s home above the school with the poem in hand and explained the problem with the organ.  “Can you write music for the poem and play the guitar for the service tonight? “ Mohr asked Gruber?  The teacher smiled and assured the priest that he could.

Before the Midnight Service, the choir learned the words and the melody.  Franz Gruber played the guitar.  Every heart was blessed by the words musically expressing the story of Christ’s birth.  The less heard fifth verse continued full of grace:

                   Silent Night, Holy Night

                     Already long ago planned for us,

                    When the Lord frees from wrath

                    Since the beginning of ancient times

                    A salvation promised for the whole world.

                    A salvation promised for the whole world. * 

This stanza expresses the finished work of Christmas.  Jesus was born, he lived and taught us and died on the cross to save us from our sins – freed us from Satan’s wrath.  Then He arose from the grave as the victorious son of God to fulfill the Father’s purpose to redeem each one of us personally – the promised salvation for the world. 

~CMS