If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.

Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

The highway to hell  is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.

Yet how quickly they forgot what he had done! They wouldn’t wait for his counsel!

He handed them over to pagan nations, and they were ruled by those who hated them.

Lord God my Father,

Help me to keep my heart completely focused on you, protect me from judging others. Keep my decisions under your control and keep me from worry. I want to stay on your path even when I struggle with myself and do your will. You are my authority, keep me close and protect me.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.

 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’

 “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.

And they left their nets at once and followed him.

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.

Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character.

Lord God my Father,

Help me to stay close to you and not wonder away. Give me discernment to notice Satan when he is tempting me. Keep me from following my sin nature and obedience to act as you ask me to. I am so grateful you are so close to me, continue to shape me as you desire.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live.

I will praise my God to my last breath!

34May all my thoughts be pleasing to him,

for I rejoice in the Lord.

Lord God my Father,

You are everything good, rest in me and keep me from falling for any deceit. Keep me near and be my God.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world?

Lord God my Father,

Direct me to be free of the past so I may live today with confidence and peace under your authority. Help me to release all desires that conflict with your will. Restore me to your design and past my poor thoughts.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. 5All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.

But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him 16to reveal his Son to me1:16a Or in me. so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.

Even that question came up only because of some so-called believers there—false ones, really2:4 Greek some false brothers.—who were secretly brought in. They sneaked in to spy on us and take away the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. 

You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ.

But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.

Lord God my Father,

Thank you for your son and the promise he brings through my faith. Thank you for using me for your desire, help me to surrender the strongholds I carry to your care and give me the courage to face them. Keep my thoughts close so I may hear deceit before it can rest on me. Help my faith to be complete and my sin nature to be replaced with your Peace.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“It’s really true!” he said. “The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders12:11 Or the Jewish people. had planned to do to me!”

Then he said, “You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord?

But when some of the Jews saw the crowds, they were jealous; so they slandered Paul and argued against whatever he said.

Lord God my Father,

You are always here, help me to rely on you, protect me from distractions. Give me discernment to know your Truth above all else and keep me in your desire when I don’t understand. Keep me close.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

 But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean.

This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

Herod intended to bring Peter out for public trial after the Passover. 5But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.

Lord God my Father,

Keep my thoughts pure and filled with your hope. Help me to carry the good news in such a way others will desire it. Help me to be in prayer in all things.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. 7Many evil8:7 Greek unclean. spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims.

As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. 

You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. 22Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, 

The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.”

“But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers9:13 Greek God’s holy people; also in 9:32, 41. in Jerusalem! 14And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.”

Lord God my Father,

Fill me with your words, use me as you desire. Help me to live in such a way that others desire to know you. Make my heart rite and direct my path. Give me boldness under your authority.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

God also gave Joseph unusual wisdom, 

Moses assumed his fellow Israelites would realize that God had sent him to rescue them, but they didn’t.

So they made an idol shaped like a calf, and they sacrificed to it and celebrated over this thing they had made.

“You stubborn people! You are heathen7:51 Greek uncircumcised. at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you! 52Name one prophet your ancestors didn’t persecute!

He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.

Lord God my Father,

Allow your wisdom to rest on me, keep me from assuming your plan and just be obedient. Keep me from false worship and allow your Peace to be my compas.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene,3:6a Or Jesus Christ of Nazareth. get up and3:6b Some manuscripts do not include get up and. walk!”

7Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. 

 “People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? 13For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this.

When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways.”

“In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed.

After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.

“How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too.” 10Instantly, she fell to the floor and died.

The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.5:41 Greek for the name.

Lord God my Father,

Groom me with your spirit to honor you and share you at your desire. Allow me to share your Truth in your name and open the hearts of those I meet to be drawn to you. Cause people to not see me but see you and turn from our sinful ways. Help us to see our selfish ways and turn from them. Allow your strength to defeat the evil around us, may we suffer for you alone.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen