“A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse. 25Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart.

“The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse to repent. 

 “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

Lord God my Father,

Bring your Peace on me in a powerful way, allow your Truth to be powerful thru me and direct all attention to you.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“Lord, don’t trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor. 7I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. 8I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.”

And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing,11:12 Or the Kingdom of Heaven has suffered from violence. and violent people are attacking it.

For John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ 19The Son of Man,11:19 “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself. on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”

And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.7:23 Or who are not offended by me.”

Lord God my Father,

Give me the faith you designed me to have, remove all doubt and hesitation, create in me an obedience that shares your desire and gives me strength to overcome my weakness.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,5:3 Greek poor in spirit.for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

But I say, if you are even angry with someone,5:22a Some manuscripts add without cause. you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot,5:22b Greek uses an Aramaic term of contempt: If you say to your brother, ‘Raca.’ you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone,5:22c Greek if you say, ‘You fool.’ you are in danger of the fires of hell.

Lord God my Father,

Direct my heart to your work and give me strength over fear so I may do your will even when it may put me at risk. My desire is to serve you first, help me keep that true.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.

“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! 40Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.41“Your approval means nothing to me, 42because I know you don’t have God’s love within you.

“The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. 28So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!”

Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one! 14Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus.

“I have a question for you. Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?”

Lord God my Father,

I believe yet I struggle. Lord God, help me to allow you to have your way and honor you in all areas of my life. Replace my will with the one you designed for me.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. 32I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”

Lord God my Father,

I am sick and a sinner. Heal me from my poor decisions and past hurts so I may be in your will this day as you desire.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

And they left their nets at once and followed him.

“Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”25But Jesus reprimanded him. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. 26At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him.

Many were possessed by demons; and the demons came out at his command, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But because they knew he was the Messiah, he rebuked them and refused to let them speak.

Lord God my Father,

Give me the blind obedience to follow you without delay, protect me from any darkness that wants to use me.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.

I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ 29It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the bridegroom’s friend is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. 30He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true. 34For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. 35The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands. 36And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”

 She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”10Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”

But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

 The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

Lord God my Father,

Help me to be wise in preparing a path for you to travel among us, Help me to have my eyes open to your truth only. Strengthen my spirit for what is to come.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under,

Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”

 “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”

But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?”

“You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.

Lord God my Father,

Give me wisdom to outwit or be aware of Satan’s desire to corrupt. Give me wisdom to keep on your desired path and stay humble under your Love.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! 10For the Scriptures say,

Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6“I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please. 7I will give it all to you if you will worship me.”

 “My time has not yet come.”5But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Lord God my Father,

Protect me this day from the lies of Satan, Give me the discernment to carry the strength of your Holy Spirit and allow it to direct my actions.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

 Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”

His mighty arm has done tremendous things!He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.52He has brought down princes from their thronesand exalted the humble.

“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,because he has visited and redeemed his people.

He is a light to reveal God to the nations,and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

Lord God my Father,

You fill me and bring great Joy to my life. Keep me in your blessing and guide me to your word before my desires distract me. You have made your Glory known to me, allow me to grow in my ability to experience your way every day.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen