Emmanuel United Methodist Church

Sunday, July 12, 2026

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Like Esau, we get so diverted, distracted, and disturbed by the mundane things of life — things like growling bellies and petty jealousies. The evil one uses these to lead us to forget the longer-range view of things and the important promises of God's Scriptures. God's incarnate Word (Jesus), his written Word (the Scriptures), and his proclaimed Word in the Gospel are what can sustain us eternally. These are the nourishing sustenance of God's living bread we seek, the true daily bread we need God to supply (Matthew 6:11).

My 🙏🏻 Prayer...

True and Faithful God, please create in me a hunger for your true and enduring Word, your living Bread. Please help me recognize that your Bread is much more necessary for my life than any physical food. I confess that at times I have been distracted by mundane things in my life and have not sought your Word, your Living Bread, to nourish my soul. Please forgive me as I recommit myself to be more attentive to your leading and your truth in your Word, as I am led by your Spirit. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray and make this commitment. Amen.

Thursday, July 9, 2026

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Of all the names for God in the Bible, my favorite is "Him Who-is-Able"! Our God can "do do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine"! Our God is the same God who parted the Red Sea and fed 5,000 people on a green hillside with only a couple of sardine sandwiches. Our Lord not only longs to do more through you and me and the Spirit at work within us, but Jesus also gave us this incredible promise as those who believe:
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son (John 14:12-13).

Unfortunately, most of us haven't really given Jesus much of a challenge with our wimpy dreams and shallow prayers. Let's dream big dreams for God. Let's have great ideas of what he can do through us to reach the lost world. Then hang on for the ride that is more than we can even imagine!

My 🙏🏻 Prayer...

Almighty and Awesome God, we pray the prayer of Habakkuk, your prophet:
Lord, [we] have heard of your fame; [we] stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time, make them known... (Habakkuk 3:2).

Please, O Lord, give us faith to imagine and ask for greater things to be done for your glory. Amaze us with your works, which show how shortsighted our faith has really been. We ask this for your glory and the salvation of our world. In Jesus' name, we ask this. Amen.

Monday, June 29, 2026

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God has a purpose and plan for each of our lives, something unique he purposed for each of us as he created each of us in the womb of our mother (Psalm 139:13-16). We need to discover that purpose and live it out as our life's mission. As long as we seek the Lord's will, we can't do anything that can derail his ultimate purpose for us. If we seek Jesus, God is at work in our lives"to will and to act to fulfill his good purpose" in us (Philippians 2:12-13). He works all things out for our best good as we love him and live for his purpose for us (Romans 8:28-29). Yes, we may at times stray from the perfect path he wants us to travel, but we never get totally out of the main channel of his will as long as we do not abandon him. Remember: He will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6). He will fulfill his great purpose for each of us.

My 🙏🏻 Prayer...

O Sovereign God, please use the Holy Spirit to help me discern today what your purpose for my life is. I yearn to fulfill your plan and purpose for me. Thank you for loving me and promising to walk beside me every step of my life. I live trusting that you will never forsake me and are committed to being at work through the Spirit to transform me to become more JESUShaped in every area of my life and influence (Colossians 1:28-29; 2 Corinthians 3:18). In the name of your faithful Son, Jesus, I pray. Amen.