Make us your gospel lights this week to those wandering in darkness among our families, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Through his books and DVD studies, Strobel has reached millions of skeptics, believers, and those in-between with well-reasoned arguments for faith. The Psalm repeatedly contrasts the fate of the righteous (they shall inherit the land) with that of the wicked (they will be no more). Save us from a life of pretense and guard us from using religion as a mask to cover up our resistance to the claims of Jesus Christ on our lives. For those of us struggling with a spirit of rebellion, resistance, resentment, or doubt, we pray that you would grant them a spirit of peace.

Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer comes right before His arrest and shows us the priorities on His heart as He anticipated the cross.More often than not my thoughts would drift off into what to make for dinner or I would haphazardly change prayer topics. LORD, when you favored me, you made my royal mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. If Stephen hadn’t prayed for compassion in his final breath, we may never have a complete New Testament in the Bible. We look forward to the day when we will not pass from this world into condemnation, but instead will enter into your presence of everlasting celebration. There is no fairer nor more merciful a judge than you, and we confess that we do not deserve your forgiveness for the sins we’ve committed.

Look especially to the death and resurrection of Jesus, who is a new and better Moses leading the redemption of God’s children from slavery to sin to the Promised Land of heaven (see Hebrews 3:1–6). But, when we share the same beliefs and can love one another despite our differences, we have unity. Though Jesus knew his crucifixion was inevitable and of God’s will, his human nature still struggled. I'm always interested in ways to encourage you, so feel free to contact me and let me know what areas interest you!Daniel asked for forgiveness boldly not because of his righteousness but because of God’s grace and mercy.