Don Ak1

O Great Shepherd, those of us who are Your "under-shepherds" over Your sheep must not seek our own gain but the spiritual gain of the sheep. Those of us who benefit from the work of Your shepherds must be thankful and willing to support them according to our ability. Amen.

But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.

O God, we are still afflicted by the presence of sin in our hearts. We still suffer from false ideas and attitudes in our minds. We still struggle to will and do of your good pleasure. We know it is You who work in us to bring about a change to holiness in our hearts, but we long for it and strive for it with all our might. Help us to walk in Your life and to put to death all sinful desires. Amen.

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

We see Your works, O Lord, all around us, and we are Your works ourselves. The heavens stretch on and on for untold billions of miles in every direction, and they are filled with vast galaxies of stars and a thousand untold wonders. But even they cannot but begin to declare Your full glory. We stand in awe of You and worship You, O God our Creator! Amen.

In the name of Christ and His Heavenly Father, accept me into Your faith. Unworthy as I am, take me, O Lord, into Your arms and care, accept me as one of Your children. Extend to me this gift Lord, and enable me to do the same for any who wish to hear Your word, for Yours is the truth, the power and the glory, forever and ever, Amen.