DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
Let us begin with adoration. We worship the three in one, the infinitely glorious God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You are the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Though we have not yet ascended to the place where pure spirits behold your face, we desire to worship you in spirit, casting our crowns before your throne. We ascribe glory, honor, power, praise, dominion, and might to you who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb forever.
The entire church worships you, O God. Every heart renewed by your grace delights in adoration, and we, though the least and humblest, bow wholeheartedly in worship. Our joy in you is inexpressible.
Amen.
VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“Or do you think it’s without reason that the Scripture says: The spirit he made to dwell in us envies intensely? But he gives greater grace.” (James 3:5–6)
There is a spirit within the natural human disposition that tends toward hatred and envy, always seeking to acquire what others have and feeling discontent when others appear to have more. How can this spirit be overcome? The answer lies in the following verse: God provides more grace. “More grace” is the remedy for hate and envy, the balm for sorrow, and the solution to all difficulties. It is the universal prescription for all our needs: “He gives us more grace.”
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE
Hope for Parents of Children Wrestling with LGBT identities*
Parents, our response to our children’s sin can teach us a lot about our own hearts. And we can have a lot of confidence that God is at work for our good through these struggles. This includes our children adopting LGBT identities.
Yes, God is at work is US when our children struggle with LGBT sins.
And we need biblical guidance to explore these things, always remembering God’s mercy to us during this uniquely challenging season.
And a great resource to help parents see this is Shattered Dreams, New Hopes from Harvest USA, a free Bible study curriculum.
This resource offers grace-saturated comfort from God’s Word for parents walking through the trial of a child identifying with the LGBT community.
Here’s what to look forward to…
- Use this study in a group, one-on-one, or on your own
- Understand biblically (not just psychologically/culturally) why your child has adopted this identity
- Find compassion as you navigate this difficult season
- Discover practical guidance for moving toward your child with grace and truth (without driving them away)
- Remember the hope of Christ, powerfully working, even in the darkest of days
If you have a child struggling with an LGBT identity (or someone you know has a child like this), then PLEASE check out this free resource.