Heavenly Father, as I work through the disciples, I realize just how much You chose from various backgrounds to help all people know that through Christ and the gift of salvation, anyone could be redeemed and used by You to build Your kingdom. Guide me today and give me wisdom to serve You.
Holy Spirit, help me to learn from the life and testimony of Matthew. He originally was a tax collector, which most of the Jewish nation despised because they not only collected taxes for the Romans but often took for themselves too. Matthew was young but ambitious and was doing well as a tax collector. Yet when Christ called him, he walked away from the wealth of this world to learn and become a disciple of Christ, and would become one of the 120 to experience Pentecost and be filled with Your Spirit. He would go on to preach the good news to the world, and the legacy says he died a martyr. He gave his life willingly to suffer and serve Christ and shun the luxuries of the world to keep his salvation and honor as a disciple. Help me to never be beholden to what this world can offer as I walk through life. Let me be wise in how I use my finances and abilities to serve You and build Your kingdom here.
Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain! [1 Chronicles 4:9 & 10] Let the words I speak bring life, not death, salvation, not ruin. Help my actions be righteous, and that as I humbly live, I serve You with all my heart, mind, and soul. With my name written Your book of Life, so that I may one day come home and live in heaven with You. Amen.