Father, Your joy is eternal. During our life on earth, I have shed many tears and suffered many losses. But each time, You have reminded me that there will be no tears in my heavenly home -- the one I will share with You for eternity. In that place, You have promised to wipe away the tears from my eyes and take away all pain. You will pour out Your joy on me. Today as I struggle with painful situations, help me to keep my eyes on Your promise of eternal life. Amen.(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
Psalm 1 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Isaiah 65:1-12 – 2 Timothy 2:14-26 – Luke 11:53-12:12