Default Offering – The Presidential Prayer Team

Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. – Ephesians 5:2

The number one gift given for Christmas is innovative technology, and that tech present came with default settings already programmed into it. Most people can leave the settings because they work for most users. But some defaults, both in your new device and in your life, must be reset.

As Jesus gathered His disciples to celebrate Passover, He was aware it was the last time. During the meal, He revealed His betrayal was at hand, initiated by one sitting at their very table. Interestingly, the disciples immediately broke out in a dispute as to which of them was the greatest – default behavior! By nature, people tend to order themselves by comparison with others. By vying for prominence, they completely missed what the Savior was saying, so Jesus grabbed a towel and began to act it out. He took a water basin and assumed the role of a common servant. His hands, soon to be pierced for their sin, poured cool water over their dirty, stinking feet. In deep compassion Jesus washed each disciple, even His betrayer, explaining that love is not about being the greatest, “rather let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves” (Luke 22:27).

God’s default is always Love, first in giving the Christmas Child, then also in allowing Him to sacrifice His life purchasing salvation for humankind. Many people mistakenly try to prove they deserve such favor, but today, you can reset that mindset. Pray for Christ’s followers across the nation, including those who are members of Congress, to display God’s grace by living a life of service to others, honoring Christ, and bringing blessing to the nation.

Today’s Verse: Ephesians 5:2

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Mark 9:33-37

³³And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” ³⁴But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. ³⁵And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” ³⁶And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, ³⁷“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”