Scripture:
“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.” 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 NIV

Application:
We should be happy that anyone makes it into the kingdom of God. But wouldn’t it be great if more of us could get there shining like precious gold? Yes, but not all will. Some who build their platform of life on ephemeral things like money, looks, and fame will make it in by the grace of God (like all of us), but their reward in eternity will not be as bountiful as it would be if they focused on the truly important things in life. 
Go for the gold.

Prayer:
Lord, we pray that we will shun things that are meaningless in eternity. We hope to help others focus on the truly great things that You’ve made it possible for all of us to capture. Amen. 

Scripture:
"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."
Mark 1:35 NIV

Application:
It's so vital to get away from the din and demands of life to pray. Prayer requires both expressing and listening. It's a form of conversation. We can't have conversations if there are constant interruptions. So we have to get away occasionally (once a day, at least) to communicate with God. Even bouts of insomnia may be key times of blessing to pray.

Prayer:
Father we pray that everyone will have the daily time and space to pray to You softly. Amen.

Scripture:
'“The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore— cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.” Revelation 18:11-13 NIV

“Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.” Psalm 119:18 NLT

Application:
How long can we turn away from the reality of slavery? Right now, people are being sold. This is not a reference to the status of “servant” or “employee,” but the breeding, captivity, humiliation, trafficking, and merchandizing of humans who are treated as sub-human. They are being dehumanized for the pleasure of other humans, or to make other people rich and comfortable. This is not new; it is as old as sinful mankind. Nations, including the United States of America, were built upon slave labor. In some way, we are all beneficiaries of enslaved human beings. 
Although God has tolerated mankind’s enslavement of others, slavery is wrong. God sees no difference between free people and slaves; He is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34; Galatians 3:28). 
Slavery is wrong. We can do something about it. 
First, we have to acknowledge slavery’s existence and its wrongful nature. But like any act of confession, we need to go further. 
Next, we need to ask God how we can help eradicate slavery and deal with its legacy.
And we need to listen to each other. Just because we can’t alone come up with solutions doesn’t mean that we should ignore the problem. As we pray for enlightenment, God will supply the answers (Psalm 119:18).
There’s no way to sugar-coat slavery. If we try, God has an answer in the book of Revelation. Read it, if we dare. 
It isn’t pretty. 

Prayer:
We are sorry that Your creation, mankind, has enslaved people. We know that You love these slaves just as much as You love us. We acknowledge we have benefitted in some way from slavery. Now, please help us find a peaceful way to do what is right in Your eyes. Amen.