Monday
The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
It's amazing to me how Satan knows our "silver bullet sins" – those sins that can especially wound and disable us from the work of Christ. Commit in your heart to ask God to protect you, your family, and one other person you'll silently support) from the attacks of the evil one.
MY PRAYER ...
Mighty and Triumphant King, crush your enemies under your feet and liberate me and those I love from the oppressive attacks and the horrible consequences of sin. Not only forgive and cleanse me, but please guard my heart so that I might gain strength to serve you with passion and power. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.
Tuesday
"Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?" declares the Lord. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the Lord.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
There is no hiding from God, but for those who willingly and joyously seek him, there is comfort, power, and hope in his presence.
MY PRAYER ...
El Shaddai, God of the Mountains, be my sources of strength as I seek your presence. I acknowledge your presence in all I do and everywhere I go. Please, don't just keep blessing me, but use me to bless others in your name. Through Jesus. Amen.
Wednesday
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
Hanging on to bitterness and keeping alive grudges is consuming work. It leaves little energy for blessing others, praising God, or enjoying life. The only way to get over these things is to actively love (i.e., serve them) others in ways that bless their lives. If we can't do this because it's good and the right thing to do, we do it because we know God!
MY PRAYER ...
Father of light, love and mercy, please remove from my heart any cynicism or delight in seeing others around me fall. Instead, help me to be a rescuer rather than a neglector. I want your grace to be seen in my friendships. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.
Thursday
Spoken by Jesus: "...whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.”
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
The key to life is letting go of ourselves and receiving Jesus. Please don't forget to relinquish your life to the one who gave up his own life. When we lose our life to him, we can have it back forever with him.
MY PRAYER ...
Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God, my Savior and King. I long for your life to be made visible in me. To your glory I pray. Amen.
Friday
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
Maranatha – O Lord come! This cry of the early church, especially during times of trial, persecution, and difficulty, must be tempered with the reminder that there is a lost world around us – many of whom are dear friends and family. Our passion for the Lord's coming must be equaled by our passion to share his grace with those who have not "come to repentance" and changed their lives to serve the Lord who died to bring them life.
MY PRAYER ...
O Great and Patient God, please do all within your power and grace to bring my loved ones and dear friends to repentance so that when Jesus appears they can share in my joy and your salvation. Through Jesus The Savior I pray. Amen.
Saturday
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever -- do not abandon the works of your hands.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
God has a purpose and plan for each of our lives. The greatest thing we can do is to find that purpose and live it out. We can trust his purpose in us because it is based on his wisdom and love. As long as we seek his will, we're not going to do anything that can ultimately spoil his purpose in us. Yes, we may at times stray from the perfect channel he wants us to travel, but we never get totally out of the main channel. As long he does not abandon us, (and he promised he never would forsake us he will use us) for his purposes.
MY PRAYER ...
O Sovereign God, help me discern today what my life is intended to fulfill. Thank you for loving me and promising to walk beside me every step of my life. I live trusting that you will never forsake me. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.
Sunday
The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
"Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Jesus taught us to pray for the day that the LORD would be the recognized king over all the earth. We look forward to that, because our faith will be shown true and the LORD himself will be glorified as he should be. In a world of profanity, a world where God's name is blasphemed, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that he is LORD, Yahweh, incomparable without rival.
MY PRAYER ...
Great Almighty LORD, work to bring yourself glory, in these days. Do mighty works that show your Sovereignty. Help us as we seek to bring others to call on your name and praise your grace. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.