Monday
I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
Much like the rules parents have for young children – don't drink what's under the cabinet, don't play in the street, don't walk behind parked cars – God's guidance is not intended to restrict us, but to protect us. His commands, both positive and negative, are for our protection and perfection. By them we find life and have it preserved.
MY PRAYER ...
Holy Lord, help me see your words as life. I know you have given your commands, your will for holiness, to bless me and protect me. Use your Spirit to make my heart less stubborn and my life more nearly conformed to your will. Through Jesus' power I ask it. Amen.
Tuesday
[Jesus said] "You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
Our life will not be neutral. We will either point others away from God or show them that allegiance to God is important. Let's make an intentional effort today to shine the light of God's holiness and grace in all we do and say.
MY PRAYER ...
O God, may the words of my mouth, the actions of my life, and the influence of my deeds show others your holiness and grace and lead them to acknowledge your majesty and might. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Wednesday
To all who received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
We live in a time and culture of rights. "It's my right to ___." Just fill in the blank. But there is one thing we don't have a right to be: God's child. We are given that right by grace through Jesus' coming to earth, living, dying and being raised from the dead. We appropriate it through faith, through which God gives us new birth when we are baptized and reborn through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-7). To be born of God, to be born from above, to be born again is the gift of adoption into God's family and entitles us to all the rights of heirs in God's house (Galatians 3:26-4:7).
MY PRAYER ...
Abba Father, thank you for including me in your family. May my life today reflect your influence, character, mercy, holiness, compassion, righteousness, and love. I want to be like you, my Father. So just as I was born into your family by the power of the Holy Spirit, please fill me with your Spirit today so that I will more closely reflect you in all I do and say. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.
Thursday
Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
We are pushed by our culture, and often by our own greed, to look for an angle, to get the upper hand, to try to use others for our own benefit. We are reminded today that our benefit is only found when we benefit and bless others.
MY PRAYER ...
Oh God, you have been so gracious to me. May I reflect your graciousness to others today in all I say and do. Through Jesus I ask it. Amen.
Friday
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
What we know and even what we believe are not that significant if they don't show up in the way we live. Pure and simple, faith not lived everyday is not faith, it is facade.
MY PRAYER ...
Holy God, help me put into practice what I know is your will and your truth today. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.
Saturday
The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
Have you ever wondered how many friends you may have lost simply by judging them on their first appearance or impression? I'm amazed at how the first impression very seldom tells us much of substance about another. We're not really going to be able to evaluate people properly until the Lord reveals at judgment what is really in their heart. Don't you think that we should give them time for their heart to show before we make a decision about them, too?!
MY PRAYER ...
Father, who alone knows each heart, help me be more patient with others before forming an opinion about them. Please give me eyes to see them as Jesus does. Through him I pray. Amen.
Sunday
This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it – the Lord is his name: Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
In a universe of billions of stars, think of the power of the God who made them and knows each of their names. Think of all he knows that we don't. Think of all he has seen that is not in a history book. Think of all he has done and can do. Add to this that he invites us to speak to him about the things of our heart.
MY PRAYER ...
Almighty God, there are so many things I am simply ignorant about. There are so many things in my world that I can't understand. There are so many things about you that I long to know but I can't begin to comprehend you. Please, dear Father, please give me more of you, and about you, that I may know you better. You are beyond me, so deal gently as you reveal yourself. I look with anticipation at the thought of knowing you, the Unsearchable, the Almighty, God, my Abba. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.