Today’s Verse – Psalm 103:8
The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. —Psalm 103:8 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God is holy, righteous, and just. As important as these qualities are, he reveals them within his compassion, graciousness, and patience with overflowing mercy and love. We can obey, worship, and show reverent respect to God. We can also love, appreciate, and adore our Father in heaven for his loving grace! Then, we can lean into his challenge to reflect his righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful lovingkindness! We can be “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love,” like our Father! My Prayer… LORD God Almighty, I not only trust in you, but I appreciate your faithfulness, your mercy, your love, your graciousness, and your patient compassion. Please help me display each of these virtues you regularly share with me to others more perfectly. In the name of the LORD Jesus, I ask for your help to reflect your nature to those who need to see your love and grace. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – 1 Timothy 6:7-8
For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. —1 Timothy 6:7-8 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Godliness with contentment is great wealth (1 Timothy 6:6). So, what does it take for us to be content? Jesus and Paul remind us that as long as we have food and clothing, we should be content (Matthew 6:24-25; Luke 12:23). When our desires get out of that channel of need and when covetous greed takes over, our lives go off the rails and we replace God with a repacious desire for what becomes our idol (Colossians 3:5). God wants us to let him be enough and see the rest as the overflow of his grace! My Prayer… Holy God, forgive me for being caught up in the lifestyle of greed and covetousness, of excess and extravagance. These values of the world around me seem to be tearing us apart. Oh, Jesus, I don’t want these things to dominate my heart. Please help my heart to be content with the blessings you have so lavishly poured out on me, and for me to find my joy in you and your people whom you have put into my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – 1 Corinthians 13:6
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. —1 Corinthians 13:6 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Love does have its delights. One of those delights is in what is authentic, genuine, and true — love rejoices in TRUTH! So, as Jesus’ disciples, we are not deceitful, manipulative, or coercive in our relationships. Instead, we strive to be transparent, intimate, honest, and vulnerable. Why? Because true love delights in truth. My Prayer… O LORD, God of love and truth, as you pour your love into my heart through your Holy Spirit,* please refine my love to be genuine and true, without guile, manipulation, and deceit. In Jesus’ name, we pray, asking that we can be people of love and truth. Amen. * Romans 5:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:8-9.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Zechariah 4:5-6
He answered, “Do you not know what these are?” “No, my lord,” I replied. So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ ” says the LORD Almighty. —Zechariah 4:5-6 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… There are times in each of our spiritual lives when we face challenges far too big for our own resources and strengths. Zerubabbel faced such a challenge. God sent a prophet to remind him, and remind us through him, that our greatest victories will not be won by our power and might. No, these most significant victories — the ones that catch us up in God’s great story of salvation — will occur when we trust that God’s power is greater than our weakness and God’s might is greater than our insufficiency (2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Ephesians 3:14-21). The real question that each of us must face is very simple: in our personal lives, and in our ministry efforts, where do we place our trust, and what is the source of our confidence? Are they in our abilities, skills, insight, and strength, or God’s? My Prayer… Please forgive me, dear Father and God the LORD Almighty, for trusting in my own power too much and not leaning into you and your might. Forgive me, God, for being overwhelmed and afraid by the obstacles, challenges, and opportunities placed before me. Through your great stories of faithfulness and victory in the Old Testament, please stir me to trust that your power is at work in me and your people, as you empower us through the intervention of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – 1 John 5:4
For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. —1 John 5:4 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Our verse today is the companion passage to 1 John 2:17: The world and its desires are passing away, but the one who does the will of God lives forever. Our destinies and futures are not limited to the boundaries of our temporary existence as mortal passengers on our “tiny blue planet” in the vast enormity of the universe. Our future and our hope burst the boundaries of mortality and are tied to our faith in our resurrected and victorious Savior, who is coming back to bring us to his eternal home. This faith is displayed by doing God’s will even when most people in our contemporary culture choose to chase what is fleeting and transient. Why? Because we await a better world, a new heaven and earth where life is free of earthbound limitations and human frailties and sin (Philippians 3:20-21; Hebrews 11:14-16; 2 Peter 3:13). Yet we still yearn for that future world to burst forth in our mortal world and change people to await the Savior with us. We seek to partner with God in doing just that! My Prayer… Thank you, dear Father, for the assurance of victory, immortality, reunion, and joy. O, Holy Spirit, please help me hold onto this hope as I await the glorious return of my conquering Savior, Jesus Christ, my LORD, in whose name I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Romans 8:31-32
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? —Romans 8:31-32 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We know God paid a high price to redeem and forgive us in Jesus when we were unworthy of such grace (Romans 5:6-11). If the Father has gone to such great lengths to purchase our pardon, what will he refuse us that is good, right, and holy? Nothing! So if God answers our prayers, “No!” then it is for the good and eternal well-being of those for whom we’ve prayed. God intends to comfort and liberate, not wound and enslave. He desires to redeem and bless, not deny or limit his grace. His commitment is to work all things out for our ultimate good as he is transforming us to be more like his beloved Son (Romans 8:28-29). If God offered us Jesus, what will he withold? My Prayer… Dear Father, I confess that I am sometimes impatient and disappointed when my prayers do not seem to get the immediate response I desire. Please calm and quiet my doubting heart. Please remind my spirit of your rich grace. Bring your comfort and assurance through the ministry of your Holy Spirit to my often vacillating human spirit. I believe that you want to bring me your blessing and grace. Although I may not always understand the bad things that happen in my life or why you delay in fixing them or liberating me from them, I trust that you are at work to make them all work for my good and your glory. In Jesus’ name, I wait and pray as I trust in you. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Isaiah 61:1-2a
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn… —Isaiah 61:1-2a Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus read this passage at a synagogue in Nazareth to define his ministry (Luke 4:14-19). He came to preach good news for the poor, to bind up the broken, to announce freedom for those who were captives, to bring deliverance from the powers of darkness to the prisoners of addiction and evil, to proclaim grace because of God’s favor, and to offer comfort to those grieving. Jesus also made clear God had a sharp edge to his justice, settling the score with those who were exploiters and abusers of the powerless. Since Jesus has sent us into the world as the Father sent our Savior (John 20:21-23), shouldn’t our mission be to do something similar to what our LORD did? My Prayer… Through the power and wisdom of your Holy Spirit, who longs to work powerfully in and through us, please open my eyes, dear LORD. Help us see those you put in our paths with whom you want us to share your grace, deliverance, and comfort. Use us to speak up for those who are exploited, mistreated, and abused. In Jesus’ name, we ask for your power and strength to bring redemption and hope to the lost around us. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 31:1
In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. —Psalm 31:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… When all the clutter is stripped away, what is your real hope? When you push aside the diplomas, awards, accolades, and honors, what is the basis of your significance? Only one source for hope and only one basis of significance is trustworthy. Only One endures forever! Only our Father in heaven guarantees that the significance of our life endures. So let’s place our hope in the LORD. Let’s see him as our refuge. Let’s trust that he will deliver us because he is righteous and we have placed our hopes in him. My Prayer… O LORD, God and Redeemer of our Fathers, Keeper of your many promises, thank you for allowing us to place our hope, future, and significance in your hands. Please give us the courage and the confidence to know that you will not let us be put to shame, but will share with us your righteousness and claim us as your special possession on that day when we stand in your presence in glory. In Jesus’ name, we anticipate that day as we pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Matthew 7:1
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. —Matthew 7:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Am I judgmental? Can I assume I can judge another person’s intent? Am I critical and negative about the actions of others? Jesus wants us all to realize that only he can accurately know the motivations of someone’s heart. When we are harsh or bitingly critical in our judgment of others, we are setting the standard by which God will judge us. I don’t know about you, but I’m not willing to exchange God’s grace for my unreasonable and judgmental harshness. I’m going to work harder at viewing others with mercy and grace, just as the Savior did when he died to save me (Romans 5:6-11). My Prayer… O, dear God, please forgive me for the times when I have been unfairly harsh and critical with my thoughts and actions toward others. Thank you for being so rich and free with your mercy and grace lavished on me in Jesus. O, LORD, I long to be more gracious and merciful in the way I live with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. In Jesus’ name, I pray to grow and become more JESUShaped, especially in my graciousness toward others. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 30:5
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. —Psalm 30:5 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God has been, is, and will be the God of all comfort for both his Old Covenant and New Covenant people (Isaiah 40:1-3; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5). Even when he deals harshly with our sin and rebellion, it is for our good. God’s discipline will last only a short while, and then it gives way to rejoicing and the thrill of salvation, redemption, restoration, and renewal. If you are in a time of discipline or facing the cruel consequences of your sin, please don’t give up. Morning will come, and on that dawn will come God’s gracious healing, joy, and complete salvation, restoration, renewal, and joy. The morning of rejoicing is more than worth the wait through the long, dark nights of weeping! My Prayer… Father, please bless your children who are facing hardships and difficulties. Please help them endure through “the night” so that when your dawn comes, they can experience the great rejoicing that lies ahead with you. In particular, LORD, please specifically bless the following people with the strength to endure their hard nights of weeping and bring them into your morning of joy. (Let’s mention several people by name who need this blessing!) In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.