Monday
Since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
The touch of the Master's hand is all around us. We see it in the order, beauty, and dazzling variety in creation. The great expanse of space with its billions of planets and the incredible world of the microscopic are all testimony to an Orderer of great creativity. God has left his fingerprints all over his world so we can know he is here.
MY PRAYER ...
O God, thank you for your creation. Thank you for its beauty and variety. Thank you for changing seasons and the beauty of Spring. But most of all, thank you for choosing to show yourself to us, your creatures. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Tuesday
It is written, "As surely as I live," says the Lord, "every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God."
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
"Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." "Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!" Yes, every knee will bow. But ours already do. We live in anticipation of the day when all peoples will bow before our King. Until that day, let's do all we can to make sure they do so in joy and not on that day in fear!
MY PRAYER ...
Father, I thank you for saving me. May my anticipation of the day of Jesus' victory move me to be your agent of reconciliation so others are ready for that day and will welcome it with joy. Gives me eyes to see those who need to come to Jesus today. Through him I pray. Amen.
Wednesday
You know that is was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
If value is determined by price, we are incredibly valuable. God took the most precious treasure of heaven to buy us out of sin and death and adopt us into his family. Silver and gold pale in comparison to that value.
MY PRAYER ...
Holy God, may I live today constantly aware of my inestimable value to you. May my words, thoughts and actions be permeated with a sense of worth. Not so that I may seem important but so that I may live in holiness and honor to your precious gift to me. Through him I pray. Amen.
Thursday
God has chosen you to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
Christ lives in me. Until I can become completely like him through the power of the Spirit (2 Cor 3:18), he lives in me. Until I can go home to be with him he lives in me (John14:1-21). Everywhere I go and everything I do, he is with me.
MY PRAYER ...
O God, may the presence of Jesus within me stir me to your work today. May your abiding grace, through the presence of your gracious Son, call me to your character and your concerns. O Jesus, please make my heart like our Father's. Amen.
Friday
Jesus is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
Jesus didn't just come and die for us. He wasn't raised only to give us life. No, as incredible as those gifts are, he adds another until he can come and take us home to God: Jesus lives to ask God for grace in our behalf.
MY PRAYER ...
Precious Savior, my Jesus, how I love you. You sacrificed heaven for me. You gave up dignity to redeem me. You destroyed death to assure me. But today, I am most thankful and most aware that every prayer I make, every step I take, you are in the Father's presence to bless me. Thank you. Amen.
Saturday
The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
"The Friend of Sinners." Of all the things Jesus was called, I believe that was his favorite. Come to think of it, I believe it's my favorite, too!
MY PRAYER ...
Father, while I know you hate sin and the havoc it creates in our lives, I am so thankful that when you came to earth you were not our judge but our Savior, you were our friend. I promise to live today more aware of your love for the lost because I know what it means to be found. Through Jesus my Lord, I pray. Amen.
Sunday
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
"Lord, humble us gently." That is one of my friend's favorite prayers. I like it, too. But thank God that Jesus was not gently humbled. While I hate he had to go through agony, his self-emptying humility the fact that was stark, bold, drastic, and outrageous. But I am to have this same attitude when it comes to reaching the lost and loving God's children.
MY PRAYER ...
God, you are all-powerful and yet you emptied yourself to redeem me. May I be more selfless in my attitude and treatment of others, like Jesus was with me. In his name, I pray. Amen.
