Monday
By the grace given me I say to everyone of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
Pride does go before a fall! It is not easy to balance the two truths: "I must not be prideful, but I must understand just how much God values me." Satan can use our self-denigration, the worthless worm syndrome, to discourage us and keep us from using our gifts for Kingdom work. On the other hand, pride takes God out of the picture and attributes our contribution to God's Kingdom to us and not to God.
MY PRAYER ...
Holy Father, as your child, redeemed at the cost of Jesus' life, I know I am loved and valuable to you. I know you have given me abilities and gifts to use for your glory and to bless your church. But Father, I do not want to ever think that my abilities are somehow mine alone. I know you have given me the gifts, abilities, and experiences that have shaped me, so please empower me to your glory. But Father, I never want the glory that is achieved from your gifts to puff me up or turn from me the realization that I am what I am, I have what I have, and I do what I do, because of your grace and your generous gifts. May I ever be your humble but valuable child at work in your Kingdom. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.
Tuesday
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? "I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve."
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
Jesus told us that what is in our heart ultimately works its way out into our activities. The great wise man told us to guard our heart because it is the spring well of our life. Jeremiah wants us to know that God knows our heart. We want to stress the importance of what goes into our hearts because it really makes a difference in what goes on inside our heart. Invite the Lord in to what you do, think, read, watch, and hear and ask him to remove those things that are not worthy of your time and interest.
MY PRAYER ...
Righteous Father, please help me guard my heart and be wise enough not to place things into it that would rob it of its devotion to you. I want to be pure through and through. Please search me and help me remove everything that would steal my devotion from you and ruin my influence with others. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.
Wednesday
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
Wow, what an indictment. When we vote according to our pocketbook more than character and when we excuse the indiscretions, infidelities, and illegalities in the leaders of both political parties, we have reached a very sad state indeed! But before we rant and rave about the sad state of morality in our public officials, let's make sure we're honest in our own daily lives, that we don't say cruel things about others, that we remain faithful to our marriage and our purity vows to God, and let's make sure that we expect of ourselves higher standards than we do of others.
MY PRAYER ...
God, you are not only the Almighty, you are holy! Holy, Holy, Holy are you, the LORD God Almighty. May the whole earth be filled with your glory and may that glory be shown in what I do and say. Forgive me for my own sin and hypocrisy. Bless me with purity and holiness as I pledge my life to your glory. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Thursday
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
What is god of our culture and our nation? Certainly our God is the LORD, Yahweh, King of Israel and Redeemer of the lost. But we can pray for revival to sweep our land and we can repent for not placing him first in our own lives. He has promised to respond if we will humble ourselves and seek him. Let's do that beginning today!
MY PRAYER ...
LORD, God of the heavens and Father of all nations, I humble myself before you today, acknowledging my own sin and the sin of my people. I pray that you will revive us by the power of your word and the sanctifying power of your Spirit. Bring renewal to our land. In the name of Jesus and by the power of the Spirit I ask this. Amen.
Friday
Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done and proclaim that his name is exalted.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
It is wrong to think God's love for the nations began only with Jesus and the Great Commission. Remember Jonah's preaching to save Israel's great enemy, Nineveh? Remember the precious story of Ruth? God loves all people and wants them to come to share in his grace. As Christians, we are his salt and light, here to touch all the people of the world and beckon them to come back to the Father who loves them.
MY PRAYER ...
Holy God, stir in my heart a greater passion to share your love with the world. May my life, my money, and my concerns be used to do more of your work throughout the world. Please bless the efforts of all those who share the Gospel of Jesus in a culture other than their own. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Saturday
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (Spoken by Jesus.)
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
What do you have that will last? Not much – the love you have for God and his children, the praise you offer him, and the Word he has spoken to use through his Spirit, the prophets, and his Son, Jesus. Invest in these things and you will never be without lasting profit!
MY PRAYER ...
Eternal God and loving Father, give me wisdom to discern what is truly lasting and invest my life in those things that will never suffer decay. Thank you for sending Jesus to teach me truth that will last. I want to be obedient to his words and his life. Bless me in ways that help me live a life that is true. Through Jesus, my eternal Savior I pray. Amen.
Sunday
As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
A shield whose word can be trusted. But we must take refuge in him if his flawless word for us is to be a blessing and his presence a shield.
MY PRAYER ...
God of the Fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, I trust my soul and future to you. You are my strength and shield and I pray that your name will be exalted in my life. Please protect and guard me and my family and my church from the Evil One and keep us physically safe and whole as we serve you this summer. In Jesus name. Amen.
