Monday
Get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
Isn't it true! When we find ourselves caught in the clutches of the moral filth of our culture, we find the word of God boring and irrelevant. Yet even in those moments when Satan uses sin to harden our hearts, God's Spirit calls us to change at a level deeper than just the mere understanding of the words of Scripture. Thank God for his Spirit, which can use his word like a surgeons scalpel on our hearts.
MY PRAYER ...
Holy God, I pledge to you today to willingly and decisively give up the immoral habits in my life. I recognize that these not only offend your holiness and grace, but also harden me to your will, pull me away from your character, and blunt my witness to others. Please forgive me and then sustain me as I seek to live a life wholly pleasing to you. In Jesus I pray. Amen.
Tuesday
In Christ, all the fullness of the Deity lives bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
If you had known Jesus' address in Nazareth along about A.D. 20, you could have gone to that house and said, "God lives here!" The doctrine of Jesus as fully God and fully man, fully God and yet having emptied himself of all of his divine privilege, is nearly impossible to fully understand, but is the awesome reality of Grace. God chose to be like us because we could not be like him. So in Jesus, God came to us so we could be given his fullness.
MY PRAYER ...
Almighty God, I confess that you are too great for me to comprehend. Yet as marvelous and mighty and majestic as you are, your grace is greater still. Thank you for sending Jesus so I could know you. Thank you for sending Jesus so I could be forgiven. Thank you for sending Jesus so I can go home to you and live forever. Thank you, Jesus, for coming to redeem me and then returning to the Father so I can speak to him through you. Amen.
Wednesday
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
For the rich and poor, young and hold, weak or strong, skinny or fat, there is still just one message and one name and one story that makes the eternal difference -- it is the Gospel, the story of Jesus Christ.
MY PRAYER ...
Great Redeemer, make me more bold to proclaim the Gospel today. Give me eyes to see those who are waiting to be told. Fill me up with your Spirit so that I will not be ashamed, and help me gladly proclaim the story of Jesus so others may know your grace. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.
Thursday
I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
Praise is integrally connected with our character. So for us to worship God, the intent of our heart and the effort of our life must show forth a determined desire to know and live his will. While we will never do this perfectly, grace covers us. But grace must never be used as a pretense to excuse spiritual laziness or intentional weakness.
MY PRAYER ...
Holy God, I want to be more like you in character even though I will never be like you in might or majesty. Open my eyes and through the Spirit illumine me as I seek your will in your Scriptures and as I seek to be obedient in my daily life. Forgive me of my sin and create a clean, holy, determined heart. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.
Friday
[The Lord says,] "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
Fear saps our will power and leaves us feeling depleted and hopeless. Yet very few of us have ever experienced a defeat so complete and bitter as the one God's people faced when Isaiah shared this message of hope. The preservation of Israel to the time of Jesus, the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, the triumph of the Church through centuries of persecution and opposition are powerful reminders that underneath us are the everlasting arms of a mighty and loving God.
MY PRAYER ...
Almighty and Eternal Father, it is such sweet comfort to know that you are always there. Thank you! In Jesus name. Amen.
Saturday
If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
As we seek to please God and trust his grace, more grace is supplied. While Jesus' death was "once for all," its cleansing power goes on and on as long as our hearts are tuned to his grace.
MY PRAYER ...
Loving Father, thank you for the gift of Jesus and the cleansing his death brings me. Help me today to live a more dedicated life. Thank you for the assurance that as I seek your will and live your life you are also forgiving me of my sins and cleansing me and making me new. Through Jesus I offer this thanks. Amen.
Sunday
I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
Jesus reminded us to "pick up your cross daily and follow" him. The way of truth is a daily choice. To not choose God's way, to not intentionally seek to put him at the center of our life and as the top priority in all of our decisions, is to slip a little bit further away from the life he calls us to lead. Lack of a decision is a decision to not follow.
MY PRAYER ...
Heavenly Father, I choose to follow you and your truth today. Open my eyes so I may see your truth and open my heart that I may live it. I decide today, again, to follow, you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
