Monday
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
Unity comes from God's Spirit as we follow Jesus. But unity has a purpose much deeper than our getting along with each other. Jesus prayed that we would be one so the world would know that God sent him (John 17). We want to be united so our praise can bring glory to God. Unity is far more than a goal, it is a process through which the world learns of Jesus and we glorify the Father who sent him and saved us. Can you think of anything more fundamental to our faith than that!
MY PRAYER ...
Great and Almighty God, Eternal Strength for all who call on your name, I apologize and ask your forgiveness for everything I've done and every word I've spoken that has hurt someone in your family and brought a wound to the unity of your Church. Please bless my efforts as I seek less of my will and more for your glory and the ecouragement of others. Through Jesus I ask it. Amen.
Tuesday
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
For churches to get along, sometimes their leaders must remind them about unity, using the authority of the One who made his dying prayer a prayer for unity. We must work together or perish.
MY PRAYER …
Lord Jesus, you have presented so many of my prayers to our Father, but today, I want to thank you for loving me so. I promise that I will do all I can, to the glory of our Father, to live at peace and serve those who belong to you. By your name and through the blessed Holy Spirit I pray. Amen.
Wednesday
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
Freedom is a wonderful gift when it is handled with responsibility. Not being under law is such a sweet grace, but we must pass that sweetness on to each other through service, kindness, and care.
MY PRAYER ...
O Great God of Deliverance, thank you for rescuing Israel from Pharaoh's grasp, David from the sword of Goliath, and Daniel from the lion's den. But O Great Deliverer, thank you most of all for the triumph of Jesus over sin at Calvary and his victory over death at the empty tomb. I long to see you face to face and thank you for my freedom. Until that day, guide me as I use this gift of liberation to serve your children and live for you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Thursday
Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
Being depressed and dissatisfied with life can be caused by a myriad of things. But for many of us, these are symptoms that we have focused too much on ourselves and are angry with life. We have forgotten to count our blessings, thank and praise God, and help those around us. This verse addresses the last in this list: thinking of others is just what Christ did. It makes a difference in the life we bless and we also find ourselves immensely blessed.
MY PRAYER ...
Holy and Matchless God, help me to see the brokenness, hurt, and difficulties in the lives around me, not so I can gloat or feel better about myself, but so that I might bless another with your love and grace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Friday
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
Being "devoted to another in brotherly love" requires that our church conversations -- we're family, brothers and sisters, children of God -- must be more than mere words. We must enter each others' lives, getting to know one another so that we can serve, love, and bless each other. What have you done lately to get more involved in the lives of your fellow Christians? Devotion to others follows a commitment to know and be known by them!
MY PRAYER ...
Father, thank you for giving me a worldwide family. Thank you for loving me so completely. Father, I ask that you help me be more open with myself and my time to those in your family. Give me a heart that burns to bless and be blessed by those you have made your children. Through my brother Jesus I pray. Amen.
Saturday
From everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children -- with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
Forever love is talked about in dime store novels, but only found in God. We tap that reservoir of eternal and divine love through the Holy Spirit, who helps us receive it and share it.
MY PRAYER ...
Everlasting Father, may your love fill your people so the world may know we are Jesus' disciples. Through him I pray. Amen.
Sunday
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
We are not alone. God has given us each other to live our lives for him and get us back home to him. Along the way, we want to share each others' burdens, soar on each others joys, and love each others' hurts. There is no such thing as a solo Christian.
MY PRAYER ...
Loving Father, lead me to the people today who need their burdens lifted and their joys shared. Let me be your presence in the world of your children today. This I ask in Jesus name. Amen.
