Verse of the Day

Habakkuk 2:9 (02-09-12)

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:00:00 -0600

"Woe to him who builds his realm by unjust gain to set his nest on high, to escape the clutches of ruin!"

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

In our "dog eat dog" world, in our race to get to the top and leave all our rivals in a heap at the bottom, God tells us both "Whoa!" and "Woe!" He tells us to stop and realize that Kingdom values are different from worldly values -- that there is no success without service. He also warns us that he will bring us to ruin if we ignore his values by placing ourselves above the well-being of others or pursuing our own success at the cost of our ethics.

My Prayer...

Gracious, almighty, and righteous God, please strengthen me so that I can resist the temptation to exploit, cheat, and lie to get ahead. Dear Father, I truly want to be a person of integrity, character, and blessing. Please help me to see any duplicity in my own heart and to treat others graciously, just as you have so graciously treated me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (02-08-12)

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:00:00 -0600

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast.

— Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

As a child, I loved to receive gifts. In such a simple time of life, a gift meant I was loved. I didn't worry about the significance or hidden message in a gift. I wasn't concerned about the "strings attached" to the gift. It was just a gift -- a free expression of love I didn't deserve, given to me by someone who truly cared for me. Isn't it great to get to be God's child and receive his gift and know we can receive it as a child?!

My Prayer...

Thank you, generous Father, for the gift of grace, the gift of faith, the gift of salvation, and most of all, the gift of Jesus. I know I can never repay these gifts, but I look forward to saying "Thank you!" through my lifestyle now and I look forward to continuing to say "Thank you!" through all eternity. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Genesis 2:7 (02-07-12)

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:00:00 -0600

... the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

— Genesis 2:7 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We are God's creation. He fashioned and formed our original ancestors out of the dust of the ground. He molded each of us and created each of us in our mother's womb (Psalm 139:13-16). Like Adam, God fills us with his breath and blesses us with life. We are his workmanship, his artistry, made to experience life in all its fullness (John 10:10) and created to do his work in our world (Ephesians 2:10).

My Prayer...

Thank you for my life, dear God. Please don't let anyone, or anything, distract my heart from honoring you. Please do not let the evil one distort my sense of being your creation. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Colossians 2:6-7 (02-06-12)

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:00:00 -0600

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

— Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus is our center! He is the hub around which we turn. Rather than trying to add on to the truth of Jesus, we must learn to accept it and trust it in child-like faith. But that child-like faith must be nourished and grown. As Jesus remains our central focus and our hearts remain thankful to God for his grace, we will that our faith is strengthened and that Jesus is more real than ever.

My Prayer...

Holy and Righteous God, please give me eyes to see evil and avoid it. Please give me wisdom to know deceptive and false teaching when it is placed before me. Empower me to live a thankful life of holiness so that I can live in Jesus to your honor and glory. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Philippians 2:5-6 (02-05-12)

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 02:00:00 -0600

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...

— Philippians 2:5-6 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

What a glorious thought! What a lofty aspiration! What an incredible challenge! I am to have the same attitude as Jesus had. It's almost unthinkable. But just almost! You see, God calls us to this glorious, lofty, and unthinkable height because he calls us his children. He wants us to be humble and to be a servant just as Jesus was.

My Prayer...

Almighty and Eternal Father, thank you for your unfathomable grace displayed in Jesus. Help his attitude of service, obedience, and sacrifice to pervade my soul and to influence my daily life. In the name of Jesus, Lord of lords I pray. Amen.

Ephesians 2:4-5 (02-04-12)

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:00:00 -0600

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions -- it is by grace you have been saved.

— Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We have no claim to bring to God! We have no right to demand salvation! We have no power within us that can hold on to life! Only God's love can bring us life, hope, and grace. Only God's mercy can bring us salvation. Only God's gift of Christ can awaken us from the death-slumber of sin.

My Prayer...

Your love, mercy, and grace have saved me, dear Father. What can I do to praise you? You have shown your might, holiness, and majesty in redeeming me, dear God. What can I do to repay your grace? Your patience, perseverance, and faithfulness have touched my heart and brought me life. How can I ever find the words to say how much I love you? Thank you, dear Father, thank you for all you have done for me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Philippians 2:3 (02-03-12)

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:00:00 -0600

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

— Philippians 2:3 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Humility is recognizing who God has made us to be and using that recognition to serve and redeem others. Living in humility as Jesus did, we don't just practice the golden rule, but we go one step better -- we treat others better than we would treat ourselves. Are we instructed to do this because we're unworthy or unfit? No! Jesus was worthy and glorious, but he chose to treat others better than himself when he sacrificially gave himself to redeem them. It's a high standard. It's a hard standard. It is not for wimps. But it is ultimately glorious. (Hint: Read down through verse 10 and remember that the same type of reward will be given to the faithful!)

My Prayer...

Almighty God, thank you for adopting me as your child and making me holy and precious to you. Please help me to see myself as you do, and then, as one of your precious children, empower me to serve others in ways that help them see your glory. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.