Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. — Ephesians 4:15 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Speaking the truth is hard enough. You mean I have to do it in love? Yes, if I am to be Christ's man or woman, I must speak to others as he did.
My Prayer...
Father, forgive me for the bitterness in my heart and unfairness on my lips. Through your Spirit, help me better use my speech to bless others and glorify you. May I speak your truth with your love today in all my conversations. Through him who is Truth and Love I pray. Amen.
Today, I am thankful for:
- a productive day at work
- sunshine for a nice walk
- good sandwich at lunch
- encouragement from friends
I was listening to this song in the car on the way to work this morning and even though I know I have posted it before, it just sings to me. Faith is so powerful and it is amazing what it can do when we put that faith in God. He never lets us down!!
Today, I am thankful for the strength to rise, with his help!
What Faith Can Do - Kutless
Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it’s more than you can take
But you are stronger, stronger than you know
Don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining
I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do
It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody’s scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It’ll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing
I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do
Overcome the odds
You don't have a chance
(That’s what faith can do)
When the world says you can’t
It’ll tell you that you can!
I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do
That's what faith can do!
Even if you fall sometimes
You will have the strength to rise
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!
— Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
"Lord, humble us gently." That is one of my friend's favorite prayers. I like it, too. But thank God Jesus was not gently humbled. While I hate he had to go through agony, his self-emptying humility was stark, bold, drastic, and outrageous. But I am to have this same attitude when it comes to reaching God's lost 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, more like Jesus is with me. In Christ' name, I pray. Amen.
Today, I thankful for:
- understanding, when I just don't know how to explain
- open eyes so that I can see God's creation
- a new day to work harder at being as Christ would have me to be
- reminders that it is ok not to be perfect
The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.
— Luke 19:10 (NIV)
Thoughts on 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.
Thankful for:
- the opportunity to share Christ
- for the freedom to worship as I want
- flowers
- time with my sister and her family
- positive encouragement
- love of family and friends
- being found by Jesus
Jesus is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
— Hebrews 7:25 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Jesus didn't just come and die for us. He wasn't just raised to give us life. No, as incredible as those gifts are, he adds another blessing to all he has done for us: until he can come and take us home to God, Jesus lives to ask God for grace in our behalf. Jesus is not only our Savior, he is our defender and brother at the Father's side!
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 offer and every step I take you are in the Father's presence to bless me. Thank you. Amen.
Thankful for:
- a wonderful weekend in Oxford
- safe travels to and from
- safety from the storms
- time with family
- hugs from people who I have missed
- relaxation after a long day
- growing together
- sunshine and rain
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.
— Romans 1:20 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
The touch of the Masters hand is all around us. We see it in the order, beauty, and dazzling variety of creation. The great expanse of space, with its billions of stars, along with 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 that he has been here and will not abandon the work of his hands.
My Prayer...
O God, thank you for your creation. Thank you for its beauty and variety. Thank you for the 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.
Today, I am thankful for:
- fun with Alicia
- sleep!!!
- weekend road trips
- rain to water the flowers
- conversations that happen when I am tired, that make me laugh
- lunch with a friend
- Morning Star sanctuary
Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
— 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Victory! Ultimate Victory!! If you don't have the answer for life's biggest test, death, then you have no victory. The Super Bowl and World Series are played every year. The champion is a victor for only one year. But a Christian is a champion forever because in Jesus, a Christian has victory over death.
My Prayer...
Thank you God for giving me victory in Jesus Christ. In my daily struggles with sin, please make his will triumphantly present in me now, just as it will be when he raises me from death and brings me home to you. Through my Triumphant King I ask it. Amen.
Thankful:
- God has a plan for me
- I don't have to carry my sins
- I am forgiven
- for each new day to start over
- for the love of friends
- God's creation
Christ has indeed been raised, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
— 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Being eternal is nothing new. Being like Jesus completely, eternally, will be new. But when the moment of glory hung in the balance as Jesus was revived from his death sleep, we too were given the assurance that death no longer claims us. The only death that really matters is our death to sin in baptism with Jesus. If we have shared in that death, we will most certainly share in his resurrection (see Romans 6:1-14).
My Prayer...
Almighty, Most Powerful God. Because of your grace and the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, I know I will see you face to face. Help me now, however, to live that resurrected life being more like Jesus today than any day ever before. In the name of my risen Lord I pray. Amen.
Today, I am thankful for:
- a relaxing Saturday
- bowling fun with friends
- amazing worship on Sunday
- good cookies (thanks, allison!)
- compliments!
- clear understanding
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.
— Romans 13:8 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
He paid a debt and I owe one. Thank God I don't owe the debt for my sin, but I owe others the same love, respect and grace with which God has treated me!
My Prayer...
Holy God who owns all things, I thank you for not just owning me, but for having bought me out of slavery, sin, and death. Please kindle love in my heart through the Holy Spirit so I will love others as you do. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Today, I am thankful for:
- Jesus on the cross for my sin, it doesn't get any better than that!
- ability to exercise
- open hearts
- sunshine that is still around when I get off work!
- honesty
- my car (even if it is old)
- common ground
This is why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him. If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
— Romans 13:6-7 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Owe! Tax day. Not my favorite, how about yours? But where would we be without government, order and laws. While we may not like how the system functions today, what if we had no system? Let's be redemptive in our living and obedient in our citizenship and ask God to bless our country and bring it revival.
My Prayer...
Holy God, I thank you that I am free in you and belong to no one and no power. Yet because I want your name to be respected, I will obey the laws of this land according to your will. At the same time, O Lord, I fervently pray that you will heal our land and bring our hearts back to you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today, I am thankful for:
- God working in mysterious ways
- loving friends
- living in a life of many blessings
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
— Romans 3:23-24 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
"I blew it!" Come to think of it, we've all blown it! We don't measure up. We're not divine. We might be decent, but decent won't save us. Only the divine, the truly righteous, make it past the grave and into glory. Thank God grace is freely given and the price for our sin was paid by Jesus. While I "blew it," he renewed it!
My Prayer...
Kind and Loving Father, thank you for being so generous with your grace. May I be as passionate for your righteousness as you were in redeeming me from my sin. Through Jesus I ask this. Amen.
Thankful for:
- God's grace!
- a new day in his to work on excellence toward his plan
- catching up
Jesus said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.
— Luke 9:23-24 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
"I've just got to find myself." Won't ever happen. We do not "find ourselves" or "find our life" by pursuing it. We find it by losing it in something, or someone, greater than ourselves. We find our life by losing it to Jesus and the work of his Kingdom.
My Prayer...
Master and Maker of all that lives and breathes, take my life and every breath and use it for your glory. May my words and actions this day be pleasing to you. Through Jesus I offer you this prayer and praise. Amen.
Today, I am thankful for:
- fun with friends on the weekend
- excellent food (love grilling out!)
- learning how to be the hands and feet of Jesus
- laughter
- girl time with my friend, Alicia
- safe travels for my sister and her family
- sunshine, not going to take it for granted even when it is 90+ outside!
The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
— Hebrews 1:3 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Jesus was God with us. No imitation, knock off, or clone, he was God with us. To this day, he sustains all creation with his word -- so much for "Mother Nature." But now God-with-us has paid for our sins and is not just God-with-us, but he is also God-for-us at the Father's side.
My Prayer...
Precious Lord, as you have so many times in the past, you take these humble human words and bring them to the Father as my friend and brother. Thank you for your sacrifice for my sins. Thank you for your sustaining presence in our universe. Thank you for your daily intercession. Thank you for being God-for-me at the Father's side. To the glorious, majestic and holy God, who sent Jesus as Savior, be glory, honor, and adoration forever and ever. Amen.
Today, I am thankful for:
- Fridays
- God being by my side
- great conversation
- the Inner City ministry
- clear communication
- pay day!
If, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life.
— Romans 5:10 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Jesus didn't just die for my sins; he lives for me. In fact, he is at God's right hand claiming me as his own (see 1 John 2:1-2). If he was willing to die to save me, what will he withhold now that he lives victorious over death?
My Prayer...
Holy and Righteous Father, I thank you for Jesus who is at your side and who knows my heart, my struggles, and my world. I thank you for your constant care and protection through all of my difficulties and triumphs. Please make your presence known more clearly today than ever before as I try to serve you with wholehearted devotion. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Today, I am thankful for a new day to work on being more like Christ would have me to be!
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
— Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
When we were baptized into Christ, we shared in his crucifixion and we were raised up to be a new person. Christ is alive in us. The real challenge is for us to be Christ alive in our world! Our motivation? Not to earn salvation, which has already been given us by grace, but to honor him who sacrificed all to save us. (See Romans 6:1-14)
My Prayer...
Thank you, God, for loving me and sending Jesus to redeem me from my sin. I commit to you today that I will live by faith in your Son who gave himself so I can spend eternity with you. I ask that by your Spirit, you help Jesus' life be seen in me. Through him I pray. Amen.
Today, I am in awe of how awesome God is. Prayers have been answered, burdens have been lifted and I am truly thankful!
Therefor confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
— James 5:16 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
To confess is to do two things with our sin: 1) to recognize sin for what it is in God's eyes and 2) to get rid of our secrets and be honest with another Christian. James' language is powerful. He mentions that this confession doesn't just bring forgiveness. It also brings healing.
My Prayer...
Holy Father, I have sinned. I ask for your forgiveness and for your Spirit to strengthen me in overcoming temptation. I want to live for you and not let my sin, any sin, entangle me and draw me away from you. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.
Today, I am thankful for:
- answered prayers
- resolution
- lunch with co-workers
- nice walks
- a good nights rest
- productive days
For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
— 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
"What am I living for?" While that is an important question, the most important question of all is "Who am I living for?" Only one person can insure that I will never die because he has already died for me and conquered death! If he was willing to die for me, I'm for sure going to live for him!
My Prayer...
Victorious Lord, thank you for giving me triumph over death through Jesus, my Lord. Thank you for giving me victory over sin through his sacrificial death. Thank you for giving me victory today in my life as I live it for him. Through the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Today, I am thankful for:
- great friends
- wonderful weekend
- great exercise
- hugs
- prayers
- good advice
- beautiful flowers
The fool says in his heart there is no God.
— Psalm 14:1 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
At one time or another, most of us raised an angry fist to fate and cursed the darkness. Each of these actions is about as equally effective. But to deny there is a God is something else altogether. To rob heaven of God is to rob ourselves of grace, hope, and future. How foolish indeed to forget that behind a Creation of wonder, order, variety, beauty, power, and pattern is the Creator. He is far greater than his handiwork and we dare not ignore, deny, or dismiss him.
My Prayer...
O Lord God Almighty, Creator and Sustainer, thank you for not only being there, but being with me today. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Today, I am thankful for:
- warm mornings
- good, encouraging conversation with friends
- hugs
- friendships
- walks after work