August 2021 week 1
Verse of the Day for Friday,
I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. — John 17:23
Thoughts on Today’s Verse
How will the world come to know that God sent his Son? Through our unity? How will the world know that God truly loves us as his children? When we live together in unity. What is that unity? That’s harder to define. The basis of unity is a life of character so consistent with the will of God that he can be seen living in us! Yet for this kind of unity to be seen by the world, it has to be visible in the way we work with each other in the cause of the Gospel, the way we handle our differences, the way as a group that we consistently treat people of the world, and the way we come together in areas that clearly matter to God. May it only be so!
My Prayer
Father, please help us, your children, come together in ways that honor you, reveal your character, and lead others to call on Jesus as Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Verse of the Day for Thursday,
“I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” — John 17:26
Thoughts on Today’s Verse
Jesus reveals God to us. One of the reasons he does this is so that we can know who God is and what is important to him. Clearly, the most important thing on Jesus’ heart in this prayer is that we share his love for us with each other. In this way, Jesus comes to life in us.
My Prayer
Almighty God and loving Father, please fill us with your love for my brothers and sisters in Christ. I want to honor you in the way I treat them and share the love of Christ in the way I interact with them. Please bless us as we seek to be a more gracious child of your love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Verse of the Day for Wednesday,
For this is what the high and lofty One says — he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. — Isaiah 57:15
Thoughts on Today’s Verse
Jesus’ coming to earth is wholly and holy consistent with the LORD God who reveals himself in the Old Testament. God is high and holy. God is righteous and majestic. Yet the LORD God is the God of incarnation — the LORD who sees our needs, hears our cries, and comes down to help us. God loves people, especially people who come to him knowing that they need his love and grace. To those who seek him with passion, humility, awe, and reverence, God brings revival that touches the spirit and heart.
My Prayer
Holy and Righteous Father, thank you for loving me and coming to save me in Jesus. Father, I do come humbly to you asking that you fill me with your Spirit in a more powerful way and revive my heart and stir my spirit to work for your glory in my life today. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen
Verse of the Day for Tuesday,
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” — Matthew 7:3-5
Thoughts on Today’s Verse
Finding fault in someone else is so easy for most of us. Finding fault in ourselves is much trickier. Jesus reminds us that we must deal with the shortcomings and sins in our own lives before we start telling others how to live. Seems pretty simple, doesn’t it? But we all know it isn’t.
My Prayer
Father, please forgive me when I am severe, harsh, and judgmental toward others. I know there are problems in my own life that need the work of your Holy Spirit. I confess that there are routine sins that I find myself excusing more and more. Please, dear LORD, forgive my sin and empower me to move beyond it. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Verse of the Day for Monday,
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior — Isaiah 43:2-3
Thoughts on Today’s Verse
In the context of this passage, God reminds his people that they are precious to him. He formed them and redeemed them. He is not about to abandon them. No matter what challenges or difficulties they face, he will be with them to deliver them and bring them to safety and victory. We can accept this same promise; we also have the benefit of history to show God’s faithfulness. We can see how God did preserve his people and redeemed them time and time again from their bondage to their enemies. God will not forget his children! We know it by promise. We know it by history. We know it by faith!
My Prayer
Thank you, Almighty God, for always being near. I know that there are many times when I am not aware of your nearness or of your providence at work or of your miraculous moving in history. Nevertheless, I do believe, dear Father, that you are near even when I feel alone and your presence seems so far away. In those times, dear God, please give me confidence and perseverance to stand through the times of trial so that I can also share in your times of triumph. In Jesus’ name. Amen.