August 2021 Week 3

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. — John 15:13

Thoughts on Today’s Verse

Words communicate and explain. We can tell someone we love them. We can explain how precious they are to us. Actions validate and confirm. When we sacrifice our preferences for another, we show our respect and affection. When we sacrifice ourselves, our wishes, and our preferences for a friend we give the greatest of all gifts and prove our love beyond any doubt.

My Prayer

Father, thank you for loving me enough to send Jesus as a ransom for my sins. Jesus, thank you for your loving sacrifice that not only saves me, but shows me the full extent of your love. In Jesus’ name I thank you. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Thursday,

My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. — Proverbs 3:11-12

Thoughts on Today’s Verse

Discipline, even when it is not falsely confused with punishment, is considered onerous, irritating, and unnecessary. The lazy and sinful part of us wants no boundaries, even if they are good, and no direction because it might conflict with what we want to do. But the Lord disciplines out of love to bless us. It is a sign of his delight. Why? Because he is not content to leave us unchanged, unmotivated, and disinterested. He wants to move us closer to our goal: Jesus!

My Prayer

I confess, Righteous Father, I don’t like discipline all that much. However, Father, deep down I know that your discipline is for my good and my spiritual blessing. Please help me better know and use the situations in my life to become more like Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Wednesday,

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. — Romans 8:11

Thoughts on Today’s Verse

Romans 8 reminds us again and again of the blessings of the Holy Spirit living in us, God’s children. The Spirit in us is our guarantee that we will be raised from the dead! Because the Spirit that gave Jesus life and raised him from the dead is in us, we can have confidence in our resurrection. Mortality will not claim us. The Holy Spirit’s life-giving power is stronger than death. We will live! Even though our bodies may die, the Spirit of God animates, inspires, and empowers us to victory.

My Prayer

Holy Father, thank you so much for the gift of the Holy Spirit. To know that the power of the same Spirit who helped create the universe and who raised Jesus from the dead also lives in me takes my breath away with wonder and awe. You have chosen to live inside me, to bless me, mold me, develop me, and conform me to the goal of Jesus. Thank you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Tuesday,

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. — Psalm 84:11

Thoughts on Today’s Verse

These promises are made to the true worshiper (see Psalm 84. This worshiper delights to be in the presence of God and yearns to be with God in worship when he cannot be. This worshiper trusts fully in God as his source of strength, hope, victory, and joy. For this worshiper, God has left this incredible set of promises! Very similar to Romans 8, and its hallmark passage in verse 28, God promises to work out things for good and bless those who “love him and are called according to his purpose” “all things in Christ” and withhold nothing that is good (Rom. 8:32). Why? God is for us! He is our sun and shield, he lavishes his grace and glory upon us, and he will not withhold any good thing from us.

My Prayer

O dear Father, how can I thank you? You have lavished your grace upon me in Jesus. You have promised me victory and heaven. I praise you for your grace. I thank you for sharing your glory with me. I rejoice knowing that you long to bless me. Now, dear Father, help me through your Holy Spirit to be the faithful person you long for me to be. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Min Jean

Verse of the Day for Monday,

The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. — Psalm 103:8

Thoughts on Today’s Verse

God is holy, righteous, and just. But, as important as these qualities are, he reveals them within his compassion, graciousness, patience, and overflowing mercy and love. We can not only obey, worship, and reverently respect God, we can also love, appreciate, and adore him! Maybe the greatest challenge, however, is to reflect the character of God in our own lives!

My Prayer

LORD God Almighty, I not only trust in you, but I appreciate your faithfulness, your mercy, your love, your graciousness, and your patient compassion. Please help me display each of these virtues more fully. In the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.