February 2022 Week 3
Verse of the Day for Friday,
The word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. — Psalm 33:4-5
Thoughts on Today’s Verse
God is faithful. We can trust his promises to be kept and his purposes to be good. How do we know? The sunrise each morning is a reminder that the Father of heaven and earth is at work keeping his universe in working order. If it is true in nature, it is true in the spiritual realm as well. Greet each sunrise as a reminder of God’s faithfulness.
My Prayer
O Magnificent and Majestic Creator, I greet today as your gift and a reminder of your faithfulness. Each day the sun rises I anticipate the day you honor your promise to send your Son back to bring us home to you. Give me a keen sense today of your faithful presence. I pray this through him in whom all your promises find their fulfillment. Amen.
Verse of the Day for Thursday,
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. — 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Thoughts on Today’s Verse
Love! In the week of Valentine’s Day, we want to remember the real meaning of love. Without the motivation and expression of love, all “Christian” activities are more “activity” than Christian. Love is the expression of Christ’s character and presence in our lives through deeds done for others. So don’t get lost in the annual trip down sentimental lane. Too many of us forget the needed daily dose of love that so often gets lost in the grit of day-to-day relationships. Let’s be loving year round and thus show ourselves to be Jesus’ disciples. (cf. John 13:34-35)
My Prayer
Loving Heavenly Father, thank you so much for your demonstration of love in Jesus. Help me to love as he did — selflessly, sacrificially, and consistently so others may know of your love through my actions. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
Verse of the Day for Wednesday,
We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. — 2 Thessalonians 1:3
Thoughts on Today’s Verse
“Increase my faith, O, Lord.” “Increase my strength.” “Increase my wisdom.” We often pray for these things, but when is the last time you thanked God for your love increasing? Can you think of anything more exciting to say about your church than to say, “The love every one of you has for each other is increasing!” Let pray and act to make it so!
My Prayer
Holy God, may your love so fill me so that I can fully share love with those that I meet each day. May this love grow and increase so that others may readily see its benefits and recognize that it is a direct response to the lavish love you have shared with me. Through the power of your Spirit, help my love increase! In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Min. Jean
Verse of the Day for Tuesday,
[Jesus said,] “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 5:43-45
Thoughts on Today’s Verse
We often talk about the privileges of being a child of God — forgiveness, salvation, a future in heaven with him, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and ultimate victory when Christ comes. One of the greatest privileges we get, however, is the opportunity to act toward those who dislike and hate us in a way that reflects the character of God himself. Anyone can return hate for hate, but it takes a child of God to return a blessing and a prayer for his or her enemies.
My Prayer
Father, thank you for loving me when I was still an enemy to you. Thank you for risking the death of your Son to offer me the chance to accept or reject your love. As you have promised, please pour your love into my heart so I may love even my enemies as you have loved me. In the name of your ultimate Gift of love, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen
Min. Jean
Verse of the Day for Monday,
Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. — Psalm 97:10
Thoughts on Today’s Verse
Hate — what a bold and powerful word. We must not hate people. We must hate evil. Tough combination to pull off, but absolutely vital. Evil is here because of the Evil One — the champion of hate, lies and death. So when evil rears its ugly head, let’s be courageous and oppose Satan and his work. In the process, let’s pray for those trapped in its tentacles, even if they consider us enemies
My Prayer
Almighty God, make my heart pained by the evil in my world. Give me a holy revulsion to things opposed to your will and character. Yet Father, just as you redeemed me by grace, and rescued me while a captive to sin, give me courage to care about those who are in the Evil One’s embrace. Through my Savior I pray. Amen.
Min. Jean