January 2021 week 4
Friday, January 29, 2021:
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. — Psalm 100:5
Thoughts on Today’s Verse
I usually “speed read” through the ‘begats’ (you know, through the genealogies in the Bible). But, let’s take time today to go back and read Matthew 1:1-17 and be reminded that God’s love, mercy, and faithfulness not only continued through all of those generations, but also blessed and nurtured each of those generations. As he has done in the past, God will do so even more in the days ahead as we await the glorious return of his Son and our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
My Prayer
In a world of change and undependability, thank you, dear Father, for being sure, steadfast, and faithful. In a time when everyone seems to want something from me or out of me, thank you, dear Father, for repeatedly and consistently blessing me. Thank you for being more enduring than the mountains and more glorious than the most beautiful sunrise. In the name of Jesus, your Son and my glory. Amen.
Thursday, January 28, 2021:
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. — Psalm 100:4
Thoughts on Today’s Verse
Clearly this exhortation comes from the days of God’s physical Temple in Jerusalem. Let’s also remember that for us, God’s New Covenant people, God’s Temple is the church (1 Cor. 3:16) and our own bodies (1 Cor. 6:19). Let’s value and celebrate with joy our church family. Let’s also glorify God with our bodies! Let’s give thanks and praise God’s name in public, in private, and in community.
My Prayer
Father, I enter into the most holy place and approach you because of the sacrifice of Jesus. I am thrilled to know you listen. I am overjoyed to know you welcome me. I am glad to be with you and to let you know how much I appreciate all that you have done for me. Thank you for meeting me in this place of prayer until I can come home to you and meet you face to face. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Wednesday, January 27, 2021:
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. — Romans 5:6-7
Thoughts on Today’s Verse
Christ died for the ungodly. Christ died for me. Without his sacrificial death, without God’s grace, I am powerless to save myself or make myself righteous. Jesus did for me what I could not do and paid off my debt to sin which I could not pay. He did it for me; not because I was good enough to be worthy of his death, but because I couldn’t be worthy without him.
My Prayer
Loving God, thank you. Sacrificial Savior, I praise you. Words cannot express my thanks for the gift of your grace that cost so much and yet means so much to me. All honor, glory, and praise to my Father who sits on the throne and my Lord Jesus who went to the cross and in whose name I offer my thanks. Amen.
Tuesday, January 26, 2021:
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. — Romans 5:3-4
Thoughts on Today’s Verse
What are you living to produce in your life? Wealth, fame, status, significance, a legacy? How about character! Isn’t having the character of God our real goal in life? So even in our worst of times, if we can be people of character, then nothing can steal from us our most desired goal, the character of God, given us in Jesus Christ.
My Prayer
Dear Father, please bless me so that I can be strong in difficult times and consistent in holy character. Please give me a heart of courage and compassion so that I can more clearly remind others, at least in some small way, what you are like and what you can do in their lives. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Monday, January 25, 2021:
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. — Romans 5:1-2
Thoughts on Today’s Verse
Justified, peace, access, grace, hope, and glory — what a wonderful collection of gifts! Each of these gifts is ours because of One — One reason, One person, and One Lord: Jesus Christ, the Son of God and our Savior. Our faith in Jesus opens the door for us to rejoice in our assured hope of sharing in God’s glory. In troubling times, this hope is precious. In good times, this hope promises us even greater things. In every circumstance, this hope can empower us to live for Jesus.
My Prayer
I praise you, Lord Jesus, for all that you’ve done to bless me with your salvation. I praise you, dear Lord, for your promise to return and invite me to share in your glory. Speed that day and purify me for your service. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.