September 2021 week 3

The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. — Proverbs 10:9

Thoughts on Today’s Verse

“Tell the truth the first time and then you won’t have to remember what you said.” That’s a quote attributed to the famous Speaker of the House (U.S.A. House of Representatives) Sam Rayburn. That’s basically what God’s wisdom is trying to teach us in this passage. Be a person of integrity. Then, when someone finds out your secrets, you can feel secure knowing that you have lived for godliness. However, a perverse and deceitful person has to constantly worry that someone will find him out. There is no security or assurance in crooked paths, only the certainty of getting tripped up and caught. When the secrets of evil that have been whispered in dark places get shouted from the rooftops, those who have lived for the Lord can be secure, knowing that what gets shouted about them is said with the voice of God: “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

My Prayer

Please forgive me, dear God, for those times that I have been secretive and dishonest. Purify me of deceit. Help me speak only what is true and appropriate. Transform my evil secrets, through your holy grace, into a holy character that is the same both in public and private. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Thursday,

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9

Thoughts on Today’s Verse

While these words were spoken to Joshua when he took over for Moses, they are also applicable to us. Take a moment and read Psalm 139 out loud and see that God’s promise to be with us is for all who truly call upon him. Listen to Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:18-20, as he promises his disciples to “be with them always, even to the close of the age.” Remember God’s promise, reiterated from an Old Testament blessing in Hebrews 13:5, “Never will I leave you, never will I desert you!” Let’s be strong; our God, our Father, our Shepherd is always near, even if it doesn’t seem so. We cannot go anywhere without his presence being near us and in us. We are not alone. We don’t have to be afraid. In fact,! not even death can separate us from his love (see Romans 8:35-39).

My Prayer

Be near, dear Father, not only in your promise and not only with your presence, but also in my awareness. I need to know you are near when I respond to the incredible opportunities before me. I need to be confident in your help and sustaining love as I face the rigorous challenges in my life. I trust in your unfailing love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Wednesday,

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. — Hebrews 4:12

Thoughts on Today’s Verse

What is the greatest tool to repair the human heart? …by-pass surgery? …angioplasty? …artificial heart? …transplant? How about the Word of God? You see, while these other techniques can be of great aid to the physical heart of people, God’s tool for heart surgery is his Word. This sharp scalpel can reach the soul and spirit as well as being a physical blessing. So how much of your heart are you offering to God, and his powerful heart-healing tool to touch? As you open God’s Scripture, as you hear the message of God preached, why not ask for the Holy Spirit’s help to help you understand, apply, and put into practice what is being taught? Let’s offer our hearts to the Great Physician to do his work in us!

My Prayer

Holy God, I ask that as I open your Scriptures and hear your Word preached and taught, that the Holy Spirit penetrate my heart and convict me of sin, discomfort me in areas where I need growth, and stir me in areas where I need motivation to be more like Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen

Verse of the Day for Tuesday,

For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. — Psalm 107:9

Thoughts on Today’s Verse

The Bible cries out with one recurring truth: God quenches the thirst and satisfies the hunger of those who seek him. So often we try to soothe the ache in our soul and fill the emptiness in our heart with what is only a temporary satisfaction that only God’s presence can fill. Let’s refuse every false satisfaction and seek the LORD!

My Prayer

Forgive me, dear Father, for trying to find the satisfaction for my soul’s hunger in what is not truly sustaining. (Confess the area of temptation that most often causes you to stumble in this area — sex, status, possessions, economic security, chemical dependency, abusing food, body identity, etc.) As I seek you, dear LORD, please make your presence known as you satisfy my spiritual thirst and satiate my soul’s hunger. In the name of Jesus,

Min. Jean

Verse of the Day for Monday,

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. — Psalm 23:2-3

Thoughts on Today’s Verse

Some of us won’t slow down for anything! Well, almost anything. When we get “too full of ourselves” and too caught up in our own plans, the LORD, our Shepherd, slows us down and makes us lie down. Our Shepherd knows we need rest, nourishment, and refreshment and helps us, yes and even sometimes makes us, find “green pastures” and “still waters.” He then leads us in the direction of his righteousness and holiness once we are rested and refreshed. Isn’t it interesting that God’s order for our life is always grace and then glory?

My Prayer

Thank you, dear Father, for slowing down my frantic life and leading me to times of refreshment, rest, and nourishment. I trust that you will lead me to what I need as you mature me to have more and more of your righteous character. Please forgive me for getting too busy to hear your voice and to respond to your grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Min Jean