September 2021 Week 5
Verse of the Day for Friday,
What the wicked dreads will overtake him; what the righteous desire will be granted. — Proverbs 10:24
Thoughts on Today’s Verse
The wicked fear the triumph of goodness, holiness, and righteousness. They fear not being in control. They fear death overtaking them. The righteous desire the triumph of goodness, holiness, and righteousness. They offer their life to be controlled by the Holy Spirit of God. They recognize death is an enemy, but one that has been conquered by their Savior. In times like these, isn’t it comforting to know that the fear of the wicked is really all the wicked can be sure of receiving!
My Prayer
O LORD God, please bring your justice, mercy, and righteousness to triumph in the lives of all who seek after you and your will. Please make my heart more like yours in regard to evil and those who perpetuate it and stir in me a deeper passion to lead those to Christ who do not know you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Min. Jean
Verse of the Day for Thursday,
Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” — Luke 9:23
Thoughts on Today’s Verse
Offering ourselves to God isn’t easy because it means we must first die to our own selfish will. Like Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane, we face our own cross and must cry out, “Not my will, dear Father, but your will be done!”
My Prayer
Dear Father, thank you for sending Jesus as my Savior. Lord Jesus, I want to follow you. I don’t want it to be half-hearted or hypocritical. I want your life to be seen in me. So please, gently show me the areas where my heart needs to be softened and my character needs to be shaped by the Spirit so that I can more perfectly reflect your glory, grace, and character to those around me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
for Wednesday
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will. — Romans 12:1-2
Thoughts on Today’s Verse
The motivation for our holiness is God’s incredible mercy and grace. We offer ourselves to him because he has already shown us his love through the sacrifice of Jesus. As we offer ourselves to honor him, we are worshipping him. As we refuse to be molded into the lifestyle of the world, we offer him praise. As we consistently do these things with our lives, God’s will becomes even more clear. With the Spirit’s help, we are daily being transformed to be more like Jesus (2 Cor. 3:18) as we display more of the character of God (Gal. 5:22-23).
My Prayer
Father, as the old hymn says, “Have thine own way Lord… mold me and make me after thy will!” I gladly offer you my heart, my life, and my future to use to your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen
Verse of the Day for Tuesday,
Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him. — John 14:21
Thoughts on Today’s Verse
Love is much more than a feeling or an attitude: love is an action. When we love, we show it by our deeds. As disciples of Jesus, our love is shown by our obedience to the things Jesus taught. Of course, that obedience brings an incredible blessing — Jesus reveals himself to those that obey him!
My Prayer
Dear LORD, my Abba Father, please forgive me for my sins. Empower me to resist the Evil One. Help me find delight in obeying the teaching of my Lord and Savior, Jesus. In the name your Son I ask this. Amen.
Verse of the Day for Monday,
Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. — Romans 8:23
Thoughts on Today’s Verse
The Holy Spirit, who lives in us, is our guarantee of a greater glory that is to come (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:22; 2 Corinthians 5:5). The Spirit is the firstfruits of that glory that is to be revealed in us (Romans 8:18). Our current state is only a foretaste of what lies ahead for us; we yearn to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling and to be at home with God (2 Corinthians 5:1-8).
My Prayer
Dear Father, you have blessed me with so many wonderful blessings. I thank you for each and every one of them. At the same time, dear Father, I do long to be brought into your presence in glory as your child. The pain and heartache of the world, the fragility of my body, and my frustration with my own vulnerability to sin keeps me longing for the day that your Son returns in glory. Until that day, help me as I try to be your holy child. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen
Min. Jean