Word for Today, Mon, 24 Jan 2005: Weekly Verses
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>
Dear friends,
Today's devotional message comes from the Weekly Verses, a
collection of scripture verses, thoughts, and prayers from the
Heartlight Daily Verse, by Phil Ware.
In this week's collection, Phil writes about attitudes toward
righteousness and love. He makes a good case for getting our
perspective and our attitude right about these matters and for
seeking the appropriate things. Another verse that comes to mind
for me is Matthew 6:33, spoken by Jesus Christ Himself: "But seek
ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these
things shall be added unto you".
Yours in Christ,
Brian
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Weekly Verses
from Crosswalk.com
January 24, 2005
These verses are taken from Heartlight Daily Verse, by Phil Ware
~~~~~~~~~
MONDAY
He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity,
and honor.
--Proverbs 21:21
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
Isn't it funny that when we set off to find happiness or joy
or significance or meaning, we seldom find it. Instead, when
we offer to serve others and give ourselves wholeheartedly to
the Lord and His work, it is then that we find what we most
need.
MY PRAYER...
O Giver of every good and perfect gift, I ask today that You
give me a chance to serve you and others in a way which shows
your kingdom and its glory. If in the process You choose to
meet the needs in my own heart, then I thank You. This I pray
through your servant Jesus. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~
TUESDAY
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
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
Hate -- what a bold and powerful word. We must not hate
people. We must hate evil. It's a 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.
~~~~~~~~~
WEDNESDAY
[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
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT 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 their 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. Through Jesus, the gift
of your love, I pray. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~
THURSDAY
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
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT 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 "The love every one of you has for each other is
increasing!" Let's pray and act to make it so!
MY PRAYER...
Holy God, may your love so fill us that I share it with
others who call on your name. May this love grow and increase
in my life so others may readily see its benefits and recognize
that it is a direct response to your lavish love shared with
me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~
FRIDAY
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
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
Love - in the week before 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.
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.
~~~~~~~~~
SATURDAY
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not
boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not
self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of
wrongs.
--1 Corinthians 13:4-5
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
Love does not focus on me, but on others. Each of these
qualities of love is based upon an affectionate, compassionate,
and forgiving attitude that regards others of value and not
just self. No wonder the old saying goes "The middle of sIn is
a big I!"
MY PRAYER...
Holy God and Sacrificial Father, teach me to notice others
and value them just as you do. I know you loved me when I was
not lovable, and redeemed me when I was not worthy. Help me to
take my eyes off myself and see others as you see them.
Through Jesus I pray. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~
SUNDAY
Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It
always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always
perseveres.
--1 Corinthians 13:6-7
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
Always love - pretty tall order and pretty tough stuff.
Only God is "always." But then Christians are fueled to a
always love through the Holy Spirit! Check out the promised
source of "always" love in Romans 5:5.
MY PRAYER...
Sweet and Glorious God on High, I humble myself before you,
recognizing your boundless power to love, the incredible need
for love in the lives of those around me, and my limited
ability to love. Please pour your Holy Spirit into my heart
and fill me with the power to love as you do, always. In
Jesus' sweet name I pray. Amen.
--
=====
--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/
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