Word for Today, Tue, 02 Aug 2005: Turning To God
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>
Dear friends,
Phil Ware puts together an excellent collection of scriptures for
this week's collection of Weekly Verses. Notice how every single
passage of scripture involves admission on our part that we need
to humble ourselves, seek help, look to God, through His Son,
Jesus Christ, and surround ourselves with people, reading,
thoughts, and actions that remind us and assure us that it is God
who holds the answers to all questions.
Remember, for those who believe and are called by His Name, the
Spirit of God lives within us. Earnestly seek Him, confess your
need, admit your failure to manage without Him, and ask Him to
lead you, and He will.
Yours in Christ,
Brian
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Weekly Verses
from Crosswalk.com
http://www.crosswalkmail.com/ehmemwn_alukok.html
Monday, August 1
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves
and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then
will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will
heal their land.
--2 Chronicles 7:14
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
Humility is not our culture's biggest asset or most desired
character quality. But humility is what is demanded -- not so
much because it's commanded (thought that would be enough), but
because we've earned it. Every year brings another wave of major
failures in morality, character, and spirituality. Rather than
progressing culturally, we find ourselves slipping. Humility is
earned! So let's be humble and call upon the Lord!
MY PRAYER...
Holy and Almighty God, your deeds are awesome, your
faithfulness is overwhelming, and your mercy and grace are such
a blessing. Yet I come to you knowing that you hear me,
despite the incredible distance between you and I, between your
worth and holiness and my lack. I confess that I, and my
culture and country around me have made a mess of what you so
wonderfully blessed us with. I come humbly asking that you
reassert yourself in our nation in clearly recognizable ways.
I ask this in faith through Jesus. Amen.
Tuesday, August 2
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer
and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will
guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
--Philippians 4:6-7
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
God wants to hear our prayers, but to keep them from
becoming too self-focused, God wants us always to remember to
give thanks. It is so easy for us to turn prayer into a
request line. We are the ones who are left bereft when
thanksgiving and praise are robbed from our prayers.
MY PRAYER...
Gracious God, I have so many reasons to praise you. In the
face of trial and hardship I have your promises to reawaken my
hope. In the moment of victory I have you to thank for my
abilities. In the boredom of the routine, I have great joys in
your surprises. Thank you, God, for being so great and yet so
loving. In Jesus name. Amen.
Wednesday, August 3
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that
you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful
and effective.
--James 5:16
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
To confess is to do two things with our sin: 1) to
recognize sin for what it is in God's eyes and 2) to get rid of
our secrets and be honest with another Christian. James'
language is powerful. He mentions that this confession doesn't
just bring forgiveness. It also brings healing.
MY PRAYER...
Holy Father, I have sinned. I now confess my own personal
sin of ____________. I ask for your forgiveness and for your
Spirit to strengthen me in overcoming temptation. I want to
live for you and not let my sin, any sin, entangle me and draw
me away from you. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.
Thursday, August 4
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all
circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
--1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
Where does your heart live? That's what these verses are
all about. Is there a constant awareness in your life that God
is present? Is he the unseen but always present companion in
all your ups and downs? Or is God here when it is convenient
and gone when things are busy? Joy comes from knowing we are
never alone. Prayer is the ongoing conversation we have,
Spirit to Spirit, with God. Thanksgiving is the great reminder
that we have been blessed no matter what the circumstances may
suggest.
MY PRAYER...
Precious and Righteous Father, thank you for being there.
Give me a deeper appreciation and a always more profound
awareness of your presence today. May my life reflect the joy
you have given me by saving me by grace. And may my heart
always find its home in you. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.
Friday, August 5
Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone
who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he
rewards those who earnestly seek him.
--Hebrews 11:6
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
I believe! I believe that God not only knows me, but cares
about me. I believe that God not only created the universe,
but he knows the number of hairs on my head. I believe that
God not only sent his Son to save the world, but that he's
sending him back to bring me home. What's more, I believe that
God is pleased by my belief.
MY PRAYER...
Almighty, Most Holy Lord, I thank you for your steadfast
love and enduring faithfulness. I thank you for your grace and
mercy. I thank you for your might and power. I thank you for
your awesome holiness. I thank you... for being you and
choosing to reveal yourself to mortals like me. Through Jesus,
your final Word, I pray. Amen.
Saturday, August 6
Make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be
always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know
how to answer everyone.
--Colossians 4:5-6
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
There are no random acts of kindness, only intentional acts
given the opportunity to happen. This is true not just in
deeds, but in words as well. But more than trying to avoid
poor speech, we are urged to use our speech to bless and help
others to come to know Christ.
MY PRAYER...
Father, forgive me for the careless words I have uttered
this week. I understand that these careless words are twice
sins -- a sin once when I committed it and a sin a second time
because I didn't see the opportunity to be redemptive. Open my
eyes Lord so that I may see what you have placed in my path.
Through Jesus I pray. Amen.
Sunday, August 7
There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life in
Christ has set me free from the law of sin and death.
--Romans 8:1-2
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
"Free at last, free at last, praise Lord God Almighty I am
free at last." Becoming a Christian means we have been
liberated from law-keeping. We now have God living in us,
through the Holy Spirit, to not only help us know his will, but
to live it. Through the Spirit's power, we can do what no law
could make us do: live up to God's standards of righteousness.
MY PRAYER...
Gracious father, thank you for all of your gifts to me.
Today, I want to especially thank you for liberating me from
law and empowering me with your Spirit. Fill me and empower me
today with your Spirit as I live my life for you. Through
Jesus my Lord I pray. Amen.
____________________________________________________________
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____________________________________________________________
--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/
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