Quote from Forum Archives on January 8, 2002, 8:54 am

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

The weekly verses from Phil Ware are the usual blend of short
scripture verses, a brief thought about each verse, and a
thoughtful prayer. Some of these verses and prayers are
applicable in my life, and also to some of my friends whom I'm
praying for today.

I encourage you to read them and think about your own life and
also about those around you, and I pray that these short messages
will be helpful as you consider your life this week and the lives
of those near to you.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

Weekly Verses
from Crosswalk.com
www.crosswalk.com
1/7/02

These verses are taken from TODAY'S VERSE, by Phil Ware
< devotionals.crosswalk.com/TodaysVerse >

~~~~~~~~~
MONDAY

This is what the Lord says, "Forget the former things; do not
dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it
springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the
desert and streams in the wasteland."

--Isaiah 43:16 and 18-19
New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
The year is gone, finished, past. We cannot reclaim it or
undo it. We cannot rest on the things it has brought us. If
tomorrow dawns, it will be another day, a new opportunity, and
the time to show our faith in Jesus as Lord. Let's journey
forward, knowing that God already inhabits the future and
promises to provide us refreshment.

MY PRAYER...
Lord of all eternity, please help me to learn from my
mistakes but not dwell on them. Please help me not rest on my
accomplishments in this past year, but use them to further your
work in me and through me. Please help me not quarrel with
those who injured me yesterday, or last month. Instead, O
Father, lead me in your paths and help me see your mighty works
this next year. In Jesus name and by his power I ask it.
Amen.

~~~~~~~~~

TUESDAY

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone,
the new has come!

--2 Corinthians 5:17
New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
We all like "do-overs" or second chances. God does much
better than that! He allows us to become new again. Being the
"God of new things" he can even make us new. Beyond
forgiveness, beyond cleansing, he makes us holy through Jesus.
Let's use the opportunity of a New Year as a springboard to
living a life fresh and new and alive to God!

MY PRAYER...
O LORD, thank you for a New Year and a fresh start. Please
give me wisdom and strength to serve you with integrity and
faithfulness in this coming year. I pray that your work be done
in my life as I offer myself, my plans, and my future to you. I
pray this through Jesus, my intercessor and Lord. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~

WEDNESDAY

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of
wisdom.

--Psalms 90:12
New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
So often we look up and time has passed us by. The things we
promised ourselves we'd accomplish and the deeds we told others
we'd do get left undone. Before we know it, days have become
weeks, and weeks months, and months years. We find ourselves
unable to do what we once assumed we could do any time we want.
We must ask the Spirit of God to help us see and seize the
opportunities the LORD places in our path.

MY PRAYER...
Father, I confess that so often I leave undone what needs to
be done. Please help me see your plans in each of my days and
live in a way which not only honors you, but also blesses those
you want me to reach. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~

THURSDAY

The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.
It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions,
and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this
present age.

--Titus 2:11-12
New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
In a world that has no absolutes, in a world in search of
moral standards, salvation by the costly grace of God beckons us
to change our lifestyle in response to God's grace. Anyone who
receives grace and refuses to pursue righteousness demonstrates
his/her ignorance or hardness of heart. In our day, in our time,
to be saved means to pursue righteousness -- not so that we may
earn our salvation, but so that God's saving grace will not be
fruitless in us.

MY PRAYER...
Holy Father, I confess that I live in a confusing time. Satan
is always distorting the distinction between right and wrong,
good and evil, moral and immoral. Because you have been so
gracious with me, may my life today reflect the righteousness you
gave me through Jesus. "May the words of my mouth and the
thoughts of my heart, be pleasing in your sight, my Rock and my
Redeemer." Through Jesus, my atoning sacrifice I pray. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~

FRIDAY

[God] has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the
Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to
walk humbly with your God.

--Micah 6:8
New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
God's desires for us are not hard to discern. He wants to
bless us with salvation. The incredible gift of his Son is
powerful testimony to this truth. But salvation from sin and
death is not something he wants to happen in our lives only
once. He wants our lives to daily reflect his salvation and to
share it with others. We should act justly and pursue mercy in
our relationships, and honor him with our worship from a humble
heart.

MY PRAYER...
Almighty and compassionate Father, as I embrace this New
Year, help my eyes see what your heart sees. Teach me to hate
sin and be merciful to the repentant. Teach me to know truth
and act fairly, while hating abuse and exploitation. Through
your Spirit, stir me to reflect on the great distance between
your holy majesty and my inconsistent character. Make me more
your child, I pray, in Jesus name. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~

SATURDAY

Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage
the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless.

--Isaiah 1:16-17
New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
Do you find it easy to replace service to those in need with
religious rituals? I know I do! But God wants us to not get so
caught up in talking about him and celebrating his deeds, that we
forget we're supposed to care for others like he does. Whether
it is Jesus defining his ministry in Luke 4:18-19 or James
talking about the kind of piety that pleases God (1:26-27), we
must realize true faith is treating others as God would. Today's
verse defines what God does and asks us to live the same.

MY PRAYER...
O Great God of all comfort, open my eyes today to see those
who need your love and give me the attentiveness, time, and
compassion to serve them. May Jesus' work be seen in my life
today. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~

SUNDAY

Prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your
hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is
revealed.

--1 Peter 1:13
New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
When Jesus came the first time, he came to reveal God (John
1:18). As wonderful, powerful, and gracious as he was in his
earthly ministry, it did not fully reveal Jesus our Lord. Our
hope is tied to his return. When he comes this time, he won't
come to reveal God, but to reveal himself -- the conquering
Lord, the Rider on the white horse. Every knee will bow. And
we will see him as he really and fully is, Immanuel in power
and grace. With this as our hope, we can be ready for active
service to our king as people who live their lives under his
leadership and control.

MY PRAYER...
O Almighty God, I long for the day when I get to see Jesus
face to face coming with the angels in power. Until that time,
fasten my heart in hope to the glory Jesus will share with me
on that day, and please empower me to live as one who knows
that victory is mine in Jesus. Jesus, through your powerful
name I pray. Amen.

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____________________________________________________________

=====
--
Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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