Word for Today, Tue, 11 Nov 2003: Weekly Verses
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>
Another resource that I've often shared during the week is Phil
Ware's Weekly Verses, which are a compilation of his work
published by the Heartlight Daily Verse, provided to us as a
service of Crosswalk.com. This collection of verses, thoughts,
and prayers, discusses the culture that we live in and contrasts
it with the intent of God. Not surprising, we could examine
scripture and find, in this present day and age, quite a few
similarities between what went on thousands of years ago and
what's happening now.
Oh, sure, we don't do "Baal Worship" today (well, maybe some do),
but we have our own set of things that we worship. We seek to
satisfy ourselves. We rationalize our behavior. We want to be
tolerant about a lot of things, yet when it comes to real truth,
we dodge it, we make excuses, we even say that the truth is NOT
tolerant, so we don't allow it.
Now perhaps not all of those things apply to every one of us,
but they almost certainly apply to someone we know, perhaps even
someone we know well. Some parts of this may even apply to us,
at least if we dare to take a deep inward look at our own
attitudes and actions. I pray that as we deeply allow a self
examination, God will work, personally and privately, in each of
our hearts.
Are you prepared, first, to set your own life straight, then to
reach out to others? That's what will be motivating me this
week.
Yours in Christ,
Brian
Weekly Verses
from Crosswalk.com
link.crosswalk.com/UM/T.asp?A1.23.15903.1.293748
November 10, 2003
These verses are taken from Heartlight Daily Verse, by Phil Ware
link.crosswalk.com/UM/T.asp?A1.23.15903.2.293748
~~~~~~~~~
MONDAY
To all who received him, to those who believe in his name, he
gave the right to become children of God -- children born not
of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will,
but born of God.
--John 1:12-13
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
We live in a time and culture of rights. "It's my right to
___." Just fill in the blank. But there is one thing we
don't have a right to be: God's child. We are given that right
by grace through Jesus' coming to earth, living, dying and
being raised from the dead. We appropriate it through faith,
through which God gives us new birth when we are baptized and
reborn through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-7). To
be born of God, to be born from above, to be born again is the
gift of adoption into God's family and entitles us to all the
rights of heirs in God's house (Galatians 3:26-4:7).
MY PRAYER...
Abba Father, thank you for including me in your family. May
my life today reflect your influence, character, mercy,
holiness, compassion, righteousness, and love. I want to be
like you, my Father. So just as I was born into your family by
the power of the Holy Spirit, please fill me with your Spirit
today so that I will more closely reflect you in all I do and
say. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~
TUESDAY
Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who
conducts his affairs with justice.
--Psalm 112:5
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
We are pushed by our culture, and often by our own greed, to
look for an angle, to get the upper hand, to try to use others
for our own benefit. We are reminded today that our benefit is
only found when we benefit and bless others.
MY PRAYER...
Oh God, you have been so gracious to me. May I reflect your
graciousness to others today in all I say and do. Through
Jesus I ask it. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~
WEDNESDAY
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.
Do what it says.
--James 1:22
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
What we know and even what we believe are not that
significant if they don't show up in the way we live. Pure and
simple, faith not lived everyday is not faith, it is facade.
MY PRAYER...
Holy God, help me put into practice what I know is your will
and your truth today. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~
THURSDAY
The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks
at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
--1 Samuel 16:7
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
Have you ever wondered how many friends you may have lost
simply by judging them on their first appearance or impression?
I'm amazed at how the first impression very seldom tells us
much of substance about another. We're not really going to be
able to evaluate people properly until the Lord reveals at
judgment what is really in their heart. Don't you think that
we should give them time for their heart to show before we make
a decision about them, too?!
MY PRAYER...
Father, who alone knows each heart, help me be more patient
with others before forming an opinion about them. Please give
me eyes to see them as Jesus does. Through him I pray. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~
FRIDAY
This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who
formed it and established it -- the Lord is his name: Call to
me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable
things you do not know.
--Jeremiah 33:2-3
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
In a universe of billions of stars, think of the power of
the God who made them and knows each of their names. Think of
all he knows that we don't. Think of all he has seen that is
not in a history book. Think of all he has done and can do.
Add to this that he invites us to speak to him about the things
of our heart.
MY PRAYER...
Almighty God, there are so many things I am simply ignorant
about. There are so many things in my world that I can't
understand. There are so many things about you that I long to
know but I can't begin to comprehend you. Please, dear Father,
please give me more of you, and about you, that I may know you
better. You are beyond me, so deal gently as you reveal
yourself. I look with anticipation at the thought of knowing
you, the Unsearchable, the Almighty, God, my Abba. Through
Jesus I pray. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~
SATURDAY
The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding
to the simple.
--Psalm 119:130
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
Sometimes the right path is not so difficult to find, we
just need to know where to begin our search -- the reading of
God's words. The right way is very seldom just the property of
the bright, wise, and scholarly. It is very clear if we will
but look for it!
MY PRAYER...
Holy Father, thank you for making your will known through
your words in Scripture. Bless me today as I open your word.
May I find not only the answer to my questions, but may I find
you and your precious will. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~
SUNDAY
All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.
--Psalm 119:160
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
The requirements of morality and holiness are not temporary
or fleeting because they reflect the nature of our Holy God who
is eternal. They don't shift with the wishes of culture, but
are true across cultures and times and wishes.
MY PRAYER...
Righteous God Almighty, may my life reflect your character
and nature in compassion, holiness, and justice. I know you
are forever, and I want to invest my life in what lasts. Give
me wisdom to see through the fleeting temptations of today and
do what honors you beyond my lifetime. In Jesus name. Amen.
* Copyright 2002 Crosswalk.com, Inc. and its Content
Providers. All rights reserved.
Introducing http://www.Crossguide.com
Where Christians find Products, Services & Ministries.
Crossguide is the newest and most comprehensive directory of
Christian websites. Looking for a Church, businesses you can
trust, or just family friendly websites? Whatever you are
searching for on the Internet, http://www.Crossguide.com will help you
cut through the clutter to the Christian results that you want.
Search today! http://www.Crossguide.com
=====
--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Protect your identity with Yahoo! Mail AddressGuard
antispam.yahoo.com/whatsnewfree