Sunday, July 12, 2009

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
--Romans 12:9-10

Monday, July 13, 2009

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
--Hebrews 13:5-6

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
--Hebrews 4:12

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

"Be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul."
--Joshua 22:5

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
--Galatians 6:9

Friday, July 17, 2009

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion -- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
--Isaiah 61:1-3

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
--Ephesians 4:29

Sunday, July 19, 2009

"If you do not listen, and if you do not set your heart to honor my name," says the LORD Almighty, "I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not set your heart to honor me."
--Malachi 2:2

Monday, July 20, 2009

Daniel prayed: "Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king."
--Daniel 2:20-23

Today's Verse (July 21, 2009)

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
— James 1:22 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"The proof of the pudding is in the eating." The proof of biblical wisdom and understanding is in the living. To simply know the truth doesn't mean a whole lot if we don't do anything with that knowledge; to live the truth is everything. (cf. Matthew 7)

My Prayer...

O LORD God, empower me with your Spirit as I seek to not only "practice what I preach," but also show my obedience to your will and live consistently with your character in my daily life. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.


Today's Verse Illustrated

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.
--Proverbs 16:28

Thursday, July 23, 2009

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
--Proverbs 2:1-5

Friday, July 24, 2009

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it."
--Mark 8:34-35

Saturday, July 25, 2009

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
--Matthew 6:5-6

Today's Verse - July 26, 2009

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior ..."

— Isaiah 43:2-3 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
In the context of this passage, God reminds his people that they are precious to him. He formed them and redeemed them. He is not about to abandon them. No matter what challenges or difficulties they face, he will be with them to deliver them and bring them to safety and victory. We can accept this same promise; we also have the benefit of history to show God's faithfulness. We can see how God did preserve his people and redeemed them time and time again from their bondage to their enemies. God will not forget his children! We know it by promise. We know it by history. We know it by faith!

My Prayer...

Thank you, Almighty God, for always being near. I know that there are many times when I am not aware of your nearness or of your providence at work or of your miraculous moving in history. Nevertheless, I do believe, dear Father, that you are near even when I feel alone and your presence seems so far away. In those times, dear God, please give me confidence and perseverance to stand through the times of trial so that I can also share in your times of triumph. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Today's Verse Illustrated