Today's Verse - Luke 9:23

Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."

—Luke 9:23

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Offering ourselves to God isn't a one-time event. We learned that yesterday - we offer ourselves, we offer our bodies to God as a living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). We are committing to die to our selfish wills and follow Jesus daily, obeying him as we live to honor him. As the LORD Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane with the Father, we must face our daily challenge to "take up [my] cross daily," putting our selfish wills on the cross, and crying out, "Not my will, but yours be done," Abba Father (Luke 22:42).

My Prayer...

Dear Father, thank you for sending Jesus as my Savior. LORD Jesus, I want to follow you completely. I don't want it to be half-hearted or hypocritical. I yearn for your life to be seen in me each day. So please, LORD, humble me gently, and show me the areas where I need to soften my heart and have the Spirit shape my character, so that I can more perfectly reflect your glory, grace, and character to those around me. In Jesus' name, I ask for the Father's help in taking up my cross and following the way of Jesus, each and every day. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.

—Romans 12:1-2

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The motivation for our holiness is God's incredible mercy and grace already given to us in Jesus. We offer ourselves to him because he has already shown us his love through the sacrifice of Jesus. As we offer ourselves to honor him, we are worshipping him - "this is your spiritual act of worship.". As we refuse to be molded into the lifestyle of the world, we offer our LORD praise through our actions. As we consistently do these things with our lives, God's character becomes more and more apparent in our lives. With the Spirit's help, we are daily being transformed to be more like Jesus with ever-increasing glory (2 Corinthians 3:18) as we display the character traits of God by the power of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). This, my friends, is true worship: not just in a church building but in all of life.

My Prayer...

Father, as the old hymn says, "Have thine own way, LORD... mold me and make me after thy will!" I gladly offer you my heart, my life, and my future to use to your glory. Have your way in me and use me for your glory. Have your way in me and use me for your glory. In Jesus' name, I pray and worship you in all of my life (Colossians 3:17; Hebrews 13:15-16). Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - John 14:21

Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.

—John 14:21

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Love is much more than a feeling or an attitude: true love is always demonstrated by loving action to be true love. When we love, we show it by our deeds. As disciples of Jesus, we show our love by our obedience to the things Jesus taught us and showed us by his example. Our goal is to become JESUShaped - fashioned to be like our Teacher, the LORD Jesus Christ (Luke 6:40; 2 Corinthians 3:18). That obedience brings an incredible blessing - Jesus reveals himself to us and makes his home within us (John 14:21, 23).

My Prayer...

Dear LORD, my Abba Father, please forgive me for my times of disobedience. Help me see my unwillingness to obey as a loss of love for my Savior. Empower me to resist the evil one. Holy Spirit, please pour your love into my heart and help me demonstrate more fully. Heavenly Father, I ask that you help me find delight in obeying the teaching of my LORD and Savior, Jesus, and thereby demonstrating my deep love for him. In the name of your Son, I ask this. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.