Today's Verse - Ephesians 6:12-13

Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

—Ephesians 6:12-13

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

How often do you forget that we are in a spiritual war? Our enemy is deceptively cunning. If we lose the sense of immediacy to his threats, the danger appears gone. But he's always there, lurking in the shadows. Remember that Jesus' battle with the evil one during his temptations was only the beginning of his spiritual battles. Luke ends his account of the LORD's temptations with these ominous words:

When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time (Luke 4:13).

We never know when the evil one's "opportune time" will come for us. So rather than trying to guess when, Paul reminds us to take up the tools God has given us, NOW. These tools are the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-19). They enable us to stand against the evil one. We ARE in a war against evil, the evil one, and his minions. But the Spirit of God in us is greater than those who are allied with evil (1 John 4:4), and the armor of God equips us to defeat the enemy whenever he comes against us. So, no matter when, where, or how the evil one comes against us, we have the power to stand!

My Prayer...

LORD of Hosts, my Great Deliverer, protect me from the evil one by your great power. Please give me a sense of urgency as I face Satan and his schemes daily, and lift my confidence knowing that Jesus has already defeated my foe. Oh LORD, I am committed to stand against the evil enemies and show myself faithful to you. Through Jesus my LORD and Savior, I pray. 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 - James 4:10

Humble yourselves before the LORD, and he will lift you up.

—James 4:10

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Humble yourselves..." That sounds almost obscene to a world so caught up in self-promotion and willing to do almost anything for "likes" and "views" in social media. This "get ahead at all costs" and this "look at me" driven culture of self-promotion is destroying our inner character before our very eyes. Humility is a forgotten virtue. Often confused with weakness or timidity, humility is really about knowing our proper place in the world and our eternal value to God without flaunting, promoting, and exalting ourselves. Only God can exalt permanently, so the key is for us to know our place before him and let him put us in the place he chooses for us to honor him and bless others.

My Prayer...

Abba Father, Most Holy God, thank you for allowing me into your presence because of your Holy Spirit and grace. When I think of all that you have done, the incredible universe you have made and hold together by your word, I am amazed you invite me into your presence and care about me. So, thank you! Thank you for knowing me and having a plan for my life. Please help me live with humility and grace before others today as I seek to glorify you in all the things I say, do, and believe. I trust my future and my influence to your grace, timing, and place. Through Jesus, I pray. 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 - Philippians 4:8

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.

—Philippians 4:8

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Our actions follow our thoughts like a heat-seeking missile follows the exhaust of a jet fighter's engine. So, in a day when so much around us trains us to find the negative in life, and especially in others, we must aggressively pursue the character, the qualities, and the things of God's goodness. Social media drowns us in negativity, spite, division, ugliness, and hostility. God gives us these things in our verse today to remind us of goodness, nobleness, rightness, and purity. God gives us admirable things, things that are excellent and praiseworthy. So, let's think about these things in a world that is drowning in negativity, futility, and loss.

My Prayer...

Holy and Magnificent God, thank you for being better than anything my world can offer me. Thank you for calling me to a higher standard than the world accepts. Thank you for giving me the promise of a better future than any human can imagine. Thank you for giving me a high calling to live up to you and your will. So now, I ask, dear Father, for the Holy Spirit to help imprint what is lovely and admirable, excellent and praiseworthy, into my character as I focus on them in my thoughts. In Jesus' holy name, I offer my thoughts and focus to you. 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.