Today's Verse - Matthew 7:12

In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the prophets.

—Matthew 7:12

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

This verse is called "The Golden Rule"! It's golden because it's genuine, lasting, doable, understandable, and valuable. It's golden because it clearly and beautifully summarizes what God's Law teaches about how we should treat others. Imagine how different our world would be if we all practiced this principle - not just in our "church life" but in our daily life? If we practiced this Gold Rule with our family, our coworkers and employer, and with the people we manage, the folks on the freeway, in the neighborhoods where we drive, and toward the waiters and waitresses and others who serve us... Wow! What a wonderfully different world we would have! So, let's each start changing our world and making it a bit more golden today!

My Prayer...

Generous Father, you have blessed me with so many rich and wonderful gifts. I can never adequately express how much thanks you deserve. One thing I want you to know from my heart, dear Father, is that I especially appreciate the way you have treated me with grace, not with justice or judgment. Empower me through your Holy Spirit to treat others as I would have them treat me and as you have treated me. In Jesus' name, I pray to live this golden way. 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 - 1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

—1 Corinthians 10:13

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

TEMPTATION... We've all faced it. We know it is the evil one's carefully crafted weapon, specifically designed to ensnare us mortals. We can sometimes even hear the voice of the evil one in our heads, saying, "No one will ever know. Besides, it won't hurt anyone!" But in our hearts, we know that to cave in to temptation matters because we've allowed ourselves to give in to what is wrong and given away part of ourselves. Thankfully, we can defeat temptation if we do what this verse reminds us:

• To recognize temptation when it presents itself.
• To know this specific temptation we face is common to mortals, so I can overcome it because others have.
• To remember that God is faithful. My Father in heaven won't let me be tempted above what I can handle.
• To believe that God will provide a way of escape, so I need to look for it, and resist the evil one behind it, as I draw near to God (James 1:13-15, 4:7-8).

My Prayer...

Righteous and loving Father, guard my heart from temptation and my life from sin. I want to serve you with wholehearted devotion. Forgive me for my past sin, and by your grace and through your word, strengthen me with your Holy Spirit so that I may overcome the temptations the evil one uses to separate me from you. Through my Protector and Redeemer, Jesus, I pray with confidence. 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 2:14-16

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.

—Philippians 2:14-16

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Stars! They've always been a source of constant hope for God's people. "I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven..." God told Abraham (Genesis 22:17). "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them..." David asked (Psalm 8:3-4). The Wisemen, Magi from the East, followed a star to discover baby Jesus (Matthew 2:1-2). Luke reminds us that Jesus was the light coming from heaven to shine on those in darkness (Luke 2:32). And now, we're stars - God's points of light in the dark sky of the universe. Let's make today a day that our light shines God's glory to a dark world around us. We will live for Jesus without complaining or arguing, living pure lives so we can shine God's grace to those who do not know him through Jesus! Let's hold out the word of life in our dark world.

My Prayer...

Almighty God, the incredible expanse of your universe, with its billions of stars, exceeds my limited comprehension. But I thank you for calling me to be a person of light in the dark world around me. I pledge to shine your light in the lives of all those I influence. Through the name of Jesus, your bright and morning star (Revelation 22:16), 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.