Today's Verse - Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, 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...

Let's get our minds out of the gutter and get our hearts focused on God's glory. Let's get our minds out of the focus on problems, difficulties, and horrible things we see in our world today and remind ourselves of God's goodness and the glorious things that pertain to him. If "we become what we behold," then let's choose to focus our gaze on:

...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.

My Prayer...

Righteous and Holy God, you are marvelous and glorious, perfect in every way and beyond my comprehension. Please awaken the character of your holiness within me through the power of your Holy Spirit. I don't want minor changes, but the Spirit's transformation to become more like Jesus. Please help me see and focus upon the good and glorious things that reflect your nature and not the divisiveness, sleeze, and fluff of my world. In Jesus' name, I pray for your help to rise above the meaningless, vain, and nasty things of my world and focus on you and your glory so I can bring others 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.

Today's Verse - Psalm 85:6

Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?

—Psalm 85:6

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Our Father, God, loves his children even when they are rebellious. However, God showed Israel that their rebellion would drive his presence and blessing from them. But with their genuine repentance and their confession of sin, God joyously promises to bring revival, renewal, and restoration. He gives them, and gives us as Jesus' disciples, this very prayer as we turn our hearts to God, repent of our past sins, and return to His ways of living:

Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?

And the Father will answer, "YES!"

My Prayer...

Father and Almighty LORD, please forgive me for my sins. I confess them freely to you now... (Be specific about the sins you want to confess.) Having you in my life, honoring your Kingdom with my behavior, and honoring your love with my graciousness toward others are very important to me. Please revive me again and empower me to love, do good deeds, and live a holy life so that you will be praised. In Jesus' name. 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 - Psalm 121:8

The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

—Psalm 121:8

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Today's verse builds on yesterday's verse and thoughts.

Does it matter to anyone that I'm here?

Does anyone notice when I'm gone?

Does anybody care if I make it home or never leave the house?

The answers?

"Yes! Yes!! Yes!!!"

The LORD, the Savior of Israel and the Father of Jesus, knows all about us and our comings and goings. He will watch over us, now and forevermore. He will never forsake us or leave us (Hebrews 13:5-6; Romans 8:38-39).

My Prayer...

Father, thank you for being there when I rise and watching over me. Almighty God, thank you for being with me when I return home at the end of my day, escorting and welcoming me. I thank you most of all, dear Father, that when I leave this life and go to the next, you will be with me to escort me out of this life and welcome me home to life with you, forever! In Jesus' name, I know this is true, and praise 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.