Today's Verse - Proverbs 10:24

What the wicked dreads will overtake him; what the righteous desire will be granted.

—Proverbs 10:24

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The wicked fear the triumph of goodness, holiness, and righteousness. The wicked fear not being in control. The wicked fear death overtaking them. The righteous, however, desire the triumph of goodness, holiness, and righteousness. The righteous ones offer their lives to be controlled by the Holy Spirit of God and guided by the Spirit-inspired Scriptures. The righteous recognize death as an enemy, but one that their Savior has already conquered. In times like these, isn't it comforting to know that the fear of the wicked is really all they can be sure of receiving, while the glory of the Father, his angels, the Son, and the Holy Spirit await us, as his righteous children, in that glory!

My Prayer...

O LORD God, please bring your justice, mercy, and righteousness to triumph in the lives of all who seek after you and your will - those who are seeking to be truly righteous. Please make our hearts and behaviors more consistent with your will. Please stir in us a bold passion to lead those to Christ who do not yet know you - those who pursue evil, have wickedness in their hearts, and who perpetrate the brokenness and sinfulness of our current age. Until Jesus returns, we pray for righteousness to triumph 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 - 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.