Today's Verse - Romans 6:11-12

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.

—Romans 6:11-12

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

If we have been cleansed from perversity, if we have died with Christ in baptism to our old ways of life and have been cleansed thoroughly and completely by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:9-11), then let's live for God. Let's resist sin and our inclinations towards evil with all our might, knowing that as we do, the Holy Spirit will empower us to a much greater righteousness than we could ever live on our own (Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Corinthians 3:18). Let's begin each day with a conscious decision to be dead to our sinful past and alive to God the holy character the Spirit is forming in us!

My Prayer...

Loving and Righteous Father, Almighty God, please help my heart remain firmly committed to your will and more fully conformed to your holy character and grace as I submit myself to the work of the Holy Spirit in me. In the name of Jesus, my Savior and my LORD. 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 - Proverbs 10:9

The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

—Proverbs 10:9

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"Tell the truth the first time, and then you won't have to remember what you said." That's a quote attributed to the famous Speaker of the U.S.A. House of Representatives, Sam Rayburn. That's basically what God's wisdom is trying to teach us in this passage. Be a person of integrity. Then, when someone finds out your secrets, you can feel secure knowing that you have lived for godliness. However, a perverse and deceitful person has to worry that someone will find out their duplicity and evil. There is no security or assurance in crooked paths, only the certainty of getting tripped up and caught. When the secrets of evil that have been whispered in dark places get shouted from the rooftops (Luke 12:3), those who have lived for the LORD can be secure, knowing that what gets shouted about them is said with the voice of God: "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21, 23).

My Prayer...

Please forgive me, dear Father, for those times that I have been secretive, sinful, and dishonest. Purify me of deceit. Help me speak only what is true, appropriate, and helpful. Transform my evil secrets, through your holy grace, into a character that is consistent in both public and private situations. In Jesus' name, I ask for your help to grow in the grace of integrity. 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 - Joshua 1:9

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

—Joshua 1:9

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

While these words were spoken to Joshua when he took over for Moses as Israel's leader, they are also applicable to us. Take a moment and read Psalm 139 out loud and see that God's promise to be with us is for all who truly call upon him. Listen to Jesus' words in Matthew 28:18-20, as he promises his disciples to be with them always, even to the close of the age. Remember God's promise, declared in an Old Testament blessing and reiterated in Hebrews 13:5: "Never will I leave you, never will I desert you!" So, let's be strong; our God, our Father, our Shepherd is always near, even if it doesn't seem so. We cannot go anywhere without his presence being near us and in us. We are not alone. We don't have to be afraid. We can have great courage; not even death can separate us from his love (Romans 8:35-39).

My Prayer...

Be near, dear Father, not just in your promises or in your spiritual presence, but also in my awareness. I need to know you are near when I respond to the incredible opportunities you place before me. I need to be confident in your help and sustaining love as I face the rigorous challenges in my life. O, LORD, I trust in your unfailing love, so I commit to being strong and courageous because you are with me. In Jesus' name, I declare this faith. 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.