Today's Verse - Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

—Psalm 37:4

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Be careful not to misread this promise as saying that God will give us whatever we want. Notice that first emphatic phrase that qualifies this promise: "Delight yourself in the LORD..." As my heart delights in the LORD — in his will and his purposes — I find a fantastic truth at work; he fulfills those desires. When I yearn for what the LORD wants, he enjoys giving me the desires of my heart. An old hymn has us sing this prayer: "Sweet will of God, still fold me closer, till I am wholly lost in Thee." When I lose myself in the will of God, and my heart delights to honor him, God rushes to bring us the desires of our heart and bless me with more of him! Delighting in the LORD leads to a heart full of the LORD's delightful presence and blessings!

My Prayer...

Holy LORD, God of our Fathers and the Great Giver* of every good and perfect gift, thank you for longing to bless me and pour the riches of your grace upon me. Please touch my heart so it will desire your will and then boldly ask you to accomplish it to your glory. In Jesus' name, I find my delight and joyfully pray. Amen.

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* James 1:17.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 - Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

—Galatians 5:22-23

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

When the Holy Spirit is alive in our hearts, the character of God comes to life in us as the Spirit conforms us and transforms us with ever-increasing glory to become like Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:17-18). This transformation occurs as we focus on Jesus and pursue knowing him, following his example, and living daily for him. This transformation is the goal of our lives as a disciple of Jesus, a genuine follower of Jesus (Colossians 1:28-29; Luke 6:40). As we become more and more like Jesus, we display his character, these nine qualities that are the fruit of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

My Prayer...

Thank you, dear Father, for your Spirit within me. I consciously and intentionally yield my will and heart to your Spirit's transforming work. Please produce the fruit you desire in me — the fruit that pleases you reflects your character and brings you glory. I ask for this grace in the authority of 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 - Romans 8:3-4

For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

—Romans 8:3-4

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We shouldn't need a law to guide us when the Spirit lives in us. God had promised that under his new covenant, he would put his law in the minds and write it on the hearts of his people (Jeremiah 31:31-33). The Holy Spirit does this in us. The Spirit produces the character God desires in us, well beyond what any law would require (Galatians 5:22-23). The law can teach us God's will and reveal what is sinful and righteous. However, the law can't fix our sinful inclinations nor empower us to live according to God's will. On the other hand, the Holy Spirit can! The Spirit cleanses, transforms, empowers, and inspires us to be what God calls us to be in ways no law can (Romans 8:1-4; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18). Let's thank God for his loving sacrifice in Jesus and empowering presence in us through the Holy Spirit!

My Prayer...

O God, create a pure heart in me and renew me by dwelling within me through your Holy Spirit. Please empower me through your Spirit to have the character you desire, as the Spirit transforms me to be more like Jesus daily. In Jesus' name, 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.