Today's Verse - John 4:24

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship him in spirit and in truth.

—John 4:24

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Genuine worship is a gift. God is spirit. God is holy. So, we cannot fully and authentically approach God in worship without the gift and blessing of his Holy Spirit. As Christians who received his Spirit when we were born of God through our faith and baptism (John 3:3-7, 4:23-24; Titus 3:3-7), we can now speak to him and worship him openly and confidently - our spirit combined with the Holy Spirit in us, worshiping God who is Spirit. The Spirit within us makes us a place where God lives through his Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The Spirit intercedes for us when we approach God in prayer (Romans 8:26-27). We are then filled with God's Spirit as we worship him (Ephesians 5:18-20). No wonder Jesus commanded:

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship him in spirit and in truth.

That's with our spirit, combined with the Holy Spirit, and with worshiping God appropriately; then God is praised and pleased.

My Prayer...

Abba Father, by the gift of your Spirit, I come to you as your child. Thank you so much for giving me your Spirit so that I can approach you with confidence and know you hear the concerns of my heart. Please accept the worship of my heart, of my words, and of my actions in my daily life. May the things I do today bring you glory as I worship you authentically and through the power of the Holy Spirit. 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.

Today's Verse - Ephesians 6:12-13

Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

—Ephesians 6:12-13

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

How often do you forget that we are in a spiritual war? Our enemy is deceptively cunning. If we lose the sense of immediacy to his threats, the danger appears gone. But he's always there, lurking in the shadows. Remember that Jesus' battle with the evil one during his temptations was only the beginning of his spiritual battles. Luke ends his account of the LORD's temptations with these ominous words:

When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time (Luke 4:13).

We never know when the evil one's "opportune time" will come for us. So rather than trying to guess when, Paul reminds us to take up the tools God has given us, NOW. These tools are the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-19). They enable us to stand against the evil one. We ARE in a war against evil, the evil one, and his minions. But the Spirit of God in us is greater than those who are allied with evil (1 John 4:4), and the armor of God equips us to defeat the enemy whenever he comes against us. So, no matter when, where, or how the evil one comes against us, we have the power to stand!

My Prayer...

LORD of Hosts, my Great Deliverer, protect me from the evil one by your great power. Please give me a sense of urgency as I face Satan and his schemes daily, and lift my confidence knowing that Jesus has already defeated my foe. Oh LORD, I am committed to stand against the evil enemies and show myself faithful to you. Through Jesus my LORD and Savior, 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.

Today's Verse - James 4:10

Humble yourselves before the LORD, and he will lift you up.

—James 4:10

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Humble yourselves..." That sounds almost obscene to a world so caught up in self-promotion and willing to do almost anything for "likes" and "views" in social media. This "get ahead at all costs" and this "look at me" driven culture of self-promotion is destroying our inner character before our very eyes. Humility is a forgotten virtue. Often confused with weakness or timidity, humility is really about knowing our proper place in the world and our eternal value to God without flaunting, promoting, and exalting ourselves. Only God can exalt permanently, so the key is for us to know our place before him and let him put us in the place he chooses for us to honor him and bless others.

My Prayer...

Abba Father, Most Holy God, thank you for allowing me into your presence because of your Holy Spirit and grace. When I think of all that you have done, the incredible universe you have made and hold together by your word, I am amazed you invite me into your presence and care about me. So, thank you! Thank you for knowing me and having a plan for my life. Please help me live with humility and grace before others today as I seek to glorify you in all the things I say, do, and believe. I trust my future and my influence to your grace, timing, and place. Through Jesus, 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.