Today's Verse - Psalm 37:16-17

Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.

—Psalm 37:16-17

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Which is your most important investment: Your money or your character? I can assure you, this question will be asked of you in a myriad of ways, quite often at the worst times and when you are most vulnerable. Martin Luther supposedly said that the last thing converted in a person is their wallet. So will you choose the little of the righteous over the wealth of the wicked? Hmmm! Tricky question if we are honest with ourselves. So let's make that decision now before the circumstances change, our vulnerability goes up, and temptation comes knocking on the door of our hearts. God, his Kingdom, will, and righteousness come first, right? Yes, it must, and for us, with each other's help, it will!

My Prayer...

Almighty God, creator and owner of everything, please give us love for righteousness and a disdain for greed and covetousness. We want to serve you with undivided hearts that cannot be swayed by the material values involved in a decision. Please help us know and do what is righteous. Please help us make our decisions based on what is pleasing to you, aligns with your will, and honors your righteousness. To honor Jesus our LORD, and to give glory to you and live your truth, O Father, we pray in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Today's Verse - John 17:15

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

—John 17:15

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus, in showing his love and care for his disciples in prayer right before his Passion, is our great example of how we can and must pray for God's spiritual protection over those we love. The LORD Jesus knew what would happen to him, yet chose to pray for them rather than focusing on himself. Praying for them was that important to the LORD! His disciples could not leave the world and still serve the world and reach the lost with God's grace. So, Jesus prayed protection over them and for them. Jesus' example is our command to pray for God to protect his disciples from the evil one (Matthew 6:13). The apostle Paul reminds us:

The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

My Prayer...

Loving and Tender Shepherd, the great Guardian of the Flock, please physically and spiritually protect your people from evil and the evil one. We trust in your faithfulness to strengthen and protect them. In the name of Jesus and following his example, we offer ourselves and our prayers to you. Amen.

Today's Verse - John 17:4

I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.

—John 17:4

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

One of the most amazing things that Jesus ever said, he said to his Father in heaven: "I have completed the work you gave me to do..." In fact, when Jesus breathed his last, he said; "It is finished." (Or, it is completed, or it is paid. John 19:30). Jesus finished the work God had sent the Son to accomplish in his life and on the cross by obeying the Father, glorifying the Father, and paying the debt of sin for all humankind. John quotes Jesus as using a form of the same word in John 17:4 and John 4:34. Even though Jesus' time on earth was relatively short, he lived with the glory of God as his highest priority and lived to complete the work the Father had given him to accomplish. We can also live with the glory of God as our highest priority and live to complete the work the Father has given us to do! This is our purpose as God's children (Ephesians 1:6, 1:12, 1:14; 1 Peter 2:9-10). The more we live by Kingdom priorities (Matthews 6:33), the more we can rest assured that we can finish our work and know we have honored the Father with our lives! Let's be like our Savior and complete the work the Father has given us to do.

My Prayer...

Please be glorified in me, dear LORD, as I seek to glorify you! Use me to bring others to know you and your grace. And please, dear LORD, empower me to complete the work you sent me to do in this world. In Jesus' name and to live for your glory, I pray. Amen.