Today's Verse - James 1:2-3

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

—James 1:2-3

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"Hang in there!" There are few traits more important than perseverance - hanging in there. Most important accomplishments in life happen because of perseverance. Most "luck" occurs when we've persevered long enough for the "magical moment" to come along - in other words, I don't believe in luck. Edison said it best: life's most extraordinary feats, the world's most significant discoveries, and his own most fantastic inventions are "1% inspiration and 99% perspiration." Hang in there! Persevere! And do it with joy! Why? So you can see the glory of God come through for you and in you, not because of luck, but because of God's grace, love, and power partnered with your perseverance!

My Prayer...

Unchangeable and Unshakeable God, help me to stand up and prove my character is true when I am under fire. Use the friends you have sent into my life and the power of the Holy Spirit to help me persevere. Please give me faith, courage, and endurance so that my life displays your enduring strength. And, dear Father, please help me find joy in persevering when under trial. I pray for these graces, in the name of him who remained faithful even unto death, and who, "for the joy set before him endured" and persevered through the cross! Amen.

Today's Verse - Matthew 7:12

In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the prophets.

—Matthew 7:12

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

This verse is called "The Golden Rule"! It's golden because it's genuine, lasting, doable, understandable, and valuable. It's golden because it clearly and beautifully summarizes what God's Law teaches about how we should treat others. Imagine how different our world would be if we all practiced this principle - not just in our "church life" but in our daily life? If we practiced this Gold Rule with our family, our coworkers and employer, and with the people we manage, the folks on the freeway, in the neighborhoods where we drive, and toward the waiters and waitresses and others who serve us... Wow! What a wonderfully different world we would have! So, let's each start changing our world and making it a bit more golden today!

My Prayer...

Generous Father, you have blessed me with so many rich and wonderful gifts. I can never adequately express how much thanks you deserve. One thing I want you to know from my heart, dear Father, is that I especially appreciate the way you have treated me with grace, not with justice or judgment. Empower me through your Holy Spirit to treat others as I would have them treat me and as you have treated me. In Jesus' name, I pray to live this golden way. Amen.

Today's Verse - 1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

—1 Corinthians 10:13

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

TEMPTATION... We've all faced it. We know it is the evil one's carefully crafted weapon, specifically designed to ensnare us mortals. We can sometimes even hear the voice of the evil one in our heads, saying, "No one will ever know. Besides, it won't hurt anyone!" But in our hearts, we know that to cave in to temptation matters because we've allowed ourselves to give in to what is wrong and given away part of ourselves. Thankfully, we can defeat temptation if we do what this verse reminds us:

• To recognize temptation when it presents itself.
• To know this specific temptation we face is common to mortals, so I can overcome it because others have.
• To remember that God is faithful. My Father in heaven won't let me be tempted above what I can handle.
• To believe that God will provide a way of escape, so I need to look for it, and resist the evil one behind it, as I draw near to God (James 1:13-15, 4:7-8).

My Prayer...

Righteous and loving Father, guard my heart from temptation and my life from sin. I want to serve you with wholehearted devotion. Forgive me for my past sin, and by your grace and through your word, strengthen me with your Holy Spirit so that I may overcome the temptations the evil one uses to separate me from you. Through my Protector and Redeemer, Jesus, I pray with confidence. Amen.