Today's Verse - Romans 12:2

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.

—Romans 12:2

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Sooner or later, we must decide: Will I be a nonconformist? Will I refuse to be squeezed into conformity with the world? Will I be part of a Christian counter-culture? Will I be God's person, an alien and an exile in the world, a follower of Jesus put here to have a redemptive influence? Jesus calls us his disciples. So, bottom line: until we are ready to step across the line of cultural conformity and live totally for the LORD Jesus, we're not going to recognize fully what God's will is for us. There are no armchair quarterback Christians. There are no sideline disciples. There are no back-seat-driver Christians. We either choose the Lordship of Jesus and refuse to be conformed to the world or reject it. So what's your decision? Let's be non-conformists and live for Jesus.

My Prayer...

Holy God, I believe that Jesus Christ is LORD and Savior. I believe he came to earth as a human, lived an exemplary life of grace and power, and died for my sins so I could live for you and with you forever. Please forgive me, O God, for the times I have hedged on my commitment to you and flirted with the darkness. I want to live for you with passion, joy, and fulfillment. I offer myself to you so that the Holy Spirit can continue transforming me into being like Christ and living in nonconformity to the world. In his name, Jesus the LORD, 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 - Romans 12:1

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship.

—Romans 12:1

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Our worship isn't confined to Sunday! Each day that we lovingly offer ourselves to Jesus as his disciples and servants, we are worshiping God as his holy and beloved children. Whenever we consciously resist evil and choose what is good, we offer pleasing and acceptable worship to God.

Isn't it exciting that our worship isn't primarily what we do in a church building?!

Isn't it incredible that our decisions and actions are crucial to our worship of God daily?!

Offering what we do with our bodies, what we think with our minds, and how we obey God from our hearts is vital spiritual worship!

My Prayer...

Holy LORD and God Almighty, please accept the offering of our thoughts, words, and actions today and each day that follows. We want our thoughts, words, and actions to show that we have offered ourselves to you as our loving worship for all that you have done to lavish your mercy and grace on us. In Jesus' name, we offer our bodies, our hearts, our minds, and our words to you, and 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 - 2 Corinthians 11:30

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

—2 Corinthians 11:30

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

One of Paul's recurring themes throughout 2 Corinthians is that God's strength is made perfect in weakness. In 1 Corinthians, he emphasized that the strength, wisdom, and power of God are shown in what is normally a sign of weakness and humiliation — the cross (1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5). Paul wasn't a wimp — remember all that he endured and kept on serving the LORD (2 Corinthians 11:24-27). He just knew that even with all his training and talent, he wasn't skilled, smart, or strong enough to do all that needed to be done for the Kingdom of God. As folks compared him with those who were supposed to be stronger and better teachers, he didn't try to outdo them with his credentials — even though he could. Instead, Paul knew that when we recognize our insufficiency, God takes our weakness and uses it powerfully when we offer ourselves to him. Our lives must show that the "all-surpassing power" for ministry "is from God and not from us" (2 Corinthians 4:7).

My Prayer...

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for all those times you have strengthened me when I was under trial, given me wisdom in difficult situations, empowered me when I faced hardships, and used me mightily in opportunities greater than my ability to handle. I recognize that you saved and sustained me by Your grace so that I can serve in ways better beyond my natural abilities. Your glory and power enabled this to happen, so I praise and thank you in 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.