August 25, 2008 – August
31, 2008
What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith
and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you --
guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
--2 Timothy 1:13-14
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
We live in a world of keys, locks, alarms, and security systems. Paul's words
here, shouldn't come as a surprise to us. The things that are most valuable to
us we protect. What is more precious to us than the truth of God's saving grace
in the Gospel. Thankfully, God has pre-wired all of us with a security system
to help protect that incredibly precious hope. This security system lives in
us. It is the Holy Spirit.
MY PRAYER...
Help me, O God, to not compromise your truth to legalism or license. I want to
live, and show others how to live, a holy life. I want to share with them your
grace and mercy. But most of all Father, I want them to join with me in
welcoming Jesus when he returns. Please empower me by your Spirit to see
through falsehood and error and protect and live your truth. Through Jesus I
pray. Amen.
TUESDAY
[Jesus said,] "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to
me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very
end of the age."
--Matthew 28:18-20
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
Last words. The last words of a parent to a child leaving for college. The last
words of a loved one at the bedside of someone dying. The last words of a
friend before moving to a distant place. These last words are chosen with care
because they leave a lasting impact. Jesus' last words are our marching orders.
"Go make disciples of all peoples! To do this," he emphasized,
"you must go where they are, baptize them, and then teach them to do what
I taught you to do." Not hard to understand, so what are we doing about
obeying those last commands?
MY PRAYER...
Father from whom all peoples derive their hope, use your Spirit to rouse within
me a passion to share your grace with all peoples. Nudge me out of my safety
zone and call me into your empowering and sacrificial grace so that I help
others come to know you. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.
Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father
will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."
--John 14:23
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
At many Christian funerals, the preacher emphasizes how Jesus has left to make
a place ready for us to join him in heaven. Then he is going to come back for
us. But just a few verses later, Jesus adds this promise. He's telling us that
until we can come be with him at his place, he will come live with us here in
our hearts. It all hinges on one thing, our willingness to obey him. Not a bad
deal, is it. So let's not let obedience be a forgotten word in our lifestyle!
MY PRAYER...
Holy God, I know Jesus came to earth and obeyed your will. Give me discernment
that my obedience will not simply be the obedience of your words, but will also
be the obedience of your will. I long to honor you because you have done so
much to save me. Thank you. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.
THURSDAY
We proclaim him [Jesus], admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
so that we present everyone perfect in Christ.
--Colossians 1:28
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
Our goal as Christians is not to obey some law, to adhere to some set of rules,
or even be followers of some discipline. Our goal as Christians is to be
conformed to the character and ministry of Jesus. This is the Spirit's work in
us (2 Cor. 3:18) and as Paul makes clear here and in other places (Galatians
4:19) that this is his goal in working with others.
MY PRAYER...
Holy Lord, conform my heart, my words, my life, my ministry, and my actions to
those of Jesus. I want him to be my Lord, not just in my words but also in my
life. Through him I pray. Amen.
FRIDAY
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me
on level ground.
--Psalm 143:10
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
We want the Spirit to be at work in us to make us like Jesus. For this to
happen, we must open our heart to the will of God. There are no greater words
God wants to hear than "teach me to do your will." That is what it
means for him to be God, to have control over our life and our will.
MY PRAYER...
Almighty God, I want you to truly be God in my life. I renounce any attempt on
my part to try to manipulate or use your grace and kindness for my benefit. I
submit my will to yours. But Holy Father, I confess that I struggle at times
with my own selfish and evil desires that lead me astray. Please forgive me
when my heart is cold and my ears are deaf to your will. Please, take control
of my life today. Through Jesus my Lord, I ask you to assert your will as God
in my life. Amen.
SATURDAY
Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and
sound in faith, in love, and in endurance.
--Titus 2:2
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
Worthy of respect! What a goal for our lives whether we are men or women! Don't
you want your life to reflect the character of God because our faith expresses
itself in a life of self-control. This work of the Spirit in our lives happens
only as we dedicate ourselves to being what he is at work trying to accomplish
in us.
MY PRAYER...
Father, please strengthen me through your Spirit so that I may gain better
control of my passions, my speech, my example, and my habits. Help me put to
death the things that would rob me of my spiritual passion and my influence for
good to those who do not know Jesus. Through whom I pray. Amen.
SUNDAY
[The Lord says,] "Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am he, I am he
who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you
and I will rescue you.
--Isaiah 46:4
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
God will not forget us when we're in trouble or when we are old. We may outlive
our friends and be forgotten by those who know us, but God will never leave us
or forsake us. He will sustain, carry, protect, and rescue us.
MY PRAYER...
Thank you my Father, for promising to never forget me. Because of your
faithfulness to your children of old, I know you will never forsake me. I trust
that no matter where I am or where I go, you will go with me. In Jesus' name I
pray. Amen.