Saturday, July 12, 2025

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

—Matthew 7:13-14

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"Majority rules!" That's the edict of democracy. This has been a blessed political philosophy for so many people over the course of history. However, "majority rule" doesn't apply to the Kingdom of God or the will of God. God sets the standards, not us. God's holiness is the goal, not just trying to be better than someone else. Regretably, most will never find the way of the LORD by following the majority's morality; this is the wide way that leads to destruction. One crucial problem with wanting things our way, the majority way: it leads away from God and to ultimate disaster. God, the Creator and Sustainer of all life, is the only one who can set life's agenda and can guide us on the path of true and eternal life. Let's ask for his help and guidance on our way in our confusing and lost world!

My Prayer...

Father, have your way with my heart, thoughts, words, time, job, family, and life. I want to live in a way that pleases you and join you on the way of righteousness, even though most will not choose to walk that way. In Jesus' name, I pray for your help, guidance, and wisdom to walk in your way of life. Amen.

Friday, July 11, 2025

Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

—Proverbs 16:20

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Those who seek the instruction of God's wisdom and who truly trust in God for their life's blessings and values will find joyful prosperity. That's his promise. That's embedded in Scripture. While this philosophy doesn't play well in the world of today's commercials designed to appeal to our covetousness, pride, and greed, this biblical and godly understanding is vital to a truly blessed and prosperous life!

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Wise and eternal God, please open my mind to your wisdom and my heart to your gracious presence. I trust my future with you and want to live in obedience to your will and response to your truth and instruction. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Thursday, July 10, 2025

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

—Philippians 4:11

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Paul tells Timothy that one of life's greatest treasures is to find contentment in godliness (1 Timothy 6:6). With this treasure, our physical circumstances become far less important to us than the character we display in all of life's circumstances. Our bottom line becomes far less important than loving God wholeheartedly. Those who are wealthy and show godliness — a very difficult challenge according to Jesus (Mark 10:23-27) — have demonstrated that they are content to be godly and will be that kind of person with or without wealth. Those who are poor and are godly have shown the same ability. So the bottom line is not how rich we are in money, but how rich we are in faith and grace!

My Prayer...

Steadfast and faithful Father, please calm my restless and sometimes covetous heart and help me find my contentment in your presence and character in my life. I want my "great gain" to be godliness and for that to be enough for me in every situation. In the name of Jesus, I ask for the Holy Spirit's help in making this true in me. Amen.

Wednesday, July 09, 2025

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

—Proverbs 31:10

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

What would happen if we valued our spouses more than expensive jewelry, great riches, or wonderful and unexpected blessings? What would happen if we publicly valued a faithful wife more than a voluptuous starlet? What would happen if character was valued more than money? I believe these changes would transform our culture, enhance our marriages, and produce stronger and better-adjusted children. Plus, I know God would be pleased because we would then be valuing in people what he does, and not seeing women as something we can exploit, misuse, or abuse.

My Prayer...

Thank you, Holy Father, for the great women of faith I meet in Scripture. Thank you for the godly women I've met in your Kingdom and in my family. Please use me to show these women of noble character that I value them, especially those who are wives of virtue and godly character. Transform our sense of values, O God, so we can see people — especially the women in our lives — the way you do. In Jesus' name, I pray for this grace among your people and in me. Amen.

Tuesday, July 08, 2025

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

—James 5:16

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

So many hearts, hopes, and homes are broken by sin. This brokenness infects our culture and invades our lives. God has provided both a deterrent to sin and a means of forgiveness for guilt: the honest and genuine confession of our sin to another and receiving their prayer for our forgiveness as a blessing from God. At the heart of confession is a passion to see sin for what it is in the eyes of God and to be anguished for our participation in it. No wonder God wants us to come to him for our healing from sin and its damage. No wonder God grants such power to the prayer of a righteous person interceding for one led to confess sin. So, let's confess our sin and leave it behind while trusting God to cleanse, redeem, and restore us.

My Prayer...

O loving Father, God of holiness and grace, please forgive me for my sin... (List specific sins you need to confess before God.) Please lead me, dear Father, to a group of your children with whom I can lay down my burden of sin through confession and receive their prayer for my forgiveness. I believe this process of confession and prayer will bring me forgiveness and give me greater confidence in the power of your grace and the might of your Spirit to help me overcome besetting sin in my life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Monday, July 07, 2025

And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.

—Ezekiel 38:23

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"They will know that I am the LORD," is a familiar refrain in Ezekiel's prophecies. In today's verse, this promise should have been horrifying for his people because of their rebellious, sinful, and wicked behaviors. God is holy. The people who claim him as their God have always been called to reflect his character. Their lives must magnify God! If not, God will make sure it is done at their expense. God will be known as God, the I AM, the great LORD and Creator. In our day, when so many profane the name of God and use it so glibly in their reactions and frustration, God's message should be a sober reminder that even the name of God is holy (Exodus 20:7), and he will act to ensure the nations know he is LORD, awesome in holiness!

My Prayer...

Please forgive us, God, for not reverencing you as we ought and as you deserve. We bow in humble anguish at how the people of our time and culture disregard the holiness of your name. Please send a wave of renewal among your people that stirs us to honor you and respect your holiness with greater passion and a more profound sense of awe. You are holy, righteous, majestic, mighty, and gracious. Help us display our allegiance to you and reverence for you. In Jesus' name, we pray you receive the honor you deserve among us so the nations can know that you are LORD. Amen.