Verse of the Day for Monday, December 16th, 2024
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
—Romans 12:16
Thou... View MoreVerse of the Day for Monday, December 16th, 2024
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
—Romans 12:16
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
"Don't be conceited!" That's a command for someone else, right? I don't think I've ever met someone who genuinely felt they were conceited. But, when looking for someone we want to associate with, we seldom look for someone ignored by the crowd, forgotten by the pretty people, and easily overlooked by others. We want to "hang around with" those who are important, loved on social media, recognized as superstars, known as successful athletes, or beloved entertainers. We believe we deserve to be noticed and valued, too. Oops, I guess that's why Paul wrote this command for us. Remember who Jesus associated with. Remember what his brother, James, said about not showing favoritism or bias because people are considered "less than" (James 2:1-13). Jesus wants his church to have many different kinds of people because harmony only happens when people sing different notes in tune!
My Prayer...
Father, thank you for making me in your image, designed personally by you to do something to bring you glory. At the same time, Father, I don't want to be a snob, thinking too much of myself and my importance. Please help me see those with whom you want me to associate with. Help me love people as Jesus did! In his name, I pray. Amen.
The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.
Together in Christ: 'Anger and Grief' — John 11:33
Sunday, December 15, 2024
When Jesus saw [Mary, the sister of Martha] weeping [at the death of their brother, Lazarus] and saw the other people wai... View MoreTogether in Christ: 'Anger and Grief' — John 11:33
Sunday, December 15, 2024
When Jesus saw [Mary, the sister of Martha] weeping [at the death of their brother, Lazarus] and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled.
— John 11:33 NLT
Key Thought...
Nothing rips our hearts like death stealing someone precious to us. Jesus came to help us deal with our fear of death [1] and give us life beyond death. [2] Unfortunately, however, until Jesus returns and defeats every enemy, including death, [3] we have to deal with death and its awful and painful consequences.
Grief is hard. Death's impact is brutal and unrelenting. Our loss can sometimes feel unbearable. Like Martha and Mary, we sometimes want to scream at Jesus and say, "Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died." [4] Jesus' "deep anger" and His being "deeply troubled" [5] remind us of Jesus' hatred of death and what it does to us. Jesus' weeping [6] shows His empathy and love for Martha, Mary, Lazarus, and us when we lose someone to death.
Even in the most profound grief, we know that Jesus has been where we find ourselves. He lost loved ones to grief and experienced the anger, pain, and loss we experience. Yet in the middle of our grief, we can also say the words of Martha that indicated she believed that Jesus could bring something good out of her brother's death: "But even now I know..." [7] Despite our grief, we cling to our faith in a Lord Who has conquered death and Who promises us:
"I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this ...?" [8]
Yes, Lord, we believe, but in our grief, help our unbelief!
[1] Hebrews 2:14-18.
[2] John 11:25-26; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
[3] 1 Corinthians 15:24-26.
[4] John 11:21, 32.
[5] The words used to describe Jesus' emotions are strong, visceral words to show His anger and His being greatly disturbed in spirit — John 11:33, 38. Compare John 11:38 NRSV.
[6] John 11:35.
[7] John 11:22.
[8] John 11:25-26.
Today's Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for providing us a doorway beyond death to life with You, forever. Father, we thank You for Your plan and the power of the Holy Spirit in us that assures us of our resurrection. When I am in deep grief, I am thankful to know that Jesus experienced the deep emotions of loss, hurt, and anger at the death of His friend and its impact on Lazarus' sisters. I am comforted to know that I can feel those emotions, too. I ask, dear God, that You help strengthen me to believe beyond the losses of those I love, and I look forward to a great reunion with them and with You forever. In Jesus' name, I rejoice and give thanks for resurrection. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
John 11:1-44
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Verse of the Day for Sunday, December 15th, 2024
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
—Romans 12:15
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
While misery may love company, grief can le... View MoreVerse of the Day for Sunday, December 15th, 2024
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
—Romans 12:15
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
While misery may love company, grief can lead many of us to withdraw and hide. So, let's remember those who have lost loved ones, especially this time of year. Let them know how you value and miss their loved ones, too. As you talk about their loved ones, please mention them by name. Don't feel like you need to explain the why behind their death or give advice to the grieving — remember, Job's counselors were a blessing until they started talking, trying to defend God and explain why Job was suffering. Love serves, encourages, and waits; so, serve, encourage, and wait. Do it with both the grieving and the rejoicing people in your fellowship. Make this a season of true joy and comfort. Affirm their grief while sharing their laughs and rejoicing with them in their good surprises. They need to know it is ok to have moments of joy in their sadness. Also, dear friend in Jesus, make sure you are around people full of joy and rejoice with them, too! It's hard to serve if you don't rejoice.
My Prayer...
Holy God and comforting Father, please give us eyes to see and hearts to offer loving care to those around us who are grieving. During this special time of year, please use us to bless those in sorrow and help us as we join those who are rejoicing. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our source of comfort and joy. Amen.
The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.
Together in Christ: 'The Life-giving Word' — John 5:39-40
Saturday, December 14, 2024
[Jesus confronted his religious critics by saying,] "You search the Scriptures because you think they give you e... View MoreTogether in Christ: 'The Life-giving Word' — John 5:39-40
Saturday, December 14, 2024
[Jesus confronted his religious critics by saying,] "You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life."
— John 5:39-40 NLT
Key Thought...
John emphasized that Jesus is God's ultimate Word and God's most complete Message to humanity. [1] Jesus was the fulfillment of the Scriptures [2] and spoke God's truth to His disciples of every age with all authority. [3] Only Jesus fully communicated the heart and will of God on which the Scriptures are built and which help us find life as we dwell in and obey Jesus' teachings. [4]
What Jesus said to his religious critics in today's verses does not diminish the importance of the Scriptures or their authority in our lives. Jesus, however, is the key to understanding the goal of the Scriptures. [5] Jesus poured out the Spirit on us when we came to Him as Savior and Lord. [6] The Spirit helps us understand the Scriptures and live out the will of God in our lives as we are transformed to become more and more Christlike. [7] The Holy Spirit is our anointing Who guides us into all truth about and from Jesus. [8]
So, what do I need to take away from today's verses on my relationship with Jesus?
If I want to know God — the heart and will of God, I must know Jesus.
If I want to honor and obey the will of God, I must obey Jesus and live out what He taught by word and example.
If I want to interpret Scriptures and apply them to my life properly, I must look to Jesus and see how He handled Scripture, interpreted it, and applied it to everyday living.
I must read the Scriptures with Jesus as their goal and look to Jesus as my authority for life and faith.
[1] John 1:1-18; Hebrews 1:1-3, 6.
[2] Matthew 5:17; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Ephesians 1:9; Luke 4:14-21, 24:44-49; John 12:14-16, 18:32, 19:28.
[3] Matthew 7:28-29, 28:18-20.
[4] John 8:31-32, 10:10.
[5] Jesus demonstrated this repeatedly in the Sermon on the Mount when he said "You have heard that our ancestors were told... But I say..." (or similar wording in Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28, 31-32, 33-34, 38-39, 43-44). In 2 Corinthians 3:14, Paul makes the point explicitly .
[6] Titus 3:3-7.
[7] 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 2 Corinthians 3:1-18.
[8] See 1 John 2:20-27 ESV for the word "anointing," which the NLT interprets and translates as "the Holy Spirit" (1 John 2:20-27 NLT).
Today's Prayer
Almighty God, I believe You spoke to us in many ways in the past, but I believe that Your primary way to convey truth and reveal Yourself is found in Jesus. I believe He is Your ultimate Message and final Word. So, Holy Spirit, please open my mind to understand the Scriptures and how they point to Jesus. Empower me as I seek to obey all that Jesus taught and to treat people as He did. I long to know Jesus and experience His presence in me so I can live as He wants me to live and touch the lives around me that He wants me to influence. I ask this prayer in the mighty name of Christ Jesus. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
John 1:1-18
Hebrews 1:1-3
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