The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
– Proverbs 9:10

The Scripture tells us that we are responsible to think and learn with a God-centered view of the world. This does not usually happen on its own—we are called to seek, ask and knock for heavenly perspectives on all that we do. This approach to knowledge may seem foreign to you, but wisdom and understanding is waiting for those who apply God’s outlook to their plans.

You are to help your brothers until the LORD gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise.
—Joshua 1:14-15

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
I find it so easy to think of my needs and my safety first. I don't want to be selfish, but when it comes to making decisions about the investment of my time, it's so easy for me to see things only from MY perspective. But with God's people, it's a "we" and "us" perspective that is important, not a "me" and "mine" perspective. The Eastern tribes of Israel had reached their Promised Land. But they were not to quit the fight and settle there until all God's people were safely in their homeland. The same is true for us in God's Kingdom today. We are to look not only to our needs, but also to those of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

My Prayer...
Loving Father, please give me a more gracious and generous heart so that I might better demonstrate your love to a struggling brother or sister in Christ today. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
– Ephesians 5:15-17

This is a great vision for time management. Expect opportunities to happen, and order your life in such a way that you are prepared for those opportunities WHEN they happen. It would be a shame to have doors opening to you without being prepared to walk through them.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
—Romans 12:10

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
We are to be devoted to one another. We are to honor one another. And the basis of this loving devotion and honor is found in one central truth: Because God is our Father, we are one family. We are siblings in God's Kingdom. Our relationship is eternal and built on God's grace to us and our grace expressed to each other.

My Prayer...
Shepherd of my soul, thank you for making me part of your family. Thank you for the wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ who have blessed my life over the years. Thank you for their support and encouragement. Please use me to bless others in your family as these precious people have blessed and honored me. In the name of Jesus, your Son and my older brother, I pray. Amen.

You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.'” So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
– Romans 14:10-12

This passage is sobering and exciting for those who love Jesus. This means that we need to examine our life in the light of what will pass God’s judgment on that final day. This also means that we have a way to measure our life to determine if it is productive or not. How will your day change if you know that you will give an account to God? How will it affect your work? Your family time? Remember that we live for an audience of One, for it is God’s opinion that ultimately matters in the end.

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
—John 13:34

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Wow, that's a tall order to fill isn't it! Jesus has just washed the feet of his disciples. Over the next few hours, Judas will betray him with a kiss, Peter will deny him three times, and the other 10 disciples will forsake and leave him to die alone. Yet he still washed their feet knowing they would do this. He still goes to the cross for them while knowing they will abandon him. I'm not sure that I can love like that... yet. However, with the Holy Spirit's help, I will make a renewed commitment to love others who have hurt and disappointed me. I will also seek to mend relationships where I have hurt and disappointed others.

My Prayer...
Faithful Father, thank you for your never ending love. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit and pour love into my heart so I can love others as Jesus has loved me. I need your help to love those who have disappointed and hurt me. O God, I don't want my bitterness or resentment to keep someone from serving you and knowing Jesus' grace. In the name of my loving Savior I pray. Amen.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
—2 Corinthians 4:16

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
While we joke about growing older, the challenges of aging are tough. We realize our mortality. Our bodies can betray us. We can't do what we once could do. As Christians, we know that our aging actually brings us closer to home and to the time when Jesus gives us immortal bodies not subject to decay. God can help us use these physical realities to be heavenly reminders of what is important. With the help of his Spirit, we can be transformed to be more like our Savior and to be more ready for our heavenly home!

My Prayer...
Almighty God, I confess that I like getting older less and less, the older I get. I am thankful, however, that each day older I get, the closer I am to coming home to you. Please help me not to become cynical, negative, or bitter as I grow older. Instead, please renew me and use me to bless others who need to find their way home to you. In Jesus' mighty name I pray. Amen.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
—Philippians 4:13

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
What's the basis of our happiness? If it's our outward circumstances, we're all in trouble because sooner or later, these aren't going to be too good. Paul said he had learned the secret to living above life's circumstances. That secret was Jesus Christ. Jesus was his assurance that no matter how things were here, he was not alone. No matter how difficult things might be, these problems were not permanent. No matter how hard life was at the time, Jesus would give him the strength to overcome them. Paul is just as sure that Jesus will do this for you and me!

My Prayer...
God of glory and might, thank you for the stories of your great power in the Bible. They give me courage and hope when I face my problems. I believe Jesus can deliver me, sustain me, and uphold me through my difficulties today. Please forgive me for those times when I didn't turn to you and honestly talk to you about my struggles. O LORD, I need the strength, the comfort, and the presence of Christ today. In the name of my Savior Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
– John 4:13-14

Lack of fulfillment is one of the great enemies of our soul. We keep trying to satisfy ourselves with our jobs, relationships, or anything else that we find new and exciting. Meanwhile, Jesus waits for us to drink his water. As Augustine said, “Because God has made us for Himself, our hearts are restless until they rest in Him.” May this year be a year when we learn to rest in the loving care of our LORD.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
—Ephesians 3:20-21

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Sometimes there is nothing left for us to do except praise God! While we may sometimes dream of doing great things for God and his Kingdom, the dreams aren't as big as God's plans. While we may be richly talented, influential, powerful, or rich, these are merely tools in God's hands, not symbols of our sufficiency. "God is able" has to be one of the best and most accurate phrases in the Bible. But this time, it's said about his work in you in me. He is able much more than we imagine to work through and in us. What can we say to that? Hallelujah!

My Prayer...
Loving Father, please help me better know and live your will. I want to be your vessel of ministry, healing, blessing, and hope to those around me at work and play. Please use me to your glory today, and always. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.