Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
—Hebrews 13:17

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
We often fail to realize that one of the very best ways we can make Kingdom leadership better is by being better followers. Kingdom leadership means that leaders will have to answer to God for how they have led. Kingdom citizenship means that we will be held responsible for how we have obeyed and blessed our leaders. What have you done to show your love, respect, and support for your church leaders lately?

My Prayer...
Almighty King, all authority and dominion belong to you. You alone are worthy of power and the right to rule. Please bless our leaders at church that they may lead by serving and following Christ. Please empower me to follow their leadership in ways that exalt the cause of Christ and bless the leaders in your Kingdom. May my life never be a burden to them or an embarrassment to you. In Jesus' name I ask it. Amen.

Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.
—Galatians 6:6

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Yes, there are those who take advantage of God's flock and misuse God's money. This is tragic because many of God's servants of the Word all over the world ministers with few economic resources or financial support. While God never promised ministers of the Word economic wealth, he does remind us of the importance of caring for them. Let's use this week as a time that we make sure those who share God's word with us are supported in ways that enables God's ministry through them. Let's also remember that sharing "all good things" means much more than money! Let's keep our missionaries, our ministers, and our teachers in our prayers. Let's commit to send them regular notes of specific encouragement so their ministry will be a blessing not only to us and the Lord, but also to them!

My Prayer...
Holy God, you sent the Living Word so that I could know you. Thank you for those who have shared your Word with me. I ask you to bless the Bible teachers, the ministers of the Word, and the pastor-teachers who have shared your truth and grace with me. Protect them from discouragement and sin. Strengthen their will. Bless their families. Fill them with your Spirit and power. And dear Father, please use me to help them know how precious they are to me and to you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
—1 Peter 5:6-7

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
In a universe so incomparably vast, in a world so marvelously diverse, we can be paralyzed by our insignificance and impotence in the face of such staggering enormity. But in moments of simple faith, we can be calmed by our reverence and dependence upon the Creator and Sustainer of such wonders and find great comfort that our lives are in his hands.

My Prayer...
Almighty and wondrous God, thank you for knowing me even though I can't begin to comprehend your glory. I need your love, care, protection, blessing, grace, forgiveness, and presence. Without you, I have nothing of lasting significance. Please be near. In Jesus' name I humbly ask. Amen.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
—Psalm 107:1

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
What do we have that won't wear out, break, die, go out of style, or ever need repair? We can rejoice and give thanks, because our life and our future are tied to the Eternal Father, the creator of the heavens and maker of our world. Not only is God good; he is good to us. But more than just being good, he is loving and his love will not wear out, grow old, fade away, or need repair.

My Prayer...
Thank you, El Shaddai, the great Almighty. You have given me your grace, you have showered me with your blessings, and you have promised that your love for me will live beyond the shadows of my few days on earth. Thank you for forever. In the name of Jesus my Lord. Amen.
Note: El Shaddai means "God Almighty" or "God of the Mountains."

He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.
—Proverbs 14:21

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
God has been so gracious to us! Think of all the different ways he has blessed us — some financially, others with great opportunities for service, others with deep personal relationships that are eternal, and for all of us, the promise of life with him. But what will we do with these blessings? Will we hoard them, hide them, and keep them to ourselves? If we do, our blessings will wither, crack, and dry in our parched hearts. But, one of the greatest ways we can thank God for his kindness, mercy, and goodness is by sharing these blessings with those around us, especially those in need who can never repay us for our kindness.

My Prayer...
O LORD God, my gracious and generous Father, thank you so much for the many rich blessings you have poured into my life. Open my heart, dear Father, and use me as a conduit of your blessings so that others may know of your love through my actions and attitudes. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed.
—Isaiah 1:17

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
We find it easy to be incensed when wrong is done to a friend. We are ready to fight injustice when someone we love has been wronged. However, God reminds us that our worship means little if we do not also protect those who are weak, marginalized, oppressed, and forgotten. It's not just our friends who need our help; it's also those who have no friends who need us. "To do right" doesn't just mean being a good person and avoiding evil in our sanctified little enclaves; it also means to care, comfort, and encourage those no one else wants to notice.

My Prayer...
Forgive me please, dear Father, for being selfish with your love and grace. I confess that I often find it easy to stay near those who are like me — who look like me, think like me, dress like me. I know that there are so many in the world around me that do not have a friend, much less a defender. Open my eyes, dear LORD, to see those in my world that you would have me protect, encourage, and bless. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds.
—Psalm 75:1

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
"What a wonderful God we serve!" More than just the words of a song, these words are true beyond our understanding. To be so powerful, vast, and marvelous and yet still know us and bless us with his personal attention and care is beyond understanding. Yet God sent Jesus to remind us that he is not only God Almighty; he is also Immanuel, God with us!

My Prayer...
Thank you, dear God, for being mighty, for being gracious, and for being near. Most of all, Father, thank you for being you! In Jesus name I ask you to receive my thanks and praise. Amen.

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
—Ephesians 4:25

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Isn't it terrible when one part of a body sends the wrong message to other parts of the same body? This happens with diseases and physical ailments. The results can be disastrous. Paul reminds us that dishonesty in the Body of Christ is just as damaging. Our words must not only be kind, but they must be truthful and beneficial as well.

My Prayer...
Guard my heart from duplicity and my lips from what is false, O LORD. May my words be true to your character and your grace, without deceit or guile. Teach me, dear Father, to speak in ways that bring your blessing, truth, and peace to those who hear my words. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.
—Romans 14:1

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Parents are careful and tender with their newborn babies even though babies are demanding, messy, and sometimes difficult. When parents aren't this way with their babies, they are recognized as abusive and dangerous. So if new Christians are newborn children of God, shouldn't our patience be greater, our words more tender, our understanding more generous, and our care more attentive?

My Prayer...
Father in heaven, forgive me and stir me to action. I am ashamed that I have not done more to nurture those newborn babies in your family. Give me greater patience with their failures and greater passion for their struggles so that they won't have to feel they are journeying on their own. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
—Romans 8:1-2

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
We are set free in Jesus from the most important bondage of all, our fear of God's judgment. We are liberated from law, which convicts and leads to death. We are set free by the Spirit to not only fulfill what the Law intended, but also to be delivered from the penalty of death that the Law required. In Jesus, and by the power of his Spirit, we are set free to be God's children... for forever!

My Prayer...
Abba Father, thank you for your deliverance. I know you paid a very high price to give it to me. Forgive me for not letting that deliverance make my heart soar with confident joy. Lead me by the power of your Spirit so that I can experience the freedom and joy of your salvation — not just at the end of my days, but in the moments of today. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.