Verse from James

After years of struggle and crying out in prayer, Frank quit drinking. He attributes his continued sobriety to God’s work in his life. But he also made some important changes. He no longer kept alcohol in the house, watched for warning signs in his thinking and moods, and was wary of certain situations. He leaned on God and knew not to leave an opening for temptation or sin.

“Be alert and of sober mind,” the apostle Peter warned. “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Peter knew we needed to be watchful because the devil’s attacks are often unexpected—when it seems like our life couldn’t be better, or we think we’d never be tempted in a certain area.

James too warned his readers to submit to God and “resist the devil.” When we do, our enemy “will flee” (James 4:7). The best way to resist him is to stay close to God through prayer and time in Scripture. When we do, God comes near to us (v. 8) through His Spirit (Romans 5:5). James also offered this encouragement: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:10).

We all face challenging moments in life when we’re tempted and struggle. We can rest knowing that God wants us to succeed and overcome. He is with us in our troubles.

Verse from Psalm

In peace I will lie down and sleep. Psalm 4:8

Psalm 4 is a psalm of David, written in the middle of one of life’s storms. David was in the grip of anxiety. So he cried out to God, “Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer” (v. 1). While he was fearful for his life, he was also aware that his followers were fearful too: “Many, Lord, are asking, ‘Who will bring us prosperity?’” (v. 6).

David’s decision to trust God created a nonanxious presence in the presence of anxiety! “In peace I will lie down and sleep,” he said. David could rest because “you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety” (v. 8).

We too can rest in the nonanxious presence God provides. We can spread His peace wherever we go.

Verse from Matthew

She has done a beautiful thing to me. Matthew 26:10

In Matthew 26:10, Jesus described a woman’s act of devotion as a “beautiful thing.” It was selfless, thoughtful, and costly. What a contrast with the selfish, ugly actions recorded by Matthew on either side of this account. Plotting religious leaders devised a murderous plan to kill Christ (vv. 3-5). And, from within the band of His own disciples, Judas Iscariot’s plan to betray Him was set in motion (vv. 14-16). Given these circumstances, the woman’s act of honor shines even more brightly.

In a world that includes misguided and unflattering sentiments toward Jesus, those who believe in Him can show how precious He is by honoring Him through thoughtful, caring actions that may cost us time, money, or things we value. Honoring Christ by loving others is still a beautiful thing.

Verse from Romans

 Our old self was crucified with [Christ] so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. Romans 6:6

Elijah had accidentally ripped a ten-dollar bill while playing with his friends. But instead of admonishing him, his father offered to exchange the torn bill with a fresh one from his wallet.

“Why would you do that?” Elijah asked, confused. “For one, you’re my son,” his father explained. “It’s also a reminder of what Jesus did for us. Because Jesus came and gave His life in exchange for ours, we can now live new lives.”

Elijah’s father was willing to offer him something of his own because he loves him. But the even better offer is the one God extends to us: the redemption of our lives. When we accept His offer of new life, we aren’t the same as we were before.

Verse from Proverbs

Before a downfall the heart is haughty. Proverbs 18:12

John Taylor was a British eye surgeon in the 1700s who, driven by arrogance, fabricated a prestigious reputation. He pursued celebrities and became the personal eye doctor for King George II. Taylor traveled the country performing medical shows that promised miracle cures, often escaping towns under the cover of night carrying bags overflowing with villagers’ cash. However, records suggest Taylor was a charlatan and likely blinded hundreds of patients. History remembers him not as a medical luminary but as the man who destroyed the eyesight of two of the century’s greatest composers: Bach and Händel.

Taylor craved reputation and acclaim, but his legacy declares his lies, and the embarrassment and hurt he caused. Proverbs explains how egotistical addictions lead to devastation. “Before a downfall,” we read, “the heart is haughty” (18:12). Taylor’s disgrace warns us of how arrogance can ruin our lives, but one’s foolishness often harms others too (vv. 6-7). The “downfall” is great indeed.

While a proud heart destroys us and others, a humble heart leads toward a life of meaning and joy. “Humility comes before honor,” the proverb says (v. 12). If we selfishly pursue only self-interests (v. 1), we’ll never find what we crave. If we yield our heart to God and serve others, however, we honor Him and reflect His goodness.

Verse from Matthew

“"And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:7‬ ‭

Tommy was a National Guard Reservist called into action during the Gulf War. On the last Sunday before his actual deployment, the church he attended had a special time of prayer, sending him off with their promise of support and encouragement.

As you can imagine, the prayers for Tommy's safety were thick with theology and high-sounding words (as churchy prayers often are): "Sovereign God of the universe, we trust that You will protect this young man on his mission, O Lord, and that You will keep him within the shelter of Your wings." All very sincere, I'm sure, but quite flowery and unoriginal.

Then a little eight-year-old voice piped up from the back, "Dear Jesus, don't let Tommy get killed, okay? That's all. Okay. Amen." The sanctuary fell silent, as everyone suddenly knew that the prayers they had encrusted in adult euphemisms had really been grown-up attempts to say this one thing: "Don't let Tommy get killed, okay?" It took a child to express what adults couldn't.

Andre Kole, one of the top illusionists in the world, say: "The hardest people in all the world to fool with your tricks are children." That's because children aren't as complex as adults in trying to figure something out. They just see it for what it is. They're not filtering the solution through so many possibilities.

The next time you pray, get real. Get real simple. Be real honest. Get real with God. With total reverence for God, tell Him what you'd really like to tell Him.

Verse from Philippians

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

Paul sets the context for his theme of humility early in this letter. Writing while imprisoned, he says, “All of you share in God’s grace with me” (Philippians 1:7). 

Being equal recipients of His grace ought to have motivated the Philippian church to “value others above [themselves]” (2:3). Key to this is the way they were to live before a watching world. By living blamelessly, they’d be “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation” (v. 15). As they lived lives of humble service to the world, they’d “shine among them like stars in the sky” (v. 15) and be fountains of encouragement.