Thought for the day
Little Emily ran into the house, crying as though her heart would break.
"What's wrong, dear?" asked her father.
"My doll! Billy broke it!" she sobbed.
"How did he break it, Emily?"
"I hit him over the head with it.
"It's an old, old story that began in the Garden of Eden. I think it is significant that, after the sin committed by Adam and Eve, God asked Adam if he had eaten the fruit (even though He already knew the answer). It was a chance for Adam to be honest, an opportunity to take responsibility. Instead, Adam blamed Eve, Eve blamed the serpent, and ever since we have been pointing the finger at others for our transgressions.
"It wasn't my fault." "I couldn't help it." "He made me do it." We continue to point fingers and make accusations. All the while, God is hoping that we'll be honest enough to admit our mistakes, knowing that only then can we find forgiveness.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." (I John 1:9-10)Is there anything you need to be honest about and own up to today?
Verses
Luke 1:37
For no word of God shall be void of power."
John 6:63
"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
Habakkuk 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
1 Peter 3:7
In the same way, you husbands should live with your wives in an understanding way. You should show respect to them. They are weaker than you. But God gives them the same blessing that he gives you--the grace that gives true life. Do this so that nothing will stop your prayers.
Romans 10:12
There is no distinction between Jew and Greek. There is the same Lord of all, generous toward all who call upon him,
Prayer
Father, we recognize that our endurance and persistence are attitudes derived from a faith-filled life with You. Our endurance is realized by continuing this race though others may drop out making us feel like we run alone. Our persistence is marked by our determination to finish the race though struggles weigh us down and doubts cloud our vision of the finish line. Thank You for marking the race out for us by showing us the great examples of those who cheer us on as we participate in this Christian race. They finished their race on earth through their enduring faith, though they experienced opposition from sinful men. We endure hardships and struggles as discipline from You, our loving Father, that we may share in Your holiness. We look forward to the harvest of righteousness and peace that comes as a result of our persistence in this spiritual marathon. Strengthen our feeble arms and weak knees as we repent of the sin that entangles us. We lay aside everything that drags us down or tempts us to give up. We persist in the name of Jesus Christ for the heavenly finish line, Amen.
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