Morning Thought: This week I’ve been working on a personal translation of Psalm 119. Here’s the beginning: “Happy are those whose journey is straight, Who walk in the direction of the Author of Life. Happy are those who protect his story, Who pursue him with all their heart. They do not stray, They stick to his paths” (Ps 119:1-3). May your journey be straight and full of joy today.
Morning Thought: Do you see and value what you have? We each have been given some sacred trust by God. Only when we appreciate what we have received can God multiply it. Don’t think because you have little you have nothing. Little, in Jesus’ hands, is greater than the fortunes of a rich man. See what you have as seed to be multiplied for God’s glory. “For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them” (Matthew 25:29 NIV).
Morning Thought: Religion is usually concerned about how you look to other people, but genuine faith is concerned about inward purity. In other words, you put your personal relationship with the Father first above all else. Listen to what Jesus says about the religious leaders: “Everything they do is done for people to see…Woe to you…You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence…First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean” (Matthew 23:5, 25-26 NIV). How’s the inside of your cup?
Morning Thought: Your Heavenly Father takes great joy in you. Yesterday, two of my daughters were performing in the school concert/play. I took great joy in seeing them, and it would not have been diminished if they had made a few mistakes. In the same way, your Father delights in you. “He set me down in a safe place; He saved me to His delight, He took joy in me” (Ps 18:19, the Voice).
Morning Thought: Jealousy and envy cause inner turmoil and unrest. But why be jealous when you’ve got the best Dad in the world and the Creator calls you his child? In his arms is peace, but when we compare ourselves to others, we inwardly decay. “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones” (Proverbs 14:30 NIV).
Morning Thought: At the moment, many are weary. Viruses that never seem to leave, terrorists who desire to take over the world and sins that try to lock their grip on us, all work to wear us out. But God has given us some wonderful promises in his New Covenant. Listen: “I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint…I will make a new covenant…For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Jeremiah 31:25, 31, 34 NIV). Lord, refresh your people today.
Morning Thought: There are spiritual forces of evil out to destroy all who have been created in God’s image (that’s you!). They especially want you to think that God is not present, that he does not care and he is not good. But God has given us a weapon that even an infant can use: praise! Are you God’s child? Then praise him today and watch the darkness flee. “Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger…Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8:2, 9 NIV).
