Thursday, July 2 – “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:13) There’s a profound connection between our emotional, spiritual and physical well-being. You ignore any or all of these at your own peril. And it’s not enough to simply focus on one or two, like dealing with your spiritual and physical well-being, while ignoring the emotional. It’s literally all or nothing.
Friday, July 3 – “Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.” (Proverbs 15:30) “Light”, “joy”, “good news”, “health”, these are all fun words. Not because they’re fun to say or spell. But fun because they describe someone who is fun. Not someone who merely has fun, ever now and again. But a dearly loved, sacred, child of God, who is fun because of the “light”, “joy”, “good news” and “health” found in their relationship with God.
Independence Day – “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24) Today we celebrate that we’re all free to do or be whoever we want. But never forget that who you are (or who you aren’t) will impact the world around and you. And consequently, the people in the world around you. Who you are matters. So, on this Independence Day, exercise your freedom to choose. Choose to share gracious words.
Monday, July 6 – “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:12-13) These are the words of Jesus. Love is the name of the game. Love to the point of giving your life for your friends. Self-sacrifice, servant leadership and striving to understand each other. As opposed to constantly wanting to be understood by each of the others.
Tuesday, July 7 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:3-4) There was never a time that we didn’t struggle with this teaching. For all humans have always struggled with “selfish ambition” and “vain conceit”. No judgment. No condemnation. Just being real. So, today, your prayer is this: “Lord, meet me in my selfish ambition and vain conceit.”
Wednesday, July 8 – “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 82:3-4) These are the lyrics to a worship song. Written by Asaph, who served as chief musician and a “seer” in the tabernacle, during the reigns of King David and King Solomon. So, today, worship by singing these words to yourself. Don’t know the tune? Make it up. For the tune isn’t as important as the invitation God’s giving you.
Thursday, July 9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) Want to talk about independence? Because of who God is, because of what Jesus (God with us) did, you’re good with God. Your debt is paid. Your sins are forgiven. Your life is eternal. And you have the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. Claim that independence and see who you can truly be.
Friday, July 10 – “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4) As a follower of Jesus, you never have nothing. For you always have a right relationship with God. You always have forgiveness of sins. You always have the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. And you always have an eternal life in the place described in today’s verse. Now that’s independence!
Saturday, July 11 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18) Let’s not forget our brothers and sisters who have broken hearts and crushed spirits today. God’s just as close to them as God’s close to you. They just don’t realize it. That’s where you come in. Celebrate your independence today, by helping someone else be set free.
Friday, July 3 – “Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.” (Proverbs 15:30) “Light”, “joy”, “good news”, “health”, these are all fun words. Not because they’re fun to say or spell. But fun because they describe someone who is fun. Not someone who merely has fun, ever now and again. But a dearly loved, sacred, child of God, who is fun because of the “light”, “joy”, “good news” and “health” found in their relationship with God.
Independence Day – “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24) Today we celebrate that we’re all free to do or be whoever we want. But never forget that who you are (or who you aren’t) will impact the world around and you. And consequently, the people in the world around you. Who you are matters. So, on this Independence Day, exercise your freedom to choose. Choose to share gracious words.
Monday, July 6 – “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:12-13) These are the words of Jesus. Love is the name of the game. Love to the point of giving your life for your friends. Self-sacrifice, servant leadership and striving to understand each other. As opposed to constantly wanting to be understood by each of the others.
Tuesday, July 7 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:3-4) There was never a time that we didn’t struggle with this teaching. For all humans have always struggled with “selfish ambition” and “vain conceit”. No judgment. No condemnation. Just being real. So, today, your prayer is this: “Lord, meet me in my selfish ambition and vain conceit.”
Wednesday, July 8 – “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 82:3-4) These are the lyrics to a worship song. Written by Asaph, who served as chief musician and a “seer” in the tabernacle, during the reigns of King David and King Solomon. So, today, worship by singing these words to yourself. Don’t know the tune? Make it up. For the tune isn’t as important as the invitation God’s giving you.
Thursday, July 9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) Want to talk about independence? Because of who God is, because of what Jesus (God with us) did, you’re good with God. Your debt is paid. Your sins are forgiven. Your life is eternal. And you have the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. Claim that independence and see who you can truly be.
Friday, July 10 – “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4) As a follower of Jesus, you never have nothing. For you always have a right relationship with God. You always have forgiveness of sins. You always have the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. And you always have an eternal life in the place described in today’s verse. Now that’s independence!
Saturday, July 11 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18) Let’s not forget our brothers and sisters who have broken hearts and crushed spirits today. God’s just as close to them as God’s close to you. They just don’t realize it. That’s where you come in. Celebrate your independence today, by helping someone else be set free.
You try to eat right. You drink plenty of water. you exercise. don't forget your spirit - feed it!
daily devotions
