Psalm 119:37
“Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.” Meditative thoughts: When my eyes have focused on things of no lasting value, what comfort do I have through Jesus? How does God add value to my life when I live in His ways? Ephesians 2:10
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Meditative thoughts: Eph. 2:8-10 state that God has saved me by grace and also prepared good works for me to do. How can I give God the credit that belongs to Him? What works did God prepare for me to do today? Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Meditative thoughts: What can I be sure of when I rely upon God’s gift of grace instead of my own works? When I hear others boasting, in what ways can I boast about God? Isaiah 55:6-7 (ESV)
6 “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; 7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Meditative thoughts: What ways and thoughts of my own need to be abandoned and forsaken, so that I can receive God’s abundant grace? How precious to me is the good news that the LORD is able to give me complete pardon even when my sin has increased? Matthew 7:7 (ESV)
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Meditative thoughts: How will my response to Jesus’ invitation to “Ask… Seek… and Knock” be different if I first think about what God wants for me? How does God fulfill this verse through His Word and the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper? Psalm 46:10-11 (ESV)
10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Meditative thoughts: What is God inviting me to do, so that He can be God in my life? Martin Luther based the hymn “A Mighty Fortress is our God” on this Psalm. What verses help me sing today, and what would I write to reflect my security is in Jesus. (See LSB #656) Proverbs 3:27-28 (ESV)
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you. Meditative thoughts: What is my belief that God provides all that we have? How can I be an instrument of God to provide for the spiritual and physical needs of others? Psalm 119:9 (ESV)
9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. Meditative thoughts: How am I managing my life; according to my own will or according to God’s Word? When my way has not been pure, what peace does God provide as I turn to him for renewal and protection through Jesus? Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Meditative thoughts: God put lights in the sky for a reason, and we put lights in our homes for a reason. In what way does God want your faith to serve as a light? Jesus is saying our good works are truly good when what happens? Rom. 8:1 (ESV)
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Meditative thoughts: When satan or others condemn me, what assurance did God give me through Holy Baptism that I am in Christ Jesus? (Check out Rom. 6:3-6 and Galatians 3:26-27) How does being in Christ Jesus bring me freedom and comfort instead of condemnation? |
Walking in the Word |