A site to help you understand each book of the Bible

Save this site and refer to it as you read the Bible.  It gives you a lot of insight on each book...

http://www.insight.org/ministry/bible/

Wake up, my heart!

7 My heart is confident in you, O God;
my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises!

8 Wake up, my heart! Wake up, O lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn with my song.

9 I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.
I will sing your praises among the nations.

10 For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

11 Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
May your glory shine over all the earth.

 Psalm 57:7-11

 Prayer: God of peace, give me the will and the strength to build up your kingdom. In Jesus name, Amen.

But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.

He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near.  Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.

Ephesians 2:13,17-18 

Prayer: Holy God, there is no way I can adequately thank you for sacrificing so much to forgive me. May I this day be more like you, to share more of kindness and grace with those around me. Amen. 

Spiritual Growth

Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.  You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.  All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

Ephesians 2:1-3

Prayer:  Dear Lord, once we were dead but now have eternal life because of the sacrifice of your son Jesus.  May we use this new life to do battle with the powers of the unseen, dark world. Amen.

Living by the Spirit’s Power

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.  Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.  Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.  Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:15-20
  
Prayer: Redeemer, we depend on your grace to overcome the world’s temptations. Empower us, we pray, to live pure and righteous lives that honor the holy name we bear. Amen.

This is the plan

God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.  Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

Ephesians 1:9-11

Prayer: Immortal, invisible God, your work is awe-inspiring. We look at the heavens, which you have made, at the moon and the stars, which you set in their places, and wonder, “What is mere man that you care for him?” Help us through faith to comprehend your grand plan for creation and our role in it. Amen.