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thoughts and deeds

Deuteronomy 11:18 "Therefore shall ye lay up these My words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes." We have already read the words of Jesus that teach daily dependence on God’s will, the authority of Scripture, the difference between physical and spiritual life, and more. We often call the Bible “the bread of life.” God’s Word is living and active; it invites us and it provokes us. John 1:1 tells us that the living Word is Jesus; the written Word is Holy Scripture. God spoke, and all things came into being. John 1:14 shows that His plan from the beginning was our redemption. Jesus later named Himself the Bread of Life (John 6:35). So when we pray for daily bread, we are asking not only for what feeds the body, but for the Word that feeds the soul, one day’s portion at a time. Today we turn back to Deuteronomy, words written around 1406 B.C., just before the Israelites entered the Promised Land ...
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daily bread

Matthew 6:11 "Give us this day our daily bread." This week we are focusing on “Read God’s Word daily,” the R in the acrostic GRACED. Yesterday’s verse from Matthew 4 quoted our Lord as He answered Satan’s temptation to turn stones into bread. That short reply teaches dependence on God’s will, the authority of Scripture, the difference between physical and spiritual life, a typological link to the wilderness manna, and deep theological significance. Central to the study: bread is necessary for physical survival, but it cannot sustain the soul. True life comes from living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Today’s verse is the third petition of the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus teaches His followers to ask the Father to “give us this day our daily bread.” Spoken in the Sermon on the Mount, it is a model of daily dependence on God. Key interpretations and meanings Daily dependence . “This day” asks for provision one day at a time, echoing the manna in Exodus: Israel recei...
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every word

Matthew 4:4 "But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." We are studying the acrostic GRACED : G o to God in prayer daily. R ead God’s Word daily. A ttend worship regularly. C onnect in a study group. E ngage in service. D edicate yourself to the tithe and beyond. Last week we focused on “Go to God in prayer daily.” We use the Lord’s Prayer as the model for our prayers. We should also pray with more variety: praying in the Spirit, practicing prayer continually, interceding for others, and remaining aware of spiritual warfare. In our world today, we need prayer more than ever. We need to orient our lives toward God and draw closer to Him. That is what the principles of the GRACED acrostic will help us do. This week we focus on “Read God’s Word daily.” We begin with the words of our Lord and Savior as He responded to Satan’s temptation to turn stones into bread. Quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, ...
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praying always

Ephesians 6:18 "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" Of course, the Lord’s Prayer is the model for our prayers, and we can and should pray it daily. It is not, however, the only prayer we need. We find great prayers in the Psalms, and many more throughout the Holy Scriptures. Today’s verse from Ephesians presents the concluding and most vital element of the spiritual armor of God. It emphasizes that prayer is not merely a weapon, but the spiritual energy required to wield the armor effectively. The verse commands believers to engage in constant, Spirit-directed prayer (“praying always… in the Spirit”), marked by variety (“all prayer and supplication”) and persistent alertness (“watching… with all perseverance”). Key components of this instruction include: Praying in the Spirit . This is prayer guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit, aligning the believer’s requests with G...
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closer to God

Matthew 6:10 "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." I encourage you to pray the Lord’s Prayer at least once a day, or more often if you feel led. Sometimes a line of the prayer will land with unexpected force as it touches a need in your life. Give it a try and see if it helps your faith walk too. Note: the “goal” of praying once a day is not about achievement. It is about love for God. God wants your heart oriented toward Him. He will change your heart and mind. The point is to learn to draw closer to God. Today’s verse is from the Lord’s Prayer in the Sermon on the Mount. It is a dual petition: for the establishment of God’s sovereign rule, and for the alignment of human life with His purpose. Thy Kingdom Come This phrase expresses a longing for God’s reign to be made tangible in the world. It acknowledges His sovereignty and asks that the Kingdom of Heaven displace lesser powers, so that justice, peace, and love govern both the lives of believer...
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The Lord’s Prayer

Matthew 6:9 "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name." Prayer will look different from person to person. As long as you are talking with God, you are doing it right. The important thing is to do it daily. We were reading from Psalm 103; there is a distinctive style to that writing. Today we turn to the Gospel of Matthew for his record of the prayer Jesus taught His disciples and the crowd gathered for the Sermon on the Mount. We call this the Lord’s Prayer. It is the model for how believers should pray. It instructs followers to address God as “Our Father in heaven,” emphasizing a communal relationship with God and acknowledging His sovereignty and majesty. The verse includes the petition “Hallowed be thy name,” which calls believers to honor, glorify, and reverence God’s character and identity in their lives. This opening sets the tone for prayer by prioritizing God’s glory and holiness before personal requests. It establishe...
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your crown

Psalms 103:4 "Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;" Today’s verse is a declaration of God’s redeeming love and compassion. The phrase “redeemeth thy life from destruction” points to God’s power to rescue believers from death, despair, and eternal destruction in hell. The image of being “crowned” speaks of honor, favor, and royal treatment. After rescuing people from ruin, God adorns them with lovingkindness (steadfast, covenantal love) and tender mercy. That change lifts believers from hopelessness to dignity and worth. It shows that God values them deeply and restores their identity by His grace. King David and the other writers of the Psalms had a gift for words and deep insight into faith in the one true God. Yesterday’s verse spoke of complete forgiveness of sin and healing from affliction. The Psalms remain an outstanding model for daily prayer. We do not have every phrase the psalmists used, but we can follow...
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