It’s possible to read the Bible and only look for interesting facts, helpful advice, or a verse that makes you feel better. And God does all of that! But what if the Bible is meant to do something more than just inform us? What if God wants to use His Word to form you?

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16.)

The Scriptures have the power to reshape your desires, decisions, character, and worship of God. So when you’re reading the words of the Bible, they’re not like ordinary words in any other book. You are positioning yourself to hear the voice of God. 

Here’s your one thought: God’s Word trains you for the life God wants for you. If you want to be shaped by Scripture today, pray with us through the prayer below.

You can be full and still unsatisfied. It’s that empty feeling after what you thought would fill you. The letdown after a big win. And so what do we do? We try to fill ourselves with something else? Full schedule. Full bank account. Full calendar. Full phone. But as you know, full does not always mean satisfied. 

It’s not a bad thing to be hungry, but maybe we’re hungry for the wrong things. Jesus says,
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6. 

It is possible to be hungry for holiness, what is right, and God’s way of life. The temptation is to hunger for success, comfort, attention, or control. But God blesses the hunger that leads you closer to Him.  

If your feeling restless, maybe the answer is not more __________. What is one thing that you can do today that brings you closer to God? Let’s ask Him to bless this hunger to be closer to Him.

Chances are, you love to receive great hospitality. Whether it’s from a favorite restaurant, a nice hotel, or a close friend’s house. There’s something about being welcomed in that we all long for. But the truth about hospitality is that it’s costly. 

Hospitality costs you time, convenience, and space. So why does Hebrews 13:2 say, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers”? Hospitality is worth it! Why? Because it’s a reflection of what God has done with you. Jesus understood what it would cost Him to welcome you into His family, and you were with it. 

Maybe this is why deep down we long for hospitality and why it’s so impactful when we show it to others, too. Don’t wait for the perfect meal, the perfect house, or the perfect plan. After all, Jesus didn’t wait for us to clean up before inviting us over! 

If someone asks you, “How are you doing?” the temptation is to hide behind quick smiles, small talk, and a “I’m good.” 

This makes verses like Galatians 6:2 a little challenging. “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” 

If you’re carrying something that’s too heavy to carry for yourself, consider allowing someone who is trustworthy to carry it with you. Burdens aren’t meant to be carried alone.

And what does it look like to carry someone’s burden? Sometimes it’s prayer. Or listening. Sometimes it’s helping in really practical ways. Sometimes it’s simply remaining present even when things can’t be fixed. 

Carrying isn’t being someone’s savior either. Only Jesus can live up to that. But let’s consider how we can be honest enough to let others carry our burdens and be there to carry theirs when they ask. 

If someone carrying a burden comes to mind, pray for them with this guided prayer:

Just because you can do anything doesn’t mean you should. Just because something is allowed doesn’t automatically make it helpful. Paul puts it this way in 1 Corinthians 6:12: “I have the right to do anything, but I will not be mastered by anything.” 

What might your life be like if you thought of freedom like Paul? Because freedom is so much more than just doing whatever you want or not being controlled by lesser things. 

Freedom is allowing Jesus to be the master of your life so that He can lead you to life. Today’s One Thought is a question, and it’s worth asking honestly from time to time: What has more control over me than it should?

If you want to bring your habits honestly before God, pray with us through this prayer:

Have you noticed that the important things in life usually don’t grow by accident? Good health needs habits. Couples need attention. Skills need practice. And your faith is no different. 

It’s easy to let your spiritual growth go on autopilot. And while growing spiritually is always a work of God’s grace, it doesn’t mean that we should be passive. 2 Peter 1:5-8 tells us how we can join God. “Make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge,  knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness,  godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful.”

The goal isn’t earning God’s love, proving anything to anyone, or becoming spiritually impressive. God is forming you to become more and more like Jesus, and you’re invited to participate with Him. 

What is one area God might be growing you right now? Consider this one thought as you’re on this journey with Him: Spiritual growth is received by grace and practiced with intention. Let’s say a prayer and listen for where God might be growing you today. 

What do you think the most shocking thing Jesus did while He walked the earth? Put yourself in the shoes of the disciples who walked with him. What might they say? Maybe seeing Jesus heal or telling the winds and waves to be still. They could mention how Jesus fed over 5000 people with just a few loaves and fish. But what happened in John 13 might take the top of the list. 

Jesus put a towel around his waist, filled a basin with water, and washed the feet of His disciples. This man that they called ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’ is now serving them in one of the humblest ways. Then Jesus said to them, “Now that I have washed your feet, you should wash one another’s feet.”

Jesus loves in large, extraordinary ways, but He also takes the towel. How willing are we to serve when it comes to doing a task no one else wants? When there’s no applause attached? Jesus modeled a humble love. May we strive to love and serve others, especially when it seems ordinary, low, inconvenient, and unseen. 

To ask God for a servant’s heart today, here’s a guided prayer just for you: