This week, I’ve been struck with the sense of entitlement that most people seem to have.

It’s disgusting.

But as I look at my life, I see that I’m just as gross. So many of my thoughts are centered around my wants, my desires, me…

But thankfulness should be the state of my heart, because of what God has done for me.

This week’s passage is from Psalm 30:11-12. Check it out:

God did for me what I could not do for myself. God removed my sin, and made me a new creation. God gave me a reason for joy.

My life should reflect a response of gratitude.

Do you live with a sense of entitlement, or with an attitude of gratitude? You can share your thoughts in the comments section below.

One of the things I’m most concerned about in my life is the legacy I am leaving for my children. This is one of the main reasons I journal fastidiously.

I want to make sure that I live my life in such a way that my top priority, in my life, my marriage, my family, my job, is always and only my God.

I crave a singleness of heart like Jeremiah speaks of in this week’s passage. Take a look at Jeremiah 32:39:

I am confident that if I live my life to the best of my ability for God and his purposes, then my children will see that and choose to follow that path as well.

I am confident that if I succeed in establishing the most dynamic ministry out there, but lose my family, then I have failed.

I am confident that if I teach and uphold biblical principles to my children, then they will be armed with the knowledge to face what the world has to offer and make the right choices.

I am confident that when God says that fearing him is for my own good, and for the good of my children, he has my best interests at heart.

I am confident. That is why I hope.

Do you think about the legacy you are leaving for your children and future generations? You can share your thoughts in the comments section below.

A few nights ago, I was at the high school for a basketball game. As I pulled up, the sun was setting, and this is what I saw:

It reminded me of this week’s passage, which speaks of the majesty of God. Take a look at Psalm 57:5:

When I think of the majesty of God, some of the first things that come to mind are images of God’s creation: sunsets, mountain ranges, waterfalls.

How great is our God who gave us such a variety of beauty!

What does this passage bring to your mind? You can share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Colossians is one of my favorite books in the New Testament. And this week’s memory verse is found right in the middle of a passage describing how to put on the new self in Christ.

The next verse, Colossians 3:16, is a well known passage exhorting us to let the Word of Christ dwell in us. It’s frequently used to stress the importance of daily Bible reading. But I’ve chosen to memorize the verse before it, which talks about the peace of Christ.

Read it for yourself in Colossians 3:15:

Honestly, I find this to be a major struggle in my life frequently. I tend to stress over things, often little things. It’s hard for me to be peaceful. My hope is that in those times when I’m stressed out, this verse will come to mind, reminding me to allow Christ to take care of what He’s already taken care of.

And I absolutely love the last phrase, tagged onto the end of a verse about peace: “And be thankful.”

I think there is a stronger connection between peace and gratitude than we realize. And the opposite is true as well; a sense of entitlement does not lead to peace, it leads to more stress and worry.

I think I’ll choose peace.

What do you do to choose peace in your life? You can share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Have you ever spent much time digging into Psalm 119?

Most people seem to dread it because it is so long.

But it is one of my favorite Psalms. It’s all about God’s Word. Completely. In fact, I counted 178 references to God’s Word in 176 verses. That’s pretty incredible to me.

This week’s passage is one of the more well known parts of this Psalm. Take look for yourself. It’s Psalm 119:9-11:

What keeps us on the path that God desires for us? Following his Word.

How do we seek to stay pure? By living according to God’s Word.

What prevents sin from gaining a foothold in our lives? By hiding God’s Word in our hearts.

That would be memorization. And that’s why I do this every week.

I can see God’s Word as very active in my life? Can you?

What is your favorite passage that you’ve committed to memory? You can share your thoughts in the comments section below.

One of my favorite book in the Old Testament is Jeremiah. Some people think I’m crazy for that.

God makes some incredible promises to the Israelites through Jeremiah.

I understand that these promises were made to the ancient Israelites contextually. But God is a God who does not change. And many of the promises found here apply, or at least relate, to us today.

This week’s verse is no exception. You can find it in Jeremiah 24:7:

Just like last week, the Bible continually tells us that the heart is key.

And I love the reference, which is completely cooincidental… or is it?  We are to love God 24/7.  I love it!

My prayer for myself and my family in 2012, at least in part, is that we may have a heart to know God more fully, more completely.

May you know Him this way as well.

How’s your heart for God? You can share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Last year, I worked to memorize the entire Sermon on the Mount. The continuity was really amazing, and I was able to watch to see how each week built upon the previous ones.

This year, I want to take a different approach. I’ve identified several different passages that stand out to me and seem to be directed to my life. I want to memorize these in 2012.

The first one seems best suited to be a New Year’s verse. Take a look, it’s in Proverbs 4:23:

The heart is key. The Bible tells us over and over again that the state of the heart describes the state of our being.

It’s too easy in our media-saturated culture to allow the heart to be flooded with unnecessary and unhealthy junk.

The need to guard our heart is imperative.

For my family, that means we will reevaluate everything we watch and read, as a start. I know I need to watch out for my heart, but my kids don’t understand that fully yet. So Heather and I have to do that for them, teaching them the reason for it in the process. That may be somewhat of a challenge at first, but I’m convinced it will work out.

What do you do to guard your heart? You can share your thoughts in the comments section below.