READ Romans 6
We are to present our bodies to God as instruments of righteousness.

INSIGHT
Mickey Cohen, a noted gangster of a past generation, said that after he embraced Christianity, he felt betrayed. No one had explained that God would require a change in his behavior. “There are Christian athletes and Christian businessmen. Why not Christian gangsters?” he reasoned. But when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we are no longer free to continue living as we did in the world. Our affections and activities must change to reflect the God whom we serve. The term “Christian gangster” contradicts itself because the activities of a gangster generally oppose the character of Christ.

PRAYER
Use the following psalm to offer the Lord your praise for all He has done for you:
Sing a new song to the Lord;
Let the whole earth sing to the Lord.  
Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
Proclaim his salvation from day to day.  
Declare his glory among the nations,
His wondrous works among all peoples.  
For the Lord is great and is highly praised;
He is feared above all gods (Psalm 96:1-4).

Pause for praise and thanksgiving, and pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
God, you know my foolishness,
And my guilty acts are not hidden from you.  
Do not let those who put their hope in you
Be disgraced because of me,
Lord God of Armies;
Do not let those who seek you
Be humiliated because of me,
God of Israel (Psalm 69:5-6).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Everyone the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will never cast out (John 6:37).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Greater love for others
• The work of missions worldwide
• Whatever else is on your heart

Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Everyone the Father gives me will come to me,
And the one who comes to me I will never cast out
(Jude 1:24-25).