PMCBC

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “… It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. … Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” — Acts 4:10-12

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

“Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! There’s just something about that name!”* The words to the song are right. Salvation from our broken world and our warped nature is found in no one else except Jesus. He is our Savior because he was willing to come to this world, bear our limitations, endure the shame of the cross, carry the weight of our sin, and then triumph over all of it to bring us grace (Philippians 2:6-11). We wholeheartedly agree: “Salvation is found in no one else”!

My Prayer…

Through the precious name of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, my Lord, I thank and praise you, God Most High. Your love provided the sacrifice for my sin. Your power guaranteed my resurrection from the dead. Your Son’s willingness to spend a lifetime with us has given me a Great High Priest who intercedes with empathy for my struggles (Hebrews 2:14-18; Hebrews 4:14-16). His example shows me your great love. Thank you, O Father! Thank you for being so gracious and giving me such a wonderful Savior. Even the very name of Jesus is precious to me! O praise his name and thank you for his grace. Amen.

Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. — 2 Peter 1:5-8

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

Wow! What a message. God wants us to be productive in our lives. He wants us to have more than just head knowledge; he wants us to put our knowledge to work in our lives and be effective and productive with it. I’ve got to make a genuine effort to grow in these qualities. While the Holy Spirit is doing God’s work of transforming me to become like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18) and produce the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), God wants me to do my part and “make every effort” to grow in these qualities “in increasing measure.” God wants these qualities to be readily seen in my life. I’m ready; how about you? Let’s get after those qualities and begin today.

My Prayer…

Holy God, we are committed to “making every effort” to grow into your character. Please bless our efforts and receive them as our heartfelt expression of appreciation for your love for us, even when we were undeserving of your grace. You loved and moved to redeem us when we were “helpless,” “ungodly,” “sinners,” and your “enemies” (Romans 5:6-10). We thank you for such loving grace and commit to being productive in our lives of faith so we can bring glory to you. We are determined to live for the praise of the glory of your grace (Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14), in the name of Jesus. Amen.

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. — Romans 8:28

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

Because Jesus is our Lord and Savior, God is in our lives. He is at work right now, undoing Satan’s destructive messes and leading us into the relationships and places he wants us to go as his salt to season and preserve the world, and his light to shine in dark places and bring hope for a better future (Matthew 6:13-16). This is true in everything we do and everywhere we go. This is true when we think things are good and when we feel like things are horrible. The key is for us to seek his purpose, to live his will, and share his grace. If that is our goal, then we can be sure of our God, and that he is with us every step of the way, working everything out for our eternal good, no matter how things might look moment to moment.

My Prayer…

Thank you, God, for being at work in my life. Thank you for not leaving me alone to my limited best efforts, insights, and choices. Thank you for having a plan for me and for being the assurance that I can’t mess it up if I seek your will, live for your purpose, and love you. Even my mistakes can be redeemed, my sins forgiven, and my faults corrected. After all, you are my God, my Father, and my Redeeming Partner in all of life, working to make me more like you. In Jesus’ name, I thank you. Amen.

He has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. — 2 Peter 1:4

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

God made us to be like him in character and compassion. We are called to participate in the divine nature and are assured that we will be made ready to become like him when Jesus comes, and we see him as he is (1 John 3:1-2). Everything in our world is subject to corruption and decay. Even though our bodies are destined to decay, the living part of us will not because we are united with Jesus and awaiting the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18-23; Colossians 3:1-4). Our response to these “very great and precious promises” is to follow Jesus as our Savior and Lord, wholeheartedly.

My Prayer…

Almighty God, my Everlasting Fortress, thank you for giving me your great and precious promises. I long to know you more fully, and to see your face one day in glory. Please protect me and my heart from corruption as I wait in eager expectation of that day. In all love and appreciation, I pray this in the name of Jesus, the One who made me yours. Amen.

In your hearts, set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give The Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. — Deuteronomy 7:9

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

God is faithful to his promises and his people. He fulfilled every promise with a great “Amen!” in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:18-20). His covenant is far more than a set of agreements between a god and his people. God’s covenant with us is a covenant of love. He will not forsake us or abandon us (Hebrews 13:5-6; Romans 8:32-39). He will treat us better than we deserve, just as a loving parent treats a rebellious child better than she or he deserves. We must tune our hearts to beat in honor of God as our God. We must not treat him as a good luck charm, a bellhop to bring us our every wish, or our weekly guest we occasionally invite to visit in the margins of our otherwise busy lives. What we do must be done with an awareness and intention that what we have done has been done before him, to honor him! As we do these things, God is faithful. He will uphold his covenant to love us, forgive us, restore us, and empower us until he brings us home to be with him.

My Prayer…

Faithful God, thank you for loving me so sacrificially and steadfastly. Thank you for keeping your promises to the Israelite’s and for bringing Jesus just as you promised. I trust your promise to send him back to bring me home to you. Until then, please receive the deeds and words of this day as my thanks to you for your covenant of love with me and those who love Jesus. In the name of Jesus, your gift of love, I pray. Amen.

In your hearts, set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. — 1 Peter 3:15

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

Peter, the great apostle, is calling us to be ready and able to tell folks about the hope that Jesus has brought into our lives. This must be an “always readiness” because we don’t know when the opportunity to share our hope may come our way. Two things are incredibly important as we share this hope:

• Our Credibility: Is Jesus really Lord of our hearts or not? The reality of our passion, or lack of passion, for Jesus’ lordship in our lives will shine through in our daily lives, as well – the way we treat people, the language we use, our hope for the future, and our kindness to those who need grace.
• Our Character: Do we show gentleness and respect in the way we approach and treat others, especially those who question us? The goal is not to win arguments but to win hearts to the grace and goodness of God through our daily lives.

My Prayer…

Holy and Loving Father, thank you for speaking your grace into my heart through the gift of Jesus. I’m not sure I would have heard any other message. Please give me the conviction to share my hope in Jesus passionately, yet in ways that reflect your grace, patience, and kindness. Through Jesus, my Living Hope, I pray. Amen.

God has saved us and called us to a holy life — not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. — 2 Timothy 1:9

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

“Before the beginning of time!”
How do you understand when that was? God first thought of us at a time we cannot even begin to imagine. His reason for thinking of us was to demonstrate his kindness, grace, and call in our lives and to bring others to his side. Jesus has always been God’s plan, and we have always been his goal for that. Let’s make sure we respond by living his holy life in our day-to-day world.

My Prayer…

Thank you so much, Father, for knowing me and thinking of my needs even before there was a world. I dedicate this day and every day that follows to your honor as I seek to live a life that reflects your righteousness, holiness, mercy, and grace. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all of our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. — 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

We have been comforted by God the Spirit, our Advocate, Comforter, and Helper, who lives in us (John 14:18, 26-27). Now, we should be able to comfort others. God doesn’t bless us with his presence and the comfort of his Spirit just because we are somehow better than everyone else. No, he comforts us to equip, empower, encourage, and comfort others. God has human hands, but they only work when our hands are used for his glory and to comfort others.

My Prayer…

Tender Shepherd, there have been times when I was so broken I could not go on. I know my strength to continue in those times came from your rich grace and mercy. Please use me this week to offer your comfort and love, your rich grace and mercy, to others so they may feel your warm embrace and come to yearn for the day we all see you face to face in glory. Until that day, may I be a vessel of your comfort and grace for those who are struggling with sorrow, grief, and loss. Through my brother Jesus (Hebrews 2:10-12; Romans 8:15-17), I pray for this grace. Amen.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. — Psalm 139:23-24

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

God does know us. We cannot pretend we are something we are not with him. He knows us – inside and out, through and through, from beginning to end. Knowing this should liberate us to share a remarkable degree of intimacy and honesty with him. Unfortunately, many of us run from such a close relationship with our Father. If our desire, however, is to become more like him, the only way to be transformed is by inviting him in to look at our hearts, our motivations, and our desires so that our Father can lead us in his everlasting way of mercy, grace, and love, as we journey home to him. He knows us. Let’s invite him to search us and mold us as he makes us his, new, fresh, and holy every day!

My Prayer…

O God, I know you search and examine hearts and minds (Jeremiah 17:10; 20:12; Psalm 7:9). Yet because of the grace you demonstrated in Jesus, I am confident that you love me and forgive me as I turn my life back to you. I am sorry for the sins I have committed. I truly long to serve you in honor and purity. Please fill me with your Spirit and enable me to become more like Christ Jesus in all of my thoughts, words, and deeds. In the name of your holy Son and my Savior, I pray. Amen.

O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago. — Isaiah 25:1

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

God’s actions are not reactions to current situations, but part of his long-term plan to bring redemption. Yes, he has done marvelous things, both in history and also in our personal histories. God transformed the vile intentions of a mob urged on by evil men and made it into the atoning sacrifice for our sins to display his love, mercy, and grace (Acts 2:22-24; 1 John 2:1-2). He changed the hearts of people who cried “Crucify him!” into people who believed in Jesus, repented of their evil, and were baptized, in faith, at Pentecost (Acts 2:36-41). He turned the ugliness of the cross into an opportunity to fulfill the prophets and redeem us through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago. We join Isaiah to say in reverent admiration: “O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.”

My Prayer…

Holy God, you surprise me with new wonders and new things daily. Yet deep in my heart, dear Father, I know they are not new to you. Thank you for not making life boring or predictable, so I might thirst after you, the only true and living God, forever fresh, new, exciting, and marvelous. In the name of my Savior, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. — Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

We are to begin each day with God. Every breath we take should be a powerful reminder that our Father has granted us another day of life to serve him and bless others. Each heartbeat is God’s drumbeat of love, reminding us that we are blessed with another minute to offer him our best. This blessing is so easily forgotten. We best remember these truths when we teach, demonstrate, and live them with and before our families, children, and grandchildren. We should also teach, demonstrate, and live these with our spiritual friends. But, let’s not leave their learning these truths to our example alone. Let’s find teachable moments to explain our faith to them, praise our Heavenly Father with them, and to teach God’s truths to them. We should do this with them when we sit at home… walk along the road… lie down and… get up.” What’s the point of all of this? So our can “be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14).

My Prayer…

Almighty God, Gracious Sustainer, and Undeserved Friend, thank you! Thank you for this breath I take and for the heartbeat that sustains my life. Please make me aware, as I travel and talk, rest and work, that you are there every moment, and that you are worthy of my awareness, love, and reverence. Please help me share your greatness and nearness with those whom I love. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. — Joshua 1:9

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

Never forgotten!
Never abandoned!
Never alone!
What a promise. God promised Joshua that he would go with him into the unknown future. The Father has promised us that he will go with us through all the seasons of life. He was there at our conception, molding us, and he will be with us through all our ups and downs, through temptations and triumphs, even through death (Psalms 139:1-24). Nothing can separate us from the love of God we have through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:35-39). So we can believe God’s promise, feel his strength, and launch into our unknown future with courage. We are not, nor will we ever be, alone, abandoned, or forgotten!

My Prayer…

O God, the one who is and was and is to come, thank you for being with me and staying near me when all others forsake and leave me. You are the one constant in my life, a life so full of change. Help me be steadfast and faithful in my commitments and relationships. May those commitments and relationships all honor you. Through the intercession and by the authority of Jesus, who will never forget or leave me, I pray. Amen.

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

“My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” — Isaiah 55:8-9

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

No matter how hard we try to perceive the awesomeness of God, he is still God, and we are not. We must forever remember that the original, and still primary, sin was seeking to become equal to God. We are to know God, and we should seek to know about God, but we can never fully know everything about him or become equal with him. Trying to become equal to God and losing our sense of reverence and awe for God are at the heart of all sin. While we should seek to put on God’s righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful loving kindness, in humility, we recognize that we cannot begin to approach his majesty, righteousness, wisdom, or holiness on our own. When we have done our best to describe and praise our glorious God, what Job said centuries ago is true:

“And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?” (Job 26:14)

However, by God’s grace, the promise remains that one day we will be like him and see him as he is (1 John 3:1-3) and will know him fully even as we are fully known (1 Corinthians 13:11-12). We wait in eager expectation of that day!

My Prayer…

Tender Shepherd, thank you for your patience with me. I cannot fully understand or appreciate your holy, transcendent character and glorious nature. Thank you for sending Jesus so I can know you better and trust you to know me more than I know myself. I look forward to seeing you face-to-face when Jesus comes to bring me home to you. Until that day, please know I love you. In the name of Jesus, I humbly offer my thanks and praise. Amen.

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth hHe knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. — Job 23:10-11

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

How we long for Job’s words in this verse to be our true confession. We are not yet gold, but long to be. We are not yet fully following the Lords steps, but are trying to follow faithfully. We have tried not to turn aside from God’s ways, but we sometimes falter. Thank God for his grace until our intentions and desires are fulfilled in our genuine discipleship. Until that day, we pursue Jesus as we seek to reflect his character and compassion, trusting in the Holy Spirit to do the work of transformation (2 Corinthians 3:18) so that the following may be true of us as it was in Jesus:

He knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.

My Prayer…

Magnificent Creator and Sustainer of the Universe, I confess my sin and my inadequacies in following your paths completely. Forgive me as I commit my life to serve you in holiness and joy. Thank you for your grace, which covers my sin and perfects in me the character of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. In the name of my Savior, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. — Psalm 73:25-26

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

What can truly fulfill and sustain you? Maybe the best way to answer that question is by asking another: What can we keep when our bodies are placed silently in their graves at death? Only our relationship with God, our Christ-like character, and our loving relationships with Jesus’ disciples are permanent. These last beyond the grave. So, if these are lasting, then why would we displace them for anything that isn’t lasting? Earth’s treasures fail, wither, dissolve, and decay. What we have in God is forever!

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

My Prayer…

Mighty Yahweh, Strong One of Israel, Keeper of the Covenant and Fulfillment-Maker of every prophecy, you are my hope, my strength, and my future. I live this day in wide-eyed amazement that the Keeper of the Universe knows my name, hears my voice, and cares for me. Thank you for being my past, my present, and my future. You are the Great I Am. You, O God, are the strength of my heart forever! In the name of Jesus, my Immanuel, I pray. Amen.

God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline. — 2 Timothy 1:7

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

Power! We like that concept. Power! But if it is to be godly, power alone does not make us right. Godly power must be accompanied by love and self-discipline. These three together make a person’s life effective, constructive, and godly. Live life to its fullest: not as a closet Christian afraid of standing true and firm, but as a disciple who lives by God’s power, shares God’s love, and displays God’s virtues through a disciplined life of love and grace and power.

My Prayer…

Holy God, you are without compare in your majesty and might. I have no right to come into your presence, and yet you have invited me here by your love and your grace. You are my Rock, my Fortress, and my Strength. I depend upon you for guidance and mercy to sustain me through my storms in life and reclaim me from my stumbles. Holy God, I want to be strong in you, to be like you in my love, and to reflect your character through my self-discipline and graciousness. I ask for this balanced grace in my life to be more like Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. — 1 John 3:18

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

“Talk is cheap!”
“You can tell me with your words all you want, but I won’t believe it until I see it in your actions.”
“It’s time to put your life where your mouth is.”

There are many slogans, but let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and really live and love in truth. In a world where barter has replaced sacrificial, steadfast love, and as lust has become the modern definition of love, let’s go against the cultural grain and truly love with our words and actions. Genuine love must be like God’s love. It must involve emotion, commitment, and action. This is love in actions and in truth!

My Prayer…

Sacrificial Father, I confess to you that at times I am selfish. Other times, my intentions are good, but my follow-through and faithfulness are lacking. I can sometimes have emotional love, but it never becomes part of my expressed love through my actions. So, I invite your Spirit to empower and enable* me to be what I hope to become: a genuine disciple of Jesus who loves with actions and truth. May your love be seen in my actions of genuine concern today. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. — 1 John 4:9

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

Love is an action. The Bible stresses this truth again and again. Love must not only be spoken and felt, but it must also be demonstrated in daily life. The beginning of love is God. He showed his love for us in Jesus so we could know our incredible value to him. The price of our adoption was the emptying of heaven of its greatest treasure, God the Son, who is our Savior, and God’s greatest demonstration of love. Because love is not genuine until it is both felt and acted on. “This is how God showed his love among us…”He sent Jesus!

My Prayer…

Loving Father, thank you for adopting me into your family. I can never thank you enough or ever repay you for your kindness, but please receive the service of my life as my ongoing thanksgiving for your grace and as my small way of trying to share the love you have given me. Through my Brother (Romans 8:29; Hebrews 2:10-11) and my Ransom I pray. Amen.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. — Matthew 22:37-39

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

Some things are just not complicated to understand. However, that doesn’t mean putting them into practice is easy for me. Jesus was clear in what he said. Living for God can be boiled down to two principles:

1. Loving God with everything I am and have.
2. Loving others and treating them as I would like to be treated.

Those principles are certainly not too hard to understand. It’s the living of them that is our challenge. So, let’s not just understand these two principles of love; let’s live them out in our daily lives:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. .. Love your neighbor as yourself.

My Prayer…

Dear Father, the one true and living God, please accept the work of my hands, the words of my mouth, the moments of my rest, and the love of my heart as my worship to you this day. I pray that these are pleasing and refreshing to you as I seek to live out your two love commands in my life today. In the name of your Son, the Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen.

We love because he first loved us. — 1 John 4:19

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

It’s all very simple. God is love (1 John 4:7-8). He is love’s origin, example, and architect. I love because God loved me first. I know how to love because he has demonstrated it in Jesus. I can love because he made me in his likeness and to share his character, and because God pours his love into my heart through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). He is the fountain, the motivation, and the pinnacle of love. I love because God loves – first, last, and always.

My Prayer…

God of comfort, God of love, thank you for comforting me with your love. Just as a child learns from parents how to do so many things, I want to learn to love as you do: sacrificially, selflessly, and submissively so that others may know that they do not have to earn your love, only receive it and share it with others. In the name of Jesus, your perfect example of love, I pray. Amen.

There is no fear in love. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved. — Ephesians 2:4-5

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

God is rich in mercy and generous with grace! Isn’t that wonderful for us? I don’t know about you, but I sure know I have failures, shortcomings, sins, and transgressions. Without God’s mercy, I would be lost in my sins (Romans 3:23-25). Without his grace, I would be cut off from the life God longs for me to have (Romans 5:6-11).
God is rich in mercy and generous with grace! He acted on our behalf when he sent Jesus to show us his love (1 John 4:9-10). Now, because of his rich mercy and generous grace, we are dead to that old sinful self, and our lives are now tied to Jesus’ glorious future (Colossians 2:12, 3:1-4). “God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ”!

My Prayer…

Father of all grace and mercy, thank you. Thank you for being who you are – the Father of mercy and the God of all grace (1 Peter 3:13, 5:10)! Thank you for extending your grace when we did not deserve it. Thank you for giving mercy when we most needed it. Thank you for blessing us with life when we thought our lives were doomed and hopeless. May we be rich in mercy. May we be people of grace. We desire to be wealthy in these ways, like you, more than being rich in earthly riches that are destined to perish (Matthew 6:19-20). Help us, O Lord, to be more like you, to be rich in mercy. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. — 1 John 4:18

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

What is there to fear since nothing can separate us from the love God has for us in Christ Jesus? (Romans 8:38-39)
What is there to fear since God has poured his Spirit into our hearts to transform, strengthen, and make us holy? (2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 6:11)
What is there to fear since God sent his Son to die to redeem us and present us to God as holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation”? (Colossians 1:21-22)
As the apostle Paul declared:

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32)

We are God’s children. He loves us. His love for us is far better, richer, and deeper than our meager love for others. Rather than run from God in fear, we gladly bow before him in thanks, knowing that our Father who hears our prayers is also the one who loves us and yearns to calm our fears. And because of him, we have no fear in his love.

My Prayer…

Loving Father, thank you that I can come to you as your beloved child without fear. I can come with tenderness and reverence, with neediness and confidence, with brokenness and awe. You are holy, majestic, and awe-inspiring, yet I do not have to be terrified to come to you with my inadequacies. May your love for me produce a closer likeness to your holiness, righteousness, justice, and mercy in me than any fear could ever cause. I pray in the mighty name of Jesus, who ransomed me from sin and poured out his love upon me. Amen.

The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. — Romans 13:9-10

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

Wouldn’t it be great if we didn’t have to have laws to keep people in line! That’s the point behind Paul’s message here. Treat our neighbors as we would like to be treated. Love them as we want to be loved. If we do that, then we’re not going to do anything that would hurt them, much less violate a command of God’s law that would hurt them.

My Prayer…

Loving Father, you are God who gave Moses the Law on tablets of stone. Please write your character and will on my heart (Proverbs 3:3; Jeremiah 31:33) that I might be a living testimony of your righteousness and grace toward all people. Help me to think more carefully about how my neighbors feel and what they need before I act or react to them – not just today, but every day! In the name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also oughtHe who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. — Proverbs 17:9

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

You’ve probably heard this poisonous statement many times: “It’s just a little harmless gossip.” The Wise Teacher reminds us that gossip is neither little nor harmless. Sharing someone else’s stumble, offense, failure, or flaws separates friends and causes horrible damage. The consequences of such gossip are severe, and its damage is often lasting and devastating, especially to relationships. Instead, it is much better to be a peacemaker and an offense-mender, someone who covers over an offense with grace, forgiveness, and love. As Jesus said:

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God (Matthew 5:9).

A peacemaker is one who covers over an offense and promotes love and peace. Let that be said of us! 

My Prayer…

Father of Glory, I confess that I am often more a peace lover than a peacemaker. Being a peacemaker seems to be a lot harder for me. Covering over offenses feels a lot more difficult than passing on the gossip about an offense. So, please give me the character not to repeat gossip, but instead to have the wisdom and strength to be an offense-mender and an offense-coverer. Through the Prince of Peace, himself, I pray. Amen.

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. — 1 John 4:11-12

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

Can you imagine what an honor it is to have the Creator of the universe, the Lord God Almighty, living inside of you? Yet when we love each other, that is exactly what happens. When our hearts are full of love, there is room for God, a great deal of room for God, because God is love. When they are not full of love, we leave little room for God to take up residence and produce his character in us. Let God complete his love in you: commit to doing loving things for others today, and each day that follows, until you can express your love for your Father, face-to-face in glory!

My Prayer…

Abba Father, I find it so comforting to know that you are not far away – that I live in you and you live in me (Colossians 3:1-4). Please help me see others with your eyes and respond to their needs with your heart so that your love may be complete in me and demonstrated in my actions. In the name of Jesus, the Servant and Savior of all, I pray. Amen.

I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither present nor the future, nor powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is ours in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 8:38-39

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

Separation is a primal fear, whether it is separation from something we fear, whether it’s separation from a child, a parent, a sibling, a spouse, a friend, but especially separation from God is a deep fear for those of us who love him. Jesus endured separation from God by becoming a human and by going to the cross. As Paul put it so eloquently:

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, and our faith that he did it for us, we are in Christ. We know we’ll never have to be separated from God’s love. He bore the separation so we would never have to fear it. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Jesus!

My Prayer…

Gracious and loving Father of all peoples, thank you for loving us in Jesus and adopting us as your children in Christ to bring us close to you. Thank you for promising that nothing can separate us from your love. Use the Spirit to help us know, deep inside, making us experientially aware of your accompanying presence in our lives as you live with us, in us, and make your home with us as we live for you (John 14:19-23). We pray this in Jesus name. Amen.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. — Romans 8:35-37

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

We win! We are more than conquerors through him who loved us. When you open up the final book of the Bible, Revelation, that is the message: Christians win because Jesus is the one true and lasting conqueror. No matter how the battle is going for you right now – no matter how bad the trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or sword may be at the moment – we can remember that in the end, we win. We are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

My Prayer…

El Shaddai, God Almighty, we thank you for securing our ultimate victory by raising Jesus from the dead and promising to send him back for us as your Conquering King. We know he is coming with victory on the day you have determined. We pray that we will live victoriously for you until that day when we joyously sing:

Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations. Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed. (Revelation 15:3-4)

Until that day, and in the name of our conquering King, Jesus our Lord, we pray. Amen.

This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. — 1 John 3:11

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

The original message? Love one another. The enduring message? Love one another. The most convincing message? Love one another. The most difficult message? Love one another. The clearest message? Love one another.
This call to love one another reminds me of the convicting verse I once heard a preacher use about loving our brothers and sisters:

To dwell above with saints we love,
O that will be glory.
But to dwell below with saints we know,
Now that’s another story.

But it’s the story we’re called to write with our lives. Love one another.” It’s Jesus’ enduring message to us is clear: Love one another!

My Prayer…

Loving Father, I commit to you that I will intentionally show my love for your children in what I do and say. I do this trusting in your grace and the Holy Spirit to empower me to do more loving things and be more loving than I could be on my own. I want to obey my Lord’s command to love others as he did. Through Jesus, my Savior, I pray. Amen.

This is love: not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. — 1 John 4:10

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

God loved us first! He sent his Son to save us regardless of our decision to believe or reject his grace. But what does Jesus being an atoning sacrifice for our sinsmean? It means that Jesus’ sacrifice removes our sins and allows us to be “at one” with God again, presented to the Father by the Son as holy and blameless and above reproach before him(Colossians 1:22). God loved us first! We were once offenders of God’s gracious holiness – we were weak, ungodly, sinners,and enemies (Romans 5:6-10) of God and his holiness – yet God paid the cost to bring us back to Himself in holiness and honor. God loved us first!

My Prayer…

Precious King, God Almighty, why would you love us so much that you would send your Son to die as the atoning sacrifice for our sins? We know that you gave us this gift of love when we were undeserving. We confess that we will never fully comprehend the depth of such sacrificial love as you demonstrated to us. However, we are deeply touched and thank you for your gracious love for us in Jesus. We pray in your name, Lord Jesus, by the power of your intercession and thankful that God loved us first! Amen.

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. — John 13:34-35

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

How do you recognize Jesus’ followers? How do you find true Christians? Many people claim to be followers of Jesus, but are they really? How do we know?
In the Gospel of John, Jesus gives us three ways that show we are his true disciples: we abide in his word (John 8:31-32 ESV), we bear much fruit (John 15:8), and we love one another (John 13:35). Today, we focus on our love for one another as a mark of true discipleship. Jesus said his disciples would love each other just as he loved them. In the immediate context, this kind of love is defined: like Jesus, we are willing to love and serve each other selflessly and practically – just as he washed their feet and later went to the cross while protecting them. The Lords ministry revealed he would do almost anything to demonstrate his love for his disciples, whether extravagant, simple, or something in between. Imagine if we all followed the Lord Jesus’ example and proved ourselves his disciples by loving each other in the same way Jesus demonstrated his love to them and to us!

My Prayer…

Father of Compassion and God of all grace, we thank you for teaching me to love through the example and commands of Jesus. May our words and actions reflect his love toward your people today, tomorrow, and until you bring us all home to you. In the name of Christ, our Great Example and Lord, we pray. Amen.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. — John 3:16

Did you know the Bible doesn’t just say, “God loves you.” But don’t let me confuse you. Scripture does tell us many times that God loves us. However, don’t miss the important truth here. Each time Scripture tells us that God loves us, it also demonstrates that love by something God has done for us. You see, God’s love is much more than emotion and intention. God’s love is always demonstrated by what he does, has done, or will do. God loved us so much he didn’t just say, “I love you.” God also showed his love by sending his Son to sacrifice himself for our sins and give us his incomparable and eternal love! We never have to doubt that God means it when he says, “I love you.” He always backs up his promises of love with his loving and sacrificial actions toward us.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

My Prayer…

Loving and Almighty God, thank you for loving me. Thank you for both saying you love me and demonstrating your love through your redemptive actions for me. Please know, dear Father, I love you, too! Please accept my loving emotions, words, and actions today as a testimony to my love for you. Through Jesus, I pray and thank you for your love. Amen.

Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. — 1 Corinthians 13:6-7

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

Life as a follower of Jesus is always about love – loving God and loving others (Matthew 22:36-40), doing the things Paul lists here – not delighting in evil, rejoicing with the truth, protecting, trusting, hoping, and persevering always! Living this always loving way in a fallen world full of self-centered people is a very tough and tall order and sometimes very tough work. Only God is always. But then Christians are fueled to this always kind of love through the Holy Spirit. Paul tells us that “The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5). No wonder this love, true love, Christian love, loving like Jesus is always love – it is God’s love, demonstrated by Jesus’ sacrifice, and now empowered through us by the Holy Spirit to be delivered to others by grace.

My Prayer…

Sweet and Glorious God on high, I humble myself before you, recognizing your boundless power to love always. I also recognize the incredible need for this always kind of love in the lives of those around me as I try to love that way with my limited capacity to love in my own strength. So, please pour your Holy Spirit into my heart and fill me with the power to love as you do: always. In Jesus’ sweet name, I pray. Amen.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. — 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

True love does not focus on itself, but on others. Each of these qualities of love – patience, kindness, does not envy, does not boast, is not proud, is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, keeps no records of wrongs – is based on an affectionate, compassionate, and forgiving attitude that regards others as valuable to us, and to Jesus. Rather than placing value only on ourselves and our desires, we remember how Jesus lived and seek to have a heart like his (Philippians 2:5-11). This kind of love comes from the power of the Holy Spirit within us (Romans 5:5; Galatians 5:22-23). It is part of the Spirit’s transforming us into more JESUShaped people (2 Corinthians 3:18). The old saying is true: “In the middle of all SIN is a big I!” When “I” become more important than others, when what “I” want and how “I” win are more significant than what others truly need, then “I” have lost my way and do not display the love of Christ.

My Prayer…

Holy God and Sacrificial Father, please teach us to notice others and value them just as you do and as Jesus demonstrated while on earth. We know you loved us when we were not lovable, and redeemed us when we were not worthy. So we ask for the Holy Spirit’s help in having the heart like yours, as we take our focus off ourselves, and seek to see others as you do. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. — 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

Love! 
In the days leading up to Valentine’s Day, let’s remember the real meaning of true love (1 John 4:8-12) and not dilute it with the many sappy expressions of limited human love, oftentimes based in lust rather than genuine love. I am certainly not against expressing our love to others on Valentine’s Day, but it can get so sappy, sentimental, and manipulative. Without our motivations centered on why we are expressing love, all “Christian” activities are more motion and commotion than true love. True love is the expression of Christ’s sacrificial character through deeds of love offered to others without expecting anything in return (1 John 3:16-18). Let’s refuse to get lost in the annual trip down sentimentality lane. Too many of us forget the needed daily dose of love that so often gets lost in the grit of day-to-day relationships. Let’s be loving all year-round, showing ourselves to be Jesus’ true disciples (John 13:34-35).

My Prayer…

Loving Heavenly Father, thank you for demonstrating your love for us in Jesus. Help us to love as Jesus did – selflessly, sacrificially, and consistently – so others may know of your love through our actions and not just our words. In Jesus name, and to love as he has loved us, we pray. Amen.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell yoWe ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. — 2 Thessalonians 1:3

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

“Please increase my faith, O, Lord.”
“Please increase my strength, dear God.”
“Please increase my wisdom, Father.”
We often pray for these kinds of things, but when was the last time you prayed asking God to increase your capacity to love, and your congregation’s capacity to love others? Can you think of anything more exciting to say about your friends and fellowship than to say, “The love everyone has for each other is increasing, and that love for those around them who don’t know Jesus is growing!” Let’s pray and act to make this dimension of our love real and noticeable to the broken world that is fractured all around us!

My Prayer…

Holy God, may your love fill me as I seek to share it with those I meet each day. May this love grow and increase so that others may readily see its benefits and recognize that it is a direct response to the lavish love you have shared with me. I trust that as I seek to grow in love, the Holy Spirit will empower me to love in greater ways (Romans 5:5), ways that are beyond my capacity, so that others recognize it is your love working through me. Through the power of your Spirit, please empower my love to increase! In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 5:43-45

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

We often talk about the privileges of being a child of God. We’re blessed with things like forgiveness, salvation, an eternal future in glory with him, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and our ultimate victory when Christ comes. One of the greatest privileges we get, however, is the opportunity to act toward those who dislike and even hate us in ways that reflect the character of God as demonstrated by Jesus. Anyone can return hate for hate, but it takes children of God to return a blessing and a prayer of deliverance for their enemies.

My Prayer…

Father, thank you for loving me when I was still an enemy to you – ungodly, powerless, and a sinner (Romans 5:5-8). Thank you for using the death of your Son to gain my attention and offer me the opportunity to accept or reject your love. As you have promised, please pour your love into my heart through the Holy Spirit, so that I can love my enemies as you have loved me. In the name of your ultimate Gift of love, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. — Psalm 97:10

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

Hate – what a bold and powerful word. Jesus does not want us to hate people, not even our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48). However, we MUST HATE evil and the evil one. While balancing our hatred of the evil one with our love for others can be challenging, it is absolutely vital. Evil is here because of the evil one – the champion of hate, lies, murder, and death (John 8:44). We can and must daily pray for deliverance from evil and the evil one (Matthew 5:13). So, when evil rears its ugly head, let’s be courageous and oppose the evil one and his work. As we resist the evil one, he will flee from us (James 4:7) as we draw near to God and are strengthened by his presence (James 4:8; Hebrews 10:22). Let’s choose to be used by God to be redemptive as we pray for those trapped by evil and the evil one’s tentacles. In so doing, we are not overcome by evil and the evil one, but we overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).

My Prayer…

Almighty God, make my heart pained by the evil in the world around me. Please also give me a holy revulsion to things opposed to your will and character that emanate from the evil one and propagate evil in your world. At the same time, dear Father, I know that you redeemed me by grace and rescued me while I was a captive to sin and the evil one. So, please give me the courage and compassion to care for those in the evil one’s embrace and are captive to his evil ways. Please bless me as I try to balance my absolute disdain for the evil one and my love for those who have been hurt and made captive by his evil ways. Through Jesus, my Savior, I pray. Amen.

He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor. — Proverbs 21:21

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

Isn’t it sad that when we set off to find happiness, joy, significance, or meaning, we seldom find it the way we hope to find it? Instead, when we offer ourselves to serve others and give ourselves wholeheartedly to the Lord and his work, it is then that we find what we most need and what is most fulfilling. Plus, in doing this service to others, we resemble our Savior (Mark 10:43-45) and are assured that God is honored and will honor us (Philippians 2:6-11), because of how we live.

My Prayer…

O Giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17-18), please bless me with opportunities to serve others and honor you in ways that demonstrate your grace and bring the reign of your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. When, in the process of serving others, you choose to meet the needs of my heart, I thank you for this double opportunity to give grace and receive it. I pray this through your servant Jesus, and to be transformed by the Spirit to be evermore like him. Amen.

The word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. — Psalm 33:4-5

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

God is faithful. We can trust God to keep his promises, and his purposes for us are always for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28-29). How do we know? The sunrise each morning is a reminder that the Father of heaven and earth is at work keeping his universe in working order through Jesus (Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3). Since it is true in nature, it can be true in the spiritual realm as well. Greet each sunrise as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and that Jesus, who came to earth as Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23; John 1:1-18), is holding us, our hopes, our futures, and our world together.

My Prayer…

O Magnificent and Majestic Creator, I greet today as your gift and a reminder of your faithfulness. Each day the sun rises, I anticipate the day you honor your promise to send your Son back to bring us home to you in the dawning of glory. Please give me a keen sense of your faithful presence today as I await this great day expectantly. I pray this through him, Jesus, the one in whom all your promises find their fulfillment, and every amen is spoken (2 Corinthians 1:20-22).

I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. — Psalm 18:1-2

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

We sing it, and we say it in our public prayers: “Father, God, we love you.” But notice the beginning phrase of our verse very carefully. “I love you, O Lord…” Even in public, community worship, we are taught the importance of a personal expression of love to God. When is the last time you told the Creator of the universe, “I love you! I love you, O Lord my strength.”

My Prayer…

Father in heaven, I love you. I love you because you are more than worthy of my love. I love you because you have first loved me. I love you because you sent your son to be my big brother and friend,* who paid the price for my adoption into your family. I love you because of your faithfulness. I love you because you have permitted me in your grace to love you. In the name of Jesus, my brother and friend, I love you and thank you, and cannot wait to see you face-to-face and tell you, with all of my heart, “I love you!” Amen.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. — Psalm 59:16

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

So many things in our lives can be stolen away by natural disasters, aging, greedy people, addictive appetites, our own laziness, many distractions, and untimely death. These subtle temptations lead me to believe the evil one could be appropriately called “The Thief of Always.”* God, however, is immovable, and what he offers us is unstealable! We can invest ourselves in him and know our futures are secure in his care. God is our fortress and our refuge. We can run to our Father in heaven, find his grace and protection from the evil one, and build our lives on his solid promises and find that our future is secure with Jesus (Colossians 3:1-4).

O Great Rock of my salvation, thank you for being unchangeable and faithful. Thank you for being the source of my security, the assurance of a future in days of chaos and change. Thank you for being God. You are my God, and in you I place my life, my hopes, my dreams, my value, and my future. So, dear Father, I conclude with the prayer of your servant David as my heart’s desire:

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.*

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

As it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived — what God has prepared for those who love him…” — 1 Corinthians 2:9

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

Many of the things we anticipate and dream for the future are much less glorious in real life than they were in our imaginations and dreams. There is one event, however, that is better than we can imagine and beyond our wildest dreams. When Jesus returns to take us home to be with our Father, it will be far better than we can ask, imagine, dream, or think. Maranatha – Come O Lord Jesus (1 Corinthians 16:22). However, God has not left us alone with our thoughts about what is to come. Paul first quotes the great prophet Isaiah: As it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived – what God has prepared for those who love him…” (Isaiah 64:4). Then, he finishes his thought with this great promise: but “these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.” (Isaiah 64:5). While we can’t imagine our future with God, the Holy Spirit has given us inspired glimpses through his inspired Scripture! Yeah, we can’t imagine it, but the Spirit has helped reveal it to us through his inspired Scriptures, and in that we rejoice!

My Prayer…

Abba Father, thank you for knowing me before time began. Thank you for crafting me in my mother’s womb with a plan and purpose for my future. Thank you for sending Jesus to pay the price for my sins. And thank you in advance for the day Jesus comes to take me home to be with you forever to enjoy life that is beyond my comprehension. I wait longingly for these promised days to dawn. Amen.

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, theLord is one. Love theLord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. — Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

So many times the evil one seduces us into a flat, 2-dimensional Christianity – going to church and doing good things. However, God calls us to a three-dimensional faith – one that involves our heart, soul, and strength (body). He wants us to love him with all of our heart, all our inner being, and all of our actions used mightily for him. God wants us completely aligned with his ways, his character, his compassion, and his faithfulness in every facet of our being.

Hear, O [people of God]: TheLord our God, theLord is one. Love theLord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Yes! Three-dimensional faith. Three-dimensional discipleship.

My Prayer…

Dear Heavenly Father, I honor you as God Almighty. I appreciate all the kindness and blessings you have lavished on me. I love you because you first loved me in Jesus. I honor you as the universe’s Creator and greatest power. I am humbled by the sacrificial and redemptive love you have shared with me in Jesus. I worship you with all I am – heart, soul, and strength – because you are worthy of my worship. Father, my heart desires to demonstrate my love, respect, appreciation, and worship for you in all I love, am, and do. I offer this prayer to you, dear Father, in the mighty name and through the intercession of Jesus. Amen.

You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call on you. — Psalm 86:5

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

Forgiveness is such a sweet blessing. But God does more than forgive! Jesus cleanses and purifies us, then presents us to God as “holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation” (Colossians 1:21-22). God does not grudgingly meter out his love. He does not ration out his forgiveness. He lavishly pours his love upon us, and into us, as we genuinely seek him as our Father (Romans 5:5; 1 John 3:1). So, let’s cry out and ask for God’s forgiveness as we praise the mighty and holy name of The Almighty, confidently knowing that our Father longs to bless us with his overflowing goodness, mercy, and love.

My Prayer…

O Precious Father, I call to you, wanting you to know how important your love and forgiveness are in my life. Thank you for sending Jesus to show your love for me and pay the debt of my sin. Please help me to live today as your child, shaped to be like Jesus, and may others see my joy and my passion for you as I seek to live for your glory. In the name of my Savior, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. — Ephesians 4:2

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

“You mean I have to put up with all this from that person!?”
There are those folks in life about whom the saying is true: “They are the grit out of which we are to fashion our pearls.” Our great example in this challenge – “To be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” – is Jesus. Jesus has fashioned many pearls from pretty bad grit. Think of what he had to put up with in his 12 disciples. Remember how the Lord’s patience and kindness helped transform them. His love persevered through so many of their failures, especially failures in his hardest and darkest moments. In the process, however, Jesus’ life of humbleness, gentleness, patience, and love transformed them. Can we dare to do less with those for whom Christ died?

My Prayer…

Please give me strength and patience, O God. I know the Holy Spirit can and will, so I ask for this help because I long to be as loving, gentle, and patient with others as Jesus was with people during his earthly ministry, and you have been with me. So, I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus, my Lord and hero, to become more JESUS shaped and live like him. Amen.

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” — Mark 9:35

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

Did you hear that? Last! Last? Nobody likes to be last. When it comes to lines, we all hate to be last! Many of us have a hard time settling for second place, much less last place. Jesus, however, reverses the way the world ranks people (Luke 22:25-27). The person who is most important to him is not the person seeking status, Facebook® likes, a big following on social media, notoriety, or a place of honor at “bigwig” gatherings (events centered on status and influence). The most important person is like Jesus himself: they are willing to give up their rank, status, and place importance to serve the least, last, and lost. Why? Because that’s how Jesus was. For Jesus, being last meant being first in service and first in the eyes of God.

My Prayer…

Magnificent God, my Savior, you have made the world wonderful for me and have given your Son to redeem me. How can I ever thank you or repay you for your grace and kindness? Help me serve others with grace and kindness just as my Lord did. Please give me eyes to see people as you do, not judging by mere appearances, but valuing and treating people like Jesus did in his earthly ministry. I want to be willing to serve; to be last. So, where you place me (Luke 14:7-14) is in your hands. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus, the one who washed his disciples’ feet to show them his love and the place of proper importance. Amen.

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship him in spirit and in truth. — John 4:24

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

Genuine worship is a gift. God is spirit. God is holy. So, we cannot fully and authentically approach God in worship without the gift and blessing of his Holy Spirit. As Christians who received his Spirit when we were born of God through our faith and baptism (John 3:3-7, 4:23-24; Titus 3:3-7), we can now speak to him and worship him openly and confidently – our spirit combined with the Holy Spirit in us, worshiping God who is Spirit. The Spirit within us makes us a place where God lives through his Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The Spirit intercedes for us when we approach God in prayer (Romans 8:26-27). We are then filled with God’s Spirit as we worship him (Ephesians 5:18-20). No wonder Jesus commanded:

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship him in spirit and in truth.

That’s with our spirit, combined with the Holy Spirit, and with worshiping God appropriately; then God is praised and pleased.

My Prayer…

Abba Father, by the gift of your Spirit, I come to you as your child. Thank you so much for giving me your Spirit so that I can approach you with confidence and know you hear the concerns of my heart. Please accept the worship of my heart, of my words, and of my actions in my daily life. May the things I do today bring you glory as I worship you authentically and through the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when theday of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. — Ephesians 6:12-13

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

How often do you forget that we are in a spiritual war? Our enemy is deceptively cunning. If we lose the sense of immediacy to his threats, the danger appears gone. But he’s always there, lurking in the shadows. Remember that Jesus’ battle with the evil one during his temptations was only the beginning of his spiritual battles. Luke ends his account of the Lord’s temptations with these ominous words:

When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time (Luke 4:13).

We never know when the evil one’s “opportune time” will come for us. So rather than trying to guess when, Paul reminds us to take up the tools God has given us, NOW. These tools are the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-19). They enable us to stand against the evil one. We ARE in a war against evil, the evil one, and his minions. But the Spirit of God in us is greater than those who are allied with evil (1 John 4:4), and the armor of God equips us to defeat the enemy whenever he comes against us. So, no matter when, where, or how the evil one comes against us, we have the power to stand!

My Prayer…

Lord of Hosts, my Great Deliverer, protect me from the evil one by your great power. Please give me a sense of urgency as I face Satan and his schemes daily, and lift my confidence knowing that Jesus has already defeated my foe. Oh Lord, I am committed to stand against the evil enemies and show myself faithful to you. Through Jesus my Lord and Savior, I pray. Amen.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. — James 4:10

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

Humble yourselves…” That sounds almost obscene to a world so caught up in self-promotion and willing to do almost anything for “likes” and “views” in social media. This “get ahead at all costs” and this “look at me” driven culture of self-promotion is destroying our inner character before our very eyes. Humility is a forgotten virtue. Often confused with weakness or timidity, humility is really about knowing our proper place in the world and our eternal value to God without flaunting, promoting, and exalting ourselves. Only God can exalt permanently, so the key is for us to know our place before him and let him put us in the place he chooses for us to honor him and bless others.

My Prayer…

Abba Father, Most Holy God, thank you for allowing me into your presence because of your Holy Spirit and grace. When I think of all that you have done, the incredible universe you have made and hold together by your word, I am amazed you invite me into your presence and care about me. So, thank you! Thank you for knowing me and having a plan for my life. Please help me live with humility and grace before others today as I seek to glorify you in all the things I say, do, and believe. I trust my future and my influence to your grace, timing, and place. Through Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. — Philippians 4:8

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

Our actions follow our thoughts like a heat-seeking missile follows the exhaust of a jet fighter’s engine. So, in a day when so much around us trains us to find the negative in life, and especially in others, we must aggressively pursue the character, the qualities, and the things of God’s goodness. Social media drowns us in negativity, spite, division, ugliness, and hostility. God gives us these things in our verse today to remind us of goodness, nobleness, rightness, and purity. God gives us admirable things, things that are excellent and praiseworthy. So, let’s think about these things in a world that is drowning in negativity, futility, and loss.

My Prayer…

Holy and Magnificent God, thank you for being better than anything my world can offer me. Thank you for calling me to a higher standard than the world accepts. Thank you for giving me the promise of a better future than any human can imagine. Thank you for giving me a high calling to live up to you and your will. So now, I ask, dear Father, for the Holy Spirit to help imprint what is lovely and admirable, excellent and praiseworthy, into my character as I focus on them in my thoughts. In Jesus’ holy name, I offer my thoughts and focus to you. Amen.

If someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. — Galatians 6:1

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

In a day when intervening in someone’s life is no longer politically or socially correct, these verses ring out like a gunshot on a still night. Sin is still real and is just as deadly as ever. Yet because we fear being branded judgmental and self-righteous, we let many trapped in sin progress to their spiritual death (Hebrews 2:1-3; 3:12-13; James 1:14-15). Paul calls us to nonjudgmental, gentle intervention because we recognize the gravity of sin and the sinner’s need, without feeling arrogant about our righteousness. We approach the situation humbly because the phrase, “There but for the grace of God go I,” applies to us. Nevertheless, love doesn’t remain silent when someone’s behavior is self-destructive, evil, and taking them to “hell in a handbasket,” as the old saying goes. Instead, genuine love intervenes humbly, gently, and graciously to redeem.

My Prayer…

Father, please forgive my sins as I forgive those who have sinned against me. Father, please also help my heart to be gripped by the gravity of sin’s effects and to be stirred into action to help those trapped in their sins. Through Jesus, who came to rescue all of us from our destructive sins, addictions, and evil habits, I pray. Amen.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. — James 1:5

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

Wisdom is that elusive quality we respect in others but find so difficult to develop in ourselves. Yet God promises wisdom to those of us who genuinely ask for it. But remember the secret of A.S.K. asking we learned yesterday – asking, seeking, and knocking. Or better yet, check out what Solomon says about wisdom (Proverbs 2:1-22). Wisdom is ours only if we seek it above all other possessions and value it above all other diversions. God longs to impart it, but there is something about spiritual wisdom that demands we value it before we can receive it.

My Prayer…

Gracious giver of all good gifts, please bless me with wisdom today. Let me reflect your will and live for your glory in all my decisions – not just today, but moving forward in my life. Let your Kingdom guide my heart as I make my choices and have your Spirit lead me in your ways. I confess, Father, that I cannot guide my own steps without your wisdom and your Holy Spirit to guide me. So grant me wisdom this day. I pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” — Matthew 7:7-8

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

Ask! So often, we’re afraid to ask. To do so means we have to admit that we don’t have all the answers and need someone else’s help.
Seek! Searching with effort, interest, and perseverance is necessary, and often difficult for us.
Knock! In an era of doorbells, front door cameras, and instant access, this personal effort is a forgotten action.
You see, God wants us to use the A.S.K. principle and bring our hearts before him and pursue him and his will. So let’s not whine, complain, desire, and hope. Let’s A.S.K. – ASK, SEEK, KNOCK – our Father for help and pursue his answers by asking, seeking, and knocking!

My Prayer…

Waiting Father, I am sorry that too often you only hear my whines, complaints, and concerns because that is all I share with you. You have been so generous with your love, mercy, and grace. Help me to keep my heart set on you and your will today as I ask you to minister to the things on my heart. As I A.S.K. you for them, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit will reap eternal life. — Galatians 6:7-8

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

Isn’t it incredible how huge trees grow out of such tiny seeds! This principle runs throughout all of life. We can never completely get away from the seeds we sow. So let’s not try to fool ourselves. We ARE going to reap what those seeds sow. Let’s make sure the seeds we sow are the ones we want sprouting up! And as we sow to please the Spirit of God and not the world, let’s remember we are going to harvest eternal life, and share that life with others.

My Prayer…

O Eternal God, who lived before time began and who will be the Great I AM when time is no more, please bless the seeds I sow with my life. May they bear righteous and gracious fruit to honor you and to bless those I love, and those who don’t yet know Jesus. Through Jesus, the grain of wheat (John 12:23-26) who died and was buried so that true life may flower forth, I pray. Amen.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. — James 1:2-3

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

“Hang in there!” There are few traits more important than perseverance – hanging in there. Most important accomplishments in life happen because of perseverance. Most “luck” occurs when we’ve persevered long enough for the “magical moment” to come along – in other words, I don’t believe in luck. Edison said it best: life’s most extraordinary feats, the world’s most significant discoveries, and his own most fantastic inventions are “1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.” Hang in there! Persevere! And do it with joy! Why? So you can see the glory of God come through for you and in you, not because of luck, but because of God’s grace, love, and power partnered with your perseverance!

My Prayer…

Unchangeable and Unshakeable God, help me to stand up and prove my character is true when I am under fire. Use the friends you have sent into my life and the power of the Holy Spirit to help me persevere. Please give me faith, courage, and endurance so that my life displays your enduring strength. And, dear Father, please help me find joy in persevering when under trial. I pray for these graces, in the name of him who remained faithful even unto death, and who, “for the joy set before him endured” and persevered through the cross! Amen.

In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the prophets. — Matthew 7:12

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

This verse is called “The Golden Rule”! It’s golden because it’s genuine, lasting, doable, understandable, and valuable. It’s golden because it clearly and beautifully summarizes what God’s Law teaches about how we should treat others. Imagine how different our world would be if we all practiced this principle – not just in our “church life” but in our daily life? If we practiced this Gold Rule with our family, our coworkers and employer, and with the people we manage, the folks on the freeway, in the neighborhoods where we drive, and toward the waiters and waitresses and others who serve us… Wow! What a wonderfully different world we would have! So, let’s each start changing our world and making it a bit more golden today!

My Prayer…

Generous Father, you have blessed me with so many rich and wonderful gifts. I can never adequately express how much thanks you deserve. One thing I want you to know from my heart, dear Father, is that I especially appreciate the way you have treated me with grace, not with justice or judgment. Empower me through your Holy Spirit to treat others as I would have them treat me and as you have treated me. In Jesus’ name, I pray to live this golden way. Amen.

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. — 1 Corinthians 10:13

TEMPTATION… We’ve all faced it. We know it is the evil one’s carefully crafted weapon, specifically designed to ensnare us mortals. We can sometimes even hear the voice of the evil one in our heads, saying, “No one will ever know. Besides, it won’t hurt anyone!” But in our hearts, we know that to cave in to temptation matters because we’ve allowed ourselves to give in to what is wrong and given away part of ourselves. Thankfully, we can defeat temptation if we do what this verse reminds us:

• To recognize temptation when it presents itself.
• To know this specific temptation we face is common to mortals, so I can overcome it because others have.
• To remember that God is faithful. My Father in heaven won’t let me be tempted above what I can handle.
• To believe that God will provide a way of escape, so I need to look for it, and resist the evil one behind it, as I draw near to God (James 1:13-15, 4:7-8).

My Prayer…

Righteous and loving Father, guard my heart from temptation and my life from sin. I want to serve you with wholehearted devotion. Forgive me for my past sin, and by your grace and through your word, strengthen me with your Holy Spirit so that I may overcome the temptations the evil one uses to separate me from you. Through my Protector and Redeemer, Jesus, I pray with confidence. Amen.

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life. — Philippians 2:14-16

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

Stars! They’ve always been a source of constant hope for God’s people. “I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven…”God told Abraham (Genesis 22:17). “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them…” David asked (Psalm 8:3-4). The Wisemen, Magi from the East, followed a star to discover baby Jesus (Matthew 2:1-2). Luke reminds us that Jesus was the light coming from heaven to shine on those in darkness (Luke 2:32). And now, we’re stars – God’s points of light in the dark sky of the universe. Let’s make today a day that our light shines God’s glory to a dark world around us. We will live for Jesus without complaining or arguing, living pure lives so we can shine God’s grace to those who do not know him through Jesus! Let’s hold out the word of life in our dark world.

My Prayer…

Almighty God, the incredible expanse of your universe, with its billions of stars, exceeds my limited comprehension. But I thank you for calling me to be a person of light in the dark world around me. I pledge to shine your light in the lives of all those I influence. Through the name of Jesus, your bright and morning star (Revelation 22:16), I pray. Amen.

Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. — Galatians 5:16

I don’t want you to think about an orange rhinoceros flying with blue wings. Now quit it. I don’t want you to think about that orange rhinoceros anymore. You know there is no such thing as an orange rhino that flies, much less one that flies on blue wings. Quit thinking about him and his blue wings!
Of course, the point is straightforward: the more we try not to do something, the more we focus on it, the more we ensure that we will do what we are not supposed to do. That’s why the gift of the Holy Spirit is so important to us as we seek to honor and obey our Lord and Savior Jesus and avoid sin. He enables and empowers us to move beyond our sin and to quit thinking about it. The Spirit empowers us, not by focusing on the sin we want to avoid, but by enriching us and “distracting” us with the important things of God (Galatians 5:22). As we focus more on Jesus, the more the Spirit transforms us away from our sin that we want to avoid and thinking about, and transforming us toward the character of Jesus:

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces reflect and contemplate* the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).

My Prayer…

Abba Father, I thank you for your Holy Spirit that lives in me and is now interceding with you for me (Romans 8:26). Please fill me with your Spirit so that my life more nearly reflects your will and focuses on your concerns as the Spirit transforms me to become more and more like my Lord and Savior. Through Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” — John 8:31-32

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

There are few things more coveted than freedom. People die for it. People pray for it. People strive for it. True freedom comes from knowing truth, the truth, God’s truth. Knowing God’s truth ultimately comes by living in obedience to Jesus. Truth is not just something we think about or believe in our heads. Truth must be believed in the way we live our lives, in the way we use our words, in the actions we demonstrate toward others, and in our obedience to what Jesus taught. Truth is something we do, we live. As Jesus said:

Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them (John 13:17).

And Jesus’ brother emphasized:

…they will be blessed in what they do (James 1:25).

Jesus said: 

“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

My Prayer…

To the only true God be glory, honor, power, and praise. Father, I seek not only your presence in my daily life, but also your pleasure in the choices I make and the things that I do with my life. Please teach me more of your truth as I pledge to live today in obedience to your word and your will. Please make your truth real in my life through the things I think, say, and do in respect and honor to you. Amen.

If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” — 1 John 4:20-21

Love! The word can mean almost anything in a world where it is overused and under-practiced. Many in the Christian community have tried to define it by a dictionary or lexicon, not realizing that the key word for love, agape, is defined by action. Before Christians got a hold of agape, it meant basically the same thing our word “love” is used today: just about anything! But if you read 1 John, you see love defined by God through what he does. God demonstrates his love. He asks us to do the same for our brothers and sisters. Love must be more than talk; it must be genuinely demonstrated in loving, selfless actions!

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son…*
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.**
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.***

* John 3:16.
** 1 John 3:16.
*** 1 John 4:10

My Prayer…

Precious Father, you have so graciously shared your love with me. I must confess, in my heart, I intend to love others as you do, but my intentions often get washed away with busyness, selfishness, or timidity. Father, through your Spirit, I ask that you prompt me to demonstrate my love to others in actions, not just words. Through Jesus, your most significant demonstration of love, I pray. Amen.

God has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. — 2 Corinthians 5:19-20

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

Jesus has paid the price. God provided the ransom. The Lord’s holy judgment was averted, not because of anything we did to appease him, but by the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins. If God has gone to such great lengths to reconcile us to himself and adopt us into his family, how can we refuse? We must not!
Father God, we offer you our hearts, and we pledge to share the message of reconciliation as ambassadors on Christ’s behalf! We will share your message of Jesus and invite, urge, and implore those around us to receive Jesus as their Lordand Savior to be reconciled to you through your Son!

My Prayer…

O Gracious God, we know our sins have broken your heart and offended your holiness. Words, therefore, cannot communicate our thankfulness fully to you for the way you provided us a way for us to be reconciled to you. You were hurt by our sins, yet provided a sacrifice to redeem us from your judgment and reconcile us to you through Jesus. We praise you for your grace, thank you for your love, and promise to share your mercy and reconciliation with all who will listen. Through Jesus, our atoning sacrifice, we pray. Amen.

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. — Galatians 3:26-29

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

When we become Christians through faith and our baptism into Christ, the Holy Spirit makes us one with all other Christians around the world. Race, gender, and social status are not what matter in our lives. In fact, those things don’t distinguish us from each other. We are brothers and sisters in Christ living for Jesus with those we love. Our lives are his, and thus the Spirit connects us and makes us one (1 Corinthians 12:13). Our destination is the same: heaven. Our family is the church. No barriers. No closed doors. We are one in Christ Jesus!

My Prayer…

Abba Father, thank you for adopting me into your family. May we, your children, truly be one on earth now, as we will be when we are all together around your throne in heaven. I pray for our unity among all those who call upon your name and share your Spirit so the world may know there is a solution to the conflict, strife, and division it experiences through all its different prejudices. Through Jesus, our uniting Savior, in whom we are one, I pray. Amen.

In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered by setting me free. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? — Psalm 118:5-6

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

The beginning of the year is a trying time for people I care about. Maybe it’s been that way for you or those you love. My prayer for you, and for them, is that they may know the comfort of God’s presence. Whether it’s the popular little poem “Footprints in the Sand” or the familiar “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me…” (Psalm 23:4 KJV). The presence of the Lord is absolutely vital to us if we are going to stand up for him and stand firm in the face of trial. The Lord does long to be with us, especially in those moments when we feel most alone and abandoned. He told us that by experiencing anguish himself and being alone on the cross. You can lean in, call upon, and have your hope in Jesus because he has been in the places you were hurting and came through to give us a way to God’s steadfast presence.

My Prayer…

I am thankful, O God, that you refused to be God from a safe distance. Because you came and felt what it was like to be abandoned, forsaken, and alone in Jesus, I know I can trust that you will never forsake me. Please give me a clearer sense of your presence with me in my life today, however, because I need to feel you close to me in these trying times. I pray through Jesus, and because of his assurance. Amen.

Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” — 1 Peter 1:15-16

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

“Holy” is one of those words we generally associate with the “stained glass ghetto” – a word only “church folks” use around church buildings. That may be true, but it’s still a great concept. Most kids know that you don’t eat hot dogs and potato chips on your grandmother’s china. Grandmother’s china is reserved for “special company” or “special occasions.” Hot dogs are for paper plates. China is for special events and occasions – special moments with special people we want to remember as special. When God is calling us to be holy, he’s calling us to be china in a paper-plate world – something special just for him, and as Peter emphasizes, someone special who lives like him.

My Prayer…

Holy Lord, God Almighty, I come before you knowing how great the distance is between your holiness and my commonness. I thank you for making me holy through the sacrifice of Jesus and for sending your Holy Spirit to live inside me, making me a holy temple where you dwell (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Please receive my life today as a holy offering to you. I pray in the name of Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of my faith, who has made me holy by your grace (Hebrews 2:10, 12:2; Colossians 1:21-23). Amen.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not corrupt and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. — Matthew 6:19-20

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

Where do you hide your heart? Jesus tells us that what we most value – what we consider our real treasure – is where we will find our heart. That’s why asking the question is so important. So, where do you hide your heart?
You see, we can treasure riches, control, security, and relationships – or a host of other things. However, Jesus reminds us that only by letting go of the things, the things that most of us keep as our treasures, will we find what is truly a lasting treasure.

My Prayer…

Majestic Father, I pray that out of the riches of your grace, you will help me find my treasure in you, treasuring nothing else above you and holding nothing as a treasure comparable to you. Today, I want to offer you all that I am, have, and treasure. I want to live my life for your glory as a witness to your grace. In the name of Jesus, my example, Lord, Savior, and lasting treasure, I pray. Amen.

Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. — Amos 5:14-15

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

A whole bunch of folks claim that God is on their side. In reality, the important question is whether or not we are on God’s side! That’s determined more by what we seek and do rather than what we think and say. God longs to be with us, but he will not sacrifice his character to extend us cheap grace, a grace that does not call us to be like him and act for the good of others in our world. He’s looking for believers who put their character, concerns, and actions where their mouths are.

My Prayer…

Most holy God, your righteousness and holiness are beyond me. I know that my best efforts are only vain attempts to attain them on my own. Yet I long, dear Father, to be more like you and your Son in every way that it is humanly possible. So, dear Father, I pursue knowing Jesus as my Savior and Lord, living for him, and as much as I can, like him, in my world. As I do, I intentionally partner with the Holy Spirit to see Jesus’ love, character, and compassion come alive in me. In the name of Jesus the Righteous One, I pray. Amen.

Be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. — Ephesians 5:1-2

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. If we are to sincerely flatter God by being like him. Such imitation may be the most costly form of flattery as well. You see, love for God is never something that occurs just in our minds or our hearts. Love is something we do for another – love demonstrates itself by its actions. John said that we must love in both our deeds and our words (1 John 3:16-18). Love means to give ourselves up – what we want, our rights, our desires – to honor God and serve others (1 John 4:7-10). This sacrificial love can change a marriage, a family, a friendship, a fellowship of God’s people, and ultimately the world! as dearly loved children, let’s live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us!

My Prayer…

Abba Father, I will never fully understand how you could love me so much that you would allow your son to die for me, as the sacrifice for my sins against you. Please help me love others sacrificially. I know the power to do this is not within me, so please pour your love into my heart through your Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5) so that I can share your love with others. Through Jesus, my brother, my sacrifice, my Savior and my Lord, I pray. Amen.

Prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. — 1 Peter 1:13

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

When Jesus came the first time, he came to reveal God (John 1:18; Hebrews 1:1-3). As wonderful, powerful, and gracious as he was in his earthly ministry, he did not fully reveal all of who he is. Our hope is tied to his return. When he comes this time, he won’t come to reveal God, but to reveal himself – the conquering Lord, the Rider on the white horse, our eternal Savior. Every knee will bow. We will get to see him as he really and fully is – Immanuel in power and grace, triumphant in every way. When we set our hope on Jesus’ grace at his return, we can be confidently ready for active service to our king today. We can live under his leadership with obedience and praise today because we know that great tomorrow is coming!

My Prayer…

O Almighty God, I long for the day when I get to see Jesus face to face, coming with the angels in power. Until that time, please fasten my heart in hope to the glory Jesus will share with me on that day, and please empower me to live as one who knows that victory is mine in Jesus beginning today. Jesus, through your powerful name I pray. Amen.

Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. — Isaiah 1:16-17

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

Do you find it easy to replace service to those in need with religious rituals? I know many sure seem to do so. However, God wants us not to get so caught up in talking about him and celebrating his deeds that we forget we’re supposed to provide hands-on care for others. God loved us so much that he wasn’t content just to send us words in a holy book; he also came to us personally as the Word incarnate in Jesus, Immanuel, God with us (John 1:1-18; Hebrews 1:1-3; Matthew 1:23). In Jesus, God cared for people face-to-face with hands-on in love (Mark 1:40-42).
Whether it is Jesus defining his ministry (Luke 4:18-19) or James talking about the kind of piety that pleases God (James 1:26-27), we must realize that true faith always involves treating others as God would treat them (1 John 3:16-18). Today’s verse defines what God does and how God feels (Deuteronomy 10:16-18) by instructing us to live as his presence in our world today (John 20:19-22).

My Prayer…

O Great God of all comfort, please open my eyes today to see those who need your love and please give me the heart to do so attentively, investing in them personally and giving my time compassionately to serve them. May Jesus’ heart be seen in the work of my hands and bring glory to you, O God. Amen.

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. — Micah 6:8

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

God’s desires for us are not hard to discern. He wants to bless us with salvation. The incredible gift of his Son is a powerful testimony to this truth. Yet salvation from sin and death is not something he wants to happen in our lives just once. He wants our lives to reflect his salvation daily and to share that salvation with others by the way we live. When we act justly, pursue mercy in our relationships, and honor him with our worship from humble hearts, then God’s salvation becomes real in our lives and impacts others with his grace. In the language of Jesus, we work for God’s kingdom to come and will be done on earth, and in us, as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9-10).

My Prayer…

Almighty and compassionate Father, as I embrace this New Year, help my eyes see what your heart sees. Teach me to hate sin and to be merciful to all who need mercy. Teach me to know truth and act fairly, while hating abuse and exploitation. As I reflect on the great distance between your holy majesty and my inconsistent and flawed character, I ask for the Spirit’s help to fashion me to be more and more like Jesus with greater urgency. Make me wholly your child in word, thought, and deed. I pray this in Jesus’ name and to become more like him. Amen.

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age… — Titus 2:11-12

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

In a world that has chosen to have no absolutes and that seems to have abandoned any moral standards, salvation by the costly grace of the Father beckons us to change our lifestyles in response to his grace, regardless of society’s values (1 John 3:1-3). All who receive grace and refuse to pursue righteousness demonstrate their ignorance or hardness of heart. In our day, in our time, to be saved must mean that we pursue righteousness – not so that we may earn our salvation, but so that God’s saving grace will not be fruitless in us (1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:2). You see, to have Jesus as our Savior also means to have him as our Lord and we tune our lives to his will, his character, and his example.

My Prayer…

Holy Father, I confess that I live in a morally confused time. Satan is constantly distorting the distinction between right and wrong, good and evil, moral and immoral. Because you have been so gracious with me, may my life today reflect the righteousness you gave me through Jesus. 

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

Through Jesus, my atoning sacrifice, I pray. Amen. 

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. — Psalms 90:12

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

So often we can look up and time has passed us by. The things we promised ourselves we’d accomplish and the deeds we told others we’d do, well, they get left undone or forgotten. Before we know it, days have become weeks, weeks have become months, and months have become years. We find ourselves unable to do what we once assumed we could do whenever we wanted. So, let’s ask the Lord to use the Holy Spirit to help us see and seize the opportunities he places in our path, and let’s embrace them with a sense of urgency that today is a day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Father, I confess that too often I leave undone what needs to be done, forget the commitments I have made, and lose track of people I intended to bless. Please help me see your plans for each day and live in a way that not only honors you but also blesses those you want me to reach. As your servant Moses prayed so many years ago:

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
— 2 Corinthians 5:17

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

We all like “do-overs” – you know, second chances that allow us to do things over, only better. God does much better than that for us through his gift of Jesus! He allows us to become new again. Being the “God of new things” (Isaiah 43:19), he can make us new, fresh! Beyond forgiveness, beyond cleansing, the LORD makes us holy and wholly new through Jesus. Let’s use the opportunity of a New Year as our emotional springboard to live a fresh, new, and vibrant life for God. After all, the old year is gone, and the New Year has come! Let’s live it for Jesus!

My Prayer…

O Lord, thank you for a New Year and a fresh start. Please give me wisdom and strength to serve you with integrity and faithfulness in this coming year. I pray that your work be done in my life as I offer myself, my plans, and my future to you. I pray this through Jesus, my intercessor and Lord. Amen.