Today’s Verse: 1 Peter 1:3

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

— 1 Peter 1:3

Thoughts on Today’s Verse…

The great truth about Jesus’ empty tomb is not that just that he is risen, but that he is living! His victory over death wasn’t short lived, it was ultimate. He now lives to make intercession for us until he can return and bring us to his home. Our life is hidden with him so that no one and nothing can take it from us. When he appears, we will get to share in his never ending glory. How can we not praise God for such grace!

My Prayer…

Almighty God, I praise you from the bottom of my heart for your incredible and glorious grace which has brought eternal victory out of mortal anguish. Thank you for paying the price to make it so. You are marvelous beyond my words. You are worthy of more praise than all your children’s voices together can tell. My hope will live forever because he is risen and reigning as Lord. To you be all honor, glory, and majesty forever, and ever, in the name of Jesus your Son and my Lord, Amen!

Today’s Verse: Proverbs 29:25

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

— Proverbs 29:25
Thoughts:
Fear is such a paralyzing emotion. It robs us vitality, decision making ability, and strength. Courage helps us step out of fear’s paralysis and turn its nervous edge into power. But this kind of courage comes to us fully only when we know that all Satan and his allies can really have of us is our bodies. He cannot take our mind, our attitude, our faith, and most of all, he cannot take our relationship with God given to us through Jesus.

My Prayer…

O God my Savior and great Redeemer, thank you for triumphing through Jesus over all that I fear. You have not only given me a hero I can trust, but a hope by which I can live victoriously. In the name of my Conquering King, Jesus, the victorious Rider on the white horse, I thank you. Amen.

Today’s Verse: Matthew 5:11-12

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
— Matthew 5:11-12 

s of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.— Matthew 5:11-12Get This Daily Devotional By Email33

Thoughts on Today’s Verse…

For most who can read this Internet message, the sentiments of this verse seem foreign. But among those who closely study persecution, believers in Christ are enduring perhaps the greatest amount of persecution in the history of Christianity. For those of us who live in cozy places where belief is tolerated and Christians are just considered “unhip” or a bit out of touch, we need to be thankful that our lives make enough of a distinction from our culture to be noticed, even if it’s a bit unfavorable. But at the same time, we need to pray for other believers throughout the world who are undergoing the wrath of hell for the faith.

My Prayer…

Great Deliverer, we have many who call on your name with faith in Jesus who face persecution and hardship every day. I pray that they will not lose heart and give up their confidence. I pray that you will bring deliverance from this time of persecution. I pray that their sufferings will be the source of powerful witness so others will come to see the great value of Jesus and our allegiance to him. This I pray in Jesus’ precious and holy name. Amen.

Today’s Verse: Philippians 1:9-10

This is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.

— Philippians 1:9-10

Thoughts on Today’s Verse…

I don’t know about you, but my most difficult decisions are not about choosing between good and bad. I usually know what is good and what is bad, especially when bad involves evil. My toughest choices are when I have to choose between good, better, and best. My love for God usually overcomes my weakness and I choose good over bad. But unless I’ve placed myself before God’s word and surrendered my heart to him in prayer, I have a very tough time choosing between good and best. Yet I’m convinced that much of what God would love to do through us today goes lacking because we’ve settled for good when he longs to lead us to best!

My Prayer…

Gracious and Almighty God, teach me your ways and give me your heart as I strive to not only love you, but to know your will and have insight into your ways. Help me to know the best things to do today and use my time in the best way possible to live out your will in my work, with my family, among my friends, and especially before those who do not know Christ as their Savior. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord I pray. Amen.

Today’s Verse: John 3:20-21

Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.

— John 3:20-21

Thoughts on Today’s Verse…

Truth is seen in what it does and whom it seeks. Let’s live as children of light and seek after the Father who dwells in inapproachable and glorious light so we might be the light of the world.

My Prayer…

Father of every heavenly light, I ask you to correct me gently as I place myself, my imperfections, failures and sins in your presence. Forgive and cleanse me by the blood of Jesus so that I might be spotless and holy and blameless in your sight. O Lord, I don’t just want to be forgiven, I want to be useful to you and your church. Please help me find my way to usefulness. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Today’s Verse: 1 Corinthians 2:14

The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.— 

1 Corinthians 2:14

Thoughts on Today’s Verse…

The Holy Spirit is God’s abiding gift, God’s seal and promise. The Spirit is our assurance that what he began with Jesus’ sacrificial death and our participation in it through faith and baptism, he will bring to completion at Jesus’ return. But the world cannot understand this great promise, just like it cannot understand much of Scripture. Without the gift of the Holy Spirit, their eyes only see what they can touch with their fingers and cannot fully see what is true in God’s heart and revealed in his Word.

My Prayer…

Father, I thank you for sending Jesus. Jesus, I thank you for sending the Spirit. Spirit, I thank you for never leaving me alone. As I am filled with the Spirit, O Lord, fill me more and more until my will and life perfectly reflect your desires and character. Use me to bless others just as your presence now blesses me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Today’s Verse: Matthew 6:33

Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

— Matthew 6:33

Seek — pursue relentlessly — God’s Lordship over your life and the righteousness that he demands in your daily life. The other stuff you pursue is all temporary. Only God and his Kingdom remain. In the process of pursuing God’s kingdom and his righteousness, you will find that the God who gives you his Kingdom and righteousness, also will bless you with the things in this life that you need.

My Prayer…

Holy Lord, only in you do I find what satisfies my soul’s desires. The things that have captured my eye are boring after only a short while. The artificial things I have pursued, all of my addictive pursuits, have left me empty and enslaved. I find hope and help only in you. Please be near to love, correct, discipline, lead and mold me to your glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Today’s Verse: Hebrews 10:30-31

We know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

— Hebrews 10:30-31

Thoughts on Today’s Verse…

God hates injustice, unfairness, brutality and abuse. In a world where the greedy, the murdering, the thieving, the raping, the mugging… get away with their shameless and despicable behavior, God is the ultimate assurance that justice will be done and the wicked will not triumph. While those who love and serve Jesus’ expect his return with anticipation and joy, those who are evil and vile will find out what a dreadful thing it is to fall into God’s hands.

My Prayer…

Holy and Righteous God, my Heavenly Father, I am both uncomfortable and comforted to know that you will bring justice on those who have violently abused the innocent, weak, helpless, underprivileged, and infirm. I hate to see anyone lost. I hate even worse when evil people harm those who are good and kind and godly. Give me the courage to stand in between the evil of my world and those on whom it preys. Because of his grace and victory over sin and death, I pray in the holy name of Jesus. Amen.

Today’s Verse: 1 John 2:1

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense — Jesus Christ the Righteous One.

— 1 John 2:1

Thoughts on Today’s Verse…

God hates sin. Don’t you? I know I do. But isn’t it amazing how we’ll fall back into the same old traps again and again. This is where John, the tender Shepherd that he was, hits the nail on the head. The goal is to not sin even one sin. But, knowing our struggle against the flesh, John also gives assurance to those of us trying to live faithful and pure lives. He wants us to know that when we do sin, the Sacrifice for our sins, God’s Son, is also our defense attorney who proclaims us sinless by his blood! So let’s draw close to Christ. Let’s invite him into our heart each morning as we begin the day. Let’s trust in his power and grace to sustain us and carry us through. When we do, he will!

My Prayer…

God, no one and nothing is like you. I did not have to provide the sacrifice for my sins. Even though my sins broke your heart, you provided that sacrifice. Please use me today as I try to give myself, my life, and my future back to you as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to you as I try to say thank you for your grace. Through Jesus, and in his name I pray. Amen.