Today's Verse - Philippians 2:5-8

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!

—Philippians 2:5-8

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"LORD, humble us gently." That is one of my friends' favorite prayer requests. I like it, too. I want to be humbled, but not humiliated. Thank God, however, Jesus was willing to be humbled, but not gently humbled. He humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!He was willing to be humiliated to save us! I hate that he went through such agony. I grieve that his self-emptying humility was stark, brutal, drastic, humiliating, and outrageous. Jesus' self-sacrificing love challenges me to have the same attitude as he had! Jesus' example challenges me to examine what I am willing to give up and endure to forgive those who have wounded me. I am humbled by Jesus' love for me, so I ask myself what I am willing to do to serve and reach others who are lost.

My Prayer...

God, you are all-powerful, and yet you emptied yourself to redeem me. May I be more selfless in my attitude and treatment of others, more like Jesus has been with me. Dear LORD, I need an infusion, a special empowering of the Holy Spirit, so I can be humble and live before others with the same self-emptying "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" as the Spirit transforms to be more like my Savior (Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Corinthians 3:18). In Christ Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - Luke 19:10

The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.

—Luke 19:10

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus' opponents said that he was "a friend of tax collectors and sinners" (Luke 7:34). Of all the things people called Jesus, I believe that was one of his favorites. Come to think of it, I believe it's my favorite, too! Jesus came to seek and save all of us who are lost because God wanted us to find salvation in Jesus (John 3:16-17). He did this when we were "powerless," "ungodly," "sinners," and "God's enemies" (Romans 5:6, 8, 10). So, let's praise God that Jesus is not only "a friend of tax collectors and sinners,", but he also came to be our friend, to save us, and to bring us back to God (Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:20),

My Prayer...

Almighty God, while I know you hate sin and the havoc it creates in our lives, I am so thankful that when you came to earth as Jesus, Immanuel, God with us, you were not our judge but our Savior. You came to make us your friends and family. I promise to live today more aware of your love for the lost because I know what it means to be found by you. Thank you! Praise you! I pray in deep appreciation for all you have done and by the power of Jesus' name. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - Hebrews 7:25

Jesus is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

—Hebrews 7:25

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus didn't just come and die for us. Jesus wasn't just raised from the dead to give us life. As incredible as those gifts are, Jesus adds another blessing to all he has done and is doing for us: he lives for us in the Father's presence, interceding for us. Jesus, as our intercessor, knows what it is like to be mortal and to face the struggles we face. So, dear friend in Jesus, until Jesus returns to take us home to our Father in heaven, know that Jesus is in the Father's presence in heaven for our good, always there to ask God for grace to help us in our times of need. Jesus is not only our Savior; he is also our defender, intercessor, friend, brother, and constant presence at the Father's side (Hebrews 2:10-11, 14-18, 4:14-16).

My Prayer...

Precious Savior, LORD Jesus, O how I love you. You sacrificed heaven for me. You gave up dignity to redeem me on the cross. You destroyed death to assure me of my life with you forever. Today, dear LORD, I am most thankful and deeply aware that with every prayer I offer and every step I take, you are in the Father's presence, for me. Thank you for your constant intercession so I can pray in the authority and grace of your name. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.