Today's Verse - Psalm 103:5

[Bless the LORD] who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

—Psalm 103:5

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Our heavenly Father is the God of new things, the God of renewal and blessing (Isaiah 43:18-21). His desire is to renew and bless us. He wants to not only bless us once with our salvation, but God desires to bless us daily. His steadfast love is new every morning as he faithfully pours out his blessings (Lamentations 3:22-23). But more than just giving us what we want, he satisfies us with good things. He brings us what we need and what truly satisfies our deepest desires with his godly good things!

My Prayer...

Abba Father, Almighty God, I praise you for your power, majesty, glory, faithfulness, mercy, wisdom, and grace. Thank you for blessing me with your salvation, the gift of your Holy Spirit, the blessings of your church family, the promise of a home with you, and the daily assurance of your renewing presence. You have repeatedly blessed me with good things, godly things, and renewed me with your grace. In Jesus' name, I thank and praise you with all of my heart. 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 - Romans 6:3-4

Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

—Romans 6:3-4

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Baptism is far more than getting wet or checking off another thing on our obedience to-do list. What saves us is God's grace working through our faith that Jesus died, was buried, and was raised on the third day for us (1 Corinthians 15:1-5). God gave us the incredible grace (Romans 6:1,14,15) of being able to share in Jesus' saving work through faith and experience it in baptism (Galatians 3:26-27). We die to the old way of life and bury it in the past. Those past — now dead — deeds no longer hold us. Our death to the past with Jesus is what matters most. Raised to a new life, our life is now joined to Christ, and his future becomes our own future (Colossians 3:1-4). The life we now live is to glorify God, and our destination is to live with him forever. That means the Gospel is not just something preached; it is something we experience by grace because of our faith in what Jesus has done for us!

My Prayer...

Thank you, Father, for raising me from death to your new life for me in Jesus. Thank you for your grace in sending Jesus. Thank you for making Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection something I not only believe but have experienced. May my life reflect your powerful grace given to me in the saving events of Christ's Passion. In 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 - Proverbs 16:3

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

—Proverbs 16:3

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The real question behind this promise is very simple: How do I define success for my plans? The answer is very simple as well: bringing glory to God for his grace (Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14). Committing our works and plans to God means surrendering them to God's will (James 4:15), trusting that Jesus will be glorified in them (Colossians 3:17), and recognizing that it is not in our power to properly guide our steps (Proverbs 16:9). God longs to bless us and empower us — not for our selfish ambition (James 3:16, 4:3), but for our eternal good and God's glory (Romans 8:28-29). Like Jesus, when we commit our plans and works to the LORD, we are saying, "Not my will, Father, but yours be done!" When we do that and seek his glory, we will find true success!

My Prayer...

Father, I want your will to shape all of my plans. I want your glory to be my goal and the result of my plans. I have things that I want to do. However, if these plans are not for your glory, if these plans are not a blessing to my family or those over whom I have influence, then please defeat me in those plans and please guide me into other areas of blessing. I want you to be glorified in what I do. I want to go where your grace leads. I commit my ways, my plans, and my works to you and your glory, and trust that you will bring the proper success. In 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.