Today's Verse - 1 Peter 2:24

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

—1 Peter 2:24

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus bore our sins. He didn't just carry them to the cross; he also suffered the penalty we deserved for those sins. His anguish was our healing. His suffering was our righteousness. How can we ever think of going back to sin after he suffered so much to bear its penalty? So, let's begin each day declaring, "Today, O God, with the help of the Holy Spirit, I die to my sins and live for righteousness! Please help me live up to my commitment by the transforming power of the Spirit to make me more like Jesus, more JESUShaped each day" (2 Corinthians 3:18; Colossians 1:28-29).

My Prayer...

Holy God, how you could stand to see your precious Son under the weight of my sin, along with all the sin of human history, I will never understand. Thank you for such great love and for being such a gracious God. None, not in heaven, not on earth, not in the spiritual realms, is comparable to you, O God. Your greatness is beyond imagining, and your love beyond my dreams. I choose, and commit, to live today to your glory because of Jesus, who bore my sin so I could be your righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21; Colossians 1:21). In the precious name of your Son, 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 - Romans 5:6-8

At just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

—Romans 5:6-8

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus did not die for us because he had some high hopes for who we are. He certainly didn't die for us because of what we had done in the past that merited his sacrifice. No, he died for us because he knew exactly who we are and where we would be without him. Praise be to God; we are now God's righteousness because Jesus took our sin upon himself and gave us God's grace and righteousness in place of our sin (2 Corinthians 5:17-21).

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

He now chooses to call us his friends and his family (John 15:15; Hebrews 2:10-14).

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Holy God, thank you for Jesus, my Savior. No words are adequate to express my love and devotion to you for such an incredible and gracious gift! Through him, I give and live all my thanks to you. 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 1:3

The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

—Hebrews 1:3

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus was Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23). He was no imitation, no knock off, and no clone; he was God with us, God in human flesh (John 1:1-3, 14-18). To this day, he sustains all creation with his word - so much for "Mother Nature," it is brother Jesus, who sustains all things by his powerful word. And now, God-with-us has paid for our sins and is not just God-with-us, but he is also God-for-us, and is constantly at the Father's side to help us.

My Prayer...

Precious LORD, as you have so many times in the past, please take these humble human words and bring them to the Father as my friend and brother.* Thank you for your sacrifice for my sins. Thank you for your sustaining presence in our universe. Thank you for your daily intercession for me and my needs, and my brothers and sisters' needs. Thank you for being God-for-me at the Father's side. To the glorious, majestic, and holy God, who sent you, our Savior Jesus, be glory, honor, and adoration forever and ever. Amen.

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* John 15:15, 21:5; Hebrews 2:10-14.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.