Today's Verse - John 15:10

"If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love."

—John 15:10

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Love is much more than just a feeling. Love is action. Jesus told us as disciples, believers who seek to genuinely follow our LORD and Savior, that the action that most shows our love for Jesus is for us to be obedient to his words, his will, and his example, and to love each other. The foolish person is not just the one who disbelieves in God (Psalm 53:1), but also the one who knows Jesus' words and maybe even claims to believe in Jesus, but doesn't obey them (Matthew 7:21-23, 26-27). Let's choose to be different, to be true disciples, to live our lives by abiding in the love of Jesus and by obeying what our Lord says, motivated by our love for him and for others (Matthew 22:36-40).

My Prayer...

Father, thank you for showing your love by sending Jesus, who faithfully lived out your will. Thank you, LORD Jesus, for showing us how to love our Father by obeying his will and honoring his words. Thank you, also, LORD Jesus, for your teaching and living as an example for us to follow so we can know how to honor God. I choose to live in conscious obedience to the Father's will - just as you did, LORD Jesus - and I seek to follow your example and obey your teachings. Please receive my thoughts, words, and actions as my offering of loving praise to you. I pledge this obedience under the authority and in covenant with my Savior, Jesus of Nazareth, my LORD and Messiah. 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 - Philippians 2:9-11

God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every other name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father.

—Philippians 2:9-11

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

When Jesus is exalted, when his name is praised, and his glory confessed, God - as Father, Son, and Spirit - is honored and blessed. All will honor Jesus this way at the end of time, whether they want to or not! But when we praise Jesus now, we share in praise with the host of heaven and speak the truth. Praise be the glorious name of Jesus of Nazareth, our great Messiah, the Christ, Savior, Son of God, and coming conquering King! We join the angels and beings in heaven and proclaim Jesus LORD for who he is and what he has done to save us and what he means to us. We await his coming in glory with great anticipation!

My Prayer...

Precious Savior, Jesus Christ my LORD, your name is wonderful! Your sacrifice for my sin was loving and generous. I am so thankful that our Father raised you from the dead and that through you, I will be able to be with God and worship you for all of eternity! You are glorious, Jesus my LORD! In your marvelous name, I bring this praise to God. 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 - Matthew 4:4

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "

—Matthew 4:4

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Like Esau, we get so diverted, distracted, and disturbed by the mundane things of life - things like growling bellies and petty jealousies. The evil one uses these to lead us to forget the longer-range view of things and the important promises of God's Scriptures. God's incarnate Word (Jesus), his written Word (the Scriptures), and his proclaimed Word in the Gospel are what can sustain us eternally. These are the nourishing sustenance of God's living bread we seek, the true daily bread we need God to supply (Matthew 6:11).

My Prayer...

True and Faithful God, please create in me a hunger for your true and enduring Word, your living Bread. Please help me recognize that your Bread is much more necessary for my life than any physical food. I confess that at times I have been distracted by mundane things in my life and have not sought your Word, your Living Bread, to nourish my soul. Please forgive me as I recommit myself to be more attentive to your leading and your truth in your Word, as I am led by your Spirit. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray and make this commitment. 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.