Today's Verse - Psalm 138:8

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever — do not abandon the works of your hands.

—Psalm 138:8

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God has a purpose and plan for each of our lives, something unique he purposed for each of us as he created each of us in the womb of our mother (Psalm 139:13-16). We need to discover that purpose and live it out as our life's mission. As long as we seek the LORD's will, we can't do anything that can derail his ultimate purpose for us. If we seek Jesus, God is at work in our lives"to will and to act to fulfill his good purpose" in us (Philippians 2:12-13). He works all things out for our best good as we love him and live for his purpose for us (Romans 8:28-29). Yes, we may at times stray from the perfect path he wants us to travel, but we never get totally out of the main channel of his will as long as we do not abandon him. Remember: He will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6). He will fulfill his great purpose for each of us.

My Prayer...

O Sovereign God, please use the Holy Spirit to help me discern today what your purpose for my life is. I yearn to fulfill your plan and purpose for me. Thank you for loving me and promising to walk beside me every step of my life. I live trusting that you will never forsake me and are committed to being at work through the Spirit to transform me to become more JESUShaped in every area of my life and influence (Colossians 1:28-29; 2 Corinthians 3:18). In the name of your faithful Son, Jesus, 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 - 2 Peter 3:8-9

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends:
With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

—2 Peter 3:8-9

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Maranatha - O LORD come (1 Corinthians 16:22). This cry of the early church, especially during trials, persecutions, and difficulties, must be tempered with the reminder that there is a lost world around us. We want the LORD to come, but many of our dear friends and family are lost. Our passion for the LORD's coming must be equaled by our passion to share his grace with those who have not "come to repentance" (Acts 17:30-31). They have not changed their hearts and lives to serve the LORD based on their faith in Jesus as LORD and Savior - the one who died to bring them life. Until Jesus comes, let's commit to doing his work of bringing others to repentance and salvation in him because the LORD does not want anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance!

My Prayer...

O great and patient God, please use all of your power and grace to bring my loved ones and dear friends who are lost, to repentance so that when Jesus appears, they can share in my joy and your salvation. In the name of Jesus, the only Savior, 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 - Matthew 16:25

"For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it."

—Matthew 16:25

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The key to life is letting go of ourselves and welcoming Jesus and his will into our lives. Please don't forget to relinquish your life to the one who gave up his own life for you. You see, he took it back up again, just so that when we lose our lives to him, we can have them back forever with him. Listen to this glorious promise from the apostle Paul to the Colossians that underscores Jesus' promise:

Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, you also will appear with him in glory (Colossians 3:1-4).

Yes, let's lose our lives to Christ to receive back life forever!

My Prayer...

Holy God, I believe that Jesus is LORD, your Son, Immanuel, God with us, my Savior and King. I long for his life to be made visible in mine to your glory. So, dear Father, I willingly offer up my life to live for your glory, to follow Jesus, and to be transformed into becoming more JESUShaped (2 Corinthians 3:18). In the name of the LORD Jesus, 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.