Today's Verse - Matthew 24:35

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

—Matthew 24:35

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

What do we have that will last forever? Not much - our love for God and his children, the praise we offer him in worship, and the Word he has spoken to us through the Holy Spirit and his Son, Jesus. Let's invest ourselves - our prayers, efforts, and passions - in these eternal things, the things that last. Then, we will never be without lasting truth, blessing, hope, and future!

My Prayer...

Eternal God and loving Father, please grant me the wisdom to discern what is truly lasting and invest my life in those things. I want my life to be built on your eternal realities that will never suffer decay or end. Thank you for sending Jesus to teach me your truth - truth that will endure. I want to be obedient to his words and his life as the Spirit transforms me to become more like him (2 Corinthians 3:18). Please bless me in ways that help me devote my life to what is true and eternal. In the name of Jesus, my eternal 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 - Isaiah 12:4

Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done and proclaim that his name is exalted.

—Isaiah 12:4

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

It is wrong to think God's love for the nations began only with Jesus and his Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). God sent the reluctant Jonah to save Israel's great enemy, Nineveh, by calling them to repentance. Remember the precious story of Ruth, a foreigner, a Moabite woman, grafted into the lineage of King David and ultimately Jesus the Messiah (Ruth 1:4, 16; Matthew 1:5-6). God loves all people and wants them to come to share in his grace and find eternal life (John 3:16-17; 2 Peter 3:9). As Christians, we are his salt and light. We are here to touch all the people of the world - people of all people, languages, and nations - and beckon them to come back to the one Father who truly loves them.

My Prayer...

Holy God, please stir our hearts to share your passion and love for our lost world. May our lives, money, ministry, concern, and love be used to do more of your work throughout the world. Please, O LORD, especially bless the efforts of all those who share the Gospel of Jesus with grace in cultures different from their own. In Jesus' name, we 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 - Psalm 33:12

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.

—Psalm 33:12

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Each of us needs to ask ourselves: "Who or what is the god of our culture and nation?" Certainly, our God is the LORD, the King of Israel and Redeemer of the lost. He is the King of all nations, yet he is not always valued as God in our nations. In the hearts of all people, we are far from "one nation under God," but God is LORD of all nations. So, we can pray for revival to sweep our lands. We can repent for not placing him first in our own lives. He has promised to respond if we humble ourselves and seek him as a people, a church, and a nation (2 Chronicles 7:14). So, let's commit to humbling ourselves as we come to God in prayer, and then invite others to join us, to meet Jesus, to know our Father, to be filled with the Spirit, and to be made one with the "ruler of the Kings of the earth" (Revelation 1:5).

My Prayer...

LORD, God of the heavens and Father of all nations, we humble ourselves before you today, acknowledging our personal sins and the sins of our people. We pray that you will revive us by the power of your Word and through the sanctifying power of your Spirit. Please bring renewal and revival to our land so that you can be glorified, and so peoples that you love can come to you through Jesus and be one. In the name of Jesus, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we ask this. 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.