Today's Verse - Psalm 18:30

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.

—Psalm 18:30

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God is a shield whose Word can be trusted, and his way for us is perfect. His way is not only flawless but also life-giving. However, we must choose to take refuge in him so his flawless word and his perfect way can bless us, as his presence is our shield of protection. Our allegiance, reliance, and dependence must be voluntarily placed in him, and our lives must be committed to living by his flawless word.

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.

My Prayer...

God of our Fathers - Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - we trust our souls and our futures to you. You are our strength and shield. Please protect and guard us, our families, and your church from the evil one. Please defeat his wicked plans for us. Please bless us with physical safety, spiritual vibrance, and moral uprightness as we serve you and seek to honor your flawless word by obeying you. 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 - 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.