Today's Verse - Matthew 6:1

[Jesus continued his Sermon on the Mount,] "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."

—Matthew 6:1

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Compassion is not for personal glory, just as it is not a private internal emotion devoid of compassionate action. Christian compassion must always motivate us to act in the best interest and for the greater eternal good of those in need without calling attention to ourselves or our sacrifices. God provides what we need to bless others and takes care of the reward when our goal is to please him and when we long to be used by him to bless others in need.

My Prayer...

Loving God and tender Shepherd, use me to bless someone in need each day. Please open my eyes to see and my ears to see those around me who need emotional support or financial help. Please give me the courage to bless them and lead them closer to you as I seek to serve as my Savior did. In Jesus' name, 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 - Luke 5:31-32

[When accused of being a friend of sinners,] Jesus answered [his critics], "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

—Luke 5:31-32

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus' religious adversaries frequently criticized him for deliberately associating with people who were suspect in their eyes. Jesus, however, had a reason for this behavior. He wasn't associating with sinners to be popular, weird, bizarre, or hip. The LORD associated with all kinds of people because he loved all types of people! He came to redeem the enslaved, find the lost, mend the broken, and reclaim the sinner. So, Jesus associated with all sorts of people! As Jesus' bodily presence today in the church, can we strive for anything less than following Jesus' example of seeking to save all people?

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Forgive me, Father, when I choose security in my acquaintances and avoid potentially messy entanglements in my relationships. Change my heart to be different in those ways and be open toward those around me. Please open my eyes to see the lost, the lonely, the forgotten, and the needy. Use me to lead them to your grace and to help them find their family with your people as they turn their lives around to honor you. In Jesus' name, 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 - Acts 5:30

[Peter continued the apostles' defense for proclaiming Jesus as Messiah and Lord:] "The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead — whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree."

—Acts 5:30

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Peter is making clear that his faith in Jesus didn't just begin with Jesus. It began with God's promise to the Patriarchs, the great Jewish fathers. The God who blessed them also raised Jesus from the dead! These Jewish opponents threatening the early believers had made sure that Jesus had been executed in the most heinous and degrading way possible for a faithful Jew — he was nailed to a cross, hung on a pole in front of a jeering mob, something that was both illegal and a sign of being cursed under Jewish Law (Deuteronomy 21:23; Galatians 3:13). But God raised Jesus from the dead and exalted him and made him our Savior and our LORD (Acts 5:31). Praise God! No wonder Peter was bold in his defense.

My Prayer...

Thank you, Father, for showing your power over evil, sin, hate, jealousy, scandals, curses, and death. In the name of Jesus, my LORD and Savior, I offer my praise and thanksgiving as I commit to boldly proclaiming Jesus as my resurrected Lord and Savior. 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.