Today's Verse - Ephesians 2:4-5

Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved.

—Ephesians 2:4-5

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God is rich in mercy and generous with grace! Isn't that wonderful for us? I don't know about you, but I sure know I have failures, shortcomings, sins, and transgressions. Without God’s mercy, I would be lost in my sins (Romans 3:23-25). Without his grace, I would be cut off from the life God longs for me to have (Romans 5:6-11).
God is rich in mercy and generous with grace! He acted on our behalf when he sent Jesus to show us his love (1 John 4:9-10). Now, because of his rich mercy and generous grace, we are dead to that old sinful self, and our lives are now tied to Jesus' glorious future (Colossians 2:12, 3:1-4). "God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ"!

My Prayer...

Father of all grace and mercy, thank you. Thank you for being who you are - the Father of mercy and the God of all grace (1 Peter 3:13, 5:10)! Thank you for extending your grace when we did not deserve it. Thank you for giving mercy when we most needed it. Thank you for blessing us with life when we thought our lives were doomed and hopeless. May we be rich in mercy. May we be people of grace. We desire to be wealthy in these ways, like you, more than being rich in earthly riches that are destined to perish (Matthew 6:19-20). Help us, O LORD, to be more like you, to be rich in mercy. In the name of 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 - 1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

—1 John 4:18

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

What is there to fear since nothing can separate us from the love God has for us in Christ Jesus? (Romans 8:38-39)
What is there to fear since God has poured his Spirit into our hearts to transform, strengthen, and make us holy? (2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 6:11)
What is there to fear since God sent his Son to die to redeem us and present us to God as holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation"? (Colossians 1:21-22)
As the apostle Paul declared:

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32)

We are God's children. He loves us. His love for us is far better, richer, and deeper than our meager love for others. Rather than run from God in fear, we gladly bow before him in thanks, knowing that our Father who hears our prayers is also the one who loves us and yearns to calm our fears. And because of him, we have no fear in his love.

My Prayer...

Loving Father, thank you that I can come to you as your beloved child without fear. I can come with tenderness and reverence, with neediness and confidence, with brokenness and awe. You are holy, majestic, and awe-inspiring, yet I do not have to be terrified to come to you with my inadequacies. May your love for me produce a closer likeness to your holiness, righteousness, justice, and mercy in me than any fear could ever cause. I pray in the mighty name of Jesus, who ransomed me from sin and poured out his love upon me. 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 - Romans 13:9-10

The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

—Romans 13:9-10

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Wouldn't it be great if we didn't have to have laws to keep people in line! That's the point behind Paul's message here. Treat our neighbors as we would like to be treated. Love them as we want to be loved. If we do that, then we're not going to do anything that would hurt them, much less violate a command of God's law that would hurt them.

My Prayer...

Loving Father, you are God who gave Moses the Law on tablets of stone. Please write your character and will on my heart (Proverbs 3:3; Jeremiah 31:33) that I might be a living testimony of your righteousness and grace toward all people. Help me to think more carefully about how my neighbors feel and what they need before I act or react to them - not just today, but every day! In the name of your Son, Jesus. 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.