Today's Verse - 1 Peter 1:3

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

—1 Peter 1:3

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The great truth about Jesus' empty tomb is not just that he is risen, but that he is living! His victory over death wasn't short-lived; it was ultimate. He now lives to intercede for us until he returns and brings us to his home with the Father (Hebrews 7:25). Our life is hidden with him. No one and nothing can take it from us. When Jesus comes again, we will share in his never-ending glory (Colossians 3:1-4) as we are transformed to be like him and see him as he truly is (1 John 3:2-3). How can we not praise God for such grace and living hope!

My Prayer...

Almighty God, we praise you from the bottom of our hearts! Your incredible and glorious grace has brought us eternal victory out of mortal anguish. Thank you for paying the price to make this true. You are marvelous beyond what our words can express. You are worthy of more praise than all your children's voices joined together can bring you. Our hope will live forever because Jesus is risen and reigning as LORD forever. To you, O God, belong all honor, glory, and majesty forever, and ever, in the name of Jesus your Son and our 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.

Today's Verse - Proverbs 29:25

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.

—Proverbs 29:25

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Fear is a paralyzing emotion. It robs us of vitality, decision-making ability, hope, and strength. Courage helps us step out of fear's paralysis and turn its nervous edge into motivation and power. But this kind of courage comes to us fully only when we know that all the evil one and his allies can really have of us are our bodies. The evil one and his allies can take our physical life; but if they do, they send us to be with Jesus (Philippians 1:20-21, 23-24). They cannot take our mind, our attitude, our faith, and, most of all, our relationship with God, given to us through Jesus and secured by the promise of the Holy Spirit's presence. Let's put our trust in the LORD because the fear of man will prove to be a snare. But when we trust in the LORD, our future is kept safe with him, "hidden with Christ in God" until we share in Jesus' glory (Colossians 3:3-4). Amen! Hallelujah!!

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

O God, my Savior, my great Redeemer, and LORD, I thank you for triumphing through Jesus over all that I fear and all that could enslave me. Jesus, you are my hero whom I can trust and my source of hope, enabling me to live victoriously. In your name, my Conquering King, Jesus, the victorious Rider on the white horse,* I thank and praise you, O God. Amen.

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* Revelation 19:11-16.
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 5:11-12

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

—Matthew 5:11-12

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

For many of us, the sentiments of this verse feel foreign and upside down to the world we know. However, those who have studied the persecution of Jesus' followers over the centuries remind us that current believers in Christ, especially in some Middle Eastern, Asian and African countries, are enduring perhaps the greatest amount of persecution in the history of Christianity. Many of us live in places where belief is tolerated. Christians are just considered a bit out of touch with reality and a bit naive, yet tolerated. However, with worldliness creeping into God's people from every direction, maybe we should be thankful that Christian living makes us different enough from our cultures to be noticed, even if that notice is a bit unfavorable. At the same time, we need to pray for other believers throughout the world who are undergoing grievous trials, struggles for their faith, suffering, abuse, and martyrdom - these are all happening in many places in our world today. Jesus, however, wants all those who suffer for his sake and the sake of the gospel to know they are noticed, loved, and will be blessed by God when he makes all things right!

My Prayer...

Great Deliverer, many who have faith in Jesus today face daily persecution, abuse, hardship, trials, and even martyrdom. We pray that they do not lose heart and give up their confident faith. We pray that you will bring deliverance from their times of persecution. We pray that their sufferings will be a powerful witness, so others will come to see the great value of Jesus. We pray this in Jesus' precious and holy name. 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.