Today's Verse - Isaiah 55:6

Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.

—Isaiah 55:6

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Isaiah declares that God is always close to those who genuinely seek after him and call on him as their God. In fact, God is fully present as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in us, with us, and making his home in us when we obey him (John 14:15-17, 18, 23). The real problem is that we can drift away from him, lose interest in him, and leave his presence (Hebrews 2:1, 3:12). So let's seek God and receive his grace. Let's obey God and discover that his presence and help are with us, recognizing that he alone truly saves and makes his presence real in us and to us.

My Prayer...

Father, please help me, through your Holy Spirit, as I grow into seeking you with all my heart. Please be real to me and make your presence known to me as I seek to know you through your Scriptures, your living Word (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. I long to know you as my Abba Father and be known to you as your loving and obedient child. Bless me with your assuring presence as I learn complete trust in you as my tender but powerful Father. Father, not only be my God, but also be real to me in ways that transcend explanation and emotion. Help me to sense your nearness and to know your presence. In the name of Jesus I pray 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.

Today's Verse - Proverbs 27:1

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

—Proverbs 27:1

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Don't you have your hands full today? I know I sure do!
Don't you find yourself distracted from the urgent and important things of today when you worry about the problems of tomorrow? I know most people do!
Don't you occasionally find yourself missing an opportunity today while fantasizing about all the possibilities far down the road? Many people do!
Isn't it a waste of time to be anxious about those things over which you have no influence? Why worry so much about tomorrow, next week, and some time in the future? Let's walk with God today and trust in his faithfulness for us tomorrow. As our LORD Jesus commanded us:

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34)

My Prayer...

Holy God, please give me the strength to seize the moment and live today in a way that pleases you and blesses others. Please help my heart feel the urgency of today and act with boldness, kindness, and redeeming love instead of worrying so much about what might happen tomorrow or next week. Help me, O God, to live with the immediacy of the moment I see in your son's ministry when he walked the earth. It's in his 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 - 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.