Today's Verse - Ephesians 4:16

From [Christ] the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

—Ephesians 4:16

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Ephesians and Colossians emphasize that no human being, or even a group of human beings, is the head of the Church. Jesus alone is the head of the Church. He sets our direction. He is our example. Christ is our goal for ministry and maturity (Colossians 1:28-29). Jesus also gifts people in his Church and arranges us in his Body as he chooses, giving us gifts he wants us to use to bless each other and honor God. Christ holds us together, enabling us to serve effectively as his presence in the world as each of us uses our gifts. So, let's set our hearts on Jesus. Let's use his life and love to inspire us. Let's look back on Jesus' earthly ministry to remind us how had whom we should serve. Let's give Jesus our allegiance and loyalty as the Christ, who alone is the head of his Body, the Church. Let's let him lead!

My Prayer...

Righteous Father, thank you for Jesus. Thank you for his example, service, obedience, love, and sacrifice. Thank you for his resurrection, exaltation, power, and presence today in your Church and in my life. Father, please use me and my brothers and sisters in Christ with me to do his work in our world and share your grace with all who are lost. In the name of the LORD 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 Timothy 4:15-16

Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

—1 Timothy 4:15-16

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"Be diligent!" That's not a phrase, a command you hear much about these days. We want things to come easily. Sweat in the world of pseudo-faith is frowned upon. But Paul wanted Timothy (and us) to know that maturity in Christ requires genuine effort — as Paul said, "give yourself wholly to them" and "persevere in them." Having a redemptive influence on others is hard work. While it is God's power that transforms, our efforts are also required if others are going to see our progress and follow our examples. God assures us that our efforts will bear fruit in our lives and lead others to salvation.

My Prayer...

Abba Father, please stir my confidence, courage, diligence, and determination so that I can share the salvation you have lavished on me can be shared with others through my teaching and my example. 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 - 1 Thessalonians 4:14

We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

—1 Thessalonians 4:14

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

As horrible as the Cross was, it wasn't the final chapter of the Jesus' story. Jesus died and then rose again. We can believe two things because of Jesus' resurrection:

1. That Jesus will return in glorious victory for those who have believed in him.
2. That we will be with those we love who have fallen asleep in Christ when Jesus comes again and brings resurrection and reunion.

These two truths allow us, dear friends in Jesus, to have confident hope for our future no matter where we find ourselves or what our present circumstances may be.

My Prayer...

Holy and Almighty Father, thank you for raising Jesus from the dead and assuring us of eternal life with you and with those we love who have already passed from this life into the presence of Jesus. We look forward to the day Jesus returns in glory with the angels of heaven, bringing us complete victory over death and reunion with Jesus and all who have believed in him. Thank you, dear Father, for the victory we have in 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.