Today's Verse - Jeremiah 32:17

Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.

—Jeremiah 32:17

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

In the immense expanse of our universe with its billions upon billions of stars, we recognize that Earth is just a tiny blue planet in the great expanse of all that is. We are little more than a speck of sand on an inestimable seashore we call the universe. Yet God, the Creator, has chosen to know each of us personally and created each of us for a specific purpose (Psalm 139:13-16). Such a lovingly knowledgeable Creator may seem too wonderful to be true; it may feel impossible, yet he is that and more! God has shown his love for us in Jesus. Jesus is God's reminder that he not only knows us as our Creator, but also knows us as we are in human flesh - existentially, empathetically - because he came to us in human flesh as Jesus (John 1:14-18). The Sovereign LORD loves us, and his great power and outstretched arm are working for our eternal good (Romans 8:28).

My Prayer...

Great God of creation, thank you for caring for me even though I am such a small part of your great work in our vast universe. Your love is beyond my comprehension, yet it thrills me to know that you know me and are working to bring me home to you so I can see you face-to-face, know you intimately, and see you as you truly are (1 John 3:1-3). In Jesus' name, I praise you. 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 - Philippians 1:6

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

—Philippians 1:6

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God finished his work of creating our world in six days. The LORD continues to sustain it with his powerful word (Hebrews 1:3). He is still working on us, in us, and through us. He will continue to work his will in us till we fully share in his glory (Philippians 2:12-13) and Christ comes to take us home to be with him forever (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18). And this promise isn't just for us personally, but for us as part of Jesus' people, his church, his bodily presence in the world. As Paul says to the Philippian believers:

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose (Philippians 2:12-13).

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Thank you, Father, for being at work in my life and in the lives of my brothers and sisters. We confess that at times we neglect our faith, and you seem distant and unreachable to us. However, looking back over the crucial moments of our lives, we can see your fingerprints on us and your grace leading us to where we are today. Dear Father, please make your presence even more powerfully known in our lives as we seek your will and commit to live to your glory. In the name of Jesus, our LORD and Savior, we 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 - Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

—Ephesians 3:20-21

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Of all the names for God in the Bible, my favorite is "Him Who-is-Able"! Our God can "do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine"! Our God is the same God who parted the Red Sea and fed 5,000 people on a green hillside with only a couple of sardine sandwiches. Our LORD not only longs to do more through you and me and the Spirit at work within us, but Jesus also gave us this incredible promise as those who believe:

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son (John 14:12-13).

Unfortunately, most of us haven't really given Jesus much of a challenge with our wimpy dreams and shallow prayers. Let's dream big dreams for God. Let's have great ideas of what he can do through us to reach the lost world. Then hang on for the ride that is more than we can even imagine!

My Prayer...

Almighty and Awesome God, we pray the prayer of Habakkuk, your prophet:

LORD, [we] have heard of your fame; [we] stand in awe of your deeds, LORD. Repeat them in our day, in our time, make them known... (Habakkuk 3:2).

Please, O LORD, give us faith to imagine and ask for greater things to be done for your glory. Amaze us with your works, which show how shortsighted our faith has really been. We ask this for your glory and the salvation of our world. In Jesus' name, we ask 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.