Today's Verse - James 1:21

Get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

—James 1:21

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Isn't it true! When we find ourselves caught in the clutches of the moral filth of our culture, we can find the Word of God boring and irrelevant. Yet even in those moments when the evil one uses sin to harden our hearts, God's Spirit calls us to change at a level deeper than just the mere understanding of the words of Scripture. James, the brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55; John 7:2-5), reminds us we've got stuff we must get rid of, even though it is all around us in our culture. We need to go back to the seed of faith, the good news of Jesus, that was planted in us. Through the Spirit, this seed calls us back to righteous living, and this repentance can save us! Thank God for his Spirit, who uses the Word that he inspired like a surgeon's scalpel, and does the needed surgery on our hearts (Hebrews 4:12-13).

My Prayer...

Holy God, with the help of your Holy Spirit, today I willingly and decisively give up the immoral habits in my life. I recognize that these not only offend your holiness and grace, but they also harden me to your will, pull me away from your character, and blunt my witness to others. Please forgive me, please sustain me, as I seek to live a life wholly pleasing to you, empowered by the Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, I promise and pray to get rid of the moral filth that is so prevalent around me, and to humbly accept the message you have given me, and that calls me home to 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 - John 15:10

"If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love."

—John 15:10

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Love is much more than just a feeling. Love is action. Jesus told us as disciples, believers who seek to genuinely follow our LORD and Savior, that the action that most shows our love for Jesus is for us to be obedient to his words, his will, and his example, and to love each other. The foolish person is not just the one who disbelieves in God (Psalm 53:1), but also the one who knows Jesus' words and maybe even claims to believe in Jesus, but doesn't obey them (Matthew 7:21-23, 26-27). Let's choose to be different, to be true disciples, to live our lives by abiding in the love of Jesus and by obeying what our Lord says, motivated by our love for him and for others (Matthew 22:36-40).

My Prayer...

Father, thank you for showing your love by sending Jesus, who faithfully lived out your will. Thank you, LORD Jesus, for showing us how to love our Father by obeying his will and honoring his words. Thank you, also, LORD Jesus, for your teaching and living as an example for us to follow so we can know how to honor God. I choose to live in conscious obedience to the Father's will - just as you did, LORD Jesus - and I seek to follow your example and obey your teachings. Please receive my thoughts, words, and actions as my offering of loving praise to you. I pledge this obedience under the authority and in covenant with my Savior, Jesus of Nazareth, my LORD and Messiah. 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 2:9-11

God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every other name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father.

—Philippians 2:9-11

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

When Jesus is exalted, when his name is praised, and his glory confessed, God - as Father, Son, and Spirit - is honored and blessed. All will honor Jesus this way at the end of time, whether they want to or not! But when we praise Jesus now, we share in praise with the host of heaven and speak the truth. Praise be the glorious name of Jesus of Nazareth, our great Messiah, the Christ, Savior, Son of God, and coming conquering King! We join the angels and beings in heaven and proclaim Jesus LORD for who he is and what he has done to save us and what he means to us. We await his coming in glory with great anticipation!

My Prayer...

Precious Savior, Jesus Christ my LORD, your name is wonderful! Your sacrifice for my sin was loving and generous. I am so thankful that our Father raised you from the dead and that through you, I will be able to be with God and worship you for all of eternity! You are glorious, Jesus my LORD! In your marvelous name, I bring this praise to God. 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.