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 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.

Today's Verse - Psalm 138:2

I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.

—Psalm 138:2

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

For Christians, God's temple is one of two related things: either the Christian's physical body (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) or the group of people who make up his Church gathered together (1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Peter 2:4-5). Because of the flaws in the people who make up our churches, many are overly critical of our bouts with hypocrisy and weakness. The problem with most churches is that they are made up of people like the one we see in the mirror each day. Despite our flaws and failures as God's people, his Church is precious to him. We should also value the Church, the temple of God, as precious. Anyone who destroys the LORD's Church, the LORD's temple, through division will be utterly destroyed (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). God has demonstrated his faithfulness to his people by preserving the Church through the ravages and persecutions of history, and by sustaining it through the failures of some of its most significant leaders. He has done this by his patience with the flawed people in his Church. God is still the center of the Church, the place where he chooses to dwell. So, dear friend in Jesus, we must value the Church, our congregations, the people that we share faith with, as we obey the word and will of God, and as we praise God and exalt him for his love, grace, and faithfulness.

My Prayer...

Holy and incomparable God, I praise you for your steadfast love and faithfulness revealed in your preservation of your Church through all the years and centuries of history. I will cherish your Church and do all I can to help it grow and mature into the bodily presence of Jesus. Through 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 - Psalm 18:30

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.

—Psalm 18:30

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God is a shield whose Word can be trusted, and his way for us is perfect. His way is not only flawless but also life-giving. However, we must choose to take refuge in him so his flawless word and his perfect way can bless us, as his presence is our shield of protection. Our allegiance, reliance, and dependence must be voluntarily placed in him, and our lives must be committed to living by his flawless word.

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.

My Prayer...

God of our Fathers - Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - we trust our souls and our futures to you. You are our strength and shield. Please protect and guard us, our families, and your church from the evil one. Please defeat his wicked plans for us. Please bless us with physical safety, spiritual vibrance, and moral uprightness as we serve you and seek to honor your flawless word by obeying you. In Jesus' name, 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.