Today's Verse - Hebrews 13:2

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

—Hebrews 13:2

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

What do you do to welcome new neighbors into your neighborhood or apartment complex?
How warmly do you personally welcome visitors at your church gatherings or in your Bible study group?
When was the last time you invited someone new from your congregation over for dinner or included them in a gathering of your Christian friends?
While some have the gift of hospitality, all of us need to be warm and open to folks we don't know who have joined us for Christian worship, ministry, fellowship, or moved into our neighborhood and need new friends. Why not make a commitment to meet and welcome one new person each week? In a cold, impersonal world, we can make a huge difference in the lives of those seeking the shelter and grace of Jesus and his people. Our worship without hospitality is not authentic worship (Hebrews 12:28-29, 13:15-16).

My Prayer...

Father, please help me, and please help the fellowship of believers with whom I share my life so that we will all be more open and welcoming to others in our congregation and our daily lives. Help us love, include, and bless new people, those visiting, and those inquiring about Jesus and faith. Please use us to share your grace and provide them a Christian home and friendship. In Jesus' name and for others to know his grace, 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 - John 17:24

Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

—John 17:24

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Wow, what an unbelievable collection of high-powered phrases of truth, promise, and prayer! We are a gift from the Father to Jesus. Jesus wants us to be with him in the glorious presence of God forever. Jesus wants us to see his glory and experience that glory. The Father has loved Jesus from before there was time, before the creation of the world. Think about these things. Ask God to show you how powerfully they reveal our importance to him as Jesus' disciples. Dream of the day you will see him as he is in all of his glory, and he transforms us to become like him (1 John 3:1-3; Colossians 3:1-4). Now, let's go live in our world based on the view God has of us.

My Prayer...

Almighty God and Abba Father, O, forgive me for my often mundane and earthbound view that I have of myself and your other children. Stir me through your Spirit to have a deeper appreciation of all of Jesus' disciples and how much each one means to you. Please empower me to be more patient, tolerant, forgiving, and respectful of my Christian brothers and sisters' imperfections, because you accept them just as you accept me with my imperfections. I acknowledge those imperfections and long for the day when we are united in perfection before your holy throne of grace as we praise you and bring you glory. 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 - John 17:23

I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

—John 17:23

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

How will the world come to know that God sent his Son? Through our unity and love for each other!
How will the world know that God truly loves us as his children? When we live together in unity!
What is that unity? That's harder to define. The basis of unity is a life of character so consistent with the will of God that he can be seen living in us! Yet for this kind of unity to be seen in the world, it has to be visible in the way we work with each other in the cause of the Gospel, the way we handle our differences, the way as a group that we consistently treat people of the world, and the way we come together in areas that clearly matter to God. Let's pray and strive to make this unity a reality among us by all coming closer to Jesus, till his life comes to life in us!

My Prayer...

Father, please help us, your children, come together in ways that honor you, reveal your character, and lead others to call on Jesus as LORD. So, as we draw near to you, draw us closer together in loving unity. In the name of Jesus Christ, we 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.