Today's Verse - 1 John 5:4

For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

—1 John 5:4

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Our verse today is the companion passage to 1 John 2:17:

The world and its desires are passing away, but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

Our destinies and futures are not limited to the boundaries of our temporary existence as mortal passengers on our "tiny blue planet" in the vast enormity of the universe. Our future and our hope burst the boundaries of mortality and are tied to our faith in our resurrected and victorious Savior, who is coming back to bring us to his eternal home. This faith is displayed by doing God's will even when most people in our contemporary culture choose to chase what is fleeting and transient. Why? Because we await a better world, a new heaven and earth where life is free of earthbound limitations and human frailties and sin (Philippians 3:20-21; Hebrews 11:14-16; 2 Peter 3:13). Yet we still yearn for that future world to burst forth in our mortal world and change people to await the Savior with us. We seek to partner with God in doing just that!

My Prayer...

Thank you, dear Father, for the assurance of victory, immortality, reunion, and joy. O, Holy Spirit, please help me hold onto this hope as I await the glorious return of my conquering Savior, Jesus Christ, my LORD, in whose 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 - Romans 8:31-32

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

—Romans 8:31-32

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We know God paid a high price to redeem and forgive us in Jesus when we were unworthy of such grace (Romans 5:6-11). If the Father has gone to such great lengths to purchase our pardon, what will he refuse us that is good, right, and holy? Nothing! So if God answers our prayers, "No!" then it is for the good and eternal well-being of those for whom we've prayed. God intends to comfort and liberate, not wound and enslave. He desires to redeem and bless, not deny or limit his grace. His commitment is to work all things out for our ultimate good as he is transforming us to be more like his beloved Son (Romans 8:28-29). If God offered us Jesus, what will he withold?

My Prayer...

Dear Father, I confess that I am sometimes impatient and disappointed when my prayers do not seem to get the immediate response I desire. Please calm and quiet my doubting heart. Please remind my spirit of your rich grace. Bring your comfort and assurance through the ministry of your Holy Spirit to my often vacillating human spirit. I believe that you want to bring me your blessing and grace. Although I may not always understand the bad things that happen in my life or why you delay in fixing them or liberating me from them, I trust that you are at work to make them all work for my good and your glory. In Jesus' name, I wait and pray as I trust in 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 - Isaiah 61:1-2a

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn...

—Isaiah 61:1-2a

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus read this passage at a synagogue in Nazareth to define his ministry (Luke 4:14-19). He came to preach good news for the poor, to bind up the broken, to announce freedom for those who were captives, to bring deliverance from the powers of darkness to the prisoners of addiction and evil, to proclaim grace because of God's favor, and to offer comfort to those grieving. Jesus also made clear God had a sharp edge to his justice, settling the score with those who were exploiters and abusers of the powerless. Since Jesus has sent us into the world as the Father sent our Savior (John 20:21-23), shouldn't our mission be to do something similar to what our LORD did?

My Prayer...

Through the power and wisdom of your Holy Spirit, who longs to work powerfully in and through us, please open my eyes, dear LORD. Help us see those you put in our paths with whom you want us to share your grace, deliverance, and comfort. Use us to speak up for those who are exploited, mistreated, and abused. In Jesus' name, we ask for your power and strength to bring redemption and hope to the lost around us. 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.