Today's Verse - John 17:15

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

—John 17:15

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus, in showing his love and care for his disciples in prayer right before his Passion, is our great example of how we can and must pray for God's spiritual protection over those we love. The LORD Jesus knew what would happen to him, yet chose to pray for them rather than focusing on himself. Praying for them was that important to the LORD! His disciples could not leave the world and still serve the world and reach the lost with God's grace. So, Jesus prayed protection over them and for them. Jesus' example is our command to pray for God to protect his disciples from the evil one (Matthew 6:13). The apostle Paul reminds us:

The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

We need to pray following the LORD's example!

My Prayer...

Loving and Tender Shepherd, the great Guardian of the Flock, please physically and spiritually protect your people from evil and the evil one. We trust in your faithfulness to strengthen and protect them. In the name of Jesus and following his example, we offer ourselves and our prayers 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 17:4

I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.

—John 17:4

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

One of the most amazing things that Jesus ever said, he said to his Father in heaven: "I have completed the work you gave me to do..." In fact, when Jesus breathed his last, he said; "It is finished." (Or, it is completed, or it is paid. John 19:30). Jesus finished the work God had sent the Son to accomplish in his life and on the cross by obeying the Father, glorifying the Father, and paying the debt of sin for all humankind. John quotes Jesus as using a form of the same word in John 17:4 and John 4:34. Even though Jesus' time on earth was relatively short, he lived with the glory of God as his highest priority and lived to complete the work the Father had given him to accomplish. We can also live with the glory of God as our highest priority and live to complete the work the Father has given us to do! This is our purpose as God's children (Ephesians 1:6, 1:12, 1:14; 1 Peter 2:9-10). The more we live by Kingdom priorities (Matthews 6:33), the more we can rest assured that we can finish our work and know we have honored the Father with our lives! Let's be like our Savior and complete the work the Father has given us to do.

My Prayer...

Please be glorified in me, dear LORD, as I seek to glorify you! Use me to bring others to know you and your grace. And please, dear LORD, empower me to complete the work you sent me to do in this world. In Jesus' name and to live for your glory, 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 - Matthew 7:13-14

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

—Matthew 7:13-14

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"Majority rules!" That's the edict of democracy. This has been a blessed political philosophy for so many people over the course of history. However, "majority rule" doesn't apply to the Kingdom of God or the will of God. God sets the standards, not us. God's holiness is the goal, not just trying to be better than someone else. Regretably, most will never find the way of the LORD by following the majority's morality; this is the wide way that leads to destruction. One crucial problem with wanting things our way, the majority way: it leads away from God and to ultimate disaster. God, the Creator and Sustainer of all life, is the only one who can set life's agenda and can guide us on the path of true and eternal life. Let's ask for his help and guidance on our way in our confusing and lost world!

My Prayer...

Father, have your way with my heart, thoughts, words, time, job, family, and life. I want to live in a way that pleases you and join you on the way of righteousness, even though most will not choose to walk that way. In Jesus' name, I pray for your help, guidance, and wisdom to walk in your way of life. 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.