Today's Verse - Psalm 18:1-2

I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

—Psalm 18:1-2

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We sing it, and we say it in our public prayers: "Father, God, we love you." But notice the beginning phrase of our verse very carefully. "I love you, O LORD..." Even in public, community worship, we are taught the importance of a personal expression of love to God. When is the last time you told the Creator of the universe, "I love you! I love you, O Lord my strength."

My Prayer...

Father in heaven, I love you. I love you because you are more than worthy of my love. I love you because you have first loved me. I love you because you sent your son to be my big brother and friend,* who paid the price for my adoption into your family. I love you because of your faithfulness. I love you because you have permitted me in your grace to love you. In the name of Jesus, my brother and friend, I love you and thank you, and cannot wait to see you face-to-face and tell you, with all of my heart, "I love 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 - Psalm 59:16

I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

—Psalm 59:16

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

So many things in our lives can be stolen away by natural disasters, aging, greedy people, addictive appetites, our own laziness, many distractions, and untimely death. These subtle temptations lead me to believe the evil one could be appropriately called "The Thief of Always."* God, however, is immovable, and what he offers us is unstealable! We can invest ourselves in him and know our futures are secure in his care. God is our fortress and our refuge. We can run to our Father in heaven, find his grace and protection from the evil one, and build our lives on his solid promises and find that our future is secure with Jesus (Colossians 3:1-4).

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* This name is borrowed from Clive Barker's dark fantasy tale of that same title, a classic tale of temptation, consequences, and the battle for one's soul.

My Prayer...

O Great Rock of my salvation, thank you for being unchangeable and faithful. Thank you for being the source of my security, the assurance of a future in days of chaos and change. Thank you for being God. You are my God, and in you I place my life, my hopes, my dreams, my value, and my future. So, dear Father, I conclude with the prayer of your servant David as my heart's desire:

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14).

In the name of Jesus. 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 - 1 Corinthians 2:9

As it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived — what God has prepared for those who love him..."

—1 Corinthians 2:9

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Many of the things we anticipate and dream for the future are much less glorious in real life than they were in our imaginations and dreams. There is one event, however, that is better than we can imagine and beyond our wildest dreams. When Jesus returns to take us home to be with our Father, it will be far better than we can ask, imagine, dream, or think. Maranatha - Come O LORD Jesus (1 Corinthians 16:22). However, God has not left us alone with our thoughts about what is to come. Paul first quotes the great prophet Isaiah: As it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived - what God has prepared for those who love him..." (Isaiah 64:4). Then, he finishes his thought with this great promise: but "these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit." (Isaiah 64:5). While we can't imagine our future with God, the Holy Spirit has given us inspired glimpses through his inspired Scripture! Yeah, we can't imagine it, but the Spirit has helped reveal it to us through his inspired Scriptures, and in that we rejoice!

My Prayer...

Abba Father, thank you for knowing me before time began. Thank you for crafting me in my mother's womb with a plan and purpose for my future. Thank you for sending Jesus to pay the price for my sins. And thank you in advance for the day Jesus comes to take me home to be with you forever to enjoy life that is beyond my comprehension. I wait longingly for these promised days to dawn. 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.