Today's Verse - Ephesians 4:15

Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

—Ephesians 4:15

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Speaking the truth is hard enough. You mean we have to do it in love? Yes, if we are to be Jesus' women or men, we must speak to others as he did. As the Spirit grows us up to become more like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18), we will share our hope in Jesus with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15-16), just as Jesus spoke to the lost who were seeking him. Our goal in speaking with others is not to win arguments, but to win hearts to the Savior.

My Prayer...

Father, forgive me for the bitterness in my heart and unfairness on my lips. Through your Spirit, help me better use my speech to bless others and glorify you. May I speak your truth with your love today in all my conversations. Through him who is Truth and Love 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 - Job 19:25

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.

—Job 19:25

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Beyond what these words originally conveyed in Job's day, we know today that our Redeemer will return as the Rider on the white horse in triumph and give us God's victory forever (Revelation 19:11-16). Hallelujah, what a day! Every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10-11). Then the world truly WILL KNOW that Jesus Christ, our Savior, brother, and friend, is LORD of all! As the messenger of God dressed in white promised Jesus' amazed disciples at his glorious ascension (Acts 1:9-10):

"This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

Yes! We know that our Redeemer lives and will stand upon the earth and take us home with him!

My Prayer...

Conquering King, Immortal God, I look forward to the day of your ultimate triumph in our world. Until that day, I pray that your Kingdom may be reflected in my life, my family, and my ministry to others. Through the Rider on the white horse that is coming, I confidently 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 - Philippians 2:5-8

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!

—Philippians 2:5-8

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"LORD, humble us gently." That is one of my friends' favorite prayer requests. I like it, too. I want to be humbled, but not humiliated. Thank God, however, Jesus was willing to be humbled, but not gently humbled. He humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross! He was willing to be humiliated to save us! I hate that he went through such agony. I grieve that his self-emptying humility was stark, brutal, drastic, humiliating, and outrageous. Jesus' self-sacrificing love challenges me to have the same attitude as he had! Jesus' example challenges me to examine what I am willing to give up and endure to forgive those who have wounded me. I am humbled by Jesus' love for me, so I ask myself what I am willing to do to serve and reach others who are lost.

My Prayer...

God, you are all-powerful, and yet you emptied yourself to redeem me. May I be more selfless in my attitude and treatment of others, more like Jesus has been with me. Dear LORD, I need an infusion, a special empowering of the Holy Spirit, so I can be humble and live before others with the same self-emptying "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" as the Spirit transforms to be more like my Savior*. In Christ Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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* Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Corinthians 3:18.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.