Today's Verse - John 14:23

Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."

—John 14:23

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

At many Christian funerals and memorials, the preacher emphasizes that Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us to join him in heaven, but will one day come back for us and bring us home with him (John 14:1-3). Just a few verses later, the LORD deepens his promise. He promises that if we love him and obey him, he will love us and reveal himself to us (John 14:21). On top of that, he and the Father will love us and make their home in us until we can go home to be with them (John 14:23). As we love God and obey Jesus' commandments, our relationship, closeness, and experience of God's presence as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, deepens because they live inside us - make their home with us. Obeying Jesus' teaching is our pathway to a closer walk with God!

My Prayer...

Holy God, I know Jesus came to earth and obeyed your will. Please bless me with the discernment I need to fully obey you. I desire that my obedience will not just be the strict obedience of your words, but a deep longing to live according to your will. I long to honor you because you have done so much to save me. Thank you. In Jesus' name I thank and praise 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 - Matthew 28:18-20

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

—Matthew 28:18-20

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Last words matter! The last words of a parent to a child leaving for college... The last words of a loved one at the bedside of someone dying... The last words of a friend before moving to a distant place... Our last words are chosen with care because we know they leave a lasting impact on those who hear. They are important to us. We want those who hear them to know them and keep them. Jesus' last words are our authoritative marching orders for us as his disciples. These words are also very clear:
Make disciples of all peoples by...

• Going to all nations.
• Baptizing believers in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• Teaching these new believers to obey what Jesus commanded.

This is the will of Jesus, our LORD. This is the will of our LORD, and as we obey his last words, he promises to be with us everywhere we go. We must not substitute easy and cheap replacements for Jesus' clear words of commission!

My Prayer...

Father, the one from whom all peoples derive their hope, please use your Spirit to rouse me to a passion for sharing your grace with others. Nudge me out of my safety zone. Move me through your empowering and sacrificial grace as you equip and lead me through the Holy Spirit. I want to help others come to know you and call on you as their LORD. By the power of your name, O Jesus, I ask 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 - 2 Timothy 1:13-14

What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you — guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

—2 Timothy 1:13-14

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We live in a world of keys, locks, alarms, passwords, passkeys, and security systems. Paul's words shouldn't surprise us. We protect the things that are most valuable to us. So ask yourself, "What is more precious to me than the truth of God's saving grace in the Gospel, in faith?" Nothing. So thankfully, God has pre-wired each of us with a security system to help protect that incredibly precious hope. This security system lives in us and has given us God's Scriptures by inspiration. This security system is the Holy Spirit, given to us when we were born into God's family through the Spirit's work. So, let's value the Spirit's presence more. Let's ask for the Spirit's help more proactively as we pray and open the Scriptures. Let's listen and watch for the Spirit's gentle leading and nudges to help us find our way. And let's ask for the Holy Spirit's help in safeguarding what God has entrusted to us.

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Please help me, O God, not to compromise your truth. I don't want to stray into legalism or license. I want to live, and show others how to live, a holy life while trusting in the Holy Spirit's help to guide me, reveal your truth in Scripture, produce fruit consistent with your character, transform me to become more like Jesus, and open my eyes to your will. Please empower me by your Spirit to see through falsehood and error so I can safeguard, share, and live your truth. In the name of Jesus, 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.