Today's Verse - Romans 8:16-17

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

—Romans 8:16-17

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Your older brother, Jesus, died and left you the family inheritance! I know it's hard to believe, but the Bible does teach that Jesus is our brother (Hebrews 2:11-12), and Paul emphasizes in today’s passage that we are co-heirs with Christ. That's the message here. Because we have God's Spirit, we are God's children. Since we are God's children, we are heirs of all God offers us. We are co-heirs with Christ, whose death made our adoption into God's family possible. So, if we have to face some hard times or painful difficulties, we will not despair. We know the time is coming when we will inherit all the blessings of heaven, and we will live with our Father in heaven because of the Son Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

My Prayer...

Father, thank you for your grace. Please pour out that grace more and more. Please help me bear the weight of my trials and the difficulties of my temptations with character and faithfulness. Please give me the courage to hang on through the tough times because I know I will eventually share heaven with you. Thank you for your Spirit, who is my assurance that I am your child and will share in all of your blessings forever. In Jesus' name, I shout, "Hallelujah!" as 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 - Psalm 37:16-17

Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.

—Psalm 37:16-17

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

What do we want to be the basis of our security? Will it be what we can do, accomplish, achieve, earn, protect, and hoard? Or will it be our God who has shown himself faithful throughout generations upon generations? We get to choose! We do that every day with our choices — what we do with our investment of time, money, and influence. So, in what will you find your security? What will you invest your life in? I choose to invest it in the LORD! How about you?

My Prayer...

Almighty God, you are the Father of Israel, God of the nations, and my Abba Father. I place my trust, my future, and my hopes in you. I know that my money, possessions, achievements, and abilities are not my own. You have blessed me with these to honor you and bring your grace to others. Please keep my heart pure and focused on you. Gently purge my heart of pride and selfishness. Please pour your blessing out on me — not so I can have them but so that I might bring you greater glory and share your gracious blessings with those who need them. In Jesus' 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 - Proverbs 10:7

The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.

—Proverbs 10:7

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Sometimes, the wisdom of God is short, succinct, and sweet for those who seek to do his will. I want my children and grandchildren to remember me with sweet thoughts because their dad, their granddad, and their great-granddad sought to be righteous and love the LORD with all his heart. I refuse to live the kind of life that poisons the lives of those I touch and leaves a wicked rot in the heritage of my descendants. Let's encourage each other to bless those who come after us with a legacy of faith that brings them many blessings.

My Prayer...

O Holy and Righteous Father, I want my character and kindness to bless my children, children's children, and grandchildren's children. Please give me wisdom, discernment, tact, honor, integrity, love, and compassionate holiness in all my actions, words, demeanor, and influence. May I provide a godly influence and a righteous memory for those in both my physical and spiritual families. In Jesus' 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.