Today's Verse - Colossians 1:27-28

God has chosen you to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

—Colossians 1:27-28

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Christ lives in us and wants to transform us into people who live, love, and serve as he did (Luke 6:40). Jesus remains alive in us as the Holy Spirit's work of glorious transformation continues in us (2 Corinthians 3:18). It will continue in us, until we see the LORD face-to-face in glory and are fully conformed to be like him (1 John 3:1-3). Until we go home to be with him, he promises to live in us through his Spirit, to show himself to us, and to make his home with us (John 14:15-23). Everywhere we go and everything we do, we can trust that he will never leave or abandon us (Romans 8:32-39). Jesus' goal for us in this life is for the Holy Spirit to transform us more perfectly into Jesus' likeness. Let's live into that great expectation!

My Prayer...

O God, may the presence of Jesus within us stir us to do your work today, knowing that as we focus on Jesus, the Holy Spirit is transforming us to become like him. May your abiding grace, through the presence of your gracious Son and the power of the Holy Spirit, call us to your character, your life of love, and your concern for others. O Jesus, please use the Holy Spirit to conform our hearts to be more like our Father's heart. 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 Peter 1:18-19

You know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

—1 Peter 1:18-19

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

If value is determined by price, we are incredibly valuable to God. Our Father took the most precious treasure of heaven and redeemed us out of sin, evil, and death to adopt us into his family through Jesus' sacrifice. Silver and gold pale in comparison to that value. Without this redemption, we were in a mess. We were trapped in "the empty way of life handed down to us". To know the depth of that empty way of life, we need to remember who we were before Christ (Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 5:6):

• Dead in our transgressions and sins.
• Following the ways of the evil ruler of the spiritual realm, who is at work among the disobedient.
• Gratifying the cravings of our flesh.
• By nature deserving of God's wrath.
• Powerless and ungodly sinners living as enemies of God.

But God chose to redeem us in love through "the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." Now that we are redeemed, Christ presents us to God as "holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation" (Colossians 1:22). We are redeemed, bought out of our slavery to the emptiness of the sinful life the world chooses. So, dear brothers and sisters, let's live as who God has made us to be: valuable and precious to our Father!

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My Prayer...

Holy God, may I live each day more aware of my inestimable value to you. May my words, thoughts, and actions be permeated with your sense of my worth and not my regrets for a past life wasted on the empty ways of the world; not so that I might seem important to others, but so that I might display your holiness and righteous character in my life, bringing glory to you for the incredible gift of grace in Jesus. Through whom 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 - Romans 14:11

It is written, "As surely as I live," says the LORD, "every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God."

—Romans 14:11

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We live in anticipation of the day when every knee in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:10-11). Until that day, let's do all we can to influence as many as we can to receive the grace of God through faith in Jesus. We want them to bow before Jesus now as their Savior and LORD, today, so on that great future day, they can join with the host of heaven in joy, not in regret or fear, and acknowledge Jesus for who he is: LORD of all!

My Prayer...

Father, I thank you for saving me. May my anticipation of the day of Jesus' victory move me to be your agent of reconciliation so that others are ready for that day and will welcome it and our Savior with joy. Give me eyes to see those who need to come to Jesus today and confess that Jesus is LORD. Through him 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.