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' 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.

Today's Verse - Romans 1:20

Since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

—Romans 1:20

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The touch of the Master's hand is all around us. We can see it in the order, beauty, specificity, and dazzling variety of creation. The great expanse of space, with its billions of stars, along with the incredible world of the microscopic, is all testimony to an Orderer of great creativity and inestimable power. Our heavenly Father has left his fingerprints all over his world, his creation, his universe, so we can know that he has been here and will not abandon the work of his hands. But, will we respond to this beauty in creation by seeking to live by the ways of the Great Orderer, the Creator of the universe, or will we choose for ourselves, or something else, to replace God? Will we choose to reflect his righteous character, gracious compassion, and loving justice over asserting our human arrogance and destructive self-will? God has revealed himself, and we are without excuse. Will we choose our own way, or God's?

My Prayer...

O God, thank you for your creation. Thank you for its beauty and variety. Thank you for the changing seasons and the beauty of Spring and Autumn. Most of all, thank you for choosing to show yourself to us, your creatures, in the things you have created. We pledge to respond to such bountiful grace with loving obedience. We commit our lives and this prayer of thanks to you, 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 - John 10:28-30

Jesus said, "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one."

—John 10:28-30

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"He's got the whole world in his hand." Yes, the song may be true, but in a much more significant way, God holds us, each of his children of faith, in his hands. As we entrust our lives to him in faith, his grace ensures that no one and nothing can steal us away from his grace, his promises, and his eternal loving care. Our future in Jesus is secure. We are in God's hands!

My Prayer...

O LORD, thank you for your steadfast and secure love. Thank you for the assurance that my future rests in your hands. Thank you for holding me in your protective grace. May I live today with confidence and joy, knowing that no matter where I find myself, you are there to uphold and sustain me. I thank you for this assurance, in Jesus' name. 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.