Today's Verse - 1 Peter 1:13

Prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

—1 Peter 1:13

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

When Jesus came the first time, he came to reveal God (John 1:18; Hebrews 1:1-3). As wonderful, powerful, and gracious as he was in his earthly ministry, he did not fully reveal all of who he is. Our hope is tied to his return. When he comes this time, he won't come to reveal God, but to reveal himself - the conquering LORD, the Rider on the white horse, our eternal Savior. Every knee will bow. We will get to see him as he really and fully is - Immanuel in power and grace, triumphant in every way. When we set our hope on Jesus' grace at his return, we can be confidently ready for active service to our king today. We can live under his leadership with obedience and praise today because we know that great tomorrow is coming!

My Prayer...

O Almighty God, I long for the day when I get to see Jesus face to face, coming with the angels in power. Until that time, please fasten my heart in hope to the glory Jesus will share with me on that day, and please empower me to live as one who knows that victory is mine in Jesus beginning today. Jesus, through your powerful 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 - Isaiah 1:16-17

Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.

—Isaiah 1:16-17

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Do you find it easy to replace service to those in need with religious rituals? I know many sure seem to do so. However, God wants us not to get so caught up in talking about him and celebrating his deeds that we forget we're supposed to provide hands-on care for others. God loved us so much that he wasn't content just to send us words in a holy book; he also came to us personally as the Word incarnate in Jesus, Immanuel, God with us (John 1:1-18; Hebrews 1:1-3; Matthew 1:23). In Jesus, God cared for people face-to-face with hands-on in love (Mark 1:40-42).
Whether it is Jesus defining his ministry (Luke 4:18-19) or James talking about the kind of piety that pleases God (James 1:26-27), we must realize that true faith always involves treating others as God would treat them (1 John 3:16-18). Today's verse defines what God does and how God feels (Deuteronomy 10:16-18) by instructing us to live as his presence in our world today (John 20:19-22).

My Prayer...

O Great God of all comfort, please open my eyes today to see those who need your love and please give me the heart to do so attentively, investing in them personally and giving my time compassionately to serve them. May Jesus' heart be seen in the work of my hands and bring glory to you, O God. 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 - Micah 6:8

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

—Micah 6:8

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God's desires for us are not hard to discern. He wants to bless us with salvation. The incredible gift of his Son is a powerful testimony to this truth. Yet salvation from sin and death is not something he wants to happen in our lives just once. He wants our lives to reflect his salvation daily and to share that salvation with others by the way we live. When we act justly, pursue mercy in our relationships, and honor him with our worship from humble hearts, then God's salvation becomes real in our lives and impacts others with his grace. In the language of Jesus, we work for God's kingdom to come and will be done on earth, and in us, as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9-10).

My Prayer...

Almighty and compassionate Father, as I embrace this New Year, help my eyes see what your heart sees. Teach me to hate sin and to be merciful to all who need mercy. Teach me to know truth and act fairly, while hating abuse and exploitation. As I reflect on the great distance between your holy majesty and my inconsistent and flawed character, I ask for the Spirit's help to fashion me to be more and more like Jesus with greater urgency. Make me wholly your child in word, thought, and deed. I pray this in Jesus' name and to become more like him. 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.