Today's Verse - Matthew 6:33

Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

—Matthew 6:33

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus is speaking in his Sermon on the Mount. He wants us not to worry about all the stuff we often pursue. So, let's seek (pursue relentlessly) God's Lordship over our lives and his righteousness, which reflects his holy character in our daily dealings. Everything else we pursue is temporary. Only God and his Kingdom remain. As we pursue God's Kingdom and his righteousness, Jesus promises that the one who gives us his Kingdom and his righteousness will also bless us with what we need in this life, as well!

My Prayer...

Holy LORD, only in you do I find what satisfies my soul's deepest desires. The things that have captured my eye are boring after only a short while. The artificial things I have pursued, all of my addictive interests, have left me empty, enslaved, and in debt. I find hope and help only in you alone. I join with the psalmist, David, and confess:

In God alone my soul finds rest; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation. He is my fortress; I will never be shaken. (Psalm 62:1-2)

I rest my life in you alone, O LORD. I seek first your Kingdom. All my other pursuits and striving are a mere chasing after the wind. So, I draw near to you so you can correct, discipline, lead, and mold me into your faithful servant. In Jesus' name, I pray and confess. 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 - Hebrews 10:30-31

We know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

—Hebrews 10:30-31

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God hates injustice, unfairness, brutality, and abuse. In a world where the greedy, the murdering, the thieving, the raping, the mugging, the abusive, and the bullies often get away with their shameless and despicable behavior, God is the ultimate assurance that justice will be done. The wicked will not triumph. The evil will have to give account to the one who will judge them (Acts 10:42-43; 1 Peter 4:3-5). While those who love and serve Jesus expect his return with anticipation and joy, those who are evil and vile will find out what a dreadful thing it is to fall into the hands of the living God. The hands that wipe away the tears of Jesus' wounded disciples in heaven (Revelation 7:17, 21:4) will also be the hands that avenge those who have perpetrated evil, abuse, intimidation, harm, and desecration on the helpless (Isaiah 58:6-7; Proverbs 6:16-19; Jeremiah 7:6-7).

My Prayer...

Holy and Righteous God, my Heavenly Father, I am comforted to know that you will bring justice on those who have violently abused the innocent, weak, helpless, underprivileged, and infirm. I hate to see anyone lost. I hate it even worse when evil people abuse and practice injustice on those who are good, kind, and godly. I hate it when people claim to be good, but their deeds are evil, and they masquerade as victims while they inflict their evil deeds on others. So, please give me the courage to stand between the evil of my world and those on whom it preys. Because of Jesus' grace and victory over sin and death, and because of his passion to protect the marginalized and forgotten, 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 - 1 John 2:1

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense — Jesus Christ the Righteous One.

—1 John 2:1

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God hates sin. Don't you? I know I do. But isn't it amazing how we'll fall back into the same old traps again and again? The goal is not to sin even one sin! But knowing our struggle against flesh, John also gives assurance to those of us who are trying to live faithful and pure lives. He wants us to know that when we do sin, the sacrifice for our sins, God's Son, is also our defense attorney who proclaims us sinless before God by his blood (Colossians 1:22; 1 John 1:7, 2:2). So let's draw close to Christ. Let's invite him into our hearts each morning as we begin the day (Revelation 3:20). Let's trust in his power and grace to sustain us and carry us through. As Paul prayed for new believers in Thessalonica:

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of the LORD Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

God, no one and nothing is like you - even comparable to you. I did not have to provide the sacrifice for my sins. Even though my sins broke your heart, you provided that sacrifice. So, please use me today as I try to give myself, my life, and my future back to you as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to you (Romans 12:1-2), because I want to thank you for your grace. Through Jesus, and in his 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.