Today's Verse - Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

—Romans 8:28

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Bad stuff happens.
We face this reality every day because we live in a fallen world subject to decay and death. Plus, we live among people who are fallen, broken, and sinful - just as we are. Satan has a part to play in the bad stuff. Our sins and their consequences also play a part. The rebellion against God and the spiritual weakness in those we love bring hurtful things into our lives. Sometimes, God disciplines us to awaken us out of lethargy or correct some sinful problem in our lives. Yet in all these things, we have an incredible promise: If we love God and are seeking to honor his purpose in our lives, our Father in heaven will work out all of those things - the difficult ones and the great ones - going on in our lives to turn out for our ultimate good.

My Prayer...

Father, we appreciate your promise to work out all things in our lives toward our best good. We ask, dear Father, for faith to believe this promise is true during painful and difficult times we face. We ask for patience, O God, to hang on to our convictions when trying times persist and we don't understand why they are happening. We believe your promise, dear LORD, and look forward to what you will eventually make of us when you finish with your work in us. We will wait for the dawn of that glorious day with faith and hope. In Jesus' mighty name, we 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 2:27

As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit — just as it has taught you, remain in him.

—1 John 2:27

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

When we became Christians, we were not only cleansed by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:9-11), but the Holy Spirit filled and indwelled us (Acts 2:38-39; Romans 8:9). John speaks of receiving and having the Holy Spirit as "his anointing" - Jesus poured the Holy Spirit out on and into us, when we came to Christ (Titus 3:3-7). The Spirit helps us hear the truth about Jesus (1 John 2:20-21). Our anointing keeps us from surrendering that truth to false teaching that would diminish (1 John 2:23) either side of Jesus' identity - Jesus as God with us and God like us. We remain in Jesus when we hold on to both of these incredible truths. As we remain in Jesus, the Spirit - "his anointing" - we have all that we need to know about Jesus as our Savior, LORD, and Messiah (1 John 2:24, 27).

My Prayer...

Holy and Righteous Father, thank you for sending Jesus to save me. May I never surrender my sense of wonder or my deep feelings of appreciation for all who Jesus was, is, and will be. Thank you for sending me your Spirit as your anointing to help me safeguard the truth about your Son and my Savior, in whose name I pray and give you thanks. 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 8:26

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

—Romans 8:26

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Isn't it incredible! Even in those times when we can't find the correct words and our hearts are heavy, God hears our prayers. It is not because we are articulate, wise, or faithful enough to pray as I should. No, it is because God has graciously placed his Spirit into our hearts to make known to him what our words cannot capture and our voices and minds cannot verbalize. God hears our groanings, our yearnings, our heartbreaks, and our heart-cries. He knows what we cannot think, but only feel. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, he answers those unutterable prayers with his presence, grace, and power.

My Prayer...

Father, we are comforted by the assurance that even when we don't know what to say, you know what we feel yet cannot articulate. We trust you to answer our hearts' longings as you see fit, for we believe that you know what we need far more than we know how to ask for it. In addition to all of this, we trust the Holy Spirit to present our requests to you in accordance to your will and our best interests, to your glory. In Jesus' name, and with complete confidence in the Holy Spirit, we 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.