Today's Verse - Matthew 6:25

[Jesus taught his disciples, saying:] "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?"

—Matthew 6:25

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God gives beauty to flowers and life to grass. In the grand scheme of things, these are transitory and insignificant. He sent his Son from Heaven to save us, so he will most definitely give us what we need until we go home to live with him! Let's look at the beauty in God's world and be reminded that he loves us more than these things and has promised to sustain and bring us home to him!

My Prayer...

Loving Father and Almighty God, forgive my distractions over temporal things, especially when they lead me into worry and distrust. I believe you have given me everything I need in Jesus, and the gracious abundance of your blessings has poured into my life. In the precious name of Jesus, I ask for the strength to trust you more. 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 - Ephesians 6:24

Grace to all who love our LORD Jesus Christ with an undying love.

—Ephesians 6:24

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Ephesians makes some of the most significant declarations in the entire Bible about the grace of God, his promised power to us from the Holy Spirit, and the majesty of God himself. This passage, however, may be the very richest short verse in Ephesians. It is one of my favorite Bible blessings and Paul's closing blessing to people he loves. Paul offers this grace to all who love Jesus with an undying love! This promise of grace means an overflowing abundance of God's gracious love given to us as we love Jesus with an unwavering grip of faith. Where passion for our LORD Jesus Christ is undying, God's grace is perpetually overflowing!

My Prayer...

Holy Father, I do love you and your Son, Jesus, with all my heart. Forgive me when my display of this passion dims or my communication of his grace to others lags. Rekindle an unquenchable desire to show my love for Jesus in everything I do and say. 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.

Today's Verse - Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

—Romans 6:23

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

If we get paid what we deserve as flawed and sinful humans, we're not going to like our wages when we stand before God, trying to plead our case. On the other hand, God, who is rich in mercy and grace, gives us his gift of salvation because of the sacrifice of Jesus and our faith in him. We won't get what we deserve or receive the cruel wages of sin if Christ is our LORD and Savior. He died to pay that debt, that wage of sin and death. Instead, we will receive the gift of eternal life in the glorious presence of God and his holy angels. I don't know about you, but that makes me want to serve him more passionately and faithfully!

My Prayer...

Glorious and gracious Father, holy and perfect in every way, thank you for your sacrificial grace, which bridges the great gulf between your perfect righteousness and my imperfection and sinfulness. Thank you for the gift of eternal life. May my mortal life be holy and pleasing to you. In Jesus' 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.