Today's Verse - Romans 5:1

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ...

—Romans 5:1

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The cost of peace is always high. Jesus' enormous sacrifice purchased our peace with God. God made sure the price for our rebellion was paid, but he didn't make us pay it because we could never have fulfilled our obligation. Instead, God paid it himself, in Jesus, and asked us to believe this "too-good-to-be-true" gift is true through his grace and our faith in his gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-7).

My Prayer...

Holy and loving Father, thank you for making peace and bringing me back to you at an enormous cost to yourself, the crucifixion of your Son (Colossians 1:18-19). Thank you, LORD Jesus, for willingly surrendering yourself to the horrible cruelty of the Cross. Thank you for not treating me as your enemy because of my sin (Romans 5:6-11) but as a lost sheep that needed to be found by your grace. Thank you for adopting me as your beloved child. In Jesus' name, I offer my thanks and praise. 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 4:30-31

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

—Ephesians 4:30-31

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Don't cause God's Holy Spirit to grieve! But how do we cause the Spirit of God to grieve? By harboring bitterness, unleashing anger-driven rage, brawling with others, and slandering the name of people or plotting to harm them. Not only are these behaviors in direct opposition to the will and character of God, but they are also the exact opposite of the qualities the Spirit is seeking to produce in our lives — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). No wonder such evil behaviors listed grieve the Holy Spirit; they are in direct opposition to the work of the Spirit in our lives and in our relationships.

My Prayer...

Almighty Father, please conform me to be more like Jesus by the power of your Holy Spirit as I commit to display Jesus' character and compassion in my life, especially how I treat others. 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.

Today's Verse - Deuteronomy 4:29

But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.

—Deuteronomy 4:29

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

When was the last time you yearningly searched after God? I'm not talking about an obscure theological insight about God you got from a preacher or another best-selling book about God. When was the last time you sought after the Father so that you could know him better, recognize his nearness to you, and appreciate him more? Let's open our hearts and go on the great quest to find God. Like the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), we will find he's waiting and watching for us to come home!

My Prayer...

Precious Heavenly Father, majestic in glory, awesome in might, and ever near with your loving presence, please bless me with a deeper and more personal knowledge and experience of you in my life. I want to know you even as I am known by you (1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 John 3:1-3). Until the day I can see you face to face in glory, please draw me closer and closer to you as you make your presence known in my life. 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.