Today's Verse - John 14:23

If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

—John 14:23

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

This chapter, John 14, begins with Jesus' promise to return to heaven and prepare a place for us with God (John 14:1-3). In our verse, however, the LORD wants us to know that we don't have to wait until heaven to be in the presence of God or have his presence in us. As we love God and obey Jesus' teaching, God comes and makes his home with us. What a fantastic and gracious promise! God, the Creator of the Universe, the Holy One of Israel, comes and makes his home in each of us.

My Prayer...

I thank and praise you for your abiding presence within me, O God. May my life reflect the holiness and grace of your presence in all that I think, say, and do. My heart shouts for joy as you come to me, and I say to you, dear Father, "Welcome to your home in me!" 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 - Acts 5:32

We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.

—Acts 5:32

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Of all the many gifts God gives us, the gift of his presence in us through his Holy Spirit is among the most precious.

• The Spirit's presence makes us God's temple (1 Corinthians 6:19).
• The Spirit intercedes for us according to the will of God when we pray (Romans 8:26-27).
• The Spirit helps us overcome the pull of our flesh (Romans 8:13-14).
• The Spirit gives us strength in our inner being (Ephesians 3:16).
• The Spirit transforms us to become more and more like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).

The Holy Spirit is heaven's living witness within us, given to us to help us live for God. Oh, what a great gift!

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Father, thank you so much for your Holy Spirit, who is now interceding for me as I pray. Please strengthen me through your Spirit as I seek to live a holy life dedicated to you. Dear Father, I yearn for the Holy Spirit to transform me daily to be more like your Son in character, compassion, righteousness, and faithfulness. 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 - Psalm 119:1

Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD.

—Psalm 119:1

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

As Christians, we hear this passage a little differently than those who lived under the Torah, the Law of Moses. We recognize that our blamelessness comes as a gift because of Jesus' sacrificial death on the Cross (Romans 5:6-11; Colossians 1:19-22). We are not justified by working hard to keep the Law (Romans 3:28; Galatians 2:16, 3:11, 24, 5:4). Instead, we are doing our absolute best to walk in the will of the LORD, but do so out of our appreciation for God's grace and by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-4). We do by the power of the Holy Spirit what we could never do under the law. Doing the will of God brings us many blessings. Those blessings are not just for us in the future; they begin right now as we live for God's glory, obey God's will, and walk under his protection.

My Prayer...

Father, thank you for blessing me so graciously. As I seek to live according to your will, I know I experience the blessing of your presence and the power of the Holy Spirit in my life. Please bless me with wisdom to understand your will and the courage to live that will faithfully. 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.