Today's Verse - Romans 6:23

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...

When we face death because of sin, we're only being paid what we've earned. Sin is rebellion against God - the Father who loves us and the Son who gave up glory to endure the cross to redeem us from sin! Praise God, the Father's gift of eternal life is a free gift offered to us by grace, which we accept through faith in Jesus as our Savior and LORD! We could not earn it, deserve it, or demand it. God not only provided us with this gift, but also offered it to us in love. For us to spurn it or not receive it with passionate faith is to choose to receive what we've earned:

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

My Prayer...

Thank you, God, for loving me when no one else could or would. Thank you for sacrificing the most precious gift of heaven so I could join you there as your child, your beloved child, just like my Savior Jesus. Of all the gifts I've ever received, yours is the best. I offer this praise in the name of one whose gift has given me life! Amen.

Today's Verse - James 1:12

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

—James 1:12

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Only Christians win at life. That's because none of us who are human has the power to hold back our greatest enemy, death (Hebrews 2:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:26). But when we have persevered, we are given the ultimate victory: THE CROWN OF LIFE, life that will not end (Revelation 2:10). Because our lives are in the hands of the one who defeated death, death cannot separate us from our victory in Jesus Christ our LORD! As the apostle Paul emphatically proclaimed:

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."
"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:54-57)

My Prayer...

Thank you, Father, for giving me the assurance that when all is said and done, I will share in your life and Jesus' victory over sin, death, hell, and the evil one, forever. Help me to live today confidently, knowing that I have your life and that the living part of me, united with Jesus, will never die (Colossians 3:1-4). In the name of Jesus, my conquering King, I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - Ephesians 6:10-11

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

—Ephesians 6:10-11

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Many of the struggles in our lives are not mere accidents! Many of them are not put there by God. Our challenges often come from the hand of our enemy, the evil one, the liar and murderer from the beginning (John 8:44). He is always prowling about looking for the best scheme (2 Corinthians 2:11) to knock us down and devour us as he weakens our commitment to and relationship with the LORD Jesus (1 Peter 5:8). We are in a war with this evil one - a struggle not with flesh and blood, but against spiritual powers (Ephesians 6:12). By placing ourselves firmly in the hands of the LORD and using his tools of warfare enables us overcome our enemy in the name of Jesus and by the blood of his cross (Colossians 1:20), because Jesus humiliated the evil one and his minions in the triumph over evil at the cross (Colossians 2:12-15). Be strong in the LORD because the strength is with him.

My Prayer...

Strengthen me, O God, that I may stand against my evil foe and triumph by the power of your Spirit. I want to bring honor and glory to my conquering Savior, Jesus, who will return one day and take me home in victory. In the name of Jesus, the victorious Rider on the White Horse (Revelation 19:11-16), I pray. Amen.