Today's Verse - Psalm 119:60

I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.

—Psalm 119:60

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Obedience is faith put into practice. Without actions and good deeds, Jesus' brother James reminds us that our faith is not genuine - it is false faith (James 2:14, 17, 26). So, without arguing or procrastinating, let's quickly obey - let's "hasten and not delay to obey" - even when we don't fully understand why. We've seen God's love demonstrated to us in Jesus, so we should obey because we know he loves us. Most of us have also seen the blessings that flow from obeying him. So, let's "hasten and not delay to obey" God's commands!

My Prayer...

O God, please give me a heart that is quick to obey and a faith that hastens to express itself in loving actions to you through obedience. I want to please you with my words and thoughts, but even more, dear Father, I want to live a life full of your character, wisdom, grace, and generosity. Help me to obey your voice quickly. In the name of Christ Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - Psalm 112:5

Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.

—Psalm 112:5

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Generosity is love expressed in practical ways with joy. Generosity and justice are two character traits more needed in our selfish world - and these are also traits of God who characterized himself as having righteous character, gracious compassion, and justice with faithful lovingkindness (Exodus 34:6-7). Generosity and justice are traits that come into our world from hearts touched by our Father. They are people who have been transformed to more nearly reflect the nature of God. We see this in the Gentile Macedonian believers, who sacrificially and graciously helped their fellow believers in Jerusalem, who were Jewish. Paul describes it this way:

Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord's people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us (2 Corinthians 8:3-5).

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My Prayer...

Loving Father, I know you will lead me to people today who need me to be generous with my love, time, forgiveness, and money. Please help me to treat them generously, fairly, and lovingly, just as you have treated me. May my life reflect your grace to others who need your love. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - Matthew 19:14

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

—Matthew 19:14

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

In an age that neglected children and held them in low regard, Jesus' love for children and his tenderness with them are powerful reminders that God values every person, young or old, born or not yet born, rich or poor, impoverished or born to wealth. Jesus is God's great reminder of his love for the people the world often neglects, abuses, and abandons. Jesus calls us to love the unloved, the forgotten, the abused, and the neglected. Why? Because that is what Israel was before God chose them (Ezekiel 16:4-5), that is who Jesus was at Calvary (Galatians 3:13), and that is who we were without grace (Romans 5:6-11; Ephesians 2:1-5). How can we claim to know salvation but not share grace with others who need God's love, mercy, and grace - especially when those others are children? How can we claim to be Jesus' disciples and not show love for those "the least of these" (Matthew 25:40, 45), the people that the world forgets, but Jesus values? The answer is simple: we cannot, and still claim to be Jesus' disciples!

My Prayer...

Father, I want to be more gracious toward "the least of these" as Jesus was. I long to be holy, loving, compassionate, and tender toward the forgotten children of today. Help me not only to be angry about the neglect and abuse children suffer in my world, but also to be moved to act in ways that notice, rescue, bless, and support them. In the name of Jesus, the great lover of all children, I pray. Amen.