Today's Verse - Acts 11:24

He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

—Acts 11:24

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

As this scripture talks about Barnabas, Luke reminds us just how good a man Barnabas was! Why would we consider Barnabas to be such a good man? For many reasons. Primarily, Luke wants us to recognize that Barnabas was full of faith and the Holy Spirit. Barnabas' goodness shouldn't surprise us. When the Holy Spirit lives in us, he is at work producing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and conforming us to the character of Jesus Christ our LORD (2 Corinthians 3:18). No wonder Barnabas' influence was so significant on the lives of those who lived in Antioch (Acts 13:1-3). No wonder God chose him to mentor the apostle Paul and show him how to serve in ways that multiplied disciples. Barnabas was a good man because his life was under the influence of God's Spirit!

My Prayer...

Dear Heavenly Father, I want my life to be influential in spreading the good news of Jesus and growing your Kingdom. I offer myself to you as a living sacrifice, asking that you conform me to the nature of your Son Jesus and bring forth the fruit of your Spirit in me as I seek to influence others to Jesus. In whose name I pray, Amen.

Today's Verse - 1 Corinthians 11:23-24

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."

—1 Corinthians 11:23-24

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Remember Jesus!

Remember his great sacrifice.

Remember his incomparable love for you!

Remember him through his Supper!

Remember Jesus!

My Prayer...

O Father, thank you so much for Jesus! Thank you for blessing me with a spiritual meal that reminds me and helps me proclaim that Jesus died, offering his body and blood as the atoning sacrifice for my sins. Thank you for giving me the day of his resurrection, Sunday, the first day of the week, as a day I can powerfully remember this great sacrifice and anticipate the great day of reunion that his resurrection has secured for your children. I remember him and thank you, dear Father, until I share the Holy Supper with Jesus in glory. Amen.

Today's Verse - Proverbs 11:22

Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.

—Proverbs 11:22

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

To take what is physically beautiful and then profane it with sin is to waste a great gift. It is sinfully sharing with someone who is clueless why God gave the blessing of physical beauty in the first place. It is debasing to the person given the beauty to waste it in what and on what is sinful. No matter what gifts we have been given, whether physical beauty, athletic talent, keen intellect, charming personality, or anything else, we must remember that God blessed us with these gifts so we could bless others, honor the LORD, and lead others closer to him!

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Dear God, please forgive me for the times that I have not used my gifts and abilities to bless others, honor you, and bring them closer to Jesus. Please give me a renewed sense of purpose as I seek to live for your glory and to bless others with your grace. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.