Today's Verse - Psalm 119:143

Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands are my delight.

—Psalm 119:143

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

This verse is a bit hard for me to say because I know how blessed I am. Trouble and distress do not seem to be a part of my vocabulary right now, although they have been in the past. However, in many places in our world today, believers are under attack, live under the threat of persecution, and face martyrdom. Their love for God, Jesus, and the work of Jesus, and their commitment to obedience outweigh the evil one's threats because they delight in God and in doing his will. Let's follow their example and delight in God's commands! May we be found faithful, even if the consequences of our faith are suffering, persecution, or death.

My Prayer...

Majestic and holy God, please bless and liberate your church under persecution and your precious people facing "trouble and distress." Give us, and give them, courage to be faithful, never surrendering our faith. We believe but help our unbelief (Mark 9:24). We trust in you, O God, and we praise you:

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy - to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude 1:24-25)

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 - 1 Peter 3:18

Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.

—1 Peter 3:18

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Having stood over the open graves of friends, family, and strangers, I know the feel of death's finality and our human frailty. Christ's death, however, powerfully reminds us that death's hold on us depends on our perspective and faith rooted in the saving work of Jesus. I believe God raised Jesus from the dead and that Jesus is the firstfruits of those of us who believe in him (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). I believe he was raised from the dead, not just in spirit form, but in bodily presence to defeat death and bring us "life and immortality to light" beyond death (2 Timothy 1:10). Because Jesus lives, so will we! No grave could hold him, and because of him, no grave can hold us. And in that new life that is ahead, Jesus will bring us to God, and to each other who believe in him, in glory (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).

My Prayer...

Almighty God, thank you for the gifts of your grace, Spirit, forgiveness, and eternal life. Most of all, thanks for the gift of your Son, who brought "life and immortality to light" in me through your salvation. While I have no great desire to die, or go through the process of dying, I know I can look through death to being with you and sharing your victory with me through Jesus. Please give me the courage to live confidently for you each day until the day you take me home to you in glory. 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 - 1 Peter 2:15-16

It is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.

—1 Peter 2:15-16

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

What does the world most need to see and hear from you and me today? I believe the world needs to see our lives tuned to the melody of grace we claim comes from God in Jesus. Doing good and being like Christ is Peter's answer to opposition, cynicism, and even persecution (1 Peter 3:15-19). We are free in Jesus, but freedom doesn't mean we have to flaunt it pretentiously. Instead, we can live for Jesus, who died to conquer death and renounced the evil one's power over us, to give us heavenly freedom so we could find life in him (Philippians 2:6-11). Like Jesus, we can live as servants to bless others, and we can serve God as we seek to lead others to discover Jesus!

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Holy Father, our great Emancipator, you have freed us from sin, law, and death at the cost of your precious Son. Jesus, we recognize that you gave up your rights and your freedom to serve us and save us. We open our hearts to your grace, forgiveness, and freedom. Thank you for your gift of redemption and the freedom it brings from fear, sin, death, hell, and purposelessness. Please accept the actions of our lives, the words of our mouths, the thoughts of our minds, and the emotions of our hearts today as our offering of thanks as we serve others in the name of Jesus. 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.