Today's Verse - John 8:31-32

Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

—John 8:31-32

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

There are few things more coveted than freedom. People die for it. People pray for it. People strive for it. True freedom comes from knowing truth, the truth, God's truth. Knowing God's truth ultimately comes by living in obedience to Jesus. Truth is not just something we think about or believe in our heads. Truth must be believed in the way we live our lives, in the way we use our words, in the actions we demonstrate toward others, and in our obedience to what Jesus taught. Truth is something we do, we live. As Jesus said:

Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them (John 13:17).

And Jesus' brother emphasized:

...they will be blessed in what they do (James 1:25).

Jesus said:

"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

My Prayer...

To the only true God be glory, honor, power, and praise. Father, I seek not only your presence in my daily life, but also your pleasure in the choices I make and the things that I do with my life. Please teach me more of your truth as I pledge to live today in obedience to your word and your will. Please make your truth real in my life through the things I think, say, and do in respect and honor to you. 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 John 4:20-21

If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother."

—1 John 4:20-21

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Love! The word can mean almost anything in a world where it is overused and under-practiced. Many in the Christian community have tried to define it by a dictionary or lexicon, not realizing that the key word for love, agape, is defined by action. Before Christians got a hold of agape, it meant basically the same thing our word "love" is used today: just about anything! But if you read 1 John, you see love defined by God through what he does. God demonstrates his love. He asks us to do the same for our brothers and sisters. Love must be more than talk; love must be genuinely demonstrated in loving, selfless actions!

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son... (John 3:16).
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us (1 John 3:16).
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 4:10).

My Prayer...

Precious Father, you have so graciously shared your love with me. I must confess, in my heart, I intend to love others as you do, but my intentions often get washed away with busyness, selfishness, or timidity. Father, through your Spirit, I ask that you prompt me to demonstrate my love to others in actions, not just words. Through Jesus, your most significant demonstration of love, 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 - 2 Corinthians 5:19-20

God has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.

—2 Corinthians 5:19-20

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus has paid the price. God provided the ransom. The LORD's holy judgment was averted, not because of anything we did to appease him, but by the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins. If God has gone to such great lengths to reconcile us to himself and adopt us into his family, how can we refuse? We must not!
Father God, we offer you our hearts, and we pledge to share the message of reconciliation as ambassadors on Christ's behalf! We will share your message of Jesus and invite, urge, and implore those around us to receive Jesus as their LORD and Savior to be reconciled to you through your Son!

My Prayer...

O Gracious God, we know our sins have broken your heart and offended your holiness. Words, therefore, cannot communicate our thankfulness fully to you for the way you provided us a way for us to be reconciled to you. You were hurt by our sins, yet provided a sacrifice to redeem us from your judgment and reconcile us to you through Jesus. We praise you for your grace, thank you for your love, and promise to share your mercy and reconciliation with all who will listen. Through Jesus, our atoning sacrifice, we 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.