Today's Verse - Ephesians 5:25-26

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy.

—Ephesians 5:25-26

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

For husbands, there is sacrificial love in our purpose with our wives, and purpose in our sacrifice as we give up our wills to help our wives as they are molded to become more like Christ by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18) . We are to give up ourselves to actively love our wives. Jesus is our example here, and he gave up everything to serve and bless us (Mark 10:45). His example demonstrates our purpose in our relationship with our wives. Just as Jesus sought to make us holy and beautiful in God's sight, so also we should love our wives with that same purpose. Our motives are to be equally as sacrificial and pure in surrendering our rights to bless and love our wives (Philippians 2:6-9). As Paul reminds all believers, and specifically husbands in their relationship with their wives, that we, too, are to submit ourselves to bless our wives. This does not mean, however, spinelessness; it means service and sacrifice to bless and bring glory to Christ in how we love and serve the ladies in our lives!

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Holy God, help our families to be full of love. May this loving service begin with me, today, in my family. 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 - Ephesians 6:4

Fathers, do not exasperate your children, instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

—Ephesians 6:4

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

It seems that many mothers have an inside track with their children because of the bonding that occurs in a child's earliest days and weeks of life with her, both in the womb as they hear her voice and feel her comfort, and after delivery, as she nurses and suckles her child. So, I find it interesting that God commands fathers to be about the work of spiritual nurture with their children, yet they are to do it without exasperating the child with overly harsh discipline. I don't believe Paul means to exclude mothers, but he emphasizes the importance of a strong, gentle guiding hand from a man who is not overly harsh, but still has expectations. No, I think Paul assumes most moms will do their part in training and instructing children. However, the father's influence and intentional training of each child are also essential for the child to know the father's love and see that both parents support the proper direction the child should take in behavior, faith, and life. Dads, we have the awesome opportunity to help our child know a father's love so they can come to know the love of our Father in heaven.

My Prayer...

Abba Father, may my children come to find your love in the way that I instruct, nurture, discipline, and train them. Thank you for providing your church family, which can offer support, love, nurture, and help when a child does not have the blessing of two loving and godly parents. No matter who is raising a child, we pray that they can lead them and love them in the way that points them to you, our Father. 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 - Psalm 68:4-5

Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds — his name is the LORD — and rejoice before him. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.

—Psalm 68:4-5

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

I can't help but think of what James, Jesus' brother, said:

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world (James 1:27).

Jesus demonstrated the Father's heart for the marginalized in his ministry by making time to love, serve, heal, welcome, and bless widows (Luke 21:1-4), lepers (Mark 1:40-45), children (Matthew 19:13-15), the afflicted (John 5:3-8), and the oppressed (Matthew 4:24). Now it is up to us, his people, his disciples, to continue the work of Jesus as his people, his bodily presence in our world today.

My Prayer...

Father, may our lives, our compassion, and our ministries reflect your heart for those who need care, protection, and love. Give us eyes to see these needs more clearly and hearts that respond more certainly so that we can demonstrate your love to people more fully. We pray that as we respond, the Spirit will lead us to do things that bless others, and we ask that you give us wisdom to know how best to demonstrate your love to all people. In the precious name of Jesus, 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.