Today's Verse - Matthew 16:15-16

"What about you?" Jesus asked. "Who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

—Matthew 16:15-16

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

There is no other name under heaven that can save us other than Jesus (Acts 4:12). He is the way, the truth, and the life - the only way to the Father (John 14:6). We are to confess Jesus before people, knowing that when we do, we can be sure he will confess us before the Father and his angels in heaven (Matthew 10:32-33). Jesus Christ is the Son of God, our Savior and LORD. We may not know all the theological gravity of those words - after all, Peter didn't when he confessed Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God - but we can commit to knowing Jesus and following him until we know more of what those words mean. Jesus asks us to open our hearts to his lordship and begin the journey toward fuller knowledge and experience of him as the Holy Spirit informs us (1 Corinthians 2:9-10, 14-15) and conforms us to Christlikeness (2 Corinthians 3:18)!

My Prayer...

Living God and Holy Father, I believe you sent Jesus, your Son, Immanuel, God in human flesh, to save me. I confess to you that I want Jesus to be my LORD, and LORD of all of my life because I believe him to be your Son and Messiah, my Savior. It is through this Jesus, your Son, the Christ you promised to send in the Scriptures, that 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 119:30

I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.

—Psalm 119:30

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus challenged us with this strong call:

"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23).

"The way of truth," the way of Jesus, is a daily choice. Not intentionally putting Jesus at the center of our lives and not seeking to please him as our top priority means we slip a little further away from the life he is calling us to live. Any decision made without consciously seeking to please him and obeying his commands (Matthew 28:20) is choosing to place Jesus at the periphery of our lives. So let's set our hearts on him. Let's choose his way and his truth so we can live his life (John 14:6) in our world. Yes, we have chosen the way of truth, and we have set our hope on Jesus, who is the fulfillment of God's laws (Matthew 5:17-28).

My Prayer...

Heavenly Father, I choose to follow Jesus and live obediently to his truth. Please open my eyes to see your will for me in Jesus, and please open my heart to live it with consistency and passion. I commit again today to follow you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. 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 John 1:7

If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

—1 John 1:7

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

As we seek to please God and trust in his grace, more grace is supplied. As we walk openly, transparently, and bring who we are to the Light (John 3:19, 21), we are forgiven our sins and cleansed of their stains (1 John 1:8-9). This grace gives us an ongoing relationship with each other for fellowship, encouragement, and mutual support, and it also brings us into deeper fellowship with our Father in heaven. Jesus' death was "once for all" (Hebrews 7:27, 9:12, 26, 10:10); its cleansing power goes on and on for each of us, as long as we tune our hearts to the Father's grace, we are open about our sinful failures, and our hearts return to the path that seeks the Father's will and live in the Light of Jesus.

My Prayer...

Loving Father, thank you for the gift of Jesus and the cleansing his death brings me. Help me live a more dedicated life each day. Thank you for the assurance that, as I seek your will and live your life, you are also forgiving me of my sins, cleansing me of their stains, and making me new. Through the intercession of Jesus, and in his mighty name, I offer these words of thanks. 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.