Today's Verse - Joshua 24:15

If serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.... As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.

—Joshua 24:15

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Joshua's words to the people of Israel many centuries ago are as relevant now as they were then!
While we can't speak for everyone in our family, we can commit to what everyone in our family should desire: We will serve the LORD! But more than commit, let's set the example and lead the way for the rest of our families to follow. Let's not only say, "I will serve the LORD, TODAY!" Let's do it. Let's make serving the LORD our highest priority. Then let's set an example for our families to follow and challenge them to join us.

As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.

My Prayer...

Please give us wisdom, O tender Shepherd, on how to lead our families to love, honor, and cherish you as LORD. Please bless those who are parents. Please give them courage and sensitivity to share your truth effectively with their children and grandchildren. O God, please also bless them as they seek to raise godly children. We yearn for our households to be places where you are known, appreciated, honored, loved, and obeyed. We also pray for those who are single in our family of faith and need reassurance that they belong to your family and are loved. We want to all serve and honor you as LORD, together. In Jesus' name, we humbly ask for these graces. 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 Timothy 2:1-2

I urge, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

—1 Timothy 2:1-2

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God wants us to be a praying people, just as Jesus was our praying Savior. God wants us to pray for people: "for everyone - for kings and all those in authority." The blessing of that kind of prayerful life is that we get to "live peaceful and quiet lives" full of "godliness and holiness" as God answers our prayers. Let's pray as if world peace and our influence in our world depend on it, because they do! Let's intercede for the needs of the people around us, regardless of whether they are believers or unbelievers. Let's give thanks when things are good and for the blessings God has given us. Let's do so because our world needs peace, quiet, godliness, and holiness! So, let's hit our knees and pray!

My Prayer...

Majestic and Holy God, your greatness is beyond my mind to grasp. Your grace, O God, has reached me and taught me to give thanks each day. Forgive me when my prayer life has lacked passion - when I have forgotten to give thanks and offer praise. Please forgive me for letting my prayers focus only on what is wrong and what I need. Use your Spirit, please, O God; release your Spirit to ignite a hunger in my soul so that I find satisfaction in you, your presence, and your blessings, then give thanks and praise for them. In the name of Jesus Christ and through the intercession of the Holy Spirit, I pray for peace, quiet, godliness, and holiness in my life and in the world around me. 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 1:9-10

He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment — to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

—Ephesians 1:9-10

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus is LORD! He's not just our LORD as Christians, but he is LORD of all (Acts 10:36). God's plan was "purposed in Christ"; centered on Christ coming at the right time (Romans 5:6; Galatians 4:4), to bring unity in Christ by making him LORD of all and to have everyone acknowledge his lordship (Philippians 2:9-11). This also brings God great pleasure. Jesus is both our Savior and our LORD. Our hearts seek to honor him because he has done so much for us. We also honor him as LORD because he is worthy of that honor. Those options, Jesus as Savior and LORD, are available to all people who come to him. So, let's ask ourselves, "What area of my life, my heart's priorities, and my secrets have I not submitted to his lordship?" Then, let's commit today to bringing these under Jesus' rule and authority!

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

O Precious Father, I know my heart can be deceitful. Sometimes I even deceive myself. As I kneel in your presence today, I do so because I am convicted by your love, grace, and purpose for our world in Jesus - to bring everything under him and unify in him. As I consider these blessings, I realize those areas I have not yet fully submitted to your control and Jesus' lordship. Please, dear Father, use the Holy Spirit to show and convict me of my self-deceptions so that I may be wholly yielded to Jesus. In his name, Jesus, I yield and 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.