Today's Verse - Psalms 90:12

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

—Psalms 90:12

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

So often we can look up and time has passed us by. The things we promised ourselves we'd accomplish and the deeds we told others we'd do, well, they get left undone or forgotten. Before we know it, days have become weeks, weeks have become months, and months have become years. We find ourselves unable to do what we once assumed we could do whenever we wanted. So, let's ask the LORD to use the Holy Spirit to help us see and seize the opportunities he places in our path, and let's embrace them with a sense of urgency that today is a day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Father, I confess that too often I leave undone what needs to be done, forget the commitments I have made, and lose track of people I intended to bless. Please help me see your plans for each day and live in a way that not only honors you but also blesses those you want me to reach. As your servant Moses prayed so many years ago:

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

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 - 2 Corinthians 5:17

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

—2 Corinthians 5:17

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We all like "do-overs" - you know, second chances that allow us to do things over, only better. God does much better than that for us through his gift of Jesus! He allows us to become new again. Being the "God of new things" (Isaiah 43:19), he can make us new, fresh! Beyond forgiveness, beyond cleansing, the LORD makes us holy and wholly new through Jesus. Let's use the opportunity of a New Year as our emotional springboard to live a fresh, new, and vibrant life for God. After all, the old year is gone, and the New Year has come! Let's live it for Jesus!

My Prayer...

O LORD, thank you for a New Year and a fresh start. Please give me wisdom and strength to serve you with integrity and faithfulness in this coming year. I pray that your work be done in my life as I offer myself, my plans, and my future to you. I pray this through Jesus, my intercessor and LORD. 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 - John 3:3

In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

—John 3:3

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"Fast away the old year passes..." But we can be new and fresh and clean in Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:17). Kingdom people are those who have been born fresh and new through the power of the Spirit and the grace of God ( John 3:3-7; Titus 3:3-7; John 1:11). So as we close out the old year, remember its good things and bad, achievements and failures, successes and disappointments, let's approach the New Year as Kingdom people. God's mercies are new every morning, and our lives can be made new every day by the Holy Spirit who lives in us. Because we are the Father's born-again children, each sunrise offers us the opportunity to greet life as a gift. The Father's grace can rekindle our hope as the Holy Spirit makes us new, trusting in Jesus our LORD. Our God is the God of new things, and we will celebrate that today even though it is the theme of tomorrow!

My Prayer...

Heavenly Father, you are holy and righteous. I confess that, as hard as I have tried and as much as I have wanted to be righteous, without your grace and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, I know I will fail. Thank you for your forgiveness. Please make me new. As I stand on the threshold of a new year, please empower me beyond my weaknesses and besetting sins. Please open my eyes to your work in the world around me and use me in your work of grace in fresh ways. Fire my passion to live fully for your Kingdom and my King, Jesus Christ, in whose 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.