Today's Verse - Romans 8:38-39

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

—Romans 8:38-39

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Amen and hallelujah! This passage is incredibly hopeful. Nothing could keep Jesus from coming to save you and me - not the distance between heaven and earth, not the difficulty of an unexpected pregnancy, not a city fully of travelers and parents tired from a long journey, certainly not a maniacal king who sought to snuff out his life, not jeering mobs crying crucify him, not disciples that abandoned him, not soldiers that mocked him, not a whip that raked his flesh, and not a cross that claimed his physical life. So what makes you think God would let you go or give up on you after his love has captured your heart at such a high price to him? Nothing in the created world can separate us from God's love! Nothing that the evil one throws at us can stop God's love from holding us fast. The apostle Paul is emphatic: Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

My Prayer...

Abba Father, help me understand your love more fully. It's unimaginable. It's unspeakably good. Thank you! Please bless me with the strength to overcome the doubts the evil one tries to plant in my heart. Please bless me with your gracious power and transform me out of my own weakness into a helpful tool for your service. Knowing you are with me, as I keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, whose hand will not let the waves claim me, please do not let my doubts destroy my confidence in your everlasting love. In Jesus' mighty name, I thank and praise you. Amen.

Today's Verse - John 4:13-14

Jesus answered, "...whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

—John 4:13-14

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Water! That precious gift for the tired and thirsty.
Water! That essential refreshing liquid we all need for life.
Water! That spring of living water welling up to eternal life and renewing our spirits.

Jesus offers water we don't have to carry, find, purify, or resupply. Jesus' water wells up within us. The Holy Spirit brings us Jesus' water because we are his disciples who believe in him (John 7:37-39). Jesus' water gives us eternal life, which begins now, lasts throughout each day we live, and continues forever (John 4:14, 5:24). This water of eternal life is a gift from Jesus, our LORD!

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Father, I know Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to live in me when I became a Christian, a disciple of my LORD. I ask that my stubborn will and my sinful desires will be overcome with the Spirit's transforming power so that my life will display the joy and confidence that your refreshing presence brings. In Jesus' name, and because of his living water, I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - John 3:17

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

—John 3:17

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God sent Jesus to save the world. God is not the mean ol' Scrooge in the sky, critically looking down on his flawed children, waiting to condemn them for their mess-ups. Instead, our Father in heaven saw how broken, flawed, and messed up we were, and he entered our world in Jesus to save it and save us from ourselves. God's purpose in sending Jesus was to give us lasting life, eternal salvation, and out of that grows our earthly mission - to join God in saving the lost world.

My Prayer...

O heavenly Father, deliver us from the sin that entangles our actions and pollutes our hearts. Create in each of us a clean heart and renew a right spirit in us through your sanctifying Holy Spirit. Please, awaken us to our salvation so that we don't keep it to ourselves, but share it with those who desperately need it. Thank you for your forgiveness, grace, and salvation. In Jesus' name, we pray with thankfulness and a renewed sense of our purpose. Amen.