Today's Verse - 2 Corinthians 7:1

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

—2 Corinthians 7:1

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

In a world so full of distractions and temptations, purity is difficult. Even more than difficult, the call to purity often goes forgotten and ignored (1 John 3:2-3). "Cheap grace" (Jude 1:4) is sometimes substituted for Jesus' call to passionate, pure, and holy living. While we never want to give in to a works-righteousness approach to salvation, we must also remember that impurity through laziness, lack of commitment, or simple rebellion contaminates those claiming to be Christians and ruins our influence before the watching world. We are called to be at work perfecting holiness in our lives out of our reverence for God!

My Prayer...

Please purify my heart, my life, my body, and my influence, O God. May my words and my thoughts be blameless in your sight. I want to be holy as you are holy and honor you alone as worthy of honor and glory. I commit to living a holy life dedicated to you because it honors you, the one, true, living, and holy God! Through Jesus, I ask this. Amen.

Today's Verse - Romans 14:8

If we live, we live to the Lord: and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

—Romans 14:8

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

One of the incredible realizations we have as Christians is that our relationship with the LORD is eternal. As we seek after him, he is always there, and no one can separate us from his love (Romans 8:38-29). Even when we die, we go to be "with the LORD" (Philippians 1:23-24). When we sleep in death, we are still "in the LORD" (Revelation 14:13). When he returns in glory, we will go to "be with the LORD forever" (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18). Everything we have on earth is temporary except our love for the LORD Jesus, our praise of God through him, and our friends with whom we share that love and praise!

My Prayer...

Almighty God, thank you so much for binding yourself to our world in Jesus and binding me close to you through his lordship in my life. I look forward to the day when the LORD I kneel to worship today will be recognized by all those living and those who have died as the One True LORD (Philippians 2:9-11). I commit to live this day to honor him, and I know, dear Father, that by honoring him I honor you. I praise and thank you for the gift of Jesus' eternal and abiding lordship in the name of the Christ, my LORD. Amen.

Today's Verse - Revelation 3:14, 20

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. ... "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."

—Revelation 3:14, 20

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

It has always fascinated me that this verse is often cited by those calling others to conversion when it is written to a lukewarm church and her members. These disciples, like many of us, need to rekindle their love-relationship with the LORD and demonstrate it by living passionately for Jesus. Along with those believers centuries ago, we need to ask the LORD Jesus into our hearts, lives, and churches today. It's not that he's not there; it's just that he awaits our invitation to enter and take the lead. He will not barge in and dominate, but enters when we invite him into our lives and welcome him to take control. So, dear friend in Jesus, the LORD inhabits hearts into which he has been invited, so let's open the door and invite him into our hearts and lives!

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My Prayer...

Holy LORD and Savior, I know you long to share your presence and fellowship with me. I know you are nearby (Philippians 4:5), as I draw each breath. But I confess that I am often unaware, and sometimes even unappreciative, of your presence. I ask you this day to come into my heart and fill my life with your presence, comfort, guidance, holiness, and power. I want my life to be lived for you and with you. Thank you for providing Jesus as my LORD and Savior. In his name, I offer my thanks and praise. Amen.