Today's Verse - Titus 2:11-12

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age...

—Titus 2:11-12

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

In a world that has chosen to have no absolutes and that seems to have abandoned any moral standards, salvation by the costly grace of the Father beckons us to change our lifestyles in response to his grace, regardless of society's values (1 John 3:1-3). All who receive grace and refuse to pursue righteousness demonstrate their ignorance or hardness of heart. In our day, in our time, to be saved must mean that we pursue righteousness - not so that we may earn our salvation, but so that God's saving grace will not be fruitless in us (1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:2). You see, to have Jesus as our Savior also means to have him as our LORD and we tune our lives to his will, his character, and his example.

My Prayer...

Holy Father, I confess that I live in a morally confused time. Satan is constantly distorting the distinction between right and wrong, good and evil, moral and immoral. Because you have been so gracious with me, may my life today reflect the righteousness you gave me through Jesus.

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

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.

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.