Today's Verse - Isaiah 1:18

"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."

—Isaiah 1:18

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Nothing stains and leaves a foul spiritual residue on our hearts quite like sin and rebellion against God. However, God's grace is lavish when we turn our hearts to him - when we hear his call to reason with him and receive his grace. When we confess our sins, God doesn't just forgive them; he doesn't just forget them; he cleanses us and removes both the sin and its residue (1 John 1:9, 2:1-2). Our sins are gone forever. Sin's stain is removed; our guilt is taken away. We are cleansed by his grace (Romans 5:6-11). "Come ... let us reason together," says the LORD. Well, let's listen to reason and submit to his grace!

My Prayer...

OH, the glorious joy your grace gives us, dear God! We can never thank you or praise you enough for rerouting our lives away from sin and destruction, and into your love and grace. We find our life, our hope, and our holiness in your grace. We do not take that grace for granted, but respond to that grace by living to honor your love, forgiveness, and redemptive purposes in our lives. In Jesus' name, we thank you and pray to live to honor your grace. Amen.

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.

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.