Today's Verse - Hebrews 10:35-36

Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

—Hebrews 10:35-36

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Some tough times come with living. They're inescapable. There can also be even tougher times for those who believe and seek to share Jesus. We call that persecution. That's when our confidence in the LORD's salvation and our relationship with him get tested! It is one thing to sing "it is well with my soul" at the end of a peel-the-paint worship service. It is quite another to be able to sing those words when they auction your house off at the courthouse steps, you are told you have a long-term debilitating illness, you lose a child to death, or you are ridiculed and persecuted for your faith. Faith can't take a holiday when we travel through the suburbs of hell - when times are tough. If we quit then, we'll never find our way out. We must persevere. So don't throw away your steadfastness in faith. Hang on, hang in, persevere! Don't give up. Keep putting one foot in front of the other, trusting that God will give you the strength for the next step. No matter how hard it is at the moment, please don't give in to despair. Be like Job or Jeremiah, who both argued and complained to God, but never let go of God. Don't quit. Christ is coming for you with grace and glory. His deliverance awaits!

My Prayer...

Holy and Almighty God, today is a good day. However, I am deeply aware that some of those I love are close to giving up their confidence in your love, mercy, grace, peace, and deliverance. Please use me to encourage them. Even more, dear Father, I ask that you use your Holy Spirit to renew their hearts. I pray that you intervene directly to change the course of events, give them relief, and make your gracious presence known to them. 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 - Romans 5:3-4

We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

—Romans 5:3-4

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

I remember the Corrie ten Boom phrase, "Thank God for the fleas." The fleas kept the German soldiers out of the barracks in the concentration camp where she was imprisoned. This allowed her to minister to and visit those being persecuted. The deplorable conditions and her sufferings allowed her to show and share the love of Jesus authentically. In the earliest days of the church, the apostles rejoiced "because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name" of Jesus! Their willingness to suffer for Christ opened some people's hearts to believe because they could see that their hope in Jesus wasn't just something they preached, but also something they lived! Even in the worst of suffering, God can bring blessings through those who know that life's goal is character, not comfort. And that character gives us hope for our future with Jesus!

My Prayer...

Mighty God, I confess that I get impatient and frustrated with difficulty, pain, and especially unjust suffering. Please give me more compassion and a better listening ear so that I may bless those who need your love and grace, regardless of the personal cost or personal suffering inflicted upon me. Please bless me with strength to find joy in the difficulties, suffering, and pain of breaking through the barriers the evil one tries to place in the way to keep others from knowing Jesus. In the Savior's name, I pray to rejoice even in sufferings. 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 - Romans 15:7

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

—Romans 15:7

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

I hate racism and exclusivity. But my loathing does not match God's revulsion at these things. On the other hand, we can anticipate the choir of heaven (Revelation 7:9-11) where fellow believers "from every nation, tribe, people and language" will worship Jesus together in glory! But, dear friend in Jesus, we must accept one another in Jesus now, and not let race, language, culture, or suspicion keep us from loving each other as we have already been loved by the Savior. Why do we do this? Because it is right, it is what Jesus does, and it brings glory to God!

My Prayer...

Holy and Righteous Father, I pray that we will have the Holy Spirit use your grace to help us tear down any and all walls that divide your people based on race, culture, status, ethnicity, or privilege. Teach us, and please teach me, to love all peoples as you did when you sent Jesus to save the people "from every nation, tribe, people and language." In the name of Jesus, who died for all people everywhere, 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.