Today's Verse - Jeremiah 17:7-8

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought.

—Jeremiah 17:7-8

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Trust. Can we really trust in God? Is the LORD really faithful? While we may wish we had been alive when Jesus walked the earth or when Jeremiah spoke God's hard truth fearlessly, we are especially blessed to be alive today. We stand at the end of an incredible stream of God's redemptive work and faithfulness to his promises. We can look at history and know him to be profoundly faithful to his people. We see the Father honoring the Son's trust with great power demonstrated in Jesus' resurrection and the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost. This power is available to us through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8, 2:32-36); the same Holy Spirit power available to the first disciples (Ephesians 1:17-20, 3:14-21). We can launch into the future with boldness because we know God is already there, empowering us to meet him there! This spring of water is God's living stream, Jesus promised us, bubbling up to eternal life (John 7:37-39). His promise to never leave us, abandon us, or forsake us stands, and because God is faithful (Romans 8:32-39; Hebrews 13:5-7), we can stand no matter what comes!

My Prayer...

Holy God, I know you are there! In the morning, in the evening, and during the long nights of temptation and trials, I know I am not alone. Thank you for knowing me and going with me through all my days. Please make your presence known to me this day as I seek to honor you in all I do and say. In the name of Jesus, my LORD, I ask this. Amen.

Today's Verse - 1 Peter 2:2-3

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

—1 Peter 2:2-3

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

A newborn child is a special treasure! Messy? Loud? But a special treasure, nonetheless. However, we know something is horribly wrong when a child does not grow and mature as he or she should. Arrested development in a physical child is the cause of great concern. The Holy Spirit also reminds us that stunted growth in our spiritual lives should not occur and should be a cause of even greater concern (Hebrews 5:14; 6:1-3; 1 Corinthians 14:20). God does not want us to remain immature! He wants us to continue to grow and mature in the direction of Jesus' righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful lovingkindness (Colossians 1:28-29). Our Father wants us to crave what is good and what builds others up, and find ourselves growing to become like Jesus. So, what are you going to do today to satisfy your spiritual appetite and grow in the likeness of your LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ?

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Mighty God, thank you for loving me and saving me. I really want to mature in your grace. Bless me today as I seek to pattern holy habits and fill myself spiritually with the things that will help me grow. But I know that true growth only comes from you, dear Father, so I ask you to strengthen me by your Spirit as I pursue your character, as displayed by Jesus in his life and ministry. Make me more like Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - Galatians 5:22-23

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

—Galatians 5:22-23

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Many religious groups offer various ways to know whether you have the Holy Spirit. Jesus has one simple answer: "By their fruit you will know them" (Matthew 7:16). Paul gives us the definition of God's holy fruit - LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL. These qualities come to life in us as good fruit that comes as a sign of the Spirit's work in our lives. Now, why not repeat them out loud and ask the LORD to make this fruit yours in full measure through the power of the Holy Spirit, the gift the Father gives to those who ask (Luke 11:13).

My Prayer...

Abba Father, through the Spirit, I call upon you, knowing you are interceding for me, O Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26-27). Please fulfill in me the character you possess and the fruit that displays your presence in my life. O Abba Father, I want to exhibit the qualities of your Son and my Savior, Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.