Today's Verse - Acts 5:32

We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.

—Acts 5:32

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Of all the many gifts God gives us, the gift of his presence in us through his Holy Spirit is among the most precious.

• The Spirit's presence makes us God's temple (1 Corinthians 6:19).
• The Spirit intercedes for us according to the will of God when we pray (Romans 8:26-27).
• The Spirit helps us overcome the pull of our flesh (Romans 8:13-14).
• The Spirit gives us strength in our inner being (Ephesians 3:16).
• The Spirit transforms us to become more and more like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Father, thank you so much for your Holy Spirit, who is now interceding for me as I pray. Please strengthen me through your Spirit as I seek to live a holy life dedicated to you. Dear Father, I yearn for the Holy Spirit to transform me daily to be more like your Son in character, compassion, righteousness, and faithfulness. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - Psalm 119:1

Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD.

—Psalm 119:1

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

As Christians, we hear this passage a little differently than those who lived under the Torah, the Law of Moses. We recognize that our blamelessness comes as a gift because of Jesus' sacrificial death on the Cross (Romans 5:6-11; Colossians 1:19-22). We are not justified by working hard to keep the Law (Romans 3:28; Galatians 2:16, 3:11, 24, 5:4). Instead, we are doing our absolute best to walk in the will of the LORD, but do so out of our appreciation for God's grace and by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-4). We do by the power of the Holy Spirit what we could never do under the law. Doing the will of God brings us many blessings. Those blessings are not just for us in the future; they begin right now as we live for God's glory, obey God's will, and walk under his protection.

My Prayer...

Father, thank you for blessing me so graciously. As I seek to live according to your will, I know I experience the blessing of your presence and the power of the Holy Spirit in my life. Please bless me with wisdom to understand your will and the courage to live that will faithfully. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - Romans 8:1-2

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

—Romans 8:1-2

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The law of Spirit and life is built on the work of our great liberator, Jesus the Messiah! We are set free from the law of sin and death. Death has no mastery over us because of Jesus' resurrection. Sin has no claim on us because Jesus paid off our debt to sin on the Cross. We each stand before God as his righteous child, free at last because of the work of our mighty LORD Jesus Christ. There is no condemnation in our future, only glory! Plus, Jesus gave us this promise about his abiding presence that brings us life through the Spirit:

"Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them." By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive (John 7:37-39).

My Prayer...

Thank you, Almighty God, for your plan to pay my ransom and liberate me from sin and death. Thank you for the confidence I have because of your incomparable grace. Thank you, Jesus, for pouring the Holy Spirit into my heart and ensuring that your life springs up within me. I praise you, God, in Jesus' name. Amen.