Today's Verse - Luke 11:13

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask for him.

—Luke 11:13

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Remember the best gifts you have ever given to someone else. Recall all the great gifts you've been given by others. Next to the gift of Jesus, God's gracious sacrifice for our salvation, the gifts we've given and received pale in comparison. Yet in giving us the gift of Jesus, the Father didn't stop his gift-giving. Through Jesus, God gave us the Holy Spirit when we came to Jesus as our LORD and Savior. And the Holy Spirit dwelling in us is the gift that keeps on giving, like an ever-flowing spring of cool water welling up to eternal life. What greater gifts can Father give than the gift of his Son and the abiding presence in us through the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17, 21, 23). He assures us that he will be with us and make his home with us until we go home to be with him in our eternal home with him, forever.

My Prayer...

Abba Father, through the intercession of the precious Holy Spirit, your wonderful gift through Jesus, I come before you asking you to empower me, my loved ones, and our church family through the power of your Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26-27). I pray for renewal to sweep over our country and throughout our world, led by your Spirit of grace, power, and love. Thank you for this incomparable gift of the Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, the giver of this great gift, 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 - Psalm 19:1-2

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.

—Psalm 19:1-2

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God's voice is always speaking through his creation. His witnesses give testimony to his glory, majesty, and creative grace. The universe shouts with joy that behind its intricate beauty, astounding powers, and marvelous wonders is the One who gave it life, purpose, order, specificity, and intention. The apostle Paul said something similar when he wrote to the Corinthians:

...what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. (Romans 1:19-20)

The Creator is magnificent and glorious. All his creation - with its vast expanses of the universe, dazzling array of stars and planets, intricate patterns of beauty, its incredible variety of species and terrain, and wonderful motion and forces - proclaim his glory!
Are we listening to the voice behind it all, or are we simply taking it for granted?

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

O Great God, Creator of the countless heavens and gracious one who tends to our own small blue planet, we thank you for noticing the heart-cry of each of us, even though we are so small in a universe so vast. We love you, admire you, trust you, and worship you with wonder at your greatness and grandeur. Your marvelous love, demonstrated to us in Jesus, silences us in the breathless wonder of your grace just as creation shouts to your glory about your marvelous work as Creator, in Jesus' name. 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 - Psalm 46:10

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

—Psalm 46:10

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

David's example as God's poet and psalmist King tells me that the promise of this verse is true (Psalm 37:7).
Jesus' example shows that this is true (Luke 5:16).
Faith helps me trust that this promise is true.
Reverent silences, as we pause amid the hectic rush of our busy lives, can daily remind us that this promise is as true today as it was centuries ago. So, let's make this promise a spiritual principle we bring into our daily lives. Let's be still, and know that God is God, not us!

My Prayer...

O Father in heaven, may your name be reverenced and held holy in my life and my world today. May your will be done, may your reign on earth come with power, might, and finality in my life, and please help me usher it into my world. I want it to come just as it is already real in heaven with you. As I yield my busyness and fretfulness to you, please create the yearning in my heart to be still in your presence and be nourished in the quiet silence of reverent stillness. In Jesus' name, and to be more like Jesus my Savior, 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.