Today's Verse - Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

—Isaiah 26:3

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

It is naive, on one hand, to think that trusting in God makes all of our problems go away. Christians have many of the same problems that unbelievers do because they share the same mortal flesh and live in the same broken world (Romans 8:18-21). Some of our brothers and sisters are suffering hardship and persecution because of their faith. However, there is also a sense that trusting in God does make our problems go away - or at least helps us put those problems into perspective. Because we trust in God, our work stands or falls in his hands. Either way, we know that we will share in his victorious and glorious presence forever (Colossians 3:1-2). Our lives are not lived in vain. That's not just confidence; it's the foundation of true peace. We can live our lives to their fullest, knowing that every moment matters. We don't need to be anxious about the results when we rest our lives in the hands of our living and victorious LORD, in whom we trust!

My Prayer...

Almighty Father of peace, thank you for the assurance that my life will not be lived in vain and will end victoriously in your presence with the return of Jesus (1 Thess. 4:16-18). May I share this sense of peace with others. In the name of Jesus, my Prince of Peace, I pray with confidence and assurance. 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 12:4-5

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

—Romans 12:4-5

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Three key realities of our discipleship are belonging, usefulness, and connectedness. Each of us belongs! We belong to God. We belong to Jesus. We belong to Jesus' body, the Church. We belong to each other as members of Jesus' body. The Holy Spirit not only cleansed us when we were given new birth in Jesus' family (John 3:6-7; 1 Corinthians 6:11), but the Spirit also gifted us (Ephesians 4:7; 1 Peter 4:10) and connected us with everyone else in Jesus' body! We each have a place and a purpose for the Church to function as Jesus' bodily presence in our world today. We each have something to bring to the other believers who make us Jesus' body, the Church. Each of us belongs! Each of us is needed! Each of us has an important role to play with significant things to do! Each of us is connected to each other. If one part suffers, we all suffer. If one person is blessed, we all rejoice (1 Corinthians 12:26). So, dear friend of Jesus, rather than envying someone else's gift or belittling someone we feel has a lesser gift, or rejecting someone who does not have a specific gift, let's rejoice in each other, support each other, and do our part in helping the world see Jesus!

My Prayer...

Help me, please, dear Father. I want to find the place you made me to fill in Jesus' body, the Church. As I discover my place to serve and use my gifts, I pledge to work so that your Spirit, and not just my own preferences, will guide me into your place for me to serve. Thank you for giving me a place not only to belong, but also to serve and be a part of Jesus' bodily presence in the world. In Jesus' name, and for his glory, 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 119:165

Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.

—Psalm 119:165

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

My doctor likes to tease me when I come in for a checkup: "What is your problem with gravity?" You see, from an early age, my nickname was "Trip"! I am someone who has had several very clumsy stages of life and taken some pretty nasty stumbles. So, I hope you will join me in hearing this most beautiful promise from today's Scripture. For me, this promise is almost beyond believing.
"Nothing can make them stumble."
When it comes to life, God gives us this promise: as we know, love, and do his will, nothing can make us stumble. There is great peace knowing that the Father loves us and doesn't want us to stumble. Even when we do begin to stumble, if we go back to God and confess those stumbles and sins, he forgives them and makes us clean. It's as if they hadn't happened (1 John 1:9). God no longer sees it as a stumble because he has forgiven it and has empowered us beyond it! Now it is our turn to love God, his truth, and his guidance, obeying with all of our hearts, knowing that we have a power over spiritual gravity: nothing can make us stumble!

My Prayer...

Thank you, God, for this day. Thank you for all that lies ahead. Thank you that we don't have to face today or tomorrow with doubts about our basic values and without a sense of your will for our lives. Stir us to live your will and obey your Scriptures so that nothing can make us stumble. Empower us with your Spirit and guide us with your truth so that we may more perfectly reflect your character. In Jesus' name, we thank you for hearing our prayers. 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.