Today's Verse - 1 Peter 5:8-9

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

—1 Peter 5:8-9

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The evil one, the devil, is not an imaginary being or a pretend force we dismiss as a childish fear. He and his power are real, and he intends to do us eternal harm! (Look at the poor man inhabited by a legion of demons in Mark 5:1-20 and see what the evil one would like to do with all of us.) Instead of spending our time worrying about him, however, let's resist him when we are tempted and focus on Jesus. Jesus defeated the evil one and his horde of demonic spirits on the cross (Colossians 2:15). Jesus won the big showdown at Calvary, triumphing over Satan. He took the evil one's greatest tool, death, and our fear of death, and disarmed it (Hebrews 2:14-15). Now we can resist, and Satan will flee because of Jesus in us and for us (James 4:7).

My Prayer...

Thank you, Almighty God, for sending Jesus to break the evil one's stranglehold over us and our world. Through the Savior's death, you have assured us that our death won't be the end of our relationship, but the beginning of our life with you forever. Today, I ask that you help me especially resist the evil one's power and influence over my life. Through the power in the mighty name of Jesus, 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 - Ephesians 2:8-9

It is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.

—Ephesians 2:8-9

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Don't you love receiving gifts! Especially when they're truly given with no strings attached; we just have to receive them. The greatest gift we've ever received has nothing to do with our efforts. It is a gift from God. We didn't earn it, deserve it, or purchase it. God gave it through his sacrifice so our salvation would not be our boasting, but his loving kindness offered to us in Jesus. This simple, clear, and saving gospel, which finds its origin in God alone, is so important that the apostle Paul warned that no one should change it, or they would face the curse of God (Galatians 1:8-9). Our appropriate response is to receive this gospel with joy by placing our faith in Jesus, then go live for him, doing good things to bless others (Ephesians 2:10).

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Holy God, I can never thank you enough for sending Jesus and paying the debt for my sin. May I never presume on your grace or take the cost of your gift lightly. At the same time, Father, I want to live confidently, knowing that my salvation is not dependent on me fixing my mistakes, but upon your grace graciously given to me. Because of your incredibly lavish gift, I want to live for you today in a way that reflects the joy I have for receiving such an awesome gift. In the name of Jesus, the source of my hope and grace, 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 12:1

I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship.

—Romans 12:1

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Because God went first and sacrificed his most precious gift, Jesus, to save us, he can ask us to surrender ourselves to him. Only one problem: The sorry ol' sacrifice wants to keep crawling off the altar. Let's admit it; talk of sacrifice and being a living sacrifice doesn't sound all that enticing. Except offering ourselves to God is where we find life and find what is most enduring about ourselves. As the famous missionary Jim Elliot profoundly put it: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." We offer ourselves, our will, our time, our heart, our commitment, to God each day because of what he has already done for us, and the greater things he has promised us in the future!

My Prayer...

Holy and Righteous Savior, I want to surrender my life, my body, and will to you. But I confess, there are little things (and maybe some big things) that I keep from ever placing on that altar. Things I don't want to give up. To the best of my ability, I will live for you today in a way that leaves nothing outside your Lordship and control. I offer you me - all that I have and am - to be yours today, and all the forever I have. 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.