Today's Verse - Matthew 7:13-14

Jesus said, "Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

—Matthew 7:13-14

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Most people in the world want a Savior but not a LORD. The New Testament is clear, a Savior who is not LORD is no Savior and no friend. If the Old Testament showed us anything, it is that God's truth was written not for his fascination but for his people's preservation. Many people today, maybe even most, believe they are saved because they think their good deeds outweigh their bad ones. Jesus, however, is very clear: Most are lost and will not find their own way to salvation (Matthew 7:13-27). Only Jesus is the way to God (John 14:6), and no one can be saved except through Jesus (Acts 4:12). While Jesus longs to be the Savior of all people (John 4:42), he emphasizes that for him to be our Savior, we must also choose to live with him as our LORD. That means we are bearing fruit that displays his righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful lovingkindness in our lives (Galatians 3:22-23). So, let's live that kind of life, enter through that narrow gate, and produce Jesus' style of holy fruit as we trust in him as our Savior and LORD!

My Prayer...

Holy LORD Jesus, please take control of my life and my will. I long to be wholly yours. I want you as my Savior and my LORD. I want to honor you, not just in word, but also in thought, word, and deed. Trusting you as my Savior and LORD, I offer you my heart, my life, and my all as I confess this before the Father and pray through you, LORD Jesus. Amen.

Today's Verse - Habakkuk 3:19

The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.

—Habakkuk 3:19

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

In a horribly turbulent, violent, and dangerous time for the children of God, the prophet Habakkuk confidently said, "The LORD is my strength!"
Wow, what faith. Wow, what power we have in the LORD's abiding and empowering presence. Even in the worst of times, we are an enabled people. Unfortunately, we often forget the power available to us as disciples of Jesus. That's why I believe we need to pray Paul's prayer for fellow believers in our day, especially those brothers and sisters caught in a hard time:

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.
. . .
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:14-21)

My Prayer...

Sovereign God and Almighty Father, I pray today, asking that you not only be my strength, but be the strength of those I love who are battling depression, grief, and despair. I ask your blessings, especially and specifically for these people... (Speak the name of several you want to pray for by name, here!)
O, dear Father, I pray that together, we may...

...know the hope to which [you have called us], the riches of [your] glorious inheritance in [your] holy people, and [your] incomparably great power for us who believe..

Today's Verse - Psalm 90:2, 4

Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

—Psalm 90:2, 4

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

So many things about our lives are uncertain. This one thing, however, is sure: no matter where, when, or how long, God will be there and will be with us and will be for us. He is the "I AM" - the one "who is, and who was, and who is to come" - of every past, present, and future moment (Revelation 1:8). He will not forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6). We will never be separated from his love for us in Jesus (Romans 8:38-39). Because God existed before anything was made (John 1:1-3), we can trust he will be with us when this form of creation ends, and when he ushers us into our eternal home with him forever. Hold fast, dear child of the eternal God, our Father has all of us, his children, in his "everlasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:27-28).

My Prayer...

Everlasting Father, I find great comfort in knowing that I cannot be in a place or time where you are not. Stir my courage through your Spirit, that I may be bolder because of your power and presence. Help me to share the Gospel of Jesus with boldness, yet with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15-16), with those who need your hope. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.