Today's Verse - Ephesians 2:19

"You are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household."

—Ephesians 2:19

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Those of us who have been Christians a long time sometimes forget that we have no claim or right to the grace that we have received. God offered his grace freely to all people who are willing to call on Jesus as LORD and Savior, then live for him wholeheartedly (Titus 2:11; Acts 2:21, 41, 16:22; Romans 10:13). When we feel we deserve our place in "God's household", that it is ours by right, we are no longer living under grace. To be a part of God's family is a gift. The Holy One who spoke into existence the universe - and we are a submicroscopic speck in comparison - has given us grace to be adopted into his family. Being part of God's people, God's household, is simply and magnificently a gift from the One who knows how to share grace in ways we can't even imagine.

My Prayer...

For the incredible and boundless love you have given to your other children and me, born anew, born from above, born of you, O God, we fall to our knees and thank you. Your power is beyond our comprehension. Your awesome holiness is beyond our understanding. Yet your infinite grace is ours because of your costly love and boundless grace through Jesus. Thank you. A million times over we say it, "Thank you!" In the name of Jesus, our LORD. Amen.

Today's Verse - Galatians 3:28

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

—Galatians 3:28

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Wouldn't it be great if we could tear down all the walls that divide us - racial, social, economic, gender, and political. The apostle Paul spent his entire life trying to do just that: to tear down the walls that divided people by bringing them to Jesus and the cross. In fact, Paul emphatically proclaimed that Christ "has made us ... one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility" (Ephesians 2:13-14 ESV). There are no positions of superiority or inferiority at the foot of the cross; only a place for those who discover God's might displayed in sacrifice and God's love displayed even when under attack at the hands of human cruelty. While the forces of culture and human selfishness are always trying to divide us, we can remember that in Jesus, and only in Jesus, we can all be truly one.

My Prayer...

Forgive me, O God, for the times when I have let prejudice and suspicion keep me from fully enjoying fellowship with those whom you have claimed as your children. I pray that my life will be an example of redemption and unity as I seek to love your children as you do. In the name of Jesus, whose dying prayer was for unity among his followers (John 17:20-21), I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - John 6:29

Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: To believe in the one he has sent."

—John 6:29

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Do you believe in Jesus - not just "kinda believe" in Jesus, but do you really believe? Years ago, shortly after Max Lucado came back from his mission work in Rio, Brazil, he shared with a group of his closest friends that his theology was pretty simple. He didn't have a handle on a lot of the big, difficult theological problems that divide folks. However, Max said he came to the firm and deep conviction that God loves us, and he showed that love by really sending Jesus to live among us, to die for us, and to be raised from the dead so that we could be raised from death, too. This is the work of God - amazingly simple and awesomely powerful. I believe in Jesus. I pray that you believe in Jesus. While we may be uncertain about many specific details of complex doctrinal issues, the work of God we need is to genuinely "believe in the one he has sent."

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Holy God, I do believe that Jesus came to earth, died, and was raised from the dead. Please help me show and share that message with those around me who are looking for hope and help. Holy Spirit, open my eyes to those around me who are searching for Jesus, and please give me the courage and sensitivity I need to share Jesus effectively with them, with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). Father, I want so much to share in your work of both believing in Jesus personally and also helping others to believe in him. I rededicate myself to this gospel message today. In the name of Jesus, my Savior, I pray. Amen.