Today's Verse - James 1:22

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

—James 1:22

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

What we know and what we believe are not all that significant if they do not show up in the way we live our daily lives. Unfortunately, most of us know more truth than we obey. Pure and simple, faith not lived out in everyday life is not genuine faith; it is a facade (James 2:14-15, 17, 18, 20). Just as Jesus had told us to put into practice what we have learned from him (Matthew 7:23-27), his brother James reminds us of the same thing: when we learn the truth of God's word, there is only one thing left for us to do: obey it and put it into practice!

My Prayer...

Holy God, please help us put into practice what we know to be your will for us and the truth you have given to us. And please, dear LORD, help us do it with passion today, and to do it day after day, until we come into your presence in glory. In the name of the LORD Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - Psalm 119:114

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.

—Psalm 119:114

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Where can we go to remain secure from the onslaught of bad ideas, evil influences, and false hopes perpetrated by social media? We can go to God and his Word, the Scriptures, and to Jesus, who is the fulfillment of these Scriptures and is the Living Word (John 1:1-18). While people can be disloyal and misguided, God has proven his faithfulness through his word, in sending Jesus, and by keeping his loving promises. He promises never to leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6; Romans 8:38-39), and his truth and his promises stand forever. God is our refuge, shield, fortress, strong foundation, and rock as we give our hearts to the Word of God.

My Prayer...

Almighty God, you alone are trustworthy. You keep your word and fulfill your promises. Forgive me when I trust my own insight and the wisdom of others rather than seeking your will in your Word. Please give me your wisdom as I seek your will and trust in your promises. In the name of Jesus, your ultimate Word, I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - John 1:12-13

To all who received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

—John 1:12-13

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We live in a time and culture of rights. "It's my right to..." - and you can fill in the blank with almost anything. But we don't have the right to be God's child. God's grace gives us that right at great cost to God. Jesus, God the Son, came to earth, lived, died, and was raised from the dead. We receive this grace through faith: God gives us new birth as we trust in Jesus as LORD and we share in Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection in baptism (Romans 6:3-7; Colossians 2:11-12), as by faith we are reborn through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-7; Titus 3:3-7). To be "born of God" - to be "born from above," to be "born again" - is the gift of adoption into God's family, as our verse emphasizes. This costly adoption brings us all the rights of full heirs in God's family (Galatians 3:26-29, 4:1-7). Let's not take this grace, this blessing, this adoption, this right, for granted! We are God's children right now and one day we will see him face-to-face (1 John 3:1-3). So, let's give thanks for this grace and live as those who belong in God's family by reflecting our Father's righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful loving-kindness in our lives as his children.

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Abba Father, thank you for adopting me into your family. May my life reflect your character, mercy, holiness, compassion, righteousness, and love. I want to be like you, my Father. I want to live like Jesus, my older brother, who paid my adoption price. Just as I was born into your family by the power of the Holy Spirit, please fill me more with your Spirit and transform me to be more like Jesus in all I do and say this day. In the name of my older brother Jesus, I pray. Amen.