Today's Verse - James 1:12

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

—James 1:12

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Only Christians win at life. That's because none of us who are human has the power to hold back our greatest enemy, death (Hebrews 2:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:26). But when we have persevered, we are given the ultimate victory: THE CROWN OF LIFE, life that will not end (Revelation 2:10). Because our lives are in the hands of the one who defeated death, death cannot separate us from our victory in Jesus Christ our LORD! As the apostle Paul emphatically proclaimed:

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."
"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:54-57)

My Prayer...

Thank you, Father, for giving me the assurance that when all is said and done, I will share in your life and Jesus' victory over sin, death, hell, and the evil one, forever. Help me to live today confidently, knowing that I have your life and that the living part of me, united with Jesus, will never die (Colossians 3:1-4). In the name of Jesus, my conquering King, I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - Ephesians 6:10-11

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

—Ephesians 6:10-11

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Many of the struggles in our lives are not mere accidents! Many of them are not put there by God. Our challenges often come from the hand of our enemy, the evil one, the liar and murderer from the beginning (John 8:44). He is always prowling about looking for the best scheme (2 Corinthians 2:11) to knock us down and devour us as he weakens our commitment to and relationship with the LORD Jesus (1 Peter 5:8). We are in a war with this evil one - a struggle not with flesh and blood, but against spiritual powers (Ephesians 6:12). By placing ourselves firmly in the hands of the LORD and using his tools of warfare enables us overcome our enemy in the name of Jesus and by the blood of his cross (Colossians 1:20), because Jesus humiliated the evil one and his minions in the triumph over evil at the cross (Colossians 2:12-15). Be strong in the LORD because the strength is with him.

My Prayer...

Strengthen me, O God, that I may stand against my evil foe and triumph by the power of your Spirit. I want to bring honor and glory to my conquering Savior, Jesus, who will return one day and take me home in victory. In the name of Jesus, the victorious Rider on the White Horse (Revelation 19:11-16), I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - Jeremiah 17:7-8

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought.

—Jeremiah 17:7-8

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Trust. Can we really trust in God? Is the LORD really faithful? While we may wish we had been alive when Jesus walked the earth or when Jeremiah spoke God's hard truth fearlessly, we are especially blessed to be alive today. We stand at the end of an incredible stream of God's redemptive work and faithfulness to his promises. We can look at history and know him to be profoundly faithful to his people. We see the Father honoring the Son's trust with great power demonstrated in Jesus' resurrection and the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost. This power is available to us through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8, 2:32-36); the same Holy Spirit power available to the first disciples (Ephesians 1:17-20, 3:14-21). We can launch into the future with boldness because we know God is already there, empowering us to meet him there! This spring of water is God's living stream, Jesus promised us, bubbling up to eternal life (John 7:37-39). His promise to never leave us, abandon us, or forsake us stands, and because God is faithful (Romans 8:32-39; Hebrews 13:5-7), we can stand no matter what comes!

My Prayer...

Holy God, I know you are there! In the morning, in the evening, and during the long nights of temptation and trials, I know I am not alone. Thank you for knowing me and going with me through all my days. Please make your presence known to me this day as I seek to honor you in all I do and say. In the name of Jesus, my LORD, I ask this. Amen.