Today's Verse - Psalm 119:30

I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.

—Psalm 119:30

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus challenged us with this strong call:

"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23).

"The way of truth," the way of Jesus, is a daily choice. Not intentionally putting Jesus at the center of our lives and not seeking to please him as our top priority means we slip a little further away from the life he is calling us to live. Any decision made without consciously seeking to please him and obeying his commands (Matthew 28:20) is choosing to place Jesus at the periphery of our lives. So let's set our hearts on him. Let's choose his way and his truth so we can live his life (John 14:6) in our world. Yes, we have chosen the way of truth, and we have set our hope on Jesus, who is the fulfillment of God's laws (Matthew 5:17-28).

My Prayer...

Heavenly Father, I choose to follow Jesus and live obediently to his truth. Please open my eyes to see your will for me in Jesus, and please open my heart to live it with consistency and passion. I commit again today to follow you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. In Jesus' name, 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 - 1 John 1:7

If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

—1 John 1:7

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

As we seek to please God and trust in his grace, more grace is supplied. As we walk openly, transparently, and bring who we are to the Light (John 3:19, 21), we are forgiven our sins and cleansed of their stains (1 John 1:8-9). This grace gives us an ongoing relationship with each other for fellowship, encouragement, and mutual support, and it also brings us into deeper fellowship with our Father in heaven. Jesus' death was "once for all" (Hebrews 7:27, 9:12, 26, 10:10); its cleansing power goes on and on for each of us, as long as we tune our hearts to the Father's grace, we are open about our sinful failures, and our hearts return to the path that seeks the Father's will and live in the Light of Jesus.

My Prayer...

Loving Father, thank you for the gift of Jesus and the cleansing his death brings me. Help me live a more dedicated life each day. Thank you for the assurance that, as I seek your will and live your life, you are also forgiving me of my sins, cleansing me of their stains, and making me new. Through the intercession of Jesus, and in his mighty name, I offer these words of thanks. 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 - Isaiah 41:10

"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

—Isaiah 41:10

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Fear saps our willpower and leaves us feeling depleted and hopeless. Feeling depressed, discouraged, and dismayed saps our emotional resources and takes the passion out of our spiritual service. Yet very few of us have ever experienced a defeat so complete and bitter as the one God's people faced when Isaiah shared this message of hope. The preservation of Israel through their horrors of defeat, humiliation, and loss from their times in exile until the time of Jesus is a many-centuries-long reminder of God's miraculous and faithful fulfillment of his promises and love. Later, when all appeared lost, the ongoing survival and triumph of Jesus' disciples through centuries of persecution and opposition powerfully remind us that underneath us are the everlasting arms (Deuteronomy 33:27) of a mighty and loving God who will ultimately bring us to share in his eternal victory by the power of his "righteous right hand".

My Prayer...

Almighty and Eternal Father, we find such sweet comfort in knowing that you are always there to be with us, to sustain us, and to uphold us in your loving arms of strength and mercy. Thank you for always being present in our lives and being present in our world, guaranteeing our victory! In Jesus' name, we believe and trust in you and your "righteous right hand". 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.