Today's Verse - Jeremiah 6:16

This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'"

—Jeremiah 6:16

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Many times, temptation is a choice between the old and proven good path (God's will for us) and a "new" path provided by Satan. So often, Satan's path is presented to us as a shortcut to happiness, prosperity, and accomplishment. However, this path leads us away from God and the blessings he longs to give us. Instead, this false path leads to death. Notice how Solomon warned us twice about this choice:

There is a way that may seem right, but in the end it leads to death (Proverbs 14:12, 16:25).

My Prayer...

O dear Father, you are the Almighty God, forgive me for turning from your path and seeking a way that seems right to me, even an easier-seeming way, and appears to lead to happiness more quickly. Through your Holy Spirit, help me see through the facades of Satan's temptations and recognize their bitter end result. I know your way is the way of joy, peace, and rest. Please give me the courage to walk it confidently. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - James 4:15

Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."

—James 4:15

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

While I like to have choices and must be responsible for my own decisions, I am genuinely thankful that the LORD allows me to submit my life to his will and entrust my future to him. The Father is at work in me to do his will (Philippians 2:13) and to work for my best good (Romans 8:28). So, I gladly acknowledge that my plans are subject to his will. I appreciate that my goals and successes are in the LORD's hands. I have also found that what I often wanted in the immediate moment wasn't the right decision. Pausing and seeking the LORD's will has saved me from many impulsive or selfish decisions with undesired consequences. I gladly proclaim that what lies ahead for me can be summarized by one phrase I joyfully accept: "If the LORD wills!"

My Prayer...

Thank you, Abba Father, that my life and my future are in your hands. Forgive me for the times that my plans are too full of myself or not consciously dependent upon you. Thank you for rescuing me from the messes I have made because of my failed plans built around my own foolish arrogance and selfishness. Dear Father, I gladly place my plans, my life, and my future in submission to your will. In Jesus' holy name, and by his power, I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - Romans 8:35-37

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

—Romans 8:35-37

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

More than conquerors! What a great phrase. Conquerors are what we are in Jesus. In fact, Paul says, "we are MORE than conquerors through him who loved us." No hardship, enemy, physical disaster, not even death, can separate us from Jesus. Once our lives are joined to Jesus (Colossians 2:13-15), our future is tied to Jesus (Colossians 3:1-4). We are conquerors bound to share in our Savior's conquering glory!

My Prayer...

Almighty God, I do not know how to thank you properly and fully. You have blessed me with a new identity and fresh confidence because of Jesus. So, dear Father, please accept my thanks for your gifts of grace, your indwelling Spirit within me, and your promises of heaven. Thank you for your love that has saved and remade me. Thank you for assuring me that I will never be alone no matter what I have to face. Most of all, dear LORD, thank you for your promise that nothing has the power to strip me from your love for me in Jesus. I thank you in Jesus' name. Amen.