Today's Verse - 1 Corinthians 15:1

Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.

—1 Corinthians 15:1

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The pure Gospel of Jesus Christ is our hope, salvation, and foundation for faith. The first century apostles passed on this Gospel to early believers as eyewitnesses of Jesus. Many backed up their testimony with their lives. We must regularly remind ourselves of this early faith centered on Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-7). With such a pure and clear Gospel, we can joyously live the words of the old hymn, Rock of Ages: "Nothing in my hands I bring, Simply to Thy Cross I cling." We take our stand with the apostle Paul when he stated to the Corinthians:

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born (1 Corinthians 15:3-7).

My Prayer...

Almighty and Precious Father, I love you. I cannot begin to thank you enough for your love and grace, which you displayed so powerfully to me in Jesus. I know the basis of my hope and the foundation on which I build my life is the Gospel of your dear Son. Thank you for giving me something so simple, steadfast, and sure based on the eyewitness testimony, people willing to back up their words with their lives. In Jesus' name, I thank you. Amen.

Today's Verse - Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

—Philippians 4:7

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

What can genuinely guard our hearts? What can authentically protect our minds? Did you know God wants his peace to guard our hearts and minds? That's the apostle Paul's promise to us in this passage. If we present our requests to God, always with thanksgiving, God's peace is more significant than any explanation, it transcends our ability to comprehend it, and it will stand sentry over our hearts and minds. Do you want an example of how this is true? Look at the book of Job. All that befalls him. All that wounds him. Yet, still, he doesn't become hard of heart or go insane. What is the key to his survival? His ongoing conversation with the LORD — his open recognition of the LORD's presence. Job will not relinquish his relationship with God no matter how badly he hurts, how much he is confused, or how badly he is ridiculed. Amid all of his life's uncertainties, losses, and wounds, Job holds onto God's presence (Job 19:25-26).

My Prayer...

Father, I need you and the peace of your abiding presence. Wounds pierce my heart, but I don't want my heart to become hardened and callused. At times, my mind is so confused that I fear I may lose my rationality. Dear Father, I trust that as I cling to Jesus and speak openly with you about my life and your grace, I believe you will bless me with your peace and protect my heart and mind from destruction. Thank you, dear Father, for the reminder that even as I struggle with my troubles, I also need to thank you for all the good things you have done to bless my life in my walk with you! In Jesus' name, I pray thank you. Amen.

Today's Verse - Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

—Philippians 4:6

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Anxiety is worrying about things that we cannot control and worrying over things that we cannot remove from our thoughts. Anxiety dominates and controls a passive mind and a troubled heart, filling both with doubt, fear, and dread. The truth is clear. Anxiety cannot be removed; it must be replaced. We replace our anxieties by giving our concerns and worries to the LORD, trusting him to care for us. Then, as we thank him for what he has done and what he is doing in our lives, we replace those concerns and worries with a genuine sense of his presence through our thanksgiving. As a result, our confidence in his future for us can return to us, leading to even more reduction of anxiety and a greater anticipation of joy.

My Prayer...

Father, I know you love me. You have done so much to bless and save me. I deliberately place the worries and concerns of my heart in your hands... (Let's each take a moment and specifically mention what burdens our hearts today and give them to the Father.) Father, I also want to thank you for the many ways you have blessed me over my life... (Let's specifically mention blessings we have received from God). Now, dear Father, please fill my heart with your Spirit and my mind with the sense of your presence and peace. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.