Today's Verse - Deuteronomy 13:4

It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.

—Deuteronomy 13:4

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

So many people want us to follow their lead, validate their choices, approve of their opinions, and follow their voice. Only God alone has proved himself faithful and loving through the ages, worthy of our devotion as we follow and obey him. In his might, he is to be revered. But rather than seeing reverence only as a "church thing," Moses reminds us that reverence is also a daily "life thing." We are to obey and keep God's commandments. We are to serve him and depend upon him in our daily lives. We are to worship God in the way we live each day. Rather than just silence in the worship assembly, reverence must also be a committed action in our daily lives as we follow the LORD's guidance and obey his commands, while we serve others to God's glory!

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Holy and Righteous Father, please help me take my worship beyond the church building and into my day-to-day life, as I try to live what I sing, practice what I say, and pursue what I pray. In Jesus' name, I ask you to demonstrate your grace as I serve others to your glory in my day-to-day living. Amen.

Today's Verse - Isaiah 43:11-12

"I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed — I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "that I am God."

—Isaiah 43:11-12

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Peter reminded us that we are here as God's chosen people, his witnesses, to "declare the praises of him who has called us out of darkness into his wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9). We have experienced God's saving work in our lives. We know he is the LORD. We are the recipients of his blessings and grace. We know our God is the true God. We are the people who anticipate his mighty deliverance yet to come. Our God is the God of the first and the last, the one who is and was and is to come. So, how can we remain silent? How can we remain bitter, pessimistic, or discouraged? The God who made the tomb empty and made the corpse of Jesus our living and exalted LORD is also our Father in heaven. He is mighty to save. We are witnesses that he alone is God!

My Prayer...

O Mighty God, I confess that I slip so easily into my day-to-day rut and sometimes grow immune to the joy and excitement of your salvation. Please give me fresh eyes to see and a bold voice to declare your glorious deeds, your mighty works, and your answered promises. I believe you are leading me to glory, so help me show and share that glory with those who do not yet know you as God, Savior, LORD, and King. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior, I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - Psalm 63:1

O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

—Psalm 63:1

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Addiction has sometimes been defined as "God-hunger directed to the wrong source of soul satisfaction." Psalm 63:1 reminds us this is true. Deep in us is a desire to seek after God because he is not far from us and longs to be known by us (Acts 17:26-28). Unfortunately, far too often when our souls crave God deeply, he is the last place we turn for satisfaction and fulfillment. Let's earnestly seek God, have our souls thirst for him, and recognize when our bodies long deeply for him. Then let's refuse false substitutes for our soul-thirstiness and seek God above all things, because God is our God. When we earnestly seek him, and our souls thirst for him, and our bodies long for him, we can find satisfaction in him!

My Prayer...

O, Abba Father, please fill my heart with longing for you and recognize that longing can only be filled by finding you. Please stir my understanding to realize I long for you and crave your presence. I confess that I have often sought relief for my spirit's hunger with things that do not satisfy and often enslave. O, Holy Spirit, please help me recognize that all other sources of satisfaction are temporary and false. LORD Jesus, I promise to pursue you, your will, and your presence through obedience to your word and in conformity to your lifestyle, for I know I most need to rest in your presence and grace. Amen.