Today's Verse - John 1:12-13

To all who received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

—John 1:12-13

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We live in a time and culture of rights. "It's my right to..." - and you can fill in the blank with almost anything. But we don't have the right to be God's child. God's grace gives us that right at great cost to God. Jesus, God the Son, came to earth, lived, died, and was raised from the dead. We receive this grace through faith: God gives us new birth as we trust in Jesus as LORD and we share in Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection in baptism (Romans 6:3-7; Colossians 2:11-12), as by faith we are reborn through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-7; Titus 3:3-7). To be "born of God" - to be "born from above," to be "born again" - is the gift of adoption into God's family, as our verse emphasizes. This costly adoption brings us all the rights of full heirs in God's family (Galatians 3:26-29, 4:1-7). Let's not take this grace, this blessing, this adoption, this right, for granted! We are God's children right now and one day we will see him face-to-face (1 John 3:1-3). So, let's give thanks for this grace and live as those who belong in God's family by reflecting our Father's righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful loving-kindness in our lives as his children.

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Abba Father, thank you for adopting me into your family. May my life reflect your character, mercy, holiness, compassion, righteousness, and love. I want to be like you, my Father. I want to live like Jesus, my older brother, who paid my adoption price. Just as I was born into your family by the power of the Holy Spirit, please fill me more with your Spirit and transform me to be more like Jesus in all I do and say this day. In the name of my older brother Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - Matthew 5:14-16

"You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

—Matthew 5:14-16

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

These words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount remind us that our lives must not be allowed to be simply neutral. We will either point others away from God or show them that allegiance to God is essential. We must have a passion for walking in God's light. If we are going to reflect his light, we must live in that light. Let's make an intentional effort today to shine the light of God's holiness, love, and grace in all we do and say around others so they can find their way to the one who is truly the Light of the World (John 8:12).

My Prayer...

O God, may the words of my mouth, the actions of my life, and the influence of my deeds show others your holiness, love and grace. May my influence lead others to Jesus so they can find your life and come to know Jesus as their true Light of life (John 1:4). In Jesus' name, I pray that my life will shine so others may see Jesus. Amen.

Today's Verse - Psalm 119:93

I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.

—Psalm 119:93

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Much like the rules parents have for young children - don't drink what's under the cabinet, don't play in the street, don't walk out from behind parked cars - God's guidance is not to restrict us, but to protect us. His commands, his principles, his precepts, both the positive and prohibitive ones, are for our protection and perfection. By them we find life and have it preserved.
The Old Testament Law had all sorts of cleanliness laws that did not make any sense at all until thousands of years later, when modern science taught us about bacteria and viruses. All through these years, the Israelites were preserved by God's commands when they had no real understanding of why God had given the laws in the first place. God's precepts bring us protection and natural rewards that go with living a wholesome and wise life (Deuteronomy 6:1-3; Psalm 19:7-8, 11).

My Prayer...

Holy LORD, please help me see your words as life-giving and protective. I know you have given your commands, your will for holiness, to guide me to your blessings and provide me with your protection. Please use your Holy Spirit to make my heart less stubborn and my life more aligned with your will and guidance so I can step into the blessings of living according to your precepts. In Jesus' name and by his power, I ask this. Amen.