Today's Verse - Romans 8:28

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

—Romans 8:28

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Because Jesus is our LORD and Savior, God is in our lives. He is at work right now, undoing Satan's destructive messes and leading us into the relationships and places he wants us to go as his salt to season and preserve the world, and his light to shine in dark places and bring hope for a better future (Matthew 6:13-16). This is true in everything we do and everywhere we go. This is true when we think things are good and when we feel like things are horrible. The key is for us to seek his purpose, to live his will, and share his grace. If that is our goal, then we can be sure of our God, and that he is with us every step of the way, working everything out for our eternal good, no matter how things might look moment to moment.

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Thank you, God, for being at work in my life. Thank you for not leaving me alone to my limited best efforts, insights, and choices. Thank you for having a plan for me and for being the assurance that I can't mess it up if I seek your will, live for your purpose, and love you. Even my mistakes can be redeemed, my sins forgiven, and my faults corrected. After all, you are my God, my Father, and my Redeeming Partner in all of life, working to make me more like you. In Jesus' name, I thank you. Amen.

Today's Verse - 2 Peter 1:4

He has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

—2 Peter 1:4

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God made us to be like him in character and compassion. We are called to participate in the divine nature and are assured that we will be made ready to become like him when Jesus comes, and we see him as he is (1 John 3:1-2). Everything in our world is subject to corruption and decay. Even though our bodies are destined to decay, the living part of us will not because we are united with Jesus and awaiting the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18-23; Colossians 3:1-4). Our response to these "very great and precious promises" is to follow Jesus as our Savior and LORD, wholeheartedly.

My Prayer...

Almighty God, my Everlasting Fortress, thank you for giving me your great and precious promises. I long to know you more fully, and to see your face one day in glory. Please protect me and my heart from corruption as I wait in eager expectation of that day. In all love and appreciation, I pray this in the name of Jesus, the One who made me yours. Amen.

Today's Verse - Deuteronomy 7:9

The Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

—Deuteronomy 7:9

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God is faithful to his promises and his people. He fulfilled every promise with a great "Amen!" in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:18-20). His covenant is far more than a set of agreements between a god and his people. God's covenant with us is a covenant of love. He will not forsake us or abandon us (Hebrews 13:5-6; Romans 8:32-39). He will treat us better than we deserve, just as a loving parent treats a rebellious child better than she or he deserves. We must tune our hearts to beat in honor of God as our God. We must not treat him as a good luck charm, a bellhop to bring us our every wish, or our weekly guest we occasionally invite to visit in the margins of our otherwise busy lives. What we do must be done with an awareness and intention that what we have done has been done before him, to honor him! As we do these things, God is faithful. He will uphold his covenant to love us, forgive us, restore us, and empower us until he brings us home to be with him.

My Prayer...

Faithful God, thank you for loving me so sacrificially and steadfastly. Thank you for keeping your promises to the Israelites and for bringing Jesus just as you promised. I trust your promise to send him back to bring me home to you. Until then, please receive the deeds and words of this day as my thanks to you for your covenant of love with me and those who love Jesus. In the name of Jesus, your gift of love, I pray. Amen.