Today's Verse - John 11:26

"Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

—John 11:26

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

These were Jesus' words to Martha when her brother had died. She still hoped Jesus would intervene and do something about her brother's death. What Jesus says here fits well with something we emphasized several days ago. Christians who die physically are never really separated from their relationship with God's loving presence in Jesus (Romans 8:32-39). Their life is joined with Jesus, and that relationship is not severed by death (Philippians 1:18-23). In today's passage, Jesus challenges us to believe a similar truth: "Whoever lives and believes in me will never die." Do you believe the genuine living part of you made by God in your mother's womb (Psalm 139:13-16) will never die? Even though your physical body dies, do you believe you are still alive in Jesus? I hope so because this is an incredible thought! We are eternal, immortal, and joined with Jesus. His future is joined with us because of him (Colossians 3:1-4)! So, will we live believing this powerful truth?

My Prayer...

Almighty God, I do believe that because of Jesus, I will never die, that I am never separated from you because my life and future are joined to Jesus. Please bless me, dear Father, so that I can make every minute count while I am here in this life. At the same time, dear God, I look forward to seeing you face to face. In the meantime, please help me live by faith and not fear. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - Mark 11:25

"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

—Mark 11:25

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

This passage is one of the most challenging reminders of God's will in Scripture. I MUST forgive others! When I refuse to forgive, I build a dam, stopping the stream of forgiveness God longs to give me. Forgiving others is seldom easy. It is often quite difficult and painful. However, God has commanded us to do it and given us his Son as an example of how to forgive (Luke 23:34). Jesus has promised to empower us to do his will by the power of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:14-21) as we are transformed to become like him (2 Corinthians 3:18). The real issue: Will I let go of my bitterness toward those who have wounded me? Yet when we harbor bitterness and unforgiveness, we hold ourselves hostage to our hate and resentment. As the saying says, "Forgiveness is setting the captive bird free, then realizing you were the captive bird!"

My Prayer...

Dear God, I confess this is a hard command. But, dear Father, I want to forgive these people (please add the names you are committing to forgive) of the sin they have committed against me. Please block cynicism and bitterness from my heart. Please empower me to forgive as Jesus did. Please pour your Holy Spirit into my heart and fill me with love and forgiveness. In addition, dear Father, please teach me what my commitment to forgive means for the genuine life changes I need to make. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - Acts 11:24

He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

—Acts 11:24

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

As this scripture talks about Barnabas, Luke reminds us just how good a man Barnabas was! Why would we consider Barnabas to be such a good man? For many reasons. Primarily, Luke wants us to recognize that Barnabas was full of faith and the Holy Spirit. Barnabas' goodness shouldn't surprise us. When the Holy Spirit lives in us, he is at work producing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and conforming us to the character of Jesus Christ our LORD (2 Corinthians 3:18). No wonder Barnabas' influence was so significant on the lives of those who lived in Antioch (Acts 13:1-3). No wonder God chose him to mentor the apostle Paul and show him how to serve in ways that multiplied disciples. Barnabas was a good man because his life was under the influence of God's Spirit!

My Prayer...

Dear Heavenly Father, I want my life to be influential in spreading the good news of Jesus and growing your Kingdom. I offer myself to you as a living sacrifice, asking that you conform me to the nature of your Son Jesus and bring forth the fruit of your Spirit in me as I seek to influence others to Jesus. In whose name I pray, Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.