Today's Verse - Psalm 59:16

I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

—Psalm 59:16

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

So many things in our lives can be stolen away by natural disasters, aging, greedy people, addictive appetites, our own laziness, many distractions, and untimely death. These subtle temptations lead me to believe the evil one could be appropriately called "The Thief of Always."* God, however, is immovable, and what he offers us is unstealable! We can invest ourselves in him and know our futures are secure in his care. God is our fortress and our refuge. We can run to our Father in heaven, find his grace and protection from the evil one, and build our lives on his solid promises and find that our future is secure with Jesus (Colossians 3:1-4).

---

* This name is borrowed from Clive Barker's dark fantasy tale of that same title, a classic tale of temptation, consequences, and the battle for one's soul.

My Prayer...

O Great Rock of my salvation, thank you for being unchangeable and faithful. Thank you for being the source of my security, the assurance of a future in days of chaos and change. Thank you for being God. You are my God, and in you I place my life, my hopes, my dreams, my value, and my future. So, dear Father, I conclude with the prayer of your servant David as my heart's desire:

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14).

In the name of Jesus. 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 - 1 Corinthians 2:9

As it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived — what God has prepared for those who love him..."

—1 Corinthians 2:9

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Many of the things we anticipate and dream for the future are much less glorious in real life than they were in our imaginations and dreams. There is one event, however, that is better than we can imagine and beyond our wildest dreams. When Jesus returns to take us home to be with our Father, it will be far better than we can ask, imagine, dream, or think. Maranatha - Come O LORD Jesus (1 Corinthians 16:22). However, God has not left us alone with our thoughts about what is to come. Paul first quotes the great prophet Isaiah: As it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived - what God has prepared for those who love him..." (Isaiah 64:4). Then, he finishes his thought with this great promise: but "these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit." (Isaiah 64:5). While we can't imagine our future with God, the Holy Spirit has given us inspired glimpses through his inspired Scripture! Yeah, we can't imagine it, but the Spirit has helped reveal it to us through his inspired Scriptures, and in that we rejoice!

My Prayer...

Abba Father, thank you for knowing me before time began. Thank you for crafting me in my mother's womb with a plan and purpose for my future. Thank you for sending Jesus to pay the price for my sins. And thank you in advance for the day Jesus comes to take me home to be with you forever to enjoy life that is beyond my comprehension. I wait longingly for these promised days to dawn. 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 - Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

—Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

So many times the evil one seduces us into a flat, 2-dimensional Christianity - going to church and doing good things. However, God calls us to a three-dimensional faith - one that involves our heart, soul, and strength (body). He wants us to love him with all of our heart, all our inner being, and all of our actions used mightily for him. God wants us completely aligned with his ways, his character, his compassion, and his faithfulness in every facet of our being.

Hear, O [people of God]: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Yes! Three-dimensional faith. Three-dimensional discipleship.

My Prayer...

Dear Heavenly Father, I honor you as God Almighty. I appreciate all the kindness and blessings you have lavished on me. I love you because you first loved me in Jesus. I honor you as the universe's Creator and greatest power. I am humbled by the sacrificial and redemptive love you have shared with me in Jesus. I worship you with all I am - heart, soul, and strength - because you are worthy of my worship. Father, my heart desires to demonstrate my love, respect, appreciation, and worship for you in all I love, am, and do. I offer this prayer to you, dear Father, in the mighty name and through the intercession of Jesus. 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.