Today's Verse - Romans 15:2

Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

—Romans 15:2

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Being disappointed and dissatisfied with life can stem from a myriad of problems. For many of us, however, these disappointments are symptoms that we have focused too much on ourselves and have allowed ourselves to become angry with life. We have forgotten to count our blessings, neglected to give thanks to God, grown silent in our praise to our Father, and quit helping those around us. Thinking of others is how Christ lived, and we are going to live for others if we are going to have a JESUShaped life. When we follow his example, our actions make a difference in the lives of those we bless, and we find ourselves immensely blessed as well. Let's get our focus off ourselves and look to bless our neighbors! As the ancient Christian hymn Paul quoted reminds us:

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:6-8)

My Prayer...

Holy and matchless God, help me see the brokenness, hurt, and difficulties in the lives around me. Please also help me see the blessings, joys, and reasons to give thanks that you have placed in my life. I ask for the Holy Spirit's help to humble myself and find ways to bless others who so desperately need to experience the joy of your love and grace. 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 - Galatians 5:13

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

—Galatians 5:13

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Our freedom as followers of Jesus, the freedom to live by the power of the Spirit and not by law (Romans 8:1-4; Galatians 5:1), is a wonderful gift, especially when it is handled with responsibility and grace (Romans 14:13; 1 Peter 2:16). Not being under law is such a sweet grace, but we want to pass that sweetness on to each other through service, kindness, and care (Romans 13:10). Just because we are free to do something doesn't mean doing it is beneficial to our brothers and sisters in Christ or to those we are trying to influence toward Jesus. Freedom gives us the opportunity to do things in love, not just because we are commanded to do them. Love should be, could be, and must mean more than law.

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

O Great God of Deliverance, thank you for rescuing Israel from Pharaoh's grasp, David from the sword of Goliath, and Daniel from the mouths of lions. But O Great Deliverer, thank you most of all for the triumph of Jesus over sin, hell, and the law at Calvary. Thank you for his victory over death at the empty tomb. I long to see you face-to-face and thank you for my freedom, won by Jesus and fulfilled in me through the transformation of the Holy Spirit at work within me (2 Corinthians 3:17-18). May my love for others and for you mean more than any law could mean toward me being a blessing. Until the day Jesus returns, please Father, guide me as I use this gift of freedom to serve your children and live for you. 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 - 1 Corinthians 1:10

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

—1 Corinthians 1:10

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

If people in our congregations are ever going to get along, the leaders of those churches must remind God's people of the importance of unity. Shortly before facing his passion, Jesus' prayer was that we would be one (John 17:1-26). Why? If the world knows we are Christians because of our love for one another (John 13:34-35), then the world needs to see our loving unity so that the lost can know that the Father has sent Jesus to save them (John 17:20-21, 23). When we are divided, we tell the world we're not offering them something the world doesn't have on its own. All we have is just a religious message that doesn't produce consequential changes. So, unity is not only important; it is also essential. It's not just a theory or a test of theology, but a daily practice among the people who claim Jesus as LORD. If we love Jesus and move closer to him, we'll be brought closer to each other (1 John 1:1-4). We are called to be "perfectly united in mind and thought" because we love Jesus and the people he died to save.

My Prayer...

LORD Jesus, I believe you have presented all of my prayers to our Father. And Father, I thank you for the grace of Jesus, who lives to make intercession for me at this moment (Hebrews 7:25). I promise, dear Father, to do all I can to bring you glory, and to live at peace with my brothers and sisters in Christ, and to serve in unity with those who belong to you. Please bless our church family with more passion for the unity that you desire as we focus more on leading those who do not know Jesus into a saving relationship with him. In Jesus' name, and through the blessed Holy Spirit, 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.