Today's Verse - 1 Peter 1:15-16

Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

—1 Peter 1:15-16

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"Holy" is one of those words we generally associate with the "stained glass ghetto" - a word only "church folks" use around church buildings. That may be true, but it's still a great concept. Most kids know that you don't eat hot dogs and potato chips on your grandmother's china. Grandmother's china is reserved for "special company" or "special occasions." Hot dogs are for paper plates. China is for special events and occasions - special moments with special people we want to remember as special. When God is calling us to be holy, he's calling us to be china in a paper-plate world - something special just for him, and as Peter emphasizes, someone special who lives like him.

My Prayer...

Holy LORD, God Almighty, I come before you knowing how great the distance is between your holiness and my commonness. I thank you for making me holy through the sacrifice of Jesus and for sending your Holy Spirit to live inside me, making me a holy temple where you dwell (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Please receive my life today as a holy offering to you. I pray in the name of Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of my faith, who has made me holy by your grace (Hebrews 2:10, 12:2; Colossians 1:21-23). Amen.

Today's Verse - Matthew 6:19-20

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not corrupt and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

—Matthew 6:19-20

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Where do you hide your heart? Jesus tells us that what we most value - what we consider our real treasure - is where we will find our heart. That's why asking the question is so important. So, where do you hide your heart?
You see, we can treasure riches, control, security, and relationships - or a host of other things. However, Jesus reminds us that only by letting go of the things, the things that most of us keep as our treasures, will we find what is truly a lasting treasure.

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Majestic Father, I pray that out of the riches of your grace, you will help me find my treasure in you, treasuring nothing else above you and holding nothing as a treasure comparable to you. Today, I want to offer you all that I am, have, and treasure. I want to live my life for your glory as a witness to your grace. In the name of Jesus, my example, LORD, Savior, and lasting treasure, I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - Amos 5:14-15

Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts.

—Amos 5:14-15

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

A whole bunch of folks claim that God is on their side. In reality, the important question is whether or not we are on God's side! That's determined more by what we seek and do rather than what we think and say. God longs to be with us, but he will not sacrifice his character to extend us cheap grace, a grace that does not call us to be like him and act for the good of others in our world. He's looking for believers who put their character, concerns, and actions where their mouths are.

My Prayer...

Most holy God, your righteousness and holiness are beyond me. I know that my best efforts are only vain attempts to attain them on my own. Yet I long, dear Father, to be more like you and your Son in every way that it is humanly possible. So, dear Father, I pursue knowing Jesus as my Savior and LORD, living for him, and as much as I can, like him, in my world. As I do, I intentionally partner with the Holy Spirit to see Jesus' love, character, and compassion come alive in me. In the name of Jesus the Righteous One, I pray. Amen.