Today's Verse - Philippians 4:9

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

—Philippians 4:9

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

As we seek to pass on the faith to our children, friends, and younger spiritual "children" in Jesus' family, we would do well to remember Paul's example: Paul...

• Taught the truth.
• Passed on the truth that had been revealed and passed on to him.
• Displayed that truth in his life.
• Called on the people he was mentoring to put this truth into practice in their daily lives.

My Prayer...

Father, help me be a better teacher in word and deed as I seek to influence those around me to become more JESUShaped. May my words and example bless those who need my help in their Christian walk and those in my family seeking to grow in your grace. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Today's Verse - 1 Corinthians 1:30

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God — that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

—1 Corinthians 1:30

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God's grace has brought us into a saving relationship with Jesus as our LORD and Savior. As believers, we recognize that Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross was much more than a terrible miscarriage of justice and the murder of a good and decent man. Jesus is God's Son. He is Immanuel, God with us. He is God's lovingly wise way to show us of his love. Jesus is our righteousness. He took our sins upon himself and made us righteous through his death, the shedding of his blood. Jesus is our ongoing holiness. His blood cleanses us at the beginning of our salvation and continues to do so as we live for him. Jesus is our hope. His death means our atonement for our sins and our reconciliation with God. Jesus is our ransom. He paid to redeem us from sin, death, and hell. Jesus is our everything!

My Prayer...

Almighty and Abba God, thank you for your holiness. Thank you for your righteousness. Thank you for your gracious forgiveness. Mold in me a heart like your Son's heart. Make from me a more usable vessel for your Kingdom work. Make me more JESUShaped. It's in his name, I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - 1 Corinthians 1:27

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

—1 Corinthians 1:27

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The Cross is such an offensive symbol when viewed in its most basic and raw form (1 Corinthians 1:18-24). For God to allow himself to become human flesh and live among us is unbelievable enough. For God to be willingly subjected to the vagaries and rigors of mortality and human needs in Christ is unthinkable. For God in Christ to endure the indignities and inhumanities of the Cross is preposterous. That, however, is the gospel truth! What appears to be foolish, weak, and offensive has the power to remake us and inspire us to unparalleled faith in Christ. When we come to the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus, we come to the impossible, which was made possible and accomplished by God's grace for us, and in us, in Jesus and his death on the Cross. Only God would bring us salvation in such a way.

My Prayer...

Holy and gracious Father, I know that the Cross may seem silly and foolish to some people. I know some people who wear the Cross as a symbol don't honor Christ for what he did upon the Cross. But Father, I confess that for me, Jesus' willingness to go to the Cross is powerfully convicting and amazingly reassuring. You have captured my heart with your sacrificial love in sending Jesus to redeem me. Thank you for your gift of grace and Jesus' willingness to endure and suffer for me. In his name, I thank, pray, and praise you. Amen.