Today's Verse - John 3:20-21

Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.

—John 3:20-21

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Truth is seen in what it does and whom it seeks. Let's live as children of light and seek after the Father who dwells in unapproachable and glorious light (1 Timothy 6:16) so we might be light to a world darkened by evil (Matthew 5:14-16). Let's not hide, play, or flirt with the darkness, but come to the light and receive the light of life (John 1:4, 8:12) as we live as light in our dark world (Philippians 2:15).

My Prayer...

Father of the heavenly lights,* I ask you to correct me gently as I place myself, my imperfections, failures, and sins before you, bringing them into the light of your presence. Please forgive and cleanse me by the blood of Jesus so that I might be spotless and holy and blameless in your sight. O LORD, I don't just want to be forgiven; I want to be cleansed and made useful to you and your people. Please help me find my way to usefulness and be light to those trapped in darkness. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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* James 1:17.
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 2:14

The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

—1 Corinthians 2:14

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The Holy Spirit is God's abiding gift, God's seal, our anointing, and our promise of future glory.* The Spirit is our assurance that what God began with Jesus' sacrificial death and our participation in it through faith and baptism, he will bring to completion at Jesus' return. But the world cannot understand this great promise, just like it cannot understand much of Scripture. Without the gift of the Holy Spirit, their eyes only see what they can touch with their fingers and cannot fully see what is true in God's heart and what God has revealed in his Word.

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* The things said about the Holy Spirit come through clear statements in the Scriptures from places like John 14:18-23; Romans 8:9-39; Titus 3:3-7; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; and 1 John 2:20, 26-27.

My Prayer...

Father, I thank you for sending Jesus. Jesus, I thank you for sending the Spirit. Spirit, I thank you for never leaving me alone. As I am filled with the Spirit, O LORD, so fill me more and more until my will and my life more perfectly reflect your desires and character, just as they were expressed in Jesus. Use me to bless others just as your presence now blesses me. Thank you, Jesus, for pouring out your Spirit upon us. Now, please motivate us to share your gifts of salvation and the Spirit with others so they can know the incredible plans you have for us! In your 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 - Matthew 6:33

Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

—Matthew 6:33

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus is speaking in his Sermon on the Mount. He wants us not to worry about all the stuff we often pursue. So, let's seek (pursue relentlessly) God's Lordship over our lives and his righteousness, which reflects his holy character in our daily dealings. Everything else we pursue is temporary. Only God and his Kingdom remain. As we pursue God's Kingdom and his righteousness, Jesus promises that the one who gives us his Kingdom and his righteousness will also bless us with what we need in this life, as well!

My Prayer...

Holy LORD, only in you do I find what satisfies my soul's deepest desires. The things that have captured my eye are boring after only a short while. The artificial things I have pursued, all of my addictive interests, have left me empty, enslaved, and in debt. I find hope and help only in you alone. I join with the psalmist, David, and confess:

In God alone my soul finds rest; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation. He is my fortress; I will never be shaken. (Psalm 62:1-2)

I rest my life in you alone, O LORD. I seek first your Kingdom. All my other pursuits and striving are a mere chasing after the wind. So, I draw near to you so you can correct, discipline, lead, and mold me into your faithful servant. In Jesus' name, I pray and confess. 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.