Today's Verse - Philippians 3:14

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

—Philippians 3:14

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

I've been told that the way to walk a tightrope is to keep one's eyes focused on the goal, never looking down at the ground or over one's shoulder at what lies behind. I know that is a pretty good way to live life - to keep our eyes focused on Jesus and his victory, which awaits us when he returns. We must not allow ourselves to look over our shoulder, focusing on our past successes or failures. Our goal must be to keep walking toward Jesus until we are transformed to be like him, and then walk with him into glory (Colossians 3:2-3; 1 John 3:1-3).

My Prayer...

Glorious and gracious LORD, I look forward to the day when you call me by name, as I see you face-to-face, and as you walk hand in hand with me in glory. Until that day, I ask the Holy Spirit to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus and what you want me to do and become. By your grace and in the holy name of Jesus, I ask this. 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 - Hebrews 12:1

Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

—Hebrews 12:1

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

With the example of all the great heroes of the Bible, both big and small, we can do God's work with confidence. But for us to boldly go where he wants us to go, we must first let go of "the sin that so easily entangles", our lives, distorts our vision, enlarges our doubts, and robs us of our spiritual vitality and stamina. As we put those things away from our lives, we can then look "to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith" and we can "not grow weary" or "lose heart" (Hebrews 12:2-3). We can join the apostle Paul when he said he had fought the good fight, had finished his race, and could trust that God's bountiful grace had great things in store for him (2 Timothy 4:6-8). Let's help each other to keep running the race by putting off the sin and looking to Jesus!

My Prayer...

Holy Father, please forgive me for my sins. Not just my blatant sins, but my willingness to dabble in things that are not holy, to flirt with spiritually dangerous things, and to expose myself to unholy things that leave a residue of evil one's corruption in my heart. Please, give me the strength to say "NO!" to the things that distract me from you and to embrace with passion those things that make me more like you as I pursue Jesus as my example, Savior, and LORD. In the name of Christ Jesus, I pray this. 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 - Hebrews 11:1

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

—Hebrews 11:1

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

While the road ahead of us may be clouded with questions and concerns, we can look back and see the many ways God has acted on our behalf in the past to get us to the places we need to be today. But beyond us, we also see his work throughout history, as he has provided guidance and protection to his people, Israel, throughout the Old Testament, and to his people in the early church, the disciples of Jesus in those early days in the book of Acts. We can take assurance that God's promises are true and our victory is certain in him because we have seen him act in the past. We can be sure of what we hope for, and we can be certain of what we do not yet see because of our faith!

My Prayer...

Almighty God, we believe that before there was a world, you existed. We trust that even now you sustain our world with your words of grace. We are confident that before the future arrives, you are already there preparing it for us. We ask that you help us, in those moments when we are less confident, to remember your faithfulness and to press on, trusting that you are there, waiting with your grace for us in what appears to us to be our uncertain future. In Jesus' name, we 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.