Today's Verse - 1 Corinthians 1:18

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

—1 Corinthians 1:18

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Power! We love power. We love the sound and fury of power. We love the power's ability to bring positive change to dreadful situations. The greatest power ever unleashed on this earth was the power displayed when the Almighty God held back his might and fury while his Son was persecuted, abused, belittled, battered, and murdered on a cross. Now that's an awesome display of power, and it was displayed specifically for us and to save us. Plus, we know the cross was not the end of God's powerful grace; it was the doorway to Jesus' glorious and triumphant resurrection. We now live by the power of God who raised Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:18-21). Praise God for his power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Holy and Majestic God, we praise you for your incredible might and power. We also thank you for your love, which guides the release of that power to bless and redeem us. Thank you for knowing that we are but dust, and without your sustaining Spirit, we will not have life in glory with you when our bodies fail. Thank you for saving us by withholding your mighty power when we sin, and for pardoning us through your sacrificial power released for us in Jesus. Because of your mercy, Father, and in the holy name of Jesus, we offer this prayer through the intercession of the Holy Spirit. 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 - Romans 13:8

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.

—Romans 13:8

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus paid the debt we owed God for our sins, trespasses, and rebellious actions (Colossians 2:13-14; 1 Peter 1:8-10). Thank God we no longer owe the debt for those transgressions because of God's grace (Romans 6:23). However, I do owe others the love, respect, forgiveness, and grace that God has lavished on me (Ephesians 4:32). As Paul reminded us yesterday:

Give everyone what you owe him. If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (Romans 13:7)

Why is this so important? We are to keep paying installments on the "continuing debt to love one another" as Jesus has loved us!

My Prayer...

Holy God, everything in heaven and earth is yours, yet you have graciously shared them with us, your children. We thank you for not just purchasing us from our debt to sin, but also for buying us out of our slavery to that sin, and to the evil one, death, and hell. Open our hearts to the realization that you own us, yet love us freely and forgive us completely. Please kindle love in our hearts through the refreshing power of the Holy Spirit that you pour into our hearts, enabling us to love others as you have loved us. In Jesus' name, we pray and commit to love. 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 - Romans 13:6-7

This is why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him. If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

—Romans 13:6-7

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Ouch! Tax day. Not my favorite day, how about you? But where would we be without government, order, and laws? Anarchy! Rebellion! Lawlessness! Dog-eat-dog days where all people are "in it" only for themselves!
While we may not always like how the system functions, we need to know from God how he wants us to live with flawed people in community. Paul is not naive. He knows he is likely going to be imprisoned and martyred by the Roman government. So, we can follow Paul's example as we seek to be redemptive in our living, obedient in our citizenship, and ask God to bless our countries and bring revival to them. Jesus left us this principle:

"So give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." (Matthew 22:21)

The apostle Paul explained and expanded Jesus' principle in our verse today:

Give everyone what you owe him. If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Now it is up to us, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to live up to that principle even in challenging times!

My Prayer...

Holy God, I thank you that I am free in you and belong to no one and no power other than you. To you, O God, I offer my full and undivided allegiance. Because I want your name and your people to be respected, I will obey the laws of my land as long as they align with your will. I know it is good for the spread of the gospel of Jesus and for the blessing of all people that we be at peace in our world (Romans 12:18), so, dear LORD, I pray for peace. 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.