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Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world — the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does — comes not from the Father but from the world. — 1 John 2:15-16 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Love for things, especially temporary ones, can sure get us into trouble. We can begin to assume that these worldly things will make us happy or fill the empty places in our souls. These assumptions soon become cravings. Acting on these lusts, cravings, and pride then drives, enslaves, and addicts us. Not only do these false allures from the evil one leave us unfulfilled, but they also lead us away from the LORD and the life he longs to share with us ( John 1:4 , 10:10 ). Only when we truly place our hopes and yearnings in our Abba Father, seeking to know and experience him in our lives, do we find truly satisfying and lasting life ( John 17:3 ). My Prayer... ...

God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, "Fall on the earth," and to the rain shower, "Be a mighty downpour." — Job 37:5-6 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Aren't those beautiful words?! "God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding." Amen! Isn't that so?! Instead of spending a lot of time talking or thinking about how marvelous God is - if he is greater than our words can capture (And he is!) - let's praise him in prayer through what we do today; not just in words, but in words and deeds. Like the rain and snow, let's do what the LORD asks of us and bring refreshment to our dry and weary world! My Prayer... Holy, righteous, and eternal God, you alone are marvelous, mighty, gracious, and holy. God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - we can barely comprehend the distant "outskirts" of your ways,* but we do love you. We...

"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." — Isaiah 1:18 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Nothing stains and leaves a foul spiritual residue on our hearts quite like sin and rebellion against God. However, God's grace is lavish when we turn our hearts to him - when we hear his call to reason with him and receive his grace. When we confess our sins, God doesn't just forgive them; he doesn't just forget them; he cleanses us and removes both the sin and its residue ( 1 John 1:9 , 2:1-2 ). Our sins are gone forever. Sin's stain is removed; our guilt is taken away. We are cleansed by his grace ( Romans 5:6-11 ). "Come ... let us reason together," says the LORD. Well, let's listen to reason and submit to his grace! My Prayer... OH, the glorious joy your grace gives us, dear God! We can never thank you or prais...

If serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.... As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. — Joshua 24:15 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Joshua's words to the people of Israel many centuries ago are as relevant now as they were then! While we can't speak for everyone in our family, we can commit to what everyone in our family should desire: We will serve the LORD! But more than commit, let's set the example and lead the way for the rest of our families to follow. Let's not only say, "I will serve the LORD, TODAY!" Let's do it. Let's make serving the LORD our highest priority. Then let's set an example for our families to follow and challenge them to join us. As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. My Prayer... Please give us wisdom, O tender Shepherd, on how to lead our families to love, honor, and cherish you as LORD. Please bless those who are parents. Please give th...

I urge, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. — 1 Timothy 2:1-2 Thoughts on Today's Verse... God wants us to be a praying people, just as Jesus was our praying Savior. God wants us to pray for people: "for everyone - for kings and all those in authority." The blessing of that kind of prayerful life is that we get to "live peaceful and quiet lives" full of "godliness and holiness" as God answers our prayers. Let's pray as if world peace and our influence in our world depend on it, because they do! Let's intercede for the needs of the people around us, regardless of whether they are believers or unbelievers. Let's give thanks when things are good and for the blessings God has given us. Let's do so because our world needs peace, quiet, godliness, and holiness! So, let's h...

He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment — to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. — Ephesians 1:9-10 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Jesus is LORD! He's not just our LORD as Christians, but he is LORD of all ( Acts 10:36 ). God's plan was "purposed in Christ" ; centered on Christ coming at the right time ( Romans 5:6 ; Galatians 4:4 ), to bring unity in Christ by making him LORD of all and to have everyone acknowledge his lordship ( Philippians 2:9-11 ). This also brings God great pleasure. Jesus is both our Savior and our LORD. Our hearts seek to honor him because he has done so much for us. We also honor him as LORD because he is worthy of that honor. Those options, Jesus as Savior and LORD, are available to all people who come to him. So, let's ask ourselves, "What area of my lif...