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The word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. — Psalm 33:4-5 Thoughts on Today's Verse... God is faithful. We can trust God to keep his promises, and his purposes for us are always for our ultimate good ( Romans 8:28-29 ). How do we know? The sunrise each morning is a reminder that the Father of heaven and earth is at work keeping his universe in working order through Jesus ( Colossians 1:17 ; Hebrews 1:3 ). Since it is true in nature , it can be true in the spiritual realm as well. Greet each sunrise as a reminder of God's faithfulness and that Jesus, who came to earth as Immanuel, God with us ( Matthew 1:23 ; John 1:1-18 ), is holding us, our hopes, our futures, and our world together. My Prayer... O Magnificent and Majestic Creator, I greet today as your gift and a reminder of your faithfulness. Each day the sun rises, I anticipate the day you honor your promise to sen...

I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. — Psalm 18:1-2 Thoughts on Today's Verse... We sing it, and we say it in our public prayers: "Father, God, we love you." But notice the beginning phrase of our verse very carefully. "I love you, O LORD..." Even in public, community worship, we are taught the importance of a personal expression of love to God. When is the last time you told the Creator of the universe, "I love you! I love you, O Lord my strength ." My Prayer... Father in heaven, I love you. I love you because you are more than worthy of my love. I love you because you have first loved me. I love you because you sent your son to be my big brother and friend,* who paid the price for my adoption into your family. I love you because of your faithfulness. I love you because you have permitted me in your grac...

I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. — Psalm 59:16 Thoughts on Today's Verse... So many things in our lives can be stolen away by natural disasters, aging, greedy people, addictive appetites, our own laziness, many distractions, and untimely death. These subtle temptations lead me to believe the evil one could be appropriately called "The Thief of Always."* God, however, is immovable, and what he offers us is unstealable! We can invest ourselves in him and know our futures are secure in his care. God is our fortress and our refuge. We can run to our Father in heaven, find his grace and protection from the evil one, and build our lives on his solid promises and find that our future is secure with Jesus ( Colossians 3:1-4 ). * This name is borrowed from Clive Barker's dark fantasy tale of that same title, a classic tale of temptation, consequences, and the battle for one's soul...

As it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived — what God has prepared for those who love him..." — 1 Corinthians 2:9 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Many of the things we anticipate and dream for the future are much less glorious in real life than they were in our imaginations and dreams. There is one event, however, that is better than we can imagine and beyond our wildest dreams. When Jesus returns to take us home to be with our Father, it will be far better than we can ask, imagine, dream, or think. Maranatha - Come O LORD Jesus ( 1 Corinthians 16:22 ). However, God has not left us alone with our thoughts about what is to come. Paul first quotes the great prophet Isaiah: As it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived - what God has prepared for those who love him..." ( Isaiah 64:4 ). Then, he finishes his thought with this great promise: but "these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spir...

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. — Deuteronomy 6:4-5 Thoughts on Today's Verse... So many times the evil one seduces us into a flat, 2-dimensional Christianity - going to church and doing good things. However, God calls us to a three-dimensional faith - one that involves our heart, soul, and strength (body). He wants us to love him with all of our heart, all our inner being, and all of our actions used mightily for him. God wants us completely aligned with his ways, his character, his compassion, and his faithfulness in every facet of our being. Hear, O [people of God]: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Yes! Three-dimensional faith. Three-dimensional discipleship. My Prayer... Dear Heavenly Father, I honor you as God Almighty. I appreciate all the kindness and blessings you hav...

You are forgiving and good, O LORD, abounding in love to all who call on you. — Psalm 86:5 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Forgiveness is such a sweet blessing. But God does more than forgive! Jesus cleanses and purifies us, then presents us to God as "holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation" ( Colossians 1:21-22 ). God does not grudgingly meter out his love. He does not ration out his forgiveness. He lavishly pours his love upon us, and into us, as we genuinely seek him as our Father ( Romans 5:5 ; 1 John 3:1 ). So, let's cry out and ask for God's forgiveness as we praise the mighty and holy name of The Almighty, confidently knowing that our Father longs to bless us with his overflowing goodness, mercy, and love. My Prayer... O Precious Father, I call to you, wanting you to know how important your love and forgiveness are in my life. Thank you for sending Jesus to show your love for me and pay the debt of my sin. Please help me to live today as ...