Thursday, March 12, 2026

He has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

—2 Peter 1:4

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God made us to be like him in character and compassion. We are called to participate in the divine nature and are assured that we will be made ready to become like him when Jesus comes, and we see him as he is (1 John 3:1-2). Everything in our world is subject to corruption and decay. Even though our bodies are destined to decay, the living part of us will not because we are united with Jesus and awaiting the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18-23; Colossians 3:1-4). Our response to these "very great and precious promises" is to follow Jesus as our Savior and LORD, wholeheartedly.

My Prayer...

Almighty God, my Everlasting Fortress, thank you for giving me your great and precious promises. I long to know you more fully, and to see your face one day in glory. Please protect me and my heart from corruption as I wait in eager expectation of that day. In all love and appreciation, I pray this in the name of Jesus, the One who made me yours. Amen.

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

The Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

—Deuteronomy 7:9

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God is faithful to his promises and his people. He fulfilled every promise with a great "Amen!" in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:18-20). His covenant is far more than a set of agreements between a god and his people. God's covenant with us is a covenant of love. He will not forsake us or abandon us (Hebrews 13:5-6; Romans 8:32-39). He will treat us better than we deserve, just as a loving parent treats a rebellious child better than she or he deserves. We must tune our hearts to beat in honor of God as our God. We must not treat him as a good luck charm, a bellhop to bring us our every wish, or our weekly guest we occasionally invite to visit in the margins of our otherwise busy lives. What we do must be done with an awareness and intention that what we have done has been done before him, to honor him! As we do these things, God is faithful. He will uphold his covenant to love us, forgive us, restore us, and empower us until he brings us home to be with him.

My Prayer...

Faithful God, thank you for loving me so sacrificially and steadfastly. Thank you for keeping your promises to the Israelites and for bringing Jesus just as you promised. I trust your promise to send him back to bring me home to you. Until then, please receive the deeds and words of this day as my thanks to you for your covenant of love with me and those who love Jesus. In the name of Jesus, your gift of love, I pray. Amen.

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

In your hearts, set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

—1 Peter 3:15

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Peter, the great apostle, is calling us to be ready and able to tell folks about the hope that Jesus has brought into our lives. This must be an "always readiness" because we don't know when the opportunity to share our hope may come our way. Two things are incredibly important as we share this hope:

• Our Credibility: Is Jesus really LORD of our hearts or not? The reality of our passion, or lack of passion, for Jesus' lordship in our lives will shine through in our daily lives, as well - the way we treat people, the language we use, our hope for the future, and our kindness to those who need grace.
• Our Character: Do we show gentleness and respect in the way we approach and treat others, especially those who question us? The goal is not to win arguments but to win hearts to the grace and goodness of God through our daily lives.

My Prayer...

Holy and Loving Father, thank you for speaking your grace into my heart through the gift of Jesus. I'm not sure I would have heard any other message. Please give me the conviction to share my hope in Jesus passionately, yet in ways that reflect your grace, patience, and kindness. Through Jesus, my Living Hope, I pray. Amen.

Monday, March 09, 2026

God has saved us and called us to a holy life — not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.

—2 Timothy 1:9

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"Before the beginning of time!"
How do you understand when that was? God first thought of us at a time we cannot even begin to imagine. His reason for thinking of us was to demonstrate his kindness, grace, and call in our lives and to bring others to his side. Jesus has always been God's plan, and we have always been his goal for that. Let's make sure we respond by living his holy life in our day-to-day world.

My Prayer...

Thank you so much, Father, for knowing me and thinking of my needs even before there was a world. I dedicate this day and every day that follows to your honor as I seek to live a life that reflects your righteousness, holiness, mercy, and grace. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Sunday, March 08, 2026

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all of our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

—2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We have been comforted by God the Spirit, our Advocate, Comforter, and Helper, who lives in us (John 14:18, 26-27). Now, we should be able to comfort others. God doesn't bless us with his presence and the comfort of his Spirit just because we are somehow better than everyone else. No, he comforts us to equip, empower, encourage, and comfort others. God has human hands, but they only work when our hands are used for his glory and to comfort others.

My Prayer...

Tender Shepherd, there have been times when I was so broken I could not go on. I know my strength to continue in those times came from your rich grace and mercy. Please use me this week to offer your comfort and love, your rich grace and mercy, to others so they may feel your warm embrace and come to yearn for the day we all see you face to face in glory. Until that day, may I be a vessel of your comfort and grace for those who are struggling with sorrow, grief, and loss. Through my brother Jesus (Hebrews 2:10-12; Romans 8:15-17), I pray for this grace. Amen.

Saturday, March 07, 2026

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

—Psalm 139:23-24

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God does know us. We cannot pretend we are something we are not with him. He knows us - inside and out, through and through, from beginning to end. Knowing this should liberate us to share a remarkable degree of intimacy and honesty with him. Unfortunately, many of us run from such a close relationship with our Father. If our desire, however, is to become more like him, the only way to be transformed is by inviting him in to look at our hearts, our motivations, and our desires so that our Father can lead us in his everlasting way of mercy, grace, and love, as we journey home to him. He knows us. Let's invite him to search us and mold us as he makes us his, new, fresh, and holy every day!

My Prayer...

O God, I know you search and examine hearts and minds (Jeremiah 17:10; 20:12; Psalm 7:9). Yet because of the grace you demonstrated in Jesus, I am confident that you love me and forgive me as I turn my life back to you. I am sorry for the sins I have committed. I truly long to serve you in honor and purity. Please fill me with your Spirit and enable me to become more like Christ Jesus in all of my thoughts, words, and deeds. In the name of your holy Son and my Savior, I pray. Amen.