Jul 08 2024

Today's Bible Verse

Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.

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This verse from Proverbs assures us that by following the Lord, we can have hope. While those who are wicked will perish, people who trust in the Lord know that their efforts will be rewarded. This means we can walk in confidence and hope even in the midst of uncertainty.

Hope is an essential part of the Christian life. Hope is what gives us the strength to keep going even when things are difficult. Indeed, Jesus went to the cross because He had hope in our ultimate redemption. He knew that the cross would be the final act of reconciling us to the Lord. Because of what He did, we ourselves now have hope. We know that we can never lose our salvation because His payment for sin on the cross was final and complete. Our hope is the result of being fully justified through Jesus and eternally resting in His grace and love.

Yet holding onto hope can sometimes be difficult. There are times when the wicked do seem to prosper instead of perishing, while the righteous are struggling. There are also times when it seems as though the Lord is silent, not removing our pain or suffering in the way that we wish. Today's verse acknowledges this reality, as though it is speaking to us about those hard times.

Indeed, the verse gives us confidence that our frustrations are not eternal; they are temporary. When we remain righteous—serving the Lord, walking in His ways, and spending time in His Word—we have every reason for hope. We know that the Lord is good, that He sees us, and that He will honor our efforts on Earth. He is the reason that we have hope, and this hope is what helps us continue in righteousness.

Today, if you are struggling to remain hopeful about things that are happening in your life, remember that the Lord is good. He sees you exactly where you are, and as you continue in righteousness, seeking after Him, He will bring your hope to gladness… just as this verse promises.

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for being the ultimate source of hope. There is none like you, Lord, and I thank you for being so good to me. Help me to remain in hope all of the days of my life, resting in your precious promises always. In Jesus' name, amen.

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Jul 07 2024

Yesterday's Bible Verse

No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.:

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Yesterday's Bible study

In today's verse, John writes that the love of God is visible to others through the actions of other Christians. This means when we know the Lord, our lives become walking demonstrations of the Lord's love. This is because He lives in us. Indeed, while no one has ever seen the Lord, many people have seen and experienced His love directly through those who know Him. His love is perfected through us, meaning that His love satisfies us completely and is beyond anything else we will ever know.

This verse reminds us that the Lord has chosen to make himself visible through His love. He does not desire that we see Him in Heaven as we stand on Earth. Instead, He desires that Christians become embodiments of His love. This is possible because He dwells in us; our bodies are literal temples for the presence of the Lord. And showing love to one another proves the Lord's presence in our hearts and lives. When we interact with other people, we should give them a tangible experience of God's love.

This sounds great in theory, but in the real world it can get pretty messy. Have you ever found yourself in an emotional situation, where you got angry or upset and completely forgot that the Lord lives within you? I know I have… more than once. The best way to avoid this scenario is to be in communion with the Lord daily—reading His Word, worshiping in church on Sunday, and praying to Him. The more time we spend with the Lord, the more we become like Him, and the more His love will shine through our lives.

Today, try to be an example of the Lord's tangible love to someone else. This could take a variety of forms; perhaps you can give a genuine compliment, write a card, or purchase a small gift. Whatever it is, remember that it is a privilege to represent the Lord's love to another person, and pray for the person as you actively demonstrate Godly love.

Yesterday's Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you so much for the love that you first showed me. You are so good to me, and I am so grateful that I am your child. Help me to show love to another person today, reminding them of your kindness and mercy. In Jesus' name, amen.
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