Jul 17 2024

Today's Bible Verse

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

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In this verse from Romans, the apostle Paul writes that while we were sinners, Jesus died for us. Because the Lord loved us, He submitted Himself to a brutal death and allowed Himself to be separated from God the Father. His death provided atonement for our sins once and for all; there was no longer a barrier between us and the Lord.

There will never be a greater intersection of grace and justice than the cross. All of the sin committed by humans deserved judgment, and that judgment was death. There was no way that we could ever atone for all of our wrongs or face judgment and still live. So, the Lord created a way for us through Jesus. When Jesus shed His innocent blood—the only innocent blood that ever existed—He took on the judgment that we deserved. He didn't deserve to die; we did. This is grace! Jesus took our spot, sparing us the justice owed us. In this way, the Lord demonstrated both grace and justice.

Why did the Lord send Jesus to rescue us? It was not because we were good people! Indeed, the very people whom Jesus went to save crucified Him. He was willing to look past all of our wrongdoing, saving us from ourselves, because He loved us. Jesus loved us enough to be willing to be hurt by us… and love is the only reason we can know the Lord today.

No one can ever take away the love of the Lord from you. No one can ever take away the power of the cross or the fact that Jesus cared so much for each of us that He was willing to make the greatest sacrifice possible.

Because of what He did, we can walk in confidence and peace all the days of our lives. We do not need to be insecure about who we are or if we are good enough—we are justified through Jesus, and that's all we need.

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for loving me so deeply. Thank you for dying for me, for giving me life in you when I could never deserve it. I love you, Lord. Please help me love others as you have loved me. In Jesus' name, amen.

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Jul 16 2024

Yesterday's Bible Verse

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. :

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Yesterday's Bible study

In this verse from Ephesians, Paul introduces the armor of God. It includes the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes readied by the gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, meaning the Word of God. These help us to be strong in the Lord, sound in His might and goodness.

This armor is important because it protects us. As Christians, we have a real and active adversary, Satan, who is working against our joy, peace, and relationship with the Lord. He would love for us to be weak, helpless, and discouraged in our walk with God. His attacks against us are vicious and relentless. The Lord, knowing this, has given us ample armor to protect against these attacks. Through the covering that He offers us, we can be strong in Him.

Notice that in the armor, there is only a single offensive weapon—the Word of God, which is described as a sword. This means we are not to fight in our own power, or in our own strength, but instead with God's promises. Our greatest strength is not in ourselves, but in the great power of His Word. It gives us strength in all times and all seasons, and it speaks into our lives with power and truth.

When we spend time in the Word, learning about the Lord and who He is, we will become strong in Him. Nothing can come against the eternal truths in His Word. No lie that Satan whispers, no fear in our hearts, and no worry or anxiety can stand against the Word of the Lord. The Word is our ultimate, final defense—and it is an everlasting source of strength.

Today, if you need strength, spend time in the Word. Meditate upon the truths about the Lord—that He is loving, wise, and perfect—and pray through the armor of God. He will give you the strength you need to live a life that honors Him today.

Yesterday's Prayer

Dear Lord, please help me to be strong in you. Sometimes I feel weak, as if I cannot do anything. However, I know that you sustain me through everything. Thank you for your goodness to me and help me to serve you well. In Jesus' name, amen.
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