Nov 12 2024

Today's Bible Verse

But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

Add to Favorites Share with Friend Today's Bible study

In this morning's verse, the prophet Isaiah talks about the Lord's care for Jacob, assuring him that he needn't be afraid. This applies to us today as well… the Lord created us, redeemed us, and called us by name, so we have no reason to fear.

We have many reasons to trust God instead of giving in to our fears. Let's think for a minute about God's relationship with us. He created us and knows everything about us, down to the very number of hairs on our heads (Luke 12:7). He cares about us more than we will ever understand and knows us more deeply than we know ourselves. He has also saved us. While we were once separated from God because of sin, Jesus has given us His righteousness, redeeming us forever. Finally, He had called us His own; declaring us His once and for all. Putting everything together, we can say that we are His redeemed creations. Our relationship with God is defined by love, grace, and redemption!

Still… even though we have this relationship with the Lord, it can be easy to let fear take over.

We are bombarded with negative news, and our own fragility comes to light when we have health scares, are hurt by people we love, or face uncertainty in our careers or other plans. However as Christians, we can remember that our hope is not in the world, but in God. Through Him, we are able to overcome the fears that this world instills in us.

When we confront our fears in the world with God's truths, we can overcome fear. When it seems as if the world is falling apart, we can close our eyes and revel in God's love. When it seems like no one cares about us, we can remember that God calls us His children. When we feel unworthy, we can remember that He loves us more than we will ever understand and He is always faithful. Nothing that happens to us in the world can separate us from God. For all these reasons, we can learn to truly "fear not."

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you so much for calling me by name and considering me yours. Thank you for being my salvation and stronger than any of my fears. I love you, Lord. In Jesus' name, amen.

Add to Favorites Share with Friend

Nov 11 2024

Yesterday's Bible Verse

I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.:

Add to Favorites Share with Friend
Yesterday's Bible study

In this morning's verse, we get a sweet reminder that the Lord will honor our efforts to grow in love and our knowledge of Him. Today, we'll consider what it means for us to love the Lord, who never fails to be faithful.

The Lord says that He loves those who love Him. So anytime we feel His love, it's evidence that He has been working in our hearts and is helping us become closer to Him. It is only by His mercy that we are capable of loving Him. If we long to know the Lord more, this means we are already dwelling in His great love for us.

The second half of the verse promises that when we seek the Lord, we will find Him. When we make an effort to get to know the Lord, we will grow in our understanding of Him. However, it's important to recognize that seeking the Lord is an intentional action—it doesn't happen by accident or when we happen to have time. We have to seek the Lord every day, on purpose, to truly find Him.

Seeking the Lord includes a number of different actions. Perhaps the most important is reading His Word. After all, if we want to know God, reading the book that He wrote through people over thousands of years is a perfect place to start. In addition to spending time in the Bible, we should pray. Carving out moments in our lives when we can be alone with God is essential for us to get to know Him and learn to talk to Him.

Finally, walking in obedience is an essential part of seeking the Lord. I have heard the saying that the Lord will give us as much understanding as we obey … we must be careful not to seek the Lord in knowledge and relationship while neglecting obedience.

When we do these things, we are opening our hearts and minds to see God more clearly. Instead of getting caught up in the world, we are intentionally transforming ourselves into the image of Jesus Christ. In this way, when we seek the Lord, we also become like Him and dwell in the assurance of His love as never before.

Yesterday's Prayer

Dear Lord, I am so grateful that when I seek you, you find me. There is nothing like being known and loved by you, and I want to grow in my knowledge of you day after day. Help me to share the love of Jesus with those I encounter tomorrow. In Jesus' name, amen.
Add to Favorites Share with Friend


← View Last Verse View Next Verse →