Jun 15 2025

Today's Bible Verse

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Today's Bible study

In this verse from Philippians, Paul reminds us that our salvation comes from the Lord. He is the one who works in us day after day, and it is because of Him that we have been saved and will be with Him forever. Today, we'll look at how our strength comes from God above all else.

What did you do to be saved? I love this question! It makes me remember that my salvation is an act of grace alone. Of course, the answer is nothing… I could never have earned my way into a relationship with God because that's impossible. I was a sinner, lost and without hope, but the Lord made a way for me through Jesus' death on the cross. None of us did (or can do) anything to earn the Lord's favor. He decided to give it to us simply because He loves us.

The verse says that the Lord works in us to do His will, and this pleases Him. He will empower us to do what He has ordained for us. We never have to worry about having enough strength to honor the Lord, as He will give us all the help we need to accomplish His purposes. So if we need a break, He will give us a break. If we need direction, hope, encouragement, or a new dose of strength, He will lovingly give it to us.

Indeed, the most important factor of strength has nothing to do with rest, or eating well, or having a healthy work/life balance—it has to do with actively focusing on the Lord. When we make time to commune with Him in prayer, worship, and Bible study, we are carving out opportunities for the Lord to move in our hearts and minds. It is an invitation for Him to give us strength, supplying all of our needs.

The Lord does not want us to walk around as weak and weary Christians. We have the ability, regardless of what we face, to be spiritually strong and mighty in Jesus. This happens when we focus on the Lord above all other things, pray for strength, and believe He has heard and will answer our prayers.

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for always working in my heart. You give me strength that I could never muster myself. Thank you for helping me accomplish your will. Help me to keep my eyes on you, returning again and again to your promises. In Jesus' name, amen.

Jun 14 2025

Yesterday's Bible Verse

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.:

Yesterday's Bible study

Jesus says the words of today's verse at the Last Supper. His disciples surround Him, and He wants to communicate to them the importance of loving each other… important enough that He called it a commandment. Jesus uses Himself as an example by saying they are to love as He has loved them. Today, we will talk about the importance of love and how we can love those around us.

Jesus was serious about the commandment to love—it is a matter of obedience. Love is not something we do because we want to, or because we feel like it. It is a commandment to be obeyed regardless of how we feel, what we want to do, or what seems easiest or most convenient. This is significant because at the time of the Last Supper, the disciples were about to encounter a whole new life; Jesus was about to leave them. The Lord knew they would not be successful at loving other people if they could not love each other, and He underscored the importance of this in John 13:34.

What does loving other people look like? Jesus reminded His disciples how he had demonstrated love to them, and said they should follow His example. Just a few verses before, Jesus washed each of His disciples' feet, which was a very low job that only servants would ever do. In effect, Jesus was showing them what love looked like… disinterest in self and actively serving others.

Loving others means being open to what the Lord is asking us to do for each other, recognizing and meeting needs, and being like Jesus to those who need Him most. We have been loved deeply by the Lord, and it is our privilege to spread His love with our lives.

Yesterday's Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for being the author of all love. You are love itself, and I am so grateful for the ways that your love has changed my life. Help me to be more and more like you, and help me to love other people as you have loved me. In Jesus' name, amen.

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