Today's Verse: 1 Peter 1:18-19

Monday, April 24, 2006

The Spring Emerges: JESUShaped

JESUShaped is a discipleship and church planting work born from this ministry.

Learn More
You know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

If value is determined by price, we are incredibly valuable to God. Our Father took the most precious treasure of heaven and redeemed us out of sin, evil, and death to adopt us into his family through Jesus' sacrifice. Silver and gold pale in comparison to that value. Without this redemption, we were in a mess. We were trapped in "the empty way of life handed down to us". To know the depth of that empty way of life, we need to remember who we were before Christ (Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 5:6-):
  • Dead in our transgressions and sins.
  • Following the ways of the evil ruler of the spiritual realm, who is at work among the disobedient.
  • Gratifying the cravings of our flesh.
  • By nature deserving of God's wrath.
  • Powerless and ungodly sinners living as enemies of God.
    • But God chose to redeem us in love through "the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." Now that we are redeemed, Christ presents us to God as "holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation" (Colossians 1:22). We are redeemed, bought out of our slavery to the emptiness of the sinful life the world chooses. So, dear brothers and sisters, let's live as who God has made us to be: valuable and precious to our Father!

Video Commentary...

We've included Phil's ToGather video from four years ago as an added blessing to our verse today:

My Prayer...

Holy God, may I live each day more aware of my inestimable value to you. May my words, thoughts, and actions be permeated with your sense of my worth and not my regrets for a past life wasted on the empty ways of the world; not so that I might seem important to others, but so that I might display your holiness and righteous character in my life, bringing glory to you for the incredible gift of grace in Jesus. Through whom I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

18 Related Resources by Heartlight

Illustration

Illustration of 1 Peter 1:18-19 — You know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, April 24, 2006

Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
"Dear Father, head of our one enduring spiritual family, We live in our bodies and in families and we have strong needs for these very human things......"
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
"Amid the rabble rout which hounded the Redeemer to his doom, there were some gracious souls whose bitter anguish sought vent in wailing and..."
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
"[Stephen continued his defense before the council by quoting what God said to Moses when calling him back to Egypt to save God's people:] "'I have..."
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
"[God says] "But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.""

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.