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▼ See a Sample of Today's Verse

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed — in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.

—1 Corinthians 15:51-53

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We're going to be changed! I'm going to be changed. You're going to be changed! We're not talking about a new wardrobe or haircut. We're not talking about a new car or place to live. We are not talking about a new weight loss plan or cosmetic surgery. We are talking about an ultimate, transformational, heavy-duty, complete overhaul! We're going to be made immortal. We are going to become indestructible. We will no longer be "perishable goods"! We are bound for glory and will be like Jesus in his glorified body (Philippians 3:21), for we will see him as he is (1 John 3:2-3).

My Prayer...

Inspire my faith, dear Lord, to trust your timing and to lean upon your grace. I believe that you know all the mysteries and hold all triumphs in your hand. Please make me victorious, O Lord Almighty, through the mighty work of your Son. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

▼ See a Sample of God's Holy Fire

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

—Romans 8:26 ESV

Key Thought

Nearly all of us have been at this desperate place. Our souls are brittle and dry. All our prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling. They fall lifelessly to the ground and come to rest at our feet as bitter reminders of our failure and spiritual impotence.

Like every other great blessing from God, prayer has its origin and power in the Father's grace. Thankfully, the power of our prayers is not dependent upon our feelings, our perceptions, or our choice of words. The power of our prayers rests in the hands of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit — as the Helper, Advocate, and Comforter — intercedes for us with our Father. Our Comforter articulates what we cannot say and captures the emotions we cannot verbalize. Our Advocate takes our prayers before the Father after his work of perfecting our words and emotions. He then intercedes for us according to the Father's will. Prayer, then, is not just a spiritual discipline, but also an incredible gift of our Father's grace. The Spirit assures us that we will always be heard and that our deepest longings will always be understood by the Father who loves us and always longs to hear the cry of our hearts.

Today's Prayer

O Father, I praise you. Because of the intercession of the Holy Spirit in this very moment, I know that you hear more than what my words say. You know what's on my heart. You know my doubts, my insecurities, my secret sins, and my frustrating struggles. And, dear Father, you know my deep desire to have these things redeemed and transformed by your grace so that I live for your glory. I thank you for your grace, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

▼ See a Sample of What Jesus Did!

[After Jesus heard the Pharisees criticize him for eating with tax collectors and other sinners, he said,] "Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: 'I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.' For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners."

—Matthew 9:13 NLT

Key Thought

God has never wanted to condemn. That has never been his purpose. His Old Testament laws were meant to distinguish the Israelites as his people and preserve them from spiritual and physical harm. When people rebel, rather than looking forward to punishing them for their sin, God grieves over his rebellious children. He yearns to bring restoration. When Jesus comes as Immanuel, he teaches and shows that God seriously cares about reaching and redeeming rebellious sinners. Incredibly, both Jesus and John the Baptizer have more success with those who are in outright rebellion than with those who have been inoculated by their legalistic religiosity. Jesus came to the lost, the broken, and the least to save, mend, and make first.

Today's Prayer

Loving and merciful Heavenly Father, give me a heart of concern for those around me who are lost. I am convicted today of your gracious love and sacrificial concern for those who are caught in sin. Please use me as an instrument to give them hope and bring them to you. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.

▼ See a Sample of Unstoppable!

[When Stephen told the Jewish leaders that he saw the Son of Man at God's right hand,] they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.

As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." He fell to his knees, shouting, "Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!" And with that, he died.

Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen.

A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.

—Acts 7:57-8:3 NLT

Key Thought

The leaders of the Jewish people murdered Stephen by stoning. They had asked the Romans to crucify Jesus. As Stephen died, he saw Jesus in his glory at the right hand of the Father. Rather than cursing or condemning his executioners, Stephen followed the example of his Savior, Jesus. He asked God to forgive those who were killing him. Again, similar to Jesus, he placed his spirit and his eternal future into the hands of the Lord Jesus, whom he served. Little did anyone outside the throne room of heaven know, but one of the people consenting to Stephen's death would be impacted dramatically; that person was Saul of Tarsus. Saul later had his life rerouted completely when he was on the road to Damascus where he met the resurrected Jesus (Acts 9:3-11). After turning his life over to Jesus, Saul (whom we usually call Paul) became the missionary who fulfilled the promise of reaching the Gentiles, a promise that was re-ignited by Stephen's martyrdom (Acts 22:17-21). Jesus' death opened the door for many Jewish people to come to Christ. Stephen's death led to Samaritans and Gentiles becoming followers of Jesus. Rather than stomping out the embers of the Good News message of Jesus, those early persecutors ignited a flame of hope and life that still is alive today.

Today's Prayer

O Lord, use me to be a torchbearer who shares the flame of hope with the world through the Good News of Jesus. Amen.

▼ See a Sample of Passion for Praise

I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.

—Psalm 9:2

▼ See a Sample of Quotemeal

"If ours is an examined faith, we should be unafraid to doubt....There is no believing without some doubting, and believing is all the stronger for understanding and resolving doubt."

—Os Guinness

▼ See a Sample of Morning and Evening

"She bound the scarlet line in the window."

—Joshua 2:21

Morning Thought

Rahab depended for her preservation upon the promise of the spies, whom she looked upon as the representatives of the God of Israel. Her faith was simple and firm, but it was very obedient. To tie the scarlet line in the window was a very trivial act in itself, but she dared not run the risk of omitting it. Come, my soul, is there not here a lesson for thee? Hast thou been attentive to all thy Lord's will, even though some of his commands should seem non-essential? Hast thou observed in his own way the two ordinances of believers' baptism and the Lord's Supper? These neglected, argue much unloving disobedience in thy heart. Be henceforth in all things blameless, even to the tying of a thread, if that be matter of command.

This act of Rahab sets forth a yet more solemn lesson. Have I implicitly trusted in the precious blood of Jesus? Have I tied the scarlet cord, as with a Gordian knot in my window, so that my trust can never be removed? Or can I look out towards the Dead Sea of my sins, or the Jerusalem of my hopes, without seeing the blood, and seeing all things in connection with its blessed power? The passer-by can see a cord of so conspicuous a colour, if it hangs from the window: it will be well for me if my life makes the efficacy of the atonement conspicuous to all onlookers. What is there to be ashamed of? Let men or devils gaze if they will, the blood is my boast and my song. My soul, there is One who will see that scarlet line, even when from weakness of faith thou canst not see it thyself; Jehovah, the Avenger, will see it and pass over thee. Jericho's walls fell flat: Rahab's house was on the wall, and yet it stood unmoved; my nature is built into the wall of humanity, and yet when destruction smites the race, I shall be secure. My soul, tie the scarlet thread in the window afresh, and rest in peace.

▼ See a Sample of Daily Wisdom

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.

—Proverbs 12:1

▼ See a Sample of Praying with Paul

1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1

Dear Father,

Keep me from giving offense to people of any race, any class, any tradition, not seeking my own advantage, but let me please everybody - for their good - that they may be saved.

Let me imitate your great apostles, but most of all let me imitate Jesus, who came to glorify your name, to serve instead of be served, and to seek and save those who were lost.

In the name of Jesus and in reliance upon his example I ask this. Amen.

▼ See a Sample of A Year with Jesus

Note from Jesus

Dear Friend,

The verses below give you some of the details about the horrendous way I was treated during My journey to Golgotha. You see hatred in action. You see a mob that had been manipulated into a frenzy. You see the people in that mob lose their ability to think clearly and act fairly. You also see people in abject sorrow, "shrieking and wailing in grief." In addition, pay attention to My ominous words of warning at the end of these events.

I also want you to notice one small touch of grace in the horrific circumstances that I faced. This touch of grace shows up in the midst of an awful, violent, and out-of-control set of brutalities. These brutalities were fueled by the hate and fear of religious leaders determined to kill Me.

What is that touch of grace?

Simon of Cyrene is chosen to help Me carry My cross to Golgotha. This touch of grace came after a night of no sleep, unceasing ridicule, bitter mockery, being slapped, being spit upon, being beaten, being scourged, being paraded before leaders, being rejected by the mob, and being sentenced to death by Pilate. I had to carry My cross to the place of My execution, but I was exhausted and physically weak. So I was given someone to help Me by carrying My cross. I had been forsaken by My closest followers. Judas betrayed Me. Peter denied Me. The rest abandoned Me. In the end, I was given someone to help Me carry My cross the last part of the way to Golgotha.

Out of this well of deep misery inflicted upon Me, I was given the grace of someone to help Me carry My burden.

Over the years, My disciples in different parts of the world have seen Simon as a reminder of how important it is to lift the burden of those who are dying. Others have seen Simon as a great image of someone who picks up his cross and helps Me in My mission. Who is someone that needs you to help carry his or her burdens?

Verses to Live

You are about to read about the ridicule I faced and the scorn I bore on the way to the cross. This disrespect was part of the price I paid to communicate the Father's love to you. I hope you will be moved to choose to honor Me and Simon, who helped Me by carrying My cross. I want you to commit to carrying My cross. You can do this by joining Me in My mission to reach the hearts of unbelievers. One possible way to do that is to help ease the burden of someone who is dying. In the horror of what happens in life, may you be Simon to someone who needs help with life's burdens!

So the whole council [the Sanhedrin] got up and took Jesus to Pilate. They brought accusations against Him.

Sanhedrin:

We have observed this man leading our nation astray. He even forbade us to pay our taxes to Caesar. He claims to be the Anointed One and a King Himself.

Pilate:

Are You the King of the Jews?

Jesus:

It's as you say.

Pilate (to the chief priest and crowd):

I find this man guilty of no crime.

Sanhedrin (growing more intense):

He has been stirring up discontent among the people all over Judea. He started up in Galilee, and now He's brought His brand of trouble all the way to Jerusalem!

Pilate:

Just a minute. Is this man a Galilean?

When Pilate learned that Jesus was indeed Galilean — which meant He was officially under Herod's jurisdiction — Pilate sent Him over to Herod, who was currently in Jerusalem. Herod was fascinated to meet Jesus for he had heard about Him for a long time. He was hoping he might be treated to a miracle or two. He interrogated Jesus for quite a while, but Jesus remained silent, refusing to answer his questions. Meanwhile, the chief priests and religious scholars had plenty to say — angrily hurling accusations at Jesus.

Eventually, Herod and his soldiers began to insult Jesus, mocking and degrading Him. They put expensive clothing on Him and sent Him back to Pilate. This ended a long-standing rift between Herod and Pilate; they became friends from that day forward.

Pilate assembled the chief priests and other Jewish authorities.

Pilate:

You presented this man to me as a rabble-rouser, but I examined Him in your presence and found Him not guilty of the charges you have leveled against Him. Herod also examined Him and released Him to my custody. So He hasn't done anything deserving the death penalty. I'll see to it that He is properly whipped and then let Him go.

It was the custom for Pilate to set one prisoner free during the holiday festivities.

Crowd (all shouting at once):

Away with this man! Free Barabbas instead!

Barabbas had been imprisoned after being convicted of an insurrection he had led in Jerusalem. He had also committed murder. Pilate argued with them, wishing he could release Jesus, but they wouldn't be silenced.

Crowd (shouting):

Crucify Him! Crucify Him!

Pilate (countering a third time):

Why? What has He done that is so evil? I have found in Him no offense worthy of capital punishment. As I said, I will punish Him and then release Him.

But they would not relent. They shouted louder and louder that He should be crucified, and eventually Pilate capitulated. So he pronounced the punishment they demanded.

He released the rebel and murderer Barabbas — the insurrectionist they had pleaded for in His place — and he handed Jesus over to them to do with as they desired.

On the way to the place of crucifixion, they pulled a man from the crowd — his name was Simon of Cyrene, a person from the countryside who happened to be entering the city at that moment. They put Jesus' cross on Simon's shoulders, and he followed behind Jesus. Along with Him was a huge crowd of common people, including many women shrieking and wailing in grief.

Jesus (to the people in the crowd):

Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me. Weep instead for yourselves and weep for your children. Days are coming when people will say, "Blessed are the infertile; blessed are the wombs that never bore a child; blessed are the breasts that never nursed an infant." People will beg the mountains, "Surround us!" They'll plead with the hills, "Cover us!" For if they treat Me like this when I'm like green unseasoned wood, what will they do to a nation that's ready to burn like seasoned firewood.

(Luke 23:1-31)

Response in Prayer

O Father, please use me to be a Simon to someone in need. In Jesus' name and in memory of Jesus' sacrifice, I pray to be used for Jesus' glory and to share Jesus' grace with those who do not yet know Him. Amen.

▼ See a Sample of Spiritual Warfare

There used to be false prophets among God's people, just as you will have some false teachers in your group. They will secretly teach things that are wrong-teachings that will cause people to be lost. They will even refuse to accept the Master, Jesus, who bought their freedom. So they will bring quick ruin on themselves.

—2 Peter 2:1 NCV

Today's Prayer

Lord, help me always to trust Your Word with total faith but give me discernment to recognize any false teachers in my group. Help me to weigh their words against Your inerrant truths from the Bible and know when clever lies are being used to lead my family and me astray. Give me the courage to confront all falsehoods and deceptions so no one will be lost who should be saved. In Jesus' Name, Amen.