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"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." — Matthew 28:18-20 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Last words matter! The last words of a parent to a child leaving for college... The last words of a loved one at the bedside of someone dying... The last words of a friend before moving to a distant place... Our last words are chosen with care because we know they leave a lasting impact on those who hear. They are important to us. We want those who hear them to know them and keep them. Jesus' last words are our authoritative marching orders for us as his disciples. These words are also very clear: Make disciples of all peoples by... Going to all nations. Baptizing believers in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spi...

What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you — guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. — 2 Timothy 1:13-14 Thoughts on Today's Verse... We live in a world of keys, locks, alarms, passwords, passkeys, and security systems. Paul's words shouldn't surprise us. We protect the things that are most valuable to us. So ask yourself, "What is more precious to me than the truth of God's saving grace in the Gospel, in faith?" Nothing. So thankfully, God has pre-wired each of us with a security system to help protect that incredibly precious hope. This security system lives in us and has given us God's Scriptures by inspiration. This security system is the Holy Spirit, given to us when we were born into God's family through the Spirit's work. So, let's value the Spirit's presence more. Let's ask for the Spirit's help more p...

This is what the LORD says — your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I AM the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go." — Isaiah 48:17 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Don't you sometimes long for the pillar of fire at night and the cloud by day to guide us as we make our way through life? God gave these blessings to the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings ( Exodus 13:21-22 ; Nehemiah 9:19-21 ). They never had to doubt God's presence was with them and his care was over them. Then I remember God's promised and abiding presence with us as followers of Jesus. This abiding presence is the Holy Spirit ( John 7:37-39 ; Romans 8:14 ). The Spirit's presence is coupled with the promise that God will never leave or forsake us ( Romans 8:38-39 ; Hebrews 13:5-6 ). As we seek God's presence and honor his character, he will get us where we need to be to do his will. We can be assured that he will work in ou...

The earth is filled with your love, O LORD; teach me your decrees. — Psalm 119:64 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Sometimes we get so caught up in the loving wonders of God's creation and the marvelous blessings of "the work of his hands" ( Psalm 19:1 , 111:7 ) that we forget to ask him to teach us his truths, help us understand his will, and give us the grace to live out his word in our daily lives. Let's not only worship God in awe for his majestic creation; let's also worship him by learning his will and living it in our daily lives ( Romans 12:1-2 ). My Prayer... Holy and Precious Father, please teach me your truth. Lead me to your will. Guide me in your wisdom. I want my life and my choices to reflect your plan for me when you made me in my mother's womb.* I desire for my life to display your righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful lovingkindness. In the name of Jesus I ask these things. Amen. * Psalm 139:13-16 . The Thoughts and Prayer...

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. — Proverbs 22:6 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Children don't just need to be taught facts, truth, and school subjects; they need to be trained and prepared for life in the grace of God, the way of Jesus, and the leading of the Holy Spirit. This training should come from their parents and other faithful adults in their lives. Deep down, we know that life is not just about intellectual lessons and information. Authentic life and productive living are about integrating God's truth into the fabric of our daily lives as we teach them and model them before our children and the children God places under our influence. Our Father in heaven calls us to move our children and their training to the top of our list of priorities. Our children are forever; other things we invest our time in are temporary. So, let's recommit to training up children and living as examples before them so that they will...

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. — Psalm 95:6-7 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Worship is more than our hearts, souls, and words offered to God. It also necessarily involves our physical bodies, our strength, and our posture ( Mark 12:29-30 ). When we understand the grace God has given us to be called his children, what else can we do but bow down or kneel before him in his majesty and loving grace? We come to him, a conquering ruler, offering ourselves in full submission. God chooses, however, to treat us tenderly like a loving shepherd who longs to care for us, and our Abba Father who is full of tender love for us. We must not forget the parable of the lost sheep ( Luke 15:3-7 ) and the lost sons ( Luke 15:11-32 ) as we pray this truth! Such grace leads us to bow and kneel in heartfelt worship before the LORD, our maker. My Prayer... Shepherd of my soul, my lo...