Undaunted!
Note from Jesus Dear Faithful Follower, Yesterday, I asked you to read about the paralyzed man that I healed through Peter and John. I wanted you to see the refreshing new life that I brought not only to that man but also to all who turn to Me. Peter and John spoke about My power and presence being available because I had been raised from the dead. The Sanhedrin, the highest ranking religious body in Israel, had asked that I be put to death. In today’s verses, My disciples were standing before the same religious body, but they were not intimidated or afraid. Because of My resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, they were undaunted! As you might expect, the healing of the paralyzed man created a big stir among the religious leaders. “So they arrested Peter, John, and the man who was healed and kept them in jail overnight” (Acts 4:3). These religious leaders had a major problem: more than 3,000 people had already become My disciples, and the number was quickly becoming more than 5,000. The religious leaders hauled Peter and John in before them. This very same group that had asked the Roman Governor Pilate to have Me put to death now threatened My apostles. Peter and John were unafraid! They spoke powerfully to the Sanhedrin, unfazed by the threats of these religious leaders and their earthly power. Peter and John’s opponents immediately recognized the problem: Now the leaders were surprised and confused. They looked at Peter and John and realized they were typical peasants — uneducated, utterly ordinary fellows — with extraordinary confidence. The leaders recognized them as companions of Jesus… (Acts 4:13) In the next several chapters in the book of Acts, you will find that My disciples were threatened, beaten, imprisoned, and even martyred. They were put to death because of their faith in Me and their commitment to sharing My message with others. But they were not intimidated! They were undaunted! As you look at their examples, I hope you will also be undaunted by those who oppose you, ridicule you, and ostracize you. Let your commitment to share My message of grace with the lost world around you propel you past your fear, and let My Spirit empower you to greater things than you can imagine. Verses to Live What you will read below comes from the continuing story of the religious leaders’ failed attempts to keep My apostles quiet. My apostles were committed to sharing My message. They were committed to reaching the lost. They were committed to honoring Us — Father, Son, and Spirit — in spite of any threat from any human power or person. The leaders brought the prisoners [Peter and John] back in and prohibited them from doing any more speaking or teaching in the name of Jesus. Peter and John listened quietly and then replied, Peter and John: You are the judges here, so we’ll leave it up to you to judge whether it is right in the sight of God to obey your commands or God’s. But one thing we can tell you: we cannot possibly restrain ourselves from speaking about what we have seen and heard with our own eyes and ears. (Acts 4:18-20) After praying and being emboldened by the Spirit, My disciples continued to share the message about My life, death, resurrection, and grace. They continued to proclaim the good news, and their number grew rapidly as My power was demonstrated through them. Those were amazing days — with many signs and wonders being performed through the apostles among the people. The church would gather as a unified group in Solomon’s Porch, enjoying great respect by the people of the city — though most people wouldn’t risk publicly affiliating with them. Even so, record numbers of believers — both men and women — were added to the Lord. (Acts 5:12-14) After being arrested and then miraculously delivered from jail (Acts 5:19), the apostles continued to proclaim My message, undaunted by the threats, beatings, and imprisonment. When questioned by the High Priest and the ruling council they remained undaunted: The temple police — this time, accompanied by their captain — rushed over to the temple and brought the emissaries of the Lord to the council. They were careful not to use violence, because the people were so supportive of them that the police feared being stoned by the crowd if they were too rough. Once again the men stood before the council. The high priest began the questioning. High Priest: Didn’t we give you strict orders to stop teaching in this name? But here you are, spreading your teaching throughout Jerusalem. And you are determined to blame us for this man’s death. Peter and the Apostles: If we have to choose between obedience to God and obedience to any human authority, then we must obey God. (Acts 5:26-29) The council… brought the apostles back in. They were flogged, again told not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released. As they left the council, they weren’t discouraged at all. In fact, they were filled with joy over being considered worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of His name. And constantly, whether in public, in the temple, or in their homes, they kept teaching and proclaiming Jesus as the Anointed One, the Liberating King. (Acts 5:40-42) Response in Prayer O Father, give us the courage to do Your will and the grace to share the message about Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. May we be as undaunted in our day as these early disciples were in their day! I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2025, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today’s Verse – Proverbs 6:20
My son, keep your father’s commands and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. —Proverbs 6:20 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… So often today, we discount the wisdom of those who have come before us and want to share with us the collective wisdom handed down to them by their faithful predecessors. Over the next few weeks, we should be especially attentive to older people, especially those who have proven themselves faithful. At the same time, let’s remind our children and our grandchildren how important obedience is to God, especially the obedience of children to their parents. We want the Holy Spirit to help us train our children and grandchildren in godliness so that they may honor, not only us, but our Heavenly Father! My Prayer… Dear heavenly Father, I ask your forgiveness for the times that I have not properly respected my parents’ words and wisdom. I thank you for their love for me and their desire to guide me in your path. Please bless them with your grace and bless me as I seek to be more obedient to your will. Help me bless my children and grandchildren so I can steer them so their hearts are open to you and they obey you as their Heavenly Father! In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. 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.
Times of Refreshing
Note from Jesus Dear Beloved, Are you stuck? Are your days too predictably monotonous? Do you feel that nothing is ever going to change? I want you to look especially at the words highlighted in bold in the verses below. I want you to realize that when I ascended back to the Father, I didn’t abandon My disciples. I continued to be present in their lives. I worked in them through the Holy Spirit when they called on My name to help them. Notice the following four different sets of words that tell the story of a paralyzed man trapped by his circumstances and of My grace that brings “times of refreshing.” Please realize that these “times of refreshing” are not just for the paralyzed man who was healed, but also for all who turn to Me! Predictable Unwanted Daily Sameness: The words “customary time” and “every day” help us enter the world of the lame man. His discouraging situation is also the world for every man and woman stuck in a rut that he or she wants to escape. The man whom Peter and John met had been “paralyzed since birth.” His routine was set by his physical limitations, his limited opportunities in society, and the limited number of people who chose to help him in their limited ways and with their limited expectations of what his life could ever be. Power of My Name: While the man who was born lame faced severe limits, these limits were removed by My gracious power. My power was released through Peter and John as they proclaimed the power behind the man’s healing: “faith in the name of Jesus of Nazareth.” Even though I had ascended back to the Father, Peter and John knew that I wasn’t gone. They knew My power and My grace were still available through the Holy Spirit to those who called on My name. They didn’t have money, but they did have faith. So they called on the power of My “name” and brought My presence and power near to address this paralyzed man’s needs. A New Day Dawning: The formerly paralyzed man’s life was changed forever! After he had been healed, praise was not something he watched from afar. He could stand, walk, leap, and dance in joyous praise. He was no longer dependent upon his friends to get him to the place where he could beg from other people for a few meager coins to sustain him. And if you listen to what Peter said to the crowd, you realize that the people in the crowd were paralyzed as well. They were stuck in their ways with low spiritual expectations. However, even for them, “a new day can dawn.” They, too, could experience “days of refreshing times flowing from the Lord.” Just as miraculous as a paralyzed man given the power to walk, these religious people could be delivered from their paralyzed religious forms into a life filled with My power and presence. Life’s Ultimate Turning Point: The folks stuck in their religious rut needed to “rethink everything and turn to God.” They could call upon the Father believing in My name. Believing in Me is something that you may have decided in the past. However, I hope that you will do it afresh each day, beginning today. Rethink everything! Call on My name! Believe in Me. Trust in My power and My presence! I do long to be present and powerful in your life and bring you “days of refreshing”! Verses to Live My apostle Paul said it well: Therefore, if anyone is united with the Anointed One, that person is a new creation. The old life is gone — and see — a new life has begun. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Step away from the boring sameness of a predictable life. Leave behind dry religion if you find yourself caught in low expectations of what I can do. Turn your heart to the Father. Call upon My name. Trust that I will be present with you and powerful for you through the Holy Spirit. Even if you feel satisfied with your life, you can experience so much more through My power and grace that bring you “days of refreshing.” One day at three o’clock in the afternoon, a customary time for daily prayer, Peter and John walked to the temple. Some people were carrying in a man who had been paralyzed since birth. Every day they brought him to a place near the beautiful gate (one of the temple entrances) so he could beg for money from people entering to worship. He saw Peter and John coming and asked them for a contribution. Peter gazed intensely at him — so did John. Peter: Look at us. The man looked up at them, assuming they were about to give him some money. Peter: I want to give you something, but I don’t have any silver or gold. Here’s what I can offer you: stand up and walk in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, the Anointed One. Then Peter took the man’s right hand and lifted him to his feet. Instantly the man’s feet and ankles grew strong. He jumped and walked, accompanying Peter and John into the temple where he walked, jumped for joy, and shouted praises to God. A crowd ran to the commotion, and they gathered around this man in an open area called Solomon’s Porch. There he was, standing on his own two feet, holding on to Peter and John. They knew exactly who he was — the beggar they passed at the beautiful gate every day. Everyone was absolutely amazed at this wonderful miracle; they were speechless, stunned. Peter (to the crowd): Why are you so amazed, my fellow Israelites? Why are you staring at my friend and me as though we did this miracle through our own power or made this fellow walk by our own holiness? We didn’t do this — God did! The God of Abraham,
Today’s Verse – Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. —Luke 6:38 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Our God is the God of all grace (1 Peter 5:10). He loves giving, blessing, and empowering! One of God’s chosen ways to do these three things is through us. Our Father in Heaven wants us to be conduits of his blessings. Like the faithful stewards in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), when we are faithful and generous in using what he has given us to administer, he blesses us with more to use to help others and bring him glory. As we provide, share, and encourage others, God continues supplying us with more than we can imagine to bless even more (2 Corinthians 9:6-11 & Ephesians 3:20-21). Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Father, please open my heart and help me be a more generous person. I want to use the many blessings and resources you have entrusted to me to bless others and bring you glory. Please give me the courage to use what you have given me in bold and extravagant ways in your service, to benefit others. I know that as my heart is pure and cheerful, I can keep sharing your grace, because I will never be able to outdo your extravagance! In Jesus’ name, I praise and thank you. Amen. 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.
Heart Surgery
Note from Jesus Dear Disciple, I’ve been sharing some reasons that the Scriptures, including the teaching of the apostles and others in the New Testament, are important to you. The Scriptures are alive because We — Father, Son, and Spirit — are all active as you read the Scriptures. The Father examines you as you read. The Spirit opens your heart to receive Our truth. The goal of the Scriptures is to transform you to be like Me in righteous character and gracious compassion. The Holy Spirit breathed out My message through human writing partners (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Spirit is also active in helping you understand the Father’s message (1 Corinthians 2:6-16). The Spirit reminds you of My words, helps you to remember My deeds, and conforms you to the Father’s will (John 15:26-27; John 16:12-15; Romans 8:1-4; 2 Corinthians 3:18). In the hands of the Spirit, the message of the Scriptures has the power to reach into your heart. As a tool of the Spirit, the Scriptures can do the delicate and drastic surgery necessary to help you understand the truth, receive correction, accept instruction, and understand Our will for your life. The Scriptures speak to your inner being (“soul and spirit”), to your physical being (“joints and marrow”), and to your mind and heart (“thoughts and will of the heart”). Just as you are to love Us heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30), We work on you in each area of your being through the Spirit and using the word. So open your Bible and read it. Open your hearts to Our message. Offer yourselves to the Father. Invite the Spirit to work in you. Read the Scriptures to seek My truth and to follow Me as My disciple. Verses to Live In the two passages below, you will find the word of God described as a “sword”, even a “double-edged sword” or very sharp dagger or scalpel. The word of God is alive because this scalpel is used by the Spirit as the Father looks into and works on every area of your being to bring it into conformity to Our will. You need to understand these Scriptures. In order to understand how to apply Our word to your life, ask the Holy Spirit to help and look at the things I taught and the way I lived and treated people. The word of God, you see, is alive and moving; sharper than a double-edged sword; piercing the divide between soul and spirit, joints and marrow; able to judge the thoughts and will of the heart. No creature can hide from God: God sees all. Everyone and everything is exposed, opened for His inspection; and He’s the One we will have to explain ourselves to. (Hebrews 4:12-13) Take also the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:17) Response in Prayer Father in heaven, I open my heart to You and ask that the Spirit work to bring every area of my being — soul, spirit, joints, marrow, thoughts, and heart — into conformity with Your will. My petition, dear Father, is that Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians will be true for me: May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify [me] through and through. May [my] whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. [I believe that the] one who calls [me] is faithful, and he will do it. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen. Part of this prayer is adapted from 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (NIV). ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2025, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 31:19
How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. —Psalm 31:19 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… This psalm begins with God’s people in desperation, but as it progresses, it crescendos with faith. While things may seem bleak, God will not abandon his children. Those who reverence God — fear him with awe and love — will not be forgotten. Far from ignoring his children, God has stored up his goodness, which he will generously pour out on them to show that they are his. Those who take refuge in him will be protected and blessed. For those on this side of Jesus’ resurrection, this promise of blessing and vindication takes on added depth, meaning, and assurance because of Jesus’ empty tomb and his promise to return to take us home with him in glory! My Prayer… O LORD, God of Abraham, Moses, Ruth, David, and Esther, I praise you for your proven faithfulness through the centuries. Thank you for the great heritage of faith that shows me I can trust you to remember me with your grace. So, please protect me by your power, and bless me with your goodness. As I approach you with reverent awe and loving respect, please give me the courage to hang on to my faith no matter my trials and temptations. In Jesus’ name, I pray and place my trust in you. Amen. 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.
God-breathed Scripture
Note from Jesus Dear Beloved, One of the great blessings that you have received from Us — Father, Son, and Spirit — is the Bible, the “holy Scriptures.” Many people have died over the centuries because of their commitment to translate, protect, and preserve these Scriptures so that you could have them in your own language. We want you to appreciate the incredible blessings of having Our message to you written in human words. We used human partners to pass on Our message to you. The Spirit gave them Our message to convey the truth. To help you understand the message of these Scriptures, we have given you two great gifts. First, I came to you incarnate — God’s greatest message and ultimate Word to you (John 1:1-18 NIV; Hebrews 1:1-3). My witnesses, whose words you read in your New Testament, emphasize that everything you know about the Scriptures needs to be filtered through Who I AM, what I taught, and how I lived God’s truth: …the holy Scriptures, which enable you to be wise and lead to salvation through faith in Jesus the Anointed. (2 Timothy 3:15) …in these last days, it [God’s message] has come to us through His Son… (Hebrews 1:2) No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, Who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. (John 1:18 NIV) In Jesus we hear a resounding “yes” to all of God’s many promises. (2 Corinthians 1:20) Listen again: if anyone preaches to you a gospel other than what you have accepted, may he find himself cursed! (Galatians 1:9) “Here you are scouring through the Scriptures, hoping that you will find eternal life among a pile of scrolls. What you don’t seem to understand is that the Scriptures point to Me [Jesus].” (John 5:39) “I [Jesus] AM the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 NIV) Second, We breathed Our message into inspired and authoritative human partners to write words of truth for you to understand, apply, and live. Before the New Testament was written and the various parts were put into an authoritative collection, the term “holy Scriptures” referred to what many of you call the Old Testament — the books of Moses, the Prophets, and the Writings. These writings were authoritative because they came from Us: But notice first that no prophecy found in Scripture is a matter of the prophet’s own interpretation. Prophecy has never been a product of human initiative, but it comes when men and women are moved to speak on behalf of God by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20-21) Verses to Live During the first century of the church, the writings of the apostles were also being recognized as the “holy Scriptures” (2 Peter 3:15-16 NIV). So as you read the two passages below, remember two additional truths. First, the message of these New Testament witnesses should be regarded as Scripture. It carries the authority of the Holy Spirit speaking through them. Second, these words come to you through the partnership of the Divine — the Father’s will, My example, and the Holy Spirit’s action — and those who are human — those We used to transmit that message and to be a great example of that message. Please, take the Scriptures seriously. Use them to help you grow as My disciple. Offer yourself to the study of the Scriptures so that you can become someone trained to do My work and live My will in your world. Take also the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:17) So surely you ought to stick to what you know is certain. All you have learned comes from people you know and trust because since childhood you have known the holy Scriptures, which enable you to be wise and lead to salvation through faith in Jesus the Anointed. All of Scripture is God-breathed; in its inspired voice, we hear useful teaching, rebuke, correction, instruction, and training for a life that is right so that God’s people may be up to the task ahead and have all they need to accomplish every good work. (2 Timothy 3:14-17) Response in Prayer Father, words cannot describe how blessed we are to have received Your message in human words. It is indeed a blessing to know Jesus, the living Word, as our great example and teacher to help us know how to live Your truth. Thank You as well for the Holy Spirit, Who inspired and breathed out Your message through human partners. Thank You! I commit to use Your Word and your inspired Scriptures to change my life as you transform me to be like Jesus, in Whose name I pray. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2025, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today’s Verse – 1 John 3:18
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. —1 John 3:18 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “Talk is cheap.” “Actions speak louder than words.” Let’s show our love for our family, our friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ by the way we live and what we do for each other. Yes, it is important to say it, but it is even more important to do it and demonstrate our authenticity. In this way, we follow the example of God, who didn’t just tell us he loves us, but demonstrated his love by giving Jesus for us (John 3:16; 1 John 4:9-12). My Prayer… Loving and generous God, you are my Abba Father. Please forgive me for letting my love for your children remain just a matter of words. Please give me the opportunity today to bless one of these brothers or sisters in Christ with a kind deed, a gentle action, or a way to serve them. I want to demonstrate my love just as my Savior did. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. 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.
The Stubbornness of Unbelief
Note from Jesus Dear Follower, I challenge you to consider two questions about the verses you find below: Why do you think that Mark included this story about the unbelief of the folks from My “hometown” and among My “own people” and in My “own household”? Who are My hometown folks and family today? If you are My disciple, you are part of My family. Mark included the episode below from My ministry to speak to My family and warn them (and warn you) of a great danger — the “stubbornness of their unbelief.” This warning is about a specific kind of “stubbornness” and “unbelief.” Over the centuries of church history, My disciples have often thought they knew what they could expect from Me. Many times they ended up under-expecting. They came up with theologies that limited My power and presence. They quit believing that I could or would do great things through them. In the process, they limited what I could do for them, with them, and through them because of the “stubbornness of their unbelief.” Mark included this episode from My life to speak to this kind of loss of expectation, this “stubbornness” of “unbelief” in the people in his day. The gospel of Mark in your Bibles warns you about this same “unbelief.” In a few days, we will begin an extended look into the book of Acts. Then, we will go through the rest of the New Testament story together. In the book of Acts, you will read about My disciples and what the Holy Spirit did for them, with them, and through them. You may be tempted to believe that the kinds of things you see in the book of Acts could never happen in your time. I want you to be aware that any lack of expectation still limits the power I can release into your life and the lives of those you love just as My relatives lack of expectation did in My hometown. The power of My gospel to reach lost people in every place in every age is still present through the work of My Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, the “stubbornness” of “unbelief” I confronted in My hometown also happens in your day. This lack of expectation contributes to My repeated frustration with My family — My modern-day “hometown” and My “own people” and “household.” This “stubbornness” of “unbelief” prevents Me from doing any “great works” for them, among them, and through them. Please believe! Please expect more! Please read your Bibles to see that We — Father, Son, and Spirit — long to do in your day the things We’ve done before. Don’t let it be said in your day that I AM limited “by the stubbornness of their unbelief.” Verses to Live In the following verses, Mark reported things that happened in My hometown of Nazareth. Notice that the people there were astonished at My teaching. They also knew about My miraculous powers. However, they couldn’t see past their own familiarity with Me, My family, and what they thought they knew about Me. They refused to accept My teaching and My miracles. Their lack of faith prevented them from experiencing all that I wanted to bring to them and do among them Don’t let your past experiences place limits on what you think I can do for you, in you, and through you. Remember this about Us — Father, Son, and Spirit: We “can do so many awe-inspiring things, immeasurable things, things greater than [you] ever could ask or imagine through the power at work in” you (Ephesians 3:20). Jesus went back into His own hometown where He had grown up, and His disciples followed Him there. When the Sabbath came, He went into the synagogue in Nazareth and began to teach as He had done elsewhere, and many of those who heard Him were astonished. Those in the Synagogue: Where did He gain this wisdom? And what are all these stories we’ve been hearing about the signs and healings He’s performed? Where did He get that kind of power? Isn’t this Jesus, the little boy we used to see in Joseph’s carpenter shop? Didn’t He grow up to be a carpenter just like His father? Isn’t He the son of Mary over there and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, Simon, and their sisters? Who does He think He is? And when they had thought about it that way, they became indignant and closed themselves to His message. Jesus (seeing this): A prophet can find honor anywhere except in his hometown, among his own people, and in his own household. He could not do any of His great works among them except with a few of the sick, whom He healed by laying His hands upon them. He was amazed by the stubbornness of their unbelief. (Mark 6:1-6) Response in Prayer Today, O God, I pray as Habakkuk did many years ago: Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen. Prayer from Habakkuk 3:2 NIV. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2025, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today’s Verse – Ephesians 1:17
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. —Ephesians 1:17 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… One of the best things we can pray for each other, and for ourselves, is that we might better know God. Jesus said that knowing God and the Son he sent is the foundation of eternal life (John 17:1-3). The Holy Spirit helps us better know God (1 Corinthians 2:9-10, 12-13), worship God (John 4:23-24), and speak to God (Romans 8:9, 26-27). So, let’s ask God to use his Spirit to help us know him, not just about him. God is not only the Almighty Creator of all things; he is also our Father who cares about us deeply. He created us that we “would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any of us. For in him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:27-28). As we seek God, let’s keep praying Paul’s prayer for others! My Prayer… Holy Father, God of all mystery and glory, please open my mind and heart to know you better through the presence of your Holy Spirit within me. Please bless my physical and spiritual families with insight and illumination about you, your love, and your glory. Please help them know you more fully and reflect your character and grace more completely. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. 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.