0x6e6f...75e9

If we are forced to live a life devoid of love and acceptance, we may suffer from loneliness, rejection, and feelings of worthlessness. People who go through this often withdraw and go on to express rebellion, hatred, and a hardness of heart in many different ways.

For life to have meaning, we need to know that we are loved. If we do not feel loved by at least one person, we always struggle to find meaning, joy, and hope. We need to have a mother, father, friend, or someone who values us so much that we feel loved and accepted. Being loved makes us feel accepted, and it is not possible to live without some form of acceptance or appreciation from another person.

Daily Vers. Mark 8:35 NLT If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. Jesus willingly sacrificed everything for the sake of the world. He took the punishment of our sin and wrongdoing so that we could know God intimately, for all time. And when He rose from the dead, He made it possible for us to have a close relationship with Him.  Jesus made a way for us to know Him, but we have to choose whether or not we will follow Him.

When faced with hard things, we might beg for miracles or plead for provision, but when we get the thing we asked for, we can still tend to forget what God has already done for us. We’re not alone in this—the Bible is full of stories about people forgetting God … But that doesn’t have to be us. That doesn’t have to be you.

Daily Vers. Psalms 103:2 NLT Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. Humans are forgetful… We forget what God has said. We forget what God has done. We forget what He’s called us to do. We forget who He’s called us to be. The word “forget” can mean two things: to not remember (sometimes by accident) or to ignore (sometimes on purpose). To “forget” is to fail to hold something in our minds.

Worship is the orientation of our entire life to live in awe of who God is and what He has done for us. We can worship God not only by the songs we sing, but also the way we live our lives.

Since we have been given new life in Christ, and we’ve experienced God’s grace, we should desire to please God. Since He has given us everything in life, we ought to give Him everything we are.

Daily Vers. Hebrews 13:16 NLT And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. Have you ever thought about how your life brings pleasure to God? All throughout Scripture, we learn about how we can use our lives to please God. In fact, we were created for God’s pleasure.

While this passage was originally about food, the principle can be applied to any area of life. Whatever choice you make, do it to glorify God. In this way, you will keep your conscience clear. Whether you’re preparing a meal or making a business deal. Whether you’re playing sports or building houses. Whether you’re leading a team or raising kids. Whether you’re crunching numbers or caring for the vulnerable.

Daily Vers. 1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Making decisions is hard.  When we attempt to make the perfect decision, we can often find ourselves stuck in indecision. And while we should always prayerfully discern our next steps according to God’s Word and His ways, sometimes we overcomplicate things. In his first letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul was addressing an issue about food, regarding what they should or shouldn’t eat. So Paul took some of the pressure off Christians by saying: whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” ‭‭

Pause for a moment. Imagine a world filled with the light of God's love and truth. Can you imagine a world where the light of Christ shines from the windows of every home and down every street… God wants to use you yes, you to shine His light.

In a world that sometimes can feel like it’s drowning in darkness disasters, wars, injustice, and suffering Isaiah's message is an invitation to embrace God’s true Light of salvation, revealed in the New Testament to be Jesus Christ. Let this light shine brightly within you, driving out the shadows of darkness and illuminating the path for those who don’t know this Light.

The Light is a beacon of hope, the picture of salvation and spiritual awakening. This Light is the true Light, the Messiah—Jesus Christ. He is the light God’s people needed then (Isaiah 59:9-10), and He is the light our hearts desperately need today.

Daily Vers. Isaiah 60:1 NLT “Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. From the gentle morning sun rays that break through your window to the headlights that guide you on your way home at night, light is a constant presence. Yet, there is a greater Light than any physical light we know… In Isaiah 60:1, the prophet speaks of this greater Light. And his words are more than pretty poetry and a prophecy; they are a call to action, an encouragement for God's people to find hope—Light, in the midst of darkness (Isaiah 59:9-10): "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you." Isaiah 60:1

God’s Word guides us when we are lost, strengthens us when we are weary, challenges us when we are compromising, and encourages us when we are overwhelmed. God’s Word changes everything. And this very moment, you hold God’s Word in your hand. Transformation is in your grasp. Read the Bible closely, dig into its verses, wrestle with its teachings, and treasure what you discover about the love and grace of God.

All Scripture is breathed out by God…” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NIV “... Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 NIV

Paul is showing us that transformation isn’t work we do from the outside in. Transformation happens from the inside out. It begins with our mind. And for our minds to change, we need Truth to grab hold of.

Daily Vers. Romans 12:2 NLT Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. All around the world, humans long for change. We long to throw off old habits and ways of thinking if they aren’t serving us anymore. Thousands of self-help books, podcasts, articles, and all kinds of media exist for this very reason. We want to change! And yet, it can feel impossible. Paul, one of Jesus’ disciples, shares this powerful truth in Romans 12:2 (NIV): Transformed by the renewing of our minds. What does this mean? Transformation is a massive change. It’s thorough. Complete. A total difference. Like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, transformation brings an end to the old and a beginning to the new.

When Jesus arrives, he moves that Heaven-and-Earth space from Jerusalem’s temple into human hearts. People become the temple where God dwells. Divine beauty and peace are no longer tied to one city or structure; they’re found wherever God’s will is done “on Earth as in Heaven.” Today, ask: What do I want most? David’s answer exposes humanity’s deepest desire—to be safe, loved, and at peace with our creator.

For ancient Israel, Jerusalem’s temple marked the center of their world—the place where Heaven and Earth meet. That idea first appears in Genesis, in the garden of Eden, where God walked with humanity and provided everything necessary—a place with no suffering, no threats, no death. David’s longing isn’t for a spectacular building but for closeness with God—the kind of nearness that reshapes a person and brings true peace.