Today's Good News

JAN. 17 – CARES

01/17          Matthew 10:29-31

29 What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin[a]? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

CARES

This passage emphasizes God’s intimate knowledge, care, and value for all creation, encouraging believers to trust Him amid life’s uncertainties.

Six Points

      1. Sparrows and Sovereignty: The humble sparrow, insignificant to man, is precious in God’s sovereign plan.

      2. Providence and Protection: No creature, however small, escapes the care of the Creator.

      3. Hair and Holiness: Even the hairs of the head, countless and mundane, are known by God, showing His meticulous attention.

      4. Fearless Faith: God’s intimate care eliminates fear, replacing it with trust in His providence.

      5. Worth and Wonder: Humans are valued far above all other creatures, reflecting God’s love and purpose.

      6. Care and Comfort: God’s constant attention provides comfort and assurance to the anxious heart.

Poem on Matthew 10:29-31

A sparrow flutters, unnoticed by the world,

Yet its fall is known to the Creator.

The wind carries its fragile song,

A testimony to a Father’s care.

No life is too small, no moment unseen,

In the gaze of the One who holds the stars.

The head bowed in fear is lifted,

For even the smallest details are counted.

Hairs numbered, paths ordered,

Each thread of life woven by divine hands.

The heart that trembles finds peace,

In the knowledge of worth beyond measure.

Fear falls away like leaves in autumn,

When the truth of care takes root.

The sparrow’s flight speaks of freedom,

A reflection of faith unbound by fear.

God’s watchful eye does not waver,

Nor does His love falter.

We are more than sparrows, He says,

Precious in ways we cannot fathom.

The Creator bends low to lift us high,

Counting each breath, holding each tear.

In the vastness of His care,

We find rest for every anxious thought.

JAN. 16 – INTERCESSION

Ephesians 1:17

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him.”

INTERCESSION

1. Source of Glory

God, the Father of glory, is the ultimate source of divine majesty and grace.

2. Sovereign Relationship

God is the Father of Jesus Christ, emphasizing their unity and Christ’s divinity.

3. Seeking Wisdom

Paul prays for believers to receive the Spirit of wisdom, essential for understanding God’s truth.

4. Spiritual Revelation

The Spirit reveals divine mysteries, allowing believers to grow in their knowledge of God.

5. Superior Knowledge

True knowledge is found in intimate relationship with God, not mere intellectual understanding.

6. Spirit’s Role

The Holy Spirit is central to imparting wisdom and unveiling the deep things of God.

7. Sanctified Understanding

Wisdom and revelation lead to a transformation of heart and mind.

8. Scriptural Foundation

The knowledge of Him is rooted in God’s Word, where His character is revealed.

9. Spiritual Growth

Paul’s prayer reflects the need for continual growth in knowing God more fully.

10. Supreme Purpose

Wisdom and revelation are given so believers can fulfill their divine calling and glorify God.

Summation

Ephesians 1:17 reveals Paul’s intercession for believers to receive spiritual wisdom and revelation from God through the Holy Spirit. This knowledge deepens their relationship with God, enabling them to live in alignment with His purposes. The verse underscores the transformative power of knowing God intimately.

INTERCESSION

1.

O Father of glory, bright and divine,

Your wisdom and power eternally shine.

Grant us the Spirit to open our eyes,

To know You, O Lord, who reigns in the skies.

2.

In Christ, we behold Your glorious face,

The fullness of love, the riches of grace.

Reveal to our hearts the depths of Your plan,

Through Spirit and truth, reveal who You are.

3.

Wisdom descends from Your heavenly throne,

A gift from the Spirit, freely made known.

Illuminate paths that lead to Your light,

Guide us in truth through the darkest of night.

4.

The knowledge of You, a treasure so rare,

Is found when we seek You in humble prayer.

In Christ, all the fullness of God is displayed,

Your glory, O Father, will never fade.

5.

The Spirit of wisdom brings us insight,

To walk in Your ways and choose what is right.

Revealing Your will, Your purpose unfolds,

In the depths of our hearts, Your story is told.

6.

O Spirit of truth, come dwell in our soul,

Your presence, O God, will make us whole.

Reveal to our hearts the knowledge divine,

That we may be Yours and You may be mine.

7.

Your Word is a lamp, Your truth is the key,

Through wisdom and grace, You set us free.

Our hearts cry for more of Your perfect love,

To know You, O Lord, and dwell above.

8.

Father of glory, hear our plea,

Grant us Your wisdom eternally.

With revelation, let us explore,

The beauty of knowing You more and more.

9.

In Christ, we find our hope and rest,

Your Spirit within us, making us blessed.

A knowledge that grows, a light that shines,

Forever revealing Your grand designs.

10.

O Spirit of wisdom, Spirit of might,

Come and reveal the truths of Your light.

The knowledge of God, so vast and wide,

Leads us to live with You as our guide.

11.

Through wisdom and love, our hearts take flight,

To heights of grace and infinite light.

Father of glory, Your name we proclaim,

Forever we worship, forever Your name.

12.

O Spirit of revelation, show us the way,

To walk with the Savior every day.

The knowledge of Him transforms our sight,

Filling our hearts with heavenly delight.

JAN. 15 – GRACE

01/15             Romans 3:20

20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.

GRACE

1.   Failure of Flesh

“By works of the law no human being will be justified” highlights that human effort is insufficient to achieve righteousness before God.

      2.      Limit of the Law

The law serves not as a means of justification but as a mirror to reveal humanity’s sinful state, showing the law’s inability to save.

      3.      Sin’s Spotlight

“Through the law comes knowledge of sin” demonstrates that the law exposes sin, making us aware of our moral shortcomings.

      4.      Universal Unworthiness

No one is exempt from this truth; all are guilty before God, regardless of their attempts to obey the law perfectly.

      5.      Grace Over Works

The verse sets the stage for the gospel message, emphasizing that justification comes not through works but through faith in Christ.

Romans 3:20 underscores that human effort through the law cannot achieve justification before God. The law’s purpose is to reveal sin and humanity’s need for a Savior, pointing to the grace offered through Jesus Christ.

Trust Grace

      1.     

No deeds of man, no works suffice,

The law demands a perfect price.

It shows our sin, exposes shame,

And points to Christ, the saving name.

      2.     

The law reveals the sinner’s plight,

A holy God, a perfect light.

Through its commands, we see our fall,

No righteousness in us at all.

      3.     

The law is clear; it cannot save,

Its purpose points beyond the grave.

To Christ alone, we lift our eyes,

Through Him, the guilty are justified.

      4.     

Our works are weak, our efforts vain,

No merit here removes the stain.

But grace abounds, His gift is free,

By faith alone, we’re made to be.

      5.     

So trust not law, but trust His grace,

Through Christ alone, we see God’s face.

The law convicts, but He redeems,

Fulfilling all our deepest dreams.

JAN. 14 – TRUTHFUL

01/14             Colossians 3:9-10

9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

TRUTHFUL

Do not lie-be truthful.

Humility in the way you live.

Trustworthy.

Embrace the Christ lifestyle.

Spend time with Jesus and the Word of God.

Become more like Jesus.

Promote love and trust.

Do it now.

Do it everyday.

JAN. 13 – RESPONSIBILITY

01/13             1 Corinthians 15:34

34 Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning. For to your shame I say that some of you don’t know God at all.

RESPONSIBILITY

We have a righteous responsibility to be alert, and sober when we serve Jesus. 

We have a moral and spiritual obligation to do the right thing.

God controls us and we bend the knee in humility to His commands. 

Obedience is critical.

Keep a short list of sins to confess to Jesus. 

When you are wrong, repent. 

Without Jesus we are dead in our trespasses and sin. 

When we sin we bring dishonor to the Lord. 

Stop sinning, turn to Jesus and do the next right thing. 

JAN. 12 – LOVE

01/12             1 Corinthians 13:2

2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.

LOVE

Love is critical in serving God.

We love Him totally and out of that love for God love our neighbor. 

Prophecy, faith and service without love are nothing. 

Love is the defining attribute of a Christ-centered life.

Without love we lose our value and purpose in life. 

Love surpasses all other gifts and is integral in serving God. 

JAN. 11 – SPLENDOR

01/11             Psalm 19:1-2

1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
    The skies display his craftsmanship.
2 Day after day they continue to speak;
    night after night they make him known.

SPLENDOR

Nature testifies to the splendor of God. 

The sky proclaims His handiwork. 

God is indeed glorious and magnificent.

God is constantly declaring his wisdom and omnipotence in His creation.

The testimony to God is unceasing. 

Creation serves as a constant and universal witness to the glory of God.

JAN. 10 – POWER

01/10             2 Peter 1:3

3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

DIVINE POWER

God is able.

He can do anything that is necessary to accomplish His will.

God is the source of all power.

God’s provision for each one of us is more than sufficient. 

His provision is both practical (for life) and spiritual (for godliness).

Believers are called by God and begins with God. 

Christ is the standard and the source of the believer’s transformation. 

JAN. 9 – FAITH

01/09             2 Peter 1:5-7

5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

FAITH

We seek to be more like Jesus.

We can because of God’s precious promises. 

Growth in godliness requires intentional discipline.

We must cooperate with God and by faith we can.

Note the virtues listed above and they build on each other.

Our walk by faith builds through each of these virtues.

Only by the grace of God can we change and grow.

We have this promise from God that we can do this. 

True faith results in a transformed life. 

JAN. 8 – PRAISE

01/08             Romans 11:33

33 Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!

PRAISE

God is infinite and his wisdom and knowledge create awe in us. 

Praise Him.

God’s generosity is immeasurable, His grace and mercy infinite and

His provision for salvation is complete in Christ. 

Praise God.