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Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – Point of Contact

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The dedication of the temple in Jerusalem was a dramatic scene. Imagine King Solomon in all of his splendor – on his knees before all the people of Israel, declaring how wonderful God was to keep His promises to David, to Solomon and to all the people!

There is no God like you…keeping covenant and showing steadfast love.

II Chronicles 6:14

Solomon acknowledged that God was uncontainable and no temple would hold Him; nevertheless, he asked the Lord to hear any prayer directed to the temple. The temple was a point of contact. After his prayer, God sent fire from heaven to burn the sacrifices, and His glory filled the temple.

Today Christians have a point of contact – Jesus. When you pray in the name of Jesus, God hears you and answers your prayer. And now you, not a building, are the temple of the Holy Spirit! The same wonderful God who kept His promises to David and Solomon keeps His commitments to you. Hold fast to God’s promises. Honor the name of Jesus and the Spirit who dwells in you. Pray for the leaders and citizens of this nation to be more like Solomon…and humble themselves before God and seek Him as the only foundation worthy of their trust.

Recommended Reading: I Corinthians 3:10-20

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Presidential Prayer Team; J.K. – Plant Your Feet

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Two prayers in the letter to the Ephesians show Paul’s concern and love for these new Christians. Concerned with the spiritual condition of man, the first emphasizes revelation, “having the eyes of your hearts enlightened.” (Ephesians 1:17-18) The second prayer underscores enablement to behave like Christians: “Be strengthened with power through his Spirit…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend” the immensity of the love of God in Christ (Ephesians 3:16-18). Spiritual strength from the Holy Spirit will lead to a deeper relationship with God.

You, being rooted and grounded in love.

Ephesians 3:17

When the trials of life test the depth of your trust in God, you will be as secure as the man who built his house upon the rock (Matthew 7:24-27). Just as roots grow deep into the ground for nourishment and stability, planting your feet in God’s Word will give you strength for the moment and transforming power for each day of your Christian life.

Grow in your love for the Lord. Let others see His love in you. Then pray for President Obama and the members of Congress…that they may have revelation to enable them to govern with the eyes of Jesus.

Recommended Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21

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Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – Nonaggression Deception

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In 1934, the leaders of two nations sat down together and signed a “nonaggression pact.” “The time has come to introduce a new phase in the political relations between Germany and Poland,” the agreement stated, recognizing that “the guarantee of a lasting peace between their countries is an essential pre-condition for the general peace of Europe.” The only problem with the agreement was that one of the parties involved was Adolf Hitler. A few short years later, the German blitzkrieg swept through Poland. When it was over, six million Polish citizens were dead, many of them murdered in concentration camps.

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Romans 12:9

The world is filled with people feigning friendship or love. The glad-handing politician who wants your vote; the slick salesman who wants what’s in your wallet. Be careful when a man pats you on the back, someone once said, because he might be looking for a soft place to stick the knife.

Is your love for others genuine and Christ-like, or is it encumbered by self-interested motives? As you pray, ask God to help you give of yourself authentically and unselfishly. Americans from the nation’s capital to your own neighborhood need to experience genuine love today. Make sure they receive it from you.

Recommended Reading: II Corinthians 6:1-10

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Presidential Prayer Team; P.G. – Be Absolute

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On an October morning several years ago, Charles Carl Roberts walked into a small school and killed five children, injuring five others. It was easy to feel compassion for those families. Their suffering and sorrow was evident, their heartbreak certain. But when people of that Amish community forgave Roberts and reached out to his family…that was love from a different source!

If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

John 14:15

God loves you, no matter what. He expects you to love others – as He has loved you – no matter what! It takes far more than your own volition to do that. You must find the challenge to obey, not by looking at what it might cost you, but by looking at what it cost God and His Son, Jesus. That love commitment to you was absolute.

Isn’t it time to be absolute in showing your love for others? By extending your love, you reflect what the Lord first gave you…and others will see the difference His love has made in your life. Pray with Godly compassion, too, for America’s leaders to find that redeeming and life-empowering love in their own lives.

Recommended Reading: I John 4:7-16

 

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Presidential Prayer Team; G.C. – In Sync

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ppt_seal01Body language experts claim to be able to tell the happiness level of a couple by merely observing how they stroll down the street together. Happy couples tend to walk in sync, side-by-side in a casual and comfortable rhythm. Distressed couples tend to move with awkwardness, blocking natural touch and communication.

Only be very careful…to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways.

Joshua 22:5

Enoch is a person specifically described as “walking with God” in the Bible (Genesis 5). We know little of what he actually did in his life, other than it involved great faith. Whatever the circumstances, Enoch’s legacy is of a man solely focused on staying in step with God. Their journey was so in sync that they ultimately walked right into Heaven.

Are you moving along in a loving cadence with God today? Life’s journey can get difficult…and it’s easy to run ahead in anxiety, trying to control outcomes on your own, and easier yet to lag behind God’s step hiding in fear. Carefully consider your journey of faith today. Stay in step with Him – and be aware the world is watching your walk. As you stride forward, pray for America’s leaders, that they may be in sync with God’s love.

Recommended Reading: Deuteronomy 30:11-16

 

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Presidential Prayer Team; H.L.M. – Action Required

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There are three primary words for love in the Bible: eros (sensual love); phileo (brotherly love); and agape (unconditional, supernatural love).

Do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.

Philippians 1:16

Society focuses mainly on eros or phileo. God’s love, agape, is the purest, deepest kind. You are created as the object of God’s love. His heart overflows toward you. Your Heavenly Father proved His love first when He sent Jesus to die on the cross on your behalf. Then He left His Holy Spirit to guide and comfort you. Finally, God has given you His love letter, the Bible, through which you come to understand how much He adores and cherishes you. However, just knowing His love isn’t enough. It requires action.

As you thank Him today for the incredible gift of His love, take a moment to read I Corinthians 13 and let the words sink into your mind and your heart. Insert your name in the place of the word “love” and ask God to develop those qualities in you. Look for opportunities to demonstrate His love to others. Then pray that the nation’s leaders would come to know and act upon true agape love in their lives.

Recommended Reading: I Corinthians 13:1-13

 

 

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Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – Word Fans

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The Super Bowl is past…and life will go on as usual until the next one. But in the days leading up to the big game, opinions and passions bloomed abundantly. What if Christians had the same zeal for the Word of God as fans did for football?

I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love.

Psalm 119:48

The psalmist showed his passion for the Word of God in Psalm 119. Why was he so enthused about Scripture? He knew that in obeying God’s Word he’d be blessed (v.1), be kept from shame (v.6), not sin (v.11), have counsel (v.24), gain strength (v.28), walk in truth (v.29), gain understanding (v.32), turn from selfish gain (v.36), be given life (v.40), be saved (v.41), have hope (v.43), have freedom (v.45), be comforted (v.52), be provided for (v.57), receive God’s grace (v.58), be a blessing to others (v.74), receive mercy (v.77), persevere (v.92), gain wisdom (v.98), be kept from evil (v.101), receive direction (v.106), become joyful (v.111), become decisive (v.113), be protected (v.117), have God’s presence (v.151), have peace (v.165), and receive help (v.173).

The Bible contains a lot to be excited about. Meditate on His promises – and pray that U.S. citizens and leaders will turn their fervor toward the amazing Word of God, and seek the benefits of His wisdom.

Recommended Reading: Proverbs 7:12-19

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Charles Spurgeon – None but Jesus

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“He that believeth on him is not condemned.” John 3:18

Suggested Further Reading: Acts 15:5-11

When I stand at the foot of the cross, I do not believe in Christ because I have got good feelings, but I believe in him whether I have good feelings or not.

“Just as I am, without one plea,

But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee,

O Lamb of God, I come.”

Mr Roger, Mr Sheppard, Mr Flavell, and several excellent divines, in the Puritan age, and especially Richard Baxter, used to give descriptions of what a man must feel before he may dare to come to Christ. Now, I say in the language of good Mr Fenner, another of those divines, who said he was but a babe in grace when compared with them—“I dare to say it, that all this is not Scriptural. Sinners do feel these things before they come, but they do not come on the ground of having felt it; they come on the ground of being sinners, and on no other ground whatever.” The gate of Mercy is opened, and over the door it is written, “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” Between that word “save” and the next word “sinners,” there is no adjective. It does not say, “penitent sinners,” “awakened sinners,” “sensible sinners,” “grieving sinners,” or “alarmed sinners.” No, it only says, “sinners” and I know this, that when I come, I come to Christ today, for I feel it as much a necessity of my life to come to the cross of Christ today as it was to come ten years ago,—when I come to him, I dare not come as a conscious sinner or an awakened sinner, but I have to come still as a sinner with nothing in my hands.

For meditation: We have no more right to complicate the Gospel than we have to water it down. Feelings are good and proper, but Satan can use them not only to give false assurance of salvation, but also to make sinners feel too bad to obey the Gospel and come to Christ.

Sermon no. 361

17 February (1861)

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; J.K. – For Your Good

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Pastor Charles Stanley says “most people do not simply wake up one day and decide to abandon God. Deception usually plays a large role.” Warning: “Take care lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them.” (Deuteronomy 11:16) Understand that deception comes in various forms…the comfort of wealth or power; the accolades received for a specific talent; or a compulsion for video games, food, sports, Facebook, or something else. Just fill in the blank.

Loving the Lord your God, walking in all his ways, and holding fast to him.

Deuteronomy 11:22

There is a remedy: cling to God. Be faithful to Him, rejecting all form of idols in your life. Keep His Word in your heart. The Lord requires the same of you as He did for Israel: fear Him, walk in all his ways, love Him, serve Him with all your heart and soul, and keep His commandments. Remember, it is for your good. (Deuteronomy 10:12-13)

Satan would have you believe that rules are bad, but living under God’s guidelines makes life easier. Pray that you hold fast to His ways. Then intercede for this nation’s leaders – that they may not be deceived, but will discover God’s love for them.

Recommended Reading: Hosea 14:1-9

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Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – The Extra Mile

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Here is a little phrase you’ve probably heard many times: “It’s not my job.” If that’s part of your vocabulary, it shouldn’t be. It will make your work meaningless and destroy your testimony. That doesn’t mean you can’t set boundaries, nor does it suggest you should recklessly take on tasks you’re ill-equipped to manage. But the nation is filled with people today who have decided they are going to do the bare minimum, and sometimes even less.

Those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works.

Titus 3:8

If others are going to see Christ in you, you must devote yourself to good works, going beyond your job description, surpassing expectations, and seizing every opportunity. Abraham went the extra mile to help three strangers. The Good Samaritan crossed the road. And Jesus died on the cross. Any one of them could have said “It’s not my job,” but they didn’t…thank God they didn’t.

Today, pray for a positive, helpful attitude, and ask God to help America’s leaders set aside pride, pettiness and partisanship to devote themselves to good works.

Recommended Reading: I Thessalonians 5:12-24

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Presidential Prayer Team; P.G. – Essential Benefits

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Popular culture urges you to believe that love is some kind of romance that shows up unexpectedly and magically sweeps you off your feet. A recent article in Psychology Today suggests that kind of love is emotional junk food – cheap and probably not so good for you. True love, they said, is a learned skill, not something that comes from hormones or emotion. German social psychologist Erich Fromm called it “an act of the will” and “other-focused.”

May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another.

I Thessalonians 3:12

Increasing in love for one another, Paul says, is part of a growing faith. You cannot grow to maturity in Christ unless you learn how to love other Christians. And that love comes from a supernatural source – God Himself. He alone gives you love for one another. It is the Lord who establishes that love…and it is He who causes it to increase.

Just as oxygen is essential to breathing and benefits your physical health, so love is essential to your emotional life by staving off depression, and to your spiritual life by developing your faith. Prayers for one another express expanding love. Include the nation’s leaders and their spiritual health in your intercessory time today. You’ll both benefit.

Recommended Reading: I Thessalonians 3:4-13

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Presidential Prayer Team; A.W. – The Best Valentine’s Gift

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It’s Valentine’s Day! If you forgot, hopefully you still have time to run out and purchase something for your sweetheart. According to Statistic Brain, $13 billion is spent each year on this “day of love” for gifts such as candy, flowers, cards, jewelry and dining out. What gift will you give this year?

If anyone comes to me and does not hate…even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:26

Today’s verse is about love, even though it contains the word hate. It’s about your love for Christ. Jesus taught that no person or thing, not even yourself, should come before your love for Him. All else must be secondary to your devotion to Him. He must come first if you want to be His disciple; and being His disciple is the best gift you can give to your loved one, yourself and Him.

As you consider how to best show love to others, start by loving Christ the most. Follow His command to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength (Matthew 22:37) and love for others will follow. Pray today for God to help you put Him first…and for the country’s leaders to do the same.

Recommended Reading: Luke 10:27-42

 

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Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – Restoration Business

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The Civil War started out badly for Abraham Lincoln. “We are utterly and disgracefully routed, beaten, whipped,” wrote one Northerner after the disastrous loss at the Battle of Bull Run. And newsman Horace Greeley told Lincoln it was best for the country to “make peace with the rebels, and on their own terms.” But the President, historian James McPherson writes, was “filled with grim determination.” He immediately began making plans for the prosecution of the war – and victory.

The great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him.

Nehemiah 1:5

How do you react to bad news? Nehemiah’s example, like Lincoln’s, is instructive. Upon hearing that Jerusalem had been broken down and its gates destroyed, he “wept and mourned for days,” (Nehemiah 1:4)…and then began to praise the God who would save His people. Even in the worst of times, remember that God is “great and awesome” and ready to do wonderful things.

America’s future looked bleak following Bull Run. Jerusalem was written off after being overrun by its enemies. But the Lord restored them and made them great again, against all odds. Today, pray for the nation’s leaders with the belief – and grim determination – that God is still in the business of restoration…and that you will be a part of it!

Recommended Reading: Joel 2:23-27

 

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Presidential Prayer Team; P.G. – The Bottom Line

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“God, I’m sorry, I wasn’t very loving today.” Well, some days are like that, aren’t they? You don’t accelerate soon enough when the traffic light turns green and a dozen horns honk. The coffee you picked up at the drive-thru was minus the flavored syrup you requested. You get home from the grocery, and the shredded cheese didn’t make it into your bag. And on it goes. You mutter, you complain, your irritations grow. And your evening devotional reminds you to do things in love. Not just some things. Everything!

Let all that you do be done in love.

I Corinthians 16:14

Like the other exhortations in I Corinthians 16, practice and patience come before the bottom-line payoff. When Jesus met with His disciples in the upper room, He reminded them, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) That is your motivator. Then treat your neighbor as you’d treat yourself – rude motorists are forgiven, mistakes happen, and you have no idea what problem might be on the mind of the grocery bagger. A good start is in praying for each person you meet.

People in government have problems, too. It can be difficult when your viewpoints are so opposite from theirs, but pray for them in love. That’s God’s bottom line!

Recommended Reading: John 14:21-27

 

 

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Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – Do Right, Do Well

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There are two ways to think about discipline. The first is punishment when someone does something wrong, to motivate them to do right. The second is self-discipline, doing right despite temptations and distractions to do wrong.

He who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

Proverbs 13:24

Of course, the second is what you aim for. Theodore Roosevelt said, “With self-discipline most anything is possible.” Christian author and speaker Marie Chapian said, “Lack of discipline leads to frustration and self-loathing.” Motivational author and speaker Jim Rohn said, “We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.”

God disciplines who He loves (Hebrews 12:6). It is the aim for every Christian to someday hear from the Lord, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21). What is it that God wants you to focus on doing well this year? What will it take to have the discipline to carry it out? Let one of your most beloved habits be to pray for the nation. Determine a time and place each day to ask God to compassionately discipline this nation’s people and leaders to correct their behavior and draw them to His love.

Recommended Reading: Psalm 94:8-19

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Presidential Prayer Team; J.K. – Far Greater

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God had brought them “on eagles wings” out of Egypt. If they obeyed His voice and kept His covenant, they would be His treasured possession – a holy nation (Exodus 19:4-6). But the people of Israel instead worshipped a golden calf. God would have destroyed them, but Moses interceded (Exodus 32).

God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.

Exodus 34:6

Even so, God almost withdrew His presence from them, but again Moses made a personal request and asked the Lord to show him His ways and show him His glory. It was then that the Lord passed before him declaring His own deity and His own nature: “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.” (Exodus 34:6 KJV) With that, Moses bowed his head and worshipped Him.

So should you. God’s rules are to keep you safe and give you freedom from sin. His love for you is far greater than anything you can ever know. Love Him. Live and love His commands for your life that you might experience the good He has for you. Then plead for the leaders of this country who live by their own law, and govern the same, that they may come to the knowledge of God’s truth.

Recommended Reading: Psalm 121

 

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Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – Contain Your Crowing

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November 2, 1948 was a disastrous day for the media. Most of the newspapers had predicted Thomas Dewey would defeat Harry Truman decisively in the presidential election. The Chicago Tribune even went to press with the banner headline “Dewey Defeats Truman.”

It does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.

I Corinthians 13:6

Later, in a good-natured mea culpa, the Washington Press Corp invited Truman to a “Crow Banquet,” in which all of the media representatives would be served crow en gl⣥ while Truman received turkey. In response, the President wrote back that he had “no desire to crow over anybody or see anybody eat crow figuratively or otherwise. We should all get together now and make a country in which everybody can eat turkey whenever he pleases.”

To be a loving Christian as Scripture requires, you must not rejoice in the wrongs of others – even when their wrongdoing is a personal affront to you. Love, Corinthians says, “bears all things.” Today, instead of crowing over your successes, acknowledge that they are really God’s…not yours. And as for those who were wrong and wronged you, recognize your priceless opportunity to reflect the grace and forgiveness of the Savior. America and her leaders need this type of example more than ever before!

Recommended Reading: Romans 12:14-21

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Presidential Prayer Team; P.G. – A Danger to Society

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You hear it or read it: the popular call for tolerance. In the ever-secularized America, it no longer means you can “agree to disagree and still respect others.” No, the message now has become, “Christian! You and your kind are dangerous. Keep your God and your beliefs away from us.”

Your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness.

Psalm 26:3

What do you do with these accusations? David knew how to respond. He began by praying for God to stand up for him. He also knew he had to face the challenge of aligning his heart with the character and purpose of God. He came away from his time with the Lord praising and finding God’s firm ground.

When faced with hostility from others, the first step is to pray, and then to find God’s reassurance that you are on His path, walking in faithfulness. As you kneel before Him today, remember, too, the members of the legislature that are a part of the Congressional Prayer Caucus; and those who are striving not to let secular culture press them into its mold. They need your upholding intercession. Then pray for those leaders who do not yet know the Lord, that they may discover His compassion and truth.

Recommended Reading: Psalm 26

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Presidential Prayer Team; G.C. – Identify

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Several years ago Christina FourHorn was preparing to pick up her daughter from school when three Denver police cars pulled into her front yard. The officers had a warrant for her arrest in relation to a robbery and swiftly put her in handcuffs and took her to jail. Christina was held for five days, all the while insisting they had the wrong person. And they did…but there were enough similarities between her and the real criminal they could not tell them apart until she was officially identified with state records.

There is no God like you…showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you.

I Kings 8:23

The Bible says there is no one like God. He has the power to create anything with merely a spoken word. He is the sustainer of life and the defeater of death. And He gladly offers a magnificent love to resurrect broken human lives, turning them into cherished beauty.

Can people quickly identify you as part of God’s work in America today? Are you an active force for hope and restoration in your community and in the lives of others? Pray that God-followers across the land will represent His love so well, others won’t require an official identification to know they work for Him.

Recommended Reading: John 13:31-35

 

 

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Presidential Prayer Team; C.H. – Give and Keep It

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What is one thing you can give away and still keep? Sounds like a riddle, but the answer is from an old quote of unknown origin – your word! In current times, it’s increasingly rare to find someone who keeps his word. It has become the exception, not the norm.

Whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.

I John 2:5

Now consider some of the Bible’s greatest stories. What if the Israelite spies hadn’t kept their word to save Rahab and her family? Imagine if Boaz hadn’t kept his word to become Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer. What if Joseph hadn’t kept his word to take Mary to become his wife? God is the ultimate keeper of His word. John shares in today’s verse how keeping your word shows others how God’s love is in you.

“I swear…” can easily roll off the tongue, but do you truly appreciate what it means? Take notice of when you make promises. If others can’t trust your word is true, how will they believe when you share your faith in God? Ask the Lord to give you the integrity to keep your word. Then pray for that same integrity for your nation’s leaders.

Recommended Reading: Matthew 5:33-37