Today’s Verse – Matthew 1:22-23
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” — which means, “God with us.” —Matthew 1:22-23 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God had repeatedly promised his people his presence. During the Wilderness wanderings, he was with them with the cloud during the day, the pillar of fire at night, and in the Holy of Holies above the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle. Men, women, and angels (1 Peter 1:10-12) had long anticipated our receiving God’s presence close to us. Then, with Jesus’ incarnation, his coming in human flesh, it happened. God came to us in his Son. Jesus is Immanuel – Immanu-El, God with us! We live on the visited planet, touched by the very presence of God the Creator among us, as one of us, who lived, died, and was raised from the dead for us (See John 1:1-18; Hebrews 1:1-3; and Colossians 1:15-23 for the declaration of these truths). And it was just as the prophets of old had said. My Prayer… LORD God, my heavenly Father, thank you for keeping your promises, especially when it was so incredibly costly for you to do so in Jesus. You came to us in Jesus, the Son, to reveal yourself to us and show us how to live. I want to know you better, O God, not just as someone I study in Scripture, but as someone I encounter in my daily life. Please make your presence known as I seek you and use the Holy Spirit to transform me and mold me into someone who is truly JESUShaped (2 Corinthians 3:18; Colossians 1:28-29)! In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, our Immanuel, we 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.
Today’s Verse – Matthew 1:20-21
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” —Matthew 1:20-21 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus. Yeshua. Joshua of the spiritual world. Mary’s boy, God’s Son, comes to help us tear down the strongholds Satan has built in our lives. He comes to bring peace to our troubled spirits and joy to our nights of despair. He comes not only to minister to us and bless us, he comes to do what no one else could do: he comes to deliver us from our sins – our spiritual blemishes, neglects, rebellions, mistakes, transgressions, and failures. Praise God! A deliverer who actually conquered what we could not defeat to make us what we are not – pure, perfect, and holy children of God, like him (Colossians 1:22, 28-29). My Prayer… Thank you, Father, for your forgiveness, cleansing, and transformation given to me by Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit that the Son poured out on me to cleanse me and make me holy.* In Christ’s name I pray. Amen. * See 1 Corinthians 6:11 and Titus 3:5-7 for these amazing truths!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.
Today’s Verse – Matthew 1:20
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. —Matthew 1:20 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Reassurance beyond understanding! That’s the beginning of the Christ story for Joseph: like with Mary and the angel at the annunciation, God’s reassurance of things beyond human understanding was what Joseph received in this glorious visitation! What he could not understand and what he had no part in creating will now be the groundbreaking journey of his own faithful and generous heart. He was to be the human daddy to the Savior of the world and the Messiah of Israel. He would live the rest of his life knowing that a miracle happened with Mary without his input or involvement. As a righteous and kind man, he would bear the disgrace of the world’s misunderstanding about the conception of their child. His faith and God’s use of him in this story should awaken each of us to the incredible possibilities that God may have in store for us. Why not use this December to re-awaken your heart to the Holy One, born Jesus of Nazareth, and let’s ask God to bless us through Jesus with reassurance beyond our human understanding! My Prayer… Father, I have long admired Joseph for his trust in you – a trust that helped him deal with what he could not understand. Now I come, with wild-eyed Joseph-like excitement and bewilderment, to be reminded again of the miracle of your Son and my Savior. Please make him real to me as I seek to know him better and bless me with reassurance beyond my limited human understanding! In Jesus’ name and because of his miraculous conception and incarnation, I pray this. 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.
Today’s Verse – Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. —Proverbs 31:30 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Want to find a really good woman? Look for one that honors and reveres the LORD with all of her heart, soul, mind, and strength and loves her neighbors as she loves herself (Matthew 22:36-40). Appearance, physical strength, and even personality can change and degrade. A woman whose heart is anchored and enlivened by the presence of God in her life will be a lifelong blessing to others and a woman worthy of our praise, and the praise of her Father in heaven! My Prayer… Father, once again, I want to thank you for the important women in my life who have helped shape my faith and guided me to you… (Please pray by name for godly women who have blessed you!) Father, please help me to value godly women in ways that bless them, honor you, and build up your Church. 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.
Today’s Verse – Philippians 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him… —Philippians 1:29 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Suffer! How is suffering a privilege? It’s not unless it is for Jesus or to help redeem others with Jesus. Remember how the early apostles were joyful because they were counted worthy to suffer for the name (Acts 5:41). Let’s reawaken ourselves to Jesus’ reminder that if we follow him, we will likely suffer for him at some time in our lives (Mark 10:29-30). Many believers around the world are actually suffering, are persecuted, and even martyred today. So, let’s realize that while God IS working things out for our good and his glory (Romans 8:28), part of that work means our being conformed to the likeness of his Son, the Suffering Servant (Romans 8:29; Mark 10:45). Jesus suffered for us so that we could be saved. Now, when we face suffering for the cause of Christ and his Kingdom, we can help inspire others to live faithfully in adversity and show to all, even those who hate us, the genuineness of our faith. So few in the world today have anything worth living for, dying for, or suffering for. We, however, have many reasons to live, die, and suffer in honor of Christ. Our lives will be caught up in Jesus’ victory because we have shared in his trials (Romans 8:17)! My Prayer… Please grow our courage, LORD! Help us, your people, O God, to be faithful in times of trouble, strong in times of persecution, and steadfast in times of suffering and martyrdom. May the world see our faith under fire and be drawn to our hope in Jesus, in whose name we 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.
Today’s Verse – Proverbs 31:28-29
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” —Proverbs 31:28-29 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… When’s the last time you praised a godly woman for her life of faith, noble deeds of love, and her demonstrations of grace? Why not take time to write a note or two of appreciation and share your thanks with several of these godly women today? Where would we be today without the faithfulness of the godly women in our lives? Where would we be today without the ministry of women in the ministry of Jesus or the early church? I can’t imagine, and don’t want to! Let’s tell them today how precious they are to us, our faith, and the work of the Kingdom of God! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Father, we thank you for the following godly women who have shaped our lives and helped us have genuine faith… (Please pray for several of these women by name!) God, I thank you for the great women of faith in Scripture who did so much for your people. Help us, your Church, your children of faith, to find every way possible to show these great ladies of faith, courage, giftedness, intellect, and good deeds how much they mean to us and to you. In Jesus’ name, we 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.
Today’s Verse – Philippians 1:27-28
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved — and that by God. —Philippians 1:27-28 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Let’s live as if we’ve been redeemed because we have been! Let’s show God’s love and character in our daily lives. Let’s especially work together, with one voice and Spirit, making a vigorous effort to share the Gospel with those who have never heard of the grace of God in the life and ministry of Jesus. In the face of opposition, let’s not be deterred or divided. Instead, let’s work hand in hand for the cause of the Gospel as we live for God and give thanks for his amazing grace! The Verse of the Day team is thankful for you! See the full greeting! My Prayer… O LORD, please give us greater unity of purpose and greater courage in the face of opposition so that we can show the world that we are your children and Jesus’ disciples. May our thanksgiving for your grace show up in the way we live among others, especially those who need to know Jesus, our Savior. We pray this in his name. 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.
Today’s Verse – Isaiah 54:17
“No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD. —Isaiah 54:17 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Because of the LORD God’s grace and power, we will be victors. This is the overall message of Revelation – when we are faithful, even unto death, we will be victorious and reign with God (Revelation 2:10-11, 3:21, 22:12-14). This song of victory is sung throughout the Scriptures, rooted in the promise that when Jesus comes, we will reign with him (2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 20:6). This is the assurance that we have from God himself: because our lives are joined with Jesus and his resurrection, they will not be lived in vain and we will share in his ultimate victory over sin, death, and hell (Colossians 2:12-15, 3:1-4; Romans 8:37-39). Those who berate, belittle, and batter God’s people will be exposed and his beloved children, his saints of light, will receive vindication and salvation from the Father they love. My Prayer… We pray especially today for your servants who are sharing the Good News of Jesus in difficult places. Some of these precious ones are imprisoned. Some are facing torture and martyrdom. Others are facing ostracism. Some face firing in their workplace. Please give them strength today. Please deliver them from the evil one’s vile intent. Protect them by your mighty hand and deliver them, like Daniel, from the lion’s mouth and every human oppressor, to your glory. In Jesus’ name, we 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.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid? —Psalm 27:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… I love the coast of Maine in the northeastern United States. I love the craggy shorelines, the crashing surf, and the lighthouses perched at strategic and well-fortified points along the coastlines. I cannot help but think of our heavenly Father when I watch the gloom gather, the fog build, and then see the violence of the impending storm noisily make its way onshore. There, in the storm – with lightning ripping through the sky, winds howling, and surf crashing – stands the light that guides the way, strong against the elements and a beacon of direction and hope. Yes, the LORD, Yahweh the God of Israel, the Almighty Creator of all things, is my light and my salvation. My life, the eternal part of me, is entrusted with him. I choose not to fear. I place my trust in him because “The LORD is my light and my salvation…!” My Prayer… Father in heaven, I praise you for your faithfulness through the ages. I thank you for your steadfast love, which has blessed each generation, giving hope in times of darkness, salvation in times of wantonness, and strength in times of weakness. Now I ask that you be with several people I love, who need your palpable presence as they fight their battles… (Please mention several of your friends and acquaintances who need the LORD’s presence at this time.) 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.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 37:23-24
If the LORD delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. —Psalm 37:23-24 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… I don’t know about you, but I’ve physically stumbled my way through much of life. I’ve tripped at some of the most embarrassing moments. I’ve stumbled over my own feet, shoelaces, curbs, and just pure air. Even my doctor says I have a problem with gravity! However, I am confident that, despite my spiritual stumbles, God has not abandoned me. When I think I’m going to plunge into the depths of an emotional abyss, the Father’s love, care, concern, Scriptures, servants, and helpers have kept me from destruction. God’s hand does uphold me. He is there in times of trial. He has been mighty to save. I do believe he delights in my journey. How about you? The question is not whether we will stumble or fall, but whether we look to God in our stumbles, sins, and failures, and then admit our failings as we ask Him to restore us and raise us back to useful service for him and to others. We can trust he will, because “the LORD … upholds” us with his mighty and gracious hand! My Prayer… O Father, thank you for your steadying influence in my life. Thank you for lifting me when I have fallen, protecting me when I have been vulnerable, and comforting me when I have been broken. I praise you for your grace, your glory, and your nearness. Through Jesus, I offer you my praise and eternal appreciation as I ask you to continue to uphold me by your mighty and gracious hand. 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.