Today’s Verse – James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. —James 1:5 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… So often, we act out of ignorance and face grave consequences for our hasty and unguided actions. God longs to grant us spiritual wisdom that not only helps us make wise choices but also gives us the ability to act and react with grace and wisdom. Before we face a new day with its challenging situations and decisions, let’s seek God’s face and ask for his gift of wisdom. My Prayer… Holy Father, I need your wisdom to help me make the right decisions in the challenges and situations that will confront me today. Please pour your wisdom into my heart so that my actions, words, and choices will please you and bless those around me. 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 – Acts 1:14
They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. —Acts 1:14 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus’ resurrection changed everything! “The women,” as the gospel writers referred to them, were faithfully present with Jesus throughout his crucifixion and resurrection. After the LORDs ascension, they were still present, obediently praying in expectation with the leading disciples. As we might expect, Jesus’ mother is there praying as well. Look carefully at Luke’s description (Acts 1:14-16) and notice that even Jesus’ brothers, once doubting and ridiculing of him (John 7:1-7), now praying in expectation of their risen brother’s release of power through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Yes, they are waiting, but not idly waiting. Yes, they are praying, but they are also expecting the great work of the risen Jesus, which he would do through them! God does amazing things when people who love the risen Jesus pray with expectation. So what are you waiting for? Get with a group of those who love Jesus, and pray with expectation for Jesus to accomplish his work through you! My Prayer… Almighty and All-powerful God, please bless my efforts as I seek to encourage others to join me in fervent prayer. I pray that you will bring revival among those who call on your name and a stirring among those who are hungry, but don’t yet recognize their hunger is for Jesus. Please bring revival to your people and an outpouring of grace to those who need to know Jesus as their Savior. In Jesus’ name, I pray with expectation. 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 10:12
Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs. —Proverbs 10:12 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Our worst tendencies want to repay evil with evil, spite for spite, pettiness with pettiness, and hatefulness with hatefulness. God has always wanted his people to be his redemptive influence in their world, society, and relationships. Paul reminded the Christians in Rome to “not repay evil with evil” (Romans 12:17). Jesus said: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:44–45) The apostle Paul also taught Christians in Rome: If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:18-21) Love removes the teeth from difficult situations while hatefulness only stirs up bitterness and spite. God’s wise Old Covenant king shares a similar truth in our verse today. We are called to be a different kind of people, a JESUShaped people who leave the world a different and better place than we found it. It isn’t always easy, but Jesus’ way is powerful and redemptive in a world where most people expect the worst! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Father, I confess that when I’m wronged, I become angry and am often tempted to strike back in kind of try and get even. Please, remove the baser, self-serving side of my character through your Holy Spirit’s cleansing and redeeming influence on my heart. May the love your Spirit inspires in me be seen in how I treat others. 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 – 1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect… —1 Peter 3:15 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… How do we effectively share our faith, especially in situations hostile to us and our faith? First, we consciously submit our hearts to Christ as LORD. Second, we prepare a presentation — or several presentations, depending upon the circumstances — that focuses on the hope we have in Jesus. Finally, when we share our reason for hope, we do it with respect, gently sharing our faith with others. Of course, we will never have an opportunity to share our faith if we don’t live a life of faith that impacts those around us with God’s goodness, holiness, and grace. My Prayer… Holy God and loving Father, please use my influence and the quality of my life to bring others to Jesus. Please give me wisdom as I seek to lead the following friends to Christ… (Please specifically mention several of these precious people by name!) May my words and actions lead them closer to you and show them my respect and the love you have for them as your creations. 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 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. —Philippians 4:8 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Let’s get our minds out of the gutter and get our hearts focused on God’s glory. Let’s get our minds out of the focus on problems, difficulties, and horrible things we see in our world today and remind ourselves of God’s goodness and the glorious things that pertain to him. If “we become what we behold,” then let’s choose to focus our gaze on: …whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. My Prayer… Righteous and Holy God, you are marvelous and glorious, perfect in every way and beyond my comprehension. Please awaken the character of your holiness within me through the power of your Holy Spirit. I don’t want minor changes, but the Spirit’s transformation to become more like Jesus. Please help me see and focus upon the good and glorious things that reflect your nature and not the divisiveness, sleeze, and fluff of my world. In Jesus’ name, I pray for your help to rise above the meaningless, vain, and nasty things of my world and focus on you and your glory so I can bring others to 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.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 85:6
Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? —Psalm 85:6 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Our Father, God, loves his children even when they are rebellious. However, God showed Israel that their rebellion would drive his presence and blessing from them. But with their genuine repentance and their confession of sin, God joyously promises to bring revival, renewal, and restoration. He gives them, and gives us as Jesus’ disciples, this very prayer as we turn our hearts to God, repent of our past sins, and return to His ways of living: Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? And the Father will answer, “YES!” My Prayer… Father and Almighty LORD, please forgive me for my sins. I confess them freely to you now… (Be specific about the sins you want to confess.) Having you in my life, honoring your Kingdom with my behavior, and honoring your love with my graciousness toward others are very important to me. Please revive me again and empower me to love, do good deeds, and live a holy life so that you will be praised. In Jesus’ 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 – Psalm 121:8
The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. —Psalm 121:8 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Today’s verse builds on yesterday’s verse and thoughts. Does it matter to anyone that I’m here? Does anyone notice when I’m gone? Does anybody care if I make it home or never leave the house? The answers? “Yes! Yes!! Yes!!!” The LORD, the Savior of Israel and the Father of Jesus, knows all about us and our comings and goings. He will watch over us, now and forevermore. He will never forsake us or leave us (Hebrews 13:5-6; Romans 8:38-39). My Prayer… Father, thank you for being there when I rise and watching over me. Almighty God, thank you for being with me when I return home at the end of my day, escorting and welcoming me. I thank you most of all, dear Father, that when I leave this life and go to the next, you will be with me to escort me out of this life and welcome me home to life with you, forever! In Jesus’ name, I know this is true, and praise 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.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 121:3
He will not let your foot slip — he who watches over you will not slumber… —Psalm 121:3 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… I still remember when my children were little. I would sneak in and watch them sleep. Sometimes, it was to check on them when they were sick. Sometimes, it was to sit and pray for them, joining the LORD as he watched over them while they slept. Sometimes, it was to bathe myself in the grace and wonder of God’s love for such blessings. Even now that they are much older, I still love to be around them and pray for them when I visit them in their homes. I still marvel at the wonder of these precious gifts from the Father to Donna and me. To know that my Abba Father in heaven looks at me in the same adoring way, that he will not let my foot slip, and will not slumber as he watches over me with delight and joy, ah, that fills me with unspeakable wonder. Our Abba will not let our feet slip! Our Abba will not slumber. My Prayer… Now I lay me down to sleep, And pray you LORD my soul to keep, Safely in your loving care Confident you’re always there. Thank you for your grace and love, And for Jesus now above. I share with him my every care, Confident, he’s always there. In Jesus’ name, I humbly pray, To awaken with you to a brand new day. 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 121:1-2
I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. —Psalm 121:1-2 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Since God could speak the universe into existence and knows our names and the number of hairs on each of our heads, surely we know we can go to him for our help. Let’s lift our eyes and hearts to El Shaddai, LORD God of the Mountains. Let’s remember the Almighty sees our needs, hears our requests, cares about our hearts, and longs to make his help available and his home present with us. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Holy and All-powerful Abba Father, I do look to you for help. You are the one true source of redemption, power, comfort, encouragement, hope, and excellence in my life. Please give me the wisdom to know your will and choose your will for my life. Thank you for being faithful through the ages to your people and to me. In Jesus’ name, I seek you, praise you, 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.
Today’s Verse – Philippians 4:23
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. —Philippians 4:23 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Some prayers are so simple and precious that we need to pray them and not overanalyze them. Praying for grace to be with someone physically is a true blessing that transcends time. So, let’s choose some folks who are precious to us, pray this blessing over them, and let them know what we have prayed! My Prayer… God, please pour out your grace on the following people I deeply love. I want each of them to know your grace, mercy, and power in their life. By the authority of Jesus’ name, I specifically pray for his grace to be real and alive in the following people… 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.