Today’s Verse – Psalm 94:18-19
When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. —Psalm 94:18-19 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We are amazed at the vastness of God’s reach, the awesome breadth of his power, and the glorious sweep of his majesty. An additional truth is God’s personal nearness, tenderness, and attentiveness to our needs – his continual support and consolation. Our Father chooses to know us and be actively involved in the trials and triumphs we face each day. Imagine how today and every tomorrow will be different because we are aware of his presence and certain of his companionship in our lives. Realize the difference knowing that God supports us when our feet slip and how near God’s consolation is when our anxiety and fear rise in our hearts. God, the Master of all creation, knows each of us and intervenes in each of our lives to support and console us! My Prayer… Loving God, you are everywhere yet always near. Please, dear Father, hear my heartfelt love and appreciation for you. I am overwhelmed at your presence near me and within me. You provide me comfort when I am under siege; you offer me strength when I am weak; you give me courage when I am under attack; and you instill hope when all seems hopeless. These gifts of your presence are precious to me. Without your presence, I would not know where to go or why I am here. Thank you for knowing me and loving me. Dear Father, I look forward to knowing you one day as you know me today (1 John 3:2-3; 1 Corinthians 13:12). In Jesus’ name, I revel in your grace, rejoice in your presence, and reawaken to your companionship with me each 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 – Romans 8:32
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, give us all things? —Romans 8:32 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… If God gave up his Son to save us, what will he not do to bless, guide, and keep us? That’s Paul’s point in our verse today. God bought us out of bondage to sin, death, and hell so that now we are holy to him (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Paul was telling the Corinthians that God’s overflowing grace should motivate us toward holiness, living wholeheartedly and unabashedly for God while using our bodies to glorify him as a temple to God in the Holy Spirit. In our verse for today, Paul is seeking to motivate us to live for God while also giving us assurance. God was gracious to redeem us when we were undeserving (Romans 5:6-11). Now that we are his children and seeking to honor him, we can trust that he is doing everything to bring his salvation in us to completion! God’s initial grace saves us while his ongoing grace blesses us continuously. Isn’t it amazing how God’s grace is such a multifaceted and ongoing blessing to us?! My Prayer… Almighty God, I am overwhelmed by your sacrificial love offered to me in Jesus. As your Spirit comforts, encourages, and moves me toward holiness, I revel in the assurance of your continual outpouring of grace as you lead me toward the full realization of salvation, a salvation you long to grace me with your continuous blessings in my life. In Jesus’ glorious name, I pray 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 – Psalm 42:8
By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me — a prayer to the God of my life. —Psalm 42:8 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… I have always loved music. To this day, songs help unlock the part of me that is most open to God. Songs help me declare my love for him and offer my praise to him. But as the psalmist said so many centuries ago, and I find it is still true for me today: his song is with me at night, especially on those nights when sleep is hard to find and I need reassurance of his love. Even when I can’t remember what I dreamed the previous night, I often awaken to a praise song that had been sung over me (Zephaniah 3:17), with me, and by me in my sleep – “…at night his song is with me – a prayer to the God of my life … the LORD [who] directs his love” to me! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… O God of my life, thank you for music and song. Thank you for giving me so many good things to sing joyfully to you, about you, and with you. Thank you for hearing my heart when I sing, not just my words or the song’s melody, but my heart. I long, dear Father, for the day I get to hear you sing over me personally, and as I join the heavenly chorus around your throne praising you. Until then, please fill my life, and especially my nights, with your songs. Through Jesus, I ask and pray for this grace to continue. 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 16:8
I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. —Psalm 16:8 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Many things can trouble our lives, but none can shake us loose from the grip of God’s grace as our hearts remain pointed at Jesus as our LORD and our hope remains focused on the LORD’s return. If Jesus is our LORD, then all of life’s greatest blessings lie ahead of us, and he will let nothing rob us of this coming glory! We have confidence as believers because each of us can say: I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. So, dear friend in Jesus, let’s not just say it; let’s passionately live it! My Prayer… Holy LORD, you are worthy of majesty, honor, and praise. I lift your name, O God, and place it above every name. As I look to the future, I want to honor you and journey with you, knowing you are with me. Since I believe you will never leave or forsake me (Romans 8:37-39), I will always look ahead with anticipation, knowing that you are leading the way. Through Jesus, I anticipate and 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 John 5:12
He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. —1 John 5:12 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… This statement is both a reminder of God’s glorious grace and also of our need to share that grace with others. Life is such a precious gift; it would be a shame and a deep loss for anyone we know and love to miss out on the gift of God’s life. God gave us the gift of his Son so that in finding him, we too could share in his life, and share that life with others. As Jesus himself said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6) “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent…” (John 17:3). My Prayer… Father of all nations, please resurrect a desire in your people to spread your grace to every language, tribe, nation, and people (Revelation 7:9-10). Empower us with your Spirit so that we will speak the Gospel of Jesus with boldness and respect to a world that does not know him and does not have life. Use us to help others come to life in the Son! Through the name of Jesus, your Son, and our Savior, 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 – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18
“Let him who boasts boast in the LORD.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. —2 Corinthians 10:17-18 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We live in a world with skewed values, false promises, lust for notoriety, and desperation for fleeting fame. The real question for us, needs to be this: What can we boast in other than the steadfastness of the LORD’s love, the incredible riches of the LORD’s grace, the incomparable supply of the LORD’s blessings, the sweetness of the LORD’s people, the mercy of the LORD’s plan for our salvation, the promise of the LORD’s tomorrow, and the promise of the LORD Jesus’ nearness (Philippians 4:5; Romans 8:38-39; Hebrews 13:5-6) – who is with us and in us and for us? So, dear friend of Jesus, let’s have our only boast be in the LORD because that is where everything else that matters in our lives can be found! My Prayer… LORD of majesty and mercy, every good and enduring thing in our lives we have because of your love, grace, mercy, and presence. You are our assurance and hope. You are our blessing and boast. We place our assurance of a glorious future in you, LORD Jesus. In your name, we offer our thanks and praise as we boast only in our LORD. 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 – Revelation 3:14, 20
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. … “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” —Revelation 3:14, 20 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… It has always fascinated me that this verse is often cited by those calling others to conversion when it is written to a lukewarm church and her members. These disciples, like many of us, need to rekindle their love-relationship with the LORD and demonstrate it by living passionately for Jesus. Along with those believers centuries ago, we need to ask the LORD Jesus into our hearts, lives, and churches today. It’s not that he’s not there; it’s just that he awaits our invitation to enter and take the lead. He will not barge in and dominate, but enters when we invite him into our lives and welcome him to take control. So, dear friend in Jesus, the LORD inhabits hearts into which he has been invited, so let’s open the door and invite him into our hearts and lives! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Holy LORD and Savior, I know you long to share your presence and fellowship with me. I know you are nearby (Philippians 4:5), as I draw each breath. But I confess that I am often unaware, and sometimes even unappreciative, of your presence. I ask you this day to come into my heart and fill my life with your presence, comfort, guidance, holiness, and power. I want my life to be lived for you and with you. Thank you for providing Jesus as my LORD and Savior. In his name, I offer my thanks and praise. 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.
1 Peter 3:15 – Verse for Aug. 11th
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. —1 Peter 3:15 Ⓒ 1996-2026 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 119:14
I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. —Psalm 119:14 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Our treasure and our truth come from God’s holy Scriptures. The Scriptures are God’s guidance for us and his treasures, given to us as the Holy Spirit leads us to understand and apply them as we reach to become more like Jesus (1 Corinthians 2:10-12). They teach us how to avoid the evil one’s harmful traps and to live God’s blessed life (2 Timothy 3:14-17). Rather than seeing God’s Scriptures as limiting us in this life, we need to see them as a gift of love to bless us, to prevent us from falling into the traps of this life, and to lead us into life forever with God. We can come to value them more highly than riches, for in them we will find our great reward, both in this life and the life to come (Psalm 19:11). My Prayer… Holy God, thank you for your written Word, the Scriptures, and your “living” Word (Hebrews 4:12), also the Scriptures when used by the Holy Spirit. May your truth come alive in my life just as it does in my heart and mind. In the name of your Son Jesus, your living Word who fulfilled the Scriptures, 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 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. —Psalm 46:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Where can we go when it seems as if all our walls have fallen, all the protection we have has vanished, and our hearts feel as if all hope is lost? We can go to the eternal God, who is also our Abba Father (Romans 8:15-17). He preserved ancient Israel miraculously through their most difficult times in their history, protected the Scriptures from hordes of those who tried to eradicate them, and has led his Church victoriously through all her troubles, trials, and triumphs throughout the centuries. He will do the same with us until he brings us home to himself. For “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” My Prayer… My Rock, My Hope and My Protector, I thank you for preserving my life. I thank you for hearing my cries for help and healing. I thank you for guiding my feet into ways that have been a blessing. Please, O God, stay close by as I face the stresses and challenges in my life. Through your Holy Spirit, enable me to grow and be an example to others as I pass through life’s storms. In the name of Jesus, my Savior and LORD, I ask for your presence and blessing. 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.