Today’s Verse – Romans 8:26
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. —Romans 8:26 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Isn’t it incredible! Even in those times when we can’t find the correct words and our hearts are heavy, God hears our prayers. It is not because we are articulate, wise, or faithful enough to pray as I should. No, it is because God has graciously placed his Spirit into our hearts to make known to him what our words cannot capture and our voices and minds cannot verbalize. God hears our groanings, our yearnings, our heartbreaks, and our heart-cries. He knows what we cannot think, but only feel. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, he answers those unutterable prayers with his presence, grace, and power. My Prayer… Father, we are comforted by the assurance that even when we don’t know what to say, you know what we feel yet cannot articulate. We trust you to answer our hearts’ longings as you see fit, for we believe that you know what we need far more than we know how to ask for it. In addition to all of this, we trust the Holy Spirit to present our requests to you in accordance to your will and our best interests, to your glory. In Jesus’ name, and with complete confidence in the Holy Spirit, 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 3:3-4
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. —Proverbs 3:3-4 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Character is measured by the love and faithfulness we genuinely display in our daily lives. These are not simple virtues that we can fake. Merciful love is shown when we have power over another but choose to treat them with kindness, forgiveness, and genuine concern. Faithfulness is being a person of truth – genuine and trustworthy in word and deed – regardless of what others do or circumstances present to us. These virtues need to be a part of our everyday lives and permeate our very identities. When they do, others will notice, we will have a good reputation, and God will notice and be pleased. My Prayer… Holy God – faithful and compassionate, full of mercy and steadfast love – I praise you for your example of strength and mercy, holiness and compassion, love and faithfulness. Carve this kind of character on my heart as I submit myself to your will, as I seek to honor Jesus, and as I open my life to your Spirit’s transformational power. In the name of Jesus my LORD, 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 – John 8:31-32
“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” —John 8:31-32 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… At least three times in the Gospel of John, Jesus tells us how we can identify a true disciple of the LORD (John 8:31-32, 13:35, 15:8). This verse is one of those essential verses that tell us who a disciple is. Truth is not just something we know, it is also something we must live. Jesus reminds us that we must not only know his teaching, but obey it, “hold to” it, and live it in our lives. Obedience is one of the proofs of our discipleship and our doorway to freedom and truth. Doing life Jesus’ way, holding to his teaching and obeying him, sets us free to live life, and life to the full (John 10:10)! My Prayer… Father, forgive us for taking obedience to Jesus’ will too lightly. Sometimes his way seems restrictive, challenging, and even impossible to us. However, dear Father, deep in our hearts, we genuinely believe that Jesus’ will is a blessing and not a hindrance – it sets us free rather than limits us, and something in our souls resonates with his truth. So please, dear Father, use me to help others find joy in obeying Jesus, too. It is in the Lord 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 – Proverbs 16:19
Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. —Proverbs 16:19 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… What is your source of significance? This proverb challenges us to view the world upside down compared to the rest of our culture. It’s similar to how Jesus taught us to live in the Sermon on the Mount – to not live for the here and now, but to live for the Kingdom of God here and now because we know our Father in heaven sees us and values what we do (Matthew 6:1-4, 6, 17-18). God values humility and our willingness to be identified with the lowly and oppressed – again, similar to how Jesus lived. Abusive power and arrogance are not pleasing to God. God didn’t just give us this proverb; he sent us his Son to demonstrate it (Philippians 2:5-11). Now, if we will only choose to live this truth. And Jesus challenges us to display it when he says, “Follow me!” For… Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. My Prayer… Father, I do recognize my weakness and vulnerability to temptation, to the lure of my culture’s facades, and to the pressure to be like the “popular crowd.” Thank you for Jesus: You had power but displayed humility, and you had position but identified with the abandoned, forgotten, and rejected. Please use me to be a difference-maker in my world by including those who are left out, forgotten, and disenfranchised. 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 – Ephesians 6:22
I am sending him [Tychicus] to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you. —Ephesians 6:22 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… As Paul faced the difficulties of imprisonment, he was more concerned about the people in Ephesus than he was about himself. Rather than keeping Tychicus close at hand for his personal benefit, Paul sent him back to bless the people in Asia Minor. Even in his times of difficulty and danger, Paul was more concerned to bless than he was to be blessed. Isn’t that a great example to us today? We often get upset about minor inconveniences, and let our being upset ruin our attitude toward everyone around us. Paul’s example should convict us and lead us to be a blessing to others regardless of our circumstances. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Father, please forgive me for letting my difficulties ruin my attitude. I want to be a blessing to others regardless of my personal circumstances. Convict me with your Spirit when I begin to focus too much on myself and my personal situations. Expand my heart with your grace so that I can use my inconveniences, problems, struggles, and challenges to be opportunities to share and display your grace. 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 – Proverbs 3:21-22
My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. —Proverbs 3:21-22 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God used his wisdom to create the cosmos and all that is in it. Through his discernment, he appointed to each being and each item its place in his dazzling display of diversity. He has chosen to share that wisdom and discernment with those who reverence him and search for HIS wisdom. If we use that wisdom and discernment, we will possess the greatest of all jewels – “an ornament to grace your neck” – and a blessing that will enrich our lives. My Prayer… Father, I know that you will bless me with wisdom if I ask for it (James 1:5-8). So, dear Father, I am asking for that wisdom in faith. I want to live a holy life that is a clear reflection of your character and brings honor to your holiness, compassion, and faithfulness. Please bless me with wisdom and discernment as I face the day-to-day decisions that I must make that impact my life and the lives of others. In Jesus’ name, I ask for this grace. 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 – Ephesians 2:19-20
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. —Ephesians 2:19-20 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “We belong!” That’s what the apostle Paul is telling those of us who are not biologically children of Abraham but have come to the only true and living God through faith in Jesus. Paul said it this way: But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13). We’re no longer outsiders or second-class citizens or a “Johnny come lately” disciples of Jesus! We are full children of God because Jesus tore down all barriers between us and God (Ephesians 2:14-18). Because of grace, we belong! We are part of God’s household! The foundation of our house of Jesus is made up of the apostles and prophets. The cornerstone of that house is Jesus himself. We are also a part of this holy house of God. Praise God, because of Jesus, we belong as God’s beloved children! My Prayer… El Shaddai, God of the mountains and LORD God Almighty, the covenant God of Israel, from age to age, your steadfast love has blessed your people with your promises, your grace, and your future. Thank you for bringing me into your family, into your people, by grace through faith in Jesus.* Thank you for making me a vital part of your house. Forgive me for the times that I have doubted my importance to your cause and awaken in me the realization that I belong to you and to your household. In Jesus’ name, I thank you. Amen. * Emphasized by Paul earlier in Ephesians 2:1-10. 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 – John 15:16
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. —John 15:16 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Were you ever the last one chosen at recess when kids were dividing up teams? Were you ever the one no one wanted on your team? Ouch. That hurts deeply. So, isn’t it remarkable that God, the Creator of the universe, chose us in Jesus Christ, even before the beginning of the world (Ephesians 1:4)? Isn’t it amazing that we are loved and desired by the King of the Ages and his Son, Jesus Christ! Not only that, we weren’t chosen out of pity, but chosen to make a difference for the Kingdom of God by bearing fruit that will endure. To help ensure our fruitfulness, Jesus promised that we can ask for God’s blessing on our work for His Kingdom, and God will bless us with it. Incredible! My Prayer… Give me a heart, O God, that is open to your work and a vision that is as expansive as your grace. May my prayers ask for things that bring you glory, expand the borders of your kingdom, and reach beyond the limited things that so often distract me. I invite you to do great things for your Kingdom through me as I remain connected wholeheartedly to Jesus, to your glory. 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 31:16
Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. —Psalm 31:16 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Can your faith remain strong during trying times? I hope mine can! This is a Psalm written during trying times. However, no matter how difficult the situation seemed, the Psalmist still knew who God is and believed what God can do when he decides to do it. Even in trial, the psalmist doesn’t lose sight of the blessings that come from the LORD being present. So, he says that the LORD’s presence and love will be with him and save him. Let’s choose to pray that same prayer: Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your unfailing love. My Prayer… Father, please make your presence known in my life. I am confident you are there; I just need to experience your presence in a tangible way and receive your salvation in all of its fullness, with confidence. So in Jesus’ name, I expectantly pray that you will grant the prayer of the psalmist, which is also my prayer, today. 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 8:15-16
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. —Romans 8:15-16 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Ab-ba. Listen to a baby and you will hear these basic early sounds. Incredibly, Jesus showed us, and the Spirit enables us, to speak to God with these basic-to-a-baby syllables of familiarity, trust, vulnerability, dependency, and intimacy. The Spirit is our guarantee that we don’t have to be afraid of God. We must revere him and hold him in awe, but we can also approach him as our loving and tender Father who always listens to our hearts and seeks to bless our lives. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Abba Father, you are glorious and majestic. Your deeds are marvelous. Your power, O LORD, is unfathomable. Your grace, Almighty God, is incomparable. Thank you for allowing me to approach you as my always near and ever-present Abba. I seek your nearness in my life today through the help of the Holy Spirit. I pray that I will live for your glory and honor through the strength and in the name of Jesus, my 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.