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.
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.
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.
Colossians 4:5 – Verse for Aug. 10th
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. —Colossians 4:5 Ⓒ 1996-2026 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent.
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.
Matthew 6:19-21 – Verse for Aug. 9th
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. —Matthew 6:19-21 Ⓒ 1996-2026 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent.
Today’s Verse – Luke 12:6-7
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. —Luke 12:6-7 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… In a universe so vast, what is our little planet? On a planet so diverse and so full of life, what are simple, ordinary, and everyday people? Among all the billions of people alive and all those who have lived before us, what significance do I have among so many others? Jesus reminds us that our significance is great-not because we are so important, but because we are known personally by God, who created us, has known us, and has had a purpose for us from the time of our conception (Psalm 139:13-16). We don’t have to be afraid; we are known and loved by the One who is and who was and who is to come! As born-of-God believers, we are God’s precious children (John 1:11-13, 3:3-7). He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6; Romans 8:38-39). My Prayer… Eternal God, Almighty Father, Tender Shepherd, and Abba Father, you already know my heart. You know where I struggle with sin. You know my struggles in life. You know my fears; please encourage and strengthen me. You know my immaturity; please nurture and mature me. You know my weakness and disease, please comfort and heal me. You also know my strengths, gifts, passions, and value. So, dear Father, please empower me, forgive me, and complete your transformation in me through the blessed Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). Holy God, I am both awed and comforted that you know me and love me. Thank you! 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.