Today’s Verse – Romans 6:11-12
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. —Romans 6:11-12 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… If we have been cleansed from perversity, if we have died with Christ in baptism to our old ways of life and have been cleansed thoroughly and completely by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:9-11), then let’s live for God. Let’s resist sin and our inclinations towards evil with all our might, knowing that as we do, the Holy Spirit will empower us to a much greater righteousness than we could ever live on our own (Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Corinthians 3:18). Let’s begin each day with a conscious decision to be dead to our sinful past and alive to God the holy character the Spirit is forming in us! My Prayer… Loving and Righteous Father, Almighty God, please help my heart remain firmly committed to your will and more fully conformed to your holy character and grace as I submit myself to the work of the Holy Spirit in me. In the name of Jesus, my Savior and 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.
Today’s Verse – Proverbs 10:9
The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. —Proverbs 10:9 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “Tell the truth the first time, and then you won’t have to remember what you said.” That’s a quote attributed to the famous Speaker of the U.S.A. House of Representatives, Sam Rayburn. That’s basically what God’s wisdom is trying to teach us in this passage. Be a person of integrity. Then, when someone finds out your secrets, you can feel secure knowing that you have lived for godliness. However, a perverse and deceitful person has to worry that someone will find out their duplicity and evil. There is no security or assurance in crooked paths, only the certainty of getting tripped up and caught. When the secrets of evil that have been whispered in dark places get shouted from the rooftops (Luke 12:3), those who have lived for the LORD can be secure, knowing that what gets shouted about them is said with the voice of God: “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21, 23). My Prayer… Please forgive me, dear Father, for those times that I have been secretive, sinful, and dishonest. Purify me of deceit. Help me speak only what is true, appropriate, and helpful. Transform my evil secrets, through your holy grace, into a character that is consistent in both public and private situations. In Jesus’ name, I ask for your help to grow in the grace of integrity. 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 – Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:9 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… While these words were spoken to Joshua when he took over for Moses as Israel’s leader, they are also applicable to us. Take a moment and read Psalm 139 out loud and see that God’s promise to be with us is for all who truly call upon him. Listen to Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:18-20, as he promises his disciples to be with them always, even to the close of the age. Remember God’s promise, declared in an Old Testament blessing and reiterated in Hebrews 13:5: “Never will I leave you, never will I desert you!” So, let’s be strong; our God, our Father, our Shepherd is always near, even if it doesn’t seem so. We cannot go anywhere without his presence being near us and in us. We are not alone. We don’t have to be afraid. We can have great courage; not even death can separate us from his love (Romans 8:35-39). My Prayer… Be near, dear Father, not just in your promises or in your spiritual presence, but also in my awareness. I need to know you are near when I respond to the incredible opportunities you place before me. I need to be confident in your help and sustaining love as I face the rigorous challenges in my life. O, LORD, I trust in your unfailing love, so I commit to being strong and courageous because you are with me. In Jesus’ name, I declare this faith. 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 – Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. —Hebrews 4:12 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… What is the greatest tool to repair the human heart? …by-pass surgery? …angioplasty? …artificial heart? …transplant? How about the word/Word of God? You see, while these other techniques can be of great aid to the physical hearts of people, God’s tool for spiritual heart surgery is his word (the Scriptures) and his Word (his Son). This sharp scalpel of the Scriptures can reach the soul and spirit as well as being a physical blessing. The tender touch of the Son can heal our deepest wounds. So how much of your heart are you offering to God? How frequently are you offering him your inner self to receive his powerful heart-healing touch? As you open God’s Scripture and hear the message of God preached, ask for the Holy Spirit to help you understand, apply, and put into practice what is being taught. As you deal with life’s heart-battering realities, invite God’s Word, the Son, to minister to your inner being. Let’s offer ourselves to God so that his word (the Scriptures), and his Word (the Son), can do their work in us and adjust our thoughts and attitudes to align with our Father’s. My Prayer… Holy God, I ask that as I open your Scriptures and hear your Word preached and taught, the Holy Spirit penetrate my heart and convict me of sin, discomfort me in areas where I need growth, and stir me in areas where I need motivation to be more like Jesus. I also ask that I commit to honor your Word, the Son, minister to the tender places of my heart with grace and mercy. In the name of the LORD Jesus Christ. 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 107:9
For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. —Psalm 107:9 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The Bible cries out with an essential and recurring truth: God quenches the thirst and satisfies the hunger of those who genuinely seek him. Jesus even said in his Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6) We try to soothe the ache in our souls and fill the emptiness in our hearts with what is only a temporary satisfaction – an ache and emptiness that only God’s presence can fill. Let’s refuse every false satisfaction and tempting distraction and truly seek the LORD who alone can satisfy our spiritual thirst and fill the emptiness and hunger of our hearts. There IS a God-shaped hole in all of us that only he can fill! My Prayer… Forgive us, dear Father, for trying to find the satisfaction for our souls’ hunger in what is not truly sustaining or satiating. We confess the areas of temptation that most often leads us to stumble into false satisfaction – sex, status, possessions, economic security, chemical dependency, busyness, abusing food, buying new stuff, body identity, or a host of other possible vulnerabilities – are all too true in us. As we seek you, dear LORD, please make your presence known as you satisfy our spiritual thirst and satiate our souls’ deep hunger. In the name of Jesus, our LORD, 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 23:2-3
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. —Psalm 23:2-3 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Some of us won’t slow down for anything! Sadly, when we become overly self-assured and get too caught up in our plans, we tend to press on until we crash from exhaustion, make mistakes due to weariness, or sin because we are spiritually vulnerable. The LORD, our good Shepherd, slows us down, has us lie down, and brings restoration to our souls. Our Shepherd knows we need rest, nourishment, and refreshment. He helps us, and even makes us lie down in “green pastures” and walk beside “still waters.” Once our Shepherd restores our souls, he leads us in the paths of his righteousness. Part of God’s grace to us is his leading and guidance, enabling us to find rest, be restored, and walk in the right paths for our lives. Jesus, as our good Shepherd, did the same with his disciples when he said to them: “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31) My Prayer… Thank you, dear Father, for slowing down my frantic life and leading me to times of refreshment, rest, and nourishment. Please forgive me for the times I have been too busy to hear your voice or respond to your call to rest. I trust that you will lead me to what I need as you mature me to have more and more of your righteous character. To do that, I know that I need to rest in you and with you in “green pastures” and “quiet waters.” O, God, I need your tender but firm guiding hand in my life as my Shepherd. In Jesus’ name, I confess 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 – Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. —Psalm 119:105 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… So often, those of us who have received the blessings of faith and the guidelines of the word of God don’t fully appreciate them. Can you imagine what it would be like to try to define your worth, clarify your values, or establish your sense of purpose without a standard of truth? Imagine what it would be like to be lost without a map, without a compass, or without GPS? Remember what it was like to wake up in an unfamiliar place as a child in the pitch black darkness, totally disoriented? We don’t have to worry about that now, do we? God’s word – both the Scriptures and the Son – light our dark paths and show us the way home! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… O LORD, my Abba Father, thank you for not leaving me in darkness. Your Word, the Scriptures, lights my path, and your Word, the Son, is the Light of the World and enlightens my life. Thank you for not leaving me alone in darkness to try and find my way through life. In Jesus’ name, I thank you for your Word in the Scriptures and your Word, the Son who lights my way. 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 92:4
For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands. —Psalm 92:4 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Gaze into the heavens on a dark night away from the lights of the city. Then gaze at the innumerable wonders and starry hosts in the vastness of God’s cosmos. Think of the incredible diversity of Earth’s wonders. Look at your own life and see the fingerprints of God’s work in your own experience (Romans 8:28). As Jesus said, our Father is working still (John 5:17). To this very day, your Father is at work in you, our world, and his people. Yes, it does make us glad to know that we are not alone in working our own lives (Psalm 139:1-24; Philippians 2:13). There is a deep-seated joy in trusting that the LORD, Creator of the universe, is at work in us and for us. No wonder singing praise is such a natural response for many of us! My Prayer… Dear Heavenly Father, I praise you for your power and glory revealed in the majesty of your creation. I thank you for your work in transforming and recreating me, as well. Please, dear Father, continue your transforming work in me through the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). Fashion me into a useful life of praise that brings you glory. In Jesus’ name, “I sing for joy at the works of your hands.” 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 23:1
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. —Psalm 23:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… A sheep is only as good as its shepherd. We are incredibly blessed because God is our Shepherd. Our God shepherded his people through the times of the Old Testament. Jesus came and he cared for people because they were like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36; Mark 6:34). Then, as LORD and Messiah, he identified himself as the good Shepherd of Psalm 23:1-6, and promised even more attentive care as our Shepherd (John 10:11, 14-16). With even deeper emotion and promise, we can say as disciples of Jesus, “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.” My Prayer… O good Shepherd, please carry me like a lamb. Let me tenderly rest in your arms and close to your heart. My life, my future, and my strength depend upon you being my Shepherd. I rely upon you, as my Shepherd, for your correction, leading, and care. Please help me hear your voice above the confusing distractions around me. Under your care, I have no fears. Thank you for being my Shepherd through this life. 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 9:2
I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. —Psalm 9:2 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… When was the last time you made up a song? When was the last time you made up a song of praise to offer to God? Worried that you can’t do it? Don’t think it will be good? Don’t worry, your only audience is your Abba Father, who longs to hear your heart sing regardless of your voice’s perfection or your melody’s tune. He wants to rejoice and be glad with you. So open your heart and raise your voice “and be glad and rejoice in” and “sing praise” to your Father, who is also God Most High! My Prayer… Holy and Merciful God Almighty, I praise you for the sun rising and setting in glorious splendor. I praise you for the gift of grace. I praise you for the miraculous preservation of your people through the ages, even though they have repeatedly been under attack and oftentimes lost sight of your way. I praise you for sending Jesus, the Son of Abraham and the Son of David, my Messiah and LORD. I praise you for raising Jesus from the dead. I praise you for your promise to send him back for your children. I praise you for your work in my life. I praise, O LORD, and I am glad to be your child. In Jesus’ name, I offer my praise and songs 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.