Today’s Verse – Romans 7:24-25
What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God — through Jesus Christ our Lord! —Romans 7:24-25 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Our bodies are mortal and flawed. Our weakness and sin taint them. But, by the grace of God given each of us in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:1-10) and the transformational power of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:17-18), our future does not rest in the dust with our decaying bodies, but in the power of our perfecting LORD. Jesus is our Deliverer and the Holy Spirit — as Paul will explain more fully in Romans 8 — is our Empowerer! My Prayer… Almighty God, thank you for the gift of life beyond the death of my mortal flesh. Thank you for giving me holiness beyond my sin-stained flesh. Thank you for delivering me from death and bringing me into your glory. Thank you for providing the power of the Holy Spirit to transform me to become more and more like Jesus. Now, dear Father, may my words, deeds, and thoughts reflect your grace and power in all I do today and each day that follows. 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 – Ezekiel 7:23
[The word of the Lord came to Ezekiel and said: “This is what the Sovereign Lord says to the land of Israel…] Prepare chains, because the land is full of bloodshed and the city is full of violence.” —Ezekiel 7:23 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God hates it when the innocent are afflicted with violence and bloodshed. God hates evil and political corruption. He hates false courts and leaders who abuse their power. We can rest assured that God will deliver his faithful followers and administer ultimate justice to those who have abused their positions and harmed others. God’s faithfulness and justice will prevail! My Prayer… Father, thank you for assuring me that your justice will ultimately be done with those who are violent, corrupt, wicked, and abusive. Please give your people the patience they need to wait in hope until your day of ultimate justice is accomplished. 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 – 2 Samuel 7:22
[King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said:] “How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.” —2 Samuel 7:22 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The promises of God to Abraham and David, the work of God through Jesus, and the miraculous preservation of both the Abrahamic and Davidic lines to Jesus are nothing short of miraculous. They are testimony to God’s faithfulness and power. When we get discouraged by the unfaithfulness, blasphemy, and wickedness prevalent in our world today, we need to remember our God’s faithfulness and tremendous power displayed through his chosen people. God’s promises will not fail no matter what people do and refuse to do. God will use a faithful remnant of his people to fulfill his promises and plans! And the story of Jesus, going back to David and Abraham, confirms that truth! My Prayer… Father of all and Provider and Protector of your people, please give me a sense of courageous awe at your power and a sense of reverential wonder at your faithfulness. There is no other being or power like you, for you alone are God. I praise you for your glory and grace. 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 – Deuteronomy 7:21
[Speaking to the Israelites about their enemies, Moses said:] “Do not be terrified by them, for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God.” —Deuteronomy 7:21 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… What foe can defeat us as the people of God? None when we gladly welcome the presence of our holy God among us! Our God, our Deliverer, is mighty in power, awesome in holiness, and greater than any of our foes. Throughout history, the LORD has repeatedly proven his love, presence, and power in and for us, his people. So, we can refuse to fear what the evil one threatens to do to us because our Savior has already defeated hell, sin, death, Satan, and demons. And we will enjoy that victory with him one day forever. My Prayer… Abba Father, calm my fears and soothe my anxious heart. By the power of your Spirit, please bless me with boldness and confidence as I seek to live for you in a world that is often hostile to my faith and opposed to your values. I ask these graces in the name of Jesus. 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 – Ecclesiastes 7:20
There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins. —Ecclesiastes 7:20 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Yep, we’re all broken, flawed, and tainted (Romans 3:9-11, 23-24). Or, at least, that is what we were before God saved us, the Spirit sanctified us, and Jesus brought us into his family (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Praise God! Praise God because of his grace. Praise God for the work of Jesus. Praise God for the presence of the Holy Spirit. Because of these, we can stand before God holy, without blemish, and free from accusation (Colossians 1:22). My Prayer… Forgiving Father and Holy God, thank you for redeeming me from my sinful ways through the loving self-sacrifice of Jesus. Thank you for empowering me to become more like him by the transforming power of your Holy Spirit. Thank you for helping me become more than I could ever be through your grace than I could ever be through my own efforts. Thank you, dear God, for saving me from sin, ransoming me from guilt, and redeeming me to share in your glory. In Jesus’ name, I 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 – Deuteronomy 7:19
[Moses addressed Israel, reminding them of God’s deliverance of them from Egypt, and his commands given to them:] “You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the miraculous signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm, with which the LORD your God brought you out [from bondage and delivered you.]. The LORD your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear.” —Deuteronomy 7:19 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Too often, I fear we look at the past work of God and think we will not see the display of his power in our day as our predecessors did in their day. God used Moses’ farewell address to remind a new generation of Israel that he had delivered their parents out of Egypt and now would go with them and empower them as he had their parents. We also need to expect him to do more in our day than all we can ask or even imagine by his power at work within us (Ephesians 3:20-21). We need to pray that God will do in our day what we heard he did in days gone by with our ancestors of faith (Habakkuk 3:2). And, dear believer in Jesus, we need to remember the promise of our Savior: Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father (John 14:12). Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Almighty God, who is infinitely able to work with power and might for your people, we ask that you use your power to call the unsaved to Jesus in our generation. Please use us as your tools and do mighty works of redemption and revival in our day as you have done in years gone by. Father, we believe in your power and your desire to save. We know the many ways you acted with power and grace in the past to deliver your people. Please act mightily in our day, redeem our generation, and call them back to 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.
Today’s Verse – Daniel 7:18
[When Daniel was alarmed by his visions of the future, he approached one of those standing by him in his visions. The presence told Daniel:] “But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever — yes, for ever and ever.” —Daniel 7:18 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The Kingdom will belong to God’s saints, his children, the followers of Jesus, and the people of the Most High (Daniel 7:27)… FOREVER! The Kingdom will belong to us. The Son of Man will be with us (Daniel 7:13), and the Kingdom will be ours, forever… and ever… and ever. Praise God for his promises, his grace, and his faithfulness. Because of God’s promises and Jesus’ triumph over sin, death, and hell, our future is secure, no matter how frightening that future may appear from our limited human perspective! My Prayer… Almighty God Most High, I look forward to the day that your Kingdom rules in power and your will is done on this earth as it is in heaven. Thank you for your promises to us and for giving your children a Kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28). Bless me, O God, as I seek to live my life each day in reverence and awe at your awesome holiness and grace while trusting in the promises of my future in Jesus, in whose 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.
We Are Family!
Note from Jesus Dear Brothers and Sisters, While there are many things you can learn from Paul’s message to the Thessalonians, today I want you to notice the warm language of affection and family that you find in the verses below. Paul states the truth of his love for these new disciples with these words of affection: We were so taken by you that we not only eagerly shared with you God’s good news, but we also shared with you our own lives. That’s how much you’ve come to mean to us. All the way through the verses below, Paul uses the language of family and affection because these new disciples not only needed affirmation (yesterday’s focus), but they also needed to know, feel, and experience the beauty of relationships in My family. In addition, they needed to be reassured that Paul’s motives were genuine. They had to know that Paul’s motives were based on his love for them and not a desire to get something from them. So Paul went to great pains to remind them that they were loved as the Father’s children. He reminded them that he cared for them as a father would. As their spiritual father in the faith, they meant everything to him. He stressed that he did what he did out of his love for them and not ulterior motives. Paul’s explanation of his motives was not a discussion of theory. He had demonstrated these things when he was among them. Notice Paul’s key phrases like “Don’t you remember…?” and “As you know…” which pointed to his way of life when he was with them. The family relationship between Paul and the Thessalonian Christians existed because they had all been adopted into the Father’s family (Ephesians 1:4-5). When I was with My disciples on earth, I taught them to pray “Our Father…” (Matthew 6:9). I want you to pray this same way. God is your “Abba” Father (Romans 8:15). You have been adopted into My family. I AM not only your Savior and Lord, but I AM also your older brother. I want you to experience the warmth, acceptance, and love that come from being in our Father’s family. Paul wanted the Thessalonians to experience this warmth, acceptance, and love, too. So notice his words of relationship and make them true in your fellowship with other believers. We are family! Verses to Live One of the fundamental ways you can experience My presence among you is through your life as My family. When you gather together to live as My family, I AM present with you (Matthew 18:20). Please notice the rich language of love, affection, and family in Paul’s words! Brothers and sisters, you yourselves know that our coming to you was not a waste of time. You remember how we had just suffered through brutal and insulting attacks in Philippi; but because of God, we boldly stepped into the open to tell you His good news, even though it would likely mean more conflict for us. For we haven’t approached you — or anyone else for that matter — with some error or impure motives or deceitful agenda; but as we have been approved by God and entrusted with the good news, that’s how we are telling the world. We aren’t trying to please everybody, but God, the only One Who can truly examine our motives. As you know, we didn’t sandwich the truth between cunning compliments — we told it straight — and before the eye of God, we never conspired to make a single cent off of you. We didn’t come seeking respect from people — not from you or anyone else — although we could have leveraged our position as emissaries of the Anointed One, the Liberating King. Instead, we proved to be gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her own children. We were so taken by you that we not only eagerly shared with you God’s good news, but we also shared with you our own lives. That’s how much you’ve come to mean to us. Don’t you remember, my brothers and sisters, how hard we worked and struggled? We worked day and night so that we wouldn’t be a burden to any of you and so that we could continue to proclaim to you the good news of God. Both you and God can confirm how well we treated the believers: we were always holy, just, and blameless. As you know, we comforted and consoled each of you as a father soothes his own children, encouraging you to live lives worthy of God — of the One calling you into His own kingdom and into His glory. So we have good reason to give thanks to God without pausing. For you have taken into yourselves the word of God we brought to you and received it as a message from God — not just something whipped up by someone like you or us — and that word is at work in you who believe. And, brothers and sisters, you even became imitators of the churches of God in Jesus the Anointed that gather in Judea because you were willing to suffer at the hands of your own countrymen as they suffered from the unbelieving Judeans. These are the same people who killed the Lord Jesus, as well as the prophets, and continued attacking until they drove all of us out. They don’t just offend God; they are clearly hostile to the rest of the people because they are trying to silence our life-saving message to the nations; and as a result, their sins are always filling up and overflowing. But in the end, they will face God’s wrath. Brothers and sisters, we are like orphans, separated from you for a short time (in presence, yes, but not in heart); and we desperately desire to see your faces again. However, as much as we wanted to come to you — I, Paul, assure
Assurance in Weakness
Note from Jesus Dear Friend, By his own admission, Paul came to Corinth with very little personal confidence. He wrote: I came to you in weakness — timid and trembling. (1 Corinthians 2:3 NLT) In the verses below from Acts, Luke shared that Paul’s work in Corinth began with difficulty, especially among his fellow Jews who “stopped listening and began insulting him.” However, Paul’s ministry and leadership were vital to the success of the early church and its mission, especially to the Gentiles. Despite the opposition he faced in Macedonia and “the great turmoil” he endured in Athens, I planned to use him to make a huge difference in Corinth. So I gave him these words of encouragement in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Paul. Speak! Don’t be silent! I am with you, and no one will lay a finger on you to harm you. I have many in this city who are already My people.” My words of encouragement helped Paul regain his confidence. He remained in Corinth for a longer time than he had originally planned. He increased his spiritual investment in the people of this strategic city. He blessed these precious new believers. With his follow-up letters and visits, Paul helped these Christians deal with difficult problems. He challenged them to live for Me with spiritual passion in a city known for its immorality and depravity. Despite the early problems the church in Corinth faced, it soon became an example of cross-centered grace that comes to life in My followers. So where are you in your faith and commitment? Are you discouraged? Are you frustrated? Are you facing opposition from a hostile culture? Are you dealing with problems in a congregation with many new believers? Are you needing to know that your efforts at reaching the lost and at growing new disciples are not in vain? Ask Me to help you! Ask Me to help you find assurance. Ask Me to help you find clarity. Ask Me to help you live out My will in your community and through your personal mission. Speak to Me openly about your concerns. Admit your lack of confidence and ask to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. Admit your fears and misgivings. Paul admitted his failings to Me and revealed many of them to others through his letters. Admission of failure is not an admission of defeat or faithlessness, but of recognition. It is the recognition of the enormity of the task, the difficulty of the challenges, the greatness of the opportunity, and your insufficiency in being able to live out My mission for you on your own! Paul would later talk about the source of his power in the face of his own insufficiency. His words are not only beautiful in imagery and meaning, but also powerfully true: For God, Who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. (2 Corinthians 4:6-7 NLT) Verses to Live I long to give assurance to those who seek to follow me. Moses needed reassurance that the Father would go with him into the wilderness to lead Israel, and the Father gave it to him (Exodus 33:12-23). The Father gave assurance to Joshua when he was called to lead the people of Israel after Moses’ death (Joshua 1:6-18). The essence of the promises to both Moses and Joshua was reiterated for you by the writer of the book of Hebrews (Hebrews 13:5-6). The Father gave Me assurance after My baptism and before I faced My temptation (Luke 3:21-22). As you read these verses below, remember that I gave reassurance to Paul. Yes, I long to give assurance to you, too! So, ask for it! Seek My will. Knock on the door of grace and find it opened to you (Matthew 7:7-11). From Athens, Paul traveled to Corinth alone. He found a Jewish man there named Aquila, originally from Pontus. Aquila and his wife Priscilla had recently come to Corinth from Italy because Claudius had banished all Jews from Rome. Paul visited them in their home and discovered they shared the same trade of tent making. He then became their long-term guest and joined them in their tentmaking business. Each Sabbath he would engage both Jews and Greeks in debate in the synagogue in an attempt to persuade them of his message. Eventually Silas and Timothy left Macedonia and joined him in Corinth. They found him fully occupied by proclaiming the message, testifying to the Jewish people that Jesus was God’s Anointed, the Liberating King. Eventually, though, some of them stopped listening and began insulting him. He shook the dust off his garments in protest. Paul: OK. I’ve done all I can for you. You are responsible for your own destiny before God. From now on, I will bring the good news to the outsiders! He walked out of the synagogue and went next door to the home of an outsider, Titius Justus, who worshiped God. Paul formed a gathering of believers there that included Crispus (the synagogue leader) and his whole household and many other Corinthians who heard Paul, believed, and were… washed through baptism. One night Paul had a vision in which he heard the Lord’s voice. The Lord: Do not be afraid, Paul. Speak! Don’t be silent! I am with you, and no one will lay a finger on you to harm you. I have many in this city who are already My people. After such turmoil in previous cities, these words encouraged Paul to extend his stay in Corinth, teaching the message of God among them for a year and six months. (Acts 18:1-11) Response in Prayer O Almighty
Great Sermon, But…
Note from Jesus Dear Friend, The text in the Verses to Live section comes from two different places. I want you to read them together to help you understand two very important principles as explained toward the end of this section. The first set of verses details Paul’s message before the philosophers of Athens at Mars Hill and the Areopagus, where the Areopagite Council met. Paul’s message is powerful and well known to many people. In fact, this sermon is used as an example of good cross-cultural communication. This message takes statements and ideas people know from their own culture and connects them to the truth of My story. Paul quotes some of the Athenians’ own poets to get his points across. His line of reasoning is great. In fact, he was well received until he talked about the resurrection. However, then “some shook their heads and scoffed.” The second set of verses describes Paul’s emotional state after leaving Athens and how it impacted his sharing the gospel. He came to Corinth from Athens “in weakness — timid and trembling”! As you put these two readings together, you will notice something very important that was missing in Paul’s words of wisdom that he presented in Athens. He did not have his usual emphasis on my crucifixion and what the cross means. Paul knew that preaching about My crucifixion was a problem in proper society. To use the word “crucify” or to refer to a “crucifixion” was considered base and inappropriate discussion. In Athens, Paul used the Athenians’ approach to wisdom and didn’t include the teaching of the cross and what My death actually meant. When Paul later wrote to the Corinthian Christians, notice how he reflected upon this approach as he came to Corinth “in weakness”: So now, where is the philosopher? Where is the scholar? Where is the skilled debater, the best of your time? Step up, if you dare. Hasn’t God made fools out of those who count on the wisdom of this rebellious, broken world? For in God’s deep wisdom, He made it so that the world could not even begin to comprehend Him through its own style of wisdom; in fact, God took immense pleasure in rescuing people of faith through the foolishness of the message we preach. It seems the Jews are always asking for signs and the Greeks are always on the prowl for wisdom. But we tell a different story. We proclaim a crucified Jesus, God’s Anointed. For Jews this is scandalous, for outsiders this is moronic, but for those of us living out God’s call — regardless of our Jewish or Greek heritage — we know the Anointed embodies God’s dynamic power and God’s deep wisdom. You can count on this: God’s foolishness will always be wiser than mere human wisdom, and God’s weakness will always be stronger than mere human strength. (1 Corinthians 1:20-25) As brilliant and beautiful as Paul’s sermon at Mars Hill in Athens may have been, Paul was not well received and came to Corinth determined to preach the message of My cross and God’s love revealed in My crucifixion. As he said later to the Corinthians: I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2 NIV) There is special power in this message because it does NOT depend on human wisdom, but is used by the Holy Spirit to reach people’s hearts. Please understand two things I want you to see in these verses: First, I do want you to understand the best way to communicate truth with the cultures you are trying to reach. When I came to earth, I came as the fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham, David, and the prophets. So I came as a true Israelite. I lived as a Jew, worshiped as a Jew, and focused My message on speaking to Jewish people of that time. I demonstrated that true ministry is incarnational — it comes and lives in a culture as part of that culture to redeem that culture while being appreciative of that culture. However, truth will always run into places of conflict in every culture. This happened to Me, and John put it well: He [Jesus] entered our world, a world He made; yet the world did not recognize Him. Even though He came to His own people, they refused to listen and receive Him. But for all who did receive and trust in Him, He gave them the right to be reborn as children of God; He bestowed this birthright not by human power or initiative but by God’s will. (John 1:10-13) Second, don’t leave out any key part of the core gospel message.* Yes, the cross is scandalous. It always has been. To proclaim a crucified Messiah and Lord seems crazy at a certain human level of wisdom. But there is great power in the message of My crucifixion. The power of that message does not derive its strength from human wisdom, but from the Spirit’s appeal to the human heart. So yes, you are right to think of Paul’s sermon in Athens as a great sermon. Yes, it is even a good example of cross-cultural communication. But remember, no matter how great the speech, how wise the wisdom, or how eloquent the speaker, when she or he leaves out the message of My cross and resurrection, something vital is lacking in the message! * Paul defines this core gospel well in 1 Corinthians 15. Here are a few verses from that chapter: I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most