Today’s Verse – Isaiah 40:30-31
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. —Isaiah 40:30-31 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… What is your strength? Is it your youth? …your conditioning? …your wisdom? …your friends? …your experience? …your intellect? None of us can depend on our human ability. Health, wisdom, and wealth are all vulnerable to the fragility of life and circumstance. Only the LORD can ensure that we can survive the unthinkable, thrive in the mundane, and soar in good times. Let’s call upon, let’s wait upon, let’s depend upon the LORD and trust him to supply what we need to live for his glory! My Prayer… O LORD, thank you for sustaining me through the hard times in my life. Thank you for helping me soar, doing things for you that I never dreamed I could accomplish in the best of times. Father, thank you for blessing me during the everyday comings and goings of life. I depend upon you for help and strength. For every good thing in my life, I praise you and 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.
Today’s Verse – Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. —Galatians 2:20 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Christianity, following in the way of Christ Jesus, is all about dying to ourselves. Some see this as hideous, onerous, and weak. “Why give up your desires, wants, and longings for something someone else mandates? That sounds like slavery!” However, they fail to realize that surrendering our wills to Christ is like a bird surrendering to air currents or a fish to the water. The Holy Spirit is God’s “Breath of Life” within us. When we surrender to the LORD, he gives us the power to be what we were made to be — enabled to be useful in ways that are eternal, empowered to have life not limited by mortal boundaries, and blessed by communion with the Creator as our Father. What is lost in this surrender to Christ living in us? Only our selfishness, self-interest, self-will, and self-damage are caused by our own stubbornness and rebellion. Chasing Jesus Reading Plan mentioned in the video below. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Holy Father, thank you for your work in my life through Jesus. As you remake me to be more like your Son and my Savior, I trust you will use me in ways far grander than I can imagine. Please take my heart and cleanse it thoroughly. Please take my life and use it mightily for your glory. Please expand my thoughts and help me dream more majestically about things that matter to you. May all of this be empowered by your Son’s life in me, and may all I do, dream, and desire be for 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 – Galatians 5:25
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. —Galatians 5:25 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… It is one thing for us to talk about being filled with the Spirit, but it is quite another to live under the Spirit’s control and direction in our lives. Paul reminds us in this passage that we must do more than talk about the Spirit; we must walk with the Spirit. The Holy Spirit must guide our decisions, determine our morality, and control our speech. His fruit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) — must be the evidence, this holy fruit, of the Spirit’s presence. As the Spirit leads our “dance through life,” we must walk in step with the Spirit! My Prayer… Holy God, thank you for your gift of your Spirit, who is alive in me. May your Spirit guide my thoughts and mold me to be like Jesus in thoughts, words, and deeds. I pray that my life shows the evidence of the Spirit’s holy leadership. In Jesus’ name, I seek to honor the Spirit’s presence by bearing the Spirit’s fruit. 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 31:8
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. —Proverbs 31:8 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God’s people in every era are called to defend the rights of the weak, speak up for the disenfranchised, and protect the life of those who are vulnerable — born or unborn, regardless of race or nationality, similar to us or different, and whether they are in their right mind or emotionally disturbed. This comprehensive call is God’s great reminder that the blessings, rights, wealth, and power we have are not ours; they are gifts on loan from God to be used to bless those who have no power to speak, defend, or protect themselves. We as God’s people are to be conduits of grace, mercy, and redemption (1 Peter 2:8-11). Yes, I know this is not a popular point of view or a particularly comfortable one for many of us — and I include myself in that group. But the second commandment that sums up all of God’s desires for us is to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40; Galatians 5:14; James 2:8). The parable of the “Good Samaritan” reminds us that this means being a neighbor to someone who might make us uncomfortable but needs our help (Luke 10:25-27). My Prayer… Father, please rouse in your people, rouse in me, a holy passion to stand up for those who are vulnerable to abuse, caught in abandonment, and under unfair attack. Please use us, and especially use me, Father, to be a redemptive force in the time and the circle of influence in which I live and to the people you place in my path. 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 – Isaiah 40:28-29
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. —Isaiah 40:28-29 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God is eternal. He has unlimited power. His supply of strength is limitless. He blesses and shares his grace without growing tired. Most importantly, he longs to share his power and grace with you and me daily. My Prayer… Almighty and eternal God, loving and generous in your mercy, thank you for giving me strength in my weariness, guidance in my confusion, and hope in my despair. Please bless me with the courage to follow your will and trust in your presence through the Holy Spirit. 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 – Jeremiah 33:3
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” —Jeremiah 33:3 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… These words were spoken initially to Jeremiah about the fate of Jerusalem. However, this promise is true in special ways for us as well. God wants us to call to him. God often waits for us to ask before he blesses us with what he longs to give us. We cannot comprehend and receive all the incredible truth about God. He is too big and glorious for us to apprehend him in all his grace and glory fully. So, what do we do? We keep seeking the LORD and asking him to reveal things we do not know as he draws us closer into his presence. You see, he made us to seek after him, find him, and know him (Acts 17:27-28). My Prayer… Father and Almighty God, you are breathtaking. You are beyond my ability to comprehend. Yet, Abba Father, I believe you are near, so I offer you my heart as I worship you in your majesty and might as well as your grace and mercy. I long to know you better, dear Father, so I seek you, call out to you, and praise you. 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 – Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. —Jeremiah 29:13 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God wants us to seek him. In fact, he made us to seek after him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Matthew 22:37-38)! Unfortunately, we often seek God and the other things that distract us from him at the same time. We must never let anything detract from God having first place in our hearts. Only God is worthy of our full devotion and first devotion. If each of us seeks him with all of our heart, God has promised us that we will find him! My Prayer… Righteous God and Holy Father, please bless me with an undivided heart, one that seeks you as the first and ordering priority of my life. Forgive me, dear LORD, for letting other things distract my focus from you and interfere with my service to you. Please fill me with a holy passion for Kingdom matters above all other concerns and interests. Most of all, dear Father, I want to find you and have you in my life each day, so I seek after you. I seek after you to follow you and have you in my life. 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 – Acts 16:25
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. —Acts 16:25 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Falsely imprisoned, Paul and Silas were dragged and beaten by the crowd, beaten with rods, and then severely flogged — yes beaten three times (Acts 16:19-23). After this abuse, they were placed in prison, chained, and locked in stocks. Under such horrible circumstances, they managed to praise God in hymns and pray to their Father in Heaven. Under this kind of pressure, their faith caught the attention of the other hardened prisoners, who listened to them and were moved by their faith and praise. We must be reminded that over the years of Christian witness, some of the most effective times of evangelism happened because Christians, disciples of Jesus, remained faithful and joyous despite persecution and harassment. Nothing should limit our prayer and praise. God will use our worship under persecution to reach the hearts of those in the most difficult of places! My Prayer… Holy Father, in times of adverse reactions against me because of my faith, I pray that you will make me a loving, respectable, and forceful witness for Jesus. I ask this not so that I can boast, but so that others can more fully know your grace and come to Jesus to be saved. In the name of my Savior, Jesus, 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 – Jude 24-25
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy — to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. —Jude 24-25 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Two things I trust implicitly: God’s power and might. My joy at getting to share in his presence forever. My best efforts will always fall short, but God’s grace is greater and more glorious than my best efforts! The faultlessness that I have when I stand before God will be based on his grace and mercy for me in Jesus. Jesus will present me as holy in God’s sight, without blemish, and free from any guilt (Colossians 1:22). How can I not praise him from a thankful heart as I anticipate seeing him face to face in his glory? Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Father, you are gracious, you are glorious, and you alone are God! I praise you for what you have done in my life through your transforming Spirit. Please strengthen me and keep me in your care. I am confident about my salvation because of your greatness and grace. Fulfill your purposes in me, and please bring me to your throne of glory with great joy. In Jesus’ name, I offer you my praise and this prayer. 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 2:10
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. —Ephesians 2:10 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We are not just saved by grace FROM sin, death and hell. We are saved by grace FOR God’s glory. He created us in our mother’s womb with a purpose for us (Psalm 139:13-16), and God has remade us in Christ Jesus as new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17) with something special to do for him. We are his craftsmanship, his artistry, and his masterpiece. God longs to display his goodness and grace through our actions and words. You and I weren’t just saved FROM sin, death, and hell. We were also saved FOR bringing the work of Christ to life in our world! My Prayer… O LORD, Creator and Sustainer of all things, please do your creative work in me, making me into a useful tool for your service. Please use my influence and the abilities you fashioned in me to bless my family, my friends, and those around me who need to more fully know 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.