Today’s Verse – John 6:29
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” —John 6:29 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “What do you do for a living?” It is one of the most commonly asked questions in many cultures. We define each other in large measure by the work we do. God, however, defines us by his gracious love and our belief in Jesus. The work God has for us to accomplish, the way he wants us to “make our living” as Jesus’ disciples, is fully trusting in Jesus and helping others come to faith in Jesus, too. Believing God sent Jesus is not just the orientation point for each of our lives; it is the work of God in our lives! My Prayer… LORD God Almighty, Ruler of Heaven and Earth, I believe in Jesus but help my unbelief. 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 – Luke 6:28
[Jesus taught his disciples with these words:] “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” —Luke 6:28 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Outside the example of Jesus, this command makes no sense at all. But Jesus shows us the importance of leaving our destiny in the hands of our Creator and Father. Suddenly, this makes perfect sense. What is the best way to defeat an enemy? Certainly, it’s not to beat or kill that person. No, the way we defeat our enemies is by having Jesus’ grace capture their hearts, having their character conform to that of our King, and having them join us as we live for the LORD! That’s the way we defeat our enemies; we bring them to Jesus, and they become our brothers and sisters in Christ. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Loving and gracious God, please soften my heart and toughen my resolve so I can love as Jesus loved. Make my life redemptive, especially to those who oppose, abhor, ridicule, belittle, and hate me. Use me, dear Father, to bring others to the grace of Jesus. In his 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 – Matthew 6:27
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? —Matthew 6:27 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… With our busy world, we often preoccupy ourselves with worrisome and inconsequential things. What does this worry get us? Far from making our lives more productive or adding to our longevity, we know for a fact that worry hastens our demise, robs our days of joy, harms our bodies, and leads us to lose sight of grace. So, if worry is so destructive, why not commit our ways to the LORD and seek his guidance instead of worrying about what we cannot change? My Prayer… Father, thank you. Thank you for making the earth hold its orbit and my heart keep its beat. Thank you for giving me a future beyond the boundary markers of my mortality and the limitations of my body. Thank you for pouring your grace and numerous blessings into my daily life. Forgive me, LORD, when I do not count these blessings, and I begin to worry how I might acquire more while fearing I might lose those things that I have already collected. I pray for wisdom to stay in the present, give thanks for my blessings, and rejoice in my future with Jesus, by whose authority 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 6:26-27
“I [Darius King of Persia] issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” —Daniel 6:26-27 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… If a foreign King in the days of the Old Testament can recognize how grand and glorious our God is, surely those of us who have received his grace through Jesus can rejoice in him and praise him! Our God IS the living God and does endure forever. He has brought us into his Kingdom, which can never be destroyed or shaken. Our God, the LORD Almighty, rescues and saves. He does signs and wonders to bring his deliverance to his people and share his grace with those who do not yet know him. My Prayer… Father God, you are glorious and awesome. Your rule is true, righteous, and eternal. You keep your promises and generously send forth your blessings. You alone are truly holy, awesome in your splendor and might. I praise you and thank you 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.
Today’s Verse – Ephesians 6:24
Grace to all who love our LORD Jesus Christ with an undying love. —Ephesians 6:24 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Ephesians makes some of the most significant declarations in the entire Bible about the grace of God, his promised power to us from the Holy Spirit, and the majesty of God himself. This passage, however, may be the very richest short verse in Ephesians. It is one of my favorite Bible blessings and Paul’s closing blessing to people he loves. Paul offers this grace to all who love Jesus with an undying love! This promise of grace means an overflowing abundance of God’s gracious love given to us as we love Jesus with an unwavering grip of faith. Where passion for our LORD Jesus Christ is undying, God’s grace is perpetually overflowing! My Prayer… Holy Father, I do love you and your Son, Jesus, with all my heart. Forgive me when my display of this passion dims or my communication of his grace to others lags. Rekindle an unquenchable desire to show my love for Jesus in everything I do and say. In his 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 – Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. —Romans 6:23 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… If we get paid what we deserve as flawed and sinful humans, we’re not going to like our wages when we stand before God, trying to plead our case. On the other hand, God, who is rich in mercy and grace, gives us his gift of salvation because of the sacrifice of Jesus and our faith in him. We won’t get what we deserve or receive the cruel wages of sin if Christ is our LORD and Savior. He died to pay that debt, that wage of sin and death. Instead, we will receive the gift of eternal life in the glorious presence of God and his holy angels. I don’t know about you, but that makes me want to serve him more passionately and faithfully! My Prayer… Glorious and gracious Father, holy and perfect in every way, thank you for your sacrificial grace, which bridges the great gulf between your perfect righteousness and my imperfection and sinfulness. Thank you for the gift of eternal life. May my mortal life be holy and pleasing 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 – Genesis 6:22
Noah did everything just as God commanded him. —Genesis 6:22 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The Bible describes Noah as a righteous man, blameless in his generation, who walked with God and did all that the LORD commanded him (Genesis 6:9, 22). Can you think of a higher honor? I’m unsure what they will write on my headstone when I pass from this life to be with Jesus, but I would love to be worthy of what the Bible said about Noah! How about you? Wouldn’t it be great to have written of us, “May all who pass by this grave know that the person’s body buried here did everything just as commanded”? By grace, I believe Jesus will say this of us before the Father because of our faith in him (Colossians 1:22). My Prayer… Holy God, we fully acknowledge that we are saved by your grace and not because of any significant or righteous things we have done. At the same time, Father, we surely want to honor you with our lives and show others the difference your gracious love makes in our lives, especially when we obey. Bless us, please, dear Father, to be more worthy of the description of Noah. In 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 – 2 Samuel 6:21
David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel — I will celebrate before the LORD.” —2 Samuel 6:21 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… David’s wife, Michal, ridiculed her husband, the King, for his “undignified” exuberance as he rejoiced and danced before the Ark of the Covenant as it returned. Apparently, David wasn’t kingly enough for Michal. David refused, however, to be deterred by her criticism. The ark’s return was a reason for celebration. His God was the only true and living God. His God had given him victory after victory over dangerous foes. His God had preserved his people through hardships and difficulties over a long history of challenges, oppression, wandering, and battling. In his joyous delight, David was determined to celebrate before the LORD with a full heart, a dancing body, and without concern for his position in Israel. God had brought this day of deliverance, so David declared, “I will celebrate before the LORD.” Shouldn’t we? Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… LORD God Almighty, you are full of grace and mercy, awesome in power and holiness; you are my joy, my hope, and my future. I rejoice in you as the only One and the only thing worthy of all glory, honor, and praise. I will celebrate you, O LORD, for you alone are worthy of my praise! In Jesus’ name, I cry, Hallelujah, and 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 – Matthew 6:20
“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 6:20 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Where’s your treasure? What are you doing to invest in true, incorruptible, long-term security? Why not make sure your most important investments are guaranteed a great return! Store up your treasure with God! My Prayer… Abba Father, I know the only trustworthy security I can ever have is in you. Please give me wisdom as I seek to use my time, talents, and treasure to honor you, bring others to you, and invest my treasures with 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 – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. —1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Yesterday, the Scriptures reminded us of Solomon’s moving dedication speech of the Temple. Incredibly, Paul asserts in today’s verse that God has now chosen to invest his presence inside of us through the Holy Spirit. God lives in us as majestically in our day as in Jerusalem’s Temple in Solomon’s day. Our acceptability to God as his holy dwelling came at a great price to him — the death of his Son! How can we refuse to honor his divine presence in us? How can we not live a holy life in response to his grace? My Prayer… Forgive me, dear Father. I know there have been times when I have lost sight of the wonder of your glorious presence within me. The gift of your Spirit is a dazzling and humbling grace. Once again, Father, I pledge to present my body as a living sacrifice to please and honor you as your Temple. At the same time, I acknowledge I need the presence and power of your Holy Spirit to honor you as your holy dwelling place. Lead, cleanse, purify, and make me like Jesus each day by the transforming power and presence of your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, I ask this. 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.