Today’s Verse – John 4:13-14
Jesus answered, “…whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” —John 4:13-14 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Water! That precious gift for the tired and thirsty. Water! That essential refreshing liquid we all need for life. Water! That spring of living water welling up to eternal life and renewing our spirits. Jesus offers water we don’t have to carry, find, purify, or resupply. Jesus’ water wells up within us. The Holy Spirit brings us Jesus’ water because we are his disciples who believe in him (John 7:37-39). Jesus’ water gives us eternal life, which begins now, lasts throughout each day we live, and continues forever (John 4:14, 5:24). This water of eternal life is a gift from Jesus, our LORD! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Father, I know Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to live in me when I became a Christian, a disciple of my LORD. I ask that my stubborn will and my sinful desires will be overcome with the Spirit’s transforming power so that my life will display the joy and confidence that your refreshing presence brings. In Jesus’ name, and because of his living water, 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 – John 3:17
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. —John 3:17 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God sent Jesus to save the world. God is not the mean ol’ Scrooge in the sky, critically looking down on his flawed children, waiting to condemn them for their mess-ups. Instead, our Father in heaven saw how broken, flawed, and messed up we were, and he entered our world in Jesus to save it and save us from ourselves. God’s purpose in sending Jesus was to give us lasting life, eternal salvation, and out of that grows our earthly mission – to join God in saving the lost world. My Prayer… O heavenly Father, deliver us from the sin that entangles our actions and pollutes our hearts. Create in each of us a clean heart and renew a right spirit in us through your sanctifying Holy Spirit. Please, awaken us to our salvation so that we don’t keep it to ourselves, but share it with those who desperately need it. Thank you for your forgiveness, grace, and salvation. In Jesus’ name, we pray with thankfulness and a renewed sense of our purpose. 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.
11 Dec 2025
There is also the group of people who may decide to make life difficult for you. Paul gives some very valuable advice: overcome evil with good. Do not avenge any wrongdoing. Allow the Lord to fight for you. Do good to them, where possible. Romans 12:17-21.
Today’s Verse – John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. —John 3:16 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… What else needs to be said? “For God so loved the world…” Ah, we should say, “Praise God!” We should say, “Thank you, Jesus!” We should say, “I believe!” We should say, “Let’s go share Jesus’ saving grace with the nations (Matthew 28:18-20). My Prayer… Thank you, Father, for loving us with everlasting love and for demonstrating that love in Jesus. We love you! We look forward to sharing the longest part of our lives with you in glory, enjoying your presence forever because you sent Jesus. Until then, loving Father, please use us to share this saving message -this message of your gracious and redeeming love -with others so they can believe and not perish. You sent Jesus so no one would perish. We commit to join you in sharing your love with the world. In Jesus’ mighty 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.
10 Dec 2025
One thing I am learning as I get older is to keep myself occupied. Idleness presents many complications. Even as we trust the Lord for this and the other, let us serve. In service, we bless others and keep our minds preoccupied. We also don’t keep track of time like one who is idle. Romans 12:11-16.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 3:8
From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people. —Psalm 3:8 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Deliverance does come from the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, our spiritual fathers from previous generations. We can trust in this deliverance because of God’s faithfulness to his people under the Old Covenant (the Old Testament). We see God’s deliverance as the Father sends his Son, Jesus, as our Savior. We experience this deliverance in the outpouring of the Spirit by the resurrected Savior. So, as this verse suggests, we can confidently ask the LORD to bless us with his richest and greatest blessings as his people because we know that he has already given us the greatest gift of his Son. So, we believe with the apostle, Paul, that since God has done this to save us, “how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32) My Prayer… Thank you, O God, for the salvation you have given to us in Jesus. Use us, your people, to spread this blessing to others so that all nations – all peoples – will know your love and come to know your deliverance found in your Son, our Savior and LORD. In the name of our Deliverer, 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.
09 Dec 2025
To give our best, we need God’s guidance. May He grant us wisdom and courage to make the right decisions. Let us also not be anxious because the Lord is on our side. He is watching over us and ordering our steps. May we experience His peace and trust that He is taking care of us. Proverbs 3:21-26.
Today’s Verse – Philippians 2:9-11
Therefore God exalted him… that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. —Philippians 2:9-11 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… I love the fact that I do each day what everyone will one day do: bow before the majesty and proclaim the glorious Lordship of Jesus Christ to honor the Father’s glory. How wonderful it is to be able to make that proclamation because of grace rather than in fear at the end of a life that has been spent wasted in rebellion, denial, and selfishness. I gladly bow my knee, humble myself, and prostrate myself before the King of Glory, Jesus Christ my LORD! My Prayer… Father, I do praise you for the truth about Jesus. I believe that his greatness will one day be realized fully by everyone who has ever lived. Doubters, haters, hypocrites, and pretenders may have sway in our fallen world, but Jesus is coming. I can’t wait to see him in his glory! May my life display the truth of Jesus’ glory in sacrifice through the way I treat people today. May my lips suitably proclaim this truth so others can know Jesus is LORD, today. In the name of your Son and my Savior, 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.
08 Dec 2025
In Ephesians 4:17-32, Paul gives the the church in Ephesus instructions on how to live as Christians. In chapter 5:1, he explains why. We should emulate what God the Father did. He gave us His best, His Son, as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Are we giving our best as we live here on earth? Can our work, our relationships, our leadership, our life be considered as a worthy sacrifice? Jesus lived to the age of 33, but He did His best. His impact is still felt over 2000 years later. May the Lord help us and may we allow Him to do His will in us daily.
Daily Prayer for December 8
And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth? Luke 18:7– 8, NIV Father in heaven, we surrender ourselves to your love, the love in which Christ comes to us. Like children we say every day to the Lord Jesus himself, “Lord Jesus, come, come! Even if we cannot see you today because times have changed, come into the world, come more and more into world history. Send more and more of your nature, your goodness, into all hearts. Come at last, come quickly to bring an end to the adversary, an end to world power with its sinister, hostile character. May bright day, clear light from the Father in heaven, dawn through you, Lord Jesus. Yes, come, Lord Jesus!” Amen. Recent articles on Plough Humans Aren’t the Only Pebble on the Cosmic Beach Alison Milbank and Joy Marie Clarkson Joy and Alison discuss the importance of angels and why parishes are good. Read now Seeing Our Way to Humanity Coretta Thomson Through the weeds, Frederick Franck’s sculpture park Pacem in Terris still speaks. Read now Unanswered Prayers in Ukraine Taras Dyatlik During another Advent in wartime, a Ukrainian pastor wrestles with the silence of heaven. Read now A Christmas Song for the Ages Chris Zimmerman With its tone of reverent awe, Max Bruch’s “In der Christnacht” captures the essence of Holy Night without mistletoe or even shepherds and kings. Read now Can Beauty and Justice Meet in Architecture? Kelly W. Foster An architect feels forced to choose between beauty for the rich and justice for the poor. A tuberculosis sanatorium shows him he doesn’t have to. Read now