17 Nov 2025
Having lost a few loved ones over the last few weeks is a reminder that we do not know when the Lord will call us home. This should, therefore, inform us how to lead our lives. 1 Peter 4:7-11 admonishes us to pray, exercise self-control, love one another, be hospitable, serve others with our gifts whole heartedly.
Today’s Verse – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. —1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Do you want to know some things you can do to please God? Rejoice in his grace. Pray for others. Give thanks for your blessings. These are simple things God wants us to do, and doing them to honor him changes everything. Doing these things is not only spiritual, but also life-giving! My Prayer… Heavenly Father and Almighty God, I am thrilled at the very thought of being your child. Abba Father, please hear my prayer of concern for several people who are on my heart today… Loving God, thank you so much for the blessings you pour into my life each day. In Jesus’ holy name, I rejoice in your grace, pray for these others I have mentioned, and give thanks for your many blessings. 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 16:30-34
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God — he and his whole household. —Acts 16:30-34 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Faith in Jesus is the most crucial response to God’s grace and a life-transforming blessing. For the jailer, faith meant hearing the gospel of Jesus as LORD and responding by believing that message, demonstrating a life change, being baptized immediately, and sharing in fellowship with other believers (Acts 2:38-47). Imagine going from being the jailer over men to washing their wounds in your own home! Think about being responsible for the painful incarceration of men, then having these men baptize you and your family that same night! Imagine locking men in chains who would later sit at your table sharing a meal! Isn’t God incredible! Isn’t his grace indescribable! No wonder we rejoice when those who are lost fully believe! Life is forever different them. My Prayer… Father, thank you for the surprises you have brought into my life through your grace. Please bless me as I strive to share your grace this week by presenting the Gospel of Jesus to those I love. May we see whole households turn to you because you surprised them with your amazing grace! In the name of the LORD 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 – Romans 14:4
Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. —Romans 14:4 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The apostle Paul warned early believers against passing judgment on other Christians in matters not central to the faith. He also reminded them of whose job it is to judge in these matters – the LORD. He also emphasized that the person on whom they passed judgment belonged to the LORD – that person was HIS servant. Paul then asked them (and us): What right does anyone have to pass judgment on a person for whom Christ died and who is also a servant who belongs to the LORD? (Romans 14:15; 1 Corinthians 8:11) Unfortunately, the evil one makes it easy for us to find fault and pass judgment on others about something nonessential while never dealing with the obvious sin in our own lives. We must not judge other believers in matters that are not central to the faith. We will answer to God for our sin and our judgmentalism. Jesus warned that the harshness we use to judge others will be the harshness the LORD will use with us on judgment day (Matthew 7:2). That’s sobering, and a reminder to not judge each other. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Father, please forgive me. I confess that I have wrongly passed judgment on others when I had no right or authority to do so. I know Jesus died to redeem them and want to use them for your glory. I know you love them and have a plan for each of them. I know that I have things wrong in my own life. Please redeem my heart and use me to be an encouragement, never a stumbling block, to your precious, blood-bought children. 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.
14 Nov 2025
Life can be complex at times and we may not know what to do. It helps to know that we serve a powerful God, one who is mighty and gracious. As we seek to know His will, may we trust that He is able to take care of us. Psalm 3:1-8.
Today’s Verse – Romans 14:13
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way. —Romans 14:13 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… It is so easy to be judgmental of others. We must remember that we don’t know their struggles, circumstances, or discouragements. Most of all, we don’t know their hearts. When we are judgmental, we erect a barrier between others and ourselves as we set ourselves up as superior to a brother or sister for whom Christ Jesus died! If we are not careful, we can spread our judgmental impression of them to others in gossip. Our stubbornness to only view them with a judgmental spirit erects a stumbling block that can lead them to become discouraged and cause them to stumble. Jesus warns us sternly about such a damaging practice (Matthew 18:6-7). Let’s set our minds on being an encouragement and blessing to our brothers and sisters and not put an obstacle in the way of others. My Prayer… Father, I ask you to conform my attitude toward others to match the redemptive grace you have for them. I want to be more patient with the failures of others, just as you are patient with mine. Please forgive me for not being more encouraging to those who are weak and struggling. Open my eyes to the ways I can be a blessing. Forgive me for being a hindrance to others. Open my heart to share your blessings with them. Please use me as your instrument of grace and encouragement, never as a selfish stumbling block to one of your precious children. In Jesus’ name, I ask to grow in these graces. 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.
13 Nov 2025
Praying is talking with God. We should praise and adore Him, confess our iniquity, and ask for forgiveness, seek His help, and listen to His direction. We should desire His presence and allow Him to minister to us. Interact with Him and trust that He hears and knows what is best for us. May He order our steps and allow us to see His glory. Psalm 91:1-16.
12 Nov 2025
The next step is to pray in line with the word of God. Let us understand that we serve a God whom we can approach and who is willing and able to help us. Let us believe that He has promised to be there for us. Hebrews 4:16.
11 Nov 2025
I am trying my best to place my burdens at the feet of the Lord. Realising that only He can change some things is an important first step in entrusting those things to Him. Let us trust that He can solve those problems. Carrying them will not help. He is able to help us. May He reveal this to us, and may we stress ourselves less about these difficult circumstances. Psalm 9:9-10.
Today’s Verse – Romans 14:1
Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. —Romans 14:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Our life in Christ is such a blessing! We want to welcome new disciples into our fellowship to share the blessings that Jesus has given us. We don’t bring them in to scrutinize their past failures or the current struggles, but to bring them into the love of God’s acceptance as part of his eternal family. They will make mistakes and stumble, just as we did when we were new believers. Yet God welcomed us patiently, graciously, and compassionately. Let’s do the same with new believers as they learn to live for Jesus. As Paul commanded the Romans: Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God (Romans 15:7). My Prayer… Father, please make me more understanding and patient with my brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those who are new to the faith. Give me insight and empathy so I can encourage them, build them up, and help them feel accepted into your family as your beloved children. 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.