Today’s Verse – Romans 7:6
But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. —Romans 7:6 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We are free from law and law-keeping as a basis for our righteousness! Does that mean anarchy and lawlessness? Absolutely not! The grace that freed us from the law also brought God’s Holy Spirit to live within us. The Spirit can empower us to do what we could never do on our own (Ephesians 3:14-21). The Spirit helps us in our weakness to pray with confidence and boldness (Romans 8:26-27). With the Spirit’s help, we are brought into a circle of accountable friends joined together by the grace of God and the Spirit of Christ. We can encourage each other to let the Holy Spirit have his way in us as we develop the fruit of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) — and are transformed to be more and more like Jesus as we pursue and reflect him in our lives (2 Corinthians 3:17-18). Thank God for this “new way” to live holy and loving lives in a world that needs holiness and love! My Prayer… Father, thank you for redeeming and delivering me from the requirements of the law and placing your Spirit in my heart to help me be more than I could ever be trying to obey the law. 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.
Daily Prayer for July 6
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. Romans 8:14–15a, NIV Dear Father in heaven, open our hearts to the wonder of being able to call you Father, the wonder of being united with you. You are the source of all life and strength. In you is redemption, and we need to be redeemed before we can live rightly. Take from us the pressures forced on us by the flood of events. Make us completely free as people led by your hand, people who may be joyful because everything will be overcome through the power you grant us in Jesus Christ. Protect us from fear and from all evil. Show more and more clearly your good and wonderful goal for all people on earth, so that in expectation they may find happiness even in all the stress of today. Amen. Recent articles on Plough How to Not Live a Boring Life Henri J. M. Nouwen Without the story that guides all other stories, the many events of each day remain a series of random incidents and accidents. Read now Poem: “A Lindisfarne Cross” Michael Manning It begins with what is broken, cast off, abandoned… Read now Disciplines for Freedom Bill Gardner A doctor learning how to die of cancer finds guides in Simone Weil, Iris Murdoch, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Pedro Arrupe. Read now The Lion Tamer’s Son Eloise Jarvis McGraw Joe Lang finds himself an orphan in the opening chapter of the classic children’s novel Sawdust in His Shoes. Read now Simple Steps to Combat Smartphone Addiction Tara Isabella Burton Finding technology and habits that make life better, not worse. Read now
Today’s Verse – Jeremiah 7:5-7
If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your ancestors for ever and ever. —Jeremiah 7:5-7 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… What is the most accurate measure of our character? It is not merely how we act “at church” or among other like-minded people. The real test of our character, our true godliness, is found in our partnership with our Father in heaven and his work to redeem the lost, forgotten, downtrodden, and broken — or quite literally in this verse, the “foreigner”* and “fatherless” and “widows” among us. When we live only for ourselves and leave the “have-nots” far behind in our practice of love, justice, and mercy, our culture collapses upon itself because it lacks the heart of God for the outcast and alone; in addition, culture breaks down because the people who are the “have-nots” can become jealous and resentful of those who have and the “haves” can feel superior to those who do not have! The real test of our character is how we love people around us who are in need. * The NIV 11, rather than our usual NIV 1984, is used for this passage because of the translation of the literal term “resident alien” as “foreigner” by the NIV 11 is deemed closer to our modern usage of these terms. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Loving God, the Almighty and Sovereign LORD, please forgive us and use your children who live by your righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful love and justice to heal our land. Father, I especially pray that you will use me to be a blessing to someone in need with no one to turn to in their times of crisis. 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.
05 Jul 2024
The understanding of whom we believe in and who we are in Him is key. May this revelation keep unfolding in our lives and may the name of God continuously be glorified starting on this side of eternity. John 3:31-36.
Today’s Verse – 1 Corinthians 7:4-5
The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. —1 Corinthians 7:4-5 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Paul told us that our bodies were not our own, but that Christ bought us at a price and that we should glorify God with our bodies. Once again, in chapter 7, Paul reminds us that when we marry, our body is not our own. It belongs to our spouse. We are to use our bodies to bless, please, and bring fulfillment to our marriage partner. It is not our job to make sure they bless us, but our job is to make sure we bless our husband or wife. Such mutual self-giving and sacrificial love are crucial to healthy marriages. Without such loving sacrifice, we cannot please God or bless our spouse. My Prayer… Holy and loving God, please forgive me when I have cheapened myself by not treating my body as a gift to you. Whether I am married or single, I want to use my body in ways that are holy and pleasing to you and in ways that will bless my marriage partner if I am married. 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.
04 Jul 2024
May the weight of the name we carry as Christians become clearer to us and may this guide our actions, thoughts and attitudes more than ever before. Lord, please help us to honour you more by being very careful about how we carry ourselves. Holy Spirit, help us. Psalm 124:1-8.
Daily Prayer for July 4
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:31–32, NIV Lord our God, our Father in heaven and on earth, we ask you to bless us, your children, for we want to be your children and nothing else. We want to have our joy and delight in knowing that we belong to you, the almighty God, who began and who will complete redemption on earth through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Bless your Word in us. Give us courage in suffering and distress, for we are allowed to serve you in all circumstances, even when we find it bitterly hard. Your name shall be honored in us, your kingdom shall come. As surely as the earth endures, everything shall happen in accordance with your will, on earth as in heaven. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Disciplines for Freedom Bill Gardner A doctor learning how to die of cancer finds guides in Simone Weil, Iris Murdoch, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Pedro Arrupe. Read now The Lion Tamer’s Son Eloise Jarvis McGraw Joe Lang finds himself an orphan in the opening chapter of the classic children’s novel Sawdust in His Shoes. Read now Simple Steps to Combat Smartphone Addiction Tara Isabella Burton Finding technology and habits that make life better, not worse. Read now Taking a Tech Sabbath Elizabeth Oldfield Weekend digital detoxes, even half-arsed ones like mine, are a modern iteration of one of the oldest ideas in civilization – and an act of resistance. Read now Is Your Life Worth More than a Pig’s? Joshua L. Sohn Supporting animal welfare is one of the best ways to demonstrate human exceptionalism. Read now
Today’s Verse – Jeremiah 7:3
This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. —Jeremiah 7:3 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We often take for granted what we have, where we live, the friends who bless our lives, and the family that gives us a place to belong and grow. All of these are gifts to us from God. We don’t deserve them. They are not ours by divine right or ethnic status. We don’t earn these blessings, but we can surely destroy them. God wants us to live obediently, not just to please him but also to protect ourselves and those we love. So, let’s reform our actions and live for Jesus and not for ourselves. My Prayer… Almighty and Holy Father, please forgive me of my sins. I acknowledge them to you, and I am sorry for committing them. Please bless and empower me as I seek to turn my life toward you, live passionately for you, and bring you 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.
03 Jul 2024
An understanding of whom we believe in makes a big difference. This understanding gives access to knowledge, favour, power, etc. It is therefore critical for any believer to have it, otherwise all advantage is lost. Isaiah 53:1-12.
Today’s Verse – Matthew 7:2
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. —Matthew 7:2 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus is concerned! He does not want us to have a critical spirit toward others — especially other brothers and sisters in Christ. He does not want us to judge their motives. After all, we can’t know another person’s heart; only God can. When we are unfairly critical, overly harsh, and unduly judgmental, we must remember that God will use that same standard on us that we have used on others. I don’t know about you, but I need grace. So do those I love and those with whom I fellowship in Jesus. Plus, I am trying to win those who don’t know Jesus by treating and speaking to them “with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). So, I will try very hard to be as gracious toward others as God has been gracious with me. This doesn’t mean I compromise on personal holiness; it just means I’m motivated by love. My Prayer… Forgive me, Abba Father, for the times that I’ve been far more critical of others than I should be. Arouse my passion to be gracious toward others so they can see your grace, mercy, and kindness shining through me. 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.