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.
26 Jun 2024
May the Lord have mercy on us, may He forgive us and consider us worthy of His presence. Our hearts ache and we cry for ourselves and our country. Psalm 51:1-12.
Daily Prayer for June 26
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3, NIV O Lord our God, grant that we may have fellowship with you every day. May our hearts be ready to fulfill your commandments and to do what you want in all things. Hear our prayer. Hear and answer when we pray for the nations, for the whole world, and let your holy will be done. Remember all who are in distress, and lead them on the right way. May we go with joyful hearts wherever you lead us. Your name will be our help, your glory will come, and the world will be full of your love, your power, and your splendor. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Charles Dickens Writes to His Son Charles Dickens Dust off some 150-year-old advice for teens leaving home from the author of Great Expectations. Read now Taming Tech in Community Andrew Zimmerman How the Bruderhof community tries to be intentional about personal technology. Read now The Kids Aren’t Alright Abraham M. Nussbaum A psychiatrist reviews Bad Therapy by Abigail Shrier and The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. Read now It’s Getting Harder to Die Lydia S. Dugdale When medical tech can keep us alive, families face tough choices. Read now The Body of Believers Ulrich Stadler An early Anabaptist reflects on Paul’s metaphor of the church as the body of Christ. Read now
25 Jun 2024
May God’s work in our lives be accompanied by His power and grace for our sake and the conviction of those we encounter. May He do mighty exploits in our lives and through us, over and over again, for the glory of His name. May we, our offspring and those He wants to minister through, recognise His work. Acts 4:33.
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.
24 Jun 2024
As we live for God, may He keep working in our lives and may our hope in Him not be in vain. I pray that we will always have a witness of His mercy and grace and that others will be encouraged by what He is doing in our lives. 1 Peter 3:15-16.
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.
21 Jun 2024
I decided long ago not to waver between two opinions, so I decided to follow God. That decision informs every other one that I have to make. It set me in motion in one direction and guides my way on the journey of life. What about you? 1 Kings 18:16-21.