Today’s Verse – Galatians 6:14
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. —Galatians 6:14 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Do you have a basis for pride? What is your source of that pride? Paul reminds us that our one, true, and dependable source of boasting is boasting in what the LORD has done for us on the cross and through his resurrection. This one source of boasting has absolutely nothing to do with anything that we have done, attained, or accomplished on our own. All other reasons to boast are fleeting glimpses at hollow fame compared to the joy and assurance of sharing in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. May our boast be in the LORD and his sacrificial triumph through the cross! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Forgive me, O Abba Father, for the times I have thought myself important because of some transitory accomplishment. Thank you for giving me a bedrock source of boasting in Jesus’ love and Jesus’ grace demonstrated in the Cross. In Jesus’ name, I thank 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.
14 Jun 2024
The challenges we face sometimes are not small. They cause us sleepless nights and a lot of worry. We may not know what to do to sort them out. Some of these battles are not ours to fight. And even if we try they will overwhelm us, because we are not supposed to deal with them. May we learn to surrender them to God. 2 Chronicles 20:15-26.
Today’s Verse – Ephesians 6:13
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. —Ephesians 6:13 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Since we are in a spiritual war, we must put on our spiritual armor. More than saying our daily prayers and perfunctorily reading our daily Scriptures, we must learn to recognize the spiritual armor God has given us that Paul details in the following verses (Ephesians 6:13-20). This spiritual armor is for our spiritual protection to help us prepare for spiritual warfare. We should approach each day, each task, each Scripture, and each challenge with a sense of urgency because we know we are at war. The day of evil will come. The evil one will get some of his attacks against us to penetrate our hearts. So, let’s be ready to take our stand using the tools God has supplied and the power he provides. My Prayer… Dear Father in Heaven, please empower me with your Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:14-21). I want to boldly serve you because of your heavenly calling on me. Please inspire me to be spiritually courageous because of Jesus’s example and his repeated triumphs over the evil one. 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.
13 Jun 2024
May we be reassured of God’s mercy and compassion towards us each day. May we never doubt that He loves us and is merciful towards us. And may this hope be infectious and pour out from our lives and impact others for God’s glory. Lamentations 3:22-26.
Today’s Verse – Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. —Ephesians 6:12 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We are at war! We face daily battles, and those struggles are not just with sin and temptation. We have a real foe who desires our destruction. But, our enemy has already been defeated, and his angels stand rebuked. So, let’s keep our spiritual vigor, knowing that we’re not playing church, but we are fighting for the Kingdom. No wonder Jesus taught us to pray the following in the LORD’s model prayer: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13). Yes, we are at war with the evil one — against his lies, and his desire to destroy us. But we can be confidently courageous and joyous because our LORD has overcome the evil one and his malevolent grip on our world (John 16:33; Colossians 2:15). My Prayer… Almighty and Victorious King, I praise you for conquering sin, death, hell, and the evil one for us. You have made us righteous and sinless through your victorious sacrifice, ensuring our victory with you. Thank you, LORD Jesus! 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.
12 Jun 2024
A contrite heart attracts God’s mercy. Genuine remorse pleases Him. May we never forget that. May our busy schedules not cloud our memories to the point where we forget that. And may the Lord of love be moved by His love for us and help us. Micah 7:18.
11 Jun 2024
Part of taking refuge in God is knowing who you are in Him. One way of doing that is knowing what His word says. Do you meditate on scripture? What does it say about you? Who are you to God? Who is God to you? Then pray using scripture. Isaiah 57:15-19.
Today’s Verse – Galatians 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. —Galatians 6:10 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We are to be people who do good deeds. That’s a very significant part of who we are as Jesus’ followers. Do you want to find a real disciple of Jesus? Find someone doing good to and for others! So, let’s look for the many opportunities that God places in our paths to bless others in the name of Jesus. Paul’s emphasis here is that we especially do good to those in “the family of believers” — other Christians. Rather than arguing and fussing over our preferences and politics, let’s demonstrate kindness and love to each other as we use all of our blessings and our opportunities to bless others and bring God glory! My Prayer… Almighty LORD, please give us the eyes to see and the hearts to be touched by those around us who need to see your goodness and grace demonstrated through our compassion, concern, and good deeds. In Jesus’ name, we pray that you help us be generous with good deeds. 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 Jun 2024
May we learn to take refuge in God and not in man or in our own gifts and strength. The Lord will respond favourably to such. We ought to walk closely with Him, and in good times, He will keep us humble. In difficult times, He will sustain us. Isaiah 57:13.
Daily Prayer for June 10
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us – so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. Psalm 67:1–2, NIV Lord, Almighty God, you are our Father and we are your children, who want to live for you through Jesus Christ our Lord. Strengthen and renew our hearts. When discouragement and fear try to mislead us, may your Holy Spirit help us again and again to hold fast, for no matter what difficulties arise, your will is being done and your will is good. Your name will be honored. Your kingdom will come for all nations. Your reign will come over all peoples, for they are all yours and must acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the Lord, to your honor, O Father. Amen. Recent articles on Plough A Medievalist Looks for the Image of Christ Marianne Wright In Jesus through Medieval Eyes, Grace Hamman finds the Lord portrayed as a knight, a mother, a judge, and a lover. Read now Who Needs a Car? Addison Del Mastro When luxuries become necessities, it’s too late to turn back. Read now Masters of Our Tools E. F. Schumacher, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Jean-Pierre Dupuy and Hannah Arendt Four writers reflect on the purpose and power of technology. Read now A Church in Ukraine Spreads Hope in Wartime Sasha Riabyi and Danny Burrows A Christian community cares for its children and neighbors. Read now Tech Cities of the Bible Alastair Roberts Our struggle with technology starts in Genesis. Read now