Today’s Verse – Romans 6:3
Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? —Romans 6:3 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… More than an outward symbol, baptism is coming to the core of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and sharing in it by grace (Romans 6:1-15) based on our faith (Galatians 3:26-29). What an incredible blessing to be able to do what Jesus did at the beginning of his ministry to please God (Luke 3:21-22), and also know that through our faith in God’s power to raise Jesus from the dead, God joins our lives with Christ until we can share in his glory (Colossians 2:12; 3:1-4). My Prayer… Loving Father, thank you for your grace. Thank you for raising Jesus from death. Thank you for letting me share in his death, burial, and resurrection through faith. Thank you for reassuring me that I will share in his glory. Thank you for letting me be your beloved child who brings you delight and pleasure! Thank you, in Jesus’ name. 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 Jun 2024
David must have been quite a character. He had great faith and believed God could do anything. He also rejoiced in the Lord when the Lord came through for Him. He was very expressive and shared his inmost thoughts. God also loved him greatly and used his life to teach us many things. Psalm 34:1-5.
Today’s Verse – Galatians 6:2
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. —Galatians 6:2 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “I didn’t know Jesus had a law!” He doesn’t have a written one like we find in the Old Testament (2 Corinthians 3:2-10). Jesus is Spirit-imprinted on our hearts and transforms our character. We love our neighbor as we love ourselves. We love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. This kind of “law” gives us liberty from a law written on tablets of stone (James 2:12-17) and emphasizes the undergirding principle that guided Jesus’ life, sacrifice, and service for others (Philippians 2:5-11). We are going to love others. Far more than a written law, this is a passion for Christ and a commitment to be like Christ. My Prayer… Almighty and compassionate Father, may Jesus’ passion for helping others be my passion so that others may see your love and grace through my life and glorify you! In the name of 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.
Daily Prayer for June 1
For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. John 6:33, NIV Dear Father in heaven, in your Word we trust, in your Word of eternal life, given us in Jesus Christ our Savior. We build on this Word of life in these days when it seems that everything is losing strength and value, and yet there is so much longing in people’s hearts. You will not let our hope be disappointed. What you have spoken must be fulfilled. What is promised in Jesus Christ must come into being, not only for a few but for the whole world, for which he died and was raised from the dead. Be with us. Keep us so fully alive that our lives reflect all the goodness we are allowed to experience and we overcome all the evil which tries to attack us. We thank you for calling us to life and for renewing us again and again. May your name be praised among us forever. Amen. Recent articles on Plough How God Sees Us Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt We must learn to see the divine worth in everyone regardless of how they treat us. Read now Covering the Cover: The Good of Tech Rosalind Stevenson This issue’s cover shows humans who are interacting with technology, rather than being enslaved by it. Read now Humans Are Magnificent Johannes Hartl A philosopher defends humanity against its detractors. Read now Blessed Are the Meek John Chrysostom, Elisabeth Elliot, Richard Rohr, and Teresa of Ávila The world cannot fathom strength proceeding from weakness or power from meekness. Read now In Pursuit of Pure Northernness Daniel Whyte IV Iceland’s vastness, perilousness, and barrenness haunt me. I wasn’t searching for God on that poetic island, but I found him. Read now
Today’s Verse – Luke 5:31-32
[When accused of being a friend of sinners,] Jesus answered [his critics], “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” —Luke 5:31-32 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus’ religious adversaries frequently criticized him for deliberately associating with people who were suspect in their eyes. Jesus, however, had a reason for this behavior. He wasn’t associating with sinners to be popular, weird, bizarre, or hip. The LORD associated with all kinds of people because he loved all types of people! He came to redeem the enslaved, find the lost, mend the broken, and reclaim the sinner. So, Jesus associated with all sorts of people! As Jesus’ bodily presence today in the church, can we strive for anything less than following Jesus’ example of seeking to save all people? Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Forgive me, Father, when I choose security in my acquaintances and avoid potentially messy entanglements in my relationships. Change my heart to be different in those ways and be open toward those around me. Please open my eyes to see the lost, the lonely, the forgotten, and the needy. Use me to lead them to your grace and to help them find their family with your people as they turn their lives around to honor 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.
31 May 2024
Jehovah is omnipotent. There is nothing that is too difficult for Him. He blesses us according to His mercy. Out of His love for us, He rescues us and secures us. We do not deserve the goodness we enjoy, but because of His love for us, He allows us to. May we continue to have favour with Him. And whenever we need help, may He come through for us. Psalm 37:25-40.
30 May 2024
Our character also interferes with what God wants to do in our lives. Being the blessed and smart people we are, we often do our own thing and veer off the path the Lord has made for us. This causes trouble for us and others as well. May the Lord have mercy on us and not leave us to our own devices. Psalm 37:12-24.
29 May 2024
What is it that limits our trust in God? Is it anger, or fear, or hurt, or unforgiveness, or envy, or unbelief, or wickedness? Is it sight, what we see, that makes us limit our vision, and consequently the Lord’s move in our lives? Whatever it is, may the Lord have mercy on us and set us free. May our trust in Him be without borders. Psalm 37:1-11
Today’s Verse – Acts 5:30
[Peter continued the apostles’ defense for proclaiming Jesus as Messiah and Lord:] “The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead — whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.” —Acts 5:30 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Peter is making clear that his faith in Jesus didn’t just begin with Jesus. It began with God’s promise to the Patriarchs, the great Jewish fathers. The God who blessed them also raised Jesus from the dead! These Jewish opponents threatening the early believers had made sure that Jesus had been executed in the most heinous and degrading way possible for a faithful Jew — he was nailed to a cross, hung on a pole in front of a jeering mob, something that was both illegal and a sign of being cursed under Jewish Law (Deuteronomy 21:23; Galatians 3:13). But God raised Jesus from the dead and exalted him and made him our Savior and our LORD (Acts 5:31). Praise God! No wonder Peter was bold in his defense. My Prayer… Thank you, Father, for showing your power over evil, sin, hate, jealousy, scandals, curses, and death. In the name of Jesus, my LORD and Savior, I offer my praise and thanksgiving as I commit to boldly proclaiming Jesus as my resurrected Lord and Savior. 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 5:29
Peter and the other apostles replied [to their religious critics among the Sadducees, priests, and Sanhedrin]: “We must obey God rather than men!” —Acts 5:29 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Against a stern warning from the ruling council in Jerusalem, called the Sanhedrin, Peter and the other apostles proclaimed Jesus as LORD. This Sanhedrin is basically the same group that presented Jesus to the Romans to have the Savior crucified! However, Peter and the other apostles knew that Jesus had triumphed over the attempts of his enemies to extinguish him and his ministry. They chose to blatantly disobey the orders of the very same people who had Jesus crucified. By any standard, that is faithful courage. Their reason for this boldness? They had been sent by God, through Jesus, to proclaim the truth throughout the world, beginning in Jerusalem (Acts 1:8). Their actions challenge us to ask ourselves a question: How are we doing in standing up for Jesus in a culture dogmatically set against his will? My Prayer… LORD God Almighty; please empower me through the work of your Spirit to be courageous in proclaiming the glorious truth about Jesus. I do not want to back down from my convictions or renounce my faith in Jesus, in whose 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.