Today’s Verse – Galatians 5:24
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. —Galatians 5:24 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… When we became Christians, we died to the old person of sin and were raised up a new person. In baptism, we shared with Jesus in his death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-14) so that we can share in his victory over sin, death, Satan, and hell. Our lives are now securely joined to Jesus and his future glory (Colossians 2:12-15, 3:1-4). While we have battles with temptation and face trials in this world, we also now have the power of the resurrection and the Holy Spirit at work within us to help us overcome them (John 16:33) — to keep the old, dead, and sinful person buried as the new person awaits the arrival of our LORD and King, Jesus! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Righteous Father, help me keep the dead and cast-away sin of my past far away from my heart and out of my life. May my life be a holy sacrifice that is pleasing to you. I ask for the Holy Spirit to fill me with confident hope, knowing that in Jesus, I can overcome the trials and temptations of this world. In the name of my Savior, 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.
24 May 2024
But are there times when we get discouraged? Sure! Are there times when we feel anxious or even afraid? Yes, there are. During those times, may we not forget that we serve a gracious God, one who is able to identify with our frailty. In His presence is the best place to be. Isaiah 41:10.
Daily Prayer for May 24
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. Luke 4:18-19, RSV We thank you, dear Father in heaven, for the many times you let us experience that we do not need to despair because of darkness, weakness, or sickness. You hear the desires of our hearts. You love us for all that we love when we love the Savior and when we praise his name. Let us remain in this spirit. Come to us with many proofs of your power, to the glory of your name. Come in the inner quiet of heart through which we are able to grasp what it means for us that you are our Father in Jesus Christ. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Pray Like a Cicada Matthew J. Milliner This summer trillions of cicadas are serenading parts of the American Midwest. What can we learn from them? Read now Conservation Is for Conservatives John Murdock Francis Schaeffer wouldn’t recognize the religious right he helped create, not least when it comes to environmentalism. Read now Everyone Belongs to God Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove The hope of the world does not rest on our ability to recruit others into a religion. Read now PloughCast 82: Regenerative Agriculture in the Lake District James Rebanks, Helen Rebanks, Peter Mommsen and Susannah Black Roberts Bestselling authors James and Helen Rebanks talk about raising sheep and cattle – and a family – in the Lake District. Read now The Penderwick Family Honor Jeff Reimer Jeanne Birdsall’s Penderwick novels probe the tension between happiness and loss. Read now
Today’s Verse – 1 Thessalonians 5:23
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. —1 Thessalonians 5:23 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We have chosen our verses for this year to reflect the date. Today is May 23, so we found a passage that was from chapter 5 and verse 23, or 5:23. This way of choosing our “Verse of the Day” challenges us and blesses us to find verses we might otherwise overlook. “Today’s Verse” is a blessing from the apostle Paul that we do not want to overlook! We know that true righteousness and holiness are perfectly possessed by only God. Amazingly, God uses his Spirit to make those qualities a growing reality in our lives when we yield to his leadership. Yesterday, we committed to let the Spirit work on maturing us in our weakest areas. Let’s take an extra five or ten minutes sometime today, open God’s Word, and read several passages of Scripture that apply to the character qualities we want to acquire — 2 Peter 1:2-11 is an excellent passage to help us. Let’s ask God’s Spirit to grow us in these areas to be more like Christ! My Prayer… Dear Father, may Jesus come soon with grace and glory! May I be found blameless on that day, beloved Father, not by my power and effort but because of your transforming power at work within me. In Jesus’ name, I ask this. 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.
23 May 2024
It is encouraging to be on the Lord’s side, to have Him fight for you. May we see Him come through for us time and time again. May we be witnesses of His work in our lives and in the lives of others. 1 Chronicles 14:8-17.
Daily Prayer for May 23
They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. John 17:16-17, NIV Dear God and Father of us all, sanctify us in your truth. Your Word is truth. We come before your presence and ask you to touch us with your Spirit, to shape our lives in the truth and in the joy of your name. Touch us with your Spirit, that we may carry out our tasks in your service. May your face shine on us and on all needy people who turn to you. May your power be given ever more fully, and may your cause become great in the world until at last it brings new life to all nations. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Conservation Is for Conservatives John Murdock Francis Schaeffer wouldn’t recognize the religious right he helped create, not least when it comes to environmentalism. Read now Everyone Belongs to God Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove The hope of the world does not rest on our ability to recruit others into a religion. Read now PloughCast 82: Regenerative Agriculture in the Lake District James Rebanks, Helen Rebanks, Peter Mommsen and Susannah Black Roberts Bestselling authors James and Helen Rebanks talk about raising sheep and cattle – and a family – in the Lake District. Read now The Penderwick Family Honor Jeff Reimer Jeanne Birdsall’s Penderwick novels probe the tension between happiness and loss. Read now Nature Is Obsessed with Me Annemarie Konzelman Spiders, wasps, and mold – they’re my neighbors, but can I love them? Read now
Today’s Verse – Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. —Galatians 5:22-23 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Where the Holy Spirit’s influence thrives, our human character is transformed, and we display spiritual fruit. This maturity isn’t developed overnight. It is, however, noticeable over the long haul of life when a person pursues Jesus and reflects the LORD’s righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful lovingkindness. So, what fruit does the Spirit bring alive in your life? In what ways have you matured to become more like Christ? In what areas do you want the Spirit to exercise greater control? Why not take a moment and consciously yield those areas in which you struggle to the LORD as we pray? My Prayer… Almighty and ever-present Father, we thank you for empowering positive changes in our lives as we seek to be more like Jesus. Please bring the fruit of the Holy Spirit to full maturity in our lives. You know where we continue to struggle with sin. We intentionally turn over those parts of our lives to your Spirit to redeem and fully sanctify us so the Spirit will continue to transform us to be more like our Savior. In his 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.
22 May 2024
Is it time to refocus? Have we sidelined God over time and become dull of hearing? Have we lost close communion with Him? It happens when we get too busy and we don’t spend time in prayer and meditation. Let us not neglect the coming together of brethren. Amidst His people, the Lord gives godly counsel. May we not depart from His presence. 1 Chronicles 13:1-6.
Daily Prayer for May 22
I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you. Psalm 22:22, NIV Lord our God, Almighty Father in heaven, we stand before you as your children, whom you want to protect through the need of our time, through all sin and death. We praise you for giving us so much peace in an age full of trouble, and for granting us the assurance of your help. Even when we suffer, we do not want to remain in the darkness of suffering but want to rise up to praise and glorify you. For your kingdom is coming; it is already at hand. Your kingdom comforts and helps us and points the way for the whole world, that your will may be done on earth as in heaven. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Everyone Belongs to God Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove The hope of the world does not rest on our ability to recruit others into a religion. Read now PloughCast 82: Regenerative Agriculture in the Lake District James Rebanks, Helen Rebanks, Peter Mommsen and Susannah Black Roberts Bestselling authors James and Helen Rebanks talk about raising sheep and cattle – and a family – in the Lake District. Read now The Penderwick Family Honor Jeff Reimer Jeanne Birdsall’s Penderwick novels probe the tension between happiness and loss. Read now Nature Is Obsessed with Me Annemarie Konzelman Spiders, wasps, and mold – they’re my neighbors, but can I love them? Read now The Mystery of the Early Church Eberhard Arnold An early Plough article looks at the implications of what happened at Pentecost. Read now
21 May 2024
Others may trust in their ability or tools in their possession concerning tough circumstances. But those who know Jehovah shall put their trust in Him. Let us put our trust in God concerning the difficulties in our spheres. As complicated as they may seem, we serve a mighty God. May those who witness the resolution of these difficulties profess that only God could have done it. May we not lose hope. Psalm 61:1-8