Today’s Verse – Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. —Philippians 4:6 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Anxiety is worrying about things that we cannot control and worrying over things that we cannot remove from our thoughts. Anxiety dominates and controls a passive mind and a troubled heart, filling both with doubt, fear, and dread. The truth is clear. Anxiety cannot be removed; it must be replaced. We replace our anxieties by giving our concerns and worries to the LORD, trusting him to care for us. Then, as we thank him for what he has done and what he is doing in our lives, we replace those concerns and worries with a genuine sense of his presence through our thanksgiving. As a result, our confidence in his future for us can return to us, leading to even more reduction of anxiety and a greater anticipation of joy. My Prayer… Father, I know you love me. You have done so much to bless and save me. I deliberately place the worries and concerns of my heart in your hands… (Let’s each take a moment and specifically mention what burdens our hearts today and give them to the Father.) Father, I also want to thank you for the many ways you have blessed me over my life… (Let’s specifically mention blessings we have received from God). Now, dear Father, please fill my heart with your Spirit and my mind with the sense of your presence and peace. 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 – Philippians 4:5
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. —Philippians 4:5 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Extravagant over-reaction! That’s what we’re programmed to seek and to display in our modern world of sound bytes, social media “likes,” and the over-hyped cult of personality. But gentleness, the moderating grace amid chaos and conflict, is vital to bringing God’s peace to conflict-laden churches, families, relationships, and our troubled world. How can we be gentle? How can we restrain from over-reacting to the wounds, offenses, and slights that come our way? The LORD is near! He is our vindication. He is our example. He is our comfort. He is our hope. He is our strength. He is near. We are not alone and our destiny, reputation, and value are not up to us others to decide. He claims us! We are his, and, he is near. My Prayer… O LORD, my Father God, please be ever near me as I seek to be your person of character and gentleness in the middle of the chaos and conflict around me. I ask that your presence be made known and that my character reflect that presence in all that I do and say, especially with gentleness. In Jesus’ name and for his sake, 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 – Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! —Philippians 4:4 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Sometimes, the squabbles among church folk can discourage us and lead us to lose sight of our incredible blessings in God’s family. We have many reasons to rejoice in the LORD. Let’s not lose sight of those reasons, especially when those around us get caught up in pettiness, division, and rivalry. Let’s not let discouragement, grief, or danger wear us down and make us lose our joy. Our joy is in Jesus, an eternal, glorious, and victorious joy . Let’s remember our hope is in our resurrected Jesus, our LORD and ever-present Savior. Paul wants us to know that it is time to reclaim our joy! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Father, thank you for the joy I have in knowing Jesus. I rejoice in the salvation you have brought me through his death and resurrection. With joy, I anticipate the day of glorious celebration when he returns to share your glory with me and all those who long for his coming. Even in my darkest moments of despair, I thank you for the flame of hope and the assurance of victory that sustains my deep and abiding joy of being your child. In the name of my Savior, the LORD Jesus, I rejoice as 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 Apr 2025
Faith in God and belief in the gospel of Salvation should help us be a reflection of Christ. When we look in the mirror, what do we see? May we keep growing in His image and likeness. Genesis 5:1-2.
Daily Prayer for April 4
Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him…I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.” John 1:32, 34, NIV Our Father in heaven, as your children may we truly receive something from you to bring our lives into a living bond with you. Grant that we may overcome everything harmful and evil. May it be given to us to help that your kingdom may come closer and closer, that your will may be done, and Jesus Christ, your Son, may be recognized as the light of the world for the salvation of all people and their deliverance from all evil. Protect us and grant that your Spirit may remain with us. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Kim Min-Ki’s Songs for Everyone Chungyon Won A legendary Korean songwriter gave his people a common language of resistance and hope. Read now What I Learned Tagging Along to My Parents’ Work Stephen G. Adubato As a child, observing my parents on the job demystified their work and, I see now, shaped me in several beneficial ways. Read now The Coming of the King Laura E. Richards In this short Easter story, some children prepare for the arrival of a king and receive someone quite different. Read now Rediscovering Pope John Paul II Nathan Beacom Twenty years after his death, it’s a good time to take a fresh look at the legacy of a remarkable man. Read now The Thin Brown Line Steve Guthrie Can the police ensure public safety? G. K. Chesterton’s Father Brown suggests the responsibility might lie elsewhere. Read now
03 Apr 2025
A transformed life is an effective witness to the power of God’s word. Are you shining brightly, or are you clouded by complaining and arguing? Don’t let these habits or lack of unity in the body of Christ snuff out your light. Philippians 2:14-16.
Today’s Verse – 1 Corinthians 1:30
It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God — that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. —1 Corinthians 1:30 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God’s grace has brought us into a saving relationship with Jesus as our LORD and Savior. As believers, we recognize that Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross was much more than a terrible miscarriage of justice and the murder of a good and decent man. Jesus is God’s Son. He is Immanuel, God with us. He is God’s lovingly wise way to show us of his love. Jesus is our righteousness. He took our sins upon himself and made us righteous through his death, the shedding of his blood. Jesus is our ongoing holiness. His blood cleanses us at the beginning of our salvation and continues to do so as we live for him. Jesus is our hope. His death means our atonement for our sins and our reconciliation with God. Jesus is our ransom. He paid to redeem us from sin, death, and hell. Jesus is our everything! My Prayer… Almighty and Abba God, thank you for your holiness. Thank you for your righteousness. Thank you for your gracious forgiveness. Mold in me a heart like your Son’s heart. Make from me a more usable vessel for your Kingdom work. Make me more JESUShaped. It’s 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.
02 Apr 2025
It is God who can help us to live for Him. Our role is to surrender to His will and to allow Him to lead us. We need to train ourselves to think like He does. The Holy Spirit can help us do that. Philippians 2:13
Today’s Verse – 1 Corinthians 1:27
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. —1 Corinthians 1:27 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The Cross is such an offensive symbol when viewed in its most basic and raw form (1 Corinthians 1:18-24). For God to allow himself to become human flesh and live among us is unbelievable enough. For God to be willingly subjected to the vagaries and rigors of mortality and human needs in Christ is unthinkable. For God in Christ to endure the indignities and inhumanities of the Cross is preposterous. That, however, is the gospel truth! What appears to be foolish, weak, and offensive has the power to remake us and inspire us to unparalleled faith in Christ. When we come to the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus, we come to the impossible, which was made possible and accomplished by God’s grace for us, and in us, in Jesus and his death on the Cross. Only God would bring us salvation in such a way. My Prayer… Holy and gracious Father, I know that the Cross may seem silly and foolish to some people. I know some people who wear the Cross as a symbol don’t honor Christ for what he did upon the Cross. But Father, I confess that for me, Jesus’ willingness to go to the Cross is powerfully convicting and amazingly reassuring. You have captured my heart with your sacrificial love in sending Jesus to redeem me. Thank you for your gift of grace and Jesus’ willingness to endure and suffer for me. In his name, I thank, pray, and 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.
01 Apr 2025
A way of loving God is described in Philippians 2:12. Working out our salvation in fear and trembling is living like good Christians. It means doing the things expected of us which include believing in God, doing right, being united as the body of Christ, respecting others, being faithful, being fruitful, growing spiritually, etc.