Today’s Verse – Psalm 103:12
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. —Psalm 103:12 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Let’s praise and thank God our Father. He doesn’t just forgive our sins; he removes them from us completely. Hallelujah! My Prayer… Loving and merciful Father and holy God, thank you for giving me the great gift of your unfathomable forgiveness. Now, dear LORD, please help me to pass it along to others as I seek to be a conduit of your grace. 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.
The Apostles’ Teaching
Note from Jesus Dear Believer, Have you ever asked yourself questions like the following: Why is the Bible important? Is it really necessary? Do I have to read it? Do I have to obey it and live by its teachings? If so, you are not alone in having these questions. So before we go further into the New Testament story in the coming days, I wanted to give you some insights into the importance of the Scriptures. We will spend today and the next two days with this focus. Then we will rejoin the church in its earliest days in the book of Acts and journey through the rest of the New Testament. Before we do this, I AM reminding you of some of the reasons the Scriptures are important to your discipleship. Today we join those who began following Me on the day of Pentecost. When 3,000 believed the apostles’ message, repented and were baptized, I added them to My family, My church (Acts 2:40-47). So what would their new life together look like? How would all these people come together and form a real movement united around their faith in Me? The passage you find in the verses below gives you a glimpse of that new lifestyle. Luke, who wrote both the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts, helps you see four important commitments for their life together: “learning what the apostles taught them”, “gathering for fellowship”, “breaking bread”, and “praying”. He then explains these four commitments in more detail. Each of these things is important as you come together with other believers as a community of disciples. However, today I want to focus on the first commitment: “learning what the apostles taught.” I had promised My apostles that the Spirit of truth would remind them of the things that I had spoken to them (John 15:26-27; John 16:13-15). I gave them authority to teach, preach and cast out demons (Mark 3:13-15; Mark 6:7; Matthew 28:18-20; Galatians 2:7-9). This commission made their teaching authoritative, and something My disciples in every era need to receive as My authoritative message. One of the reasons I will take you through the New Testament during the remainder of this year is that I want to expose you to My authoritative truth shared through My witnesses, the apostles and also other witnesses. I want you to be like those early disciples and commit yourself to “learning what the apostles taught.” You won’t be alone in this journey. The Holy Spirit will be at work in you as you read these words of truth to help you understand them, be convicted by them, and apply them (John 16:8; John 16:13-15). The Holy Spirit will help you understand the spiritual truths given through His inspiration (1 Corinthians 2:6-16). So commit yourself, as the early believers did, to learning the apostles’ teaching given in the Scriptures! Verses to Live Here is Luke’s glimpse of the early believers and their Christian lifestyle. All of these qualities are essential and should be a part of your spiritual community and its lifestyle. Today, however, I want you to focus on the importance of the apostles’ teaching. The community [of believers] continually committed themselves to learning what the apostles taught them, gathering for fellowship, breaking bread, and praying. Everyone felt a sense of awe because the apostles were doing many signs and wonders among them. There was an intense sense of togetherness among all who believed; they shared all their material possessions in trust. They sold any possessions and goods that did not benefit the community and used the money to help everyone in need. They were unified as they worshiped at the temple day after day. In homes, they broke bread and shared meals with glad and generous hearts. The new disciples praised God, and they enjoyed the goodwill of all the people of the city. Day after day the Lord added to their number everyone who was experiencing liberation. (Acts 2:42-47) Response in Prayer Father, I thank You for Your word. I thank You for Your word given through Scripture. I thank You for Your word heard in the proclamation of the good news about Jesus. I thank You for Jesus, the living Word, Who is Your greatest message of all. Today, dear Father, I commit myself to be dedicated to listening to Jesus’ voice in the Scriptures. I pray for the help of the Holy Spirit to convict me, correct me, direct me, and mold me to be transformed daily to be like Jesus, in Whose name I pray. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2025, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
12 Jun 2025
The part we should play is to acknowledge Christ’s work for us at the cross and have faith in it, then work out our salvation with reverence as we await His return. Believing in Him and being good ambassadors has implications for us. Philippians 2:12-16.
Daily Prayer for June 12
And when he comes, he will prove to the people of the world that they are wrong about sin and about what is right and about God’s judgment. They are wrong about sin, because they do not believe in me; they are wrong about what is right, because I am going to the Father and you will not see me any more; and they are wrong about judgment, because the ruler of this world has already been judged. John 16:8–11, TEV Lord our God, we thank you that throughout our lives you continually renew your Spirit in us. We thank you that your Spirit enables us to understand Jesus Christ and to follow him all our days on earth. Bless us, and let the revelation of your Spirit come to the world, to the people of all nations, a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit in each heart. But there must still be punishment for sin. For the sake of justice the world has to suffer punishment through judgment. For you, Almighty God, are Lord, and not even Satan, the prince of this world, can act against your will. You will carry out your will through the Holy Spirit. Our task is simply to follow Jesus all our days. This shall be our joy, this priceless gift of following the Lord Jesus. Praise to your name that we have him and his witness in the gospel every day. Praise to your name that every day, even through great distress, we can joyfully follow him in the strength of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Remember the Sabbath Day and Keep It Holy Ari L. Goldman Rule #1: Turn off your cellphone. Read now Singing God’s Grandeur Dana Gioia For Gerard Manley Hopkins, every bird, tree, branch, and blossom trembled with God’s immanence. Read now The Manosphere and Me Phil Christman A middle-aged deadlifter single-handedly solves the masculinity crisis. Read now The Explosive Imagination of Dickens Gina Dalfonzo Peter Conrad’s Dickens the Enchanter paints a portrait of the great storyteller in all his bizarre glory. Read now The Vaccine Wars Brian Volck A pediatrician attempts to break the impasse between parents skeptical of vaccination and those seeking to prevent deadly disease outbreaks. Read now
Today’s Verse – Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” —Jeremiah 29:11 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jeremiah was telling God’s people that 70 years after the devastation they were facing because of their rebellion and sins, God would deliver and restore them. Even though they had repeatedly abandoned God, he would not abandon them or his promises to them. He would be faithful (2 Timothy 2:13). In fact, God was planning and preparing a brighter future for them than they could imagine. This promise also reminds us that no matter how deep our own personal gloom feels, God does have wonderful plans for us that include giving us a prosperous hope and a glorious future. God will keep his promises to us. He will deliver and bless us. We have a vibrant hope and a bright future because of his faithfulness and our trust in his Son, Jesus, who delivers us from every foe and brings us into his presence with great joy (Jude 1:24). My Prayer… Give me faith, O LORD, during the times I’m weary, discouraged, and beaten down. Inspire me to trust in your great promises. Please give me courage, O LORD, when my faith wavers. Help me obey your word no matter how challenging it may seem or how discouraged I feel. Thank you for giving me a bright future in Jesus. Please help me live more consciously aware of this great gift. 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.
The Power Behind My Growing Kingdom
Note from Jesus Dear Disciple, Pentecost came, and My church was born! The presence, power, and work of the Holy Spirit in every true disciple had finally arrived. All who truly believed in Me as Lord and Christ, who turned their hearts to live for Me, and who were immersed in My name on that great day were given the gift of the Holy Spirit to live in them and to work through them (Acts 2:36-41). When I first told the parable found in the verses below, the Holy Spirit had not yet been given to My followers (John 7:37-39). In the parable, I talk about the mysterious power that causes seeds to grow and produce fruit. The similar mysterious power in My people is the Holy Spirit. Beginning on Pentecost, all of My followers have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. So for the next few days, I will share some great things about the Holy Spirit and power. It is this power that you see at work in the book of Acts and the power I want to see at work among My followers today. The result of the Spirit’s presence in the hearts of people who truly believe is astounding. The small band of 120 disciples (Acts 1:13-15) soon became 3,000 people (Acts 2:41), then more than 5,000 people (Acts 4:4), and the number of disciples “increased rapidly” (Acts 6:1; Acts 6:7 NIV). To an outsider, the power may seem very mysterious — similar to the power behind the growth of the seeds in My parable. However, if you know Me and My promises, you know that I promised this power to propel My people, grow My church, and enlarge the kingdom of God (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8). Verses to Live Today’s Scripture is very short, but it contains a parable packed with meaning and promise. In this parable, I talked about a farmer who doesn’t see or understand how seeds grow into plants. This mysterious power at work in plants is similar to the power of the Holy Spirit that works in My disciples to grow the church. I send the Holy Spirit to empower My people to do My work and accomplish things for the Father. These things are greater than My disciples could imagine because the power behind these great things in the book of Acts is the Holy Spirit. Jesus [teaching His disciples in a parable]: Here is what the kingdom of God is like: a man who throws seeds onto the earth. Day and night, as he works and as he sleeps, the seeds sprout and climb out into the light, even though he doesn’t understand how it works. It’s as though the soil itself produced the grain somehow — from a sprouted stalk to ripened fruit. But however it happens, when he sees that the grain has grown and ripened, he gets his sickle and begins to cut it because the harvest has come. (Mark 4:26-29) Response in Prayer I thank You, almighty and loving Father. I thank You, Lord Jesus, my Savior. I thank You, the ever-present and powerful Holy Spirit. Thank You, God, for Your power and presence available to me through the gift of the Holy Spirit. I pray for the Holy Spirit to bring renewal to Your people and strength to Your church. I pray for the Holy Spirit to bring a resurrection of hope to those who struggle, doubt, and grow weary. I believe, dear Father, that the Spirit can re-ignite us to do great things for our world and to honor You as the King of all nations. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2025, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
11 Jun 2025
As we purpose to live in a way that glorifies God, may the Lord help us. We sometimes face so many challenges that it is easy to feel overwhelmed. May His grace, wisdom, power and provision suffice for every situation we face. May He fight for us and hold us up for His name’s sake. Psalm 3:1-8.
Daily Prayer for June 11
Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 36:5, 7, NIV Lord our God, we turn our hearts and minds to you. Be with us and grant us your Spirit. May your Word be a blessing for us. We thank you that this Word is given us in Jesus Christ, our Savior. Almighty God, stretch out your hand over the whole world. Let your Spirit bring a new age, an age of truth, righteousness, and love, an age of peace that comes from you. O Lord God, we are your children, and as your children we pray to you in the name of Jesus Christ. You will hear us, and we look forward with joy to the time when all promises will be fulfilled, the time spoken about by the prophets, and especially by your Son, Jesus Christ. Be with us and gather us in your Spirit. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Manosphere and Me Phil Christman A middle-aged deadlifter single-handedly solves the masculinity crisis. Read now The Explosive Imagination of Dickens Gina Dalfonzo Peter Conrad’s Dickens the Enchanter paints a portrait of the great storyteller in all his bizarre glory. Read now The Vaccine Wars Brian Volck A pediatrician attempts to break the impasse between parents skeptical of vaccination and those seeking to prevent deadly disease outbreaks. Read now Sunday Source God’s New Language Stanley Hauerwas At Pentecost, God created a community of people whose very differences contributed to their unity. Read now The Anabaptist Vision of Politics John D. Roth What have we learned from five hundred years of Anabaptist understandings of church and state? Read now
Today’s Verse – Isaiah 61:10
I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. —Isaiah 61:10 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… This is God’s promise to his people after their Messiah comes with healing and power to bless them with the LORD’s favor. In many ways, this is our promise as Christians. We do rejoice greatly because God has delivered us from law, sin, death, and hell through the coming of our Savior and LORD, Jesus. Because of our faith in Jesus’ sacrifice for us, we are clothed with Christ (Galatians 3:26-27) and given his “garments of salvation and arrayed… in a robe of righteousness” (Colossians 1:22). Amazing. Beautiful. Blessed! My Prayer… Thank you, dear Father, for making me righteous by Jesus’ sacrifice. Thank you LORD Jesus, for paying the price for my sins to give me life. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for cleansing me from my sins and empowering me to live for God. May I, dear God, live in such a way that those around me know that you have made me whole and holy. 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.
For You, but More than Just You!
Note from Jesus Dear Beloved, John wrote the truth powerfully and simply in his short little letter you call 1 John: You are my little children, so I am writing these things to help you avoid sin. If, however, any believer does sin, we have a high-powered defense lawyer — Jesus the Anointed, the righteous — arguing on our behalf before the Father. It was through His sacrificial death that our sins were atoned. But He did not stop there — He died for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:1-2) I gave My life for you! I was crucified for your sins! I came to bring you salvation and new life. I did what I did for you, but this wasn’t just for you! My Father’s love encompasses “every nation and tribe, people and language” (Revelation 7:9). As John said it in one of the most famous passages of Scripture: For God expressed His love for the world in this way: He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not face everlasting destruction, but will have everlasting life. Here’s the point. God didn’t send His Son into the world to judge it; instead, He is here to rescue a world headed toward certain destruction. (John 3:16-17) So when Pentecost came, I poured out the Holy Spirit upon those who were already My disciples and those who became My disciples. Then Peter reminded everyone present that My love is for all nations, which means all people, male and female, and all races, nationalities, social levels, and cultures. The salvation from sin and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that occurred on the day of Pentecost were just the beginning, a mere foretaste of what will happen throughout the world and throughout time. So remember this: My grace includes you, but it is also bigger than just you… and those like you. My grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit are for everyone who responds to My call to follow Me! Verses to Live Pentecost is often called the birthday of the church. With the coming of the Holy Spirit, My disciples proclaimed My death, burial, and resurrection as the message of salvation. A new era began with the baptism of over 3,000 people in response to the apostles’ preaching. I want to impress two things about this message upon you. First, this message and this salvation are for you! Second, this message and this salvation are for everyone who is willing to respond! Notice both the words Peter says to the crowd and also the response of this crowd. This message is for you and for all who will listen to the Father’s call to their hearts. When the people heard this [the Spirit-inspired message about Jesus as Messiah and the One Whom they had crucified], their hearts were pierced; and they said to Peter and his fellow apostles: Pilgrims: Our brothers, what should we do? Peter: Reconsider your lives; change your direction. Participate in the… washing of baptism in the name of Jesus God’s Anointed, the Liberating King. Then your sins will be forgiven, and the gift of the Holy Spirit will be yours. For the promise of the Spirit is for you, for your children, for all people — even those considered outsiders and outcasts — the Lord our God invites everyone to come to Him. (Acts 2:37-39) Response in Prayer Father in heaven, I realize that Jesus died for all people. Forgive me for the times when I have been short-sighted and didn’t reach out to all kinds of people. I confess that I sometimes assume I know who will respond to Your invitation of grace and who will not. Help me, O Lord, to see people through the eyes of Jesus. Help me as I seek to share Your grace with all people. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2025, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.