Today’s Verse – Romans 6:5-6
If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin… —Romans 6:5-6 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Paul reminds us that our baptism was more than just a dunking in water. In baptism, we share in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. What he did to save us, we now get to share with him in doing. We died to sin and were raised to be a new person, cleansed and made holy, empowered and indwelled by the Holy Spirit. We have been set free from the power and penalty of sin and the limits of our mortal physical bodies. This experience we had with Jesus is our physical connection, our assurance of our future spiritual glory with him! Why? Since “we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.” My Prayer… Father, thank you for giving me new life in Jesus. I am truly thankful that your grace covers my guilt, makes me holy, and gives me assurance of my future. I ask for the Holy Spirit’s power to live my life in freedom from sin. Please forgive me for allowing my passion to slip into mediocrity and sin. Give me a strong sense of revulsion toward anything that would pollute my soul or distract my heart from your will. I refuse to be a slave to sin, and I choose to build my life on my promised future with you. In the name of Jesus, I thank you and recommit my life to you today. 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 – Psalm 91:2
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” —Psalm 91:2 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “In God we trust.” That’s the phrase written on much of the money in the United States. It’s a great reminder. The global financial climate is inherently vulnerable to instability, as it is prone to fluctuations and susceptible to chaos and political turmoil. Only God is our refuge and fortress during the storms of life – whether they be health, financial, relational, or emotional storms. He is steadfast. He is God, the forever “I AM” and LORD. He is eternal. He desires to bless us and promises to never leave us or forsake us. He has repeatedly demonstrated his love for us. He has earned our trust. So, let’s say of the LORD“He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” My Prayer… Heavenly Father, I am so thankful that I can trust my life and future with you. Mold me and use me in ways that are a blessing to others, as I make you the source of my security and strength. Please continue to make your presence known in my life, helping me to maintain my trust in you as my refuge from life’s storms and my fortress when the evil one and my adversaries attack. In Jesus’ name, O LORD, I place my trust and hope in 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.
Today’s Verse – Proverbs 27:1
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. —Proverbs 27:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus wants us to be humble about our future. We don’t control tomorrow, so Jesus reiterated this theme from Proverbs (Matthew 6:31-34). Tomorrow may not come. Something horrible could happen tomorrow. Everything we possess could be gone tomorrow. In the face of these discouraging possibilities, is there anything positive we can hold onto? Absolutely! We know that God holds tomorrow in his hands. We know that because our life is hidden with Christ in God, every tomorrow, and the eternal tomorrow, is secure in him (Colossians 3:1-4). The future may not be what we expect or unfold as we planned, but we can thankfully trust that our God determines every tomorrow, will not abandon us, and will share his comfort, victory, and glory with us as we journey toward his future for us (Romans 8:32-39; Hebrews 13:5-6). My Prayer… Father, my tomorrows all rest in your hands. I ask that I can be useful to you today; courageous enough not to worry about tomorrow, and loyal enough not to waver in my love for you and my commitment to you. I trust every tomorrow to 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.
Today’s Verse – 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. —2 Corinthians 10:3-5 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… In our battle against evil, we utilize the spiritual weapons of God, which enable us to discern the truth, protect ourselves, and deliver us into the freedom that victory brings (Ephesians 6:10-19). The devil’s frequent tools are deception, distortion, and death. God’s grace enables us to see through these deceptions and break their deceptive grip on the minds of men and women, freeing them from fear and temptation. God’s power broke the barrier of death and gave us victory in Jesus Christ. And what is our task in this victory march? To obey our LORD and help others to do the same, finding his grace and power sufficient to help us overcome all that we face that could defeat us. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Father, please use us to defeat the power of the evil one, his demonic horde, and his corrupting influence on the lives of people we love and in the leaders of this world. We rebuke the evil one in the name of Jesus and by the power of the blood of the cross and in the empty tomb of the resurrection, where we find our deliverance and victory. 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 – Psalm 32:7
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. —Psalm 32:7 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Out of the attacks of evil one come the victories of God and the victory chants of God’s people. Let us make God our refuge, our hiding place, and our source of security. The LORD Almighty is our hope in times of trouble. He protects us from trials, troubles, temptations, and gives us songs of glorious deliverance! My Prayer… Father, thank you for the confidence we can have in your power and might to deliver us from every attack of the evil one. You are worthy of all glory, honor, power, and praise. In the name of your Son and our LORD Jesus Christ, we thank you for deliverance and praise you because of your might and our deliverance. 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 – Ephesians 6:11
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. —Ephesians 6:11 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We often focus only on the things we like, are good at doing, or are interested in accomplishing. God wants us to use every piece of his spiritual armor for every situation where it is needed. He wants us to be disciplined and grow in areas of our spiritual weakness, as well as in those we do not find particularly exciting or interesting. Our evil opponent is crafty and will attack us in the areas of our weaknesses and vulnerabilities, the areas we neglect to bring under the Lordship of Christ. So let’s not just commit to being diligent in the areas of our interests and strengths, but especially hone in those areas where we are not strong and don’t usually pay attention. Let’s put on the FULL armor of God and take our stand against the evil one and his schemes. My Prayer… Father, strengthen me in the areas where I am most vulnerable to sin because of my lethargy and neglect. Please open my eyes to see my areas of weakness and vulnerability. Rekindle my heart to passionately seek after your holiness as I strive to bring all of my life under the lordship of my Savior, 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.
Today’s Verse – Ephesians 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. —Ephesians 6:10 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Some of our strength in fighting evil comes from the spiritual experiences in our past, the encouragement of other believers, and our knowledge of the truth from Scripture. Ultimately, however, our power comes from God’s mighty power, the Holy Spirit. Paul uses his letter to the Ephesians to remind Christians that the power of the Holy Spirit, which raised Jesus from the dead, is at work in us now (Ephesians 1:17-20, 3:14-16). Through the Spirit’s power at work in us, God can do much more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20-21). As we put on our spiritual armor and dedicate ourselves to spiritual discipline, God blesses us with his power and his might to live holy lives of courage and grace. God enables us to “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power”! My Prayer… O LORD God Almighty, my Abba Father and loving Shepherd, strengthen me with your might and grace so that I can withstand the attacks and temptations of the evil one. In Jesus’ name, I ask for the might of the Holy Spirit to be at work in me for your glory. 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 – Ephesians 5:15-16
Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. —Ephesians 5:15-16 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Even though we are God’s holy children, we also need to be aware of the time it is in our world. The evil one still exercises his control over the hearts of many people. Temptations abound. Evil people seek to distort the truth and malign the way of God. Our Father in heaven wants us to “make most of every opportunity” – literally, “redeem the time” – making the most of every opportunity we have to touch the lives of others with God’s grace, resist worldly temptations, and overcome the opposition of the evil one by the power of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:17-20, 3:14-16). My Prayer… Give me wisdom, O LORD, to discern the best ways to use my time and my influence to honor you and bless others. Please open my eyes to see the temptations the evil one puts in my path. Please grow my courage so I can boldly stand for you in the face of our often perverse world. In addition, dear Father, please grant me the spiritual sensitivity to discern the best ways to bless others according to their needs. In Jesus’ name, I pray, asking for your gracious help to make this so. 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 – Ephesians 1:4-5
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will. —Ephesians 1:4-5 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God wanted us to be His children. That was his plan for us even before the world began. While we cannot be holy and blameless on our own strength alone, God paid the huge price of our adoption into his family through the sacrifice of his Son, our older brother, Jesus. Because of our faith in Jesus and God’s grace, the Father cleansed us from our sins and brought us into His family as his sons and daughters. God’s motive in doing this? His desire and delight in loving us as his children. Our response? Seek to live holy lives that honor our Father by living his values in our broken world. My Prayer… Loving Father and Holy God, my words cannot adequately express all of my appreciation for your love and grace. I am honored to be one of your adopted children and want to bring you joy in the way I live. Please forgive me for the times I have disappointed you or not lived up to what you desire of me. Even in those times, your love and grace have brought me back to you, forgiven me, and cleansed me. I want my life to be a holy thanksgiving to you for your love, mercy, and grace. I pray in Jesus’ name for the Holy Spirit to help make this so in my thoughts, words, and 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.
Today’s Verse – Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. —Acts 1:8 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God has a plan to reach the world with his grace. We start where we are and reach out to those around us. We then share the story of Jesus with those in our region. Then we reach out and take the gospel all over the world. As we offer ourselves to be used, we also trust that the Holy Spirit’s power and presence will go with us. I liken this to skipping rocks on a still pond. Every time the rock touches the water and skips forward, it sends out ripples that ultimately reach every corner of the pond. We see this happen in the book of Acts as the early church lived out Jesus’ mission strategy again and again. Go here where you are now. Go near to the surrounding regions. Go far, to the uttermost parts of the world. Now it is our turn to live out this mission, trusting the Spirit’s power to equip, propel, and embolden us to share how Jesus has impacted our lives as his witnesses. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Father, please use us to reach those around us with your grace. Bless our congregations, house churches, groups, and mission organizations as we share Jesus with those in our area, nearby regions, and far-off places in today’s world. Father, we ask that you bless our outreach efforts so that we honor the LORD’s plan to reach all nations with our messages about Jesus as the Holy Spirit empowers us to share our personal testimony of his work in our lives. We pray this in the powerful name of our LORD. 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.