Today’s Verse – Isaiah 26:4
Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, theLORD is the Rock Eternal. —Isaiah 26:4 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… When we see mountains, we can feel small and insignificant by comparison. We know they are not only much more massive than we are, but also have existed much longer than we have. The LORD, however, was and is and will be present far longer than any mountain (Revelation 1:8; Isaiah 41:4). The LORD is the only true rock of security and stability, our fortress in the middle of life’s chaos (2 Samuel 22:2). All the forevers we have in our existence are found in God Almighty alone! So, we join with Isaiah and encourage each other with these words of everlasting truth: Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD is the Rock Eternal. My Prayer… Eternal God, you are the great I Am, the one who is and was and will be forever. We trust that you are and always will be our God, our Redeemer, our Savior, our Shepherd, our strong fortress, our mighty rock, and our eternal Father. We commit all our tomorrows to you, knowing you will be present and faithful and gracious to us as your beloved children. In the name of Jesus, our Savior and LORD, 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.
Today’s Verse – Isaiah 55:6
Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. —Isaiah 55:6 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Isaiah declares that God is always close to those who genuinely seek after him and call on him as their God. In fact, God is fully present as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in us, with us, and making his home in us when we obey him (John 14:15-17, 18, 23). The real problem is that we can drift away from him, lose interest in him, and leave his presence (Hebrews 2:1, 3:12). So let’s seek God and receive his grace. Let’s obey God and discover that his presence and help are with us, recognizing that he alone truly saves and makes his presence real in us and to us. My Prayer… Father, please help me, through your Holy Spirit, as I grow into seeking you with all my heart. Please be real to me and make your presence known to me as I seek to know you through your Scriptures, your living Word (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. I long to know you as my Abba Father and be known to you as your loving and obedient child. Bless me with your assuring presence as I learn complete trust in you as my tender but powerful Father. Father, not only be my God, but also be real to me in ways that transcend explanation and emotion. Help me to sense your nearness and to know your presence. In the name of Jesus I pray 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.
Today’s Verse – 1 Peter 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. —1 Peter 1:3 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The great truth about Jesus’ empty tomb is not just that he is risen, but that he is living! His victory over death wasn’t short-lived; it was ultimate. He now lives to intercede for us until he returns and brings us to his home with the Father (Hebrews 7:25). Our life is hidden with him. No one and nothing can take it from us. When Jesus comes again, we will share in his never-ending glory (Colossians 3:1-4) as we are transformed to be like him and see him as he truly is (1 John 3:2-3). How can we not praise God for such grace and living hope! My Prayer… Almighty God, we praise you from the bottom of our hearts! Your incredible and glorious grace has brought us eternal victory out of mortal anguish. Thank you for paying the price to make this true. You are marvelous beyond what our words can express. You are worthy of more praise than all your children’s voices joined together can bring you. Our hope will live forever because Jesus is risen and reigning as LORD forever. To you, O God, belong all honor, glory, and majesty forever, and ever, in the name of Jesus your Son and our 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 – Matthew 5:11-12
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. —Matthew 5:11-12 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… For many of us, the sentiments of this verse feel foreign and upside down to the world we know. However, those who have studied the persecution of Jesus’ followers over the centuries remind us that current believers in Christ, especially in some Middle Eastern, Asian and African countries, are enduring perhaps the greatest amount of persecution in the history of Christianity. Many of us live in places where belief is tolerated. Christians are just considered a bit out of touch with reality and a bit naive, yet tolerated. However, with worldliness creeping into God’s people from every direction, maybe we should be thankful that Christian living makes us different enough from our cultures to be noticed, even if that notice is a bit unfavorable. At the same time, we need to pray for other believers throughout the world who are undergoing grievous trials, struggles for their faith, suffering, abuse, and martyrdom – these are all happening in many places in our world today. Jesus, however, wants all those who suffer for his sake and the sake of the gospel to know they are noticed, loved, and will be blessed by God when he makes all things right! My Prayer… Great Deliverer, many who have faith in Jesus today face daily persecution, abuse, hardship, trials, and even martyrdom. We pray that they do not lose heart and give up their confident faith. We pray that you will bring deliverance from their times of persecution. We pray that their sufferings will be a powerful witness, so others will come to see the great value of Jesus. We pray this in Jesus’ precious and holy 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 – Philippians 1:9-10
This is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ. —Philippians 1:9-10 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… I don’t know about you, but my hardest decisions aren’t about choosing between good and bad. I usually know what is good and what is bad, especially when bad involves evil. My toughest choices are when I have to choose between good, better, and best. My love for God usually overcomes my weaknesses, and I choose good over bad – or at least recognize good over bad. But unless I’ve placed myself before God’s word and surrendered my heart to him in prayer, asking to be led by the Holy Spirit, I have a very tough time choosing between good, better, and best. In my heart of hearts, I want “to discern what is best” and “be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.” Yet I’m convinced that much of what God would love to do through me today often goes lacking because I’ve settled for good when he longs to lead me to the best, to be the best, and to be the best blessing to others as possible! So, dear friend in Jesus, let’s pray this prayer for ourselves and our brothers and sisters in Christ, so we can all be the best of what God is making us to be. My Prayer… Gracious and Almighty God, please teach me your ways and give me your heart as I strive to not only love you, but to know your will, have insight into your ways, and discern what is best. Please guide me to know the best things to do today and the best ways to use my time to live out your will in my work, with my family, among my friends, and before those who do not know Christ as Savior. 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.
Today’s Verse – John 3:20-21
Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God. —John 3:20-21 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Truth is seen in what it does and whom it seeks. Let’s live as children of light and seek after the Father who dwells in unapproachable and glorious light (1 Timothy 6:16) so we might be light to a world darkened by evil (Matthew 5:14-16). Let’s not hide, play, or flirt with the darkness, but come to the light and receive the light of life (John 1:4, 8:12) as we live as light in our dark world (Philippians 2:15). My Prayer… Father of the heavenly lights,* I ask you to correct me gently as I place myself, my imperfections, failures, and sins before you, bringing them into the light of your presence. Please forgive and cleanse me by the blood of Jesus so that I might be spotless and holy and blameless in your sight. O LORD, I don’t just want to be forgiven; I want to be cleansed and made useful to you and your people. Please help me find my way to usefulness and be light to those trapped in darkness. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. * James 1:17. 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 – 1 Corinthians 2:14
The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. —1 Corinthians 2:14 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The Holy Spirit is God’s abiding gift, God’s seal, our anointing, and our promise of future glory.* The Spirit is our assurance that what God began with Jesus’ sacrificial death and our participation in it through faith and baptism, he will bring to completion at Jesus’ return. But the world cannot understand this great promise, just like it cannot understand much of Scripture. Without the gift of the Holy Spirit, their eyes only see what they can touch with their fingers and cannot fully see what is true in God’s heart and what God has revealed in his Word. * The things said about the Holy Spirit come through clear statements in the Scriptures from places like John 14:18-23; Romans 8:9-39; Titus 3:3-7; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; and 1 John 2:20, 26-27. My Prayer… Father, I thank you for sending Jesus. Jesus, I thank you for sending the Spirit. Spirit, I thank you for never leaving me alone. As I am filled with the Spirit, O LORD, so fill me more and more until my will and my life more perfectly reflect your desires and character, just as they were expressed in Jesus. Use me to bless others just as your presence now blesses me. Thank you, Jesus, for pouring out your Spirit upon us. Now, please motivate us to share your gifts of salvation and the Spirit with others so they can know the incredible plans you have for us! In your 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 – Hebrews 10:30-31
We know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. —Hebrews 10:30-31 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God hates injustice, unfairness, brutality, and abuse. In a world where the greedy, the murdering, the thieving, the raping, the mugging, the abusive, and the bullies often get away with their shameless and despicable behavior, God is the ultimate assurance that justice will be done. The wicked will not triumph. The evil will have to give account to the one who will judge them (Acts 10:42-43; 1 Peter 4:3-5). While those who love and serve Jesus expect his return with anticipation and joy, those who are evil and vile will find out what a dreadful thing it is to fall into the hands of the living God. The hands that wipe away the tears of Jesus’ wounded disciples in heaven (Revelation 7:17, 21:4) will also be the hands that avenge those who have perpetrated evil, abuse, intimidation, harm, and desecration on the helpless (Isaiah 58:6-7; Proverbs 6:16-19; Jeremiah 7:6-7). My Prayer… Holy and Righteous God, my Heavenly Father, I am comforted to know that you will bring justice on those who have violently abused the innocent, weak, helpless, underprivileged, and infirm. I hate to see anyone lost. I hate it even worse when evil people abuse and practice injustice on those who are good, kind, and godly. I hate it when people claim to be good, but their deeds are evil, and they masquerade as victims while they inflict their evil deeds on others. So, please give me the courage to stand between the evil of my world and those on whom it preys. Because of Jesus’ grace and victory over sin and death, and because of his passion to protect the marginalized and forgotten, 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 – 1 John 2:1
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense — Jesus Christ the Righteous One. —1 John 2:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God hates sin. Don’t you? I know I do. But isn’t it amazing how we’ll fall back into the same old traps again and again? The goal is not to sin even one sin! But knowing our struggle against flesh, John also gives assurance to those of us who are trying to live faithful and pure lives. He wants us to know that when we do sin, the sacrifice for our sins, God’s Son, is also our defense attorney who proclaims us sinless before God by his blood (Colossians 1:22; 1 John 1:7, 2:2). So let’s draw close to Christ. Let’s invite him into our hearts each morning as we begin the day (Revelation 3:20). Let’s trust in his power and grace to sustain us and carry us through. As Paul prayed for new believers in Thessalonica: 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 the LORD Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24) Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… God, no one and nothing is like you – even comparable to you. I did not have to provide the sacrifice for my sins. Even though my sins broke your heart, you provided that sacrifice. So, please use me today as I try to give myself, my life, and my future back to you as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to you (Romans 12:1-2), because I want to thank you for your grace. Through Jesus, and 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.
Today’s Verse – Hebrews 10:35-36
Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. —Hebrews 10:35-36 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Some tough times come with living. They’re inescapable. There can also be even tougher times for those who believe and seek to share Jesus. We call that persecution. That’s when our confidence in the LORD’s salvation and our relationship with him get tested! It is one thing to sing “it is well with my soul” at the end of a peel-the-paint worship service. It is quite another to be able to sing those words when they auction your house off at the courthouse steps, you are told you have a long-term debilitating illness, you lose a child to death, or you are ridiculed and persecuted for your faith. Faith can’t take a holiday when we travel through the suburbs of hell – when times are tough. If we quit then, we’ll never find our way out. We must persevere. So don’t throw away your steadfastness in faith. Hang on, hang in, persevere! Don’t give up. Keep putting one foot in front of the other, trusting that God will give you the strength for the next step. No matter how hard it is at the moment, please don’t give in to despair. Be like Job or Jeremiah, who both argued and complained to God, but never let go of God. Don’t quit. Christ is coming for you with grace and glory. His deliverance awaits! My Prayer… Holy and Almighty God, today is a good day. However, I am deeply aware that some of those I love are close to giving up their confidence in your love, mercy, grace, peace, and deliverance. Please use me to encourage them. Even more, dear Father, I ask that you use your Holy Spirit to renew their hearts. I pray that you intervene directly to change the course of events, give them relief, and make your gracious presence known to them. 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.