Today’s Verse – Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. —Ephesians 4:32 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Be kind and compassionate? These two qualities seem to be in short supply these days as we look at social media, politics, and people’s personal agendas. Maybe it’s because we hold up the wrong heroes? Maybe it is because we haven’t let the Holy Spirit rule in our hearts? Unfortunately, kindness and compassion are two qualities often seen as signs of weakness rather than strength. To forgive as God forgave us requires great courage and great strength, two resources the Holy Spirit can supply if we pray for that strength, and pray for that strength in our brothers and sisters (Ephesians 3:14-21). So, let’s pray for each other to be strong and courageous, and display those qualities through our kindness and compassion! Let’s forgive each other, as God in Christ has forgiven us. My Prayer… Holy God, there is no way I can adequately thank you for sacrificing so much to forgive me and lavish me with your loving compassion. Today, I ask the Holy Spirit to help me as I pledge to be more like Jesus: to share more of his kindness and compassion with those who have wronged me. Father, please forgive them. Today, I ask you to help me forgive and release my bitterness toward _____________. I also ask that you bless each of those people with your kindness and grace. By the power of the Holy Spirit, and because of Jesus’ example, I pray to grow in these graces of kindness and compassion, forgiving others as you have forgiven me. 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 18:15
If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. —Matthew 18:15 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The right thing to do can also be the very hardest thing to do. Many of us find it much easier to gossip about someone who has wronged us than to obey Jesus. But one thing is the right thing when we have been wounded by the action of another brother or sister in Christ. Jesus commanded us to go to the person who has wronged us, try to keep the damage contained to just the two of us, and work on being reconciled with each other. Satan lives in the festering and poisonous places in our hearts where unforgiveness and resentment reside. God’s desire, and what should be our goal as his children, is reconciliation that is personal, face-to-face, and genuine. Our desire to be reconciled to our offending brother or sister “for whom Christ died” (Romans 14:15-16; 1 Corinthians 8:11) must be stronger than our desire for revenge or getting even. Redemption must be our motivation, and Jesus’ commands must be our guide! My Prayer… Oh, LORD God Almighty, forgive my foolish and selfish ways. Please give me the courage to lovingly confront – or better yet, “carefront” – those who have sinned against me. If I cannot bring about reconciliation, help me through the power of your Holy Spirit, to forgive as you have forgiven me. In Jesus’ name, and because of his atoning sacrifice for both my sins and their sins, 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 – Proverbs 31:10, 27-28
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies … She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. —Proverbs 31:10, 27-28 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Give honor to whom honor is due is what Paul commanded the believers in Rome to do (Romans 13:7). Giving proper honor is important. We must give godly women the honor they are due, and doubly so to those who are godly mothers, whether their motherhood is physical or spiritual. Proverbs demonstrates this by devoting an entire chapter to the principle of honoring godly women (Proverbs 31:1-31). Paul also emphasized the vital role women played among the believers in Rome as he closed his letter to them, and dedicated much of chapter 16 to honoring them. He named ten women who made significant contributions in leadership and service to the Kingdom of God that are worthy of respect and honor (Romans 16:1-16). Paul also emphasized to his apprentice, Timothy, the vital role his mother and grandmother played in shaping him to become a man of God with sincere faith (2 Timothy 1:5). So, dear friends, let’s make sure we praise the key women in our lives, families, and congregations today! My Prayer… Father, I want to thank you for the women of character and grace, tenderness and fire, love and tenacity, who have helped shape my life. Thank you for the ways they helped me know your Scriptures, know Jesus, demonstrate faithfulness, and find, follow, and faithfully serve you. Please bless them this day. I ask this 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 – Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 4:6-7 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God wants to hear our prayers. But to keep them from becoming too self-focused, God wants us always to remember to give thanks (Philippians 4:6). It is so easy for us to turn prayer into a request line. We are the ones who are left bereft when thanksgiving and praise are robbed from our prayers. Without praise, our hearts grow dim because all we think about is our problems, and prayer becomes a wish list of stuff we selfishly want, treating God as our heavenly Santa Claus rather than the Father who sacrificed everything to make us his children! My Prayer… Gracious God, I have so many reasons to praise you. In the face of trial and hardship, I have your promises to reawaken my hope through your presence in my life and the power of the Holy Spirit. In the moment of victory, I have you to thank for my abilities and the power to accomplish things for your glory. In my boredom with the routine, I can find great joy in your surprises. Thank you, God, for being so great and yet so lovingly present and attentive to my needs. In Jesus’ name, I thank 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.
Today’s Verse – 1 John 5:14-15
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us — whatever we ask — we know that we have what we asked of him. —1 John 5:14-15 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Confidence before God. That’s a bit of an oxymoron if you meditate upon it. Yet through the presence of Jesus at the Father’s right hand (Hebrews 2:14-18; 1 Timothy 2:5) and the intercession of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26-27), we can have confidence and come boldly before the Creator of the universe. Because of Jesus and the Holy Spirit’s mediation and intercession for us, we know that God not only hears us, but that he also cares for us. Wow, what an audience! What confidence! Oh, and one final thing, he also ACTS on what we ask. The Holy Spirit shares this beautiful promise with us in Hebrews 4:16: Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. My Prayer… Abba Father, I thank you more than words can say for the grace of your listening ear and loving heart. Through the authority of Jesus, my brother, and through the grace of your interceding Holy Spirit, I offer you my thanks and love this day. 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 Corinthians 15:55-57
Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. —1 Corinthians 15:55-57 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We have victory, ultimate victory over death. If we don’t have the answer for life’s biggest test, death, then we have no lasting victory, ever. The Super Bowl and World Series are played every year. A champion is a victor for only one year and has to earn it again and again by competing and finishing the season in triumph. But a Christian is a champion forever. Because of Jesus, each true disciple of Christ Jesus has lasting victory over death. Yes, “thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” My Prayer… Thank you, God, for blessing us with lasting victory in Jesus Christ. In our daily struggles with sin, please make your will triumphantly present in us now, just as it will be when he raises us from death and brings us home to you. Through our Triumphant King, we offer you our praise. 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 Corinthians 15:20-22
Christ has indeed been raised, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. —1 Corinthians 15:20-22 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Being eternal is nothing new; in the beginning, God made us to live forever in fellowship with him. Being like Jesus (1 John 3:1-3) completely, eternally, will be new, however, when we’re raised from the dead. When Jesus’ lifeless body was placed in the ground, our lives with God forever in glory hung in the balance with him. Praise God. The Spirit of God revived Jesus from his death sleep. Jesus’ resurrection also ensures our own, because our lives are hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:1-4), that death can no longer claim us. The only death that really matters for us is dying to our sin, through faith in baptism with Jesus (Romans 6:4). If we have shared in that death, we will most certainly share in his resurrection (Romans 6:5). Jesus was “the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” This means that because God raised Jesus from the dead, we too can be confident that we “will be made alive” in Christ and live with him forever. His resurrection forever guarantees our own (Romans 8:11). Praise God, indeed! My Prayer… Almighty and graciously powerful God, I praise you. I praise you today because of your grace given to me through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. I know I will see you face-to-face and share in your glory. Help me now to live that resurrected life before others, as the Holy Spirit transforms me each day into greater and glorious likeness to Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18). 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 – Romans 10:9-10
If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. —Romans 10:9-10 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Imagine Jesus being proud of you! He said if we confess him before others here on earth, he will speak up for us in heaven and claim us as his own (Matthew 10:32). Not only that, because we have confessed Jesus as our Savior and LORD, Jesus presents us to God as “holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” Confessing Jesus as our LORD is acknowledging the truth, the reality of Jesus’ true identity that every person will acknowledge one day. Our confession is the anticipation of what is to come when every knee will bow, and every tongue confess Jesus as LORD to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11). My Prayer… Mighty God, your Son is our LORD and Savior. We love him and praise him for his redeeming sacrifice. We thank him for his conquest over death and the grave. We marvel at his sacrificial and triumphant grace. Jesus is LORD. We know those words sound sweet in your ears, O God, so we confess the truth again: Jesus is LORD! O Father, thank you for being so great that you would be so sacrificial in sharing your grace and glory of the Son with us. In the name of our LORD and Savior, Jesus the Carpenter and our King, we offer our deepest thanks and praise. 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 Corinthians 1:18
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. —1 Corinthians 1:18 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Power! We love power. We love the sound and fury of power. We love the power’s ability to bring positive change to dreadful situations. The greatest power ever unleashed on this earth was the power displayed when the Almighty God held back his might and fury while his Son was persecuted, abused, belittled, battered, and murdered on a cross. Now that’s an awesome display of power, and it was displayed specifically for us and to save us. Plus, we know the cross was not the end of God’s powerful grace; it was the doorway to Jesus’ glorious and triumphant resurrection. We now live by the power of God who raised Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:18-21). Praise God for his power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20-21). Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Holy and Majestic God, we praise you for your incredible might and power. We also thank you for your love, which guides the release of that power to bless and redeem us. Thank you for knowing that we are but dust, and without your sustaining Spirit, we will not have life in glory with you when our bodies fail. Thank you for saving us by withholding your mighty power when we sin, and for pardoning us through your sacrificial power released for us in Jesus. Because of your mercy, Father, and in the holy name of Jesus, we offer this prayer through the intercession of the Holy Spirit. 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 – Romans 13:8
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. —Romans 13:8 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus paid the debt we owed God for our sins, trespasses, and rebellious actions (Colossians 2:13-14; 1 Peter 1:8-10). Thank God we no longer owe the debt for those transgressions because of God’s grace (Romans 6:23). However, I do owe others the love, respect, forgiveness, and grace that God has lavished on me (Ephesians 4:32). As Paul reminded us yesterday: Give everyone what you owe him. If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (Romans 13:7) Why is this so important? We are to keep paying installments on the “continuing debt to love one another” as Jesus has loved us! My Prayer… Holy God, everything in heaven and earth is yours, yet you have graciously shared them with us, your children. We thank you for not just purchasing us from our debt to sin, but also for buying us out of our slavery to that sin, and to the evil one, death, and hell. Open our hearts to the realization that you own us, yet love us freely and forgive us completely. Please kindle love in our hearts through the refreshing power of the Holy Spirit that you pour into our hearts, enabling us to love others as you have loved us. In Jesus’ name, we pray and commit to love. 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.