Today’s Verse – Psalm 119:114
You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. —Psalm 119:114 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Where can we go to remain secure from the onslaught of bad ideas, evil influences, and false hopes perpetrated by social media? We can go to God and his Word, the Scriptures, and to Jesus, who is the fulfillment of these Scriptures and is the Living Word (John 1:1-18). While people can be disloyal and misguided, God has proven his faithfulness through his word, in sending Jesus, and by keeping his loving promises. He promises never to leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6; Romans 8:38-39), and his truth and his promises stand forever. God is our refuge, shield, fortress, strong foundation, and rock as we give our hearts to the Word of God. My Prayer… Almighty God, you alone are trustworthy. You keep your word and fulfill your promises. Forgive me when I trust my own insight and the wisdom of others rather than seeking your will in your Word. Please give me your wisdom as I seek your will and trust in your promises. In the name of Jesus, your ultimate Word, 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 1:12-13
To all who received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. —John 1:12-13 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We live in a time and culture of rights. “It’s my right to…” – and you can fill in the blank with almost anything. But we don’t have the right to be God’s child. God’s grace gives us that right at great cost to God. Jesus, God the Son, came to earth, lived, died, and was raised from the dead. We receive this grace through faith: God gives us new birth as we trust in Jesus as LORD and we share in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection in baptism (Romans 6:3-7; Colossians 2:11-12), as by faith we are reborn through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-7; Titus 3:3-7). To be “born of God” – to be “born from above,” to be “born again” – is the gift of adoption into God’s family, as our verse emphasizes. This costly adoption brings us all the rights of full heirs in God’s family (Galatians 3:26-29, 4:1-7). Let’s not take this grace, this blessing, this adoption, this right, for granted! We are God’s children right now and one day we will see him face-to-face (1 John 3:1-3). So, let’s give thanks for this grace and live as those who belong in God’s family by reflecting our Father’s righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful loving-kindness in our lives as his children. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Abba Father, thank you for adopting me into your family. May my life reflect your character, mercy, holiness, compassion, righteousness, and love. I want to be like you, my Father. I want to live like Jesus, my older brother, who paid my adoption price. Just as I was born into your family by the power of the Holy Spirit, please fill me more with your Spirit and transform me to be more like Jesus in all I do and say this day. In the name of my older brother 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 – Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” —Matthew 5:14-16 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… These words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount remind us that our lives must not be allowed to be simply neutral. We will either point others away from God or show them that allegiance to God is essential. We must have a passion for walking in God’s light. If we are going to reflect his light, we must live in that light. Let’s make an intentional effort today to shine the light of God’s holiness, love, and grace in all we do and say around others so they can find their way to the one who is truly the Light of the World (John 8:12). My Prayer… O God, may the words of my mouth, the actions of my life, and the influence of my deeds show others your holiness, love and grace. May my influence lead others to Jesus so they can find your life and come to know Jesus as their true Light of life (John 1:4). In Jesus’ name, I pray that my life will shine so others may see Jesus. 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 119:93
I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life. —Psalm 119:93 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Much like the rules parents have for young children – don’t drink what’s under the cabinet, don’t play in the street, don’t walk out from behind parked cars – God’s guidance is not to restrict us, but to protect us. His commands, his principles, his precepts, both the positive and prohibitive ones, are for our protection and perfection. By them we find life and have it preserved. The Old Testament Law had all sorts of cleanliness laws that did not make any sense at all until thousands of years later, when modern science taught us about bacteria and viruses. All through these years, the Israelites were preserved by God’s commands when they had no real understanding of why God had given the laws in the first place. God’s precepts bring us protection and natural rewards that go with living a wholesome and wise life (Deuteronomy 6:1-3; Psalm 19:7-8, 11). My Prayer… Holy LORD, please help me see your words as life-giving and protective. I know you have given your commands, your will for holiness, to guide me to your blessings and provide me with your protection. Please use your Holy Spirit to make my heart less stubborn and my life more aligned with your will and guidance so I can step into the blessings of living according to your precepts. In Jesus’ name and by his power, I ask 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 – Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 3:14 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… I’ve been told that the way to walk a tightrope is to keep one’s eyes focused on the goal, never looking down at the ground or over one’s shoulder at what lies behind. I know that is a pretty good way to live life – to keep our eyes focused on Jesus and his victory, which awaits us when he returns. We must not allow ourselves to look over our shoulder, focusing on our past successes or failures. Our goal must be to keep walking toward Jesus until we are transformed to be like him, and then walk with him into glory (Colossians 3:2-3; 1 John 3:1-3). My Prayer… Glorious and gracious LORD, I look forward to the day when you call me by name, as I see you face-to-face, and as you walk hand in hand with me in glory. Until that day, I ask the Holy Spirit to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus and what you want me to do and become. By your grace and in the holy name of Jesus, I ask 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 – Hebrews 12:1
Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. —Hebrews 12:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… With the example of all the great heroes of the Bible, both big and small, we can do God’s work with confidence. But for us to boldly go where he wants us to go, we must first let go of “the sin that so easily entangles”, our lives, distorts our vision, enlarges our doubts, and robs us of our spiritual vitality and stamina. As we put those things away from our lives, we can then look “to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” and we can “not grow weary” or “lose heart” (Hebrews 12:2-3). We can join the apostle Paul when he said he had fought the good fight, had finished his race, and could trust that God’s bountiful grace had great things in store for him (2 Timothy 4:6-8). Let’s help each other to keep running the race by putting off the sin and looking to Jesus! My Prayer… Holy Father, please forgive me for my sins. Not just my blatant sins, but my willingness to dabble in things that are not holy, to flirt with spiritually dangerous things, and to expose myself to unholy things that leave a residue of evil one’s corruption in my heart. Please, give me the strength to say “NO!” to the things that distract me from you and to embrace with passion those things that make me more like you as I pursue Jesus as my example, Savior, and LORD. In the name of Christ 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 – Zechariah 14:9
The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day, there will be one LORD, and his name the only name. —Zechariah 14:9 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus taught us: “So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven’” (Matthew 6:9-10 BSB). As we pray, our hearts should yearn for the day when the LORD will be the universally recognized King over all the earth (Philippians 2:10-11). As we use the opening words of Jesus’ model prayer, we are also asking the LORD to be King of our hearts as we commit ourselves to him alone. For us, he is the “one LORD, and his name the only name” that reigns in our hearts. These are more than words. As we say them, we look forward to the day when all created beings, seen and unseen, recognize Jesus as LORD. In a world of profanity, a world where God’s name is blasphemed, and a world where God’s greatness is often ignored, we hold to the promise that every knee will bow and every tongue confess, in heaven and on the earth and under the earth, that Jesus Christ is LORD. He has no rival. He is incomparable. His name is the only name worthy of reverence, honor, and praise. And we choose to make this so in our lives today! My Prayer… Great Almighty LORD, bring yourself glory in our time of history. With all my heart, dear Father, I pray for your name to be reverenced in all the earth. Do mighty works that show your control and sovereignty to help your people bring others to call on your name and praise you for your glory and grace. In Jesus’ holy and precious 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 – 2 Peter 3:8-9
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends:With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. —2 Peter 3:8-9 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Maranatha – O LORD come (1 Corinthians 16:22). This cry of the early church, especially during trials, persecutions, and difficulties, must be tempered with the reminder that there is a lost world around us. We want the LORD to come, but many of our dear friends and family are lost. Our passion for the LORD’s coming must be equaled by our passion to share his grace with those who have not “come to repentance” (Acts 17:30-31). They have not changed their hearts and lives to serve the LORD based on their faith in Jesus as LORD and Savior – the one who died to bring them life. Until Jesus comes, let’s commit to doing his work of bringing others to repentance and salvation in him because the LORD does not want anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance! My Prayer… O great and patient God, please use all of your power and grace to bring my loved ones and dear friends who are lost, to repentance so that when Jesus appears, they can share in my joy and your salvation. In the name of Jesus, the only Savior, 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 – Matthew 16:25
“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” —Matthew 16:25 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The key to life is letting go of ourselves and welcoming Jesus and his will into our lives. Please don’t forget to relinquish your life to the one who gave up his own life for you. You see, he took it back up again, just so that when we lose our lives to him, we can have them back forever with him. Listen to this glorious promise from the apostle Paul to the Colossians that underscores Jesus’ promise: Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, you also will appear with him in glory (Colossians 3:1-4). Yes, let’s lose our lives to Christ to receive back life forever! My Prayer… Holy God, I believe that Jesus is LORD, your Son, Immanuel, God with us, my Savior and King. I long for his life to be made visible in mine to your glory. So, dear Father, I willingly offer up my life to live for your glory, to follow Jesus, and to be transformed into becoming more JESUShaped (2 Corinthians 3:18). In the name of the LORD 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 – Leviticus 19:18
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD. —Leviticus 19:18 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Hanging on to bitterness and keeping alive grudges is consuming and exhausting work. It leaves little energy for blessing others, praising God, or enjoying life. The only way to overcome a bitter heart toward others is to actively love and serve them in ways that bless their lives, as we ask God to help us forgive them. If we can’t do this because it’s hard to feel like it is the right thing to do, let’s do it because we know God and want to please him. After all, Jesus said that how we let go of the sins and grudges we have toward others is how God will choose to deal with our sins and failures (Matthew 6:14-15). So, dear brother or sister in Christ, let’s forgive because we have been blessed with mercy, grace, love, and forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32). When we love others, we find the Spirit empowering us to become ever more like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18), our LORD and Savior! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Father of light, love, and mercy, please remove from my heart any cynicism toward others who dislike me or hurt me. Please remove any delight in seeing others around me fail when they have wanted me to fail. Instead, please use me as a friend rather than an enemy, a helper rather than a detractor, a person who forgives rather than one who holds a grudge. I want your grace to be seen in my friendships and the way I let go of offenses committed against me. 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.