Today’s Verse – Galatians 6:7-8
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit will reap eternal life. —Galatians 6:7-8 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Isn’t it incredible how huge trees grow out of such tiny seeds! This principle runs throughout all of life. We can never completely get away from the seeds we sow. So let’s not try to fool ourselves. We ARE going to reap what those seeds sow. Let’s make sure the seeds we sow are the ones we want sprouting up! And as we sow to please the Spirit of God and not the world, let’s remember we are going to harvest eternal life, and share that life with others. My Prayer… O Eternal God, who lived before time began and who will be the Great I AM when time is no more, please bless the seeds I sow with my life. May they bear righteous and gracious fruit to honor you and to bless those I love, and those who don’t yet know Jesus. Through Jesus, the grain of wheat (John 12:23-26) who died and was buried so that true life may flower forth, 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 – James 1:2-3
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. —James 1:2-3 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “Hang in there!” There are few traits more important than perseverance – hanging in there. Most important accomplishments in life happen because of perseverance. Most “luck” occurs when we’ve persevered long enough for the “magical moment” to come along – in other words, I don’t believe in luck. Edison said it best: life’s most extraordinary feats, the world’s most significant discoveries, and his own most fantastic inventions are “1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.” Hang in there! Persevere! And do it with joy! Why? So you can see the glory of God come through for you and in you, not because of luck, but because of God’s grace, love, and power partnered with your perseverance! My Prayer… Unchangeable and Unshakeable God, help me to stand up and prove my character is true when I am under fire. Use the friends you have sent into my life and the power of the Holy Spirit to help me persevere. Please give me faith, courage, and endurance so that my life displays your enduring strength. And, dear Father, please help me find joy in persevering when under trial. I pray for these graces, in the name of him who remained faithful even unto death, and who, “for the joy set before him endured” and persevered through the cross! 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 2:14-16
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life. —Philippians 2:14-16 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Stars! They’ve always been a source of constant hope for God’s people. “I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven…” God told Abraham (Genesis 22:17). “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them…” David asked (Psalm 8:3-4). The Wisemen, Magi from the East, followed a star to discover baby Jesus (Matthew 2:1-2). Luke reminds us that Jesus was the light coming from heaven to shine on those in darkness (Luke 2:32). And now, we’re stars – God’s points of light in the dark sky of the universe. Let’s make today a day that our light shines God’s glory to a dark world around us. We will live for Jesus without complaining or arguing, living pure lives so we can shine God’s grace to those who do not know him through Jesus! Let’s hold out the word of life in our dark world. My Prayer… Almighty God, the incredible expanse of your universe, with its billions of stars, exceeds my limited comprehension. But I thank you for calling me to be a person of light in the dark world around me. I pledge to shine your light in the lives of all those I influence. Through the name of Jesus, your bright and morning star (Revelation 22:16), 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 – Galatians 5:16
Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. —Galatians 5:16 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… I don’t want you to think about an orange rhinoceros flying with blue wings. Now quit it. I don’t want you to think about that orange rhinoceros anymore. You know there is no such thing as an orange rhino that flies, much less one that flies on blue wings. Quit thinking about him and his blue wings! Of course, the point is straightforward: the more we try not to do something, the more we focus on it, the more we ensure that we will do what we are not supposed to do. That’s why the gift of the Holy Spirit is so important to us as we seek to honor and obey our LORD and Savior Jesus and avoid sin. He enables and empowers us to move beyond our sin and to quit thinking about it. The Spirit empowers us, not by focusing on the sin we want to avoid, but by enriching us and “distracting” us with the important things of God (Galatians 5:22). As we focus more on Jesus, the more the Spirit transforms us away from our sin that we want to avoid and thinking about, and transforming us toward the character of Jesus: Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces reflect and contemplate* the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:17-18). * The Greek word (ἀνακεκαλυμμένῳ) means both “reflect” and “contemplate” as most translations suggest in their footnotes. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Abba Father, I thank you for your Holy Spirit that lives in me and is now interceding with you for me (Romans 8:26). Please fill me with your Spirit so that my life more nearly reflects your will and focuses on your concerns as the Spirit transforms me to become more and more like my LORD and Savior. Through 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 – 1 John 4:20-21
If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” —1 John 4:20-21 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Love! The word can mean almost anything in a world where it is overused and under-practiced. Many in the Christian community have tried to define it by a dictionary or lexicon, not realizing that the key word for love, agape, is defined by action. Before Christians got a hold of agape, it meant basically the same thing our word “love” is used today: just about anything! But if you read 1 John, you see love defined by God through what he does. God demonstrates his love. He asks us to do the same for our brothers and sisters. Love must be more than talk; love must be genuinely demonstrated in loving, selfless actions! For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son… (John 3:16). This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us (1 John 3:16). This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 4:10). My Prayer… Precious Father, you have so graciously shared your love with me. I must confess, in my heart, I intend to love others as you do, but my intentions often get washed away with busyness, selfishness, or timidity. Father, through your Spirit, I ask that you prompt me to demonstrate my love to others in actions, not just words. Through Jesus, your most significant demonstration of love, 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 Corinthians 5:19-20
God has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. —2 Corinthians 5:19-20 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus has paid the price. God provided the ransom. The LORD’s holy judgment was averted, not because of anything we did to appease him, but by the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins. If God has gone to such great lengths to reconcile us to himself and adopt us into his family, how can we refuse? We must not! Father God, we offer you our hearts, and we pledge to share the message of reconciliation as ambassadors on Christ’s behalf! We will share your message of Jesus and invite, urge, and implore those around us to receive Jesus as their LORD and Savior to be reconciled to you through your Son! My Prayer… O Gracious God, we know our sins have broken your heart and offended your holiness. Words, therefore, cannot communicate our thankfulness fully to you for the way you provided us a way for us to be reconciled to you. You were hurt by our sins, yet provided a sacrifice to redeem us from your judgment and reconcile us to you through Jesus. We praise you for your grace, thank you for your love, and promise to share your mercy and reconciliation with all who will listen. Through Jesus, our atoning sacrifice, 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 – Galatians 3:26-29
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. —Galatians 3:26-29 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… When we become Christians through faith and our baptism into Christ, the Holy Spirit makes us one with all other Christians around the world. Race, gender, and social status are not what matter in our lives. In fact, those things don’t distinguish us from each other. We are brothers and sisters in Christ living for Jesus with those we love. Our lives are his, and thus the Spirit connects us and makes us one (1 Corinthians 12:13). Our destination is the same: heaven. Our family is the church. No barriers. No closed doors. We are one in Christ Jesus! My Prayer… Abba Father, thank you for adopting me into your family. May we, your children, truly be one on earth now, as we will be when we are all together around your throne in heaven. I pray for our unity among all those who call upon your name and share your Spirit so the world may know there is a solution to the conflict, strife, and division it experiences through all its different prejudices. Through Jesus, our uniting Savior, in whom we are one, 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 – Psalm 118:5-6
In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? —Psalm 118:5-6 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The beginning of the year is a trying time for people I care about. Maybe it’s been that way for you or those you love. My prayer for you, and for them, is that they may know the comfort of God’s presence. Whether it’s the popular little poem “Footprints in the Sand” or the familiar “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me…” (Psalm 23:4 KJV). The presence of the LORD is absolutely vital to us if we are going to stand up for him and stand firm in the face of trial. The LORD does long to be with us, especially in those moments when we feel most alone and abandoned. He told us that by experiencing anguish himself and being alone on the cross. You can lean in, call upon, and have your hope in Jesus because he has been in the places you were hurting and came through to give us a way to God’s steadfast presence. My Prayer… I am thankful, O God, that you refused to be God from a safe distance. Because you came and felt what it was like to be abandoned, forsaken, and alone in Jesus, I know I can trust that you will never forsake me. Please give me a clearer sense of your presence with me in my life today, however, because I need to feel you close to me in these trying times. I pray through Jesus, and because of his assurance. 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 1:15-16
Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” —1 Peter 1:15-16 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “Holy” is one of those words we generally associate with the “stained glass ghetto” – a word only “church folks” use around church buildings. That may be true, but it’s still a great concept. Most kids know that you don’t eat hot dogs and potato chips on your grandmother’s china. Grandmother’s china is reserved for “special company” or “special occasions.” Hot dogs are for paper plates. China is for special events and occasions – special moments with special people we want to remember as special. When God is calling us to be holy, he’s calling us to be china in a paper-plate world – something special just for him, and as Peter emphasizes, someone special who lives like him. My Prayer… Holy LORD, God Almighty, I come before you knowing how great the distance is between your holiness and my commonness. I thank you for making me holy through the sacrifice of Jesus and for sending your Holy Spirit to live inside me, making me a holy temple where you dwell (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Please receive my life today as a holy offering to you. I pray in the name of Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of my faith, who has made me holy by your grace (Hebrews 2:10, 12:2; Colossians 1:21-23). 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 6:19-20
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not corrupt and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. —Matthew 6:19-20 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Where do you hide your heart? Jesus tells us that what we most value – what we consider our real treasure – is where we will find our heart. That’s why asking the question is so important. So, where do you hide your heart? You see, we can treasure riches, control, security, and relationships – or a host of other things. However, Jesus reminds us that only by letting go of the things, the things that most of us keep as our treasures, will we find what is truly a lasting treasure. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Majestic Father, I pray that out of the riches of your grace, you will help me find my treasure in you, treasuring nothing else above you and holding nothing as a treasure comparable to you. Today, I want to offer you all that I am, have, and treasure. I want to live my life for your glory as a witness to your grace. In the name of Jesus, my example, LORD, Savior, and lasting treasure, 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.