Today’s Verse – James 3:17-18
The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. —James 3:17-18 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Now I know why righteousness is so hard to find these days. We don’t have many in our world who are full of heavenly wisdom – if that means being considerate, submitting to others’ needs, living with mercy toward those who are different, bearing good fruit, treating others with impartiality, and demonstrating genuine concern for our neighbors. These traits of wisdom are hard to find in our world, probably because they are often associated with weakness. And, while many claim to love peace, so few are willing to make peace and to sow peace into the lives of others. Heavenly wisdom is full of sacrificial earthly action. That’s a powerful reminder to me that wisdom is not what we know but what we sow! We don’t produce “a harvest of righteousness” by spewing hate and seeking our own way at the expense of others. My Prayer… Holy and Wise Father, thank you for demonstrating purity, peace-making, impartiality, submissiveness, mercy, good fruit, and sincerity in the life of Jesus. I ask for the power and courage to demonstrate these Christlike qualities as I seek to live a more JESUShaped life. In the name of Christ Jesus, my LORD, 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 6:10
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. —Hebrews 6:10 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The Holy Spirit offers us great assurance in today’s verse! God is not unjust. Oh, that is such an understatement: God furnished the atoning sacrifice for our sins by sending Jesus (1 John 2:1-2). When we seek after him, Jesus promised we could find him (Matthew 7:7-8; Acts 17:27). God will not forget the work and love we share with others. God has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:10-12). He chooses to keep an eternal record of the good we have done. We are his people. He claims us. He is gracious and loving, remembering the good we have done to others while forgiving and forgetting our sins. Wow! What great motivation for us to keep maturing into the likeness of Jesus Christ as we become more JESUShaped (2 Corinthians 3:18). My Prayer… God, you are so gracious. Thank you. Words cannot express my joy at hearing such a simple and profound statement describing your virtues: God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. I am so glad, dear Father, that I am your child. Through my gracious brother, Jesus, I thank 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 – Romans 11:33
Oh, the depth and riches of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out. —Romans 11:33 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God’s plan to save us is incredible. His blueprints for the creation of our universe are beyond our imagining. He is so rich in wisdom and knowledge that we cannot even imagine his greatness. What else can we do but go to him and ask him to open our minds to his work, will, and presence in our lives? God is far greater than our minds can comprehend. His judgments are not fully comprehensible to us, and ways beyond us, but we do know this: What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:31-32) “Oh, the depth and riches of the wisdom and the knowledge of God!” And on top of his greatness, he loves us and has great plans for us. Oh, yes; God is gracious and good. My Prayer… Precious and Almighty Father, thank you for reawakening me each spring to the power of your sustaining presence in the world and in my life. I see the beauty of creation reemerge, and it reminds me of your goodness, creativity, colorfulness, and grace. As I seek to put you first in all I do, please use me to bring you glory, and please, bless others through my thoughts, words, and deeds. In Jesus name, I thank you 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 – Ecclesiastes 11:5
As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. —Ecclesiastes 11:5 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “I don’t know!” This sure seems to be one of the hardest phrases for us to say. When thinking about God and his ways, especially his work on us and plans for us made when we were in the womb, that’s really all we can say. “I don’t know!” The truths we know about God and his ways with us when we were in the womb are only what he has chosen to reveal to us. He is the Mystery of mysteries. He is the supreme unknowable Knowable. Yet what we do know of him, what he has revealed to us in Jesus, is not only mighty and awesome, but loving, tender, and merciful. We know his love is willing to sacrifice for us, so we could seek after him and find his grace. So in reverence, we kneel to pray to the Father we cannot fully know – at least not yet, but will one day (1 John 3:1-3) – but can be fully assured that he loves us and wants us near to him. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… To you, O LORD God, I offer my wonder and awe. When I consider the vastness of the universe in which our tiny blue planet spins through its existence, I am humbled by your wonderfully complex and expansive sovereignty, often expressed in tender mercy. As I ponder your greatness, dear Abba Father, I also treasure your nearness. You are the good Father who transcends space and time, yet you also are the almighty God who is ever near. Thank you for being accessible while being sovereign, available while not controllable. I thank you and praise you in the name of Jesus as I draw near to experience you more fully. 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 139:13-14
You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. —Psalm 139:13-14 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… You are made by God. Just as surely as ANYone has been made by God, we have been made by God. He knew us before anyone knew we were in the womb. He knew us before our mother had even felt our flutter inside of her. God had plans for us before anyone even planned our arrival. He fashioned us for his purpose with plans for our lives. He made us purposely, faithfully, and he made us wonderfully. We are wonderfully made by a loving Creator! My Prayer… God Almighty, my Savior and Redeemer, thank you for knowing me before I was able to know. Thank you for choosing my life and giving it to me. Thank you for giving me the gifts, abilities, and talents that you have given me. Now, dear Father, please help me to live with a reverential awareness that you fashioned me and knew me before my mother knew I was in her womb. O, Father, and please reawaken me to the sanctity and sacredness of every other person I meet, realizing that you fashioned and knew them from their conception, too! Through Jesus, I pray and thank you that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. 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 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.