Today’s Verse – Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. —Matthew 6:33 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “Seek first his kingdom”!” “Seek first… his righteousness”!Seeking the kingdom of God first is the primary focus of today’s verse and the Sermon of the Mount where it is found. “Seek first…” is Jesus’ robust, prioritizing command. God’s kingdom must be the passionate pursuit of our lives. Seeking the LORD’s kingdom, and his righteousness must not just be our wish, our hope, our dream — it must be our passion. We will pursue God’s kingdom at all costs. We will pursue it with all of our passion. Seeking God’s kingdom first will be our consuming effort until we find it our home! My Prayer… Forgive me, dear LORD, for letting my passion for your kingdom and your character get pushed to the side in my priorities. I want to make it first. I want to seek your kingdom and your righteousness first! So, please awaken me each morning with a sense of prioritizing focus for your work and your will for each day. Father, I want to be a passionate seeker of your kingdom first, so please make me restless for your kingdom as my home. 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.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 37:28
For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever… —Psalm 37:28 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Don’t you love the term for God’s people when they live for him? They are “his faithful ones”! The LORD is committed to his people. He will not forget his people, those who seek to honor him by displaying his righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful love and justice (Exodus 34:6). God has promised to honor his promises to his people and preserve them with his protecting power, forever. As God has promised, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5-6). My Prayer… Eternal and Faithful Father, thank you for your great promises. I am thrilled at the reminder of your faithful presence in my life. I fully believe I can entrust my future to you and that you will bring me into your presence with victory and great joy. Thank you for my sure and steadfast hope. 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.
Today’s Verse – Matthew 25:37-40
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ ” The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ “ —Matthew 25:37-40 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus’ parable challenges our frequent preconceptions about those we should help. Building on the teaching of the LORD in the Old Covenant (Deuteronomy 10:17-18; Jeremiah 7:5-7; Malachi 3:5), Jesus emphasizes the essentiality of each of us helping those truly in need. When we help those who can’t help themselves — those who have gotten themselves in trouble, those who have been falsely accused, those who are facing death, widows, the fatherless — we are helping Jesus himself. We see Jesus’ face in the faces of those we bless. Why? Because compassion and grace come from Jesus. He would be among us, helping others experience grace out of their hopelessness and despair. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Father, please give me wisdom to see my opportunities to serve others as I try to help them understand your incredible grace. O Holy Spirit, please stir my heart with the Father’s mercy, grace, and compassion. I pray this in the name of my Redeemer, Savior, and Friend, Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, who demonstrated the principles I want to live. 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 3:25-26
Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. —Proverbs 3:25-26 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… What guards your heart from fear? Only one protector is sure and faithful, his name is the LORD. He is our confidence and protector. Prayer and the Holy Spirit are our assurance of God’s deliverance. In our current afflictions, either we will be delivered FROM death to serve God powerfully or delivered THROUGH death to share with him in eternity (Philippians 1:18-26). Our fates and futures remain in God’s gracious hands! My Prayer… Almighty Deliverer, please give me the courage to live for you with passion, no matter the cost. I trust, dear Father, that you are able to keep me from stumbling and will present me “before your glorious presence without fault and with great joy” (Jude 1:24)! In Jesus’ name, I confidently 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 6:25
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? —Matthew 6:25 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Food and clothing are some of the biggest worries of our human existence. They have been for centuries. However, God reminds us that no matter how important these may seem to be in our world, life is much bigger than these things, and God wants us to trust that he will supply them when we trust in him. If our Heavenly Father loved us so much that he sent Jesus to save us (John 3:16-17), how much will he not give us what we really need in life (Romans 8:32)? My Prayer… Father, please help me rein in my envious and covetous heart. I know that my desire for things makes me anxious and near-sighted in my faith. Please give me a more expansive view of your Kingdom and a greater trust that your past demonstrations of grace will be equally true in the future. As you do, I am committed to use the blessings you lavish on me to help others. In the name of the LORD 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 73:23-26
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. —Psalm 73:23-26 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… In times of confusion, we can take comfort in knowing that while we may not understand everything here on earth (Psalm 73:1-22), God will be faithful and work it for our good (Romans 8:28-29). Everything we have and know here on earth is subject to decay, but our relationship with the LORD is our strength forever. His strength will not wear out, grow old, or decay. He will not abandon, fail, or forget us (Romans 8:32-39), but will bring us to him in glory. My Prayer… Almighty God, thank you for always being with me, especially in those moments when life is most confusing and my fears most troubling. Please give me the faith to ask you honest questions and trust you even when things don’t look like they are all that good for those who believe in you. Please strengthen my faith, help me hold firm as I wait for your mighty vindication for your people. Who have I in heaven but you? What do I have on earth that is lasting but you? So, in you I place my trust. 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 – Proverbs 18:22
He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD. —Proverbs 18:22 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Several great truths are taught us in the opening chapters of the Bible (Genesis 1:26-31). First, we are made in God’s image, both male and female. Second, we are made to be different, male or female. Third, we are made to bless each other and be complements of one another in our marriages. Fourth, a husband and wife were made to leave their families of origin and build their lives together. To find a spouse for life, someone created by God in his image, is to find what is truly good and what God desires. Such a gift is a blessing! But we also remember that Jesus and Paul taught that some are gifted to be fulfilled and single (Matthew 19:10-11; 1 Corinthians 7:6-9, 17, 20, 24). So, we should respect each other regardless! My Prayer… Father, we thank you for your plans for each of us. For the married among us, we thank you for our spouse as we seek to live in holiness and honor. For those widowed among us, dear Father, we ask that you comfort their feelings of loss and grief, and that you help them give thanks for the ways their departed loved one has blessed their lives. For the single among us, we ask that you help them find fullness in your presence and use them to bless others in the way they live with loving integrity and faithfulness. For the divorced, separated, and hurt among us, we ask dear Father for you to please minister to their wounds and sense of loss as they seek to use their lives and experiences to bless others and bring you glory. O, dear Father, we ask that you enable us to live fulfilled lives as we seek to live in the center of your will so we can honor you with our lives. In Jesus’ name, 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 – Proverbs 6:20
My son, keep your father’s commands and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. —Proverbs 6:20 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… So often today, we discount the wisdom of those who have come before us and want to share with us the collective wisdom handed down to them by their faithful predecessors. Over the next few weeks, we should be especially attentive to older people, especially those who have proven themselves faithful. At the same time, let’s remind our children and our grandchildren how important obedience is to God, especially the obedience of children to their parents. We want the Holy Spirit to help us train our children and grandchildren in godliness so that they may honor, not only us, but our Heavenly Father! My Prayer… Dear heavenly Father, I ask your forgiveness for the times that I have not properly respected my parents’ words and wisdom. I thank you for their love for me and their desire to guide me in your path. Please bless them with your grace and bless me as I seek to be more obedient to your will. Help me bless my children and grandchildren so I can steer them so their hearts are open to you and they obey you as their Heavenly Father! 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.
Today’s Verse – Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. —Luke 6:38 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Our God is the God of all grace (1 Peter 5:10). He loves giving, blessing, and empowering! One of God’s chosen ways to do these three things is through us. Our Father in Heaven wants us to be conduits of his blessings. Like the faithful stewards in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), when we are faithful and generous in using what he has given us to administer, he blesses us with more to use to help others and bring him glory. As we provide, share, and encourage others, God continues supplying us with more than we can imagine to bless even more (2 Corinthians 9:6-11 & Ephesians 3:20-21). Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Father, please open my heart and help me be a more generous person. I want to use the many blessings and resources you have entrusted to me to bless others and bring you glory. Please give me the courage to use what you have given me in bold and extravagant ways in your service, to benefit others. I know that as my heart is pure and cheerful, I can keep sharing your grace, because I will never be able to outdo your extravagance! In Jesus’ name, I praise and 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 – Psalm 31:19
How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. —Psalm 31:19 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… This psalm begins with God’s people in desperation, but as it progresses, it crescendos with faith. While things may seem bleak, God will not abandon his children. Those who reverence God — fear him with awe and love — will not be forgotten. Far from ignoring his children, God has stored up his goodness, which he will generously pour out on them to show that they are his. Those who take refuge in him will be protected and blessed. For those on this side of Jesus’ resurrection, this promise of blessing and vindication takes on added depth, meaning, and assurance because of Jesus’ empty tomb and his promise to return to take us home with him in glory! My Prayer… O LORD, God of Abraham, Moses, Ruth, David, and Esther, I praise you for your proven faithfulness through the centuries. Thank you for the great heritage of faith that shows me I can trust you to remember me with your grace. So, please protect me by your power, and bless me with your goodness. As I approach you with reverent awe and loving respect, please give me the courage to hang on to my faith no matter my trials and temptations. In Jesus’ name, I pray and place my trust in 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.