Today’s Verse – John 10:11
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” —John 10:11 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… These words come from Jesus, who describes his role as the Good Shepherd David described in Psalm 23. If we refuse to let the familiarity of these words get in the way of their astounding grace, we realize their astonishing reality. The supreme God of the universe loves us so generously and is involved in our individual lives specifically and lovingly! He has shown his kindness to us in the past through Jesus and the grace and mercy Jesus brought us when we were undeserving (Romans 5:6-11). The LORD now leads, guides, and cares for us as our Good Shepherd. And, he will dramatically show his love for us again when Jesus returns — not to give his life for us, not just to guide us in our lives today, but also to share his life with us forever! Come, sweet Shepherd, come! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing yourself to Israel as the Great Shepherd and for sending Jesus to be the Good Shepherd who sacrificed his life for me. Now, please accept the commitment of my heart and the actions of my life to be my sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise to you for all that you have done and will do as my Good Shepherd. In Jesus’ name, 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 – Jeremiah 10:10
“But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King.” —Jeremiah 10:10 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jeremiah is speaking the words of God to Israel and reminds them that there is only one true God, the LORD. All others are false gods, mere pretenders to the throne of the Righteous One, the eternal King. Yet, like the Athenians in Acts 17, our world continues to place idol after idol in the place that should be reserved for God alone. But we can be different. We must be different! We can live as radiant examples of the God of justice, righteousness, mercy, and grace. We can reflect his holiness into our world, share his hope for the lost and hurting, and make a redemptive impact for good in the places we go and the people we meet. So, let’s get started doing it TODAY! My Prayer… Most High God, my Abba Father, thank you so much for the incredible gift of your grace and the sense of redemptive purpose you have placed within my life. I know you can use me to do your work in my world and bring you glory. Please do! In Jesus’ name, 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 – 1 Kings 10:9
“Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king, to maintain justice and righteousness.” —1 Kings 10:9 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Solomon was reminded by the words of a foreigner, the queen of Sheba, that he was where he was by God’s grace, and he had been put there to live out God’s will and to display God’s character in all that he did. So are we! No one in your life can live for God in your place. He fashioned you for this moment and promised to empower you to live for his glory through the Holy Spirit. So, please join me; let’s encourage each other to live with the redemptive purpose — “to maintain justice and righteousness” — the things that God has designed for us to live! My Prayer… Dear Heavenly Father, I know you have blessed me with your grace and positioned me to influence others to find you and discover your grace. Now, dear LORD, please empower me to know and live out your redemptive purposes in this moment, the purposes for which you have made 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.
Today’s Verse – Proverbs 10:8
The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin. —Proverbs 10:8 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… It’s easy to give our opinion. It’s kind of fun to “put in our two cents worth.” It’s easy to “talk the talk.” Unfortunately, however, our talk can often keep us insulated from the obedience God desires. We don’t want our talk to drown out the wisdom, truth, and grace in God’s commands! No matter our age or experience, let’s listen to and accept God’s righteous commands and prove we are part of the wise. My Prayer… O LORD God, who searches hearts and minds, please give me an inquiring heart that thirsts after pleasing, listening, and obeying you. 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 – Jeremiah 10:7
Who should not revere you, O King of the nations? This is your due. Among all the wise men of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is no one like you. —Jeremiah 10:7 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Presidents, kings, prime ministers, and rulers have a host of “wise” and diplomatic counselors. Many also surround themselves with people of power and wealth who will tell them what they want to hear. There is, however, only one King of the Nations! Only One will genuinely and ultimately rule over all peoples of the earth. He is beyond compare and has no worthy rival. His name is YAHWEH, the great I AM, the LORD God Almighty, the one true and living God whom Jesus taught us to call our Abba Father. All creatures, great and small, will one day revere God and honor him as they should today. All peoples of every nation will one day bow down and worship God one day as they should today. So, let’s make sure that we, as disciples of Jesus, do it today! My Prayer… You are worthy of all glory and power, my God and Father. You have no rival — either in reality or in my heart. Why should you care for me when you have such power and majesty? I thank you for adopting me into your royal family by your grace. I praise you for the mercy and love that you have poured into my life. I want to respond with a life that declares that there is no one like you! In the name of Jesus, I 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 – Proverbs 10:6
Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. —Proverbs 10:6 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… In the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas betrayed Jesus and Temple soldiers arrested him. Peter drew a sword to defend the Lord and used it against the servant of the high priest (Matthew 26:47-51). Jesus told Peter, “Put your sword back in its place… for all who draw the sword will die by the sword” (Matthew 26:52). Violence begets violence, and rarely do violent people not have to taste the bitter repayment of violence on their own heads. God’s Wise Man essentially says the same thing in this verse but with one key addition. Blessings come to the righteous person. We reap what we sow, whether we sow righteousness or violence! My Prayer… Holy God, please bless me with righteousness — not just by your grace and mercy, but by your Holy Spirit’s transformation of my heart. And, dear Father, we close our prayer with the plea of King David: Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure — you, the righteous God who probes minds and hearts (Psalm 7:9). We pray this in the name of Jesus our Lord. 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 10:5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. —2 Corinthians 10:5 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The apostle Paul knew he was in a war against spiritual forces opposed to God (Ephesians 6:10-12) and the false teachers under their influence. While these forces and influences may have a great deal of impact on the world at large, Paul determined he would do all he could, empowered by the Spirit, to keep Satan’s deceptions from ruling in God’s churches. He was committed to truth in an age obsessed with many different gods, beliefs, and choices. Can we be any less vigilant in our day? Can we be any less committed to the truth in our culture so obsessed with many of the same ideas Paul confronted? Of course not! We must demolish every argument “and pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God”! My Prayer… O, holy God, please forgive our lack of spiritual vigilance and cowardice in the marketplace of ideas. Stir us by your Spirit to speak the truth in love. Convict us of our need to confront detrimental and hostile ideas to faith, righteousness, and truth with sound and godly wisdom. We want to do this forcefully, clearly, and honorably. Stir our hearts as we seek to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”Arouse us to be your holy and committed people, we pray, in the mighty name of 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 – Romans 10:4
Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. —Romans 10:4 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Christ is the fulfillment of the Law (the goal and destination of the Mosaical Law) and the end of law as the means by which we are declared righteous. We are no longer judged on the basis of our law-keeping. True, the standard used for us is the righteousness of God, but this is a standard that Jesus meets in us and for us by being the sin offering for us and sending the Spirit to empower us to be transformed. Jesus’ saving work and our faith in him mean that God can declare us righteous while still transforming us as we strive to be more righteous in how we live. The Law’s goal is fulfilled and finds its completion in Jesus as his saving work redeems us, and the Holy Spirit transforms us to be like our LORD (2 Corinthians 3:18). Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Dear Father, I do believe that Jesus is your dear Son, sent to be my Savior, crucified for my sins, and raised from the dead for my victory. I trust my salvation to him and thank you for your incredible gift of grace. In the name of Jesus Christ, my LORD. 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 10:3
Moses then said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD spoke of when he said: “‘Among those who approach me I will show myself holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.’” Aaron remained silent. —Leviticus 10:3 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Moses spoke these words after Nadab and Abihu dishonored God by their disobedience in the LORD’s holy presence. Aaron was silent because God struck Nadab and Abihu dead. They had dishonored God’s holiness, and God’s holiness is unapproachable without the gift of his grace to enter into his presence. When we disregard God’s holiness and do things the way we think is best, we profane what is precious and sacred. God will be known and shown as holy, if not by his people, then by God’s remedial actions. Let’s take our worship of God seriously, honoring him with our reverence and awe (Hebrews 12:28-29). Let’s also refuse to confine our worship to only what we do in a church building or around other believers. Let’s realize that all of our life is worship (Romans 12:1-2) and live out our lives with a commitment to be holy in all we do (1 Peter 1:15-16), both in the worship with our lips and the worship with our lives (Hebrews 13:1-16). My Prayer… Almighty and Most High God, who alone is holy in perfect righteousness, please forgive me for my sins. Cleanse me and make me holy by your Holy Spirit’s transforming and sanctifying power. May my life be lived as a holy sacrifice to you — pleasing and acceptable and full of joy for all you have done for 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.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 10:2
In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises. —Psalm 10:2 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God hates violence, intimidation, or any means used by the powerful to control, manipulate, hound, and enslave those who are weaker or more vulnerable. God loathes wickedness based upon the strong and the abusive, preying on the weak and powerless — the sexual predator who abuses and enslaves the innocent and vulnerable is just one example. By our actions and resources, we must demonstrate to the weak and the helpless that there is a God of love who demands justice for those who practice evil and prey on them. Let’s make sure arrogant and abusive people ARE caught in their sinful schemes and brought to justice! My Prayer… Give me a heart, O God, that disdains the abuse of power and the misuse of wealth and influence. Thank you, dear God, for sending Jesus to save me when I was powerless to bring about my salvation (Romans 5:5-11). Please give me a heart like Jesus when I see others being abused, enslaved, or trafficked. In the name of my Savior, Jesus, I pray for your help as we seek to eliminate such manipulative forms of violence. 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.