Today’s Verse – Isaiah 10:1-2
Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. —Isaiah 10:1-2 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God wants us to be generous, compassionate, holy, and righteous. Why? Because that is who he is: holy and full of righteous character (1 Peter 1:13-16; 2 Peter 1:5-11) as well as full of gracious compassion (Exodus 34:6-7; Deuteronomy 10:18). This kind of well-rounded kind of godly character must show up in how we live our daily lives. We must be both holy and righteous as well as compassionate and gracious. Righteousness and holiness must not be compromised. Neither should compassion and grace be set aside. Many of us find this a difficult balance. Still, it is a balance we are called to keep as we seek to honor our God by reflecting his character in our lives and as the Holy Spirit increasingly transforms us into the character of Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:22-23). After all, Jesus was the living demonstration of God’s righteous character and gracious compassion in human flesh (John 1:1-3, 14-18). My Prayer… O God, you are holy and righteous. You are also the God of compassion to the fatherless. Please increase our compassion and commitment to work for those who are forgotten, abused, disenfranchised, and pushed aside. Please move us to a deeper hunger for holiness that reflects your will. We want your full character, the character Jesus demonstrated, to be formed in 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 – Nehemiah 9:30
For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you admonished them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you handed them over to the neighboring peoples. —Nehemiah 9:30 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Nehemiah recognized that the LORD had spoken repeatedly to his people. The faithful prophets spoke as the Holy Spirit of God inspired them. God loved, blessed, and protected his people, yet they often ignored his will revealed through his servants, the prophets. The people abandoned the LORD their God to their destruction! We must not let the same thing be said of us. Let’s pay attention to our God and to his Son, Jesus, whom the Father sent. Let’s listen and obey the Holy Spirit whom the LORD Jesus poured out upon us and who is alive in us to guide us. The Spirit speaks to our hearts and through the Holy Scriptures. The Holy Spirit longs to guide us in the ways of our God. My Prayer… Sovereign LORD and Abba Father, we praise you! Please never let us outlive our love for you or our hearts’ desire to be obedient and pleasing to you! Lead us and speak to our hearts through your Holy Spirit and your holy Scriptures. We offer our hearts to you and are ready to obey you and follow Jesus as our LORD and Savior. In his 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 – Exodus 9:29
“When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the LORD. The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the LORD’s.” —Exodus 9:29 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… These words of Moses to Pharaoh remind us that when Moses confronted Pharaoh and was met only by the hardness of Pharaoh’s heart, God sent the plagues. Why? Because God wanted Pharaoh to know that Israel’s God wasn’t just another petty god of another nation, but that the LORD was the Only True and Living God. The nations, the seasons, and the earth are his. All people must come to revere his name and receive his grace or be lost forever. My Prayer… God of all the universe and LORD of more than all that we can imagine, experience, or see, we praise you and proclaim you to be God, the only true and living God, and the earth and its future are in your hands. Please use us, your people, to help more of earth’s inhabitants “from every nation, tribe, people and language” (Revelation 7:9), acknowledge you as God indeed! In Jesus’ name, we praise you and thank you for being LORD of our hearts, our world, and our future. 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 9:28
So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. —Hebrews 9:28 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… You gotta know it! Jesus IS coming back! Are you ready? Are you waiting? Are you eager? I sure hope you are because our salvation and the LORD’s glory await those who are eagerly anticipating his coming (Romans 8:19, 23; 1 Corinthians 1:7; Galatians 5:5). As Paul says to the Philippians: [O]ur citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body (Philippians 3:20-21). My Prayer… O come LORD Jesus! Your bride awaits you! To you belongs the glory, forever and ever! Amen. (Prayer adapted from 1 Corinthians 16:22 & Revelation 21:2, 9; 22:17.) 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 Corinthians 9:27
I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. —1 Corinthians 9:27 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “Practice what you preach!” “I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day.” “Put your life where your mouth is!” Each statement has the same goal: following God’s will and living under Jesus’ Lordship led by the Spirit without hypocrisy and with dedicated faithfulness. Those of us who speak out most openly about our faith in Jesus also need to ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the same standard we call others to follow. Self-scrutiny and a brother or sister in Christ who holds us accountable and encourages us when we are discouraged are essential if we are going to live faithfully what we say we believe. Like Paul who gave us this challenging verse, let’s prepare to live for Jesus like an athlete prepares to compete in the Olympic Games. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Father in Heaven, please help me with the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit within me. I want my walk with Jesus to be consistent with my talk about him and what I say I believe. May my talk and walk always be pleasing to you, a blessing to others, and an honor to my 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 – Luke 9:26
“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” —Luke 9:26 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Some of the saddest words a child can hear are these: “I’m so disappointed in you.” We don’t want the reaction of our LORD and Savior Jesus as we stand before him when he comes in his glory to be, “I’m ashamed of you!” We want the world to know now that we love and honor Jesus as our LORD. We want those around us to come to know Jesus as their Savior and LORD, too! We refuse to be intimated or shamed into renouncing our Savior. We know that one day, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is LORD! But we want those we know, love, and influence to acknowledge the LORD with us on that day as we celebrate together his return in glory because we refused to back down from our faith in Jesus and led them to love the LORD, too! My Prayer… LORD God Almighty; please give me boldness, wisdom, and respect as I seek to stand up for Jesus daily. May my words and my life declare my allegiance to Jesus as my LORD and Savior. 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 – Luke 9:25
“What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?” —Luke 9:25 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus’ question is a piercing challenge for us to evaluate our goals and look at what we pursue. It reminds me of a picture I once had in my office of a hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer with the caption, “Who says you can’t take it with you?” While it was humorous, the caption was also wrong: DEAD wrong. And that was the point of the picture! Jesus wants us to ask ourselves what we have really gained if we lose our souls in pursuing things we can’t take with us after we die. Is more stuff, fame, wealth, and power worth losing the only part of us that matters eternally? No, it is not! My Prayer… Loving Father, please help me focus on what is truly valuable and eternally enduring. Awaken my heart to use my blessings and influence to bring you glory and lead others closer to Jesus. I want to carry these things into the next life. I pray this in the 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 – Jeremiah 9:24
“Let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD. —Jeremiah 9:24 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… This passage from Jeremiah reminded God’s people of two truths about the LORD’s character — truths we should display in our lives, as well: God exercises kindness, justice, and righteousness. God delights when he sees these aspects of his character alive in us. Let’s be more like our heavenly Father as we commit to a lifestyle of kindness, justice, and righteousness. Why? Because we should have no greater joy than to bring delight to the Father by becoming more like him in how we live and treat others around us each day! My Prayer… Almighty and Holy God, may my life delight you and bring you joy. However, I know my character falls short of your standards of kindness, justice, and righteousness — these qualities you have demonstrated over the ages. So, please help me as I seek to please you and bless others by living more consistently aligned with your values displayed in Jesus. Thank you for giving me the Holy Spirit, who is transforming me increasingly to be more like my LORD, in whose 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 – Mark 9:23
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” —Mark 9:23 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… A desperate father came to Jesus with a request for help and said, IF you can, Jesus, please help! IF? IF! Jesus told the desperate father everything is possible for the person who believes. We say we believe that our Father in heaven will act for our best eternal good and the eternal best good of our loved ones in need as we love him and follow his purposes in our lives (Romans 8:28). We say that we believe, so let’s ask in faith with a commitment like that of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These three friends believed that God could spare them from the fiery furnace and confidently told King Nebuchadnezzar, “We serve a God who is able to deliver us, but even if he does not, we will not worship other gods who are false!” (Daniel 3:16-18) Let’s be committed to the enormity of what’s possible for us in Jesus when we believe! My Prayer… Now to our God, who we believe can do exceedingly and abundantly more than we can ask or imagine, to that God be glory, both now as well as forever and ever. In the glorious name of Jesus, we praise you. Amen. (Prayer adapted from Ephesians 3:20-21) 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 Corinthians 9:22
To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. —1 Corinthians 9:22 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Christ left heaven, became one of us, endured the worst from us, and served us to save us. Paul sacrificed everything to share the Gospel with both Jews and Gentiles and be able to save some. What have we done… what have we left… what have we given up… what have we endured… what have we done to become someone better able to share Jesus with those we love, know, or influence? Even more, what have we done to reach the lost, whom we don’t know, and who are not like us so that they can follow Jesus? Let’s do whatever it takes to follow Paul’s example and his description of Jesus as his example: In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:5-8). My Prayer… Father of mercy, God Almighty, so rich in steadfast love, please give me eyes to see those around me who need Jesus, empower me with the courage and the humility to share his grace, and bless me with the sense of timing to share Jesus with them when they are ready to know of his love. I want to do everything possible to win as many as possible, especially those whose hearts are ready to know Jesus. In his 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.