Today’s Verse – Matthew 9:21
[A desperate and lonely woman who had been ill for years came to Jesus for healing after spending all her money on doctors who could not help her.] She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” —Matthew 9:21 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The woman who said this to herself knew ostracism and loneliness because of her twelve-year bout with an illness that made her unclean under Jewish law. Her condition imprisoned her and made her life nearly unlivable socially, physically, and religiously. Just as Jesus freed her from her prison (vs. 22), he also longs to free you from yours. What holds you captive? Jesus longs to give you freedom through at least five gifts: The Scriptures to help you know God’s will and protect yourself from harm. Your surrender to his lordship as you let him lead you. Your cleansing from sin, guilt, and shame. The gift of the Holy Spirit to empower you, help you overcome sin, and become more like Jesus. His family of brothers and sisters to support you, encourage you, help you, and hold you accountable to your commitment to him. These are five of God’s precious keys to freedom. So, dear friend, in your heart, “touch his cloak” by reaching out to him, confessing him as your Savior, and honoring him as your LORD. My Prayer… Father, I pray today for all those who need deliverance from the evil one’s grip in whatever form he has in their lives. I confidently pray in Jesus’ mighty and holy name, asking that you, the LORD of all creation, to break the bonds that hold each of our readers captive to the evil one. 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 9:20
“But what about you?” [Jesus asked his disciples]. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” —Luke 9:20 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Many people had and still have widely varying opinions about Jesus’ identity. The real issue, however, is what YOU believe about Jesus and who Jesus reveals himself to be. What you decide about the identity of Jesus as God’s Son, the LORD and Christ, the Messiah of Israel, means everything for you (Romans 10:9-13) and those you seek to influence. So, please listen again to Jesus’ question to his disciples as if he is asking it of you: “Who do you say I am?” I pray that your answer is the same as Peter’s: “The Christ (the Messiah) of God.” Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for Jesus, who is my LORD (Philippians 2:10-11), Savior (John 4:42), friend (John 4:14-15), and older brother (Hebrews 2:11, 14) in your family. I praise you for sending him to reveal yourself to us. I thank you for demonstrating your love for us through his death, burial, and resurrection. I do believe that Jesus is the Christ, your chosen Messiah, the Son of the Living God, and the only Savior who can bring freedom, pardon, cleansing, and complete salvation. Thank you! In Jesus’ mighty 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 – 1 Corinthians 9:19
Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. —1 Corinthians 9:19 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Grace frees us from the law of sin and death. However, our freedom is not to be used selfishly — not for rebellion or self-gratification. Instead, we must use our liberty redemptively, just as Jesus did (Philippians 2:5-11). We can voluntarily limit that freedom to help others still caught in bondage to sin and false ideas about God. We can use the freedom of the Spirit to be transformed to be like Christ (2 Corinthians 3:17-18). We can honestly submit ourselves to the needs of those who don’t know Jesus to win some of them to the LORD and his grace (1 Corinthians 9:20-23). Let’s use our freedom to rejoice, redeem, and bless. My Prayer… Thank you, great and mighty LORD, for setting me free by your grace. I know, dear Father, you gave this gift to me at great cost to you — the humiliating torture, death, and burial of your Son, Jesus Christ. But you also raised him triumphantly from death! So use me, dear Father, to bless others who have not yet found their deliverance and freedom in Jesus so the Spirit can raise them triumphantly with Jesus to a fresh new life. I pray this in the name of my Savior, 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 – Ecclesiastes 9:18
Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. —Ecclesiastes 9:18 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Just a little leaven and the whole lump is changed (1 Corinthians 5:6). A sinful person can have the same effect, leaving an evil residue on an entire group of people committed to God. So let’s be wise and reverence God by obeying him and his Word. Let’s be insightful in the way we deal with sin and temptation in our lives. Let’s also remember that we are at war with the evil one (Ephesians 6:10-12) and do not even allow him the tiniest footholds. Then, let’s praise God because our Savior has already defeated our enemy, and the Holy Spirit empowers us to stand up to Satan’s attacks and resist his temptations. My Prayer… Loving Father, please give me wisdom to see through the deceptiveness of the devil’s schemes while I seek to live your truth and display your character in my life. Thank you for your power at work in me and in my life. 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 – Deuteronomy 9:17
[Moses reminded the Israelites of his reaction to seeing the golden calf they had demanded by saying,] “So I took the two tablets and threw them out of my hands, breaking them to pieces before your eyes.” —Deuteronomy 9:17 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Anger, frustration, disappointment, and loss of self-control have sunk many of God’s most significant leaders — even when what they have seen is horrible and dishonoring to God. Leading can sometimes be an agonizing and disappointing task. Yet God’s people would perish without strong leaders full of godly conviction. Despite the failure of some of our leaders and the perils that can beset those who choose to lead, leadership is as honorable as it is vital! Where would Israel have been without Moses or Joshua or Hezekiah or David…? So if the LORD is calling you to lead, don’t accept his invitation lightly, but please, accept it! If you are not a leader, please remember to pray for your leaders and their families as they seek to honor God through their leadership (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; Hebrews 13:7-8, 17). My Prayer… Holy LORD, please bless your Church with leaders of great faith, courage, endurance, and integrity. Open my heart to my leaders and use me to bless and encourage them. Bless those you’ve gifted to lead with the courage to answer you when you call them to serve 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 – Genesis 9:16
[God told Noah,] “Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” —Genesis 9:16 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… I don’t know about you, but I’m very visual. So, I appreciate how God made the world with all its varied colors, many species, and rich landscapes. I am thankful that our Father in Heaven used key images in our world to remind us of his daily provision and eternal grace. The beauty of a rainbow is not just in its beautiful colors or the aroma of fresh rain that often accompanies it but also in the covenant God made with us and our world after the Great Flood. The eternal and living God chose to link himself to our destiny and to involve himself in our world because of his love and grace. With the rainbow as his symbol, God promised not to destroy all life on our planet with a flood. Each of us is God’s creation from the womb, so we are precious to him (Psalm 139:13-16). So, we commit to living morally and responsibly to God as we seek to honor him and his covenant represented by the rainbow (Genesis 9:4-7) and refuse to dishonor this covenant with wickedness (Genesis 9:22-24). God made the rainbow as a reminder that he loves us and calls us to honor him with our character and care for his creation. My Prayer… Almighty God, thank you for making your great promises when we had no right to expect them, much less to demand them. Thank you for attaching those promises to things in my everyday world that remind me of your constant and watchful care. In Jesus’ name, I ask for strength and wisdom to respond to your grace in holiness and honor. 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 Corinthians 9:15
[In talking about others having the right to be supported in their ministry, the apostle Paul says of himself,] “But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me. I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast [of being self-supporting].” —1 Corinthians 9:15 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Paul was careful not to take support from the Corinthians even though it was his right as a minister of the Gospel. Instead, he knew their problems with generosity and showed them a greater example of living for Jesus without obvious and instant rewards. Often, we must show our values before others share them with us. Paul was a master at reading the needs around him and living in a way that was an example. He then would call them to follow his example as he followed the example of Christ (1 Corinthians 4:16, 11:1). By not receiving support for his ministry, Paul demonstrated to them that they needed to make a living with their own hands and be responsible (1 Corinthians 4:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:11). Let’s commit to following Paul’s example and live with integrity before others. My Prayer… Father God and Almighty LORD, please give me the courage and integrity to live my principles in a way that is a blessing and an example to others. Bless me, dear Father, with a life that makes a mark on others for your glory. 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 – 1 Corinthians 9:14
In the same way [as God commanded farm animals to be fed for their work], the LORD has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. —1 Corinthians 9:14 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… One of the great tragedies of our modern world is that while some who preach and teach the gospel are charlatans and cheats, the vast majority of God’s servants work hard and barely scrape by financially. Why not find some underpaid and forgotten Kingdom servant and share some blessings God has given you? A note of kindness, a specific comment of praise and thanksgiving, or a surprising financial gift can do amazing things to lift one of God’s servants and empower them to ever greater service. My Prayer… Holy Father, I thank you for your servants who share the message of Jesus wherever they are. Father, I want to especially thank you for these people: ______ Please bless them with good health, a faithful and loving family, and the proper support to do your work in a way worthy of your cause and their commitment. Please use me to bless and encourage your ministers of grace. 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 9:13
[When his disciples wondered how to feed the huge crowd who had been with them several days and were famished, Jesus] replied, “You give them something to eat.” They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish — unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” —Luke 9:13 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… I love the way Jesus got his disciples’ attention in this situation. He challenged them “to do immeasurably more than all [they] ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20-21). Basically, Jesus told them, “You feed them, boys!” Of course, they knew that they couldn’t! Yet Jesus showed them they could do amazing things if they brought their meager resources to him. When the big picnic was over, each of those limited disciples got to pick up a basket full of leftovers from the table of Jesus’ grace (Luke 9:17). Let’s remember our challenge is the limited resources we see but our unwillingness to bring what we have to Jesus and trust that he will do something with us, and those resources, to bless others in ways we couldn’t have dreamed! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… All praise to you, Abba Father, for your extravagant help and mercy in times of need, your loving and generous provision in times of want, and your surprising and exciting use of my limited resources as I seek to do your will. I know that you have entrusted me with what I have to accomplish the work you have called me to do as I serve to bless others. Forgive me, Father, for not trusting you to make what I think are my meager resources more than enough to do your work in my world! In Jesus’ name, I ask for your grace fully confident and praising you for your sufficiency. 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 9:12
On hearing [people complaining he associated with sinful people], Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” —Matthew 9:12 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Why did Jesus associate with sinners? Because we need him to associate with us! What’s the most crucial part of that truth: Jesus’ desire to love and save us or our recognition of our need for him in our sinfulness? Of course, the most crucial truth is Jesus’ desire to love and save us. Without him, recognizing our sinfulness would only lead us to despair. At the same time, however, if we don’t acknowledge our need for Jesus’ love and grace, the LORD’s sacrifice for us is lost to us. So, let’s praise Jesus as our loving and sacrificial Savior as we acknowledge our need for his merciful love and mighty grace! My Prayer… Gracious Father, I praise you from the bottom of my heart for providing Jesus as my Savior. At the same time, dear Father, I confess I struggle with sin. I want sin entirely out of my life, yet I find that I cannot rid myself of its constant shadow and its penetrating stain. Without your grace and the love and mercy of Jesus, I know I could not stand before you as your pure child. So, please forgive me for the sins I confess to you now… As I have received your love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness, please receive my praise for your gracious forgiveness. 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.