Today’s Verse – Romans 7:24-25
What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God — through Jesus Christ our Lord! —Romans 7:24-25 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Our bodies are mortal and flawed. Our weakness and sin taint them. But, by the grace of God given each of us in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:1-10) and the transformational power of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:17-18), our future does not rest in the dust with our decaying bodies, but in the power of our perfecting LORD. Jesus is our Deliverer and the Holy Spirit — as Paul will explain more fully in Romans 8 — is our Empowerer! My Prayer… Almighty God, thank you for the gift of life beyond the death of my mortal flesh. Thank you for giving me holiness beyond my sin-stained flesh. Thank you for delivering me from death and bringing me into your glory. Thank you for providing the power of the Holy Spirit to transform me to become more and more like Jesus. Now, dear Father, may my words, deeds, and thoughts reflect your grace and power in all I do today and each day that follows. 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 – Ezekiel 7:23
[The word of the Lord came to Ezekiel and said: “This is what the Sovereign Lord says to the land of Israel…] Prepare chains, because the land is full of bloodshed and the city is full of violence.” —Ezekiel 7:23 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God hates it when the innocent are afflicted with violence and bloodshed. God hates evil and political corruption. He hates false courts and leaders who abuse their power. We can rest assured that God will deliver his faithful followers and administer ultimate justice to those who have abused their positions and harmed others. God’s faithfulness and justice will prevail! My Prayer… Father, thank you for assuring me that your justice will ultimately be done with those who are violent, corrupt, wicked, and abusive. Please give your people the patience they need to wait in hope until your day of ultimate justice is accomplished. 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 – 2 Samuel 7:22
[King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said:] “How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.” —2 Samuel 7:22 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The promises of God to Abraham and David, the work of God through Jesus, and the miraculous preservation of both the Abrahamic and Davidic lines to Jesus are nothing short of miraculous. They are testimony to God’s faithfulness and power. When we get discouraged by the unfaithfulness, blasphemy, and wickedness prevalent in our world today, we need to remember our God’s faithfulness and tremendous power displayed through his chosen people. God’s promises will not fail no matter what people do and refuse to do. God will use a faithful remnant of his people to fulfill his promises and plans! And the story of Jesus, going back to David and Abraham, confirms that truth! My Prayer… Father of all and Provider and Protector of your people, please give me a sense of courageous awe at your power and a sense of reverential wonder at your faithfulness. There is no other being or power like you, for you alone are God. I praise you for your glory and grace. 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 – Deuteronomy 7:21
[Speaking to the Israelites about their enemies, Moses said:] “Do not be terrified by them, for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God.” —Deuteronomy 7:21 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… What foe can defeat us as the people of God? None when we gladly welcome the presence of our holy God among us! Our God, our Deliverer, is mighty in power, awesome in holiness, and greater than any of our foes. Throughout history, the LORD has repeatedly proven his love, presence, and power in and for us, his people. So, we can refuse to fear what the evil one threatens to do to us because our Savior has already defeated hell, sin, death, Satan, and demons. And we will enjoy that victory with him one day forever. My Prayer… Abba Father, calm my fears and soothe my anxious heart. By the power of your Spirit, please bless me with boldness and confidence as I seek to live for you in a world that is often hostile to my faith and opposed to your values. I ask these graces 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 – Ecclesiastes 7:20
There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins. —Ecclesiastes 7:20 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Yep, we’re all broken, flawed, and tainted (Romans 3:9-11, 23-24). Or, at least, that is what we were before God saved us, the Spirit sanctified us, and Jesus brought us into his family (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Praise God! Praise God because of his grace. Praise God for the work of Jesus. Praise God for the presence of the Holy Spirit. Because of these, we can stand before God holy, without blemish, and free from accusation (Colossians 1:22). My Prayer… Forgiving Father and Holy God, thank you for redeeming me from my sinful ways through the loving self-sacrifice of Jesus. Thank you for empowering me to become more like him by the transforming power of your Holy Spirit. Thank you for helping me become more than I could ever be through your grace than I could ever be through my own efforts. Thank you, dear God, for saving me from sin, ransoming me from guilt, and redeeming me to share in your glory. In Jesus’ name, 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 – Deuteronomy 7:19
[Moses addressed Israel, reminding them of God’s deliverance of them from Egypt, and his commands given to them:] “You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the miraculous signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm, with which the LORD your God brought you out [from bondage and delivered you.]. The LORD your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear.” —Deuteronomy 7:19 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Too often, I fear we look at the past work of God and think we will not see the display of his power in our day as our predecessors did in their day. God used Moses’ farewell address to remind a new generation of Israel that he had delivered their parents out of Egypt and now would go with them and empower them as he had their parents. We also need to expect him to do more in our day than all we can ask or even imagine by his power at work within us (Ephesians 3:20-21). We need to pray that God will do in our day what we heard he did in days gone by with our ancestors of faith (Habakkuk 3:2). And, dear believer in Jesus, we need to remember the promise of our Savior: Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father (John 14:12). Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Almighty God, who is infinitely able to work with power and might for your people, we ask that you use your power to call the unsaved to Jesus in our generation. Please use us as your tools and do mighty works of redemption and revival in our day as you have done in years gone by. Father, we believe in your power and your desire to save. We know the many ways you acted with power and grace in the past to deliver your people. Please act mightily in our day, redeem our generation, and call them back to 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 – Daniel 7:18
[When Daniel was alarmed by his visions of the future, he approached one of those standing by him in his visions. The presence told Daniel:] “But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever — yes, for ever and ever.” —Daniel 7:18 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The Kingdom will belong to God’s saints, his children, the followers of Jesus, and the people of the Most High (Daniel 7:27)… FOREVER! The Kingdom will belong to us. The Son of Man will be with us (Daniel 7:13), and the Kingdom will be ours, forever… and ever… and ever. Praise God for his promises, his grace, and his faithfulness. Because of God’s promises and Jesus’ triumph over sin, death, and hell, our future is secure, no matter how frightening that future may appear from our limited human perspective! My Prayer… Almighty God Most High, I look forward to the day that your Kingdom rules in power and your will is done on this earth as it is in heaven. Thank you for your promises to us and for giving your children a Kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28). Bless me, O God, as I seek to live my life each day in reverence and awe at your awesome holiness and grace while trusting in the promises of my future in Jesus, 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 – Revelation 7:17
[One of the elders from around the throne of God declared:] “For [Jesus] the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” —Revelation 7:17 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… What a beautiful picture! The One who died for us will nourish and refresh us. The One upon whom all eternity hinges will take time to comfort us personally. The One who has “destroyed death and brought immortality to light” (2 Timothy 1:10) sends us the Holy Spirit as our needed living water (John 7:37-39). No wonder Paul could say that he did not consider his present sufferings worth comparing to the glory that Jesus will reveal in us (Romans 8:18)! My Prayer… Father God and Sovereign LORD of all Creation, thank you for your incredible love for us. While we know we don’t deserve your overwhelming and generous grace, we rejoice in it. While we know our best attempts at honoring you fall short, thank you for promising to welcome us into your presence, care for us, and comfort us when we come home to you. Your love, O LORD, is beyond our comprehension and exhausts our appreciation while filling our hearts with wonder and praise. In Jesus’ name, we 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 – Luke 7:16
[After Jesus had raised the son of the widow from Nain: Those in the crowd who saw this] were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” —Luke 7:16 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus came to do God’s work. He came as the Son of God, God incarnate in human flesh (John 1:14-18). He came to reveal God. Jesus came, and many people praised God. He came so people could see God. Do you know Jesus? If you do, do you know him as well as you should? As Luke reminded us in this event, when people saw Jesus at work in our world, they said: “God has come to help his people.” Let’s look for God at work in our world today and invite him to use us to manifest his presence! My Prayer… O Gracious Father and Eternal God, thank you for revealing yourself, your love, your grace, and your salvation to us in Jesus. We thank you for visiting our world and making us your children. To you, O God belongs all glory and praise in the name of Jesus Christ. 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 7:15
[Jesus challenged the outward show of religiosity among religious people who were ignoring their inner need to be humble and pure before God. He said:] “Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.’” —Mark 7:15 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We get so hung up on externals, appearances, and facades. Jesus cuts to the core of God’s concern — our spiritual heart condition. He wants us to focus not only on what we put in our bodies but also on what we allow to grow in our hearts and simmer in our heads. Most of us need our inner world to receive our most earnest attention and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. So, let’s be honest and ask if we are spending as much time focusing on our inner world as we are focusing on our external appearance and how we appear to others! In a world constantly preening for acceptance on social media, this may be one of the most critical spiritual challenges of our times. My Prayer… O God, who searches minds and hearts, may the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you. I offer you my inner world to cleanse and redecorate by the sanctifying work of your Holy Spirit. Please guard my heart from evil ambitions and my mind from impure thoughts. I want my inner life and outer deeds to glorify you and honor Jesus, 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.