Today’s Verse – Psalm 37:1-2
Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. —Psalm 37:1-2 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Aren’t frustration and envy sometimes our reaction to those who are evil and yet seem to prosper? We’re reminded in this psalm not to let the apparent and short-lived successes of evil people derail our faith or dampen our spirits. Their victories are temporary. Their wealth is like a flower that will wilt. Their life is like the grass that withers and is soon blown away. We, however, are like the mighty tree planted by clear waters that grows strong, bears fruit, and endures (Psalm 1:1-4). My Prayer… LORD God Almighty, praise your holy and matchless name. You have blessed me mightily. You have protected me in the face of my enemies. You have given me life, hope, and a future with you. Now, please, dear Father, help me avoid wasting my time worrying about what others have. I invite the Holy Spirit to help me not envy the prosperity of the wicked. Please give me a heart of thanksgiving for and contentment with all you have done to bless 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 143:8
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. —Psalm 143:8 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… A time of loneliness and doubt slips into almost every believer’s heart at some point in their earthly journey. Our prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling and fall into lifeless detritus lying at our feet. God feels distant, hiding, asleep — or at least unsympathetic to our cries for mercy and help. Thankfully, God gives us the Psalms. In the Psalms, we find words for life’s ups and downs. It is nice when we are down to know that others have been there before us and have recovered their faith and vitality. Thankfully, the Spirit also placed reminders of God’s love and guidance in the Psalms for such moments. This psalm and these words are made for such a time. If the request does not feel relevant to you now, please pray these words for someone else. If, on the other hand, they speak to you, then please pray for them for yourself with confidence. They have sustained God’s people for generations upon generations! My Prayer… Dear Father, please make your presence undeniably known in my life and help me see your presence and mercy more clearly because I put my trust in you as I lift up my soul to you for help. I want to honor you, dear God, but please make your guidance clear so I can follow you boldly and faithfully in your will. 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 John 4:4
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. —1 John 4:4 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The world can often be a hostile place for believers. God wants us, his spiritual children, to know they are never alone. God lives in us through his Spirit. We can be assured, therefore, that no matter what spirit someone else may have, the Holy Spirit of God is greater, more powerful, and more glorious. The victory is ours because God’s presence in us is greater than any force we will ever face. Our victory is assured over all forces, powers, spirits, and opponents. This is a key promise made to us in our baptism because we share with Jesus in death, burial, and resurrection, which means we share in his victory over sin, death, evil, and hell (Colossians 2:12-15; 3:1-4). Yes, the one who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Dear Father, please give me the confidence, boldness, and conviction of your promises. I want to live boldly for your glory and according to your will. Thank you for assuring me of your victory by allowing me to participate in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection and assuring me of my participation in his glory. Thank you for empowering me to have this victorious life through your Spirit, who lives within me. To you belong all glory, majesty, and praise. 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 – Isaiah 41:13
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. —Isaiah 41:13 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Life crashes in, and we wish we could be children again. Then, maybe, we would have someone to take care of us and protect us from our uncertainties and fears — let us hold their hand and lead us through the mess. Into our confused and chaotic world, God’s faithfulness comes to us as a promise. Like a loving parent with a frightened child, God reaches down and takes hold of our hand spiritually. He comforts us with his precious words, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here with you. I will help.” Even when the LORD may seem distant, the echo of this promise can remind us that we are never alone or forgotten (Hebrews 13:5-6; Romans 8:32-39). My Prayer… Abba Father, whose presence and help are always near, please help me have faith that you are there. I believe in this, but at times, dear LORD, I need your help to overcome my doubts and fears. I confess that you have seemed distant at difficult times, and I have felt alone. Please remind me through your Spirit of your nearness and your care. In my moments of struggle and doubt, please make your presence known. I believe, but please help my unbelief.* In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. * The cry of a father to Jesus as the man struggles to believe Jesus can heal his tormented son — Mark 9:24.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 – Isaiah 41:10-11
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. —Isaiah 41:10-11 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Not only does God’s blessing rest on us, but his presence also goes with us. We can never be in a place where he is not with us (Psalms 139:1-24). His presence and power will uphold us and strengthen us. No matter what may happen in our physical bodies or with our physical worlds, God has given us the ultimate triumph over every enemy and all wickedness in Jesus. Even Jesus’ doubters and enemies will worship our LORD, kneel at his feet, and recognize that our faith is not only appropriate but it is also victorious (1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Philippians 2:9-11). Hallelujah! My Prayer… Thank you, dear Father! You are not only the God of the heavens but also the God of my heart. You know me inside and out as you care for me through every step I take. You hear my cries for help and mercy. You share my struggles and burdens. You hear my thoughts, songs, and shouts of praise. Please deliver me from every physical and spiritual enemy and give me the boldness to stand firm in my faith in you. In Jesus’ name, I ask 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 – Numbers 6:24-26
The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. —Numbers 6:24-26 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… How would you like to place the mighty name of the LORD on people you love? God promised that this priestly blessing enabled his name — his power and authority — to be placed on his people. What an incredible gift! We can bless and empower others with these faithful words of blessing! Such blessings are found throughout Scripture. Why not begin looking today for ways to pronounce these blessings of God on others? You can start with this one and then add many others as you find them in Scripture. Send them by personal note, email, mail, or an in-person, hands-on blessing spoken over someone you love! Special Note: Download Eldon Degge’s “Book of Blessings” for free. This simple text version has hundreds of simple blessings you can say and share with others! My Prayer… O LORD of every good and perfect gift, your blessings are too many and more wonderful for me to fully comprehend or count. Please use me to speak your blessings over others today. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear so I can share your blessings with others today! In the name of Jesus, your greatest blessing, 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 138:8
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever — do not abandon the works of your hands. —Psalm 138:8 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Notice the powerful beauty of this verse from the psalm. First is conviction: “The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me.” (See also Philippians 1:6.) Second is declaration: “your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.” (See also 1 Corinthians 13:8). Finally is supplication: O LORD“do not abandon the works of your hand.”. (See also Psalms 139:13-16). What a beautiful balance for our walk with the LORD — conviction, declaration, and supplication. The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever — do not abandon the works of your hands. For clarity, please note that the translation above blends the NIV and ESV of Psalm 138:8. My Prayer… Heavenly Father, the LORD of all, I am confident that you will accomplish your will and purpose in me. Seeing how you loved and worked through the centuries through your people, I know your love will endure long past my time on earth. However, dear LORD, I do face some struggles and difficulties in my time, so I ask you to please intervene with your grace and power in my life. Please fulfill your purpose for me. And please, do not abandon me, the work of your hands. 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 – Exodus 15:6
“Your right hand, O LORD, was majestic in power. Your right hand, O LORD, shattered the enemy. “ —Exodus 15:6 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… One of the great images of the Old Testament is God stretching out his right hand with power and doing mighty things for his people. So often, Israel faced a larger and more experienced foe. When his people fully trusted in him, God gave them great victories. In this victory song, Moses and Miriam praised God for defeating Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea. Moses praised God as the provider and power behind this miraculous victory and refused to take that honor for himself. Praising God in our times of success and victory reminds us where our true victory originated and was sustained: The LORD, whose right hand shatters the enemy! My Prayer… Father, you are great in holiness and majesty. You are incomparable in power. I ask, O God, that you please uphold and strengthen me with your power and grace. Thank you for shattering the power of my greatest enemy by the power of your right hand. Please give me the courage to live for you as I trust in the power of “your right hand”. In Jesus’ name, I praise you, mighty LORD and God. 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 10:24-25
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching. —Hebrews 10:24-25 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We need each other. We cannot make it on our own. God calls us to get together regularly to encourage and motivate each other in Christ to live vibrant lives of service to each other and faith in him. With the day of Jesus’ return and our ultimate victory on the horizon, we should be even more motivated to help and encourage each other. And as the Spirit of God reminds us in our passage today, we need to consider and plan how best to help spur each other along to love and good deeds. My Prayer… LORD God, thank you for giving me a Christian family to encourage and motivate me to serve others. Please use me to bless others when we gather in Jesus’ name and praise you. I ask for the Holy Spirit’s help to know how best to encourage and inspire my brothers and sisters in Christ to join me in doing good deeds and loving each other. In the name of the LORD Jesus, I pray to be a more encouraging person, one known for building others up in Jesus. It is in his name, and for his glory I live and 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 – Isaiah 30:18
Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! —Isaiah 30:18 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God is slow to exercise his justice when that justice demands his people’s punishment. “Gracious and slow to anger” is a phrase repeatedly used to describe God in the Old Testament in relationship to his people. God longs to be gracious and bless his people. He extends the time for us to have opportunities to repent and turn to him. In Jesus, God even gave us his own Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins so we could have the opportunity to come home to him. Let’s hear the heart of God and respond by turning our lives and hearts to our Father in heaven, who loves us and longs for us to come home to him! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Almighty God and Abba Father, how can I ever thank you for your love and mercy demonstrated so overwhelmingly in the sacrifice of your Son for my sin? Please forgive me for those times when I have not intentionally and wholeheartedly shown my appreciation for your grace. I deeply appreciate your graciousness toward me. Please perfect me by your Spirit just as you have forgiven and cleansed me by your grace. In Jesus’ name, I thank you for being my gracious heavenly Father. 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.