Today’s Verse – Luke 12:31
But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. —Luke 12:31 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… As we stand at the end of one year and look over tomorrow into the beginning of a new one, let’s remember that before our New Year’s resolutions are made and before this year has come to its end, we must declare to all, “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD…” (Joshua 24:15). We choose to seek God and his kingdom first. That’s our highest priority, and we trust that God will add all the other things we need as and when we need them. My Prayer… As I conclude this year and begin another, dear Father, I pray that you will help me keep my eyes on Jesus and my heart focused on your will as I seek your kingdom above all other things. 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 – Nehemiah 12:30
When the priests and Levites had purified themselves ceremonially, they purified the people, the gates and the wall. —Nehemiah 12:30 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Nehemiah had returned to Judea from serving a foreign king who authorized him to rebuild the broken structures in Jerusalem and rally the people to repopulate the Holy City, re-commit to purity, and rebuild the city walls to protect the people inside. As the people finished rebuilding the walls, Nehemiah insisted that the key leaders and everyday places must be purified. They had to do that before they began their normal daily lives inside the walls and continued their work of purifying the people. Nehemiah reminds us that before we try to “clean up” those around us, we must first offer ourselves to God to be consecrated and made pure by his grace. Then, we can live demonstrating the impact of God’s holiness on those around us. This principle is similar to what Jesus told us to remove the plank from our own eye before we try to clean the speck out of someone else’s eye (Luke 6:41-42). For leaders at any level — church, work, teams, families — dedicating ourselves to holiness is essential before calling others to holiness! God’s most significant spiritual renewal movements begin with leaders consecrating themselves to the LORD and then leading others toward God’s holy way of living. My Prayer… O Father in heaven, forgive me for my sins. I want to be pure and holy, cleansed by your Spirit and forgiven by your grace. Please bless me as I seek to live a holy life before those I seek to influence. I need your powerful help to be the example and person of character that you want me to be and that my friends need me to be. I ask this in the name of Jesus, my Savior and 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 – Matthew 12:29
“Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.” —Matthew 12:29 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus is quoting a popular truism in his day, using this “strong man” saying to refer to his own power over the evil one. Satan may be the strong man who has claimed us through our sin, but Jesus broke into the stronghold of the evil one and delivered us to freedom. Jesus is far stronger than evil, death, and hell. Through the cross, our Savior bound the strong man and then robbed him of us! He did this by becoming human and facing death with complete obedience to God. The LORD then rose from the dead, defeating sin, the evil one, death, and hell, giving us new life! Praise God! Jesus broke into the Strong Man’s house. He overpowered him and bound him. What did he bring out of the strong man’s house? Treasure, of course! And that treasure is us!! My Prayer… Thank you, LORD Jesus, for rescuing me from the dominion of darkness and ushering me into your victorious Kingdom of Light accomplished by you, the Son of your love!* Amen. * From Colossians 1:13-14.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 12:28-29
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” —Hebrews 12:28-29 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Every earth-made empire will eventually topple, and every man-made structure will decay and fall. God, however, has given us a kingdom that can’t rust, spoil, or fade, kept in heaven for us. What will we do in response to this great gift? Worship with reverence and awe! The Holy Spirit isn’t talking about worship in a church building. Our worship in reverence and awe is what we do in our daily lives. We worship by… Keeping on loving each other as brothers and sisters (Hebrews 13:1). Offering hospitality to strangers (Hebrews 13:2). Remembering and caring for those in prison and those who are mistreated (Hebrews 13:3). Honoring marriage among us and keeping our marriage beds pure by keeping ourselves free from sexual immorality (Hebrews 13:4). Learning to be content with what we have and keeping our lives free from the love of money (Hebrews 13:5). Honoring godly leaders as we imitate the holy things we see in their lives (Hebrews 13:7). Keeping ourselves away from novel and strange teachings (Hebrews 13:8). Following Jesus despite opposition, willing to bear disgrace for him (Hebrews 13:13). Offering God the sacrifice of our praise through Jesus as we profess our allegiance to God (Hebrews 13:15). Remembering to do good and sharing with others (Hebrews 13:16). Is this really the worship we are to offer with reverence and awe? Yes, because God is pleased with this worship in our daily lives (Hebrews 13:16). My Prayer… All praise and adoration be yours, O great King of the Ages. Thank you for giving me a place in your incomparable, indestructible, and unconquerable Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, I worship, love, and 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 – 1 Corinthians 12:27
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. —1 Corinthians 12:27 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… What part of the Body are you? What’s your function? What’s your purpose? How are you blessing others in the Body of Christ? Who is someone in Jesus’ Body who serves others but also needs your encouragement and praise? Who are people who feel neglected and lonely in Jesus’ Body who need your love shown to them? Remember, the human body looks after its parts and members because each is vital to properly functioning. The same is true with Jesus’ Body. That means you are essential to your congregation. It also means you are crucial for Jesus’ church to function as the LORD’s bodily presence in our broken world that desperately needs his love! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Father, thank you for making me a part of something so precious, so incredible, as the bodily presence of the LORD Jesus. Please help every person in our church family find their gifts and use them to touch others with your grace, build up Jesus’ Body, and bring you 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 – John 12:26
Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. —John 12:26 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We can’t out-serve, out-love, or out-give Jesus. He longs to bless us. He longs to pour out heaven’s riches and grace upon us. Even more incredibly, he longs to honor us as his friends and younger brothers and sisters in God’s family. When our lives are over, God the Father, LORD of the entire universe, will honor all who have served his Son and blessed others in Jesus’ name! Jesus promised that the Father would bring us home to Himself, who will honor us! Unbelievable? No! It’s just another example of God’s incredible grace given to us in Jesus. And Jesus promised us: Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. My Prayer… Loving Father and Holy God, please help me follow the will of Jesus, obey his teachings, and serve others as he did when he was on earth. Father, I know I cannot earn your grace, but I want to follow Jesus. I want to serve others in his name. I want to help them find your grace in Jesus, too. So, I pray this in his name to honor 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 – Hebrews 12:25
See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? —Hebrews 12:25 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… As with all the daily verses this year, we are syncing with the date, so finding a 12:25 reference related to Jesus’ birth was difficult. But I believe that Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection confront us with a choice on what to do with the wonder, joy, and glory God has lavished on us in Jesus. When God made Herod face the choice of what to do with Jesus, the evil and corrupt king met Jesus with violent rejection, jealous hatred, and murderous intent. Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Zachariah, Anna, Simeon, the shepherds, the angels, and the magi joyfully accepted God’s invitation to grace in Jesus. We can, too! With the gift of Jesus comes a tremendous opportunity and responsibility: we must choose to listen, obey, follow, and honor Christ — both the Christ child and Christ, who is our Savior and LORD! Since God demanded that his people obey his lesser messengers — prophets, priests, and kings in the days before Jesus — imagine how much more is our responsibility. God emptied heaven of his Son’s glory to send him to earth as one of us so that the Light of Life could shine on us and bring us salvation. What a glorious gift, a divine present! My Prayer… Thank you, dear Father, for sending your Son and my Savior, Jesus. Please, dear LORD, I do not want to ever take the gift of Jesus for granted. Please, Holy Spirit, empower me and give me wisdom so I can faithfully know, obey, and honor Jesus with my life as you transform me with increasing glory to become more and more like him. I thank you and ask for your continuing grace, Father, in the precious name of Jesus, the Christ child and 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 – John 12:24
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. —John 12:24 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus announced this truth while recognizing that God had called him to lay down his life so his followers could join him in glory. Sacrifice is never easy, but despite his disciples’ lack of courage, wrong-headedness, and faith failures during his last hours, Jesus truly believed that his sacrifice would bring out the best in them. He was confident that his example of sacrifice would lead them to share his grace and glory through sacrificing themselves to bless others. Jesus wants his example to do the same in us! As we honor Jesus’ sacrifice today, we realize that we prove he was correct about his powerful impact on his disciples and others who came after them. Jesus offered himself as a seed put into the ground and died, but his death produced many seeds that continue to extend his grace and open their hearts to eternal hope! My Prayer… Thank you, LORD Jesus, for all you did to ransom me from sin and death. Thank you for leaving heaven and living here among us. Thank you for being compassionate and full of holy character as you offered your time and love to all kinds of people. Thank you for loving your own even though they abandoned you. Thank you for enduring the cross and conquering death for me. I look forward to seeing you when you return with glory in the company of the angels as we all get to see the many seeds that came from you. To you be all honor, glory, power, love, and praise forever. 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 12:23
Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. —Luke 12:23 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… In the rush of the holiday season and the grab at getting and giving gifts while eating good food, it is very important to remember that life is much more than the most basic things we think we need — like food and clothing. If we lose sight of God this season, miss his work, or lose track of his will in our lives, then what do we have that is lasting? Not much, and what we do have won’t endure. My prayer for you and me during this holiday season is that we are reminded of what is most important, valuable, and enduring — our life in Jesus and his loving grace and boundless future for us. Let’s celebrate that eternal joy in this season! My Prayer… Sweet and precious, God, you are almighty in power and awesome in glory. Yet, dear Father, you are also near and eternally concerned about me and those I love. Thank you for knowing and loving me with your everlasting love. Please give me the wisdom to see beyond the transitory things of life — the perishable things I think I need — and help me find you and your sustaining presence. 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 Samuel 12:22
For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own. —1 Samuel 12:22 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The great and holy God will not be unfaithful. He will act to show his character and honor his holy name, even when we, his people, don’t deserve his grace. Why God would love and preserve us and our great Israelite ancestors is nothing short of grace, love, and faithfulness. Why would the Father send the Son to live among us, die on the cross, and raise him back to life to defeat death? Because of his grace, love, and faithfulness. If God did this in the past, how much more will he not display his grace, love, and faithfulness in the days and years to come?! My Prayer… Holy and Righteous Father, your grace has not only saved me but also sustains me even when the evil one tries to use my personal failures to make me doubt your love for me. Thank you for triumphing over my unworthiness and blessing me your righteousness so that I will be fit for your kingdom and glory. I praise you in Jesus’ name, the name of the Son who is full of grace, abounding in love, and enduring in faithfulness. 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.