Today’s Verse – Psalm 92:4
For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands. —Psalm 92:4 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Gaze into the heavens on a dark night away from the lights of the city. Then gaze at the innumerable wonders and starry hosts in the vastness of God’s cosmos. Think of the incredible diversity of Earth’s wonders. Look at your own life and see the fingerprints of God’s work in your own experience (Romans 8:28). As Jesus said, our Father is working still (John 5:17). To this very day, your Father is at work in you, our world, and his people. Yes, it does make us glad to know that we are not alone in working our own lives (Psalm 139:1-24; Philippians 2:13). There is a deep-seated joy in trusting that the LORD, Creator of the universe, is at work in us and for us. No wonder singing praise is such a natural response for many of us! My Prayer… Dear Heavenly Father, I praise you for your power and glory revealed in the majesty of your creation. I thank you for your work in transforming and recreating me, as well. Please, dear Father, continue your transforming work in me through the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). Fashion me into a useful life of praise that brings you glory. In Jesus’ name, “I sing for joy at the works of your hands.” 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 23:1
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. —Psalm 23:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… A sheep is only as good as its shepherd. We are incredibly blessed because God is our Shepherd. Our God shepherded his people through the times of the Old Testament. Jesus came and he cared for people because they were like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36; Mark 6:34). Then, as LORD and Messiah, he identified himself as the good Shepherd of Psalm 23:1-6, and promised even more attentive care as our Shepherd (John 10:11, 14-16). With even deeper emotion and promise, we can say as disciples of Jesus, “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.” My Prayer… O good Shepherd, please carry me like a lamb. Let me tenderly rest in your arms and close to your heart. My life, my future, and my strength depend upon you being my Shepherd. I rely upon you, as my Shepherd, for your correction, leading, and care. Please help me hear your voice above the confusing distractions around me. Under your care, I have no fears. Thank you for being my Shepherd through this 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 – Psalm 9:2
I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. —Psalm 9:2 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… When was the last time you made up a song? When was the last time you made up a song of praise to offer to God? Worried that you can’t do it? Don’t think it will be good? Don’t worry, your only audience is your Abba Father, who longs to hear your heart sing regardless of your voice’s perfection or your melody’s tune. He wants to rejoice and be glad with you. So open your heart and raise your voice “and be glad and rejoice in” and “sing praise” to your Father, who is also God Most High! My Prayer… Holy and Merciful God Almighty, I praise you for the sun rising and setting in glorious splendor. I praise you for the gift of grace. I praise you for the miraculous preservation of your people through the ages, even though they have repeatedly been under attack and oftentimes lost sight of your way. I praise you for sending Jesus, the Son of Abraham and the Son of David, my Messiah and LORD. I praise you for raising Jesus from the dead. I praise you for your promise to send him back for your children. I praise you for your work in my life. I praise, O LORD, and I am glad to be your child. In Jesus’ name, I offer my praise and songs to 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 – Psalm 91:1
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. —Psalm 91:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… During the summer’s scorching heat (which is not quite ended for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere and equatorial zones), where did you find your shadow of protection and refreshment? When life caved in and the heat of frustration, disappointment, loss, and anger blazed in your heart, where did you turn for deliverance and hope? When we place our lives in the care of God Most High, we find that his shadow of protection and refreshment covers us. Even in times of difficulty, we know that he has protected us from the worst of Satan’s withering attacks and that his presence offers us strength that we may not often see but always can trust. We live in a hard and hot world that is in decay and yearns for deliverance (Romans 8:19-20, 22-23), yet we know that our hope for the future is even greater than what is in this psalm because we will eternally live “in the shelter of the Most High” and “rest in the Shadow of the Almighty” (Romans 8:18, 21, 24-25). My Prayer… Give me eyes to see, O LORD, and a heart to believe that you are with me, sheltering me, and long to bless me with rest. I confess that I need this assurance in times when I cannot see any evidence of your presence, protection, or rest. Please be my protection in times of attack and my refreshment in times that bring soul-withering despair. I trust that as my LORD Jesus promised, the Holy Spirit will be my living spring bringing the cool refreshment bubbling up within me (John 7:37-39) until I come to be with you eternally. In Jesus’ name, I pray this with anticipation and trust. 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 12:30-31
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” —Mark 12:30-31 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Sometimes the most important things are not hard to understand. However, we must not treat these clear commands as simple. They challenge us to honor God with all we have, are, and dream. God wants us to love him with every fiber of our being and also to love those around us. All of his demands on our character boil down to honoring these two great principles that transcend law and bring the character of God to hearts. It all comes down to loving God and others with love that has hands and feet – it’s something we not only feel, but we actively and sacrificially live in our daily lives. My Prayer… Almighty God, my heavenly Father, I love you. I love you for your plan to send your Messiah as a descendant of Abraham and David. I love you for your unfailing love. I love you for your listening grace that hears my humble prayers. I love you for sending Jesus and for starting your church. I love you, Almighty God, for your steadfast presence and love in my life. Now I ask the Holy Spirit to show my love for you by loving my neighbors. I love you, dear God, 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 – Proverbs 14:29
A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly. —Proverbs 14:29 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Responding to aggravation, threat, insult, irritation, and difficulty requires patience – great patience. Responding hastily out of anger is foolish. A hasty, unfiltered response seldom produces our desired long-term effect. This quick-tempered kind of response nearly always compounds the problems that need to be addressed. Patiently dealing with frustrating and painful situations shows our understanding and is nearly always more fruitful in the long run. Plus, the patient and wise approach can prevent the unnecessary loss of friendships, integrity, and respect. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Father, I ask for patience and self-control. I know these virtues are part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit’s presence in my life. I am inviting the Holy Spirit to have more impact on my heart as I look to how Jesus handled difficult situations in his life and ministry. Please give me the understanding and wisdom to keep my mouth shut until I have had an opportunity to pray and think about the issues and people involved, and only answer then. 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 2:27
As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit — just as it has taught you, remain in him. —1 John 2:27 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… When we became Christians, we were not only cleansed by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:9-11), but the Holy Spirit filled and indwelled us (Acts 2:38-39; Romans 8:9). John speaks of receiving and having the Holy Spirit as “his anointing” – Jesus poured the Holy Spirit out on and into us, when we came to Christ (Titus 3:3-7). The Spirit helps us hear the truth about Jesus (1 John 2:20-21). Our anointing keeps us from surrendering that truth to false teaching that would diminish (1 John 2:23) either side of Jesus’ identity – Jesus as God with us and God like us. We remain in Jesus when we hold on to both of these incredible truths. As we remain in Jesus, the Spirit – “his anointing” – we have all that we need to know about Jesus as our Savior, LORD, and Messiah (1 John 2:24, 27). My Prayer… Holy and Righteous Father, thank you for sending Jesus to save me. May I never surrender my sense of wonder or my deep feelings of appreciation for all who Jesus was, is, and will be. Thank you for sending me your Spirit as your anointing to help me safeguard the truth about your Son and my Savior, in whose name I pray and give you thanks. 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 – Romans 8:26
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. —Romans 8:26 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Isn’t it incredible! Even in those times when we can’t find the correct words and our hearts are heavy, God hears our prayers. It is not because we are articulate, wise, or faithful enough to pray as I should. No, it is because God has graciously placed his Spirit into our hearts to make known to him what our words cannot capture and our voices and minds cannot verbalize. God hears our groanings, our yearnings, our heartbreaks, and our heart-cries. He knows what we cannot think, but only feel. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, he answers those unutterable prayers with his presence, grace, and power. My Prayer… Father, we are comforted by the assurance that even when we don’t know what to say, you know what we feel yet cannot articulate. We trust you to answer our hearts’ longings as you see fit, for we believe that you know what we need far more than we know how to ask for it. In addition to all of this, we trust the Holy Spirit to present our requests to you in accordance to your will and our best interests, to your glory. In Jesus’ name, and with complete confidence in the Holy Spirit, 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 – Proverbs 3:3-4
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. —Proverbs 3:3-4 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Character is measured by the love and faithfulness we genuinely display in our daily lives. These are not simple virtues that we can fake. Merciful love is shown when we have power over another but choose to treat them with kindness, forgiveness, and genuine concern. Faithfulness is being a person of truth – genuine and trustworthy in word and deed – regardless of what others do or circumstances present to us. These virtues need to be a part of our everyday lives and permeate our very identities. When they do, others will notice, we will have a good reputation, and God will notice and be pleased. My Prayer… Holy God – faithful and compassionate, full of mercy and steadfast love – I praise you for your example of strength and mercy, holiness and compassion, love and faithfulness. Carve this kind of character on my heart as I submit myself to your will, as I seek to honor Jesus, and as I open my life to your Spirit’s transformational power. In the name of Jesus my LORD, 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 8:31-32
“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” —John 8:31-32 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… At least three times in the Gospel of John, Jesus tells us how we can identify a true disciple of the LORD (John 8:31-32, 13:35, 15:8). This verse is one of those essential verses that tell us who a disciple is. Truth is not just something we know, it is also something we must live. Jesus reminds us that we must not only know his teaching, but obey it, “hold to” it, and live it in our lives. Obedience is one of the proofs of our discipleship and our doorway to freedom and truth. Doing life Jesus’ way, holding to his teaching and obeying him, sets us free to live life, and life to the full (John 10:10)! My Prayer… Father, forgive us for taking obedience to Jesus’ will too lightly. Sometimes his way seems restrictive, challenging, and even impossible to us. However, dear Father, deep in our hearts, we genuinely believe that Jesus’ will is a blessing and not a hindrance – it sets us free rather than limits us, and something in our souls resonates with his truth. So please, dear Father, use me to help others find joy in obeying Jesus, too. It is in the Lord 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.