Today’s Verse – 1 Corinthians 12:3
Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. —1 Corinthians 12:3 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Say it today as often as possible: “Jesus is LORD.” But more than just saying it, mean it from your heart. Look up the word “LORD” in a Bible concordance, then read all the references to it in the New Testament. Open your heart, ask Jesus to be LORD of your life in every way, and live with that commitment like the earliest disciples. Jesus is LORD! As you cry out, “Jesus is LORD!” you can know the Holy Spirit is filling you and empowering you to say and live it in your life. Jesus is LORD whether you or I recognize it or not. However, one day, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is LORD to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10-11) Let’s get on board while it matters most to us and to those we love! Jesus is LORD! My Prayer… Father, you are God Almighty. Thank you for raising Jesus from death, seating him at your right hand in power, and making him both LORD and Christ. I want your Son, Jesus, to be my LORD today and reign in my heart every day until he comes to take me home. Jesus, as Thomas confessed, is “My Lord and my God!” I make this confession by the power of the Holy Spirit and to honor the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior, 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 – Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will. —Romans 12:2 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Sooner or later, we must decide: Will I be a nonconformist? Will I refuse to be squeezed into conformity with the world? Will I be part of a Christian counter-culture? Will I be God’s person, an alien and an exile in the world, a follower of Jesus put here to have a redemptive influence? Jesus calls us his disciples. So, bottom line: until we are ready to step across the line of cultural conformity and live totally for the LORD Jesus, we’re not going to recognize fully what God’s will is for us. There are no armchair quarterback Christians. There are no sideline disciples. There are no back-seat-driver Christians. We either choose the Lordship of Jesus and refuse to be conformed to the world or reject it. So what’s your decision? Let’s be non-conformists and live for Jesus. My Prayer… Holy God, I believe that Jesus Christ is LORD and Savior. I believe he came to earth as a human, lived an exemplary life of grace and power, and died for my sins so I could live for you and with you forever. Please forgive me, O God, for the times I have hedged on my commitment to you and flirted with the darkness. I want to live for you with passion, joy, and fulfillment. I offer myself to you so that the Holy Spirit can continue transforming me into being like Christ and living in nonconformity to the world. In his name, Jesus the 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 – Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. —Romans 12:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Our worship isn’t confined to Sunday! Each day that we lovingly offer ourselves to Jesus as his disciples and servants, we are worshiping God as his holy and beloved children. Whenever we consciously resist evil and choose what is good, we offer pleasing and acceptable worship to God. Isn’t it exciting that our worship isn’t primarily what we do in a church building?! Isn’t it incredible that our decisions and actions are crucial to our worship of God daily?! Offering what we do with our bodies, what we think with our minds, and how we obey God from our hearts is vital spiritual worship! My Prayer… Holy LORD and God Almighty, please accept the offering of our thoughts, words, and actions today and each day that follows. We want our thoughts, words, and actions to show that we have offered ourselves to you as our loving worship for all that you have done to lavish your mercy and grace on us. In Jesus’ name, we offer our bodies, our hearts, our minds, and our words to you, 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 – 2 Corinthians 11:30
If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. —2 Corinthians 11:30 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… One of Paul’s recurring themes throughout 2 Corinthians is that God’s strength is made perfect in weakness. In 1 Corinthians, he emphasized that the strength, wisdom, and power of God are shown in what is normally a sign of weakness and humiliation — the cross (1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5). Paul wasn’t a wimp — remember all that he endured and kept on serving the LORD (2 Corinthians 11:24-27). He just knew that even with all his training and talent, he wasn’t skilled, smart, or strong enough to do all that needed to be done for the Kingdom of God. As folks compared him with those who were supposed to be stronger and better teachers, he didn’t try to outdo them with his credentials — even though he could. Instead, Paul knew that when we recognize our insufficiency, God takes our weakness and uses it powerfully when we offer ourselves to him. Our lives must show that the “all-surpassing power” for ministry “is from God and not from us” (2 Corinthians 4:7). My Prayer… Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for all those times you have strengthened me when I was under trial, given me wisdom in difficult situations, empowered me when I faced hardships, and used me mightily in opportunities greater than my ability to handle. I recognize that you saved and sustained me by Your grace so that I can serve in ways better beyond my natural abilities. Your glory and power enabled this to happen, so I praise and thank you 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 – 1 Corinthians 11:29
For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. —1 Corinthians 11:29 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The LORD’s Supper is a precious time for Christians. We remember the incredible sacrifice Jesus made to save us from our sins. We also realize that when Christians gather and take the Supper, we are formed into the Body of Christ, his physical presence on this earth (1 Corinthians 10:17). Whatever happens to one of us matters to the rest of Jesus’ Body. Every time we take the Supper, we must remember the other members of Christ’s Body around us. We must not forget that as we take the bread, we commit to live as Jesus’ bodily presence in the world and give thanks to Jesus. He offered his body for us on the cross to save us from our sins. As we remember these things, we recognize the body of the Lord and honor him for all he has done for us! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Father, thank you for Jesus’ first incarnation when he became flesh and lived on earth. Thank you for his second incarnation through his Body, the Church. Please help us as your people to value other members of Christ’s Body. Bless us with wisdom and courage as the Body of Christ assembled to commune and as we commit to ministering as Jesus’ bodily presence in our broken world. We want to honor the body of Christ, so we pray this 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 – Luke 11:28
He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” —Luke 11:28 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus responded to the crowd’s praises for his mother and redirected that blessing toward all who would hear God’s word and obey it. Yes, Mary deserves our praise and thanks. Jesus is not belittling her. Instead, he reminds us that God’s word was given to bless us when we obey it. When we obey God, we walk in his blessing. When we know the LORD’s will and don’t obey it, we are foolish and invite destruction on ourselves. I don’t know about you, but I prefer to receive a blessing! I choose to do more than know what Jesus taught; I want to follow his example and obey his teachings! God blessed us by speaking to us through his word, the Scriptures, so we can understand his will and walk in his blessing. God also chose to come to us in Jesus and speak to us through his living Word, his Son, so we can know his heart, understand his will, and obey his teachings as we apply the LORD’s truth to our lives. My Prayer… Thank you, Father, for revealing your will through the Scriptures. Thank you for wanting to bless me and protect me from evil and consequences. Please forgive me for the times in the past when I ignored or rebelled against your will. Today, dear LORD, I commit to living in your will and obeying Jesus’ teaching. In his 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 – Matthew 11:27-28
“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” —Matthew 11:27-28 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Life-giving rest, like eternal life, are our gifts from knowing the God and Jesus Christ whom God sent (John 17:3). The LORD is our shepherd who brings us life, health, restoration, protection, goodness, both now and eternally (Psalm 23:1-6). Jesus came and revealed God to us as Immanuel, God with us (John 1:14-18; Matthew 1:23). Only the Son knows the Father intimately because he is one with the Father (John 10:30). Only Jesus can take away our burden of seeking to please God as imperfect and sinful people because only the Son can remove the burden of our past sins and enable us to stand holy, blameless, and free from accusation before God (Colossians 1:21-22). And, as our Good Shepherd, Jesus blesses us with abundant life that lasts forever (John 10:10-15). We can come to Jesus and find the rest our souls crave (Matthew 11:29). Praise God! My Prayer… Father in heaven, please bless me with your grace, bring me life, and bless me with rest. May I never take these gifts from my Good Shepherd for granted. Please empower me to serve you with joy and gladness, having had my burdens lifted by your grace and finding my rest and restoration in Jesus. In his 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 11:26
“Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” —John 11:26 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… These were Jesus’ words to Martha when her brother had died. She still hoped Jesus would intervene and do something about her brother’s death. What Jesus says here fits well with something we emphasized several days ago. Christians who die physically are never really separated from their relationship with God’s loving presence in Jesus (Romans 8:32-39). Their life is joined with Jesus, and that relationship is not severed by death (Philippians 1:18-23). In today’s passage, Jesus challenges us to believe a similar truth: “Whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” Do you believe the genuine living part of you made by God in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13-16) will never die? Even though your physical body dies, do you believe you are still alive in Jesus? I hope so because this is an incredible thought! We are eternal, immortal, and joined with Jesus. His future is joined with us because of him (Colossians 3:1-4)! So, will we live believing this powerful truth? My Prayer… Almighty God, I do believe that because of Jesus, I will never die, that I am never separated from you because my life and future are joined to Jesus. Please bless me, dear Father, so that I can make every minute count while I am here in this life. At the same time, dear God, I look forward to seeing you face to face. In the meantime, please help me live by faith and not fear. 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 – Mark 11:25
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” —Mark 11:25 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… This passage is one of the most challenging reminders of God’s will in Scripture. I MUST forgive others! When I refuse to forgive, I build a dam, stopping the stream of forgiveness God longs to give me. Forgiving others is seldom easy. It is often quite difficult and painful. However, God has commanded us to do it and given us his Son as an example of how to forgive (Luke 23:34). Jesus has promised to empower us to do his will by the power of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:14-21) as we are transformed to become like him (2 Corinthians 3:18). The real issue: Will I let go of my bitterness toward those who have wounded me? Yet when we harbor bitterness and unforgiveness, we hold ourselves hostage to our hate and resentment. As the saying says, “Forgiveness is setting the captive bird free, then realizing you were the captive bird!” My Prayer… Dear God, I confess this is a hard command. But, dear Father, I want to forgive these people (please add the names you are committing to forgive) of the sin they have committed against me. Please block cynicism and bitterness from my heart. Please empower me to forgive as Jesus did. Please pour your Holy Spirit into my heart and fill me with love and forgiveness. In addition, dear Father, please teach me what my commitment to forgive means for the genuine life changes I need to make. 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 – Acts 11:24
He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. —Acts 11:24 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… As this scripture talks about Barnabas, Luke reminds us just how good a man Barnabas was! Why would we consider Barnabas to be such a good man? For many reasons. Primarily, Luke wants us to recognize that Barnabas was full of faith and the Holy Spirit. Barnabas’ goodness shouldn’t surprise us. When the Holy Spirit lives in us, he is at work producing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and conforming us to the character of Jesus Christ our LORD (2 Corinthians 3:18). No wonder Barnabas’ influence was so significant on the lives of those who lived in Antioch (Acts 13:1-3). No wonder God chose him to mentor the apostle Paul and show him how to serve in ways that multiplied disciples. Barnabas was a good man because his life was under the influence of God’s Spirit! My Prayer… Dear Heavenly Father, I want my life to be influential in spreading the good news of Jesus and growing your Kingdom. I offer myself to you as a living sacrifice, asking that you conform me to the nature of your Son Jesus and bring forth the fruit of your Spirit in me as I seek to influence others to 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.