Today’s Verse – John 11:21
“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” —John 11:21 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… If you have ever stood at the grave side of a loved one, this thought probably crossed your mind, too — “if you had only been here, LORD…”! Where is Jesus when we hurt? Why couldn’t he be here to help us? There are a couple of crucial answers to remember. Jesus is with us in our moments of loss and grief. The Church is Jesus’ Body and every act of kindness, word support, effort to comfort us, and simple helping actions are part of Jesus working to alleviate our grief. While Jesus may not have kept our loved one from passing from this life to the next, he has been the abiding and unbroken presence for each Christian who has died physically. Paul reminds us that when a Christian dies, he or she goes to be with Christ (2 Corinthians 5:6-7; Philippians 1:21-23) and God’s loving presence is never lost to him or her (Romans 8:35-39). Martha seems to have something deep inside her that resonated with these promises because she was convinced that even though her brother, Lazarus, had died, she trusted that Jesus could still do something. She says, “But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask” (John 11:20). In the face of overwhelming grief and deep sorrow, we as believers can yearn to have had Jesus present to prevent the death of a loved one. Yet in the face of this unwanted intrusion of death, we can say with faith, “Even now God will” provide victory out of our heartbreak! My Prayer… Holy Father, please help me see Jesus’ ministering presence with me in my times of loss and grief. Help me see him in the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit who abides in me. Help me see him in the acts of love and kindness your bodily presence, the church, as your people help me. In addition, dear Father, please help me see ways that I can serve as Jesus’ presence to someone else who is experiencing grief. 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 – Proverbs 11:20
The LORD detests those whose hearts are perverse, but he delights in those whose ways are blameless. —Proverbs 11:20 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Blameless? We can’t make a claim to be blameless in our own achievements so how will the LORD delight in me? We are blameless because of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice. God has forgiven and cleansed us and the Holy Spirit is working to perfect us so that we can be blameless like Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). Paul told Timothy that he had been the worst of sinners (1 Timothy 1:12-17), yet Paul was confident that he would wear a glorious crown of righteousness when Jesus comes again (2 Timothy 4:6-8). His assurance was because of God’s grace in Jesus (1 Timothy 1:15-17). I don’t know about you, but I am thankful to know that we can bring the LORD delight as our children bring us delight even though they are not fully mature or perfect in their behaviors. We pursue blamelessness because of Jesus’ sacrifice. God views us blameless because of that same sacrifice. That means our Father in heaven delights in us! My Prayer… May my words and my actions bring you delight, O LORD, my God! You have done so much for me, and I want to bring you great joy as I seek to live blamelessly before you trusting in your grace to make me what I cannot be on my own efforts! In Jesus’ name, I thank 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 – Deuteronomy 11:19
Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. —Deuteronomy 11:19 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Moses gives us three crucial messages about God’s commandments that were given to Moses for the people of God. As parents, it is our responsibility to teach God’s commandments to our children — not the responsibility of the government, schools, or even our churches. While we hope these will reinforce our values, it is our responsibility as parents! We are to teach God’s commandments in the everyday course of life as we go about our routines as a family. This organic teaching method should be built into our daily way of life and help connect our children with the practical application of God’s commands. We are to teach them continuously by both our words and our example as we seek to raise our children to honor God and his holy values. Now we can look at teaching God’s commands to our children as a job, a burden, a heavy responsibility, or we can see it as an opportunity to shape a life for the future and partner with God in raising a child to be a person who will make an eternal difference for the Kingdom of God. What a joy to be a part of such a holy, eternal, and influential partnership! My Prayer… O LORD God, please bless me as I seek to impart my faith to others, especially to those in my family. Please bless me with a consistent and faithful witness to them. Please have the Holy Spirit give me the right words to say and the wisdom to know when the time is right to say them. Please give me the strength and sensitivity to share your truth with loving respect along with the courage to leave a strong Christian example. May those I influence see my joy in living for 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 – Acts 11:18
When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.” —Acts 11:18 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Breaking through racial and cultural barriers is never easy, but this was the challenge early church leaders faced when the Holy Spirit led Peter to share the gospel with Cornelius and his household, and they became disciples of Jesus. The Jewish disciples had not anticipated Gentiles to come into Jesus’ church. Thankfully, God’s Spirit didn’t let them settle comfortably into their prejudices. Instead, the Spirit challenged, led, and pushed them to break through racial hatred and cultural ignorance. So must we, today. Let’s be the kind of people, Jesus’ people, who rejoice and praise God as every racial barrier dividing people fall in Jesus. Let’s press on until the triumphant promise of the Gospel is fulfilled: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28). In doing this, we anticipate the incredible chorus of heaven as it praises God with folks from every language, tribe, people, and nation (Revelation 7:9-11). God longs to invite all peoples of the earth into his family of grace, love, and life! My Prayer… Holy God, we ask that you bless all those everywhere who are trying to cross cultural, linguistic, and nationalistic barriers sharing the grace of Jesus with those who do not know you. Help them know they are bringing you joy and anticipating the praise that surrounds you in glory! In 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.
Today’s Verse – Zechariah 11:17
[The LORD said] “Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered, his right eye totally blinded!” —Zechariah 11:17 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… While we do not like to hear bad news and may not appreciate the pronouncement of judgment on others, there is a time when it is appropriate. Jesus was not only our sacrificial lamb, but he is also our Chief Shepherd serving on earth as God with us (Matthew 1:23) as the Shepherd David wrote about in Psalm 23:1-6. When the earthly shepherds of the LORD’s sheep do not lead lovingly and faithfully, the LORD will demand harsh justice. Zechariah’s message is a strong reminder to all who lead that they must do so righteously and tenderly. God wants those whom ungodly leaders have abused to know that their Father in heaven will punish those ungodly leaders appropriately. God will bring righteous justice upon those who have abused their stewardship of God’s sheep and dishonored their pastoral calling. We can rest assured that our Shepherd will wipe away our tears even if our earthly shepherds do not (Revelation 7:15). My Prayer… For the LORD, is… …my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely, goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 123:1-6 ESV). In Jesus’ name, we thank 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 – Hebrews 11:16
Instead, they were longing for a better country — a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. —Hebrews 11:16 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Hebrews 11:1-40 is full of reminders of the great heroes of faith from long ago. Many of them risked everything. Others even paid the ultimate price with their lives rather than betraying their faith. How did they live with such a strong faith in the face of such hostility and persecution? They were looking for a better place, a better home, a better country, a better city — a heavenly one. God prepared this better place for them. He is proud to be called their God and promised to welcome them to that better place and an enduring city to be their home with him. And this better place is also promised to us as people of faith today! Jesus promised us that he is preparing for our arrival at our heavenly home, and he will come back and take us to be where he is (John 14:1-4). If the LORD longs for us to join him in this glorious place, we can surely have a deep longing to be with him and live for him in this world. Let’s desire our heavenly country and look forward to meeting our Father in the place he has prepared for us! My Prayer… Dear Father, thank you for all you have done to save me. Thank you for not being ashamed of me. Thank you for preparing for my arrival at home with you. With so much to anticipate, may I live a victorious life because I am confident in your grace, have faith that I have been forgiven because of Jesus’ sacrifice, and am empowered to be holy by your Spirit. In the name of Jesus, I live and offer you this prayer. 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 – Joshua 11:15
As the LORD commanded his servant Moses, so Moses commanded Joshua, and Joshua did it; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses. —Joshua 11:15 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Joshua is one of my favorite Bible heroes. He was a great servant to Moses. He refused to be swayed by his peers or by the crowd when he spied out the Promised Land. He followed in the footsteps of a great leader and was a great leader himself — that’s not an easy task! Joshua was vigorous and vital even in his old age. Most of all, Joshua was obedient to God and did everything that God had commanded him to do, as well as what God had commanded Moses that he should do. In other words, Joshua was faithful! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… O LORD God, my Abba Father, when I am gone, and people tell the story of my life, may I be viewed as one who was faithful to all that you have asked of me. I want to serve you with an undivided heart and a life that brings you glory and praise, the glory and praise you deserve for your generous grace. And I want this legacy of faithfulness to be as true in my latter years as I wanted it to be true in my younger years! 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 Corinthians 11:14
And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. —2 Corinthians 11:14 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… While we wait for God’s great victory for us to be fully realized, we also need to know that we are in a very intense battle. Our most brutal struggles are not with flesh and blood people, but spiritual powers and wickedness in spiritual places (Ephesians 6:10-12). These evil powers often use “false apostles, deceitful workers” and people “masquerading” as Jesus’ servants (2 Corinthians 11:13). God will win this battle with all who are false through Jesus Christ when he returns. The outcome is certain. Jesus won that battle on the cross (Colossians 2:15), and he will return and reign until every one of his enemies is defeated (1 Corinthians 15:24-25). Christ has already won, however, let’s not be fooled; the evil one will do everything possible to deceive all people, use false teachers, and confuse the lost. Let’s stick with God’s plan — living his truth, listening for his voice in Scripture, and following the lead of his Spirit (1 John 2:20-27). My Prayer… Holy LORD, please give me the ability to discern truth and resist the deception of Satan and those he uses to teach us false things and lead us astray. Please empower me with your Spirit and give me your wisdom to discern what is true, right, and holy as I seek to live victoriously for 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 – Hebrews 11:13
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. —Hebrews 11:13 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… I’m not good at waiting for much of anything. I’m like the kids who have seen the ads for Christmas toys, are anxious for the big gift day, and begin to tell everyone what they want for Christmas. God does have the “Greatest Gift Day” ahead for us. On that wonderful day, all our waiting will be over, and our faith will become sight. But we grow tired of waiting. We can easily worry about what we don’t have or how we have been treated. The evil one wants to discourage us and smother out our faith. So, let’s follow the example of these great heroes of faith in Hebrews 11:1-40. Let’s anticipate and welcome our “Greatest Gift Day” from afar, not letting our apparent circumstances dampen our spirits, weaken our faith, or stop our praise to God for our coming victory through Jesus Christ. My Prayer… Victorious King, Ruler of the Ages, I praise you for the resurrection ahead for me. Thank you in advance for the day I get to see you face-to-face and join the grand celebration of heaven. Thank you for the great heroes of faith in Hebrews 11, who are examples of faith that endures despite negative circumstances and hard times. I will keep praising you and believing in your goodness until I see that “Greatest Gift Day”! As I wait, please use me to help others anticipate our great victory and overwhelming joy. 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 – Proverbs 11:12
A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue. —Proverbs 11:12 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Wise folks don’t have to prove their wisdom by disrespecting others and putting them down while belittling them. Instead, godly and wise people hold their tongues and let their lives speak what is good, honorable, righteous, loving, and genuine. Our world is full of cynical sarcasm. Our culture overly rewards people who are quick with belittling and unwholesome quips — those quick and razor-sharp “put-downs” so often in TV sit-coms and on social media. As people of God and followers of Jesus, we are called to redeem others through what we say and bring a blessing with our words (Ephesians 4:29). My Prayer… Holy Father, I ask for your wisdom, patience, and kindness so I can use my speech to bless others and praise you. Please, Father, pour the Holy Spirit into my heart in a fresh way when I am tempted to use my words to hurt, belittle, and insult others. I don’t want to do those things, so I ask for the Spirit’s help. In Jesus’ name, I ask for your help to be more gracious and loving as I speak with others. 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.