Today’s Verse – 1 Thessalonians 5:23
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. —1 Thessalonians 5:23 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We have chosen our verses for this year to reflect the date. Today is May 23, so we found a passage that was from chapter 5 and verse 23, or 5:23. This way of choosing our “Verse of the Day” challenges us and blesses us to find verses we might otherwise overlook. “Today’s Verse” is a blessing from the apostle Paul that we do not want to overlook! We know that true righteousness and holiness are perfectly possessed by only God. Amazingly, God uses his Spirit to make those qualities a growing reality in our lives when we yield to his leadership. Yesterday, we committed to let the Spirit work on maturing us in our weakest areas. Let’s take an extra five or ten minutes sometime today, open God’s Word, and read several passages of Scripture that apply to the character qualities we want to acquire — 2 Peter 1:2-11 is an excellent passage to help us. Let’s ask God’s Spirit to grow us in these areas to be more like Christ! My Prayer… Dear Father, may Jesus come soon with grace and glory! May I be found blameless on that day, beloved Father, not by my power and effort but because of your transforming power at work within me. 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 – Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. —Galatians 5:22-23 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Where the Holy Spirit’s influence thrives, our human character is transformed, and we display spiritual fruit. This maturity isn’t developed overnight. It is, however, noticeable over the long haul of life when a person pursues Jesus and reflects the LORD’s righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful lovingkindness. So, what fruit does the Spirit bring alive in your life? In what ways have you matured to become more like Christ? In what areas do you want the Spirit to exercise greater control? Why not take a moment and consciously yield those areas in which you struggle to the LORD as we pray? My Prayer… Almighty and ever-present Father, we thank you for empowering positive changes in our lives as we seek to be more like Jesus. Please bring the fruit of the Holy Spirit to full maturity in our lives. You know where we continue to struggle with sin. We intentionally turn over those parts of our lives to your Spirit to redeem and fully sanctify us so the Spirit will continue to transform us to be more like our Savior. In his 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 – James 5:20
[R]emember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. —James 5:20 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… When someone wanders from God’s path, let’s not take their rebellion frivolously. God has given us the tremendous blessing of carrying on the work of our Savior, Jesus, who came to seek and save the lost (Mark 10:45; Luke 10:10). Jesus calls us to help the wayward return home to the Savior and go find those who are lost and return them to the Savior (Matthew 18:10-14; Luke 15:1-32). My Prayer… Gracious Father, please be with those I love who are living in rebellion against you. Use me to be your agent of restoration to bring them home to you and help them discover your grace, mercy, and forgiveness. 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 5:19
Jesus did not let [the man from whom he had cast out a legion of demons] come with him, but said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” —Mark 5:19 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Amazingly, Jesus had given this formerly demonized man his life back. The Lord had powerfully delivered this formerly uncontrollable man from the power of Satan, demons, and the grave. How will this newly liberated man use the Lord’s grace? He will tell those in his family what the LORD had done for him. Apparently, the man obeyed Jesus because many people were waiting for Jesus the next time the Lord came to this area! Should each of us share with our friends and family what the Lord has done in us, for us, and through us? YES! My Prayer… Father, bless me as I seek to share my faith and your salvation with those in my family and among my friends who have not yet called on Jesus as LORD and have not yet surrendered their lives to him. Help me not to push them farther away, but instead, help them see all the ways you have blessed my 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 – Luke 5:18
Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. —Luke 5:18 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… What is the best example of someone being a friend you have seen? The Bible offers numerous definitions and examples. One of my favorite examples is this story of the paralyzed man whose friends went to great extremes to get him to Jesus. When the crowd blocked their way to the Lord, they became creative and dug a hole in the roof to let their friend down to Jesus! Their faith and their effort to get him to Jesus ultimately resulted in the man’s forgiveness and healing. I don’t know about you, but that’s the kind of friend I want to be — someone who will do anything to bring friends to Jesus to be blessed by him! My Prayer… Holy Father, please bless me as I try to lead my friends and acquaintances (speak the names of several non-Christian friends here) to Jesus. I want them to experience Jesus’ saving power, loving grace, complete healing, and ultimate deliverance in Jesus. Please give me the tenacity and tact to do this with “gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15), never losing my sense of urgency to see them come to Christ. In Jesus’ name, I ask for wisdom and urgency as I try to share 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 – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! —2 Corinthians 5:17 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “New and Improved!” That should be stamped across the forehead of every Christian! When we come to Christ, he makes us new and cleanses us of all our sins. Incredibly, this grace can be “new every morning” (Lamentations 3:23) because of God’s faithfulness and transforming power. God gives us the grace for this new life through his Holy Spirit. We are new and improved. We will continue to be that way until the Holy Spirit completely transforms us to be like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18) and we see the Father face to face in glory (1 John 3:2). Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Holy Father, have your way with my heart, will, life, and time. I want to yield myself to you so that you can make me new and improved. I don’t want to be satisfied with how far you have brought me. No, dear Father, I want to become more like Jesus each day until I come home to you in glory. Thank you for your empowering grace. 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 – Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. —Matthew 5:16 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… As Christians, we are not called to isolate ourselves from culture. We are not called to be hermits detached from the lost world around us. Instead, we are to recognize that we are in this world of darkness to live as light — not as little candles tucked away in some inner bedroom, but as bright lights set on their stands so all can see their light. As Jesus’ disciples, we are called to be a city on a hill whose lights can’t be hidden. Of course, our goal is not to call attention to ourselves but to help others see the glorious grace of our Father so they will come to Jesus, who is the one, true Light of the World! My Prayer… Dear Heavenly Father, may my life bless others so they can see you and your love more clearly. 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 – Ephesians 5:15
Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. —Ephesians 5:15 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Living with urgency doesn’t mean living recklessly. It means living with holy abandon to honor God and with a holy passion to make each moment count for righteousness while knowing that we are at war against the evil powers (Ephesians 6:10-12). That means we must be intentional about our choices, taking care to use our moments wisely as we live a life of character, yielded to God, and different from the world around us because we are servants to Jesus. My Prayer… Fill me with wisdom, O God, that I may honor you with my choices and use of time each day. Protect me from the deceptive influences of the evil one, and grant me a holy and productive use of the time you bless me with each day. 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 – Amos 5:14
Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. —Amos 5:14 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Many illicit and evil groups claim to have God on their side. Horrific things have been done under the disguise of a “Christian” movement. Jesus, however, told us we could recognize people by their fruit. Those who seek good and abhor evil, live with righteous character, and practice faithful love, justice, and mercy are the ones who have God with them. Let’s make sure the visible holy qualities of God in us match our claim that God’s presence and approval are in our lives! My Prayer… Thank you for your presence in my life, Almighty God and loving Father. Please forgive me for the times when I let sin and selfishness crowd you and your character out of my life and bring reproach to your name. Empower me with your Holy Spirit to live as your holy child while displaying your righteous character to the world. In Jesus’ name, I ask and yearn to more perfectly reflect your righteous character, gracious compassion, faithful justice, and tender mercy. 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 5:13
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. —1 John 5:13 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Yes, we can KNOW we have eternal life! Don’t settle for less!! Confidence is so crucial that God sent his Son to die and be raised so we could know that eternal life with Jesus is our destination, not just our journey. While that eternal life begins and is experienced now (John 5:24), what we experience here is only a hint, a foretaste, of what lies ahead in our glorious and eternal future with the LORD Jesus. My Prayer… Thank you, heavenly Father, for your plan of salvation and the cost you paid to make it happen. Thank you for giving me confidence now in my eternal future with you as your child. Thank you for heaven, hope, and my home with you forever. To you belong all the glory and praise, and I pray in your name, LORD 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.