Today’s Verse – Romans 10:4
Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. —Romans 10:4 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Christ is the fulfillment of the Law (the goal and destination of the Mosaical Law) and the end of law as the means by which we are declared righteous. We are no longer judged on the basis of our law-keeping. True, the standard used for us is the righteousness of God, but this is a standard that Jesus meets in us and for us by being the sin offering for us and sending the Spirit to empower us to be transformed. Jesus’ saving work and our faith in him mean that God can declare us righteous while still transforming us as we strive to be more righteous in how we live. The Law’s goal is fulfilled and finds its completion in Jesus as his saving work redeems us, and the Holy Spirit transforms us to be like our LORD (2 Corinthians 3:18). Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Dear Father, I do believe that Jesus is your dear Son, sent to be my Savior, crucified for my sins, and raised from the dead for my victory. I trust my salvation to him and thank you for your incredible gift of grace. In the name of Jesus Christ, 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 – Leviticus 10:3
Moses then said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD spoke of when he said: “‘Among those who approach me I will show myself holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.’” Aaron remained silent. —Leviticus 10:3 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Moses spoke these words after Nadab and Abihu dishonored God by their disobedience in the LORD’s holy presence. Aaron was silent because God struck Nadab and Abihu dead. They had dishonored God’s holiness, and God’s holiness is unapproachable without the gift of his grace to enter into his presence. When we disregard God’s holiness and do things the way we think is best, we profane what is precious and sacred. God will be known and shown as holy, if not by his people, then by God’s remedial actions. Let’s take our worship of God seriously, honoring him with our reverence and awe (Hebrews 12:28-29). Let’s also refuse to confine our worship to only what we do in a church building or around other believers. Let’s realize that all of our life is worship (Romans 12:1-2) and live out our lives with a commitment to be holy in all we do (1 Peter 1:15-16), both in the worship with our lips and the worship with our lives (Hebrews 13:1-16). My Prayer… Almighty and Most High God, who alone is holy in perfect righteousness, please forgive me for my sins. Cleanse me and make me holy by your Holy Spirit’s transforming and sanctifying power. May my life be lived as a holy sacrifice to you — pleasing and acceptable and full of joy for all you have done for me. 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 10:2
In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises. —Psalm 10:2 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God hates violence, intimidation, or any means used by the powerful to control, manipulate, hound, and enslave those who are weaker or more vulnerable. God loathes wickedness based upon the strong and the abusive, preying on the weak and powerless — the sexual predator who abuses and enslaves the innocent and vulnerable is just one example. By our actions and resources, we must demonstrate to the weak and the helpless that there is a God of love who demands justice for those who practice evil and prey on them. Let’s make sure arrogant and abusive people ARE caught in their sinful schemes and brought to justice! My Prayer… Give me a heart, O God, that disdains the abuse of power and the misuse of wealth and influence. Thank you, dear God, for sending Jesus to save me when I was powerless to bring about my salvation (Romans 5:5-11). Please give me a heart like Jesus when I see others being abused, enslaved, or trafficked. In the name of my Savior, Jesus, I pray for your help as we seek to eliminate such manipulative forms of violence. 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 – Isaiah 10:1-2
Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. —Isaiah 10:1-2 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God wants us to be generous, compassionate, holy, and righteous. Why? Because that is who he is: holy and full of righteous character (1 Peter 1:13-16; 2 Peter 1:5-11) as well as full of gracious compassion (Exodus 34:6-7; Deuteronomy 10:18). This kind of well-rounded kind of godly character must show up in how we live our daily lives. We must be both holy and righteous as well as compassionate and gracious. Righteousness and holiness must not be compromised. Neither should compassion and grace be set aside. Many of us find this a difficult balance. Still, it is a balance we are called to keep as we seek to honor our God by reflecting his character in our lives and as the Holy Spirit increasingly transforms us into the character of Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:22-23). After all, Jesus was the living demonstration of God’s righteous character and gracious compassion in human flesh (John 1:1-3, 14-18). My Prayer… O God, you are holy and righteous. You are also the God of compassion to the fatherless. Please increase our compassion and commitment to work for those who are forgotten, abused, disenfranchised, and pushed aside. Please move us to a deeper hunger for holiness that reflects your will. We want your full character, the character Jesus demonstrated, to be formed in our lives. 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 – Nehemiah 9:30
For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you admonished them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you handed them over to the neighboring peoples. —Nehemiah 9:30 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Nehemiah recognized that the LORD had spoken repeatedly to his people. The faithful prophets spoke as the Holy Spirit of God inspired them. God loved, blessed, and protected his people, yet they often ignored his will revealed through his servants, the prophets. The people abandoned the LORD their God to their destruction! We must not let the same thing be said of us. Let’s pay attention to our God and to his Son, Jesus, whom the Father sent. Let’s listen and obey the Holy Spirit whom the LORD Jesus poured out upon us and who is alive in us to guide us. The Spirit speaks to our hearts and through the Holy Scriptures. The Holy Spirit longs to guide us in the ways of our God. My Prayer… Sovereign LORD and Abba Father, we praise you! Please never let us outlive our love for you or our hearts’ desire to be obedient and pleasing to you! Lead us and speak to our hearts through your Holy Spirit and your holy Scriptures. We offer our hearts to you and are ready to obey you and follow Jesus as our LORD and 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 – Exodus 9:29
“When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the LORD. The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the LORD’s.” —Exodus 9:29 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… These words of Moses to Pharaoh remind us that when Moses confronted Pharaoh and was met only by the hardness of Pharaoh’s heart, God sent the plagues. Why? Because God wanted Pharaoh to know that Israel’s God wasn’t just another petty god of another nation, but that the LORD was the Only True and Living God. The nations, the seasons, and the earth are his. All people must come to revere his name and receive his grace or be lost forever. My Prayer… God of all the universe and LORD of more than all that we can imagine, experience, or see, we praise you and proclaim you to be God, the only true and living God, and the earth and its future are in your hands. Please use us, your people, to help more of earth’s inhabitants “from every nation, tribe, people and language” (Revelation 7:9), acknowledge you as God indeed! In Jesus’ name, we praise you and thank you for being LORD of our hearts, our world, and our future. 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 9:28
So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. —Hebrews 9:28 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… You gotta know it! Jesus IS coming back! Are you ready? Are you waiting? Are you eager? I sure hope you are because our salvation and the LORD’s glory await those who are eagerly anticipating his coming (Romans 8:19, 23; 1 Corinthians 1:7; Galatians 5:5). As Paul says to the Philippians: [O]ur citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body (Philippians 3:20-21). My Prayer… O come LORD Jesus! Your bride awaits you! To you belongs the glory, forever and ever! Amen. (Prayer adapted from 1 Corinthians 16:22 & Revelation 21:2, 9; 22:17.) 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 9:27
I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. —1 Corinthians 9:27 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “Practice what you preach!” “I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day.” “Put your life where your mouth is!” Each statement has the same goal: following God’s will and living under Jesus’ Lordship led by the Spirit without hypocrisy and with dedicated faithfulness. Those of us who speak out most openly about our faith in Jesus also need to ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the same standard we call others to follow. Self-scrutiny and a brother or sister in Christ who holds us accountable and encourages us when we are discouraged are essential if we are going to live faithfully what we say we believe. Like Paul who gave us this challenging verse, let’s prepare to live for Jesus like an athlete prepares to compete in the Olympic Games. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Father in Heaven, please help me with the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit within me. I want my walk with Jesus to be consistent with my talk about him and what I say I believe. May my talk and walk always be pleasing to you, a blessing to others, and an honor to my LORD Jesus, 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 9:26
“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” —Luke 9:26 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Some of the saddest words a child can hear are these: “I’m so disappointed in you.” We don’t want the reaction of our LORD and Savior Jesus as we stand before him when he comes in his glory to be, “I’m ashamed of you!” We want the world to know now that we love and honor Jesus as our LORD. We want those around us to come to know Jesus as their Savior and LORD, too! We refuse to be intimated or shamed into renouncing our Savior. We know that one day, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is LORD! But we want those we know, love, and influence to acknowledge the LORD with us on that day as we celebrate together his return in glory because we refused to back down from our faith in Jesus and led them to love the LORD, too! My Prayer… LORD God Almighty; please give me boldness, wisdom, and respect as I seek to stand up for Jesus daily. May my words and my life declare my allegiance to Jesus as my LORD and Savior. In the name of the LORD Jesus, 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 9:25
“What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?” —Luke 9:25 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus’ question is a piercing challenge for us to evaluate our goals and look at what we pursue. It reminds me of a picture I once had in my office of a hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer with the caption, “Who says you can’t take it with you?” While it was humorous, the caption was also wrong: DEAD wrong. And that was the point of the picture! Jesus wants us to ask ourselves what we have really gained if we lose our souls in pursuing things we can’t take with us after we die. Is more stuff, fame, wealth, and power worth losing the only part of us that matters eternally? No, it is not! My Prayer… Loving Father, please help me focus on what is truly valuable and eternally enduring. Awaken my heart to use my blessings and influence to bring you glory and lead others closer to Jesus. I want to carry these things into the next life. I pray this 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.