Today’s Verse – 1 John 4:21
And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. —1 John 4:21 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Some things are very simple. We can’t love God and refuse to love each other. This is not hard to understand. On the other hand, some of our “kinfolks” in the LORD and in our families are just downright hard to love because they can be so difficult. But, we need to remember who we were when Christ died for us —powerless, ungodly, sinners, and enemiesof God (Romans 5:6-11). Yet God loved us and sent Jesus to save us even when we weren’t deserving. So before we whine about our “hard-to-live-with” fellow believers, we had better give thanks that God loved us when we were “hard-to-love” sinners. Then, we need to thank God for his grace by being more loving with each other. My Prayer… Almighty God, please give me the strength, compassion, and courage to love my fellow Christians as you have loved 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 – Philippians 4:20
To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. —Philippians 4:20 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… When was the last time you prayed and didn’t request anything from God? You simply thanked and praised God. Why not use today as a day of thanks and praise? Don’t ask for anything; commit to offering praise and thanksgiving to the Father without requesting anything in return! Praise him for who he is, what he has done, and what he is going to do! Thank him for blessing you, saving you, and bringing you into his glorious future! Let today be a day of thanks and praise to “Our God and Father” to whom belong “glory forever and ever. Amen.” My Prayer… You are worthy, dear Father, of every word of praise my imagination can find and every word of thanks my tongue can pronounce. You are glorious, majestic, holy, mighty, and awesome. You are patient, forgiving, sacrificial, loving, and tender. You are more than I can imagine and yet closer to me than my very breath. Your greatness exhausts my vocabulary, while your generosity overwhelms my heart. Please be glorified in my every thought, deed, and word. In Jesus’ name, I 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 – Galatians 4:19
My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you… —Galatians 4:19 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Paul had a clear goal for new followers of Jesus; he wanted Jesus to be formed in them. He wanted them to become fully mature in Christ (Colossians 1:28-29). He knew the Holy Spirit would help them in this process if they would focus their hearts on Jesus and seek to reflect Jesus’ character in their lives (2 Corinthians 3:18). So, as we go through our daily activities, let’s honor Paul’s goal — let’s invite Jesus to come to life in us and bring us to full maturity of his likeness. We’ve included Phil’s ToGather video from four years ago as an added blessing to our verse today. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Holy and Righteous God, may the presence of Jesus increase in me so I can display more of Jesus in my life. At the same time, dear Father, I want my attitude, behavior, and speech to escape the warped ways of our broken world. May this be true today, but even more, dear Father, may it be more clearly seen each day. In the name of my Savior and goal, 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 – 1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. —1 John 4:18 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Do you remember what Jesus said when he walked on the water, coming to his disciples through the storm? He told them, “Do not fear, I Am.” In the presence of God’s holy and all-powerful Son, we don’t have to be afraid. Love has reached us and saved us in Jesus. God’s grace for us in Jesus and our faith in Jesus have taken away our need for fear. Jesus’ sacrifice has made us holy, without fault, and free from any charge against us (Colossians 1:21-22). Our response? Love! We love our Father for who he is, what he has done, and his great sacrifice for us. We also choose to love others as we have been loved because perfect love casts off all fear. My Prayer… Dear Father in heaven, you are holy and glorious. These are things I could never be without your grace, yet you have chosen to give me these blessings through the sacrifice of your Jesus, your Son whom I love. Dear Father, I love you and in Jesus’ name, I 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 – James 4:17
Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins. —James 4:17 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… James’ brother, Jesus, taught this principle when he healed on the Sabbath (Mark 3:1-7) and told the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37). If we have the opportunity and ability to do good to someone in need, then if we don’t do it, then we are participating in their destruction. The LORD made it clear that neglecting to do a good deed for another in need, even if we had a religious excuse for not doing it, was doing evil. Let’s be a people known for doing good deeds and sharing kindness. Let’s not let any excuse, especially a religious excuse, interfere with our opportunities to serve others in the name of Jesus. My Prayer… Dear Father, please use me today to bless someone in need so they can know your grace and glorify Jesus for his goodness. In the Savior’s sweet and precious 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 4:16
From [Christ] the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. —Ephesians 4:16 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Ephesians and Colossians emphasize that no human being, or even a group of human beings, is the head of the Church. Jesus alone is the head of the Church. He sets our direction. He is our example. Christ is our goal for ministry and maturity (Colossians 1:28-29). Jesus also gifts people in his Church and arranges us in his Body as he chooses, giving us gifts he wants us to use to bless each other and honor God. Christ holds us together, enabling us to serve effectively as his presence in the world as each of us uses our gifts. So, let’s set our hearts on Jesus. Let’s use his life and love to inspire us. Let’s look back on Jesus’ earthly ministry to remind us how and whom we should serve. Let’s give Jesus our allegiance and loyalty as the Christ, who alone is the head of his Body, the Church. Let’s let him lead! My Prayer… Righteous Father, thank you for Jesus. Thank you for his example, service, obedience, love, and sacrifice. Thank you for his resurrection, exaltation, power, and presence today in your Church and in my life. Father, please use me and my brothers and sisters in Christ with me to do his work in our world and share your grace with all who are lost. 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 – 1 Timothy 4:15-16
Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. —1 Timothy 4:15-16 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “Be diligent!” That’s not a phrase, a command you hear much about these days. We want things to come easily. Sweat in the world of pseudo-faith is frowned upon. But Paul wanted Timothy (and us) to know that maturity in Christ requires genuine effort — as Paul said, “give yourself wholly to them” and “persevere in them.” Having a redemptive influence on others is hard work. While it is God’s power that transforms, our efforts are also required if others are going to see our progress and follow our examples. God assures us that our efforts will bear fruit in our lives and lead others to salvation. My Prayer… Abba Father, please stir my confidence, courage, diligence, and determination so that I can share the salvation you have lavished on me can be shared with others through my teaching and my example. 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 Thessalonians 4:14
We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. —1 Thessalonians 4:14 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… As horrible as the Cross was, it wasn’t the final chapter of the Jesus’ story. Jesus died and then rose again. We can believe two things because of Jesus’ resurrection: That Jesus will return in glorious victory for those who have believed in him. That we will be with those we love who have fallen asleep in Christ when Jesus comes again and brings resurrection and reunion. These two truths allow us, dear friends in Jesus, to have confident hope for our future no matter where we find ourselves or what our present circumstances may be. My Prayer… Holy and Almighty Father, thank you for raising Jesus from the dead and assuring us of eternal life with you and with those we love who have already passed from this life into the presence of Jesus. We look forward to the day Jesus returns in glory with the angels of heaven, bringing us complete victory over death and reunion with Jesus and all who have believed in him. Thank you, dear Father, for the victory we have in 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 – Philippians 4:13
I can do everything through him [Christ] who gives me strength. —Philippians 4:13 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… I don’t know about you, but I know I’ve grown soft and spoiled because of all the conveniences I have allowed into my life. If these conveniences were to vanish suddenly, could I, would I, honor God with my praises and thanksgiving? I sure hope so. I am committed to doing so. I want to be like Paul and live with the assurance that I can withstand any situation with the help of Christ Jesus — even if it is imprisonment and the abandonment of friends as Paul was facing. My Prayer… O God, my strength would fade without you, and my confidence would fail. Thankfully, I will never have to worry about this because your grace, your Spirit, and your Son. These strengthen me and help me weather any storm. I believe you will never abandon me. 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 Peter 4:11
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. —1 Peter 4:11 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God gave us gifts to use in his Kingdom at least for two primary reasons: To bring glory to God. To bless others. Whether we serve or speak, we are to do so with these two goals in mind, knowing that God will supply the strength to do what he has gifted us to do. All glory for what we do and say that brings others God’s blessing belongs to the gracious Giver of these good gifts! My Prayer… Holy Father, thank you for saving me and giving me the abilities and gifts to bless your people and honor you. Help me find the ways you want me to use these gifts and abilities. I ask that you display the goodness and grace of Jesus through me as I use them. O, dear Father, I yearn to be a conduit of your gracious blessings. 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.