Today’s Verse – Genesis 9:16
[God told Noah,] “Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” —Genesis 9:16 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… I don’t know about you, but I’m very visual. So, I appreciate how God made the world with all its varied colors, many species, and rich landscapes. I am thankful that our Father in Heaven used key images in our world to remind us of his daily provision and eternal grace. The beauty of a rainbow is not just in its beautiful colors or the aroma of fresh rain that often accompanies it but also in the covenant God made with us and our world after the Great Flood. The eternal and living God chose to link himself to our destiny and to involve himself in our world because of his love and grace. With the rainbow as his symbol, God promised not to destroy all life on our planet with a flood. Each of us is God’s creation from the womb, so we are precious to him (Psalm 139:13-16). So, we commit to living morally and responsibly to God as we seek to honor him and his covenant represented by the rainbow (Genesis 9:4-7) and refuse to dishonor this covenant with wickedness (Genesis 9:22-24). God made the rainbow as a reminder that he loves us and calls us to honor him with our character and care for his creation. My Prayer… Almighty God, thank you for making your great promises when we had no right to expect them, much less to demand them. Thank you for attaching those promises to things in my everyday world that remind me of your constant and watchful care. In Jesus’ name, I ask for strength and wisdom to respond to your grace in holiness and honor. 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 9:15
[In talking about others having the right to be supported in their ministry, the apostle Paul says of himself,] “But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me. I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast [of being self-supporting].” —1 Corinthians 9:15 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Paul was careful not to take support from the Corinthians even though it was his right as a minister of the Gospel. Instead, he knew their problems with generosity and showed them a greater example of living for Jesus without obvious and instant rewards. Often, we must show our values before others share them with us. Paul was a master at reading the needs around him and living in a way that was an example. He then would call them to follow his example as he followed the example of Christ (1 Corinthians 4:16, 11:1). By not receiving support for his ministry, Paul demonstrated to them that they needed to make a living with their own hands and be responsible (1 Corinthians 4:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:11). Let’s commit to following Paul’s example and live with integrity before others. My Prayer… Father God and Almighty LORD, please give me the courage and integrity to live my principles in a way that is a blessing and an example to others. Bless me, dear Father, with a life that makes a mark on others for your glory. 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 Corinthians 9:14
In the same way [as God commanded farm animals to be fed for their work], the LORD has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. —1 Corinthians 9:14 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… One of the great tragedies of our modern world is that while some who preach and teach the gospel are charlatans and cheats, the vast majority of God’s servants work hard and barely scrape by financially. Why not find some underpaid and forgotten Kingdom servant and share some blessings God has given you? A note of kindness, a specific comment of praise and thanksgiving, or a surprising financial gift can do amazing things to lift one of God’s servants and empower them to ever greater service. My Prayer… Holy Father, I thank you for your servants who share the message of Jesus wherever they are. Father, I want to especially thank you for these people: ______ Please bless them with good health, a faithful and loving family, and the proper support to do your work in a way worthy of your cause and their commitment. Please use me to bless and encourage your ministers of 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 – Luke 9:13
[When his disciples wondered how to feed the huge crowd who had been with them several days and were famished, Jesus] replied, “You give them something to eat.” They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish — unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” —Luke 9:13 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… I love the way Jesus got his disciples’ attention in this situation. He challenged them “to do immeasurably more than all [they] ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20-21). Basically, Jesus told them, “You feed them, boys!” Of course, they knew that they couldn’t! Yet Jesus showed them they could do amazing things if they brought their meager resources to him. When the big picnic was over, each of those limited disciples got to pick up a basket full of leftovers from the table of Jesus’ grace (Luke 9:17). Let’s remember our challenge is the limited resources we see but our unwillingness to bring what we have to Jesus and trust that he will do something with us, and those resources, to bless others in ways we couldn’t have dreamed! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… All praise to you, Abba Father, for your extravagant help and mercy in times of need, your loving and generous provision in times of want, and your surprising and exciting use of my limited resources as I seek to do your will. I know that you have entrusted me with what I have to accomplish the work you have called me to do as I serve to bless others. Forgive me, Father, for not trusting you to make what I think are my meager resources more than enough to do your work in my world! In Jesus’ name, I ask for your grace fully confident and praising you for your sufficiency. 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 9:12
On hearing [people complaining he associated with sinful people], Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” —Matthew 9:12 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Why did Jesus associate with sinners? Because we need him to associate with us! What’s the most crucial part of that truth: Jesus’ desire to love and save us or our recognition of our need for him in our sinfulness? Of course, the most crucial truth is Jesus’ desire to love and save us. Without him, recognizing our sinfulness would only lead us to despair. At the same time, however, if we don’t acknowledge our need for Jesus’ love and grace, the LORD’s sacrifice for us is lost to us. So, let’s praise Jesus as our loving and sacrificial Savior as we acknowledge our need for his merciful love and mighty grace! My Prayer… Gracious Father, I praise you from the bottom of my heart for providing Jesus as my Savior. At the same time, dear Father, I confess I struggle with sin. I want sin entirely out of my life, yet I find that I cannot rid myself of its constant shadow and its penetrating stain. Without your grace and the love and mercy of Jesus, I know I could not stand before you as your pure child. So, please forgive me for the sins I confess to you now… As I have received your love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness, please receive my praise for your gracious 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 – 2 Corinthians 9:11
You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. —2 Corinthians 9:11 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… An old saying says, “You can’t outgive God!” And this saying is true. The more we give to bless others and honor God, the more we have to give. Why does God bless us with riches? So we can share those riches generously with those in need, bring joy to those in despair, and give thanksgiving from all of these hearts to God. My Prayer… Father, thank you for providing me with so many blessings. May my use of your riches bring you glory and bring others a true and genuine blessing that will touch their hearts with your 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 – Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. —Proverbs 9:10 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… There are many noble and beneficial fields of academic pursuit. However, as today’s Scripture reminds us, true wisdom and the greatest understanding can be found in only one place: a reverential knowledge of God and the acknowledgment of his will with our obedience in all of our ways! My Prayer… LORD God, Holy Savior of Israel, and my Abba Father thank you for the grace of prayer and the gift of your truth that leads to wisdom. Thank you for your steadfastness and faithfulness in sharing this truth with us in the holy Scriptures, through our experience of your presence in our lives, and through the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Thank you for your patience as we seek to integrate your truth into our daily lives and seek to live with wisdom. Thank you for your mercy and justice. We place our lives and futures in your hands as we strive to honor you with our obedience and be used for your 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 – Ezekiel 9:9-10
[The glory of the God of Israel] answered me, “The sin of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great; the land is full of bloodshed and the city is full of injustice. They say, ‘The LORD has forsaken the land; the LORD does not see.’ So I will not look on them with pity or spare them, but I will bring down on their own heads what they have done” —Ezekiel 9:9-10 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Special Note: Please remember the verses for this year were selected based on the date corresponding to the reference — September 9 is 9/9 or Ezekiel 9:9. This sometimes brings us challenging messages, but after much prayer, we believe these are messages the Holy Spirit wants us to hear. Ezekiel had prepared for thirty years to be a priest, yet when it was time for him to serve in God’s temple in Jerusalem, the city was largely destroyed, and Ezekiel was in exile. God had promised the northern tribes of Israel and the southern tribe of Judah that they would suffer the consequences of their social injustice, rebellion against righteousness, and unwillingness to obey God. God is true to his promises, and he will restore his people, but not until they feel the consequences of their own hard hearts and evil choices. Beyond this time of justice, God will ransom his righteous remnant and bring it back to their land, and they will be his people. But we must remember that God does not ignore rebellion, sin, and evil. Nice religious slogans, going to religious places, and listening to nice religious songs did not spare them from suffering the consequences of their evil choices. Nor will they spare us today. However, God longs to save and bless so we can turn our hearts to him and receive the grace he so longs to give us. But, dear friend, this repentance means a heart change that leads us back to living for God! My Prayer… In my times of darkest struggle or loftiest joy, dear LORD, please help me be found faithful to you and your will. Please help me be an example of genuine repentance, steadfast love, righteous character, and gracious compassion. In Jesus’ name, I pray for revival, repentance, and restoration among your people, O 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 – 2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. —2 Corinthians 9:8 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… What a powerful promise! If we are willing to generously share with others in the name of Jesus, as the apostle Paul discusses in the previous verses, we will always have what we need to bless others, and our lives will be full of good deeds that bring glory to God and his blessing to many. So let’s remind ourselves of one of the first lessons we should have learned as young children: share… share what we have… share generously! Only this time, as children of God, let’s share in the name of Jesus to bless others so they receive his grace in tangible ways. My Prayer… Thank you, Father, for all the incredible blessings you have poured into my life. You have richly blessed me physically and spiritually. Now, I ask that your Holy Spirit will help me be generous with the gifts you have so richly poured into my life. O LORD, may I be a conduit of your blessings so that others may come to know your grace through the blessings you’ve given 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 – Mark 9:7
Then a cloud appeared and enveloped [Jesus and his disciples, Peter, James, and John], and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” —Mark 9:7 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Who are you listening to in your life? We can hear all sorts of different voices and listen to all sorts of religious commentary and insight. However, we can follow only One as the Source of all truth and life. Who are we going to listen to as we make our decisions about morality, values, ethics, and character? Who has earned the right to be heard regarding truth, life, death, sin, and salvation? God makes it unmistakably clear at the Mount of Transfiguration: we must listen to his Son Jesus! Moses was amazing, and Elijah was bold and brave. Peter, James, and John were blown away to see them at Jesus’ transfiguration. But God made it clear: we must listen, obey, and follow only one as our source of truth, and God said of him, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” My Prayer… Almighty God, I need the Holy Spirit’s help to silence the voices of dispute, doubt, deception, and demagoguery surrounding me. Help me hear the voice of Jesus above the noise of politicians, influencers, and self-appointed experts of my day. I want to follow Jesus and obey him in all things, no matter what anyone else may choose to do or to whom they entrust their hearts. 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.