Today’s Verse – Matthew 7:2
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. —Matthew 7:2 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus is concerned! He does not want us to have a critical spirit toward others — especially other brothers and sisters in Christ. He does not want us to judge their motives. After all, we can’t know another person’s heart; only God can. When we are unfairly critical, overly harsh, and unduly judgmental, we must remember that God will use that same standard on us that we have used on others. I don’t know about you, but I need grace. So do those I love and those with whom I fellowship in Jesus. Plus, I am trying to win those who don’t know Jesus by treating and speaking to them “with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). So, I will try very hard to be as gracious toward others as God has been gracious with me. This doesn’t mean I compromise on personal holiness; it just means I’m motivated by love. My Prayer… Forgive me, Abba Father, for the times that I’ve been far more critical of others than I should be. Arouse my passion to be gracious toward others so they can see your grace, mercy, and kindness shining through 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 7:1
O LORD my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me… —Psalm 7:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Who or what is pursuing you? Is it a past mistake? Is it an old enemy? Is it an addiction in your life that is dragging you down? Is it your conscience? Is it a nagging sense of guilt? Is it someone who wants to do you physical harm? Is it a physical illness? Is it a lingering sense of dread or an uncertainty about your future? We have many things that we can fear and feel — a lingering sense that these things we dread are pursuing us. So the bigger question is: Where do we go to find peace and security amid all the storms and struggles of life? There is only One who can be a true and lasting refuge. Just One: The LORD God! And this One LORD longs to deliver and save you if you take refuge in him! My Prayer… Father God, you are my refuge and source of strength. This is especially true when my courage is gone, and my soul is weary. Please, dear Father, destroy all the forces and powers and enemies that pursue me and seek to take me captive and draw me away from you. In Jesus’ name, I confidently pray that you are my refuge. 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 6:30
But Moses said to the LORD, “Since I speak with faltering lips, why would Pharaoh listen to me?” —Exodus 6:30 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Moses had to learn the same lesson most of us have to learn: folks really don’t care that much about what we say. If the truth is known, most of us can’t express ourselves all that well. Communication with others is hard. However, when we offer ourselves to the LORD, he truly works through us and uses us in mighty ways. Ol’ Stammerin’ Moses is a great testimony that God can take a shepherd with his faltering speech and turn him into one of the greatest leaders and speakers of all time. Don’t you think we had better ask what God wants to do with us and get to doing it? God used Moses mightily despite his limitations, and I believe God wants to use us in powerful ways, too! My Prayer… Loving Father, please use me in your service. I recognize that all my gifts, abilities, and experiences came from you. All my capabilities were given to me so I can bring you praise and lead others to you. So please enable me to use my abilities for your glory and empower me to do more than I could ever imagine possible 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 – John 6:29
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” —John 6:29 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “What do you do for a living?” It is one of the most commonly asked questions in many cultures. We define each other in large measure by the work we do. God, however, defines us by his gracious love and our belief in Jesus. The work God has for us to accomplish, the way he wants us to “make our living” as Jesus’ disciples, is fully trusting in Jesus and helping others come to faith in Jesus, too. Believing God sent Jesus is not just the orientation point for each of our lives; it is the work of God in our lives! My Prayer… LORD God Almighty, Ruler of Heaven and Earth, I believe in Jesus but help my unbelief. 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 6:28
[Jesus taught his disciples with these words:] “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” —Luke 6:28 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Outside the example of Jesus, this command makes no sense at all. But Jesus shows us the importance of leaving our destiny in the hands of our Creator and Father. Suddenly, this makes perfect sense. What is the best way to defeat an enemy? Certainly, it’s not to beat or kill that person. No, the way we defeat our enemies is by having Jesus’ grace capture their hearts, having their character conform to that of our King, and having them join us as we live for the LORD! That’s the way we defeat our enemies; we bring them to Jesus, and they become our brothers and sisters in Christ. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Loving and gracious God, please soften my heart and toughen my resolve so I can love as Jesus loved. Make my life redemptive, especially to those who oppose, abhor, ridicule, belittle, and hate me. Use me, dear Father, to bring others to the grace of Jesus. In his 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 6:27
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? —Matthew 6:27 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… With our busy world, we often preoccupy ourselves with worrisome and inconsequential things. What does this worry get us? Far from making our lives more productive or adding to our longevity, we know for a fact that worry hastens our demise, robs our days of joy, harms our bodies, and leads us to lose sight of grace. So, if worry is so destructive, why not commit our ways to the LORD and seek his guidance instead of worrying about what we cannot change? My Prayer… Father, thank you. Thank you for making the earth hold its orbit and my heart keep its beat. Thank you for giving me a future beyond the boundary markers of my mortality and the limitations of my body. Thank you for pouring your grace and numerous blessings into my daily life. Forgive me, LORD, when I do not count these blessings, and I begin to worry how I might acquire more while fearing I might lose those things that I have already collected. I pray for wisdom to stay in the present, give thanks for my blessings, and rejoice in my future with Jesus, by whose authority 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 – Daniel 6:26-27
“I [Darius King of Persia] issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” —Daniel 6:26-27 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… If a foreign King in the days of the Old Testament can recognize how grand and glorious our God is, surely those of us who have received his grace through Jesus can rejoice in him and praise him! Our God IS the living God and does endure forever. He has brought us into his Kingdom, which can never be destroyed or shaken. Our God, the LORD Almighty, rescues and saves. He does signs and wonders to bring his deliverance to his people and share his grace with those who do not yet know him. My Prayer… Father God, you are glorious and awesome. Your rule is true, righteous, and eternal. You keep your promises and generously send forth your blessings. You alone are truly holy, awesome in your splendor and might. I praise you and thank you in the name of Jesus, 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 – Ephesians 6:24
Grace to all who love our LORD Jesus Christ with an undying love. —Ephesians 6:24 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Ephesians makes some of the most significant declarations in the entire Bible about the grace of God, his promised power to us from the Holy Spirit, and the majesty of God himself. This passage, however, may be the very richest short verse in Ephesians. It is one of my favorite Bible blessings and Paul’s closing blessing to people he loves. Paul offers this grace to all who love Jesus with an undying love! This promise of grace means an overflowing abundance of God’s gracious love given to us as we love Jesus with an unwavering grip of faith. Where passion for our LORD Jesus Christ is undying, God’s grace is perpetually overflowing! My Prayer… Holy Father, I do love you and your Son, Jesus, with all my heart. Forgive me when my display of this passion dims or my communication of his grace to others lags. Rekindle an unquenchable desire to show my love for Jesus in everything I do and say. In his 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 – Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. —Romans 6:23 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… If we get paid what we deserve as flawed and sinful humans, we’re not going to like our wages when we stand before God, trying to plead our case. On the other hand, God, who is rich in mercy and grace, gives us his gift of salvation because of the sacrifice of Jesus and our faith in him. We won’t get what we deserve or receive the cruel wages of sin if Christ is our LORD and Savior. He died to pay that debt, that wage of sin and death. Instead, we will receive the gift of eternal life in the glorious presence of God and his holy angels. I don’t know about you, but that makes me want to serve him more passionately and faithfully! My Prayer… Glorious and gracious Father, holy and perfect in every way, thank you for your sacrificial grace, which bridges the great gulf between your perfect righteousness and my imperfection and sinfulness. Thank you for the gift of eternal life. May my mortal life be holy and pleasing to 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 – Genesis 6:22
Noah did everything just as God commanded him. —Genesis 6:22 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The Bible describes Noah as a righteous man, blameless in his generation, who walked with God and did all that the LORD commanded him (Genesis 6:9, 22). Can you think of a higher honor? I’m unsure what they will write on my headstone when I pass from this life to be with Jesus, but I would love to be worthy of what the Bible said about Noah! How about you? Wouldn’t it be great to have written of us, “May all who pass by this grave know that the person’s body buried here did everything just as commanded”? By grace, I believe Jesus will say this of us before the Father because of our faith in him (Colossians 1:22). My Prayer… Holy God, we fully acknowledge that we are saved by your grace and not because of any significant or righteous things we have done. At the same time, Father, we surely want to honor you with our lives and show others the difference your gracious love makes in our lives, especially when we obey. Bless us, please, dear Father, to be more worthy of the description of Noah. 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.