Today’s Verse – Deuteronomy 7:19
[Moses addressed Israel, reminding them of God’s deliverance of them from Egypt, and his commands given to them:] “You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the miraculous signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm, with which the LORD your God brought you out [from bondage and delivered you.]. The LORD your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear.” —Deuteronomy 7:19 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Too often, I fear we look at the past work of God and think we will not see the display of his power in our day as our predecessors did in their day. God used Moses’ farewell address to remind a new generation of Israel that he had delivered their parents out of Egypt and now would go with them and empower them as he had their parents. We also need to expect him to do more in our day than all we can ask or even imagine by his power at work within us (Ephesians 3:20-21). We need to pray that God will do in our day what we heard he did in days gone by with our ancestors of faith (Habakkuk 3:2). And, dear believer in Jesus, we need to remember the promise of our Savior: Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father (John 14:12). Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Almighty God, who is infinitely able to work with power and might for your people, we ask that you use your power to call the unsaved to Jesus in our generation. Please use us as your tools and do mighty works of redemption and revival in our day as you have done in years gone by. Father, we believe in your power and your desire to save. We know the many ways you acted with power and grace in the past to deliver your people. Please act mightily in our day, redeem our generation, and call them back 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 – Daniel 7:18
[When Daniel was alarmed by his visions of the future, he approached one of those standing by him in his visions. The presence told Daniel:] “But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever — yes, for ever and ever.” —Daniel 7:18 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The Kingdom will belong to God’s saints, his children, the followers of Jesus, and the people of the Most High (Daniel 7:27)… FOREVER! The Kingdom will belong to us. The Son of Man will be with us (Daniel 7:13), and the Kingdom will be ours, forever… and ever… and ever. Praise God for his promises, his grace, and his faithfulness. Because of God’s promises and Jesus’ triumph over sin, death, and hell, our future is secure, no matter how frightening that future may appear from our limited human perspective! My Prayer… Almighty God Most High, I look forward to the day that your Kingdom rules in power and your will is done on this earth as it is in heaven. Thank you for your promises to us and for giving your children a Kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28). Bless me, O God, as I seek to live my life each day in reverence and awe at your awesome holiness and grace while trusting in the promises of my future in Jesus, in whose 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 – Revelation 7:17
[One of the elders from around the throne of God declared:] “For [Jesus] the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” —Revelation 7:17 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… What a beautiful picture! The One who died for us will nourish and refresh us. The One upon whom all eternity hinges will take time to comfort us personally. The One who has “destroyed death and brought immortality to light” (2 Timothy 1:10) sends us the Holy Spirit as our needed living water (John 7:37-39). No wonder Paul could say that he did not consider his present sufferings worth comparing to the glory that Jesus will reveal in us (Romans 8:18)! My Prayer… Father God and Sovereign LORD of all Creation, thank you for your incredible love for us. While we know we don’t deserve your overwhelming and generous grace, we rejoice in it. While we know our best attempts at honoring you fall short, thank you for promising to welcome us into your presence, care for us, and comfort us when we come home to you. Your love, O LORD, is beyond our comprehension and exhausts our appreciation while filling our hearts with wonder and praise. In Jesus’ name, we 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 – Luke 7:16
[After Jesus had raised the son of the widow from Nain: Those in the crowd who saw this] were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” —Luke 7:16 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus came to do God’s work. He came as the Son of God, God incarnate in human flesh (John 1:14-18). He came to reveal God. Jesus came, and many people praised God. He came so people could see God. Do you know Jesus? If you do, do you know him as well as you should? As Luke reminded us in this event, when people saw Jesus at work in our world, they said: “God has come to help his people.” Let’s look for God at work in our world today and invite him to use us to manifest his presence! My Prayer… O Gracious Father and Eternal God, thank you for revealing yourself, your love, your grace, and your salvation to us in Jesus. We thank you for visiting our world and making us your children. To you, O God belongs all glory and praise in the name of Jesus Christ. 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 7:15
[Jesus challenged the outward show of religiosity among religious people who were ignoring their inner need to be humble and pure before God. He said:] “Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.’” —Mark 7:15 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We get so hung up on externals, appearances, and facades. Jesus cuts to the core of God’s concern — our spiritual heart condition. He wants us to focus not only on what we put in our bodies but also on what we allow to grow in our hearts and simmer in our heads. Most of us need our inner world to receive our most earnest attention and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. So, let’s be honest and ask if we are spending as much time focusing on our inner world as we are focusing on our external appearance and how we appear to others! In a world constantly preening for acceptance on social media, this may be one of the most critical spiritual challenges of our times. My Prayer… O God, who searches minds and hearts, may the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you. I offer you my inner world to cleanse and redecorate by the sanctifying work of your Holy Spirit. Please guard my heart from evil ambitions and my mind from impure thoughts. I want my inner life and outer deeds to glorify you and honor Jesus, in whose 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 Chronicles 7:14
[The LORD appeared to Solomon upon the completion of the temple and said,] “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” —2 Chronicles 7:14 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Concerned people use this passage in our day when discussing the problems with nations, governments, and leaders needing to repent. Let’s remember that its most complete application must find its home in physical Israel, in us, and in our churches as “the Israel of God” (Galatians 3:26-29; 6:16; Romans 9:6-9). We can begin revival in our land, churches, and groups if we humbly commit to daily prayer, seeking God’s presence in our world as we turn away from wickedness and seek God’s forgiveness. My Prayer… O God, Father of all nations and peoples, please enter our world with clear signs of your power and grace. Transform us and our lives as we seek to live under the Lordship of Jesus! Call the lost to you through us. Use us as the first fruits of renewal and restoration as you begin to heal our land and our world through your people and your grace. 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 – Matthew 7:13-14
[Jesus said,] “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” —Matthew 7:13-14 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Decades ago, Juan Carlos Ortiz criticized European and American evangelists for offering a carrot stick gospel — a gospel that focused on our personal payoff for following Jesus, not Jesus’s lordship over every area of our lives. Jesus, especially in Matthew 7, reminds us that grace does not dismiss discipleship, and mercy does not release us from our need to repent genuinely. Genuine repentance is NOT feeling bad about our sin — that is godly sorrow that should lead to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:9-11). Repentance means changing how we live our lives and choosing to live for Jesus. We joyously accept the grace God gives to us in Jesus and truly let Jesus be LORD of our lives. It’s not an “either-or” proposition but a “both-and” call from God. We receive grace and obediently follow Jesus as LORD. We obey and serve God because he has adopted and brought us into his family. Our motivation to do good things is not to earn our salvation but to thank and honor God, who has been so good to us and saved us at great cost by his mercy and grace (Ephesians 2:8-10). My Prayer… Almighty God, holy and awesome in your majesty and might, I know I will never be worthy of your grace. I know that my flesh can easily be lured away from the path of discipleship. So, Father, I need the Spirit to help me as I strive to follow Jesus and live obediently to him. 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 7:12
[Jesus taught his disciples, saying:] “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” —Matthew 7:12 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Some things don’t need a lot of explaining, just a lot more implementing in our lives. I invite you to join me: Let’s commit to living the Golden Rule in whatever situation we find ourselves with other people! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Loving God, Almighty Father, forgive me for my selfishness that all too often rears its ugly head. You have blessed me so richly and graciously through Jesus. Please move me by your Spirit to be as generous, loving, forgiving, and kind with others as I want them to be with me. Help me as I seek to use the principles of Jesus’ Golden Rule in whatever circumstances I find in my relationships with others. I want to be as loving and gracious with others as the LORD Jesus has been to me and treat them as I long to be treated. In Jesus’ name, I ask to live this truth of Jesus in my daily life. 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 – Job 7:11
[Job declared,] “Therefore I will not keep silent; I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.” —Job 7:11 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We sometimes think of God as too fragile, distant, or brooding to speak honestly with him about our dilemmas. Others want to never appear to doubt, be angry, or be disappointed with God, thinking it might appear irreverent. Job, however, was not so shy. He did not live in denial about his anguish, pain, and disappointment with God. He spoke honestly out of life that was honorable and reverent before his great God (Job 1:1). Job is our great reminder that God prefers us to maintain our relationship with him, even if it is stormy and we are weary and confused. No matter where you are in your struggles, be honest with God. Speak openly with him about your emotions. Be real about the current chapter of your life, acknowledging that pain and disappointment overwhelm you. Let him minister to your truest hurts, deepest frustrations, and greatest fears. The Psalms offer many words of honest complaint and confusion to God. Job is honest about his suffering and life’s unfairness. So, you can be honest with God. You can refuse to use trite, sanitized, and cliched words that are untrue to your heart. The Holy Spirit intercedes to help clean up your words and speak the unspeakable emotions of your heart (Romans 8:26-27). Don’t be silent; speak out of the anguish of your spirit and the bitterness of your soul to your Father, who hears and cares how you feel. My Prayer… Abba Father, thank you for listening to my words and my heart. Thank you for providing the Holy Spirit and my Savior, Jesus, as my intercessors before your throne. Thank you for wanting me in your presence even when my heart is full of conflict, anger, and pain. Thank you for loving me through my brokenness and strife. Most of all, thank you for your promise to deliver me through this time of agony and bring me home to you to share in your glory. In Jesus’ name, I yearn to experience your deliverance. 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 – Revelation 7:10
And [the great multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language] cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” —Revelation 7:10 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… From the voices of those who know, the message is clear! God reigns, and with his rule comes salvation. This is because the Lamb of God, Jesus the Messiah, was willing to be slain. Yet, in his sacrificial death, Jesus triumphed over death, sin, Satan, and hell for us. Because of Jesus’ faithfulness and his work as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” we can be assured that when he returns, we will share life with him, in glory, forever. My Prayer… Loving Father and Sovereign God, thank you for providing salvation by extending your grace to us in Jesus. Thank you, Jesus, for offering yourself to be the Lamb sacrificed for our sins. We look forward to your return and seeing you face to face while praising you with the angels, the martyrs, the elders around the throne, and other faithful Christians before the throne of God. To you, O God, and to the Lamb belong all praise, honor, glory, and thanks, both now and forever. 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.