Today’s Verse – Romans 4:25
[Jesus] was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. —Romans 4:25 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Why are the Cross and the Empty Tomb so important? Everything essential and truly lasting in this life and our salvation in the life to come depends upon Jesus’ death and resurrection! Jesus came to earth, lived among us as one of us, went to the cross, was buried in a borrowed tomb, and was raised victorious over death, sin, and hell for us — to erase our sins and bring us to life as God’s holy children. Jesus did what he did for us. The love of God demonstrated to us in Christ Jesus is staggeringly gracious! My Prayer… Thank you, dear Father, for paying such an awful price for cleansing me of my sins. Thank you, precious Savior, for sacrificing everything to save me. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for cleansing me and living inside me to conform me to Christ. I pray in his name, Jesus of Nazareth, my Savior and 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 – Mark 4:24-25
“Consider carefully what you hear,” [Jesus] continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you — and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.” —Mark 4:24-25 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “O be careful little ears what you hear … for the Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little ears what you hear.” Sometimes, our children’s songs say things in the easiest ways to understand. God doesn’t want just to be heard aloud; he wants his Word to enter our systems and change our lives. We must carefully filter out things we don’t need to hear and focus more intentionally on what we do need to hear! The more we receive the gift of God’s words and apply them, the more they will change us and bless us. My Prayer… Please open my eyes, ears, heart, and mind, dear Father, so that I can appropriate your message into my life. I want to hear your messages, and I want to apply each of those messages in my life each day. Bless me, please, dear Father, so that what I hear in your word becomes displayed in my life. In Jesus’ 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 – John 4:23-24
[Jesus continued his message, saying:] “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” —John 4:23-24 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God seeks true worshipers. He seeks those who long to praise him passionately and authentically as they praise him spirit to spirit. To help us in our quest, he gives us his Spirit to help us worship (Ephesians 5:18-21; Philippians 3:3; Jude 20; Romans 8:26-27). Most of all, our Father wants us to worship him genuinely, according to his revealed will in Scripture, with each heart yielded to him in daily living. My Prayer… Loving Heavenly Father, thank you for your Holy Spirit, who is now interceding to perfect this prayer. My heart thrills at the knowledge that you not only know me but also desire for me to come into your presence. Please accept my feeble words and hear the emotion of my heart as I say, “Thank you!” for all you have done for me. In Jesus’ name, I pray and 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 – Ephesians 4:22-23
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds… —Ephesians 4:22-23 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God makes us new when we become disciples of Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17). Most of us, however, have moments when the old way of life erupts, makes its presence known, and tries to drag us back into the old way of living. So, being new is a lifetime decision we must make each day, offering ourselves to God, putting off our old self, and inviting the Holy Spirit to renew us (Romans 12:1-2). Throughout Ephesians, Paul talks about the Holy Spirit’s power working in us (Ephesians 1:17-20, 3:14-21, 5:15-21). As we commit daily to following the Lordship of Jesus, the Holy Spirit empowers and matures us to be more and more like him (Ephesians 4:12-16; 2 Corinthians 3:18). The newness of our life in Jesus never has to become old or stale! My Prayer… Almighty God and dear Heavenly Father, please bless me today as I seek to live as a new person — cleansed, made holy, and empowered by your Spirit. Give me a new and clean mind as I intentionally put aside my old habits and desires to pursue Jesus. In his name, and based on his 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 – 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.