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.
Today’s Verse – 1 John 4:10
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. —1 John 4:10 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Love is demonstrated, not just communicated verbally. When the Scriptures tell us that God loves us, they always show God’s actions that demonstrate that love. Here, John wants us to realize that God’s love goes first. God demonstrates and shares his love with us before we demonstrate our love for him. He doesn’t wait till it is safe to love us. He doesn’t wait until he will get something in return. Instead, he goes first and defines his love in this way so that we can know that genuine love redeems when all hope seems lost — when we are not worthy, and when we are not ready. God is love, and we know this because of what his love does, had done, and will give to us even before we choose to love him. My Prayer… Thank you, dear Heavenly Father, for loving me so extravagantly. Please help me see the opportunities to love others you place in my path every day. Use me, please, dear Father, to demonstrate your love to someone today and the following days of my life. Help me go first with love in my life. 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 4:9
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. —Philippians 4:9 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… I don’t know about you, but I genuinely hope my life reflects what I say and teach. What a great statement to be able to make to those we lead, whether in the classroom, with our families, while at work, or serving in the church: Put into practice the actions you have seen in my life and heard me instruct you to do. Wow. Paul’s statement shows great confidence in how he has lived his life as an investment in living a holy life in partnership with others. Paul’s example in saying these words becomes a good definition of good leaders: Do what they say because they back it up with the character and quality of their lives to show it is true! My Prayer… Almighty and Most High God, please bless me with the integrity that comes when my convictions, words, and actions are consistent and righteous as I live in genuine partnership with others. In Jesus’ name, I ask this. 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 4:7-8
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. —James 4:7-8 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… James always packs a lot of truth into short messages. Let’s focus on the center of this call to holiness: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. … Come near to God…” Let’s draw our hearts closer to God. When we come into God’s presence and draw close to him, we know our thoughts, motives, and behaviors will be seen for what they are in the light of his holiness, righteousness, and grace. At the same time, we know that the devil is forced out of our presence by the radiance of our Father’s holy and righteous character. Let’s seek God — his righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful love and justice. Let’s draw near to God, yearning to be in his presence so we can be more like him in our daily lives. Let’s ask God to cleanse us, make us holy, and wholly his! My Prayer… Righteous Father, thank you for your love and forgiveness. Now, dear Father, help me as I yearn to draw closer to you, know you better, and reflect you more fully in my daily life. Purify my heart of any duplicity or secret sin. Cleanse my conscience and empower me to exemplify your grace and holiness. 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 4:7-8
For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. —1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The call to holiness is easy to ignore in a world that lives by very different standards than God’s will revealed in the Scriptures. Satan gets us to compare our lifestyle with those around us, deluding us into devaluing our sins. However, the issue is not comparing our sins with others. The goal is to have a thankful heart, cleansed through Jesus’ work, being made holy more and more each day through the work of the Holy Spirit, and all because of God’s grace. Ignoring or toning down the Spirit’s call for our holiness is rejecting God, demeaning grace, and making light of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins. Let’s be passionate about holiness in our lives because it is what God wants and what we should seek if our hearts recognize the gracious love God has given us in Jesus. My Prayer… Father, forgive us for trying to water down the significance of our sins and how they hurt your heart and displease you. We invite the Holy Spirit to kindle your passion for holiness in our hearts as the Spirit empowers us to live holy lives that honor you for all you have done to save 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 – Galatians 4:6-7
Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. —Galatians 4:6-7 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The first vocalizations of many babies are the syllables “ab-ba, ab-ba, ab-ba.” Not surprisingly, in Jesus’ day, abba was the tender name babies used for their physical fathers. When God saved us, he gave us his Spirit. The Holy Spirit blesses us in many ways. One of the key blessings is the Spirit’s work with us in prayer. He intercedes for us when words can’t express the emotions we have inside us (Romans 8:26-27). The Spirit helps us approach God with familiarity, dependency, and respect as we call God our Abba Father. My Prayer… Thank you, Abba Father, for loving us, saving us, and inviting us into your family. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for helping us share our thoughts, words, and emotions with the Father when words won’t do — they are simply inadequate to express our emotions inside of us. Thank you, dear Abba Father, for giving us the power to be what you want us to be. Thank you, Jesus, for the Holy Spirit at work in me, validating me as God’s beloved child. In Jesus’ name, I thank 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 – Colossians 4:5-6
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. —Colossians 4:5-6 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus warned us that we will answer to God for every idle word we share with others (Matthew 12:36-37). In our time when social media echoes with mean-spirited, ugly, and divisive words, we must hear the LORD’s warning about choosing our words carefully. Paul also challenged us to be vigilant about what we say and how we say it. The apostle emphasized how significant our influence can be on those who don’t know Christ. We want to seize every opportunity to open the hearts of unbelievers to Jesus. We must show kindness, demonstrate care, and exercise control in how we use our speech — to outsiders and our brothers and sisters in Christ. The eternal destiny of outsiders often rests on our conversations and actions with them. Let’s season our speech with care, using gracious speech and kind words. Let’s take advantage of every opportunity we have to open the hearts of others to the grace of Jesus! The following ToGather video was originally used on Sunday, April 5, 2020, during social distancing restrictions on our larger gatherings. We hope this ToGather video is an added blessing for you today. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Holy and Righteous God, I know we sometimes break your heart when we, your people, wound and drive unbelievers away with thoughtless and insensitive talk and unkind posts on social media. Please help me as I seek to display a winsome attitude with all people, especially toward those who do not yet know Jesus as their LORD and Savior. Use my life and my words to open people’s hearts to 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.