Today’s Verse – Galatians 4:4
But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. —Galatians 4:4 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Wow! What a rich passage loaded with many wonderfully challenging ideas. God made history ready for the Savior, then sent his Son as that Savior. God’s Son then dealt with all the difficulties of the law, the religious politics, and the frailties of mortality. Our Father bought our freedom at the terrible cost of his Son’s crucifixion on a cross in front of a jeering mob jealous of his Son’s popularity and afraid of his power. God allowed this so he could raise Jesus from the dead, and you and I could become his honored children, entitled with the Son to the Father’s full inheritance (Romans 8:17). Paul is not being prejudiced or sexist in saying that we are given the rights of sons because in his day, daughters often didn’t have any rights of inheritance. So, he is saying everyone — men and women — have the full rights of an honored son. God’s perfectly timed plan and perfect Son led to the Father’s perfect sacrifice that paid our ransom from sin and death, bringing us salvation and the assurance of glory in the future. My Prayer… Thank you, Heavenly Father, for all the pain it caused you to send Jesus and to see him persecuted, ridiculed, and crucified. Thank you for redeeming me from my sinful condition, for buying me out of the death that would have been the consequence of my sins, and for giving me the gift of freedom in Christ and the assurance that I will receive the full inheritance of your honored Son. To you belongs all glory, honor, and praise for your marvelous 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 – 1 Thessalonians 4:3
It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality… —1 Thessalonians 4:3 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Sanctified sounds “churchy” and old-fashioned to many people today. However, sanctified is a powerful God-fashioned word that means to make someone or something special, holy, reserved, and prepared for God’s use and glory, something or someone that is not common. We are called to be an uncommon people, holy, and set apart for God (1 Peter 2:9-10). This is especially true regarding sexual immorality, something pervasive in the culture of the early church and today. We’re to stay far away from it, glorifying and honoring God with our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:18-20) while celebrating God’s plan for joyful sexual fulfillment in marriage (Proverbs 5; 1 Corinthians 7:1-7). My Prayer… Father God, please protect and empower us as we seek to resist sexual temptation in our sexually charged culture. We consciously offer ourselves and our bodies to you as holy sacrifices, seeking to glorify, honor, and please you in how we use our bodies. In Jesus’ name, each of us longs to worship you with all our heart, mind, speech, and physical strength. 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 4:2-3
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. —Ephesians 4:2-3 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Effort, sweat, and dedication seem to have become the profanity of Western Christianity. To our age of grace-abusers and grace-cheapeners who don’t see acts of obedient faith as necessary to authentic discipleship, the Holy Spirit reaches out with his truth. The Spirit reminds us that relationships on earth, even those in Jesus’ family, require patient effort, gritty love, personal sacrifice, gracious forgiveness, and rigorous determination. If we read Jesus’ prayer for unity in John 17:20-21, how could we not make every effort to keep his Body unified and be loving and patient with each other? Since Jesus purchased our salvation with his sweat, grace, and blood, how can we balk when our passionate efforts are required to preserve the unity and peace of Jesus’ family? My Prayer… Dear Heavenly Father, forgive my impatience with others and my lack of forgiveness for them. Holy Spirit, change my heart to do better in these things. Stir your Spirit within me to curb my tongue, soften my heart, and extend more effort to others who need your blessing. Please, dear Father, use me to be a peacemaker in your Kingdom. I ask this, O LORD, 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 – Psalm 4:1
Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. —Psalm 4:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… At first, this cry for help seems very demanding by those of us who are praying to God. Closer inspection shows that this is really a cry of desperation — Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. Have you been there? I surely have, and I regularly hear from folks who are there right now. But, dear friend in Jesus, read this whole psalm. What is the secret to surviving a long agony? I believe three things are important, and they are found in this psalm: Honesty in our prayer life with God (Psalm 4:1-2). Confidence that God hears and cares even when our prayers sizzle with pain and frustration (Psalm 4:3-5). Genuine praise for God that is included in our prayers even when things seem bleak, others oppose us, and God feels distant (Psalm 4:6-8). Such an approach to prayer is not a magical formula but a Spirit-inspired one — check it out in Psalm 4:1-8! My Prayer… O God, please hear our cries for relief and the relief of all who are yours in agony from their burdens and suffering because of their faith. Please answer in amazing and miraculous ways so that we may not only be relieved but may also glorify you. We pray that those who see you working in the lives of ordinary and desperate people will come to find refuge in you, too, even if they have mocked us. Please, dear LORD, don’t let those who mock your people and seek false gods triumph over those seeking to honor 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 – Proverbs 3:31-32
Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways, for the LORD detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence. —Proverbs 3:31-32 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… While many are seeking a cure for the rampaging violence in our cultures that is destroying lives, threatening schools, destroying nations, and making our streets unsafe, why has no one bothered to remind us what God’s wise servant taught us centuries ago? Let’s not let any person, real or fictional, be our hero if their fame is built on violence. “Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways…” I can hear some of you saying, “Wow, Phil, that’s not a popular position based on what we see on TV and in the movies!” Please realize this is not me saying it, but one of God’s inspired writers. “Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways…” The son of Israel’s most famous warrior understood the dangers of violence in any form. Indeed, the Son of the Most Powerful on High said it best: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” My Prayer… Almighty God, save us from the violence of our culture. Save us from the violence of the wicked. Save us from the worship of violent power that permeates our world. Please, dear Father, give us heroes who are strong, noble, and are true peacemakers. In addition, dear Father, please give us eyes to see them and the courage to honor them. In Jesus’ name, I pray for your peace in our world. 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 3:30
He must become greater; I must become less. —John 3:30 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… This ultimate formula for greatness did not take many words for John the Baptist to articulate. What’s your formula? Paul told the Galatians that they needed a similar approach to greatness: Christ must be formed in them (Galatians 4:19). He told the Colossians that he expended every ounce of energy God supplied to have them become mature in their complete and perfect in their conformity to Jesus (Colossians 1:28-29). Paul told the Corinthians the Spirit was transforming them to become like Jesus with ever-increasing likeness as they pursued Jesus as LORD (2 Corinthians 3:18). Most importantly, Jesus the goal of any of his faithful followers, his disciples, should be to become like him, their Teacher and Lord (Luke 6:40). So, don’t you think that maybe this is the essential formula for your life? Jesus must become greater in us as what we selfishly want becomes less! My Prayer… Dear Father in heaven, in my heart, and in my life, may Jesus become more significant and I become less because I know less of me, and more of Jesus living through me will be far more than I could ever be without him! 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 – John 3:28-29
[John the Baptist said when asked if he was the Christ, the Messiah:] “I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him. The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.” —John 3:28-29 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… John the Baptist is an incredible example of a servant. He lived his life for one central and controlling purpose — to prepare others to recognize, welcome, and follow Jesus Christ as Messiah and LORD. Can you think of a greater purpose for your life? Let’s live so that when our last days approach, we can also say, “That joy is mine, and it is now complete,” because we have prepared the way for Jesus to enter the hearts of those we love and will leave behind when our life is over. The following ToGather video was originally used on Sunday, March 29, 2020, during social distancing practices when many could not assemble. We hope this ToGather video is a blessing! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Holy and Righteous Father, please use me to prepare others to know and to receive Christ Jesus as Messiah and LORD. In his name, the name of Jesus of Nazareth, 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 – Deuteronomy 3:28
[God told Moses to look at the Promised Land, since he was not going to cross this Jordan, then God said:] “Commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.” —Deuteronomy 3:28 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt and in the wilderness but did not get to enter into the Promised Land because of his sin. Yet, for all those years, thankfully, Moses nurtured and prepared the person who would do what he was not allowed to do: lead Israel victoriously into the Promised Land. Joshua was Israel’s new leader for this critical part of the journey and had been groomed, prepared, and shown how to lead by Moses. Joshua is our reminder that we need to be investing in someone who can do what we cannot or will not be able to do! Who are you training, molding, encouraging, motivating, equipping, affirming, and calling to do what you won’t be able to do? What successor do you have to extend the trajectory of your dreams? Who is your Joshua? My Prayer… Holy and Righteous God, please lead me to those with whom you want me to share my life and pass on your faith heritage. Please open my eyes to see them. Please give me the strength to live honestly and courageously before them and do all I can to prepare them. 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 – Romans 3:27-28
Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. —Romans 3:27-28 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God’s salvation leaves us no room for boasting. We couldn’t live up to the righteous demands of the law. We couldn’t live up to the character of God. When we were broken and sinful, God bought our salvation by sending Jesus for us and having him pay the debt of our sins (Romans 5:6-11). We have nothing to boast about except the overwhelmingly generous grace of God and the incredible sacrificial love of our Savior, Jesus. My Prayer… Thank you, Father, for redeeming me from the righteous judgment of the law. Thank you, Jesus, for paying my debt for sin. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for cleansing me, making me holy, and living inside me. Thank you, God, for your incredible 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 – Galatians 3:26-27
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. —Galatians 3:26-27 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… What are you wearing today? I hope you are clothed with Christ. Anything else is simply out of style by heaven’s standards, no matter whose designer fashions you may be wearing. You can be clothed with Christ by surrendering your life to Jesus as your Savior through faith (Romans 13:14), believing that he is God’s Son who died for you, and trusting in God’s power that raised him from death to give you life (1 Corinthians 15:1-7; Colossians 2:12; 3:1-4). Confess Christ as your LORD and Savior, trust him for your salvation (Romans 10:9-13) as you share with him in his death, burial, and resurrection through baptism (Romans 6:3-14; Acts 22:16). He promises to send his Spirit to live inside you and to forgive you all of your sins as he gives you new birth into his family (Titus 3:3-7). You will be God’s child and have a home waiting for you in heaven. For those of us who are Christians, these thoughts are a reminder of what God has done for us. If you are not a follower of Christ, the world doesn’t have to be a cold and lonely place; the LORD Jesus can be with you everywhere you go if you respond to him in faith. My Prayer… Father, thank you for providing a way for me to become your child. Thank you for clothing me in Jesus’ righteousness. Thank you for making it possible for me to call you Father and to have Jesus as my older brother. Thank you, dear Father, for 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.