Today’s Verse – Isaiah 11:9
They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. —Isaiah 11:9 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Isaiah is describing the magnificent time of the Messiah’s last days glorious coming (Isaiah 11:1-9). We will know God personally, and the vast chorus of the faithful will sing joyfully because we know God. We will enjoy his protection and be free of fear. As great as the oceans are, the intimate knowledge of the LORD will be greater, still. The earth will be filled with those who know God. All creation will be redeemed and experience the glorious freedom of the children of God (Romans 8:18-21). Let’s anticipate that day and join our hearts in pursuit of God — to know him and experience the love he longs to lavish on us. Let’s not settle for merely factual knowledge about God, but let’s also come to truly know him by sharing in his work, character, mercy, and love as we seek his presence in our lives. My Prayer… Dear Father, please bring me near. I need to experience your presence no matter what today brings. I want you to be my eternal Shepherd who watches out over me, one of his lambs. I want to know you as my Redeemer, Savior, and Friend as I await the day that dawns with what Isaiah prophesied so many years ago. In Jesus’ name, I anticipate the dawning of that glorious day. 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 11:8
Observe therefore all the commands I am giving you today, so that you may have the strength to go in and take over the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess… —Deuteronomy 11:8 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God desires that we obey his will, and that will is not arbitrary, impulsive, or unfair. Our Father wants us to reflect his character, rest in his blessing, and receive his strength to restore our freedom as he delivers us from bondage. Let’s not look at his call for us to obey him as merely something we must do but as our opportunity to step into the life of blessing that we discover in God’s grace. God commands us to obey him so that we can find the new frontiers of grace where he longs to lead us. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… LORD and Father, thank you for revealing your will and calling me to obey it. I know you desire to share your blessings with me and bring me into your eternal presence. I choose to obey so I can have the strength to step into the life you long to give me as your obedient child. In Jesus’ name, I thank 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 – Psalm 11:7
For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face. —Psalm 11:7 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Can you think of any more blessed promise for those who seek to be righteous and long to honor God and his character? We will see God face-to-face! What a blessing! What a future! What an incredible Father! So let’s seek our Abba Father, the LORD God, with all heart, soul, mind, and strength until we get to see him as he is, face-to-face with God in all his glory (1 John 3:1-3). Why? Because we love our God who is righteous and are thankful he loves justice. My Prayer… Dear Father, Almighty King of the ages, thank you for your great and precious promises. Thank you for your righteousness. Thank you for your love of justice. Thank you for your mercy and grace. I genuinely look forward to the day I get to see you face-to-face with Jesus, in all your glory, sharing in your eternal presence forever! In Jesus’ name, I praise and thank 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 – Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. —Hebrews 11:6 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… And why do we serve God? Fear? A sense of obligation? Because our parents did? How about because we want to please God and bring the Father joy? How about because we believe in what God has done and will do for us? We believe that God sent his Son Jesus to die for our sins so we can be forgiven, cleansed, and adopted as his children into his forever family. What’s more, we believe that God longs to share his blessings with us and loves to reward those who believe in his grace and love. We believe! So, we earnestly, diligently, and passionately seek him! My Prayer… Dear Father, thank you for my faith and all those who helped me come to know you and your grace. Please bless me as I seek to share this faith with my family and friends. Thank you for the confidence that my life is secure in your love and victorious because of your power demonstrated in Jesus’ resurrection. And it is in his name, Jesus, that I offer you my thanks, praise, and heart. 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 11:5
“The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.” —Matthew 11:5 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The clear sign of the Messiah’s presence was a time of true blessedness for all who knew and followed him. His actions — his miracles and compassion shared with others — gloriously displayed the anticipated Messiah’s coming. If this was true with his first coming to earth, imagine how much more gloriously blessed the LORD’s people will be when he returns in his glory! The good news preached by Jesus is the anticipation of even more fantastic news when he returns to take his disciples home to the Father! My Prayer… LORD God Almighty, I praise you for the time of blessing that accompanied Jesus’ first coming to earth. I anticipate even greater rejoicing at his return and the glorious blessings that await his disciples, my brothers and sisters in Christ, when our Savior returns in glory. In anticipation of that Day, I thank and praise you in the name of Jesus, my Savior, King, Friend, 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 – Proverbs 11:4
Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. —Proverbs 11:4 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… What is your primary investment? Only righteousness offers a truly long-term benefit! That’s why Jesus said: “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:32-33). My Prayer… Holy God, thank you for valuing what is good, holy, and righteous. I praise you for empowering me through the Holy Spirit to develop those qualities I see in Jesus, have them formed in my character, and invest my life in what matters eternally. I 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 – Hebrews 11:3
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. —Hebrews 11:3 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Where did it all come from? Where did matter, energy, order, beauty, specificity, diversity, and time come from? How did our universe come to possess complexity and structure when all we know about our existence moves to decay, disorder, and death? By faith, we know it came from the articulated design of our Heavenly Father! Out of chaotic nothingness, God spoke into existence all creation. My Prayer… We thank you, dear LORD, for the incredible world that you made. Thank you for the principles of order that govern our world and help us understand it. Thank you for the intricacies and beauty that humble us. Our hearts soar at the variety and majesty of your vast and astounding creation. In Jesus’ name, we praise and thank you as we look at what you have done with amazement. 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 11:2-4
He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’” —Luke 11:2-4 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We approach the LORD as the holy and almighty God to be worshiped in reverence and our Abba Father, whom we approach as loving children. Rather than needing long, ornate, and lofty prayers, God wants us to speak with him about the most basic everyday issues and needs of our lives, trusting that he hears us and responds to our spiritual and physical requests by doing what we need while aligning us to his will and blessing us with his grace. My Prayer… Dear Father, thank you for being a holy God who is ever near. Please do your will in my life and use me to your glory. Forgive me as I work on forgiving those who have sinned against me. I know that you will bless me in my life with my daily needs. I come to you in Jesus’ name, dear Father, confident that you love us and do what is best for us in your will. 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 – Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. —Hebrews 11:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “I believe, but help my unbelief!” That’s what the father of the boy with convulsions said to Jesus (Mark 9:24). This probably is your prayer at times, too! As we look at the great heroes of faith in Hebrews 11:2-40 — which follows our verse — we know this must have also been their prayer. Their faith wasn’t always perfect. Their trust wasn’t always mature. But they stayed at it; they believed and acted with a relentless assurance that somehow, someway, God would act and deliver based on his faithfulness and their faith. Let’s “hold unswervingly” to our certainty in our God’s faithfulness as we look to the Savior and pray, “I believe, but help my unbelief.” Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Dear God, “I believe, but help my unbelief.” Please mature and empower my faith so my life will be a steadfast and consistent testimony to your presence and 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 – 1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. —1 Corinthians 10:31 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We can quibble over things we feel are important to us, especially when others don’t share our enthusiasm for those things — whether food, holidays, teams, special days, or events. This kind of divisive quarreling often feels more like a sign of our insecurities than as a mark of our sincere desire to honor God and bless others. Paul reminded the Corinthians that they were to do whatever they chose to do based on their commitment to honor the LORD. They were not to do things because others did them and approved them or didn’t do or approve them. We must be careful about judging others for what they do or do not celebrate, eat, drink, or approve. Judging people’s hearts based on external things and controversial matters is dangerous. We need to consider whether we should do something — or not do it — based on honoring the LORD and building up our brothers and sisters in Christ. Whatever we do must have as its goal what Jesus said was most important: Loving and honoring God with all I am and loving my neighbor as I love myself (Matthew 22:37-40). Or, as Paul says elsewhere: And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:17). My Prayer… Holy and Righteous Father, forgive my foolish and divisive behaviors. Help me avoid them and refuse to get so worked up over controversial and divisive things that I forget to keep my focus on the matters and people that are important to you. May all I do be done based on a conscious and consecrated decision to honor you and bless others through 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.