Today’s Verse – Proverbs 31:10
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. —Proverbs 31:10 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… What would happen if we valued our spouses more than expensive jewelry, great riches, or wonderful and unexpected blessings? What would happen if we publicly valued a faithful wife more than a voluptuous starlet? What would happen if character was valued more than money? I believe these changes would transform our culture, enhance our marriages, and produce stronger and better-adjusted children. Plus, I know God would be pleased because we would then be valuing in people what he does, and not seeing women as something we can exploit, misuse, or abuse. My Prayer… Thank you, Holy Father, for the great women of faith I meet in Scripture. Thank you for the godly women I’ve met in your Kingdom and in my family. Please use me to show these women of noble character that I value them, especially those who are wives of virtue and godly character. Transform our sense of values, O God, so we can see people — especially the women in our lives — the way you do. In Jesus’ name, I pray for this grace among your people and in me. 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 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. —James 5:16 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… So many hearts, hopes, and homes are broken by sin. This brokenness infects our culture and invades our lives. God has provided both a deterrent to sin and a means of forgiveness for guilt: the honest and genuine confession of our sin to another and receiving their prayer for our forgiveness as a blessing from God. At the heart of confession is a passion to see sin for what it is in the eyes of God and to be anguished for our participation in it. No wonder God wants us to come to him for our healing from sin and its damage. No wonder God grants such power to the prayer of a righteous person interceding for one led to confess sin. So, let’s confess our sin and leave it behind while trusting God to cleanse, redeem, and restore us. My Prayer… O loving Father, God of holiness and grace, please forgive me for my sin… (List specific sins you need to confess before God.) Please lead me, dear Father, to a group of your children with whom I can lay down my burden of sin through confession and receive their prayer for my forgiveness. I believe this process of confession and prayer will bring me forgiveness and give me greater confidence in the power of your grace and the might of your Spirit to help me overcome besetting sin 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 – Ezekiel 38:23
And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD. —Ezekiel 38:23 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “They will know that I am the LORD,” is a familiar refrain in Ezekiel’s prophecies. In today’s verse, this promise should have been horrifying for his people because of their rebellious, sinful, and wicked behaviors. God is holy. The people who claim him as their God have always been called to reflect his character. Their lives must magnify God! If not, God will make sure it is done at their expense. God will be known as God, the I AM, the great LORD and Creator. In our day, when so many profane the name of God and use it so glibly in their reactions and frustration, God’s message should be a sober reminder that even the name of God is holy (Exodus 20:7), and he will act to ensure the nations know he is LORD, awesome in holiness! My Prayer… Please forgive us, God, for not reverencing you as we ought and as you deserve. We bow in humble anguish at how the people of our time and culture disregard the holiness of your name. Please send a wave of renewal among your people that stirs us to honor you and respect your holiness with greater passion and a more profound sense of awe. You are holy, righteous, majestic, mighty, and gracious. Help us display our allegiance to you and reverence for you. In Jesus’ name, we pray you receive the honor you deserve among us so the nations can know that you are 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 – James 4:7
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. —James 4:7 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Let’s admit it: most of us would like spiritual growth to be easy. We want our ability to withstand temptation to require little effort. We want the Holy Spirit to do the work and God to protect us from too much stress and strain. Unfortunately, our battle against the evil one and his minions is challenging and hard spiritually (Ephesians 6:10-12). Thankfully, God empowers us through his Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:17-20) and provides us with spiritual armor to resist the evil one (Ephesians 6:13-20). However, for the Spirit to work powerfully, we must intentionally submit ourselves and our wills to God as we resist the evil one. If we put up a fight against him and his temptations, he will flee from us. Let’s do our part, trusting that God will more than uphold his promises and provide his power! My Prayer… Father, thank you for your presence and power in me through your Holy Spirit. Thank you for the Scriptures, which reveal to me your will. Now, dear Father, I gladly submit my will to yours, asking you to do your will in me. Please use your people and your Spirit to motivate and inspire me to resist the devil and recognize his attempts to derail my commitment to you. I ask this in the powerful name of Jesus, my 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 – John 17:3
Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. —John 17:3 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Eternal life begins now! That is one of Jesus’ messages in the Gospel of John (John 5:24). Sure, we don’t get to enjoy all of the blessings that await us when we go home to the Father quite yet, but Jesus wants us to know and to experience his love and the Father’s presence in our lives, NOW! He even prayed this for us in today’s verse! So let’s seek the Father, not just to know about him, but to authentically know and experience him! He longs to draw near to us, make his home in us, and reveal himself to us (John 14:21, 23). He promises to do so as we draw near to him (James 4:8). He is at work in us, so the real issue isn’t his nearness, but our awareness of his presence and work. So, let’s open our eyes and hearts to our Father and ask him to reveal his presence to us as he makes his home in us and we experience the beginnings of eternal life now! My Prayer… It amazes me, Heavenly Father, that you let me approach you, the Almighty and Holy God. I am humbled by your promise to be at work in my life. Forgive me for the times I have been so full of myself that I have not acknowledged your presence and grace. Make me more aware of your providential care and your daily presence in me through your Holy Spirit. Open my eyes and heart, dear LORD, that I may know you more fully. In the name of Jesus, I pray. 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 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. —Galatians 5:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Paul wrote to help the new believers keep their true freedom in Christ. Their faith in Jesus had liberated them from trying to earn their righteousness through law-keeping (Galatians 3:1-29, 4:1-20). No law could justify them before God. Only faith in the finished work of Jesus as LORD and Savior offered them freedom to be all Christ had re-created them to be (Galatians 2:14-16; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, 5:17). They were God’s children through faith, now led by the Holy Spirit to take on the character of Jesus (Galatians 5:16-27). We, too, must realize that as God’s children, we have been freed from law-keeping and sin because of our faith in Jesus and our participation with him in baptism through faith in the power of God (Galatians 3:26-29; Romans 6:3-14; Colossians 2:12-15). We must never return to justifying ourselves through works of any law, set of rules, or someone’s religious expectations for us. To do so is to give up our freedom and return to bondage by trying to keep on trying to earn our salvation. Paul begs us to rely on what Jesus did for us, not our adherence to any law. It is our faith in the work of Christ on the cross and the empty tomb that liberates us from sin, death, and slavery to what cannot save us. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Holy and Righteous God, my Abba Father, thank you for freeing me from the guilt and power of sin! Thank you for liberating me from trying to earn my salvation through law-keeping. I trust that you will empower and transform me by your Holy Spirit. By the Spirit’s power, I know I can now leave my sinful past behind. I want to honor your grace by living a life of character and blessing in my family, in my work, and in your world. In the name of Jesus, I pray 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 17:1
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.” —John 17:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… John 17:1-26 is one of the most moving chapters in the Bible. Jesus knows he is going to die. He knows he is spending his last few hours before his death on a cross with disciples. These disciples do not understand what he is about to do and why he is about to do it. Jesus has two key goals in mind as he prepares himself and his disciples for their life ahead without him: Jesus wants his disciples to be one so they can remain strong and influence the world that the Father sent Jesus to show the world his love. Jesus wants what he is about to do on the cross to bring glory to the Father, unite his disciples, and reach the lost world with the love of God. As Jesus faced humiliation and abandonment, his chief concern and focus were to bless others. Yes, he was in agony, but he desired to honor the Father and bless others. We will also face hardships, trials, and persecutions (John 15:20). What will be our goal when we face these difficulties? Hmm? No wonder the Holy Spirit reminded us to fix our eyes on Jesus and follow his example (Hebrews 12:1-3), as we yearn to bless those who persecute and mistreat us so they can come to know our Savior (Matthew 5:10). My Prayer… Loving Father, I cannot fathom the mysteries of anguish and grace that touched your heart as Jesus made his way to the Cross with such honesty and selflessness. LORD Jesus, I cannot thank you enough for leaving me a powerful example of how to endure life’s heaviest burdens. Holy Spirit, please use me so my life can be a blessing to others, and I can live with courage to serve and bless even in hard times. 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 – Psalm 127:1
Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. —Psalm 127:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “It’s all up to me!” That’s the prevailing mindset for high achievers in our world. But this assumption is wrong. Our efforts to build and be a part of something great and lasting are ultimately in vain if the LORD doesn’t bless them and empower them. They may flourish for a time under our intense efforts, but if the plans and the construction of great things are not from the LORD, they won’t stand the test of time. However, when we partner with the LORD and seek him and his kingdom first, he is “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). My Prayer… Almighty God and Eternal Father, please forgive me for trying to make everything happen by my own efforts and relentless work. You can do far more to advance my work for your kingdom than all my worry and fretfulness could ever accomplish. Please take the lead in every aspect of my life and ministry; defeat me in efforts not in harmony with your will, and please empower those efforts to bring you glory and draw others to your 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 – Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. —Matthew 6:33 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “Seek first his kingdom”!” “Seek first… his righteousness”!Seeking the kingdom of God first is the primary focus of today’s verse and the Sermon of the Mount where it is found. “Seek first…” is Jesus’ robust, prioritizing command. God’s kingdom must be the passionate pursuit of our lives. Seeking the LORD’s kingdom, and his righteousness must not just be our wish, our hope, our dream — it must be our passion. We will pursue God’s kingdom at all costs. We will pursue it with all of our passion. Seeking God’s kingdom first will be our consuming effort until we find it our home! My Prayer… Forgive me, dear LORD, for letting my passion for your kingdom and your character get pushed to the side in my priorities. I want to make it first. I want to seek your kingdom and your righteousness first! So, please awaken me each morning with a sense of prioritizing focus for your work and your will for each day. Father, I want to be a passionate seeker of your kingdom first, so please make me restless for your kingdom as my home. 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 – Psalm 37:28
For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever… —Psalm 37:28 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Don’t you love the term for God’s people when they live for him? They are “his faithful ones”! The LORD is committed to his people. He will not forget his people, those who seek to honor him by displaying his righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful love and justice (Exodus 34:6). God has promised to honor his promises to his people and preserve them with his protecting power, forever. As God has promised, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5-6). My Prayer… Eternal and Faithful Father, thank you for your great promises. I am thrilled at the reminder of your faithful presence in my life. I fully believe I can entrust my future to you and that you will bring me into your presence with victory and great joy. Thank you for my sure and steadfast hope. 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.