Today’s Verse – Psalm 121:1-2
I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. —Psalm 121:1-2 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Since God could speak the universe into existence and knows our names and the number of hairs on each of our heads, surely we know we can go to him for our help. Let’s lift our eyes and hearts to El Shaddai, LORD God of the Mountains. Let’s remember the Almighty sees our needs, hears our requests, cares about our hearts, and longs to make his help available and his home present with us. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Holy and All-powerful Abba Father, I do look to you for help. You are the one true source of redemption, power, comfort, encouragement, hope, and excellence in my life. Please give me the wisdom to know your will and choose your will for my life. Thank you for being faithful through the ages to your people and to me. In Jesus’ name, I seek you, praise you, 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 – Philippians 4:23
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. —Philippians 4:23 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Some prayers are so simple and precious that we need to pray them and not overanalyze them. Praying for grace to be with someone physically is a true blessing that transcends time. So, let’s choose some folks who are precious to us, pray this blessing over them, and let them know what we have prayed! My Prayer… God, please pour out your grace on the following people I deeply love. I want each of them to know your grace, mercy, and power in their life. By the authority of Jesus’ name, I specifically pray for his grace to be real and alive in the following people… 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 15:58
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the LORD is not in vain. —1 Corinthians 15:58 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The Stock Market can be fickle. Friends can disappoint us. Nothing is truly sure except one thing, or better yet, our very special ONE person — Jesus! If we build our lives on his work, love, grace, power, and plan, we can hang in, persevere, and even triumph because what we do for the LORD and with the help of the LORD matters eternally. It will not be work done in vain. Why? Because the LORD is raised from the dead and at work in our lives! My Prayer… Please, Father, bless me with courage and strength. Empower me, O God, to not budge from my hope and confidence in your Son to bring me to your glory, make the work I’ve done on earth endure, and bless those who come after me. In Jesus’ name, I pray confidently. 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 15:57
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. —1 Corinthians 15:57 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Life is ours! Death no longer holds us captive! God has given us victory through Jesus Christ our Savior and LORD. What else needs to be said? “Praise God!” “Hallelujah!” “Thank you, Jesus!” My Prayer… Thank you, Father, for sending Jesus. Thank you, Almighty God, for raising him from the dead. Thank you for the assurance that his life is alive in me as I serve in you. Thank you that my life will not be lived in vain. Thank you for the assurance that I am going home to you in victory, forever! 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 – 1 Corinthians 15:55
Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? —1 Corinthians 15:55 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Death has the power to end our physical, human lives in this world. Death has the power to separate our loved ones from us in this world. Death has the power to discourage and defeat us. But we know the truth: Jesus lives victoriously over death! Because he lives, we know we will live with him. We believe that his victory over death is our victory over death. So, like Jesus, we mock death and its power ultimately to destroy us. Jesus has destroyed death and brought immortality to life in us through the Gospel. So we join the angels of heaven at Jesus’ resurrection and mock death: “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?” We’ve triumphed over death in Jesus’ resurrection power! My Prayer… Father, I confess that the death of those I love still hurts me. I thank you that my separation from them will be only for a short time. I thank you, however, that death doesn’t separate me for long from those I love and who love you. Thank you for giving me this victory, this assurance, in Jesus. Thank you, Jesus, for defeating death. I pray in your precious and triumphant name, Jesus Christ, 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 – 1 Corinthians 15:54
When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” —1 Corinthians 15:54 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… As Christians, even if our body dies, we don’t! Our physical death just means that we will be given immortal bodies. Christ will raise us up and clothe us with immortality. Death will not have a hold on us because we are God’s children. We will be like the glorious LORD Jesus and see him as he truly is. Victory will be ours. Death does not have the final word. Jesus does. And one day he will say to us, “Arise!” My Prayer… Father, I know that my physical earthly body is fragile. Dear Father, I know that no matter how good a shape I stay in or how careful I am about my health, I cannot stop the process of physical death in my body. But I am excited to know that even though my physical body will fail, you won’t fail. Even though my human body is fragile, I know you are powerful and triumphant. Father, I look forward to the day of victory when death is swallowed up by the glory and power of Jesus’ return for me and transformation of me. Until that day, dear God, I serve you with joy as I look forward to seeing you face to face. In Jesus’ mighty 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 15:51-53
Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed — in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. —1 Corinthians 15:51-53 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We’re going to be changed! I’m going to be changed. You’re going to be changed! We’re not talking about a new wardrobe or haircut. We’re not talking about a new car or place to live. We are not talking about a new weight loss plan or cosmetic surgery. We are talking about an ultimate, transformational, heavy-duty, complete overhaul! We’re going to be made immortal. We are going to become indestructible. We will no longer be “perishable goods”! We are bound for glory and will be like Jesus in his glorified body (Philippians 3:21), for we will see him as he is (1 John 3:2-3). Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Inspire my faith, dear LORD, to trust your timing and to lean upon your grace. I believe that you know all the mysteries and hold all triumphs in your hand. Please make me victorious, O LORD Almighty, through the mighty work of your Son. 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 15:25-26
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. —1 Corinthians 15:25-26 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… How many times have you stood over the grave of a recently departed friend or loved one? It hurts! When was the last time you tasted grief and separation from someone you dearly loved? Oh, my, that hurts deeply! I don’t know about you, but I am so thankful that the Bible identifies death as one of Jesus’ enemies. I am grateful that Jesus hates death and the damage and separation it causes. I rejoice! The LORD hates death even more than I do and came to earth and suffered death to destroy the evil one’s power over us in death. I am filled with joy to know that death ultimately will be destroyed when Jesus gives immortality and life to us so we can share in his glory forever! My Prayer… Holy Father, please triumph with life and mercy in the lives of those I know who are wrestling with emotional, spiritual, and physical illness and death. Triumph in their lives through your power and your grace. I look forward to the day, dear Father, when death is no more. LORD Jesus, I not only pray this in your name, but I ask you to speed this day of victory for all your disciples! 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 15:24
Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. —1 Corinthians 15:24 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Closing time! That’s when everything is counted, the doors are locked, and the final tally is made. Jesus is LORD of closing time. Even though he won the victory over death and sin while on the cross and with the empty tomb (Colossians 2:12-15), we’re still waiting to get swept up into his victory march. That day is coming. Every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess Jesus’ power, glory, and reign (Philippians 2:10-11). Every evil power will face destruction. However, the hearts that are yielded to God will be placed into his loving and mighty hands forever and share in his glory (Colossians 3:3-4). Our LORD reigns! My Prayer… Almighty God, Father of grace and mercy, I appreciate your tenderness and patience with me. However, Father, I am also comforted to know your power and might will exert itself fully upon the earth and against the powers of hell. I am heartened to know that Jesus will assert his rule and destroy everything false, malicious, evil, and wicked. Maranatha!* May that day, and our LORD Jesus Christ, come soon! In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. * In 1 Corinthians 16:22, Paul uses the Aramaic phrase Maranatha, which is translated, “Come, Lord!”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 15:20
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. —1 Corinthians 15:20 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The angels at the empty tomb of Jesus asked the women (Luke 24:5), “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” These words are also the angels’ words to us. Jesus is risen, and one day, so will we be raised from the dead: Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 15:20, 23). He guarantees that God’s harvest of all people will one day occur. He is our assurance as believers and disciples that we, too, will be raised from death and death will no longer have a hold on us! We are God’s eternal children, and death cannot separate us from his presence or love (Romans 8:37-39). My Prayer… Father God, I praise you for your redeeming grace. I rejoice in your conquest over Satan and over his power to wound and destroy through death. I thank you for your power over the grave. Thank you for raising Jesus from the dead and giving me the assurance of life forever with you. Please bless me, dear Father, with a life that reflects the power that you have now working in me. In Jesus’ name, 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.