Today’s Verse – James 4:15
Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” —James 4:15 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… While I like to have choices and must be responsible for my own decisions, I am genuinely thankful that the LORD allows me to submit my life to his will and entrust my future to him. The Father is at work in me to do his will (Philippians 2:13) and to work for my best good (Romans 8:28). So, I gladly acknowledge that my plans are subject to his will. I appreciate that my goals and successes are in the LORD’s hands. I have also found that what I often wanted in the immediate moment wasn’t the right decision. Pausing and seeking the LORD’s will has saved me from many impulsive or selfish decisions with undesired consequences. I gladly proclaim that what lies ahead for me can be summarized by one phrase I joyfully accept: “If the LORD wills!” My Prayer… Thank you, Abba Father, that my life and my future are in your hands. Forgive me for the times that my plans are too full of myself or not consciously dependent upon you. Thank you for rescuing me from the messes I have made because of my failed plans built around my own foolish arrogance and selfishness. Dear Father, I gladly place my plans, my life, and my future in submission to your will. In Jesus’ holy name, and by his power, 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 8:35-37
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. —Romans 8:35-37 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… More than conquerors! What a great phrase. Conquerors are what we are in Jesus. In fact, Paul says, “we are MORE than conquerors through him who loved us.” No hardship, enemy, physical disaster, not even death, can separate us from Jesus. Once our lives are joined to Jesus (Colossians 2:13-15), our future is tied to Jesus (Colossians 3:1-4). We are conquerors bound to share in our Savior’s conquering glory! My Prayer… Almighty God, I do not know how to thank you properly and fully. You have blessed me with a new identity and fresh confidence because of Jesus. So, dear Father, please accept my thanks for your gifts of grace, your indwelling Spirit within me, and your promises of heaven. Thank you for your love that has saved and remade me. Thank you for assuring me that I will never be alone no matter what I have to face. Most of all, dear LORD, thank you for your promise that nothing has the power to strip me from your love for me in Jesus. 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 – Romans 6:13
Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. —Romans 6:13 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We come to today’s message after this past week of verses about being forgiven, purified, cleansed, and made holy. This long verse boils down to a very simple message: We are to glorify God through what we do with our bodies. We were dead in our sins, but God has made us alive through our participation with Jesus in his saving death, burial, and resurrection. How can we go back to the hideous sins that mastered us and led us to death? We shouldn’t! We mustn’t! And by God’s gracious help, we won’t. Our commitment to live for his glory and the power of the Holy Spirit will help us live for him and transform us with increasing glory to be like our Savior, Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18). Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Father, God of grace, please forgive me for the times in my past when I flirted with sin. I know how much you paid to redeem me from my sin. I know the power of Satan to use sin to entrap and enslave me. Bless me as I commit to living for you, with Jesus as my LORD, and the Spirit as your empowering presence within me. I ask for this 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 – Psalm 103:12
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. —Psalm 103:12 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Let’s praise and thank God our Father. He doesn’t just forgive our sins; he removes them from us completely. Hallelujah! My Prayer… Loving and merciful Father and holy God, thank you for giving me the great gift of your unfathomable forgiveness. Now, dear LORD, please help me to pass it along to others as I seek to be a conduit of 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 – Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” —Jeremiah 29:11 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jeremiah was telling God’s people that 70 years after the devastation they were facing because of their rebellion and sins, God would deliver and restore them. Even though they had repeatedly abandoned God, he would not abandon them or his promises to them. He would be faithful (2 Timothy 2:13). In fact, God was planning and preparing a brighter future for them than they could imagine. This promise also reminds us that no matter how deep our own personal gloom feels, God does have wonderful plans for us that include giving us a prosperous hope and a glorious future. God will keep his promises to us. He will deliver and bless us. We have a vibrant hope and a bright future because of his faithfulness and our trust in his Son, Jesus, who delivers us from every foe and brings us into his presence with great joy (Jude 1:24). My Prayer… Give me faith, O LORD, during the times I’m weary, discouraged, and beaten down. Inspire me to trust in your great promises. Please give me courage, O LORD, when my faith wavers. Help me obey your word no matter how challenging it may seem or how discouraged I feel. Thank you for giving me a bright future in Jesus. Please help me live more consciously aware of this great gift. 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 – Isaiah 61:10
I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. —Isaiah 61:10 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… This is God’s promise to his people after their Messiah comes with healing and power to bless them with the LORD’s favor. In many ways, this is our promise as Christians. We do rejoice greatly because God has delivered us from law, sin, death, and hell through the coming of our Savior and LORD, Jesus. Because of our faith in Jesus’ sacrifice for us, we are clothed with Christ (Galatians 3:26-27) and given his “garments of salvation and arrayed… in a robe of righteousness” (Colossians 1:22). Amazing. Beautiful. Blessed! My Prayer… Thank you, dear Father, for making me righteous by Jesus’ sacrifice. Thank you LORD Jesus, for paying the price for my sins to give me life. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for cleansing me from my sins and empowering me to live for God. May I, dear God, live in such a way that those around me know that you have made me whole and holy. 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 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. —1 John 1:9 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… When we view our sins the same way that God does and confess them, God forgives and purifies us. Honest confession opens our hearts to the flood of heaven’s grace (Psalm 51:1-17; Psalm 103:11-14). God shares with us the sweet liberation from sin that Jesus purchased at Calvary (1 John 2:1-2). God not only forgives our sins but also purifies us of all unrighteousness. Think of purified this way: pure as if I had never sinned! We are no longer sinners, and the stain of our sin is removed. We are “holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation” because of God’s purifying grace (Colossians 1:22). So, let’s live in a way that reflects this incredible gift! My Prayer… Father, I confess my sins to you! Please forgive me for… (please verbalize to God specifically your sins to your Father in heaven.) Thank you for letting me be honest with you and share with you my frustration and my sorrow for my failures and flaws. Please liberate me from their power in my life and give me the confidence that you have not only forgiven my sins, but have also made me pure and holy, fresh and new as when I first came to Jesus. And it is 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 – Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. —Micah 6:8 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Sometimes we need God to make what he wants from us plain and simple to understand. I need to handle those around me justly — practicing patience and dealing with others in fairness, without partiality, and treating them as I would like to be treated. I also need to practice mercy — blessing others in need with what they don’t deserve but so greatly need. I need to walk humbly with my Abba Father, knowing that without his grace and help, I will fall short and fail. I need to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with [my] God.” I have a sneaking suspicion you need the same. My Prayer… Father, please make of me what you will. As you fashion me, please bless me as I seek to be a person of justice, mercy, and humility. I know you identify yourself as the “I AM,” known by your righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful lovingkindness. In Jesus’ name and through the power of the Holy Spirit, I seek to become more like you. I am thankful for Micah who made clear that this begins with me acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with you. Please help as I depend upon your grace and the power of the Holy Spirit to do just that! 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 7:7
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. —Matthew 7:7 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God wants us to seek his blessings. This is not because he wants to manipulate our lives, but because he longs to bless us and have us know the gifts in our lives come from him. So let’s seek his presence, his grace, and his blessing. As we do, let’s remember this promise is in a section of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount where he clearly states that a disciple obeys what God, the Scriptures, and Jesus command. In that context, we can be sure we have what we seek, ask, and knock to receive. When we love and live according to his purposes (Romans 8:28), Jesus’ promise is our assurance of the Father’s blessing and our Savior’s delight as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit. My Prayer… Dear Father, I yearn for your blessing and guidance. I need your presence and blessing in several specific areas of my life that weigh heavily on my heart… (share with God some things that are on your heart). In addition, dear Father, I need your wisdom in the following matters… Finally, dear God, please make your presence in my life very clear to me this week. I don’t doubt your love for me, but I sometimes need reassurance of your nearness as I face the challenges that lie before me. Please hear me asking for your nearness, see my search for your way in this world, and open the door to my knocking on your door of grace as I seek your blessing. 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 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. —Proverbs 3:5-6 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Trust, by definition, can’t be half-hearted. Either it is a full trust or it is clouded with suspicion and doubt, and not authentic trust at all. As we face the everyday challenges of life and as we look for answers to deep and difficult problems, let’s put our full trust in the LORD. Let’s ask for his wisdom and guidance as we make our choices. Let’s give him praise for the good in our lives and seek his blessing for the days ahead. Why? Because he longs to bless us with life, both now and forevermore with him. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… O LORD, my LORD, I place my trust in you. Please guide me in my steps as I seek to bring you glory. Please help me with the decisions, those challenges that I face. Give me discernment as I seek to influence others and to share your grace with them. Give me the right words to say so that I can have a redemptive influence on my family, my friends, my co-workers, and those people in need of your grace that you place in my path. 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.