Today’s Verse – 1 John 5:4
For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. —1 John 5:4 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Our verse today is the companion passage to 1 John 2:17: The world and its desires are passing away, but the one who does the will of God lives forever. Our destinies and futures are not limited to the boundaries of our temporary existence as mortal passengers on our “tiny blue planet” in the vast enormity of the universe. Our future and our hope burst the boundaries of mortality and are tied to our faith in our resurrected and victorious Savior, who is coming back to bring us to his eternal home. This faith is displayed by doing God’s will even when most people in our contemporary culture choose to chase what is fleeting and transient. Why? Because we await a better world, a new heaven and earth where life is free of earthbound limitations and human frailties and sin (Philippians 3:20-21; Hebrews 11:14-16; 2 Peter 3:13). Yet we still yearn for that future world to burst forth in our mortal world and change people to await the Savior with us. We seek to partner with God in doing just that! My Prayer… Thank you, dear Father, for the assurance of victory, immortality, reunion, and joy. O, Holy Spirit, please help me hold onto this hope as I await the glorious return of my conquering Savior, Jesus Christ, my LORD, 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.
Today’s Verse – Romans 8:31-32
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? —Romans 8:31-32 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We know God paid a high price to redeem and forgive us in Jesus when we were unworthy of such grace (Romans 5:6-11). If the Father has gone to such great lengths to purchase our pardon, what will he refuse us that is good, right, and holy? Nothing! So if God answers our prayers, “No!” then it is for the good and eternal well-being of those for whom we’ve prayed. God intends to comfort and liberate, not wound and enslave. He desires to redeem and bless, not deny or limit his grace. His commitment is to work all things out for our ultimate good as he is transforming us to be more like his beloved Son (Romans 8:28-29). If God offered us Jesus, what will he withold? My Prayer… Dear Father, I confess that I am sometimes impatient and disappointed when my prayers do not seem to get the immediate response I desire. Please calm and quiet my doubting heart. Please remind my spirit of your rich grace. Bring your comfort and assurance through the ministry of your Holy Spirit to my often vacillating human spirit. I believe that you want to bring me your blessing and grace. Although I may not always understand the bad things that happen in my life or why you delay in fixing them or liberating me from them, I trust that you are at work to make them all work for my good and your glory. In Jesus’ name, I wait and pray as I trust in 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 – Isaiah 61:1-2a
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn… —Isaiah 61:1-2a Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus read this passage at a synagogue in Nazareth to define his ministry (Luke 4:14-19). He came to preach good news for the poor, to bind up the broken, to announce freedom for those who were captives, to bring deliverance from the powers of darkness to the prisoners of addiction and evil, to proclaim grace because of God’s favor, and to offer comfort to those grieving. Jesus also made clear God had a sharp edge to his justice, settling the score with those who were exploiters and abusers of the powerless. Since Jesus has sent us into the world as the Father sent our Savior (John 20:21-23), shouldn’t our mission be to do something similar to what our LORD did? My Prayer… Through the power and wisdom of your Holy Spirit, who longs to work powerfully in and through us, please open my eyes, dear LORD. Help us see those you put in our paths with whom you want us to share your grace, deliverance, and comfort. Use us to speak up for those who are exploited, mistreated, and abused. In Jesus’ name, we ask for your power and strength to bring redemption and hope to the lost around us. 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 31:1
In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. —Psalm 31:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… When all the clutter is stripped away, what is your real hope? When you push aside the diplomas, awards, accolades, and honors, what is the basis of your significance? Only one source for hope and only one basis of significance is trustworthy. Only One endures forever! Only our Father in heaven guarantees that the significance of our life endures. So let’s place our hope in the LORD. Let’s see him as our refuge. Let’s trust that he will deliver us because he is righteous and we have placed our hopes in him. My Prayer… O LORD, God and Redeemer of our Fathers, Keeper of your many promises, thank you for allowing us to place our hope, future, and significance in your hands. Please give us the courage and the confidence to know that you will not let us be put to shame, but will share with us your righteousness and claim us as your special possession on that day when we stand in your presence in glory. In Jesus’ name, we anticipate that day as we 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 7:1
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. —Matthew 7:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Am I judgmental? Can I assume I can judge another person’s intent? Am I critical and negative about the actions of others? Jesus wants us all to realize that only he can accurately know the motivations of someone’s heart. When we are harsh or bitingly critical in our judgment of others, we are setting the standard by which God will judge us. I don’t know about you, but I’m not willing to exchange God’s grace for my unreasonable and judgmental harshness. I’m going to work harder at viewing others with mercy and grace, just as the Savior did when he died to save me (Romans 5:6-11). My Prayer… O, dear God, please forgive me for the times when I have been unfairly harsh and critical with my thoughts and actions toward others. Thank you for being so rich and free with your mercy and grace lavished on me in Jesus. O, LORD, I long to be more gracious and merciful in the way I live with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. In Jesus’ name, I pray to grow and become more JESUShaped, especially in my graciousness toward others. 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 30:5
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. —Psalm 30:5 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God has been, is, and will be the God of all comfort for both his Old Covenant and New Covenant people (Isaiah 40:1-3; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5). Even when he deals harshly with our sin and rebellion, it is for our good. God’s discipline will last only a short while, and then it gives way to rejoicing and the thrill of salvation, redemption, restoration, and renewal. If you are in a time of discipline or facing the cruel consequences of your sin, please don’t give up. Morning will come, and on that dawn will come God’s gracious healing, joy, and complete salvation, restoration, renewal, and joy. The morning of rejoicing is more than worth the wait through the long, dark nights of weeping! My Prayer… Father, please bless your children who are facing hardships and difficulties. Please help them endure through “the night” so that when your dawn comes, they can experience the great rejoicing that lies ahead with you. In particular, LORD, please specifically bless the following people with the strength to endure their hard nights of weeping and bring them into your morning of joy. (Let’s mention several people by name who need this blessing!) In Jesus’ name, we 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 57:15
For this is what the high and lofty One says — he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” —Isaiah 57:15 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus’ gracious and redemptive coming to earth is wholly consistent with the LORD God’s nature, the one who reveals himself in the Old Testament, and fully reveals himself in this passage. God is high and holy. God is righteous and majestic. Yet the LORD God is the God of incarnation — the LORD who sees our needs, hears our cries, and comes down to help us (Exodus 3:7-12). God loves people, especially people who come to him knowing that they need his love and grace. To those who seek him with passion, humility, awe, and reverence, God brings revival that touches the heart and spirit of those who are contrite. My Prayer… Holy and Righteous Father, thank you for loving me and coming to save me in Jesus. Father, I come humbly asking that you fill me with your Spirit in a more powerful way. Revive my heart and stir me to work for your glory in my life today. I know you have come and met me where I am, to lift me up and make me yours. 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 7:3-5
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” —Matthew 7:3-5 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus reminds us in his Sermon on the Mount about a destructive sin that often afflicts his followers: trying to deflect our guilt by finding fault in others. Finding fault with someone else is all too easy for most of us. Finding fault in ourselves is much trickier. Jesus reminds us that we must deal with the shortcomings and sins in our own lives before we start telling others how to live their life. Deflection, blaming, and finding fault are destructive to our allegiance to the LORD and our desire to honor him. So, let’s confess our sins (James 5:16) and not find fault in others (Matthew 7:1-2). Seems pretty simple. But we all know it isn’t. So, dear friend of Jesus, let’s pray for the Holy Spirit’s help to be gracious and forgiving toward others, and humbly confess our faults to one another. My Prayer… Father, please forgive me because I have sometimes been severe, harsh, and judgmental toward others. I am aware that there are issues in my own life that I need to address with the guidance of your Holy Spirit. I confess that there are routine sins that I often excuse in myself. Please, dear LORD, forgive my sins of deflecting my guilt by blaming others and finding fault in others. Please empower me to move beyond it to become a more gracious and redemptive disciple of Jesus. 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 43:2-3
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior… —Isaiah 43:2-3 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We must be careful. These verses are NOT promises to an individual, but to Israel, the people of God (Isaiah 43:1). God is reminding Israel that they are precious to him. He formed them and redeemed them. He is not about to abandon them. No matter what challenges or difficulties they face, he will be with them to deliver them and bring them to safety and victory. As followers of Jesus, whom God brought into his people by grace (1 Peter 2:9-10; Galatians 6:14-16), we can accept these promises as God’s people today, as Jesus’ church. As believers in Jesus and part of God’s people, we can see how God has preserved his people and redeemed them time and time again. We can celebrate how God delivered his people from impossible situations and brought them to the Messiah, Jesus. God will not forget us! We know it by promise. We know it from history. We know it because of our faith! God will bring us victoriously to himself with great joy (Romans 8:37-39; Jude 1:24-25). My Prayer… Thank you, Almighty God, for always being near us. We confess that there are times when we are not aware of your nearness and your miraculous intervention in history for us. Nevertheless, we do believe, dear Father, that you are ever-near even when we feel alone. In those times, dear God, please give us confidence and perseverance to stand through the times of trial so that we can also share in your triumphs through us. We believe, O God, that you are with us! In Jesus’ name, pray and confess our faith in 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 – John 17:26
“I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” —John 17:26 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus reveals God to us. That’s John’s Gospel in a nutshell, and his clear message in John 1:1-18. Jesus even promised that as we love each other and obey him, he is present with us, reveals himself to us, and he and the Father make their home in us (John 14:21, 23). One of the reasons Jesus does this is so that we can know who God is and what is important to our Father. The most significant thing on Jesus’ heart in this prayer is that we share his love for one another. In this way, Jesus comes to life in us, is real to us, and makes his presence known through us. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Almighty God and loving Father, please fill me with your love for my brothers and sisters in Christ. I want to honor you in the way I treat them and share the love of Christ in the way I interact with them and serve them. So, please bless me as I seek to be a more gracious child of your love. I pray this in Jesus’ name, so that I may become more like him in his love for your children. 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.