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Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. — Romans 15:2 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Being disappointed and dissatisfied with life can stem from a myriad of problems. For many of us, however, these disappointments are symptoms that we have focused too much on ourselves and have allowed ourselves to become angry with life. We have forgotten to count our blessings, neglected to give thanks to God, grown silent in our praise to our Father, and quit helping those around us. Thinking of others is how Christ lived, and we are going to live for others if we are going to have a JESUShaped life. When we follow his example, our actions make a difference in the lives of those we bless, and we find ourselves immensely blessed as well. Let's get our focus off ourselves and look to bless our neighbors! As the ancient Christian hymn Paul quoted reminds us: In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, d...

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. — Galatians 5:13 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Our freedom as followers of Jesus, the freedom to live by the power of the Spirit and not by law ( Romans 8:1-4 ; Galatians 5:1 ), is a wonderful gift, especially when it is handled with responsibility and grace ( Romans 14:13 ; 1 Peter 2:16 ). Not being under law is such a sweet grace, but we want to pass that sweetness on to each other through service, kindness, and care ( Romans 13:10 ). Just because we are free to do something doesn't mean doing it is beneficial to our brothers and sisters in Christ or to those we are trying to influence toward Jesus. Freedom gives us the opportunity to do things in love, not just because we are commanded to do them. Love should be, could be, and must mean more than law. Video Commentary... ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer... O Great God...

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. — 1 Corinthians 1:10 Thoughts on Today's Verse... If people in our congregations are ever going to get along, the leaders of those churches must remind God's people of the importance of unity. Shortly before facing his passion, Jesus' prayer was that we would be one ( John 17:1-26 ). Why? If the world knows we are Christians because of our love for one another ( John 13:34-35 ), then the world needs to see our loving unity so that the lost can know that the Father has sent Jesus to save them ( John 17:20-21, 23 ). When we are divided, we tell the world we're not offering them something the world doesn't have on its own. All we have is just a religious message that doesn't produce consequential changes. So, unity is not only important; it is also essential. It...

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. — Romans 15:5-6 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Unity comes from God's Spirit as we all draw closer to Jesus ( John 17:20-21 ). As we are drawn to Jesus through the Spirit, we immediately find ourselves drawn closer to one another ( 1 John 1:1-4 ). Unity also has a purpose much deeper than our getting along with each other. Jesus prayed we would be one so that the world would know that God sent him into the world as the Son to save the world ( John 3:16-17 , 17:21, 23 ). We want to be united so that our praise can bring glory to God and lead others to him. Unity is far more than a goal; it is a process through which the world learns of Jesus. At the same time, we glorify the Father who sent Jesus to save us when we live together in unity. Leading others to Jesus and gl...

The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. — James 3:17-18 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Now I know why righteousness is so hard to find these days. We don't have many in our world who are full of heavenly wisdom - if that means being considerate, submitting to others' needs, living with mercy toward those who are different, bearing good fruit, treating others with impartiality, and demonstrating genuine concern for our neighbors. These traits of wisdom are hard to find in our world, probably because they are often associated with weakness. And, while many claim to love peace, so few are willing to make peace and to sow peace into the lives of others. Heavenly wisdom is full of sacrificial earthly action. That's a powerful reminder to me that wisdom is not what we know but what we sow! We don't pr...

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. — Hebrews 6:10 Thoughts on Today's Verse... The Holy Spirit offers us great assurance in today's verse! God is not unjust. Oh, that is such an understatement: God furnished the atoning sacrifice for our sins by sending Jesus ( 1 John 2:1-2 ). When we seek after him, Jesus promised we could find him ( Matthew 7:7-8 ; Acts 17:27 ). God will not forget the work and love we share with others. God has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west ( Psalm 103:10-12 ). He chooses to keep an eternal record of the good we have done. We are his people. He claims us. He is gracious and loving, remembering the good we have done to others while forgiving and forgetting our sins. Wow! What great motivation for us to keep maturing into the likeness of Jesus Christ as we become more JESUShaped ( 2 Corinthians 3:18 ). My Prayer... God, you are s...