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Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." — Proverbs 31:28-29 Thoughts on Today's Verse... When's the last time you praised a godly woman for her life of faith, noble deeds of love, and her demonstrations of grace? Why not take time to write a note or two of appreciation and share your thanks with several of these godly women today? Where would we be today without the faithfulness of the godly women in our lives? Where would we be today without the ministry of women in the ministry of Jesus or the early church? I can't imagine, and don't want to! Let's tell them today how precious they are to us, our faith, and the work of the Kingdom of God! Video Commentary... ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer... Father, we thank you for the following godly women who have shaped our lives and helped us have genuine faith... (Please pray for several of the...

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved — and that by God. — Philippians 1:27-28 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Let's live as if we've been redeemed because we have been! Let's show God's love and character in our daily lives. Let's especially work together, with one voice and Spirit, making a vigorous effort to share the Gospel with those who have never heard of the grace of God in the life and ministry of Jesus. In the face of opposition, let's not be deterred or divided. Instead, let's work hand in hand for the cause of the Gospel as we live for God and give thanks for his amazing grace! The Verse of the Day te...

"No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD. — Isaiah 54:17 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Because of the LORD God's grace and power, we will be victors. This is the overall message of Revelation - when we are faithful, even unto death, we will be victorious and reign with God ( Revelation 2:10-11 , 3:21 , 22:12-14 ). This song of victory is sung throughout the Scriptures, rooted in the promise that when Jesus comes, we will reign with him ( 2 Timothy 2:12 ; Revelation 20:6 ). This is the assurance that we have from God himself: because our lives are joined with Jesus and his resurrection, they will not be lived in vain and we will share in his ultimate victory over sin, death, and hell ( Colossians 2:12-15 , 3:1-4 ; Romans 8:37-39 ). Those who berate, belittle, and batter God's people will be exposed and his ...

The LORD is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid? — Psalm 27:1 Thoughts on Today's Verse... I love the coast of Maine in the northeastern United States. I love the craggy shorelines, the crashing surf, and the lighthouses perched at strategic and well-fortified points along the coastlines. I cannot help but think of our heavenly Father when I watch the gloom gather, the fog build, and then see the violence of the impending storm noisily make its way onshore. There, in the storm - with lightning ripping through the sky, winds howling, and surf crashing - stands the light that guides the way, strong against the elements and a beacon of direction and hope. Yes, the LORD, Yahweh the God of Israel, the Almighty Creator of all things, is my light and my salvation. My life, the eternal part of me, is entrusted with him. I choose not to fear. I place my trust in him because "The LORD is my light and my salvati...

If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. — Psalm 37:23-24 Thoughts on Today's Verse... I don't know about you, but I've physically stumbled my way through much of life. I've tripped at some of the most embarrassing moments. I've stumbled over my own feet, shoelaces, curbs, and just pure air. Even my doctor says I have a problem with gravity! However, I am confident that, despite my spiritual stumbles, God has not abandoned me. When I think I'm going to plunge into the depths of an emotional abyss, the Father's love, care, concern, Scriptures, servants, and helpers have kept me from destruction. God's hand does uphold me. He is there in times of trial. He has been mighty to save. I do believe he delights in my journey. How about you? The question is not whether we will stumble or fall, but whether we look to God in our stumbles, sins, and failures, and th...

Love the LORD, all his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full. Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD. — Psalm 31:23-24 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Love the LORD! Be strong because of your hope in the LORD. Admit where your strength lies. Acknowledge your source of grace. Give praise to God for his abundant mercy and power lavished upon you through his Holy Spirit. The LORD preserves his people. He honors faithfulness even if it is mocked in this world. The LORD will bless his people and deal justly with those who mock and abuse them. But we can be "strong and take heart" because we "hope in the LORD!" My Prayer... Give me strength, O LORD, for I find myself in trying times with enemies at my door and opponents on every side. Please give me wisdom to see your grace that leads me when I am under fire. Please give me the courage to stand up for what is right, pure, and holy. Please bless me with the vision to ...

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. — 2 Corinthians 7:1 Thoughts on Today's Verse... God has blessed us with so many wonderful promises. He secured them by sending his Son "to conquer death and bring life and immortality to life" ( 2 Timothy 1:10 ). He will "transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body" ( Philippians 3:21 ). He will take us home to be with him eternally, but until that day, he will live inside us, make his home in us, and reveal himself to us ( John 14:20-23 ). He will make us more than conquerors and will not allow anything to separate us from his love ( Romans 8:32-39 ). So what should our response be? We should offer him praise, but we must not limit our praise to just words ( Colossians 3:16-17 ). God wants our lives to be pure, staying away from what is evil, vile, putrid, and corrupt ( 1 John 3:1-3 )...

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. — Ephesians 3:20-21 Thoughts on Today's Verse... What grand "Kingdom dreams" do you have for God's glory? What incredible ideas can you imagine requesting that God would bring to fruition? What are your expectations of heaven with God? Now that you have stretched your mind a little, challenged your imagination a bit, and loaded up your expectations for the future, are you ready for some down-to-earth truth straight from the true Marvel of heaven, God Almighty? God "is able to do immeasurably more" than any of that. God's "power at work within us" will do his glorious will and accomplish his eternal purposes, which far exceed what we can imagine, ask, or even believe. We must not set our sights too low and expect too li...

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. — Psalm 94:19 Thoughts on Today's Verse... God is our comforter, sustainer, and LORD. Only his gracious presence and tender blessings can bring consolation and comfort to our restless and discouraged souls. Let's turn our hearts toward God, honestly confessing our sins, sorrows, and anxieties. Let's ask him to restore our passion, joy, and confidence in our salvation. As the apostle Paul told the Philippians when he wrote them from prison: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus ( Philippians 4:6-7 ). My Prayer... Almighty Shepherd, I need your consolation in my soul. The noise and confusion of my thoughts weary my spirit. The burdens and concerns I feel for others weigh down my heart. Please minister...

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. — Romans 14:19 Thoughts on Today's Verse... "Let us... make every effort!" That's quite a challenge. But notice where that exertion is to be focused: peace and mutual edification. Both sides of this exhortation are two-way responsibilities. I must pursue and share peace if I am going to have it myself. I must edify, and be open to being edified, if mutual edification and encouragement are going to happen. In other words, we live with other people in God's family. He wants us to be responsible for making relationships work in our spiritual family. He reminds us it will require strenuous effort. But, isn't that true in every family relationship? Love means sacrifice, effort, and concern for others, as well as love, generosity, and encouragement given to others. When we share our love willingly and peacefully, we're much more likely to see them both coming back to us more ...

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. — 2 Peter 3:18 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Where do you need to grow in your walk with the LORD? How about setting the tandem goal of growing in the grace of God and knowledge of Christ Jesus, our LORD and Savior? So often we pursue one or the other, grace or knowledge. However, something comes unhinged in our soul when either of those becomes more important than the other. Let's keep grace and knowledge together, because we see them united in the Father's gracious sending of His Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ, who created everything and was before anything ( John 1:1-3 ; Colossians 1:15-17 ) My Prayer... Holy God, I desire to grow into becoming more of JESUShaped. I know I cannot do that without the power of your Holy Spirit, and my heart desiring such growth. I also want to grow into a more gracious person as I know and experience Jesus' presence and...

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. — Zephaniah 3:17 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Isn't it comforting, powerful, and restorative to know that God is with us! That's the great message of the story of Jesus - Immanuel, God with us ( Matthew 1:23 ). That's the message of hope Zephaniah gives the defeated people of God. God is among us. He is mighty to save. He loves us. He delights in us. He stills the storms of our hearts with his loving touch and mighty voice. He sings us lullabies of joy over us. Why? Our Father longs to be close to us and invites us to draw near to him. What will our response be? Oh, I want to move closer to this God! My Prayer... Father, strengthen my resolve as I turn away from evil and draw near to experience your presence. I don't want any imitation relationship with you. I don't want some artificial symbol of you. I w...

Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Do you want to know some things you can do to please God? Rejoice in his grace. Pray for others. Give thanks for your blessings. These are simple things God wants us to do, and doing them to honor him changes everything. Doing these things is not only spiritual, but also life-giving! My Prayer... Heavenly Father and Almighty God, I am thrilled at the very thought of being your child. Abba Father, please hear my prayer of concern for several people who are on my heart today... Loving God, thank you so much for the blessings you pour into my life each day. In Jesus' holy name, I rejoice in your grace, pray for these others I have mentioned, and give thanks for your many blessings. Amen. The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. You can email questions or comments to phil@verseo...

"Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God — he and his whole household. — Acts 16:30-34 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Faith in Jesus is the most crucial response to God's grace and a life-transforming blessing. For the jailer, faith meant hearing the gospel of Jesus as LORD and responding by believing that message, demonstrating a life change, being baptized immediately, and sharing in fellowship with other believers ( Acts 2:38-47 ). Imagine going from being the jailer over men to washing their wounds in your own home! Think about being responsibl...

Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. — Romans 14:4 Thoughts on Today's Verse... The apostle Paul warned early believers against passing judgment on other Christians in matters not central to the faith. He also reminded them of whose job it is to judge in these matters - the LORD. He also emphasized that the person on whom they passed judgment belonged to the LORD - that person was HIS servant. Paul then asked them (and us): What right does anyone have to pass judgment on a person for whom Christ died and who is also a servant who belongs to the LORD? ( Romans 14:15 ; 1 Corinthians 8:11 ) Unfortunately, the evil one makes it easy for us to find fault and pass judgment on others about something nonessential while never dealing with the obvious sin in our own lives. We must not judge other believers in matters that are not central to the faith. We will answer to God for our sin...

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. — Romans 14:13 Thoughts on Today's Verse... It is so easy to be judgmental of others. We must remember that we don't know their struggles, circumstances, or discouragements. Most of all, we don't know their hearts. When we are judgmental, we erect a barrier between others and ourselves as we set ourselves up as superior to a brother or sister for whom Christ Jesus died! If we are not careful, we can spread our judgmental impression of them to others in gossip. Our stubbornness to only view them with a judgmental spirit erects a stumbling block that can lead them to become discouraged and cause them to stumble. Jesus warns us sternly about such a damaging practice ( Matthew 18:6-7 ). Let's set our minds on being an encouragement and blessing to our brothers and sisters and not put an obstacle in the way of others. My Pray...

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. — 1 Thessalonians 3:12 Thoughts on Today's Verse... God is love. God is also the source of love. He pours love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit ( Romans 5:5 ). So, how do we make our churches, our families, our small groups, and communities more loving? We pray for God to grow the love in those in groups, letting them know that we are praying for them, and then communicate and demonstrate our love to those very same groups in words and actions. As John wrote to early believers: Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth ( 1 John 3:18 ). My Prayer... Father, use me to help be an example of love to those around me. Please pour your love into my heart through your Spirit, as you promised, and then help me channel that love out into the lives of others. Please empower the love in our congregations, schools, and families to gro...

Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. — Romans 14:1 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Our life in Christ is such a blessing! We want to welcome new disciples into our fellowship to share the blessings that Jesus has given us. We don't bring them in to scrutinize their past failures or the current struggles, but to bring them into the love of God's acceptance as part of his eternal family. They will make mistakes and stumble, just as we did when we were new believers. Yet God welcomed us patiently, graciously, and compassionately. Let's do the same with new believers as they learn to live for Jesus. As Paul commanded the Romans: Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God ( Romans 15:7 ). My Prayer... Father, please make me more understanding and patient with my brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those who are new to the faith. Give me insight and empathy so I can encourage them, buil...

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. — Matthew 11:28-30 Thoughts on Today's Verse... We could call it the irony of discipleship. To follow Jesus Christ means that we surrender everything and follow Him. To follow Christ means that we receive untold blessings in this life and eternal life with God in the life to come. So is it hard? Yes, sometimes it is very challenging, downright exhausting, and at certain times, filled with rejection and persecution. Jesus said it would be that way at times. And let's be honest, life is hard. So, can our burden be light as Jesus promised? Yes, because we do not live our lives in vain, and we are living life as God intended us to live. Our efforts make a difference, and we get to meet incredible people whom we will know forever. Then, when our life i...

Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops... — Proverbs 3:9 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Honoring God must come first in everything. We don't give him the last, the least, or the leftovers. He gave us his best, most precious, and most perfect of gifts - his Son Jesus and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gifts! How could we give him anything less than our best, our first, and our most precious - our firstfruits in everything! My Prayer... Gracious God and loving Father, thank you for every good and perfect gift you have lavished upon me. Please accept the offering of my heart, which I freely give to you. Soften it and make it gracious and generous. I commit to offer you and your work in the world my first and my best. In Jesus' name, I make this pledge in prayer. Amen. The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. You can email questions or comments to [email protected] . © 1998-20...

If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. — Romans 14:8 Thoughts on Today's Verse... We are the LORD's care. We submit our lives to him because he bought us out of bondage to sin and death and brought us into his eternal family of grace. We have voluntarily placed our lives into his hands. No matter what we do or where we go, his grace goes with us. He has promised never to leave us ( Hebrews 13:5-6 ). He has assured us that nothing can separate us from his love ( Romans 8:32-39 ). So let's live with a sense of excited anticipation, looking to see where the LORD will lead us next. Let's face our difficulties, trials, and even death, with the assurance that we will not face tough times alone or forever. The glory we anticipate is far greater than any of our trials ( Romans 8:19 ). Even as we walk in the dark shadows of death, we don't have to fear what the evil one and his minions can do to ...

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. — 2 Corinthians 9:7 Thoughts on Today's Verse... God is working in us to conform our character and will to be like his own. God is a giver. God finds delight in generously blessing us. When we praise God for his grace, we are praising him for his gracious gift of love given to us in Jesus. He's a giver! Now he asks us to be like him: to be generous and full of grace. Giving is not an arbitrary task imposed on us to fund our churches and ministries; instead, giving is part of our character transformation as we become more and more like God. Giving to others in need and to the work of the Kingdom is one of the most genuine ways we demonstrate our allegiance, dependence, and participation in the gracious work of God. We are most like God when we give... lovingly... cheerfully! Remember how the most famous verse in the Bible begins? "For God so lo...

So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" — Hebrews 13:6 Thoughts on Today's Verse... How can we be confident in what happens today? What is our assurance for tomorrow? Where do we muster excitement about eternity? The LORD is our helper! Fear will not be our master because our future, our destiny, our eternity rest in the hands of the eternal LORD. The worst that man can do is to send us home to my LORD, who will never leave us or forsake us ( Hebrews 13:5-6 ). Nothing the evil one can do can separate us from our Father's love ( Romans 8:32-39 ). We say with confidence, "The Lord is our helper; we will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to us?" My Prayer... Almighty God, my Father and my helper, I place my trust in you. As the Alpha and Omega, the God who is the great I AM, I trust you for all my tomorrows and rest my dependence in you and your unfailing love. In Jesus' name, I rely on you and ...

If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin... — Romans 6:5-6 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Paul reminds us that our baptism was more than just a dunking in water. In baptism, we share in Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. What he did to save us, we now get to share with him in doing. We died to sin and were raised to be a new person, cleansed and made holy, empowered and indwelled by the Holy Spirit. We have been set free from the power and penalty of sin and the limits of our mortal physical bodies. This experience we had with Jesus is our physical connection, our assurance of our future spiritual glory with him! Why? Since "we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection." My Pray...

We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. — 1 Thessalonians 4:14 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Jesus' resurrection was just the beginning! His resurrection means that those of us who have faith in him and trust the testimony of the first-generation eyewitnesses to his resurrection can have confidence in our future. Those who belong to Jesus, whether they are living or dead when he comes, will share in his victory over death and will be with the LORD forever! For us, when our bodies die, we are with Jesus ( Philippians 1:19-24 ). While it may appear that our bodies are sleeping ( 1 Corinthians 15:51 ), we are always alive in Jesus, and our future with him is guaranteed! My Prayer... Loving Father in heaven, thank you for giving me the victory over sin and death in Jesus. I know that just as you raised him from the dead, you will also raise me up at the great day of Jesus' return. Please use ...

For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. — Romans 8:3-4 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Jesus did what we could not do; he lived perfectly before God. He showed that sin isn't a necessity in our lives and that it does not have to hold us captive. He not only obeyed the Law, but he fulfilled it in every way ( Matthew 5:17-21 ). Then, after he was crucified, buried, and raised from the dead, he poured out his Spirit on us so that we could not only share in his forgiveness and cleansing grace, but also have his power to live in ways that please God and have his power over the grave when we die. Jesus is our sin offering and our Savior, he poured out the spirit to transfor...

I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." — Psalm 91:2 Thoughts on Today's Verse... "In God we trust." That's the phrase written on much of the money in the United States. It's a great reminder. The global financial climate is inherently vulnerable to instability, as it is prone to fluctuations and susceptible to chaos and political turmoil. Only God is our refuge and fortress during the storms of life - whether they be health, financial, relational, or emotional storms. He is steadfast. He is God, the forever "I AM" and LORD. He is eternal. He desires to bless us and promises to never leave us or forsake us. He has repeatedly demonstrated his love for us. He has earned our trust. So, let's say of the LORD "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." My Prayer... Heavenly Father, I am so thankful that I can trust my life and future with you. Mold me and use me in ways that a...

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. — Proverbs 27:1 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Jesus wants us to be humble about our future. We don't control tomorrow, so Jesus reiterated this theme from Proverbs ( Matthew 6:31-34 ). Tomorrow may not come. Something horrible could happen tomorrow. Everything we possess could be gone tomorrow. In the face of these discouraging possibilities, is there anything positive we can hold onto? Absolutely! We know that God holds tomorrow in his hands. We know that because our life is hidden with Christ in God, every tomorrow, and the eternal tomorrow, is secure in him ( Colossians 3:1-4 ). The future may not be what we expect or unfold as we planned, but we can thankfully trust that our God determines every tomorrow, will not abandon us, and will share his comfort, victory, and glory with us as we journey toward his future for us as we journey toward his future for us ( Romans 8:32-39 ; Hebrews 13:5-6 ). My Pra...