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You are forgiving and good, O LORD, abounding in love to all who call on you. — Psalm 86:5 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Forgiveness is such a sweet blessing. But God does more than forgive! Jesus cleanses and purifies us, then presents us to God as "holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation" ( Colossians 1:21-22 ). God does not grudgingly meter out his love. He does not ration out his forgiveness. He lavishly pours his love upon us, and into us, as we genuinely seek him as our Father ( Romans 5:5 ; 1 John 3:1 ). So, let's cry out and ask for God's forgiveness as we praise the mighty and holy name of The Almighty, confidently knowing that our Father longs to bless us with his overflowing goodness, mercy, and love. My Prayer... O Precious Father, I call to you, wanting you to know how important your love and forgiveness are in my life. Thank you for sending Jesus to show your love for me and pay the debt of my sin. Please help me to live today as ...

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. — Ephesians 4:2 Thoughts on Today's Verse... "You mean I have to put up with all this from that person!?" There are those folks in life about whom the saying is true: "They are the grit out of which we are to fashion our pearls." Our great example in this challenge - "To be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." - is Jesus. Jesus has fashioned many pearls from pretty bad grit. Think of what he had to put up with in his 12 disciples. Remember how the LORD's patience and kindness helped transform them. His love persevered through so many of their failures, especially failures in his hardest and darkest moments. In the process, however, Jesus' life of humbleness, gentleness, patience, and love transformed them. Can we dare to do less with those for whom Christ died? Video Commentary... ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Vide...

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." — Mark 9:35 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Did you hear that? Last! Last? Nobody likes to be last. When it comes to lines, we all hate to be last! Many of us have a hard time settling for second place, much less last place. Jesus, however, reverses the way the world ranks people ( Luke 22:25-27 ). The person who is most important to him is not the person seeking status, Facebook® likes, a big following on social media, notoriety, or a place of honor at "bigwig" gatherings (events centered on status and influence). The most important person is like Jesus himself: they are willing to give up their rank, status, and place importance to serve the least, last, and lost. Why? Because that's how Jesus was. For Jesus, being last meant being first in service and first in the eyes of God. My Prayer... Magnificent God, my Savior, you have made ...

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship him in spirit and in truth. — John 4:24 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Genuine worship is a gift. God is spirit. God is holy. So, we cannot fully and authentically approach God in worship without the gift and blessing of his Holy Spirit. As Christians who received his Spirit when we were born of God through our faith and baptism ( John 3:3-7 , 4:23-24 ; Titus 3:3-7 ), we can now speak to him and worship him openly and confidently - our spirit combined with the Holy Spirit in us, worshiping God who is Spirit. The Spirit within us makes us a place where God lives through his Spirit ( 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ). The Spirit intercedes for us when we approach God in prayer ( Romans 8:26-27 ). We are then filled with God's Spirit as we worship him ( Ephesians 5:18-20 ). No wonder Jesus commanded: God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship him in spirit and in truth. That's with our spirit, combined with the Holy Spirit, and with worsh...

Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. — Ephesians 6:12-13 Thoughts on Today's Verse... How often do you forget that we are in a spiritual war? Our enemy is deceptively cunning. If we lose the sense of immediacy to his threats, the danger appears gone. But he's always there, lurking in the shadows. Remember that Jesus' battle with the evil one during his temptations was only the beginning of his spiritual battles. Luke ends his account of the LORD's temptations with these ominous words: When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time ( Luke 4:13 ). We never know when the evil one's "opportune time" will come ...

Humble yourselves before the LORD, and he will lift you up. — James 4:10 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Humble yourselves..." That sounds almost obscene to a world so caught up in self-promotion and willing to do almost anything for "likes" and "views" in social media. This "get ahead at all costs" and this "look at me" driven culture of self-promotion is destroying our inner character before our very eyes. Humility is a forgotten virtue. Often confused with weakness or timidity, humility is really about knowing our proper place in the world and our eternal value to God without flaunting, promoting, and exalting ourselves. Only God can exalt permanently, so the key is for us to know our place before him and let him put us in the place he chooses for us to honor him and bless others. My Prayer... Abba Father, Most Holy God, thank you for allowing me into your presence because of your Holy Spirit and grace. When I think of all that you have...

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. — Philippians 4:8 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Our actions follow our thoughts like a heat-seeking missile follows the exhaust of a jet fighter's engine. So, in a day when so much around us trains us to find the negative in life, and especially in others, we must aggressively pursue the character, the qualities, and the things of God's goodness. Social media drowns us in negativity, spite, division, ugliness, and hostility. God gives us these things in our verse today to remind us of goodness, nobleness, rightness, and purity. God gives us admirable things, things that are excellent and praiseworthy. So, let's think about these things in a world that is drowning in negativity, futility, and loss. My Prayer... Holy and Magnificent God, thank you for being better than anything my world can...

If someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. — Galatians 6:1 Thoughts on Today's Verse... In a day when intervening in someone's life is no longer politically or socially correct, these verses ring out like a gunshot on a still night. Sin is still real and is just as deadly as ever. Yet because we fear being branded judgmental and self-righteous, we let many trapped in sin progress to their spiritual death ( Hebrews 2:1-3 ; 3:12-13 ; James 1:14-15 ). Paul calls us to nonjudgmental, gentle intervention because we recognize the gravity of sin and the sinner's need, without feeling arrogant about our righteousness. We approach the situation humbly because the phrase, "There but for the grace of God go I," applies to us. Nevertheless, love doesn't remain silent when someone's behavior is self-destructive, evil, and taking them to "hell in a handbasket," as the old sayi...

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. — James 1:5 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Wisdom is that elusive quality we respect in others but find so difficult to develop in ourselves. Yet God promises wisdom to those of us who genuinely ask for it. But remember the secret of A.S.K. asking we learned yesterday - asking, seeking, and knocking. Or better yet, check out what Solomon says about wisdom ( Proverbs 2:1-22 ). Wisdom is ours only if we seek it above all other possessions and value it above all other diversions. God longs to impart it, but there is something about spiritual wisdom that demands we value it before we can receive it. Video Commentary... ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer... Gracious giver of all good gifts, please bless me with wisdom today. Let me reflect your will and live for your glory in all my decisions - not just today, but moving forward in my li...

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." — Matthew 7:7-8 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Ask! So often, we're afraid to ask. To do so means we have to admit that we don't have all the answers and need someone else's help. Seek! Searching with effort, interest, and perseverance is necessary, and often difficult for us. Knock! In an era of doorbells, front door cameras, and instant access, this personal effort is a forgotten action. You see, God wants us to use the A.S.K. principle and bring our hearts before him and pursue him and his will. So let's not whine, complain, desire, and hope. Let's A.S.K. - ASK, SEEK, KNOCK - our Father for help and pursue his answers by asking, seeking, and knocking! My Prayer... Waiting Father, I am sorry that too often you only hear my whines, complaints, and con...

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit will reap eternal life. — Galatians 6:7-8 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Isn't it incredible how huge trees grow out of such tiny seeds! This principle runs throughout all of life. We can never completely get away from the seeds we sow. So let's not try to fool ourselves. We ARE going to reap what those seeds sow. Let's make sure the seeds we sow are the ones we want sprouting up! And as we sow to please the Spirit of God and not the world, let's remember we are going to harvest eternal life, and share that life with others. My Prayer... O Eternal God, who lived before time began and who will be the Great I AM when time is no more, please bless the seeds I sow with my life. May they bear righteous and gracious fruit to honor you and to bless those I love, and those who don't ...

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. — James 1:2-3 Thoughts on Today's Verse... "Hang in there!" There are few traits more important than perseverance - hanging in there. Most important accomplishments in life happen because of perseverance. Most "luck" occurs when we've persevered long enough for the "magical moment" to come along - in other words, I don't believe in luck. Edison said it best: life's most extraordinary feats, the world's most significant discoveries, and his own most fantastic inventions are "1% inspiration and 99% perspiration." Hang in there! Persevere! And do it with joy! Why? So you can see the glory of God come through for you and in you, not because of luck, but because of God's grace, love, and power partnered with your perseverance! My Prayer... Unchangeable and Unshakeable God, help me to ...

In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the prophets. — Matthew 7:12 Thoughts on Today's Verse... This verse is called "The Golden Rule"! It's golden because it's genuine, lasting, doable, understandable, and valuable. It's golden because it clearly and beautifully summarizes what God's Law teaches about how we should treat others. Imagine how different our world would be if we all practiced this principle - not just in our "church life" but in our daily life? If we practiced this Gold Rule with our family, our coworkers and employer, and with the people we manage, the folks on the freeway, in the neighborhoods where we drive, and toward the waiters and waitresses and others who serve us... Wow! What a wonderfully different world we would have! So, let's each start changing our world and making it a bit more golden today! My Prayer... Generous Father, you have blessed me with so many rich a...

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. — 1 Corinthians 10:13 Thoughts on Today's Verse... TEMPTATION... We've all faced it. We know it is the evil one's carefully crafted weapon, specifically designed to ensnare us mortals. We can sometimes even hear the voice of the evil one in our heads, saying, "No one will ever know. Besides, it won't hurt anyone!" But in our hearts, we know that to cave in to temptation matters because we've allowed ourselves to give in to what is wrong and given away part of ourselves. Thankfully, we can defeat temptation if we do what this verse reminds us: To recognize temptation when it presents itself. To know this specific temptation we face is common to mortals, so I can overcome it because others have. To remember that God is faithful. My F...

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life. — Philippians 2:14-16 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Stars! They've always been a source of constant hope for God's people. "I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven..." God told Abraham ( Genesis 22:17 ). "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them..." David asked ( Psalm 8:3-4 ). The Wisemen, Magi from the East, followed a star to discover baby Jesus ( Matthew 2:1-2 ). Luke reminds us that Jesus was the light coming from heaven to shine on those in darkness ( Luke 2:32 ). And now, we're stars - God's points of light in the dark sky of the universe. Let...

Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. — Galatians 5:16 Thoughts on Today's Verse... I don't want you to think about an orange rhinoceros flying with blue wings. Now quit it. I don't want you to think about that orange rhinoceros anymore. You know there is no such thing as an orange rhino that flies, much less one that flies on blue wings. Quit thinking about him and his blue wings! Of course, the point is straightforward: the more we try not to do something, the more we focus on it, the more we ensure that we will do what we are not supposed to do. That's why the gift of the Holy Spirit is so important to us as we seek to honor and obey our LORD and Savior Jesus and avoid sin. He enables and empowers us to move beyond our sin and to quit thinking about it. The Spirit empowers us, not by focusing on the sin we want to avoid, but by enriching us and "distracting" us with the important things of God ( Galatians 5:22 ). As ...

Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." — John 8:31-32 Thoughts on Today's Verse... There are few things more coveted than freedom. People die for it. People pray for it. People strive for it. True freedom comes from knowing truth, the truth, God's truth. Knowing God's truth ultimately comes by living in obedience to Jesus. Truth is not just something we think about or believe in our heads. Truth must be believed in the way we live our lives, in the way we use our words, in the actions we demonstrate toward others, and in our obedience to what Jesus taught. Truth is something we do, we live. As Jesus said: Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them ( John 13:17 ). And Jesus' brother emphasized: ...they will be blessed in what they do ( James 1:25 ). Jesus said: "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know th...

If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother." — 1 John 4:20-21 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Love! The word can mean almost anything in a world where it is overused and under-practiced. Many in the Christian community have tried to define it by a dictionary or lexicon, not realizing that the key word for love, agape, is defined by action. Before Christians got a hold of agape, it meant basically the same thing our word "love" is used today: just about anything! But if you read 1 John, you see love defined by God through what he does. God demonstrates his love. He asks us to do the same for our brothers and sisters. Love must be more than talk; it must be genuinely demonstrated in loving, selfless actions! For God so loved the world that he gave his one and on...

God has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. — 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Jesus has paid the price. God provided the ransom. The LORD's holy judgment was averted, not because of anything we did to appease him, but by the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins. If God has gone to such great lengths to reconcile us to himself and adopt us into his family, how can we refuse? We must not! Father God, we offer you our hearts, and we pledge to share the message of reconciliation as ambassadors on Christ's behalf! We will share your message of Jesus and invite, urge, and implore those around us to receive Jesus as their LORD and Savior to be reconciled to you through your Son! My Prayer... O Gracious God, we know our sins have broken your heart and offended your holiness. Words, therefore, cannot communi...

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. — Galatians 3:26-29 Thoughts on Today's Verse... When we become Christians through faith and our baptism into Christ, the Holy Spirit makes us one with all other Christians around the world. Race, gender, and social status are not what matter in our lives. In fact, those things don't distinguish us from each other. We are brothers and sisters in Christ living for Jesus with those we love. Our lives are his, and thus the Spirit connects us and makes us one ( 1 Corinthians 12:13 ). Our destination is the same: heaven. Our family is the church. No barriers. No closed doors. We are one in Christ Jesus! My Prayer... Abba Father, thank you for adopting me into your family. May we, your children, truly be one on earth now, as we will be when we are a...

In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? — Psalm 118:5-6 Thoughts on Today's Verse... The beginning of the year is a trying time for people I care about. Maybe it's been that way for you or those you love. My prayer for you, and for them, is that they may know the comfort of God's presence. Whether it's the popular little poem " Footprints in the Sand " or the familiar "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me..." ( Psalm 23:4 KJV ). The presence of the LORD is absolutely vital to us if we are going to stand up for him and stand firm in the face of trial. The LORD does long to be with us, especially in those moments when we feel most alone and abandoned. He told us that by experiencing anguish himself and being alone on the cross. You can lean in, call upon, and have your hope in Jesus because h...

Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." — 1 Peter 1:15-16 Thoughts on Today's Verse... "Holy" is one of those words we generally associate with the "stained glass ghetto" - a word only "church folks" use around church buildings. That may be true, but it's still a great concept. Most kids know that you don't eat hot dogs and potato chips on your grandmother's china. Grandmother's china is reserved for "special company" or "special occasions." Hot dogs are for paper plates. China is for special events and occasions - special moments with special people we want to remember as special. When God is calling us to be holy, he's calling us to be china in a paper-plate world - something special just for him, and as Peter emphasizes, someone special who lives like him. My Prayer... Holy LORD, God Almighty, I come before you knowing how great th...

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not corrupt and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. — Matthew 6:19-20 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Where do you hide your heart? Jesus tells us that what we most value - what we consider our real treasure - is where we will find our heart. That's why asking the question is so important. So, where do you hide your heart? You see, we can treasure riches, control, security, and relationships - or a host of other things. However, Jesus reminds us that only by letting go of the things, the things that most of us keep as our treasures, will we find what is truly a lasting treasure. Video Commentary... ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer... Majestic Father, I pray that out of the riches of your grace, you will help me find m...

Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. — Amos 5:14-15 Thoughts on Today's Verse... A whole bunch of folks claim that God is on their side. In reality, the important question is whether or not we are on God's side! That's determined more by what we seek and do rather than what we think and say. God longs to be with us, but he will not sacrifice his character to extend us cheap grace, a grace that does not call us to be like him and act for the good of others in our world. He's looking for believers who put their character, concerns, and actions where their mouths are. My Prayer... Most holy God, your righteousness and holiness are beyond me. I know that my best efforts are only vain attempts to attain them on my own. Yet I long, dear Father, to be more like you and your Son in every way that it is humanly possible. So, dear Father, I pursue knowing J...

Be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. — Ephesians 5:1-2 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. If we are to sincerely flatter God by being like him. Such imitation may be the most costly form of flattery as well. You see, love for God is never something that occurs just in our minds or our hearts. Love is something we do for another - love demonstrates itself by its actions. John said that we must love in both our deeds and our words ( 1 John 3:16-18 ). Love means to give ourselves up - what we want, our rights, our desires - to honor God and serve others ( 1 John 4:7-10 ). This sacrificial love can change a marriage, a family, a friendship, a fellowship of God's people, and ultimately the world! as dearly loved children, let's live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us! My Prayer.....

Prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. — 1 Peter 1:13 Thoughts on Today's Verse... When Jesus came the first time, he came to reveal God ( John 1:18 ; Hebrews 1:1-3 ). As wonderful, powerful, and gracious as he was in his earthly ministry, he did not fully reveal all of who he is. Our hope is tied to his return. When he comes this time, he won't come to reveal God, but to reveal himself - the conquering LORD, the Rider on the white horse, our eternal Savior. Every knee will bow. We will get to see him as he really and fully is - Immanuel in power and grace, triumphant in every way. When we set our hope on Jesus' grace at his return, we can be confidently ready for active service to our king today. We can live under his leadership with obedience and praise today because we know that great tomorrow is coming! My Prayer... O Almighty God, I long for the day when I get to see Jesus face ...

Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. — Isaiah 1:16-17 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Do you find it easy to replace service to those in need with religious rituals? I know many sure seem to do so. However, God wants us not to get so caught up in talking about him and celebrating his deeds that we forget we're supposed to provide hands-on care for others. God loved us so much that he wasn't content just to send us words in a holy book; he also came to us personally as the Word incarnate in Jesus, Immanuel, God with us ( John 1:1-18 ; Hebrews 1:1-3 ; Matthew 1:23 ). In Jesus, God cared for people face-to-face with hands-on in love ( Mark 1:40-42 ). Whether it is Jesus defining his ministry ( Luke 4:18-19 ) or James talking about the kind of piety that pleases God ( James 1:26-27 ), we must realize that true faith always involves treating others as God would treat them ( 1 Joh...