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He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. — Isaiah 53:5-6 Thoughts on Today's Verse... As we did yesterday, today we look at one of Isaiah's four Servant Songs ( Isaiah 42:1-9 , 49:1-7 , 50:4-9 , 52:13-53:12 ) that speak of the coming of God's servant Messiah, whom we know as Jesus, our LORD and Savior. I don't know how Jesus could stand up under the weight of his divine assignment as Messiah and Suffering Servant, but he did for you and me. This servant song ( Isaiah 52:13-53:12 ) emphasizes what Jesus endured and carried, along with the weight of his cross. He carried my sin, your sin, our sin with him to the cross. He allowed the weight of our sins to be placed upon him so that we would not have to bear the consequences of the...

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and he carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. — Isaiah 53:3-4 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Jesus was everything, created everything, and gave up everything to become nothing for you and me ( Philippians 2:5-8 ). Most of the people on earth he came to save didn't recognize him or accept him when he was here. Many in the crowds just assumed he deserved what he got, crucifixion. Most did not repent. But there was something about Jesus' self-sacrificing story, self-emptying story that grabs our hearts and calls us, God's lost children, home. On our journey home, we not only find him to be our Savior, but also the servant promised by God through Isaiah the prophet ( Isaiah 42:1-9 , 49:1-7 , 50:4-9 , 52:13-53:12 ), God's Son...

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. — 2 Corinthians 5:21 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Righteousness! That's what we are. We are not just righteous. No, it is much bigger than that. We are God's righteousness. Before Jesus, and without Jesus, no one is righteous ( Romans 3:21-24 ). Now, however, we find our righteousness in him ( Philippians 3:9 ). We are the testimony of how holy and gracious God truly is because of Jesus ( Ephesians 2:1-9 ). God provided the sacrifice for our sins, and now his righteousness has re-created us in Christ Jesus to do good works for him in our broken world ( 2 Corinthians 5:17 ; Ephesians 2:10 ). Altogether, this is God's righteousness, and that's what he has made us, his righteousness in Jesus! My Prayer... Thank You, Almighty God, for making me righteous by the blood of your Son's death. May people see a reflection of your holiness, justice, and mercy in me, as I t...

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men — the testimony given in its proper time. — 1 Timothy 2:5-6 Thoughts on Today's Verse... We do not need to have another human, no matter how mighty, pious, or special, to intercede for us before God. As God's children, we can go freely, knowing that God himself has provided the perfect mediator and intercessor between himself and us. That mediator is the Son, who is head of the Church, one with God himself, and our High Priest interceding before God on our behalf. His name is the man, Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, the Son, and our LORD, Savior, and brother, who ransomed us through the cross and who now lives to make intercession for us ( Hebrews 2:11-14 , 4:14-15 , 7:25 ; Acts 3:6 ). My Prayer... O God, you are my God, and I praise you for making access to you so freely available. I know that if left to my own worthiness, I would have no strength or righte...

My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. — Psalm 62:7 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Who we are, what becomes of us in life, and what we accomplish of significance are all in God's hands. We cannot achieve lasting honor for ourselves without his blessing. We cannot secure our future or our safety without his protection and blessing. The basis of all achievement and glory is dependent upon our willingly placing our lives in his care because he alone is permanent, eternal, and offers us life that is unending, with our future secure. Video Commentary... ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer... O God, you are my Rock, the Fortress of my life. I place myself in your care, willingly and dependently. Please take charge of my future and use me for your glory in that future. In you I take refuge, and on your strength I rely to make my days worthwhile and my life to make a difference in the world for Jesus. I seek you and your Kingdom a...

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him. — Philippians 1:29 Thoughts on Today's Verse... When we read the book of Acts, we find the disciples were "rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name" ( Acts 5:41 ). Since Jesus has already victoriously passed through the horrible ordeal of his crucifixion for us, we should consider it a privilege, not a hardship, to share in his sufferings. The truth of our commitment is often best shown to the skeptical when we are "under fire." So let's keep our character when under attack and rejoice because we've seen in Jesus what happens when God's children are faithful even at the cost of their lives. My Prayer... What a precious name you have given to your son, O LORD. May it be exalted in all the earth and throughout all the heavens, until every heart knows that Jesus the Messiah is the Son of God and LORD of the...

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... We can be forgiven of our sins, all of them, forever. That's great news, but there's even better news. We can be purified of any stain or residue from our past sins. You and I can say, "I am forgiven and purified" - pure as if I had never sinned!" That's incredible: not only am I forgiven, but I'm also made clean and new again! Not only can I have a fresh start, but I can also have a clean slate. This gift is ours when we are honest with ourselves and with God by confessing our sins and turning from them. The word "confess" our sins means to share our sins with another believer and call what we've done by the same name God does. We recognize our sin and turn from it! When we do, new life awaits; let's refuse to hesitate! My Prayer... Forgiving Father, please forgive me today of...

The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 6:23 Thoughts on Today's Verse... When we face death because of sin, we're only being paid what we've earned. Sin is rebellion against God - the Father who loves us and the Son who gave up glory to endure the cross to redeem us from sin! Praise God, the Father's gift of eternal life is a free gift offered to us by grace, which we accept through faith in Jesus as our Savior and LORD! We could not earn it, deserve it, or demand it. God not only provided us with this gift, but also offered it to us in love. For us to spurn it or not receive it with passionate faith is to choose to receive what we've earned: The wages of sin is death..., but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. My Prayer... Thank you, God, for loving me when no one else could or would. Thank you for sacrificing the most precious gift of heaven so I could join you there as your child, yo...

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. — James 1:12 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Only Christians win at life. That's because none of us who are human has the power to hold back our greatest enemy, death ( Hebrews 2:14-15 ; 1 Corinthians 15:26 ). But when we have persevered, we are given the ultimate victory: THE CROWN OF LIFE, life that will not end ( Revelation 2:10 ). Because our lives are in the hands of the one who defeated death, death cannot separate us from our victory in Jesus Christ our LORD! As the apostle Paul emphatically proclaimed: When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin...

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. — Ephesians 6:10-11 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Many of the struggles in our lives are not mere accidents! Many of them are not put there by God. Our challenges often come from the hand of our enemy, the evil one, the liar and murderer from the beginning ( John 8:44 ). He is always prowling about looking for the best scheme ( 2 Corinthians 2:11 ) to knock us down and devour us as he weakens our commitment to and relationship with the LORD Jesus ( 1 Peter 5:8 ). We are in a war with this evil one - a struggle not with flesh and blood, but against spiritual powers ( Ephesians 6:12 ). By placing ourselves firmly in the hands of the LORD and using his tools of warfare enables us overcome our enemy in the name of Jesus and by the blood of his cross ( Colossians 1:20 ), because Jesus humiliated the evil one and his minions in the triumph over evil ...

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought. — Jeremiah 17:7-8 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Trust. Can we really trust in God? Is the LORD really faithful? While we may wish we had been alive when Jesus walked the earth or when Jeremiah spoke God's hard truth fearlessly, we are especially blessed to be alive today. We stand at the end of an incredible stream of God's redemptive work and faithfulness to his promises. We can look at history and know him to be profoundly faithful to his people. We see the Father honoring the Son's trust with great power demonstrated in Jesus' resurrection and the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost. This power is available to us through the Holy Spirit ( Acts 1:8 , 2:32-36 ). This same power is available to us today through ...

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. — 1 Peter 2:2-3 Thoughts on Today's Verse... A newborn child is a special treasure! Messy? Loud? But a special treasure, nonetheless. However, we know something is horribly wrong when a child does not grow and mature as he or she should. Arrested development in a physical child is the cause of great concern. The Holy Spirit also reminds us that stunted growth in our spiritual lives should not occur and should be a cause of even greater concern ( Hebrews 5:14 ; 6:1-3 ; 1 Corinthians 14:20 ). God does not want us to remain immature! He wants us to continue to grow and mature in the direction of Jesus' righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful lovingkindness ( Colossians 1:28-29 ). Our Father wants us to crave what is good and what builds others up, and find ourselves growing to become like Jesus. So, what are you going to do...

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. — Galatians 5:22-23 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Many religious groups offer various ways to know whether you have the Holy Spirit. Jesus has one simple answer: "By their fruit you will know them" ( Matthew 7:16 ). Paul gives us the definition of God's holy fruit - LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL. These qualities come to life in us as good fruit that comes as a sign of the Spirit's work in our lives. Now, why not repeat them out loud and ask the LORD to make this fruit yours in full measure through the power of the Holy Spirit, the gift the Father gives to those who ask ( Luke 11:13 ). My Prayer... Abba Father, through the Spirit, I call upon you, knowing you are interceding for me, O Holy Spirit ( Romans 8:26-27 ). Please fulfill in me the character you posse...

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. — Romans 15:13 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Hope, joy, and peace sound terrific. The problem for us as mere mortals is that we live on a flawed planet with flawed people and with tendencies to go to war with each other. How are we going to find hope, joy, and peace? We for sure won't find them in the sloganeering, the sappy marketing version of hope, joy, and peace we hear from people with simplistic solutions that don't work in the real world. We need answers from someone who has lived with the grit of the real world, experienced the highs and lows that mortality brings, and yet still managed to live with hope, joy, and peace. That someone is Jesus, who loved deeply, gathered people to himself openly, blessed powerfully, and could calm raging seas or endure the worst kind of torture with grace and forgiveness! Two moves are vital for ...

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. — Psalm 23:1-3 Thoughts on Today's Verse... "He restores my soul." My, that sounds so good, doesn't it? But David's shepherd psalm ( Psalm 23:1-6 ) and Jesus' promises as our Good Shepherd ( John 10:14-15 ) are far more than sweet religious talk. When we've reached that point where we don't think we can continue, our Shepherd blesses us with the strength so that we can keep on walking. When we're in a struggle and things are tough, his power upholds us, so we run and not grow weary. When we're winning victories in his name, we can soar on wings like eagles because he supports and sustains ( Isaiah 40:28-31 ). God the Son is our good Shepherd who loves us, sustains us, nourishes us, stills us, and restores us. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he lead...

As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. — Colossians 3:12 Thoughts on Today's Verse... "I wonder what we should wear to that meeting?" This is an expected question when we are invited to an event or an occasion of great honor. In this passage, Paul reminds us to put on the set of clothing that is always in style, especially with God. We should clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience! We wear this clothing because we are special. We are God's chosen people who are holy and dearly loved. This clothing is from the Ultimate Designer's "Godly Character Collection." We should best wear it when with other people, and when we are alone by ourselves, and we think no one is looking. These qualities are hard to wear, but always a blessing to those who meet us when we're decked out in this wardrobe. Our prayer is that when we put on t...

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "... It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. ... Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." — Acts 4:10-12 Thoughts on Today's Verse... "Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! There's just something about that name!"* The words to the song are right. Salvation from our broken world and our warped nature is found in no one else except Jesus. He is our Savior because he was willing to come to this world, bear our limitations, endure the shame of the cross, carry the weight of our sin, and then triumph over all of it to bring us grace ( Philippians 2:6-11 ). We wholeheartedly agree: "Salvation is found in no one else"! My Prayer... Through the precious name of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, my LORD, I thank and praise you, God Most High. Yo...

Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. — 2 Peter 1:5-8 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Wow! What a message. God wants us to be productive in our lives. He wants us to have more than just head knowledge; he wants us to put our knowledge to work in our lives and be effective and productive with it. I've got to make a genuine effort to grow in these qualities. While the Holy Spirit is doing God's work of transforming me to become like Jesus ( 2 Corinthians 3:18 ) and produce the fruit of the Spirit ( Galatians 5:22-23 ), God wants me to do my part and "make every effort" to grow in these qualities "in ...

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. — Romans 8:28 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Because Jesus is our LORD and Savior, God is in our lives. He is at work right now, undoing Satan's destructive messes and leading us into the relationships and places he wants us to go as his salt to season and preserve the world, and his light to shine in dark places and bring hope for a better future ( Matthew 6:13-16 ). This is true in everything we do and everywhere we go. This is true when we think things are good and when we feel like things are horrible. The key is for us to seek his purpose, to live his will, and share his grace. If that is our goal, then we can be sure of our God, and that he is with us every step of the way, working everything out for our eternal good, no matter how things might look moment to moment. Video Commentary... ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer... Thank yo...

He has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. — 2 Peter 1:4 Thoughts on Today's Verse... God made us to be like him in character and compassion. We are called to participate in the divine nature and are assured that we will be made ready to become like him when Jesus comes, and we see him as he is ( 1 John 3:1-2 ). Everything in our world is subject to corruption and decay. Even though our bodies are destined to decay, the living part of us will not because we are united with Jesus and awaiting the glory that will be revealed in us ( Romans 8:18-23 ; Colossians 3:1-4 ). Our response to these "very great and precious promises" is to follow Jesus as our Savior and LORD, wholeheartedly. My Prayer... Almighty God, my Everlasting Fortress, thank you for giving me your great and precious promises. I long to know you more fully, and to see your fa...

The Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. — Deuteronomy 7:9 Thoughts on Today's Verse... God is faithful to his promises and his people. He fulfilled every promise with a great "Amen!" in Jesus Christ ( 2 Corinthians 1:18-20 ). His covenant is far more than a set of agreements between a god and his people. God's covenant with us is a covenant of love. He will not forsake us or abandon us ( Hebrews 13:5-6 ; Romans 8:32-39 ). He will treat us better than we deserve, just as a loving parent treats a rebellious child better than she or he deserves. We must tune our hearts to beat in honor of God as our God. We must not treat him as a good luck charm, a bellhop to bring us our every wish, or our weekly guest we occasionally invite to visit in the margins of our otherwise busy lives. What we do must be done with an awareness and intention that what we have done has be...

In your hearts, set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. — 1 Peter 3:15 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Peter, the great apostle, is calling us to be ready and able to tell folks about the hope that Jesus has brought into our lives. This must be an "always readiness" because we don't know when the opportunity to share our hope may come our way. Two things are incredibly important as we share this hope: Our Credibility: Is Jesus really LORD of our hearts or not? The reality of our passion, or lack of passion, for Jesus' lordship in our lives will shine through in our daily lives, as well - the way we treat people, the language we use, our hope for the future, and our kindness to those who need grace. Our Character: Do we show gentleness and respect in the way we approach and treat others, especially those who question us? The goal is n...

God has saved us and called us to a holy life — not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. — 2 Timothy 1:9 Thoughts on Today's Verse... "Before the beginning of time!" How do you understand when that was? God first thought of us at a time we cannot even begin to imagine. His reason for thinking of us was to demonstrate his kindness, grace, and call in our lives and to bring others to his side. Jesus has always been God's plan, and we have always been his goal for that. Let's make sure we respond by living his holy life in our day-to-day world. My Prayer... Thank you so much, Father, for knowing me and thinking of my needs even before there was a world. I dedicate this day and every day that follows to your honor as I seek to live a life that reflects your righteousness, holiness, mercy, and grace. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen. The Thoughts and Prayer on ...

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all of our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. — 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Thoughts on Today's Verse... We have been comforted by God the Spirit, our Advocate, Comforter, and Helper, who lives in us ( John 14:18, 26-27 ). Now, we should be able to comfort others. God doesn't bless us with his presence and the comfort of his Spirit just because we are somehow better than everyone else. No, he comforts us to equip, empower, encourage, and comfort others. God has human hands, but they only work when our hands are used for his glory and to comfort others. My Prayer... Tender Shepherd, there have been times when I was so broken I could not go on. I know my strength to continue in those times came from your rich grace and mercy. Please use me this week to offer your comfort and love, your ri...

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. — Psalm 139:23-24 Thoughts on Today's Verse... God does know us. We cannot pretend we are something we are not with him. He knows us - inside and out, through and through, from beginning to end. Knowing this should liberate us to share a remarkable degree of intimacy and honesty with him. Unfortunately, many of us run from such a close relationship with our Father. If our desire, however, is to become more like him, the only way to be transformed is by inviting him in to look at our hearts, our motivations, and our desires so that our Father can lead us in his everlasting way of mercy, grace, and love, as we journey home to him. He knows us. Let's invite him to search us and mold us as he makes us his, new, fresh, and holy every day! My Prayer... O God, I know you search and examine hearts and minds ( Jeremiah 17:10 ; 20:12 ; Ps...