Today's Verse - Romans 8:23

Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

—Romans 8:23

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The Holy Spirit, who lives in us, is our guarantee of a greater glory that is to come (2 Corinthians 1:22, 5:5; Ephesians 1:13-14). The Spirit comes as our promise of that future glory, the firstfruits of what is yet to be revealed in us (Romans 8:18). Our current state is only a foretaste of what lies ahead for us; we yearn to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling and to be at home with God (2 Corinthians 5:1-8). On that day, our waiting will be over, we will fully experience our adoption as God's beloved children, and our bodies of decay will be transformed into glorious, immortal bodies forever. Hallelujah! Come LORD and make this so, quickly!

My Prayer...

Dear Father, you have blessed me with so many wonderful blessings. I thank you for each and every one of them. At the same time, beloved Father, I do long to be brought into your presence in glory as your beloved child. The pain and heartache of the world, the fragility of my body, and my frustration with my own vulnerability to sin keep me longing for the day that your Son returns in glory and perfects me and gives me my new, glorious existence. Until that day, Father, please help me as I seek to live as your beloved and holy child. 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 - Romans 8:19

The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.

—Romans 8:19

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Eagerly waits! Don't you love that phrase! Sounds like an oxymoron, but it's not. Think of a groom waiting for his bride to come down the aisle. Eagerly waits! Imagine the parents of a child who is due to be born. Eagerly waits! Remember what it was like as a child waiting for Christmas morning. Eagerly waits! Yes, we know that experience and emotion, and that is what all creation - the cosmos so caught up with decay, disaster, and death - is doing right now! Eagerly awaits! And what is creation waiting for so eagerly? Our transformation and revelation as God's triumphant and glorious children when Jesus returns in all of his glory. Sounds pretty wonderful for a time and world like ours, doesn't it! So, on those bad days, disillusioning days, days of painful waiting, let's retrain our hearts to eagerly await the LORD's return, the healing of our broken cosmos, and our celebration of Jesus' victory.

Video Commentary...

ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos

My Prayer...

O LORD, God of all creation and source of all redemption, we long for the day that every tear is dried and our long bondage to decay is over. Please keep our hearts set on the glory that is to be revealed in us when Jesus returns. In the name of our LORD and Christ, 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 18:20

For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.

—Matthew 18:20

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

When are friends more than friends? When they gather in the name of Jesus, and he meets with them there. Matthew 18:6-25 is a powerful description of the kind of fellowship that exists when we truly follow Jesus and love our brothers and sisters as Jesus does. Forgiveness, discipline, restoration, rescue, and welcome mark such fellowship. They are also signs of Jesus' presence, because he is our great example and the power behind such fellowship. When two or three who share this kind of fellowship gather, Jesus IS present!

My Prayer...

Father, thank you for sending your Son, not just to minister on earth during his incarnation, but also to bless us with his presence during our fellowship while he is now at home with you in glory. Open our hearts to rejoice in Jesus' presence as we meet with brothers and sisters who share our faith and live in commitment to seek the best in each other's lives in fellowship and love. In the name of the LORD Jesus, 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.