Today's Verse - Mark 5:19

Jesus did not let [the man from whom he had cast out a legion of demons] come with him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."

—Mark 5:19

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Amazingly, Jesus had given this formerly demonized man his life back. The Lord had powerfully delivered this formerly uncontrollable man from the power of Satan, demons, and the grave. How will this newly liberated man use the Lord's grace? He will tell those in his family what the LORD had done for him. Apparently, the man obeyed Jesus because many people were waiting for Jesus the next time the Lord came to this area! Should each of us share with our friends and family what the Lord has done in us, for us, and through us? YES!

My Prayer...

Father, bless me as I seek to share my faith and your salvation with those in my family and among my friends who have not yet called on Jesus as LORD and have not yet surrendered their lives to him. Help me not to push them farther away, but instead, help them see all the ways you have blessed my life. 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 - Luke 5:18

Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus.

—Luke 5:18

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

What is the best example of someone being a friend you have seen? The Bible offers numerous definitions and examples. One of my favorite examples is this story of the paralyzed man whose friends went to great extremes to get him to Jesus. When the crowd blocked their way to the Lord, they became creative and dug a hole in the roof to let their friend down to Jesus! Their faith and their effort to get him to Jesus ultimately resulted in the man's forgiveness and healing. I don't know about you, but that's the kind of friend I want to be — someone who will do anything to bring friends to Jesus to be blessed by him!

My Prayer...

Holy Father, please bless me as I try to lead my friends and acquaintances (speak the names of several non-Christian friends here) to Jesus. I want them to experience Jesus' saving power, loving grace, complete healing, and ultimate deliverance in Jesus. Please give me the tenacity and tact to do this with "gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15), never losing my sense of urgency to see them come to Christ. In Jesus' name, I ask for wisdom and urgency as I try to share Jesus. 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 - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

—2 Corinthians 5:17

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"New and Improved!" That should be stamped across the forehead of every Christian! When we come to Christ, he makes us new and cleanses us of all our sins. Incredibly, this grace can be "new every morning" (Lamentations 3:23) because of God's faithfulness and transforming power. God gives us the grace for this new life through his Holy Spirit. We are new and improved. We will continue to be that way until the Holy Spirit completely transforms us to be like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18) and we see the Father face to face in glory (1 John 3:2).

Video Commentary...

ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos

My Prayer...

Holy Father, have your way with my heart, will, life, and time. I want to yield myself to you so that you can make me new and improved. I don't want to be satisfied with how far you have brought me. No, dear Father, I want to become more like Jesus each day until I come home to you in glory. Thank you for your empowering grace. 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.