Today's Verse - James 4:15

Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."

—James 4:15

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

While I like to have choices and must be responsible for my own decisions, I am genuinely thankful that the LORD allows me to submit my life to his will and entrust my future to him. The Father is at work in me to do his will (Philippians 2:13) and to work for my best good (Romans 8:28). So, I gladly acknowledge that my plans are subject to his will. I appreciate that my goals and successes are in the LORD's hands. I have also found that what I often wanted in the immediate moment wasn't the right decision. Pausing and seeking the LORD's will has saved me from many impulsive or selfish decisions with undesired consequences. I gladly proclaim that what lies ahead for me can be summarized by one phrase I joyfully accept: "If the LORD wills!"

My Prayer...

Thank you, Abba Father, that my life and my future are in your hands. Forgive me for the times that my plans are too full of myself or not consciously dependent upon you. Thank you for rescuing me from the messes I have made because of my failed plans built around my own foolish arrogance and selfishness. Dear Father, I gladly place my plans, my life, and my future in submission to your will. In Jesus' holy name, and by his power, 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 8:35-37

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

—Romans 8:35-37

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

More than conquerors! What a great phrase. Conquerors are what we are in Jesus. In fact, Paul says, "we are MORE than conquerors through him who loved us." No hardship, enemy, physical disaster, not even death, can separate us from Jesus. Once our lives are joined to Jesus (Colossians 2:13-15), our future is tied to Jesus (Colossians 3:1-4). We are conquerors bound to share in our Savior's conquering glory!

My Prayer...

Almighty God, I do not know how to thank you properly and fully. You have blessed me with a new identity and fresh confidence because of Jesus. So, dear Father, please accept my thanks for your gifts of grace, your indwelling Spirit within me, and your promises of heaven. Thank you for your love that has saved and remade me. Thank you for assuring me that I will never be alone no matter what I have to face. Most of all, dear LORD, thank you for your promise that nothing has the power to strip me from your love for me in Jesus. I thank you in Jesus' name. 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 6:13

Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.

—Romans 6:13

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We come to today's message after this past week of verses about being forgiven, purified, cleansed, and made holy. This long verse boils down to a very simple message: We are to glorify God through what we do with our bodies. We were dead in our sins, but God has made us alive through our participation with Jesus in his saving death, burial, and resurrection. How can we go back to the hideous sins that mastered us and led us to death? We shouldn't! We mustn't! And by God's gracious help, we won't. Our commitment to live for his glory and the power of the Holy Spirit will help us live for him and transform us with increasing glory to be like our Savior, Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Video Commentary...

ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos

My Prayer...

Father, God of grace, please forgive me for the times in my past when I flirted with sin. I know how much you paid to redeem me from my sin. I know the power of Satan to use sin to entrap and enslave me. Bless me as I commit to living for you, with Jesus as my LORD, and the Spirit as your empowering presence within me. I ask for this grace, in Jesus' name. 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.