Today's Verse - 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

—1 Thessalonians 5:11

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

While Paul's exhortation here is excellent, it is the style of the exhortation we should especially notice. We live in an age where we are constantly pressured to emphasize the novel, new, or improved versions of things. But in our lives as Christians, our knowledge always exceeds our obedience - we very seldom live up to the truth we know, even though it is old truth and established truth. So, more often than we like to think, we need to remind each other of what we are doing that is right, good, obedient, and holy. Our words of affirmation and encouragement don't need to be elaborate or profound or novel or new. We can say, "Hey, you're doing well; just keep doing what you're doing! I know your Father in heaven is pleased with you!" Let's encourage each other and build each other up, as in fact some of us are already doing, and need to do so more and more.

Video Commentary...

ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos

My Prayer...

Faithful Father, thank you for noticing and keeping record of the things I've done that are good and pleasing to you. Thank you for choosing to forget those things you have forgiven me. Please help me to keep doing those things that please you, only help me do them better, more completely, so that you may be pleased and glorified. And, dear Father, help me see the good things others do, and encourage and affirm their goodness. I want to be the kind of disciple who catches people doing good things, then lets them know I appreciate them. In Jesus name and to become more JESUShaped, 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 - 1 Chronicles 29:11

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.

—1 Chronicles 29:11

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Praise is the direct address of God that lets him know we recognize him for who he is, what he has done, and what he is doing. But more than informing God of his greatness, praise is rejoicing before him in his greatness, while recognizing that not only is his grace without comparison, his majesty and might and holiness and faithfulness and righteousness and mercy and love and forgiveness and justice... are all without comparison. The LORD God is God. My praise is my thankful celebration and recognition of him as God, my God, the one and only true God, and let's him know I rejoice in him!

My Prayer...

Great and gracious God, the Holy One who is without anyone to compare. You and you alone are truly worthy of my best words, deepest thoughts, and greatest imaginings. I not only worship and submit to you, but I also rejoice that you are who you are, and that you have revealed yourself to us, your creations. I celebrate what you have done. I long for what you are yet to do. You are magnificent, my Father and my God. In the name of Jesus, and because of your matchless love, I praise you for all you are to me, and what more of you I have yet to discover. 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 - Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

—Proverbs 15:1

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Why is it so hard to endure unjust and unfair criticism? Why do we feel that we have to defend ourselves regardless of how ridiculous or unfair the accusations against us are? Why do we have to have the last word in any argument, or look to get even if we don't?
Often, the problems we have with others in an argument escalate because we do not choose "a gentle answer."
So, why do we not choose "a gentle answer"? These are the excuses I hear from others, and sometimes I make them myself:

• "I don't want to appear to be weak!"
• "I don't like to lose at anything!"
  
• "I don't want that person to have the last word!"
• "I resent the unfair things, the demeaning things, that person called me!"

When I look at these excuses - some of them are my excuses - the same pronoun appears again and again: the pronoun, "I." And what is in the middle of all sin? A great big ol' "I," always - sIn! We lose sight of saying what is in "the interests of others" (Philippians 2:3-4) and poison our influence on others because of our selfish, "I"-infected speech. In place of the "I" problem, let's focus on saying "only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (Ephesians 4:29). To do that means that we use "a gentle answer"!

My Prayer...

Precious and Holy God, please help me more carefully guard my speech from things you despise, especially gossip, slander, rage, malice, and meanness. I know that those ways of speaking and treating my brothers and sisters grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). I open my heart and close my mouth, inviting the Holy Spirit to produce the holy fruit of the Spirit in me. May this fruit be evident in me, especially when I speak and give "a gentle answer." Thank you. In Jesus name and by Jesus' grace, 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.