Today's Verse - Jeremiah 29:13

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

—Jeremiah 29:13

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God wants us to seek him. In fact, he made us to seek after him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Matthew 22:37-38)! Unfortunately, we often seek God and the other things that distract us from him at the same time. We must never let anything detract from God having first place in our hearts. Only God is worthy of our full devotion and first devotion. If each of us seeks him with all of our heart, God has promised us that we will find him!

My Prayer...

Righteous God and Holy Father, please bless me with an undivided heart, one that seeks you as the first and ordering priority of my life. Forgive me, dear LORD, for letting other things distract my focus from you and interfere with my service to you. Please fill me with a holy passion for Kingdom matters above all other concerns and interests. Most of all, dear Father, I want to find you and have you in my life each day, so I seek after you. I seek after you to follow you and have you in my life. In Jesus' name, I ask for this grace. 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 - Acts 16:25

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

—Acts 16:25

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Falsely imprisoned, Paul and Silas were dragged and beaten by the crowd, beaten with rods, and then severely flogged — yes beaten three times (Acts 16:19-23). After this abuse, they were placed in prison, chained, and locked in stocks. Under such horrible circumstances, they managed to praise God in hymns and pray to their Father in Heaven. Under this kind of pressure, their faith caught the attention of the other hardened prisoners, who listened to them and were moved by their faith and praise. We must be reminded that over the years of Christian witness, some of the most effective times of evangelism happened because Christians, disciples of Jesus, remained faithful and joyous despite persecution and harassment. Nothing should limit our prayer and praise. God will use our worship under persecution to reach the hearts of those in the most difficult of places!

My Prayer...

Holy Father, in times of adverse reactions against me because of my faith, I pray that you will make me a loving, respectable, and forceful witness for Jesus. I ask this not so that I can boast, but so that others can more fully know your grace and come to Jesus to be saved. In the name of my Savior, 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.

Today's Verse - Jude 24-25

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy — to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

—Jude 24-25

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Two things I trust implicitly:

1. God's power and might.
2. My joy at getting to share in his presence forever.

My best efforts will always fall short, but God's grace is greater and more glorious than my best efforts! The faultlessness that I have when I stand before God will be based on his grace and mercy for me in Jesus. Jesus will present me as holy in God's sight, without blemish, and free from any guilt (Colossians 1:22). How can I not praise him from a thankful heart as I anticipate seeing him face to face in his glory?

Video Commentary...

ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos

My Prayer...

Father, you are gracious, you are glorious, and you alone are God! I praise you for what you have done in my life through your transforming Spirit. Please strengthen me and keep me in your care. I am confident about my salvation because of your greatness and grace. Fulfill your purposes in me, and please bring me to your throne of glory with great joy. In Jesus' name, I offer you my praise and this prayer. 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.