Today's Verse - Romans 14:8

If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

—Romans 14:8

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We are the LORD's care. We submit our lives to him because he bought us out of bondage to sin and death and brought us into his eternal family of grace. We have voluntarily placed our lives into his hands. No matter what we do or where we go, his grace goes with us. He has promised never to leave us (Hebrews 13:5-6). He has assured us that nothing can separate us from his love (Romans 8:32-39). So let's live with a sense of excited anticipation, looking to see where the LORD will lead us next. Let's face our difficulties, trials, and even death, with the assurance that we will not face tough times alone or forever. The glory we anticipate is far greater than any of our trials (Romans 8:19). Even as we walk in the dark shadows of death, we don't have to fear what the evil one and his minions can do to us. Our LORD is with us to guide us, protect us, and bring us home (Psalm 23:4-6). We are the LORD's!

My Prayer...

Father, thank you for sending your Son to redeem me. LORD Jesus, thank you for coming to earth, paying the price for my sin, and sending the Holy Spirit to be your presence in me. Take my life and use it to your glory. May my faith never fail in the face of life's worst challenges. I pray that as I live and when I die, that you, O LORD, will always be glorified in me. I genuinely believe that whether I live or die, I am yours, O LORD. In Jesus' name, I rejoice in this truth. 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 9:7

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

—2 Corinthians 9:7

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God is working in us to conform our character and will to be like his own. God is a giver. God finds delight in generously blessing us. When we praise God for his grace, we are praising him for his gracious gift of love given to us in Jesus. He's a giver! Now he asks us to be like him: to be generous and full of grace. Giving is not an arbitrary task imposed on us to fund our churches and ministries; instead, giving is part of our character transformation as we become more and more like God. Giving to others in need and to the work of the Kingdom is one of the most genuine ways we demonstrate our allegiance, dependence, and participation in the gracious work of God. We are most like God when we give... lovingly... cheerfully! Remember how the most famous verse in the Bible begins? "For God so loved the world that he GAVE..."

Video Commentary...

ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos

My Prayer...

Father, please forgive me for the times I have been miserly with the abundance you have shared with me. Open my heart to the richness of your generosity. Use me as a conduit of your generous blessings, bringing them to others. I know that all I have is yours. Please help me use it as you would, lovingly and generously sharing it with others. In Jesus' name, I yearn to be gracious and generous like you, my Father. 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 - Hebrews 13:6

So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

—Hebrews 13:6

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

How can we be confident in what happens today?
What is our assurance for tomorrow?
Where do we muster excitement about eternity?

The LORD is our helper! Fear will not be our master because our future, our destiny, our eternity rest in the hands of the eternal LORD. The worst that man can do is to send us home to our LORD, who will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6). Nothing the evil one can do can separate us from our Father's love (Romans 8:32-39). We say with confidence, "The Lord is our helper; we will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to us?"

My Prayer...

Almighty God, my Father and my helper, I place my trust in you. As the Alpha and Omega, the God who is the great I AM, I trust you for all my tomorrows and rest my dependence in you and your unfailing love. In Jesus' name, I rely on you and praise you for your never-failing love. 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.