Today's Verse - Matthew 12:29

"Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house."

—Matthew 12:29

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus is quoting a popular truism in his day, using this "strong man" saying to refer to his own power over the evil one. Satan may be the strong man who has claimed us through our sin, but Jesus broke into the stronghold of the evil one and delivered us to freedom. Jesus is far stronger than evil, death, and hell. Through the cross, our Savior bound the strong man and then robbed him of us! He did this by becoming human and facing death with complete obedience to God. The LORD then rose from the dead, defeating sin, the evil one, death, and hell, giving us new life! Praise God! Jesus broke into the Strong Man's house. He overpowered him and bound him. What did he bring out of the strong man's house? Treasure, of course! And that treasure is us!!

My Prayer...

Thank you, LORD Jesus, for rescuing me from the dominion of darkness and ushering me into your victorious Kingdom of Light accomplished by you, the Son of your love!* Amen.

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* From Colossians 1:13-14.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 12:28-29

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire."

—Hebrews 12:28-29

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Every earth-made empire will eventually topple, and every man-made structure will decay and fall. God, however, has given us a kingdom that can't rust, spoil, or fade, kept in heaven for us. What will we do in response to this great gift? Worship with reverence and awe! The Holy Spirit isn't talking about worship in a church building. Our worship in reverence and awe is what we do in our daily lives. We worship by...

• Keeping on loving each other as brothers and sisters (Hebrews 13:1).
• Offering hospitality to strangers (Hebrews 13:2).
• Remembering and caring for those in prison and those who are mistreated (Hebrews 13:3).
• Honoring marriage among us and keeping our marriage beds pure by keeping ourselves free from sexual immorality (Hebrews 13:4).
• Learning to be content with what we have and keeping our lives free from the love of money (Hebrews 13:5).
• Honoring godly leaders as we imitate the holy things we see in their lives (Hebrews 13:7).
• Keeping ourselves away from novel and strange teachings (Hebrews 13:8).
• Following Jesus despite opposition, willing to bear disgrace for him (Hebrews 13:13).
• Offering God the sacrifice of our praise through Jesus as we profess our allegiance to God (Hebrews 13:15).
• Remembering to do good and sharing with others (Hebrews 13:16).

Is this really the worship we are to offer with reverence and awe? Yes, because God is pleased with this worship in our daily lives (Hebrews 13:16).

My Prayer...

All praise and adoration be yours, O great King of the Ages. Thank you for giving me a place in your incomparable, indestructible, and unconquerable Kingdom. In Jesus' name, I worship, love, and praise you. 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 Corinthians 12:27

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

—1 Corinthians 12:27

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

What part of the Body are you? What's your function? What's your purpose? How are you blessing others in the Body of Christ? Who is someone in Jesus' Body who serves others but also needs your encouragement and praise? Who are people who feel neglected and lonely in Jesus' Body who need your love shown to them? Remember, the human body looks after its parts and members because each is vital to properly functioning. The same is true with Jesus' Body. That means you are essential to your congregation. It also means you are crucial for Jesus' church to function as the LORD's bodily presence in our broken world that desperately needs his love!

Video Commentary...

ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos

My Prayer...

Father, thank you for making me a part of something so precious, so incredible, as the bodily presence of the LORD Jesus. Please help every person in our church family find their gifts and use them to touch others with your grace, build up Jesus' Body, and bring you glory. 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.