Today's Verse - Romans 5:3-4

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

—Romans 5:3-4

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

What are you living to produce with your life?

Wealth, fame, status, significance, legacy?

How about character?

Isn't having the character of God our real goal in life?

Perseverance, character, and hope can help us forge a stronger faith as we live for Jesus under the pressure and heat directed at us from the evil one and his demonic forces of evil. Even in our suffering, hardships, and persecution, nothing can steal our desired goal from us — developing the character of God as we live for Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit are transformed to become JESUShaped (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).

My Prayer...

Dear Father, please empower us as we seek to live consistently with your holy character in our fallen world. Please give us hearts of courage and compassion so we can more clearly demonstrate your grace and power as you transform us into disciples of courage, honor, and compassion. In Jesus' name, we 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 5:1-2

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

—Romans 5:1-2

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Justified, peace, access, grace, hope, and glory are wonderful gifts! Each of these gifts is ours because of One — One reason, One person, and One LORD: Jesus Christ, the Son of God and our Savior. Our faith in Jesus opens the door for us to rejoice in our assured hope of sharing in God's glory. In troubling times, this hope is precious. In good times, this hope promises us even greater things. In every circumstance, this assured hope can empower us to live for Jesus to the glory of God!

Video Commentary...

ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos

My Prayer...

We praise you, LORD Jesus, for all you've done to bless us with your salvation. We praise you, dear LORD, for your promise to return and invite us to share in your full, unveiled glory. We pray that you speed that day to come soon. As we wait, Father, please purify and make us useful for your service, to the glory of Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, our mediator, we 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 - Proverbs 10:11

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.

—Proverbs 10:11

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Do you want to know the difference between a righteous person and a wicked one? Simple! Jesus said to check the fruit of their life. One of the most visible forms of fruit in peoples' lives is found in the way they talk, how they talk, and their empathy as they talk. Righteous people find ways to impart life through what they say. The wicked reveal themselves by what they say and how they say it. In a social-media-dominated world filled with vitriol, sarcasm, and bitterness, this is a prover we must heed!

My Prayer...

O LORD God, please hear my cry as I repeat the words of the Psalmist as my earnest prayer to you:

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.*

In the name of Jesus, I ask this. Amen.

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* From Psalm 19:14 ESV. 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.