Today's Verse - Ephesians 1:9-10

He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment — to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

—Ephesians 1:9-10

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus is LORD! He's not just our LORD as Christians, but he is LORD of all (Acts 10:36). God's plan was "purposed in Christ"; centered on Christ coming at the right time (Romans 5:6; Galatians 4:4), to bring unity in Christ by making him LORD of all and to have everyone acknowledge his lordship (Philippians 2:9-11). This also brings God great pleasure. Jesus is both our Savior and our LORD. Our hearts seek to honor him because he has done so much for us. We also honor him as LORD because he is worthy of that honor. Those options, Jesus as Savior and LORD, are available to all people who come to him. So, let's ask ourselves, "What area of my life, my heart's priorities, and my secrets have I not submitted to his lordship?" Then, let's commit today to bringing these under Jesus' rule and authority!

Video Commentary...

ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos

My Prayer...

O Precious Father, I know my heart can be deceitful. Sometimes I even deceive myself. As I kneel in your presence today, I do so because I am convicted by your love, grace, and purpose for our world in Jesus - to bring everything under him and unify in him. As I consider these blessings, I realize those areas I have not yet fully submitted to your control and Jesus' lordship. Please, dear Father, use the Holy Spirit to show and convict me of my self-deceptions so that I may be wholly yielded to Jesus. In his name, Jesus, I yield and 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 13:5-6

Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

—Romans 13:5-6

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Ouch! Most of us hate taxes. But we should also admit that we enjoy many of the privileges and blessings those taxes provide. Paul reminds us in Romans 13 that civil authorities are God's tools to hold back anarchy, chaos, and lawlessness. Oh yes, I know, and Paul knew that some government officials abuse their positions. As Christians, most of us are immune, or should be, to most laws because our faith in Jesus and love for others are going to regulate our behavior far more strictly than any civil legal code. We obey them because we first obey Christ, who calls us to a higher standard. But I do have a responsibility - we "owe" it, Paul says, to our governments to be good citizens, respectful neighbors, and people who willingly honor those who have merited it and deserve it by law. Even when they don't, we are called to reflect the character, grace, and strength of Jesus and the righteousness that he calls us to live.

My Prayer...

Almighty God, I pledge my allegiance to you. You alone are Sovereign, Ruler, King, and God. Because you have called me to honor the government authorities, I will, as long as they do not call me to disobey or dishonor you. Because you have lavished your grace on me so richly, I commit to live today in a way that honors my allegiance to you. In Jesus' name, I pray to live up to these commitments. 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 3:6

He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant — not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

—2 Corinthians 3:6

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God "has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant." God has willingly entered into a new covenant of love, grace, and purpose with us, his adopted children. He sealed that covenant with the blood of his Son Jesus and LORD. Jesus poured out the Holy Spirit to give us the power to live the life of this new covenant.* God has made a covenant of love and grace with us. The Almighty has then turned around and made us worthy and "competent" to share that covenant with others. God's covenant with us is life-giving because it brings life to us and life to others, through us!

---

* The thoughts and prayer today are rooted in Paul's teaching in Romans 7 and Romans 8, Titus 3:3-7, and 2 Corinthians 3, which ends with these words:

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate and reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

My Prayer...

O holy and majestic God, thank you for your grace that has saved me from sin and has redeemed me from the law of sin and death. Thank you for sending the gift of your Son and for the Son giving me the gift of your Spirit so that I can live with you in a covenant of life, grace, and love. While I confess my weaknesses, I also commit to live to honor your sacrifice, love, and covenant with me. I pursue Jesus, knowing that he is at work through the Spirit to transform me to live under this new covenant. I trust that you will empower me to be what you are calling me to be as I live in covenant with you. In Jesus' name, I pray and give thanks. 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.