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, live, 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.

Today's Verse - John 12:26

Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

—John 12:26

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We can't out-serve, out-love, or out-give Jesus. He longs to bless us. He longs to pour out heaven's riches and grace upon us. Even more incredibly, he longs to honor us as his friends and younger brothers and sisters in God's family. When our lives are over, God the Father, LORD of the entire universe, will honor all who have served his Son and blessed others in Jesus' name! Jesus promised that the Father would bring us home to Himself, who will honor us! Unbelievable? No! It's just another example of God's incredible grace given to us in Jesus. And Jesus promised us:

Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

My Prayer...

Loving Father and Holy God, please help me follow the will of Jesus, obey his teachings, and serve others as he did when he was on earth. Father, I know I cannot earn your grace, but I want to follow Jesus. I want to serve others in his name. I want to help them find your grace in Jesus, too. So, I pray this in his name to honor 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.