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If someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. — Galatians 6:1 Thoughts on Today's Verse... In a day when intervening in someone's life is no longer politically or socially correct, these verses ring out like a gunshot on a still night. Sin is still real and is just as deadly as ever. Yet because we fear being branded judgmental and self-righteous, we let many trapped in sin progress to their spiritual death ( Hebrews 2:1-3 ; 3:12-13 ; James 1:14-15 ). Paul calls us to nonjudgmental, gentle intervention because we recognize the gravity of sin and the sinner's need, without feeling arrogant about our righteousness. We approach the situation humbly because the phrase, "There but for the grace of God go I," applies to us. Nevertheless, love doesn't remain silent when someone's behavior is self-destructive, evil, and taking them to "hell in a handbasket," as the old sayi...

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. — James 1:5 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Wisdom is that elusive quality we respect in others but find so difficult to develop in ourselves. Yet God promises wisdom to those of us who genuinely ask for it. But remember the secret of A.S.K. asking we learned yesterday - asking, seeking, and knocking. Or better yet, check out what Solomon says about wisdom ( Proverbs 2:1-22 ). Wisdom is ours only if we seek it above all other possessions and value it above all other diversions. God longs to impart it, but there is something about spiritual wisdom that demands we value it before we can receive it. Video Commentary... ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer... Gracious giver of all good gifts, please bless me with wisdom today. Let me reflect your will and live for your glory in all my decisions - not just today, but moving forward in my li...

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." — Matthew 7:7-8 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Ask! So often, we're afraid to ask. To do so means we have to admit that we don't have all the answers and need someone else's help. Seek! Searching with effort, interest, and perseverance is necessary, and often difficult for us. Knock! In an era of doorbells, front door cameras, and instant access, this personal effort is a forgotten action. You see, God wants us to use the A.S.K. principle and bring our hearts before him and pursue him and his will. So let's not whine, complain, desire, and hope. Let's A.S.K. - ASK, SEEK, KNOCK - our Father for help and pursue his answers by asking, seeking, and knocking! My Prayer... Waiting Father, I am sorry that too often you only hear my whines, complaints, and con...

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit will reap eternal life. — Galatians 6:7-8 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Isn't it incredible how huge trees grow out of such tiny seeds! This principle runs throughout all of life. We can never completely get away from the seeds we sow. So let's not try to fool ourselves. We ARE going to reap what those seeds sow. Let's make sure the seeds we sow are the ones we want sprouting up! And as we sow to please the Spirit of God and not the world, let's remember we are going to harvest eternal life, and share that life with others. My Prayer... O Eternal God, who lived before time began and who will be the Great I AM when time is no more, please bless the seeds I sow with my life. May they bear righteous and gracious fruit to honor you and to bless those I love, and those who don't ...

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. — James 1:2-3 Thoughts on Today's Verse... "Hang in there!" There are few traits more important than perseverance - hanging in there. Most important accomplishments in life happen because of perseverance. Most "luck" occurs when we've persevered long enough for the "magical moment" to come along - in other words, I don't believe in luck. Edison said it best: life's most extraordinary feats, the world's most significant discoveries, and his own most fantastic inventions are "1% inspiration and 99% perspiration." Hang in there! Persevere! And do it with joy! Why? So you can see the glory of God come through for you and in you, not because of luck, but because of God's grace, love, and power partnered with your perseverance! My Prayer... Unchangeable and Unshakeable God, help me to ...

In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the prophets. — Matthew 7:12 Thoughts on Today's Verse... This verse is called "The Golden Rule"! It's golden because it's genuine, lasting, doable, understandable, and valuable. It's golden because it clearly and beautifully summarizes what God's Law teaches about how we should treat others. Imagine how different our world would be if we all practiced this principle - not just in our "church life" but in our daily life? If we practiced this Gold Rule with our family, our coworkers and employer, and with the people we manage, the folks on the freeway, in the neighborhoods where we drive, and toward the waiters and waitresses and others who serve us... Wow! What a wonderfully different world we would have! So, let's each start changing our world and making it a bit more golden today! My Prayer... Generous Father, you have blessed me with so many rich a...