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Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. — 2 Peter 1:5-8 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Wow! What a message. God wants us to be productive in our lives. He wants us to have more than just head knowledge; he wants us to put our knowledge to work in our lives and be effective and productive with it. I've got to make a genuine effort to grow in these qualities. While the Holy Spirit is doing God's work of transforming me to become like Jesus ( 2 Corinthians 3:18 ) and produce the fruit of the Spirit ( Galatians 5:22-23 ), God wants me to do my part and "make every effort" to grow in these qualities "in ...

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. — Romans 8:28 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Because Jesus is our LORD and Savior, God is in our lives. He is at work right now, undoing Satan's destructive messes and leading us into the relationships and places he wants us to go as his salt to season and preserve the world, and his light to shine in dark places and bring hope for a better future ( Matthew 6:13-16 ). This is true in everything we do and everywhere we go. This is true when we think things are good and when we feel like things are horrible. The key is for us to seek his purpose, to live his will, and share his grace. If that is our goal, then we can be sure of our God, and that he is with us every step of the way, working everything out for our eternal good, no matter how things might look moment to moment. Video Commentary... ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer... Thank yo...

He has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. — 2 Peter 1:4 Thoughts on Today's Verse... God made us to be like him in character and compassion. We are called to participate in the divine nature and are assured that we will be made ready to become like him when Jesus comes, and we see him as he is ( 1 John 3:1-2 ). Everything in our world is subject to corruption and decay. Even though our bodies are destined to decay, the living part of us will not because we are united with Jesus and awaiting the glory that will be revealed in us ( Romans 8:18-23 ; Colossians 3:1-4 ). Our response to these "very great and precious promises" is to follow Jesus as our Savior and LORD, wholeheartedly. My Prayer... Almighty God, my Everlasting Fortress, thank you for giving me your great and precious promises. I long to know you more fully, and to see your fa...

The Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. — Deuteronomy 7:9 Thoughts on Today's Verse... God is faithful to his promises and his people. He fulfilled every promise with a great "Amen!" in Jesus Christ ( 2 Corinthians 1:18-20 ). His covenant is far more than a set of agreements between a god and his people. God's covenant with us is a covenant of love. He will not forsake us or abandon us ( Hebrews 13:5-6 ; Romans 8:32-39 ). He will treat us better than we deserve, just as a loving parent treats a rebellious child better than she or he deserves. We must tune our hearts to beat in honor of God as our God. We must not treat him as a good luck charm, a bellhop to bring us our every wish, or our weekly guest we occasionally invite to visit in the margins of our otherwise busy lives. What we do must be done with an awareness and intention that what we have done has be...

In your hearts, set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. — 1 Peter 3:15 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Peter, the great apostle, is calling us to be ready and able to tell folks about the hope that Jesus has brought into our lives. This must be an "always readiness" because we don't know when the opportunity to share our hope may come our way. Two things are incredibly important as we share this hope: Our Credibility: Is Jesus really LORD of our hearts or not? The reality of our passion, or lack of passion, for Jesus' lordship in our lives will shine through in our daily lives, as well - the way we treat people, the language we use, our hope for the future, and our kindness to those who need grace. Our Character: Do we show gentleness and respect in the way we approach and treat others, especially those who question us? The goal is n...

God has saved us and called us to a holy life — not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. — 2 Timothy 1:9 Thoughts on Today's Verse... "Before the beginning of time!" How do you understand when that was? God first thought of us at a time we cannot even begin to imagine. His reason for thinking of us was to demonstrate his kindness, grace, and call in our lives and to bring others to his side. Jesus has always been God's plan, and we have always been his goal for that. Let's make sure we respond by living his holy life in our day-to-day world. My Prayer... Thank you so much, Father, for knowing me and thinking of my needs even before there was a world. I dedicate this day and every day that follows to your honor as I seek to live a life that reflects your righteousness, holiness, mercy, and grace. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen. The Thoughts and Prayer on ...