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For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men — the testimony given in its proper time. — 1 Timothy 2:5-6 Thoughts on Today's Verse... We do not need to have another human, no matter how mighty, pious, or special, to intercede for us before God. As God's children, we can go freely, knowing that God himself has provided the perfect mediator and intercessor between himself and us. That mediator is the Son, who is head of the Church, one with God himself, and our High Priest interceding before God on our behalf. His name is the man, Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, the Son, and our LORD, Savior, and brother, who ransomed us through the cross and who now lives to make intercession for us ( Hebrews 2:11-14 , 4:14-15 , 7:25 ; Acts 3:6 ). My Prayer... O God, you are my God, and I praise you for making access to you so freely available. I know that if left to my own worthiness, I would have no strength or righte...

My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. — Psalm 62:7 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Who we are, what becomes of us in life, and what we accomplish of significance are all in God's hands. We cannot achieve lasting honor for ourselves without his blessing. We cannot secure our future or our safety without his protection and blessing. The basis of all achievement and glory is dependent upon our willingly placing our lives in his care because he alone is permanent, eternal, and offers us life that is unending, with our future secure. Video Commentary... ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer... O God, you are my Rock, the Fortress of my life. I place myself in your care, willingly and dependently. Please take charge of my future and use me for your glory in that future. In you I take refuge, and on your strength I rely to make my days worthwhile and my life to make a difference in the world for Jesus. I seek you and your Kingdom a...

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him. — Philippians 1:29 Thoughts on Today's Verse... When we read the book of Acts, we find the disciples were "rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name" ( Acts 5:41 ). Since Jesus has already victoriously passed through the horrible ordeal of his crucifixion for us, we should consider it a privilege, not a hardship, to share in his sufferings. The truth of our commitment is often best shown to the skeptical when we are "under fire." So let's keep our character when under attack and rejoice because we've seen in Jesus what happens when God's children are faithful even at the cost of their lives. My Prayer... What a precious name you have given to your son, O LORD. May it be exalted in all the earth and throughout all the heavens, until every heart knows that Jesus the Messiah is the Son of God and LORD of the...

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. — 1 John 1:9 Thoughts on Today's Verse... We can be forgiven of our sins, all of them, forever. That's great news, but there's even better news. We can be purified of any stain or residue from our past sins. You and I can say, "I am forgiven and purified" - pure as if I had never sinned!" That's incredible: not only am I forgiven, but I'm also made clean and new again! Not only can I have a fresh start, but I can also have a clean slate. This gift is ours when we are honest with ourselves and with God by confessing our sins and turning from them. The word "confess" our sins means to share our sins with another believer and call what we've done by the same name God does. We recognize our sin and turn from it! When we do, new life awaits; let's refuse to hesitate! My Prayer... Forgiving Father, please forgive me today of...

The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 6:23 Thoughts on Today's Verse... When we face death because of sin, we're only being paid what we've earned. Sin is rebellion against God - the Father who loves us and the Son who gave up glory to endure the cross to redeem us from sin! Praise God, the Father's gift of eternal life is a free gift offered to us by grace, which we accept through faith in Jesus as our Savior and LORD! We could not earn it, deserve it, or demand it. God not only provided us with this gift, but also offered it to us in love. For us to spurn it or not receive it with passionate faith is to choose to receive what we've earned: The wages of sin is death..., but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. My Prayer... Thank you, God, for loving me when no one else could or would. Thank you for sacrificing the most precious gift of heaven so I could join you there as your child, yo...

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. — James 1:12 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Only Christians win at life. That's because none of us who are human has the power to hold back our greatest enemy, death ( Hebrews 2:14-15 ; 1 Corinthians 15:26 ). But when we have persevered, we are given the ultimate victory: THE CROWN OF LIFE, life that will not end ( Revelation 2:10 ). Because our lives are in the hands of the one who defeated death, death cannot separate us from our victory in Jesus Christ our LORD! As the apostle Paul emphatically proclaimed: When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin...