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Rejoice in the LORD always. I will say it again: Rejoice! — Philippians 4:4 Thoughts on Today's Verse... True and lasting joy is found in the LORD, not in temporary things, momentary achievements, or fleeting riches. True joy, abiding joy, unconquerable joy is found in knowing that God always accompanies, sustains, helps, protects, and upholds us, and then one day will come to include us in his forever home with us. How can we not rejoice? God loves us so much that he emptied heaven of his greatest treasure so that we can join him in glory and in never-ending joy. How can we be so sure of all of this? We remember the empty tomb, our risen Savior, and the LORD's disciples who met the risen Jesus and "disbelieved for joy" ( Luke 24:41-43 ). That disbelief, however, was swallowed up in unstoppable joy as Jesus ate some fish in front of them as they marveled at their resurrected Savior. My Prayer... Precious Father, thank you for always being there for us, with us, and i...

I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. — Psalm 121:1-2 Thoughts on Today's Verse... In a world of startling beauty and a universe of dazzling diversity, our hearts are to be drawn back to the One who made it, now sustains it, and reveals part of himself in his creative genius ( Romans 1:19-20 ; Psalm 8:1, 3-4 ). Our God has revealed himself as our Abba Father ( Romans 8:15-16 ), who knows us, will help us, and lives in us ( John 14:18, 21, 23 ). We can look on the created beauty of our universe and say with confidence, "My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth," who is also my Abba Father. Video Commentary... ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer... Almighty Creator, Incredible Architect and Majestic Engineer, your creative work absolutely bewilders and delights us. Being so beyond us, you astound us even more when we realize that you care for each o...

Even to your old age and gray hairs, I AM he, I AM he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. — Isaiah 46:4 Thoughts on Today's Verse... This promise was originally made in Isaiah's day to the faithful remnant of God's people living among their corrupted and poisonous neighbors. God wanted them, in their day, just as he wants Jesus' disciples in ours, to realize that he knows us, gave birth to us through his Spirit ( John 1:12-13, 8 ), and will never leave us or forsake us ( Romans 8:37-39 ; Hebrews 13:5-6 ). God will not forget us when we're in trouble or when we are old. We may outlive our friends and be forgotten by those who know us. God, however, will sustain, carry, protect, and rescue us ( Isaiah 46:3 ). And when our earthly journeys come to their end, the Father will send Jesus to rescue us, and "we will always be with the LORD. Therefore encourage one another with these words" ( 1 Thes...

Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance. — Titus 2:2 Thoughts on Today's Verse... "Worthy of respect": What a goal for our lives, whether we are a man or a woman! Don't you want your life to reflect the character of God because your faith expresses itself in a life that is temperate (reverent), self-controlled, faithful, loving, and steadfast? Paul wants Timothy to urge the older men to genuinely display these character qualities as they live in the presence of and have influence over others in the family of God. Such character is the work of the Spirit in our lives ( Galatians 5:22-23 ) and manifests only as we dedicate ourselves to pursuing Christ-likeness and offering ourselves to the Holy Spirit for God's transforming work in us ( 2 Corinthians 3:18 ). As we grow older, we often worry about securing our financial investments so we can live comfortably in our older years. The apostle...

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. — Psalm 143:10 Thoughts on Today's Verse... We want the Holy Spirit to be at work in us, transforming us to become more like Jesus ( 2 Corinthians 3:18 ). For this to happen, we must seek Jesus and open our hearts to God's will. There are no greater words God wants to hear than "teach me to do your will." That is what it means for him to be our God. We invite him to have control over our lives and influence over our wills. This is a key part of what it means for us to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength ( Matthew 22:37-38 ). As we open ourselves to the Father in this way, the Holy Spirit sets us on God's level ground and leads us on our journey home to our Father, maturing us to be more like Jesus, doing God's will. My Prayer... Almighty God, I want you to be God in and over my life. I renounce any attempt to manipulate or use your grace and kindne...

We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we present everyone perfect in Christ. — Colossians 1:28 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Our goal as Christians, as disciples of Jesus, is not to obey some ancient law, adhere to some arcane set of rules, or even follow some prescribed spiritual discipline. Our goal as Christians is to be conformed to the character, way of life, and heart of Jesus ( Luke 6:40 ). We want to be JESUShaped people. This is also the Holy Spirit's work in us ( 2 Corinthians 3:18 ). As Paul the apostle makes clear here and elsewhere ( Galatians 4:19 ), his goal is to see "Christ formed" in new disciples. Shouldn't this be our work as parents, friends, and spiritual mentors, too? We want to see each other, those we love, those we influence, and those in Jesus' family, fully and perfectly mature in Christ Jesus. My Prayer... Holy LORD, conform my heart, words, life, ministry, and actions to those of Jesus. I wan...