Trailside Community Church

09/10/2026

Verse of the Day
for Thursday, September 10th, 2026

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This promise was originally made in Isaiah's day to the faithful remnant of God's people living among their corrupted and poisonous neighbors.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 Thessalonians 4:17-18).

My Prayer...
Thank you, our Father, for promising never to forget us. Because of your faithfulness to your children of old, we know we can trust your promises never to leave or abandon us, even when we are old. We trust that no matter where we are or where we go, you will go with us, sustain us, lead us, and carry us. In Jesus' name, we offer our heartfelt thanks as we anticipate our journey with you until we are home in your presence. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. Questions or comments can be sent to [email protected].

09/09/2026

Verse of the Day
for Wednesday, September 9th, 2026

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 Paul's concern as we age is that we are yielded to Jesus, so that God's transformative work in us makes us more valuable for his service and for those around us!

My Prayer...
Father, please strengthen my faith in Jesus as the Holy Spirit does your transforming work in me. Please help me gain better control of my passions, speech, example, temper, kindness, and habits. Help me put to death the things that would rob me of my spiritual passion and poison my influence for good for those around me. Please strengthen my faith as I seek to treat others lovingly and persevere in faith through difficult times. In Jesus' name, and for my transformation to be more like him, I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. Questions or comments can be sent to [email protected].

09/08/2026

Verse of the Day
for Tuesday, September 8th, 2026

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 kindness selfishly, only for my benefit. I submit my will to yours and ask you to lead and teach me to do your will. However, dear Father, I confess that I struggle at times with my own selfish and evil desires that lead me astray. Thank you for forgiving me and bringing me back to you. Please forgive me when my ears were shut to your will and your word. Forgive me when my heart was cold to you. Please take control of my life today. Have the Holy Spirit lead me and transform me to be more like your Son and my Savior, through whom I ask you to assert your will as God fully and lead me on your level ground. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. Questions or comments can be sent to [email protected].

09/07/2026

Verse of the Day
for Monday, September 7th, 2026

We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we present everyone perfect in Christ.
—Colossians 1:28

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 want him to be my Lord, not just in my words but also in my daily life. In addition, dear Father, please empower me with the Holy Spirit so I can better help others in Jesus' family, and help them mature into the roles you have for them, as you mature them into a more perfect example of their Lord. I pray this in the name of Jesus, my Lord and Savior. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. Questions or comments can be sent to [email protected].

09/06/2026

September 6, 2026 - "Chapter 1: Habit Shifting" (Galatians 1:6-10) with Pastor Dino

09/05/2026

09/05/2026

Verse of the Day
for Saturday, September 5th, 2026

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

—Matthew 28:18-20

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Last words matter! The last words of a parent to a child leaving for college... The last words of a loved one at the bedside of someone dying... The last words of a friend before moving to a distant place... Our last words are chosen with care because we know they leave a lasting impact on those who hear. They are important to us. We want those who hear them to know them and keep them. Jesus' last words are our authoritative marching orders for us as his disciples. These words are also very clear:�Make disciples of all peoples by...
* Going to all nations.
* Baptizing believers in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
* Teaching these new believers to obey what Jesus commanded.
This is the will of Jesus, our Lord. This is the will of our Lord, and as we obey his last words, he promises to be with us everywhere we go. We must not substitute easy and cheap replacements for Jesus' clear words of commission!

My Prayer...
Father, the one from whom all peoples derive their hope, please use your Spirit to rouse me to a passion for sharing your grace with others. Nudge me out of my safety zone. Move me through your empowering and sacrificial grace as you equip and lead me through the Holy Spirit. I want to help others come to know you and call on you as their Lord. By the power of your name, O Jesus, I ask this. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. Questions or comments can be sent to [email protected].

09/04/2026

Verse of the Day
for Friday, September 4th, 2026

What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you — guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
—2 Timothy 1:13-14

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
We live in a world of keys, locks, alarms, passwords, passkeys, and security systems. Paul's words shouldn't surprise us. We protect the things that are most valuable to us. So ask yourself, "What is more precious to me than the truth of God's saving grace in the Gospel, in faith?" Nothing. So thankfully, God has pre-wired each of us with a security system to help protect that incredibly precious hope. This security system lives in us and has given us God's Scriptures by inspiration. This security system is the Holy Spirit, given to us when we were born into God's family through the Spirit's work. So, let's value the Spirit's presence more. Let's ask for the Spirit's help more proactively as we pray and open the Scriptures. Let's listen and watch for the Spirit's gentle leading and nudges to help us find our way. And let's ask for the Holy Spirit's help in safeguarding what God has entrusted to us.

My Prayer...
Please help me, O God, not to compromise your truth. I don't want to stray into legalism or license. I want to live, and show others how to live, a holy life while trusting in the Holy Spirit's help to guide me, reveal your truth in Scripture, produce fruit consistent with your character, transform me to become more like Jesus, and open my eyes to your will. Please empower me by your Spirit to see through falsehood and error so I can safeguard, share, and live your truth. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. Questions or comments can be sent to [email protected].

09/03/2026

09/02/2026

Verse of the Day
for Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026

The earth is filled with your love, O Lord; teach me your decrees.
—Psalm 119:64

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Sometimes we get so caught up in the loving wonders of God's creation and the marvelous blessings of "the work of his hands" (Psalm 19:1, 111:7) that we forget to ask him to teach us his truths, help us understand his will, and give us the grace to live out his word in our daily lives. Let's not only worship God in awe for his majestic creation; let's also worship him by learning his will and living it in our daily lives (Romans 12:1-2).

My Prayer...

Holy and Precious Father, please teach me your truth. Lead me to your will. Guide me in your wisdom. I want my life and my choices to reflect your plan for me when you made me in my mother's womb.* I desire for my life to display your righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful lovingkindness. In the name of Jesus I ask these things. Amen.

* Psalm 139:13-16.
The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. Questions or comments can be sent to [email protected].