Bible Verse for Today

And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

—1 Peter 5:1-4 (KJV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...​

What a wonderful blessing for God's people when their congregation is led by godly leaders who are loving shepherds. As much as we love these kinds of shepherds and follow them with respect as we honor their examples (Hebrews 13:7-8, 17, 24), we know that they will receive even greater appreciation from Jesus, the Chief Shepherd...

 

Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.

—Psalm 105:4 (KJV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...​

When we honestly evaluate where we use our time, how we spend our money, what we think about most frequently, and where we put forth our best efforts, what do we find? Is God our consuming passion? Is he our first love? Do we seek his presence always? God told his people, "Seek me and live..." (Amos 5:4, 6). Jesus' stepbrother, James, challenged us to "Come near to...

 

And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.

—Luke 4:43 (KJV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...​

When you think about the large cities of our modern world, what do you think about? Crime, traffic, high prices, big crowds, grime, and noise? Jesus sees them and passionately yearns for the lost people in those great cities to be saved! In case we miss Jesus' emphasis, Luke wrote the book of Acts to show us how the good news of...

 

Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.

—Proverbs 10:2 (KJV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...​

As my brothers and I grew up, our mom regularly reminded us that sin is often a false shortcut to a good thing. Ill-gotten treasures may seem like a shortcut to riches, but they are a trap. So, the Holy Spirit reminded us in this passage that ill-gotten riches are not the path to a bountiful and satisfying life. Lasting value — spiritual worth that...

 

Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

—Psalm 34:11 (KJV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...​

What better goal for a father or mother could there be? Even if you have no children of your own, or if your "own" children are grown, God gives you his children at your congregation so you can teach them to love, honor, and reverence their one and only heavenly Father. Jesus called us to make disciples who make disciples who make disciples (Matthew...

 

... that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

—2 Thessalonians 1:12 (KJV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...​

I can't think of a more lofty goal for today than that the name of Jesus be glorified in what we do and say. But then Paul took it a step further — we should find our glory by being identified with him! So may Jesus be glorified in each of us today, and may our glory be seen in...

 

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

—John 3:5 (KJV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...​

Water and Spirit — they track together as vital components in conversion and the new birth throughout the New Testament (Acts 2:38-41; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Titus 3:3-7). One is an act of submission and surrender. The other is a gift and reminder that only God can make us new by his power poured...

 

O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

—Jeremiah 10:23 (KJV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...​

While we may have goals and a sense of mission for our lives, our future is not ours to determine. We can plan, but we must always do so with the recognition that we do so to honor the LORD and fulfill his mission for us. We plan but understand that we live under God's will for us:

"Now listen, you who say, 'Today...

 

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

—Proverbs 9:10 (KJV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...​

We can look for wisdom from many worthless sources and in many futile places. Ultimate wisdom is found only when we intentionally humble ourselves before our incredible God, giving him the reverence and worship he deserves. When we do, we can be assured of this promise:

"For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come...

 

Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise; For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.

—Psalm 109:1-2 (KJV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...​

Satan has a way of discouraging us by using unscrupulous and evil people to spread lies and false rumors about us. This often occurs when we are most effective in our discipleship. We must not let the criticisms of wicked people derail our efforts to please...