Bible Verse for Today

"And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD."
— Ezekiel 38:23 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse..."They will know that I am the LORD," is a familiar refrain in Ezekiel's prophecies. Here it is also a horrifying one to his people who have been rebellious, sinful, and wicked. God is holy. The people who claim him as their God had better reflect that glory and greatness. They had better...

 

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
— James 4:7 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Let's admit it. Most of us would like for spiritual growth to be easy. We want our ability to withstand tempation to require little effort. We want the Holy Spirit to do the work and God to protect us from too much stress and strain. Thankfully, God does empower us through his Holy Spirit. However, he does remind us that for the Spirit to work powerfully in our...

 

Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
— John 17:3 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Eternal life begins, now! That is one of Jesus' messages in the Gospel of John. For sure, we don't get to enjoy all of the blessings that await us when we go home to the Father. But, Jesus wants us to know and to experience his love and the Father's presence in our lives, now! He even prayed it for us! So let's seek the Father -- not...

 

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
— Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Grace and freedom are not a license to sin (Jude 4). In fact, sin enslaves us; sin is addictive (John 8:34). As those who have died and buried the old person of sin with Jesus in baptism, we are not to let sin reign over us or become our master because we have been liberated by grace (Rom. 6:1-14). So let's...

 

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
— 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...God told Solomon that the Temple would be a place his people could come and be assured that their prayers would be heard if they honestly and humbly would seek God. This promise is true still, to this very day, for while God's...

 

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you."
— John 17:1 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...John 17 is one of the most moving chapters in all the Bible. Jesus knows he is going to die. He knows he is spending his last few hours before his death with disciples who do not understand what he is about to do and why he is about to do it. Jesus has two key goals in mind as he prepares himself, and his...

 

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.
— Psalm 127:1 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse..."It's all up to you!" That's the prevailing mindset for high achievers in our world. But it is wrong. Our efforts to build and be a part of something great are ultimately in vain if the Lord doesn't bless them. They may flourish for a time under our intense efforts, but if the plans and the construction of...

 

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.
— Psalm 127:1 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse..."It's all up to you!" That's the prevailing mindset for high achievers in our world. But it is wrong. Our efforts to build and be a part of something great are ultimately in vain if the Lord doesn't bless our them. They may flourish for a time under our intense efforts, but if the plans and the...

 

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
— Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Seek! That is the focus word in this verse. This word is a robust word, describing a passionate pursuit of something to make it our own. The Kingdom, and the righteousness of those in this Kingdom, is not our wish, our hope, our dream -- it is our passion. We will pursue it at all costs. We will pursue it with passion. This will be our...

 

For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever...
— Psalm 37:28 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...God is committed to his people. He loves justice, and those who pursue it. He will not forget his people, those who seek to honor him by displaying his character in their lives. God has promised that he will honor his promises to his people and preserve them with his protecting power, forever. As God has promised elsewhere, "Never will I...