Bible Verse for Today

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
— Romans 12:9 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Our love cannot be feigned, faked, or fickle! That means that we abhor things that are evil. We not only stay away from them, but we disdain them. At the same time, we commit ourselves to lovingly drawing closer to goodness and righteousness. In our intentions, there are no shades of gray, only a passionate desire for what is right, good, and holy.

My Prayer...Holy and...

 

I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God.
— Luke 12:8 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...What a simple way to inherit a blessing. Let's make sure that we don't fall into the trap of Peter during the night of Jesus' arrest -- strong when in the presence of friends and weak in the presence of those who are hostile. Let's be ready to share our faith with friends with "gentleness and respect" (1 Pet. 3:15). Let's be...

 

Wicked men are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm.
— Proverbs 12:7 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...This is eventually true in every culture. An evil leader is murdered by his even more evil successor. Ruin comes to the one who brings ruination on others. But ultimately, this result will be fully true only when Jesus comes and judges all people justly and with nothing hidden. Then, God's righteous will shine like the sun and reign with him in...

 

I tell you that one greater than the temple is here.
— Matthew 12:6 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...What is the greatest construction project built by human hands? Jesus is greater still! What is the most "holy" place you have been? Jesus is far holier still! What is the most awe-inspiring site you have visited? Jesus is far more awesome and holy! What is the most inspiring event you have ever attended? Jesus is far more ... Jesus is the One Who Is Greater! Nothing else, no one else...

 

And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you ...
— Hebrews 12:5 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...When I was young, I always acted as if I hated discipline. It was part of the game. Now that I am older, I am so thankful that my parents loved me enough to discipline me strongly, to guide me lovingly, and encourage me repeatedly. This "discipline and training of...

 

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
— Romans 12:4-5 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...An arm detached from the body is just a dead and useless body part. We belong to each other because we belong to Christ. We find our freedom to be what God has made us to be, and the Body finds its power and usefulness as we each offer ourselves to...

 

Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.
— 1 Corinthians 12:3 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...We should say it today as often as we can without being offensive to others: “Jesus is Lord.” But more than just saying it, truly mean it. Look up the word “Lord” in a concordance and read all the references to it in the New Testament and open up your heart and ask...

 

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
— Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Sooner or later each of us has to make a decision: Will I be a nonconformist? Will I refuse to be squeezed into the mold of the world? (J.B. Phillips terminology.) Will I be part of a Christian counter-culture? (John R.W. Stott...

 

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.
— Romans 12:1 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Our worship isn't confined to Sunday! Each day that we offer ourselves to Jesus as his servants, we also are offering him our worship. Every time that we consciously resist evil and choose good, we are offering pleasing and acceptable worship to God. Isn't it exciting that...

 

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
— 2 Corinthians 11:30 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...One of Paul's recurring themes throughout 2 Corinthians is that God's strength is made perfect in weakness. In 1 Corinthians, he emphasizes that the strength, wisdom, and power of God are shown in what is normally a sign of weakness and humiliation -- the Cross (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5). Paul wasn't a wimp -- remember all he endured and kept on serving the Lord...