Bible Verse for Today

"Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean.'"
— Mark 7:15 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...We get so hung up on externals, appearances, and facades. Jesus cuts to the core of God's concern -- our spiritual heart condition. He wants us to not only focus on what we put in our body, but what we allow to grow in our hearts and simmer in our heads. The inner world is what needs our most earnest attention...

 

"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...While this is a passage often emphasized when talking about the problems with nations and governments, let's remember that the truest application of this must find its home in us and in our churches. We can begin revival in our...

 

[Jesus said,] "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
— Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Over two decades ago, Juan Carlos Ortiz criticized European and American evangelists for offering a carrot stick gospel that focused on the pay off and not lordship of Jesus. Jesus, especially in Matthew 7...

 

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
— Matthew 7:12 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Some things don't need a lot of explaining, just a lot more implementing.

My Prayer...Loving God, Almighty Father, forgive me of my selfishness. You have blessed me so richly through Jesus. Please move me by your Spirit to be as generous, loving, forgiving, and kind with others as I want them to be with me and as the Lord has...

 

"Therefore I will not keep silent; I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul."
— Job 7:11 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...We sometimes think of God as too fragile, too distant, or too brooding to speak with him honestly about our dilemmas. Job wasn't so shy. He is the great reminder that God prefers us to maintain our relationship with him, even if it is stormy. No matter where you are in your struggles, be honest with God -- not...

 

And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."
— Revelation 7:10 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...From the voices of those who know, the message is clear! God reigns and with his rule comes salvation. This is because of the Lamb who was willing to be slain, but who triumphed over death. Because of the Lamb's work and faithfulness, we can be assured of heaven.

My Prayer...Loving Father and Sovereign God, thank you for...

 

O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure.
— Psalm 7:9 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...In a world of organized crime, gangs, and predators, we have some real work cut out for us if we are going to influence the violent part of contemporary culture to change its ways. Maybe the place to start is down on our knees before the Father, asking him to use us to make a difference in our violent world!

My...

 

"I am about to pour out my wrath on you and spend my anger against you; I will judge you according to your conduct and repay you for all your detestable practices."
— Ezekiel 7:8 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Because God's people had repeatedly rebelled and chosen to turn an unhearing ear toward his will, God is about to let them face the consequences of their own sinfulness. He is ready to judge them using the harshest of standards because of their entrenched rebellion. We must...

 

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."
— Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...God made us to seek after him and find him (Acts 17:27-28). Try to imagine the astounding reality of this truth: the God of the Universe is thrilled to see us when we come home to him! Is it any wonder that he longs for us to seek him so...

 

But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.
— Romans 7:6 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...We are free from Law! Does that mean anarchy and lawlessness? Absolutely not! No, because the grace that freed us also brought God's HOLY Spirit to live within. He can empower us to do what we could not do on our own. He can help us in our weakness to pray with confidence and...