Bible Verse for Today

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
— Romans 12:12 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...How can we keep our circumstances from determining our mood? How can we emancipate ourselves from the limitations that life deals us? The last in the trio of commandments opens the door for the other two to be true -- we can rejoice in hope and we can be patient in affliction because we have been faithful in prayer. No matter what our situation is, we can pray with joy because...

 

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
— Romans 12:11 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Jesus made it clear that God wants us to be passionate about our Christian life. "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth" (Rev. 3:15-16). Let's live passionately for the Lord!

My Prayer...Holy LORD and King of the...

 

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
— Romans 12:10 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse..."He who toots his own horn plays in a very small band!" A very selfish part of us wants all attention and appreciation to be focused on what we have done, sacrificed, and accomplished. One of the signs of spiritual maturity that Paul lists here, however, is a devotion to others who are our fellow Christians. This means that we genuinely rejoice when others...

 

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...