Bible Verse for Today

And we, who with unveiled faces all [contemplate and] reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
— 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse..."Transformed ... with ever-increasing glory." In other words, it's an ongoing process, but with the continual help of the Spirit, we're going to arrive at our goal -- to be like Jesus! The point is not to give up on our journey. Let's keep...

 

Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.
— Philippians 3:17 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse..."I would rather see a sermon any day, than hear one." I'm not distressed because people want to "see a sermon," but because so many of us don't "practice what we preach." As leaders -- whether as friends, parents, or in positions of authority -- our primary tool of influence is our life of character (or lack of...

 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
— John 3:16-17 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Jesus came to save the world. Jesus came to save you. Jesus came to save me. Why? Because of the Father's love!

My Prayer...Holy and Righteous Father, thank you for your love. I know I didn't earn it or...

 

"And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."
— Genesis 3:15 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...This is God's curse upon the serpent who tempted Eve and Adam to sin. Satan is the personality behind the serpent. Even in this curse, even in the recognition of a struggle between the woman's offspring and Satan, God embeds his promise for our better future. In Jesus, that future comes! Satan...

 

He appointed twelve -- designating them apostles -- that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.
— Mark 3:14 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...While there are many intriguing and fascinating thoughts in this short sentence, the one phrase that touches my heart is this one: "... that they might be with him ...." This reminds me of that great passage in Acts 4:13: "[T]hey recognized that they had been with Jesus." Now I...

 

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."
— Galatians 3:13 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Cursed! Not just in the sense that he was mocked and his detractors cursed at him, but in the sense that he received the curse of death because of our sin. He did what was hideous and scandalous; he died on a Cross -- hung to a tree in front of a jeering mob, executed like sub-human scum. But the...

 

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
— Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...What an incredible thought! We are dearly loved as God's chosen and holy children. No wonder God calls us to a lifestyle of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience! Think of how often our Father needs to use these qualities with us! How can we not share with others what God so...

 

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
— 1 Corinthians 3:11 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...There is only one foundation on which the Church and the Christian life can be built. That foundation is Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Peter 2:4-7; Ephesians 2:20). He is the one whom God sent to save us (John 3:16). He is the "way, the truth, and the life," the only way to God (John 14:6). The Lord Jesus Christ is the name above all names, the name at...

 

All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith."
— Galatians 3:10-11 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Thankfully, God provided us the Sacrifice that makes us righteous and pays for our sins, because none of us keeps God's Law perfectly. In his boundless grace, God sent Jesus to...

 

What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one ..."
— Romans 3:9-10 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Paul is driving home the point in Romans 3 that none of us can even approximate the perfection and holiness of God. So how do we get there? How do we escape the stranglehold of sin? God's answer is Jesus! I believe that must be our...