Bible Verse for Today

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me ### and ### for the work to which I have called them."
— Acts 13:2 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...When people genuinely worship, when they fast seeking his will, God calls them to service and mission. Christian worship is not an end in itself, but a launching pad to Christian mission. Don't get so caught up in the worship experience that you leave it at the door when you walk away. Instead...

 

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
— Matthew 5:14 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Darkness dominates our world. Despite appearances, darkness controls so much of what is said and how it is viewed by the world. When someone lives for Christ, they will be noticed. Their allegiance to Jesus and his righteousness cannot be ignored. So what are we going to do with that light? Are others going to see and be drawn to our Father in Heaven who sent his Son...

 

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men."
— Matthew 5:13 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Jesus never wanted us to give up our moral distinctiveness, our redemptive influence, nor our loving impact on those around us. The purpose of our presence in the world is to preserve our culture from further decay and season the bitter, dog-eat-dog world...

 

"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you..."
— Luke 6:27 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...Jesus was the perfect example of this command in his life and death. Love has such redemptive, life-changing power. While not everyone responds, many do. While being kind in our deeds and loving in our hearts to our enemies is not easy, God's Spirit can fill us with Jesus' love and help us live powerful lives of grace even in the presence of those who hate...

 

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
— 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...God wants all people brought to repentance so they can receive his grace and live with him in glory. If that is God's passion, how can we not make it our passion?
My Prayer...Father, I know that you hold the day of Jesus' return in your hands, and the reason he waits to...

 

He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
— Proverbs 10:17 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Discipline is not only important to us, but also to those who are influenced by our actions. So often we undervalue the impact of our personal decisions on others. But God has placed each of us in a circle of influence to be a blessing and a redemptive influence on those around us. To choose what is foolish, to ignore godly...

 

However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him."
— 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Kids look forward to Christmas, Disneyland, and summer vacation. They imagine how great those things could be. Christians look forward to heaven and dream of seeing the Lord face to face, of being reunited with those we love that have gone home to the Lord before us, and of sharing in the glory of Jesus...

 

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
— James 3:13 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Wisdom isn't shown by our "book learning," smart comments, or arrogance. No, true wisdom is shown by the godly character of our life lived with humility and kind deeds.

My Prayer...O Father, make me wise like Jesus. Please give me the ability to more fully know your will and more faithfully live it with kindness...

 

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
— Proverbs 3:7 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Let's keep this simple. First, we need to admit that with the complexities and perplexities of life, even the smartest of us is not all that brilliant. Second, the LORD our God is awesome in holiness, majesty, power, wisdom, and grace; he is far beyond us and all we can truly grasp of him is the smallest of glimpses of glory. Finally, let's stay away from anything that...

 

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
— Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Most of us don't like being scrutinized and tested. But God knows us through and through. He has been with us from our conception and will work with us through the grave and beyond. So let's invite him into our interior world to search us, test us, and even scrutinize our anxious...