Bible Verse for Today

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
— Psalm 5:11 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Our hope is in the LORD! He is the basis of our security and the reason for our joyful songs! He is our protection and hope! He is the reason we rejoice!

My Prayer...Praise you, magnificent God and loving Father, for your merciful kindness, your awesome holiness, your rich forgiveness...

 

Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.
— Ecclesiastes 5:10 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...We have examples of those who used their wealth wisely and who generously blessed others and honored God in the process -- e.g., Barnabas in Acts 4, see also 2 Cor. 8-9 & 1 Tim. 6:17-18. But, the New Testament repeatedly warns us about our desire for wealth. Unrestrained, this desire can become our god and...

 

For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
— 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...God didn't save us to condemn us. No, he saved us so we could come home to him and enjoy his gracious presence for eternity. God wants us in his presence; that's what salvation is all about! He is not about to let anything keep us from that...

 

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
— Romans 5:8 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...God didn't wait till we were "good enough" to bring us his salvation. Instead, he came when we were most lost and needed his grace the most. But then, that's what love really means by God's definition. It's more than something declared or felt, it's something radically demonstrated.

My Prayer...Holy and loving Father, thank you for...

 

Cast all your anxiety on him [God] because he cares for you.
— 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Isn't it absolutely incredible that the God who made the universe cares about us and our needs, hurts, and fears! So let's trust that he will do what is best for us and show it by living for him!

My Prayer...Loving Father and Almighty God, I consciously place all of my anxieties, worries, cares, and frustrations in your hands. I will do my best to not dwell on them and trust that...

 

"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me."
— Deuteronomy 5:6-7 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...God is Sovereign, all-powerful, and without rival. So it is absolutely amazing that he repeatedly chooses to bless us with his grace before he calls us to worship and obedience. In most other religions, their gods demand adherence, sacrifice, and obedience before their favor is acquired. But the One True and...

 

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
— Romans 5:5 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...The source of our hope is not just in Jesus' prior work on the Cross and in the empty tomb. It isn't dependent just on our own will-power and commitment to hang on to hope. No, God made sure the fire of hope could never run out of fuel in our hearts. He did this by filling us with his Holy Spirit and pouring his...

 

He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace.
— Micah 5:4 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...The great hope that we have is that our Good Shepherd will return for us, call us each by name, and bring us securely into his fold. There we will share in his protective care and eternal peace.

My Prayer...Lord...

 

In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
— Psalm 5:3 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Prayer is more than asking. Prayer is more than praising. Prayer is more than thanking. Prayer is more than requesting or interceding or kneeling or humbling ourselves. Prayer is expecting that God wants us there, expecting that God hears us, and expecting that God will meet us in our prayer time and do what is best for us and...

 

Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.
— Ecclesiastes 5:2 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Even in our sound-byte world, far too many words are spoken in pledge to God that go unfulfilled. Let's thank him, praise him, and petition him. But let's also realize that, while our prayers need to be persistent, our words don't need to be elaborate or refined, just few in...