Bible Verse for Today

This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other."
— Zechariah 7:9-10 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Do you want a clear, simple, straightforward word from the Lord today? That's what Zechariah gives us. He reminds us that God wants us to be fair, compassionate, caring, without prejudice, and tenderhearted to those...

 

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.
— 1 Timothy 1:12 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...We minister by grace. We are saved and made holy by God's grace given us in Jesus. We are declared holy and blameless before God because of the grace of Jesus. We are given a gift to use in ministry for the Church because of the grace of Jesus. We are given strength from the Holy Spirit to persevere during difficult...

 

I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.
— Mark 9:41 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...This simple and clear passage cuts two ways: First, we are blessed when we bless God's children, even if the blessing is simple. Second, we can rejoice when others do the simplest things to bless us in Jesus' name, because we receive the kindness and grace of others and because God blesses that kindness with...

 

"`If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."
— Mark 9:23 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Jesus is the ultimate one "who believes." All things ARE possible for him. Guess what? He longs to do great things through us, too! In fact, he promised he would do even greater things through us than he did himself because he is now at the Father's side helping us! (See John 14:12-14.) So isn't it time that we quit talking about what we can't do, and start believing...

 

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
— Proverbs 18:24 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Who are your closest friends? Good friends are hard to come by in a world of superficial acquaintances and shallow relationships. "Hanging with the crowd" can give us a false sense of belonging, but often leaves us wounded and alone in times of trouble. Open, honest, supportive, and loving relationships don't happen without investment...

 

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
— Romans 6:11 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...In baptism, we are united with Christ in his death (see Romans 6:1-14 for the background of this devotional meditation). Our old sinful selves are crucified with Christ. We are no longer slaves to sin. We are alive in Christ -- the one whom sin could not master and death could not conquer. His life is now our life. His victory is our victory. His future is our...

 

Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out.
— Psalm 10:15 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...It is hard not to get discouraged when evil and wicked people get away with what is reprehensible. Christians on every continent have things that greatly trouble them about the evil perpetrated in their corner of the world as corrupt power abuses those who belong to God's people. Let's join together, believers from all around the...

 

I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.
— Ezekiel 38:23 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...In a time when God's people were in shambles physically and spiritually, he promises judgment -- judgment on them and their oppressors. But he also reveals why. He will show his greatness and holiness so they will know him, YAHWEH -- God of "his people" and also of all nations. I would love for God...

 

Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.
— Psalm 96:9 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Don't you really appreciate the phrase "the splendor of his holiness" and long to behold that splendor? It conjures up reminders of Isaiah's encounter with God in Isaiah 6 or John's vision of Jesus in Revelation 1. God's essence -- known in the Old Testament as his glory and his holiness -- can be described only as splendorous! Our only fitting response is...

 

For our God is a consuming fire.
— Hebrews 12:29 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...We should worship God with reverence because he is a consuming fire! Mmm. What does that mean? Is the focus on his holiness? Does this warn of judgment? Is this an expression of his purity? Yes, YES, YES! You see, God is holy and pure and righteous. Our imperfections, flaws, failures, and sins stand out glaringly in comparison to his perfection. Yet, rather than destroying us with his holy fire, he can...