Bible Verse for Today

"Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD Almighty.
— Malachi 3:7 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...In times of horror and disaster, people routinely ask, "Where is God in all of this?" Yet we so often leave God at the periphery of our lives and look for him only when we are desperate and have no other options. When things are going well, we seldom say, "Where is God in...

 

And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
— Colossians 2:15 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Crucifixion was so hideous, so inhumane and vile, that the word "crucify" was not considered appropriate in polite speech in Greek culture. Crucifixion was reserved for the scum of society who were considered a threat to the government. Jesus endured this hideous death. But what Satan had intended for the humiliation...

 

Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
— Proverbs 20:1 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Rather than spending millions on ad campaigns filled with bright lights, leggy blondes, fast cars, and handsome young studs like the alcohol industry does, God plainly states the truth: We are unwise to be in bondage to anything that makes us look foolish, that destructively incites our passions, and that opens us up to temptation. If your experience with...

 

This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
— 1 John 2:5-6 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Do you want to know who walks with Jesus each day? Look for folks whose lives look like his! Do you want to walk with Jesus? Look at his life in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). See how he treated people; then do the same! Notice how he defeated Satan and overcame temptation. Trust that you can do the same! As you do these things, you...

 

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...