Bible Verse for Today

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
— 1 Peter 5:4 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...What a wonderful blessing it is to be led by godly, loving shepherds. But as much as we love them and show them respect, they will receive even greater appreciation in heaven!

My Prayer...O glorious God, please bless every faithful and concerned leader in your Church with a clear sense of your blessing and appreciation. Please use me to...

 

"Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered, his right eye totally blinded!"
— Zechariah 11:17 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Church leadership is such an awesome and sobering responsibility and should be conducted with reverential humility. Those seeking status or privilege by becoming church leaders need to know that the Chief Shepherd, when he comes in his glory, will deal harshly with...

 

Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.
— Psalm 105:4 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...When we honestly evaluate where we use our time, how we spend our money, what we think about most often, and where we put forth our best efforts, what do we find? Is God our consuming passion? Is he our first love?

My Prayer...O mighty Lord, it is hard not to be able to see your face, yet I know my imperfection makes that impossible in light of your awesome holiness. Until that Day...

 

But he [Jesus] said, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent."
— Luke 4:43 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...When you think about the large cities of our modern world, what do you think about? Jesus sees them, and passionately yearns for the lost people in those great cities to be saved!

My Prayer...Most holy and loving God, revive in us, your Church, a passion to reach the lost people of the world's great cities with the...

 

Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death.
— Proverbs 10:2 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...My mom regularly reminded my brothers and me as we grew up that sin is often a false shortcut to a good thing. In a similar way, the Holy Spirit reminds us that falsely acquired riches are not the path to a rich and full life, which can only be truly acquired through godliness.

My Prayer...Generous and loving Father, please forgive me for getting caught up in...

 

Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
— Psalm 34:11 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...What better goal for a father or mother could there be? Even if you have no children of your own, or if your "own" children are grown, God gives you his children at your congregation so you can teach them to love, honor, and reverence their one and only heavenly Father.

My Prayer...Loving Father, help me to be involved in teaching your children and as I teach, please...

 

We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
— 2 Thessalonians 1:12 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...I can't think of a more lofty goal for today than that the name of Jesus be glorified in what we do and say. But then Paul takes it a step further -- that we find our glory by being identified with him! As the famed old hymn "Beneath the Cross of Jesus" says it, "My glory all the...

 

Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit."
— John 3:5 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Water and Spirit -- they track together as key components in conversion and the new birth throughout the New Testament. One is an act of submission and surrender. The other is a gift and reminder that only God can make us new by his power. No wonder Jesus made them so important to being a part of his Kingdom.

My...

 

I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.
— Jeremiah 10:23 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...While we may have goals and a sense of mission about our lives, our lives are not really ours to plan. Every day must be greeted as a gift from God. Every goal must ultimately be pursued to his glory. Every true sense of direction is a gift to us from our Father's Word or his Spirit.

My Prayer...Wise and loving Father, lead me by your Holy Spirit...

 

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
— Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...We look for wisdom in so many worthless and futile places. But ultimate wisdom is found only when we intentionally humble ourselves before our incredible God, giving him the reverence and worship he deserves.

My Prayer...Magnificent and awesome God, the great expanse of space and the incredible intricacies of the things in your creation...