Bible Verse for Today

[in talking about others having the right to be supported in their ministry, the apostle Paul says,] But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me. I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast.
— 1 Corinthians 9:15 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Paul was careful not to take support from the Corinthians even though it was his right as a minister of the Gospel. Instead, he knew their problems with...

 

In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.
— 1 Corinthians 9:14 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...One of the great tragedies of our modern world is that while some who preach and teach the gospel are charlatans and cheats, the vast majority of God's servants work just barely scraping by financially. Why not find some underpaid and forgotten Kingdom servant and share a little of the blessings God has given...

 

He replied, "You give them something to eat." They answered, "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish--unless we go and buy food for all this crowd."
— Luke 9:13 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...I love the way Jesus gets his disciples' attention. "You feed them, boys!" Of course they knew that they couldn't! Yet Jesus showed them that if they brought their meager resources to him, they could do amazing things. When the big picnic was over, each of them got to pick up a basket...

 

On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick."
— Matthew 9:12 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Why did Jesus associate with sinners? Because we need him to associate with us! What's the most crucial part of that truth: Jesus' desire to save or our recognition of our sinfulness? Of course the most crucial part is Jesus' desire to save because without him, recognizing our sinfulness would only lead to despair. But without recognizing our need for...

 

You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
— 2 Corinthians 9:11 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Why does God bless us with riches? So we can share those riches generously with those in need and so we can bring thanksgiving to God.

My Prayer...Father, thank you for providing me with so many blessings. May my use of your riches bring you glory and bring others a true and...

 

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...There are many fields of academic pursuit that are noble and beneficial, but true wisdom and the highest understanding can be found in only one place -- a reverential knowledge of God!

My Prayer...Lord God, Holy Savior of Israel and my Abba Father, thank you for the grace of prayer. Thank you for your steadfastness and faithfulness...

 

He answered me, "The sin of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great; the land is full of bloodshed and the city is full of injustice. They say, 'The LORD has forsaken the land; the LORD does not see.'"
— Ezekiel 9:9 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...In times of evil and adversity, God's people can lose sight of the Father's "great and precious promises." God has faithfully kept these promises through the ages. This past faithfulness is our reminder that we can trust his...

 

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
— 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...What a powerful promise! If we are willing to generously share with others in the name of Jesus as the apostle Paul discusses in the previous two verses, we will have what we need and our lives will be full of good deeds that bring glory to God. So let's remind ourselves of one the...

 

Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!"
— Mark 9:7 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Who are you listening to in your life? We can hear all sorts of different voices, but we can follow only one. So who are you going to listen to as you make your decisions about morality, values, ethics, and character? Who has earned the right to be heard regarding life, death, salvation, and sin? God makes it unmistakably...

 

You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.
— Nehemiah 9:6 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...God is Creator! Life is defined in him and by him. The multitudes of heaven worship and adore him. For me, that means two very important things. First, I need to give him my heart-felt worship and praise...