Bible Verse for Today

The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia -- your faith in God has become known everywhere.
— 1 Thessalonians 1:8 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...What kind of reputation does your church have? What is your dream for the congregation where you are a member? So many of us have such short-sighted goals for our churches. The church at Thessalonica was only a few months old and its reputation for sharing their faith had become known all over the Roman Empire...

 

Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people.
— Isaiah 10:1-2 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse..."Absolute power corrupts absolutely" ... by allowing us to have what we shouldn't; ... by allowing us to forget where we came from; ... by allowing us to ignore the cries of the oppressed. Power corrupts, because only God can truly handle power with righteousness, justice...

 

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?
— 1 John 3:17 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...I love the Bible because it is so gritty with the realities of real life. In the previous verse, John told these churches that they should be willing to lay down their lives for each other. That's pretty good in theory, especially when you don't think it will ever be necessary. But this verse makes the application of...

 

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.
— Proverbs 3:27 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Rather than "looking out for" only "number 1," we are to look out for those deserving of good -- whether that be help, aide, praise, love, affection, attention -- and to act decisively to give them what they need and deserve. We are to be a people, as Paul tells us, who Jesus saved so we would be "eager to do good deeds" (Titus 2:14).

My Prayer...Father...

 

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.
— Luke 19:10 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Jesus came so that the last could be first, the sick could be healed, the sinners could be saved, and the lost could be found. That was his purpose: to fix that which was broken -- not just us, but our world, our humanity, and all that goes with it. So how can we wear the name of Jesus and not live with his passion and purpose toward what we see lost in our world?

My Prayer...O...

 

Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.
— Psalm 141:4 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...How important is it for you to be pure? How important is it for you to be righteous? For David, who had experienced the elation of sharing an intimate holy relationship with God and the utter pain of miserably failing God, guarding his heart was of ultimate importance. He didn't want to have any part of...

 

Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.
— Psalm 141:3 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...How important is our speech? Jesus said it revealed what was going on in our hearts. Proverbs repeatedly tells us that our words can wound or heal. The apostle Paul tells us to speak only what will benefit those who hear us. In light of these Scriptures, this prayer of David is very appropriate. Only God can help us tame the tongue and use its power to bless. Let's...

 

Pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.
— 2 Thessalonians 3:1 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...What can you do to help the spread of the Gospel and help increase the number of those who are saved each day? Well, there are many things: put in a good word for Jesus, share your faith with a friend, go on a mission trip, send financial support to a missionary, and many others. But one of the most important things you can do is...

 

A wicked man puts up a bold front, but an upright man gives thought to his ways.
— Proverbs 21:29 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...When we harbor wickedness in our hearts, there are all sorts of "fronts" we have to keep up so people won't know the truth about us. But if righteousness is our aim, we'll try to live up to that goal with honesty. When we blow it, we'll be honest and ask forgiveness, learning from our mistakes. We won't put up a facade. We know that even though we're...

 

From infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
— 2 Timothy 3:15 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...From infancy! If you had a godly mom that brought you into the world surrounded by faith in Jesus, stories from the Bible, and lullabies of faith, then praise God and thank her. If you didn't, then make a commitment that your children and your grandchildren will be given this head start in life. Yes, personal...