Bible Verse for Today

The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
— Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...How often do you let God do major surgery on your spirit as his Spirit uses the Word to encourage, judge, motivate, convict, instruct, and inspire? With such a great tool so readily at hand for most of us, let's not let a day go by that we don't...

 

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
— 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...God wants us to be prepared to do good works. Thankfully he gave us the Scriptures. Today we have the Bible translated into many different languages, dialects, and versions. Rather than a threat, this is a great blessing. But we must remember that the...

 

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
— Ephesians 5:19-20 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Hearts full of thanks -- that's what makes for good singing! With Jesus as the source of our salvation and center of our future, how can we not sing! But singing is not just for us and God. God wants our songs to bless others. It is...

 

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 pursue so many things, but only one pursuit brings wisdom. Paul reminded the Athenians that God made us to seek after him and find him (Acts 17). The wisdom of Proverbs keeps leading us back to "knowing God" and having a deep and reverential awe toward him as the source of wisdom. Understanding of priorities, needs, purposes, goals...

 

A man finds joy in giving an apt reply -- and how good is a timely word!
— Proverbs 15:23 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Knowing the right word at the right time is a great gift. But even the best of speakers has to admit that the best of his or her words are not nearly as good as those the Spirit gives. Nevertheless, we must not excuse ourselves for our insensitive speech, unkindness, or missed opportunities. Not paying attention to what was said is no excuse. Not being spiritually...

 

Carry each other's burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
— Galatians 6:2 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...I feel so burdened myself, that sometimes I can't even see others burdens. But Jesus reminds me that if I am to be like him, I will be a burden carrier. This is why he came, why he died, and why his resurrection is so important -- to lift from us the burdens of sin, death, and depravity. He has blessed us by carrying our heaviest burdens so that we might...

 

I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.
— Psalm 40:8 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Too many of us are paranoid about the word law and find it hard to hear a scripture like this. But we must recognize that the goal of the New Covenant of grace and the gift of the Spirit is that God's law is written on our hearts and demonstrated in our lives. God is not concerned that it be written on tablets of stone. Jeremiah prophesied of such a day when the focus of...

 

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
— Psalm 51:12 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...In the face of sin and separation from God, grace is a refreshing stream that restores salvation. But the joy of salvation is found only when we realize and accept the forgiveness, grace, and restoration God has given us -- when we drink from the stream of grace. The joy of salvation is sustained in a changed lifestyle and an ongoing recognition that we...

 

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
— Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Rather than seeing this as a way to get our wish list granted, let's see it for what it really is -- an invitation to seek a love relationship with God above all other things. In finding him, we will find our priorities properly aligned and our hearts tuned to know what is really valuable and what is not. Then we will see that what we have in him is our hearts'...

 

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
— Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...If there is anything we don't like to do, it's wait. Maybe that is why God is so interested in us learning to do it! There is something purifying about remaining strong in tough times and remaining faithful when ill winds blow. So God gives us times of waiting to see if our search is really for him or merely for something new or easy.

My Prayer...Loving Father, I know you...