Bible Verse for Today

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...

 

You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers...
— 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...The cycle of faithfulness is illustrated in this passage. The Lord is our great example. People of faith model the Lord's character and passion to us. We then live that life of faith as an example to others. In other words, the Gospel is more...

 

I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.
— Psalm 108:3 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Songs go where evangelism, witnessing, and planned outreach sometimes cannot go. Songs tell a story, offer praise, and deliver truth in a package that opens the heart and stirs the emotions. Songs give life to the soul and stir something primal, buried deep inside by God. When you are around friends you are trying to reach with the Gospel, listen for the...