Bible Verse for Today

Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
— Titus 2:2 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse..."Teach older men?" "Learn from younger folks?" Buried in this verse is a profound understanding and respect that transcends generations. For some of us who share our local churches with five generations of people for the first time in human history, Paul's challenging words mean even more to us today. Those who are...

 

Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" For it is not wise to ask such questions.
— Ecclesiastes 7:10 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...The only thing we get by spending our time looking in the rear view mirror is a big disaster in our front windshield! Our best days as Christians are always ahead. Jesus has promised to return and take us home to God -- what better future could there be! So let's not get distracted with nostalgic cynicism. We can thank God for his...

 

Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
— 1 Timothy 4:14 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Life seems so busy, so full of distractions and "to do" lists. Let's not let our "busyness" keep us from our Father's "business." Let's find the ways God has gifted us to serve him and his people; then let's dedicate ourselves to that with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

My Prayer...Gracious God, you...

 

Be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
— 1 Peter 5:5 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...The word "submissive" is often positive or negative based on its relationship to us personally. It's nice having someone serve us submissively, but serving someone else submissively is hard work. Unfortunately, we are selfish way too much of the time. But God is at work in...

 

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
— Isaiah 40:29 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Even the most pumped up and positive ones of us find ourselves broken and weary at some point in our life. It isn't so hard to believe and follow Jesus when we are soaring on the wings of eagles or running and not getting weary in our walk with God. Often the toughest time to keep our faith vibrant is when we are trying to keep putting one foot in front of the other...

 

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them."
— Ecclesiastes 12:1 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...When we are young and have so many things to do, many things can distract us from what is important. We must let the Lord gather our passions under his grace in those early days of excitement and frenetic joy so we can be used for God's greater good. For most of us, age brings a...

 

Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
— Psalm 71:9 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...We live in an age where those who are older are often shoved aside. This is true in the professional world with employees. This is also true in churches which often find themselves pandering to those who are younger or more financially powerful, while forgetting the aging and powerless. Let's remember that God cares what happens to each one of us, no matter...

 

Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
— Ephesians 4:15 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Our goal as believers is to mature into the full presence of Jesus Christ in the world by being his unified Body of believers. This challenging goal can only be accomplished if we speak the truth -- God's Spirit-inspired message -- and do so with an attitude of love. How can we expect to convey the message of God's love which sent...

 

In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
— Acts 2:17 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...As those living in the last days, each believer -- young and old, male and female -- must be Spirit-led and Spirit-empowered to give his or her personal testimony to the grace of God given us in Jesus Christ. As Jesus prayed for us before his death (John 17:20-23), we...

 

The people served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had seen all the great things the LORD had done for Israel.
— Judges 2:7 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Each generation must have its own first-hand faith. Transforming faith takes more than receiving a godly heritage and stories of the past deeds of God. It requires a fresh experience of God's mighty presence!

My Prayer...Holy God, help me pass down my faith in you, and my...