But now, this is what the LORD says — he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” —Isaiah 43:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We belong to the LORD, God of all creation, and the God…

As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. —John 17:18 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus’ words to his disciples shortly after he appeared to them following his resurrection remind us of an incredibly significant truth about our place in God’s world. We are not here by accident! God has…

Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you. —Proverbs 20:22 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Vengeance is an awful and painful way to respond to those we feel have wronged us. The LORD is our assurance of genuine justice, so let’s leave our being wronged…

Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous. —Psalm 37:16-17 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Which is your most important investment: Your money or your character? I can assure you, this question will be asked of…

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. —John 17:15 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus, in showing his love and care for his disciples in prayer right before his Passion, is our great example of how we can and must pray for…

I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. —John 17:4 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… One of the most amazing things that Jesus ever said, he said to his Father in heaven: “I have completed the work you gave me to do…” In fact, when Jesus breathed his…

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. —Matthew 7:13-14 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “Majority rules!” That’s the edict of…

Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. —Proverbs 16:20 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Those who seek the instruction of God’s wisdom and who truly trust in God for their life’s blessings and values will find joyful prosperity. That’s his promise. That’s embedded in Scripture. While this philosophy…

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. —Philippians 4:11 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Paul tells Timothy that one of life’s greatest treasures is to find contentment in godliness (1 Timothy 6:6). With this treasure, our physical circumstances become far less important to…

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. —Proverbs 31:10 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… What would happen if we valued our spouses more than expensive jewelry, great riches, or wonderful and unexpected blessings? What would happen if we publicly valued a faithful wife more than a voluptuous starlet?…

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. —James 5:16 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… So many hearts, hopes, and homes are broken by sin. This brokenness infects our culture and invades our lives. God has…

And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD. —Ezekiel 38:23 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “They will know that I am the LORD,” is a familiar refrain in Ezekiel’s prophecies. In today’s verse,…

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. —James 4:7 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Let’s admit it: most of us would like spiritual growth to be easy. We want our ability to withstand temptation to require little effort. We want the Holy Spirit to do the work and God…

Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. —John 17:3 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Eternal life begins now! That is one of Jesus’ messages in the Gospel of John (John 5:24). Sure, we don’t get to enjoy all of the blessings that…

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. —Galatians 5:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Paul wrote to help the new believers keep their true freedom in Christ. Their faith in Jesus had liberated them from trying to…

The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment. —Proverbs 10:21 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… I have several friends who are wise in thinking, speaking, and living. When they speak up, everyone listens attentively because their words are always wise, well-timed, worthwhile, and backed up by their life’s witness. Their…

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.” —John 17:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… John 17:1-26 is one of the most moving chapters in the Bible. Jesus knows he is going to die. He knows he is spending his…

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. —Psalm 127:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “It’s all up to me!” That’s the prevailing mindset for high achievers in our world. But this assumption is wrong. Our efforts to build and…

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. —Matthew 6:33 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “Seek first his kingdom”!” “Seek first… his righteousness”!Seeking the kingdom of God first is the primary focus of today’s verse and the Sermon of the Mount where it is found.…

For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever… —Psalm 37:28 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Don’t you love the term for God’s people when they live for him? They are “his faithful ones”! The LORD is committed to his people. He will not forget his people,…

Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. —Proverbs 10:6 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Righteousness brings us great blessings. Violence becomes its own vile reward, bringing to those who use it what they have done to others (Matthew 26:52). So what’s our choice? Righteousness or wickedness? Blessings or…

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’…

Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. —Proverbs 3:25-26 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… What guards your heart from fear? Only one protector is sure and faithful, his name is the LORD. He is…

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? —Matthew 6:25 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Food and clothing are some of the biggest worries of our…

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of…

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. —Romans 6:23 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Our sin earns us death. God’s grace gives us life. What determines the difference between these two extremes? The Cross of Christ, the empty tomb, and the faith that…

He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD. —Proverbs 18:22 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Several great truths are taught us in the opening chapters of the Bible (Genesis 1:26-31). First, we are made in God’s image, both male and female. Second, we are made to be different, male…

My son, keep your father’s commands and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. —Proverbs 6:20 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… So often today, we discount the wisdom of those who have come before us and want to share with us the collective wisdom handed down to them by their faithful predecessors. Over the next few weeks,…

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. —Luke 6:38 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Our God is the God of all grace (1 Peter 5:10). He loves…

How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. —Psalm 31:19 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… This psalm begins with God’s people in desperation, but as it progresses, it crescendos with faith. While things may…