Today's Verse

[nChrist]

________________________________
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

Matthew 5:11-12
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

— Matthew 5:11-12 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

For most who can read this Internet message, the sentiments of this verse seem foreign. But among those who closely study persecution, believers in Christ are enduring perhaps the greatest amount of persecution in the history of Christianity. For those of us who live in cozy places where belief is tolerated and Christians are just considered "unhip" or a bit out of touch, we need to be thankful that our lives make enough of a distinction from our culture to be noticed, even if it's a bit unfavorable. But at the same time, we need to pray for other believers throughout the world who are undergoing the wrath of hell for the faith.

My Prayer...

Great Deliverer, we have many who call on your name with faith in Jesus who face persecution and hardship every day. I pray that they will not lose heart and give up their confidence. I pray that you will bring deliverance from this time of persecution. I pray that their sufferings will be the source of powerful witness so others will come to see the great value of Jesus and our allegiance to him. This I pray in Jesus' precious and holy name. Amen.

[nChrist]

________________________________
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

Proverbs 29:25
Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

— Proverbs 29:25 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Fear is such a paralyzing emotion. It robs our vitality, decision making ability, and strength. Courage helps us step out of fear's paralysis and turn its nervous edge into power. But this kind of courage comes to us fully only when we know that all Satan and his allies can really have of us is our bodies. He cannot take our mind, our attitude, our faith, and, most of all, he cannot take our relationship with God given to us through Jesus.

My Prayer...

O Savior, my Great Redeemer, thank you for triumphing over all that I fear through Jesus. You have not only given me a hero I can trust, but a hope by which I can live victoriously. In the name of my Conquering King, Jesus, the Rider on the white horse, I thank you. Amen.

[nChrist]

________________________________
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

1 Peter 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

— 1 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The great truth about Jesus' empty tomb is not that just that he is risen, but that he is living! His victory over death wasn't short lived, it was ultimate. He now lives to make intercession for us until he can return and bring us to his home. Our life is hidden with him so that no one and nothing can take it from us. When he appears, we will get to share in his never ending glory. How can we not praise God for such grace!

My Prayer...

Almighty God, I praise you from the bottom of my heart for your incredible and glorious grace which has brought eternal victory out of mortal anguish. Thank you for paying the price to make it so. You are marvelous beyond my words. You are worthy of more praise than all your children's voices together can tell. My hope will live forever because he is risen and reigning as Lord. To you be all honor, glory, and majesty forever, and ever, in the name of Jesus your Son and my Lord, Amen!

[nChrist]

________________________________
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

Proverbs 27:1
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

— Proverbs 27:1 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Don't you have your hands full with today? Don't you find yourself distracted from the urgent and important things of today when you worry about the problems of tomorrow? Don't you occasionally find yourself missing an opportunity today while fantasizing about all the possibilities down the road? Isn't it a waste of time to be anxious about those things over which you have no influence? So why worry so much about tomorrow, and next week, and ...? Let's walk with God today and trust in his faithfulness for us tomorrow.

My Prayer...

Holy God, give me the strength to seize the moment and live the life today that will please you and bless others. Help my heart feel the urgency of today and act with boldness, kindness, and salvation instead of worrying so much about what may happen tomorrow or next week. Give me the immediacy of the moment I see in your son's ministry when he walked the earth. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

________________________________
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

Isaiah 55:6
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.

— Isaiah 55:6 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

In truth, God is always close to those who genuinely seek after him. The real problem is that we drift away from him, lose interest, and leave his presence. So let's seek him and receive his grace and his help while we recognize that he alone is the one who truly saves.

My Prayer...

Father, I seek you with all my heart. While I seek to know about you through your Word, I long to know you and be known by you as a tender father knows his child and as a child feels complete trust toward his tender father. Father, not only be my God, but also be real to me in ways that transcend explanation. Help me to sense your nearness and to know your presence. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

________________________________
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

Isaiah 26:4
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord is the Rock Eternal.

— Isaiah 26:4 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

When we see mountains we feel small, knowing not only how much larger it is than we are, but also how much longer it has been here than we have been. But the Lord was long before any mountain and will be long after it has melted into nothing. He is the only rock of security and stability. All the forevers we have are found in him.

My Prayer...

Eternal I Am, who is and was and will be forever, I trust that you are and will always be my God, my Redeemer, my Savior, my Shepherd, and my Father. I commit all my tomorrows to you. In the name of Jesus my Lord I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

________________________________
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

Psalm 63:1
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

— Psalm 63:1 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Addiction has been defined as "God-hunger directed to the wrong source of soul satisfaction." Psalm 63 reminds us this is true. Deep in us is a desire to seek after God because he is not far from us and longs to be known by us (see Acts 17). But often when our soul craving need for God is greatest, he is the last place we turn for satisfaction. Let's earnestly seek after him and slake our soul thirstiness in him.

My Prayer...

Holy Father, fill my heart with longing for you and my head with understanding that it is your presence I crave. I confess that I have often sought relief for my hunger in things that do not satisfy. I pledge today to recognize all other sources of satisfaction to be temporary and false. I promise to pursue you and your will through your word and your Spirit till I rest in your presence and grace. In the powerful name of Jesus my Lord, I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

________________________________
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

Isaiah 43:11-12
"I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed -- I, and not some foreign God among you. You are my witnesses," declares the Lord, "that I am God."

— Isaiah 43:11-12 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

1 Peter 2 reminds us that we are here as witnesses to "declare the praises of him who has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light." We have seen and experienced God's saving work. We are recipients of his blessing. We are the people who anticipate his mighty deliverance yet to come. How can we remain silent? How can we remain bitter, pessimistic, or discouraged? The God who made the tomb empty and made the corpse of Jesus our living and exalted Lord is our God. He is mighty to save. He is our Savior!

My Prayer...

O Mighty God, I confess that I slip so easily into my day-to-day rut and grow immune to the joy and excitement of your salvation. Give me fresh eyes to see and a bold voice to tell of your glorious deeds, your mighty works, and your answered promises. I believe you are leading me to glory, so help me show and share that glory with those who do not know you as God, Savior, and King. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

________________________________
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

Deuteronomy 13:4
It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.

— Deuteronomy 13:4 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

So many people want us to follow their lead and obey their voice. Only God alone has proved himself faithful and loving through the ages. In his might he is to be revered. But rather than seeing reverence as a "church thing," we are reminded by Moses it is a "life thing." We are to obey and keep his commandments, we are to serve him and depend upon him in our daily lives. Rather than silence in the assembly, reverence is action to his glory!

My Prayer...

Holy and Righteous Father, help me take my worship outside the church building into my day to day life as I try to live what I sing, practice what I say, and pursue what I pray. In Jesus' name. Amen.

[nChrist]

________________________________
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

Proverbs 19:20-21
Listen to advice and accept instruction and in the end you will be wise. Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.

— Proverbs 19:20-21 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"Man proposes, heaven disposes." Most of us rush to give advice and make grandiose plans. The Wiseman reminds us that wisdom comes from submitting to instruction for a significant period of time and then, only at the end of long listening does it come. If you are like me, you would do much better to let your plans ripen a bit more in the light of the Lord before you launch into them. I am comforted that James, the wisdom writer of the New Testament, reminds us that God will give that wisdom if we seek it and not doubt. But while we pray for wisdom, let's pray also for patience to listen to the Lord's truth in Scripture so we may recognize wisdom when it comes!

My Prayer...

Almighty God, teach me your ways and help me discern your paths for my life. I have so many plans and schemes, but I know if they are not from you, they will not stand. Lead me to your wisdom and I will not only seek to know it, but also seek to live it by the power supplied by your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

________________________________
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

Psalm 62:8
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

— Psalm 62:8 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

It is so hard to share the secrets of our hearts with anyone. We want to keep our secret failings, embarrassments, and sins hidden. We fear that others would reject us and we would shame ourselves if anyone knew the secret sludge in our hearts. But hidden sin is only hidden from us. It is not hidden from our Father. Hidden sin festers in our hearts and drives a wedge between us and the God who would forgive us and empower us to triumph over it. If only we would pour out our hearts to him knowing that he longs to be our refuge.

My Prayer...

Loving Father and Holy God, today I want to confess to you several things on my heart. Father, I am afraid for others to know that I have ... (confess your most secret and shameful sins to God). Holy God, I have sinned and ask your forgiveness for ... (confess those sins that others may not see as all that important, but that Satan uses to diminish your allegiance to God). Eternal Lord, I get anxious about ... (confess those things that make you worry and place them in God's hands). You alone are my refuge and strength. I trust these confessions with you and ask that you strengthen me by the power of your Holy Spirit to not fall into these same traps again and again. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

________________________________
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

— Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

When things are tough, I find it easy to call on God and lean on his mercy and grace. He's my ripcord Savior. But I must confess, when I'm reveling in his blessings and things are going well, I am so much like the Israelites and forget to acknowledge that all the blessings I have and all the opportunities I have received come because of his grace. In my joy and success, I need to learn to acknowledge him and not trust on my own wisdom and strength when things appear to be going well!

My Prayer...

Gracious Father, every good thing I have in my life has come because of you. The family I have been blessed with, the protection I have received, the values that I hold, the successes I have enjoyed, the hope I have, the salvation I have received, and the future I anticipate are all mine because of your grace and not my goodness. Thank you! Thank you! In the name of Jesus I thank you more! Amen.

[nChrist]

________________________________
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

Jeremiah 29:11
"I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

— Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

When Israel lay devastated in the face of a ruthless enemy that would rob all the glory and strip bare the very soul of God's people, God issues his promise. While the destruction visited upon them was in response to their rebellion and sin, God's punishment wasn't punitive alone, but redemptive. In their destruction, God promised prosperity, hope, and a future. Just as a doctor must cause pain when he sets a broken bone so it may heal, God's discipline is not capricious but curative, and ultimately life-giving.

My Prayer...

In my struggles, O Lord, help me find your grace -- not in the relief of struggle and pain, but in the redemption and change of my heart and my habits to your glory. By your grace and in the name of my Savior Jesus I ask it. Amen.

[nChrist]

________________________________
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

Psalm 37:4
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' greatest desire.

My Prayer...

Awesome and Gracious Father, I confess to you that so often my heart is full of selfish things. But in moments like these, Father, I recognize that you are what I most need and your will is my heart's desire. Please kindle your Spirit in me so that I may see through any selfish deception that would rob me of having you first in my life. Forgive me when I'm petty, selfish and shallow. May I know you as much as possible for a mortal to know you, not so that I may be full, but that you may be honored. Because of your grace and in the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

________________________________
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

Psalm 27:14
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 have waited for me so many times -- for me to show my faith, repent of my sins, grow in holiness, come to you in prayer, act more mature, give to those who cannot return my care ... Help me as I wait for you to show me the way with my decisions, to act to relieve my need, and to reveal your presence in my loneliness. I really do seek you with all my heart. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.