Today's Verse

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By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

— 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

When I pray, I often catch myself simply wanting God to do what I want, not necessarily what is best or most expedient for those around me or for the good of the Kingdom. I don't like to hear that God told Paul that he had asked enough about deliverance from his problem. Instead, Paul needed to learn that God's gracious strength and mercy were enough to sustain him even in trial. While I know I need to learn this same lesson, it is daunting. I want God to keep things nice and tidy for me. But then I remember I am a follower of Christ. If I am to become like my Savior, then I have to let go of my requirements on God's answers and open up to God's work to redeem others through me, no matter the personal cost. Only then can I truly know that his grace is sufficient for me!

My Prayer...

Patient and loving Shepherd, guard my heart from discouragement in tough times and guard it from arrogance in good times. I know that without you I have nothing that is permanent. Thanks for giving me a permanent, steadfast hope of heaven with you, because of your grace and strength shared with me. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

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By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Joshua 4:24
He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God.

— Joshua 4:24 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God brought the Israelites miraculously through the Jordan River during the flood season because of his love and grace and to fulfill his promises to them. But he was also making an important statement about himself and his people. He always wanted Israel to "reverence" him. In addition, he wanted Israel's enemies to quake with fear. They did. And God won a great victory for himself and his people because of his faith.

My Prayer...

Holy and majestic God, you are clothed in righteousness and bathed in glory. I want to always treat you with the respect and reverence you deserve. Please forgive me for the times when I was not as reverent or respectful of you as you deserve. Forgive me when I didn't hold your name up as holy when others were using it in vain. You are worthy of my life, my love, and my all. I want to bring praise to you now and forever. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Nehemiah 1:11
O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.

— Nehemiah 1:11 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God takes great delight when we pray asking for his guidance and help! This is especially true when the focus of our prayers is on building up his people and his Kingdom. Nehemiah comes as God's servant. He's not giving God a "go do" list using prayer to make God his servant. Instead, Nehemiah's heart burns with the needs of God's people. The rest of the book of Nehemiah is proof that God loves for his children to pray when the desires of their hearts are on his people and his will.

My Prayer...

Precious and righteous Father, please use me today as your servant. Take my words and use them to bless, encourage, and comfort. Take my influence and use it to mend and inspire. Take my time and fill it up with your concerns. May the glory and honor of all I do ultimately bring glory to you. Your grace has saved me; please now use me to share that grace with others. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

— James 1:17 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

He doesn't waver! He doesn't change! Isn't that comforting? God is consistent and in his consistency, he gives good gifts. He created the world in all its majesty and gave it to us to use. After sin strangled life, God gave us his great promise of redemption and executed it through Abraham and the Israelites. Because death claimed us, he gave us Jesus, crucified and resurrected, to give us the assurance of our victory over sin and death. There is no shadow in that brilliant light and we are assured that light will keep on shining!

My Prayer...

Gracious and generous God Almighty, thank you for consistently giving me your grace, your gifts, your love, and your promises. I have no one; I have nothing that compares to you. Thank you for all your many gifts in Jesus name! Amen.

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By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Psalm 53:2
God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.

— Psalm 53:2 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Are you a "God-seeker"? Through much of history, especially when things are going well or in times of great wickedness, God has not found many who seek after him. But he's looking! He's searching! It matters to him! Just as God walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day before sin destroyed their relationship, God longs to walk with us. But he's looking for those whose hearts are yearning for his presence in their lives. So let's yearn!

My Prayer...

Searching Father, Almighty King, my heart yearns to know you and to be known by you. I look forward to the day that I see you face to face. Until that day, please show your presence in my life and do your will in my character. May others see my life and know that I am your child and that I live to exalt your holy name. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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Ephesians 6:24
Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

— Ephesians 6:24 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

What do you have that lasts forever? Not much unless it is connected to the Lord Jesus Christ. So many things we love and pursue are hollow, fleeting, shallow, and vain. But grace comes, grace stays, and grace lives with those whose love is the Lord Jesus Christ. Neither time nor the grave can strip away our grace in him when he is our Lord and he is our love.

My Prayer...

Holy God, I acknowledge that you loved me long before I knew anything about you. I confess that despite your overwhelming love for me, I have strayed from your will. But Father, deep within my heart I love you and thank you for sending your Son Jesus. His sacrifice and your mercy have not only given me hope, but they have also given me confidence to face whatever lies ahead today and all the days that follow. Please fill my heart with love for you and your Son by the power of your Holy Spirit. Dear Father, may my allegiance to you be as unwavering and undying as your love is for me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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Proverbs 21:4
Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin!

— Proverbs 21:4 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"We're number one!" is the cry today. However, the scripture above tells us that the wicked light their own way with their haughty eyes and proud heart. In contrast, God lights the way for his people with his word (Scripture) and with his Word (Jesus); the wicked light their own way with haughty eyes and proud hearts. But arrogance, pride, "uppity-ness" -- or whatever name you want to call it -- is called sin by God. God is number one and all the other numbers are important only because of him. It's just that simple.

My Prayer...

Holy and righteous Father, help me place you and your character in the place of most importance in my heart, in my life decisions, and in my influence. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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Amos 5:14
Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is.

— Amos 5:14 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Isn't it amazing how many people claim God is on their side. God has been "claimed" by those seeking to enforce slavery, practice prejudice, lie, bribe officials, practice hypocrisy, force injustice on the powerless, and practice "ethnic cleansing." But God makes the test pretty simple: do what is good, seek after the good, or you're not related to him! In the words of the prophet Amos, that meant equity for all peoples in court, in the marketplace, and in the place of worship. If we're claiming God is on our side, then we'd better draw close to the side of God, the side of goodness, justice, and mercy as God defines them!

My Prayer...

Precious and Almighty God, full of mercy and lover of justice and fairness, I praise you for your concern for those who are often forgotten. By the presence of your Holy Spirit within me, convict me when I side with evil and oppression and stir me to work for the salvation of others, of my culture, and of my world -- not just eternal salvation, but salvation from evil and hatred that are so prevalent. May your Kingdom dawn more brightly in our world as it does in your heart and will for us. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Romans 15:30
I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.

— Romans 15:30 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God's people and God's ministries are constantly under attack. Satan does not sit idly by while his kingdom is plundered. But those on the front lines of ministry do not need to fight alone. You can help them. You can "join the struggle" by praying to God for them. I know at Heartlight.com we truly need your prayers for protection, for power, and for wisdom. Others you know need similar prayers. More than money, more than pats on the back, more than notoriety or success, God's servants and God's work need your prayerful support.

My Prayer...

Almighty and Sovereign God, please bless and protect and empower these servants who are on my heart today... LORD, please bless the ministries, ministers, and missionaries of your church and please dear God, deliver your children who are under oppression and persecution for the name of Jesus. To you, O God, belongs all power and honor and glory. In the name of my conquering King, your Lamb who was slain, I pray. Amen.

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Romans 7:24-25
What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God -- through Jesus Christ our Lord!

— Romans 7:24-25 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

While marred by sin and death, human beings are still created in God's image and fashioned in our mother's womb by his Sovereign care. But we bump up against the hard reality of our weakness and failure. We cannot be like God in his most defining attribute, holiness. We sin. We rebel. We fail. We do what we know we should not do. We neglect the important matters of God's will and nitpick at nothing. With our words, we hurt and injure those we love. Who can save us from these bitter and limiting realities that we find in ourselves? Praise and hallelujahs go to Jesus when we trust him as our Messiah and Lord, since he can then save us from these evils and make us ready to live a life of blessing to others and to God.

My Prayer...

Worthy of praise and honor are you God Most High. You are mighty, holy, and beyond compare. You have also chosen to be loving, generous, merciful, forgiving, and tender with us, your children. Thank you for being God, just the way you have chosen to reveal yourself to us as God. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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Psalm 63:3
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.

— Psalm 63:3 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Sounds like the words to some modern love song, doesn't it: "Your love is better than life."? Well, it is a love song; it's just not modern. While in the desert, David spoke of his longing for the LORD. He recognized that life would be worthless if he had to live it without the love of God. When is the last time you've told God you loved him? When was the last time you sang a love song to Jesus? No matter how long or short that time has been, today is THE perfect time to let God know how precious his mercy is to you, how liberating his grace is for you, and how his love is more important to you than life itself.

My Prayer...

Loving Father, you have sacrificed so much for me and you have given so much to me. I do not have adequate words to express my thanks, my appreciation, and most importantly, my love for you. But please receive my words knowing the commitment and passion of my heart when I say, "Dear God, I love you." In Jesus' name I praise and thank you. Amen.

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Proverbs 15:4
The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

— Proverbs 15:4 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Words are powerful. Communicators know this. Negotiators know this. Deep down, you know this. Words have blessed you and words have devastated you. The healing that comes from a kind and tender word is precious. The destruction of a cruel taunt or a well-told deception is crushing. To have such power is amazing. To use this awesome power found in our speech is an awesome responsibility. Words do have the power to give life, hope, and peace when offered in love to honor Jesus. Let's speak those words today!

My Prayer...

O Father, I want my words to be a blessing today. I want them to reflect your grace. I want them to bring healing to the hurting and comfort to the grieving. I want them to be tender with the broken. I want them to be honorable and truthful in difficult circumstances. I want them to be upright when the language around me is crude. Through your Spirit, use my speech to bless others and bring you praise. In the name of Jesus, your ultimate Word, I pray. Amen.

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Ephesians 4:29

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

— Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We can use our words to be cute. We can use our words to appear impressive. We can use our words to win arguments. We can use our words to defend ourselves. We can use our words to lie and distort. We can use our words to do many things, but God wants us to use our words to bless. So when we speak, if our words do not bless and benefit those to whom we direct them, then we are to simply not say anything. Grandma was right: "If you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all."

My Prayer...

Give me wisdom today, dear God, to speak words that bless my family, my co-workers, and those I meet. I want to be truthful, loving, kind, and merciful when I open my mouth and speak. May the words of my mouth be used in your service and to your glory today, dear LORD. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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Ephesians 4:15

Instead, 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...

Truthful words are accurate. Words spoken in love can be a blessing. But truth spoken in love is redemptive: this kind of speech blesses those who hear it and matures those who speak it. While speaking the truth in love is often not easy, it's worth it! Look at God and see how painful it was to speak his Word in love by sending Jesus. But in the process of that one sacrificial Word, he has saved us and revealed his heart of grace, mercy, and love.

My Prayer...

Holy God, may the words I speak be truthful and loving. Please forgive me when I have told the "painful truth" to win arguments, to hurt feelings, or to impress others. Please forgive me for the times I exaggerated, distorted, or lied. I want my words to be simple and tender, truthful and loving. I want others to see your grace in the way I speak to them. In the name of my Savior, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

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Ephesians 5:21

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

— Ephesians 5:21 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Worship on Sunday can be inspiring and uplifting. Worship in everyday life can be exhilarating. Worship in our relationships can be transformational. But such worship always requires that we give up our own ways, our own wills, and our own wants and learn to live for another. If we truly live with Christ Jesus as our Lord, we will live as he did; we will submit to others to serve them for their good and to meet their needs. Sometimes that means being tender. Other times that means being tough in a loving way. But it always means living for them to God's glory.

My Prayer...

O LORD God Almighty, I find it hard to submit myself and my desires to anyone else. I find it so easy to see things only from my point of view. I catch myself looking out for my own self-interest and not the welfare of others. Please fill me with your Spirit more mightily so that my life displays your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. In Jesus' name I ask for your divine help so that my life displays more of Jesus' character. Amen.