Today's Verse

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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James 1:26
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

— James 1:26 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"It's no big deal!" That's the whine of a believer rationalizing vulgar, inappropriate, or hurtful speech. However, a friend confessed to me a long time ago, "Our moral plunge in the office began when we let our language slip. It didn't seem like that big a deal at the time, but what it led to was disastrous." Religion that is not reflected in everyday speech is empty and hollow. So let's use our speech to bless and encourage, not to curse, slander, or gossip.

My Prayer...

Holy and incomparable God, please forgive me for not using my speech redemptively. Forgive me for the times I've used my words to wound another or in ways that dishonor you and your holy claim on my life. Use my words today, and every day, to bless, encourage, and comfort so others may know your grace through me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

— James 1:27 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Yesterday James reminded us how important our "talk" is. Today he reminds us about our walk. True religion is not all talk. We must live and love as Christ did. Caring for widows, orphans, and others who are forgotten and overlooked while we are keeping ourselves holy to God is what "Christ living" is all about.

My Prayer...

Loving God, give me eyes to see the people who need your blessing. Please lead me to the folks in our church, our neighborhood, and our work or school who feel forgotten and overlooked. Help me to not only see them, but to include them so they can know the love that you have for them! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Psalm 10:12
Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.

— Psalm 10:12 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We are very much aware that we live in a broken world. Unfortunately, our broken world is also filled with broken people. In days of pain and anguish, in days when those who hurt know their helplessness, we have no other source than God to whom we can turn. The LORD, the covenant God of Israel, who kept his promises, preserved his people and produced his Messiah, is also the God who stands by us. In the short run, there are moments when he appears to not be watching or listening or caring. What do we do in those moments? Pretend we don't have our feelings and doubts? No, we honestly cry out to our LORD who has redeemed, saved, and liberated in the past and call on him to do the same in our day!

My Prayer...

God of hope, do not be far from us in days that are dark and menacing. Restore to us the joy of living and the hope of good things; give us comfort in our times of pain and anguish. Lift up your hand and act to bring repentance and renewal to our time, our families, our culture, and your Church as you have done in the past. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Philippians 4:19
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

— Philippians 4:19 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Paul gives the Philippians this promise only after he has emphasized to them that he had found the Lord's grace sufficient in good times and tough times, in times of plenty and in times of lack. The key to this promise is not just God's provision, but also our trust in him to satisfy what we most need in Christ Jesus. When our hearts yearn to be full of him, to be pleasing to him, to be blessed by his presence, to be given the assurance of life beyond death, surely we can rely on his supplying everything we truly need!

My Prayer...

Give me eyes to see, O God, all the many wonderful ways you are providing for me and graciously providing the abundance you have poured into my life. I confess that my vision is shortsighted and narrow. I need to see the panoramic view of your graciousness. Yet the "little" part of your blessings that I am able to recognize is lavish, gracious, and fulfilling. I know you have blessed me with many more things that I do not see. Thank you for being so generous! In Jesus' name! Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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1 Thessalonians 1:2
We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.

— 1 Thessalonians 1:2 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Why is it so hard to share with others that we have thanked God for bringing them into our lives? God let his Son Jesus know his love and approval. Remember his words at Jesus' baptism and transfiguration? "This is my Son, whom I love ...." The apostle Paul also let the struggling churches he started know that he was praying for them regularly (cf. Philippians 1:3). It's a great blessing to thank God for someone special in our lives. It's a double blessing to let those people know we've thanked God for their being in our lives. Let's commit to be a "double blessing" people today!

My Prayer...

Gracious Father, you have blessed me in so many ways! Today, however, I'm especially aware of the many incredible ways you have blessed me through other people. I want to thank you now for the following wonderful Christian people you have placed in my life ... (put the names of special people in here and then be sure and let them know you've thanked God for them). Please guard and strengthen them and use them to bless others as they have blessed me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Romans 10:15
How can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

— Romans 10:15 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

How beautiful are your feet? People with beautiful feet are either "sending folks" or they are "going folks" who share the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ. Which are you? If we're not one of those two options, we're Christians with ugly feet. Now would anybody want that to be said of him or her? So let's make a partnership agreement with other believers by either going and asking for their support and help, or by helping and supporting others while they are going!

My Prayer...

Almighty God of the nations, I know it pains your heart to see so many people in our world today that do not even know the name of your Son, much less trust in him as their Lord. Through your Holy Spirit, stir in us the desire to have beautiful feet just like our brothers and sisters had in those early chapters of the book of Acts. May the Gospel spread in our day as it did in theirs! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

— 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Far from being a vindictive God looking for some reason to condemn us, God wants all people, of all races and languages, to come to know him, to turn to him in repentance, and follow his Son as Lord and Savior. That's why Jesus came (cf. John 3:16)! That's why Jesus' return has not yet happened. So if our desire is to do the LORD's will and please him in what we do, shouldn't we be doing something to bring all the people of the world to a knowledge of simple truth about Jesus? Shouldn't we do everything we can to help them know his grace and call them to repent and follow Jesus as Lord?

My Prayer...

Righteous and loving Father, please help me as I try to share my faith with friends. Please give me the courage, wisdom, and timing to know when and how to reach outside my comfort zone to share the Gospel with others. Please bless all efforts to lead the lost to repentance and to help them follow Jesus as Lord. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Luke 3:8
Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

— Luke 3:8 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Grace is given to us as a free gift. It cannot be earned or merited. But salvation that does not move us out of our self-destructive and rebellious ways is counterfeit. Repentance is a life change. It is a realization that we have been going the wrong way on a one-way street. It is an acknowledgment that trying to guide our own lives is always going to end in disappointment, disaster, and death without Jesus being Lord of both our lips and our lives. We know that God's grace is marvelous, but let's also learn that his will is gracious. As we do, we will change our behavior to reflect the character of the Father who sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins!

My Prayer...

Loving and merciful God, I realize that you saved me from my past sins and also want to save me from the consequences of future sins by calling me to obedience. Please help me as I turn my life over to your will. Please strengthen me with your Spirit so that I may resist temptation and reflect your holiness. Bring to life in me the fruit that reflects your salvation and your character in me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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1 John 2:2
He [Jesus] is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

— 1 John 2:2 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Psst! I've got a great secret. Jesus died to set you free from the guilt and punishment of your own sins. Psst #2! He didn't do it just for you; he did it for everyone else, too! Spread the word.

My Prayer...

I am humbled to the point of silence, Almighty God and Heavenly Father, that you would take your most precious gift and offer it for something as ugly and horrid as my sins. I can think of no way to repay you, but I want to thank you by sharing this good news with everyone else for whom you've made this sacrifice. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Psalm 103:2-3
Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits -- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases ....

— Psalm 103:2-3 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Our God is an awesome God. He not only defines and defeats sin; he delivers us from the consequences of sin by forgiving our sins and purifying us. True healing means more than just curing a sick body -- and we praise God for the times he has done that in our lives. No, true healing means to forgive and deliver us from what breaks our spirits and makes our souls and bodies unhealthy. Only God offers this "benefit" as part of his retirement package!

My Prayer...

How can I sufficiently praise you, Abba Father, for your mercy and grace that has forgiven, pardoned, and cleansed me of my sin. Help me never to forget the joy of being forgiven and included in your family. Thank you for your salvation. In Jesus' name I praise you. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Psalm 108:3
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 kind of music they like. Then when the time is right, point them to songs that share the message of the Gospel with a melody and beat that can stir their hearts. God wants us to praise him, not just in our sanctuaries and churches, but with our friends and across cultures. He wants us to sing in ways that help other people know the "heart song" of our Redeemer's love.

My Prayer...

Almighty God and righteous Father, thank you so much for the gift of song. Thank you for lyricists that capture the mood of our hearts and the word of your grace and help move others closer to faith. Please bless all those involved in bringing Christian songs to the public and making your Word more understandable to the masses. Empower singing in your Church, and help us to sing of your salvation in ways that reach all peoples on the earth. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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1 Thessalonians 1:6-7
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 than words! The Gospel is the good news of Jesus taking root in the life of a person until the fruit it bears is enough of an example of the Lord that someone else sees it and begins to live it, too! The Gospel is both caught and taught!

My Prayer...

Holy God, thank you for making your character known both in Scripture and in human flesh through Jesus. Through your Holy Spirit, I ask that you form in me the character of Christ so that others may see Jesus in my example and live for him. In the precious name of the Savior Jesus I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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2 Timothy 3:15
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 faith will be won in adolescence or adulthood, but beginning in infancy is such a blessing. To fill a child's world with love and hope and promise because of Jesus is the greatest gift a parent can give!

My Prayer...

Holy and attentive Father, I thank you for the incredible gift of believing parents. I pray that more of us who do believe will be active in sharing our faith with our children. Please make my family and my life a place where children and grandchildren can find it easy to believe and safe to rejoice in Jesus. In his precious name I praise and thank you. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Proverbs 21:29
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 flawed, God is not through working on us yet!

My Prayer...

Thank you, Almighty God, for the many times you have forgiven me. I'm sorry for the times I've tried to hide my sin from others and from you. I want to live an honest, upright life, bringing glory to you in what I do, what I say, and how I treat others. Please grant me this grace with increasing measure day by day. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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2 Thessalonians 3:1
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 to pray! Pray for missionaries and preachers and those who minister and share the Word of God and the grace of Jesus through the Internet, radio, television, and print. Pray for the message to spread rapidly and pray for it to grow in power and influence.

My Prayer...

Loving Shepherd, I know you agonize over those who are lost. I pray that you will empower missionaries worldwide to speak the truth of the Gospel with boldness. I pray that you touch the hearts of those who hear so they will experience your salvation. Use me in whatever way you choose to be a part of the spreading of your salvation. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.