Today's Verse

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Psalm 141:3
Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.

— Psalm 141:3 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

How important is our speech? Jesus said it revealed what was going on in our hearts. Proverbs repeatedly tells us that our words can wound or heal. The apostle Paul tells us to speak only what will benefit those who hear us. In light of these Scriptures, this prayer of David is very appropriate. Only God can help us tame the tongue and use its power to bless. Let's invite him into our world of speech and ask him to take control of it as he does our hearts!

My Prayer...

Most holy and righteous Father, I don't want my language to ever betray you or wound your children. Please help me redeem my speech and use it to glorify you, bless your children, and speak of salvation to those who do not know your Son. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Psalm 141:4
Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.

— Psalm 141:4 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

How important is it for you to be pure? How important is it for you to be righteous? For David, who had experienced the elation of sharing an intimate holy relationship with God and the utter pain of miserably failing God, guarding his heart was of ultimate importance. He didn't want to have any part of evil. He didn't want to be attracted to it. He didn't want to be a part of those who committed vile deeds. He didn't even want to take part in the luxuries and feasts. What are we willing to ask God to withhold from us to keep us from evil?

My Prayer...

Father, don't let me be tempted by what is vile, hideous, or evil. Give me a holy revulsion for what is false and deceptive. Give me clarity of sight and purity of heart to be able to see evil and the things associated with it so that I can stay far away from the tempter's snare and the things that would soil your holy name. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
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Proverbs 3:27
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.

— Proverbs 3:27 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Rather than "looking out for" only "number 1," we are to look out for those deserving of good -- whether that be help, aide, praise, love, affection, attention -- and to act decisively to give them what they need and deserve. We are to be a people, as Paul tells us, who Jesus saved so we would be "eager to do good deeds" (Titus 2:14).

My Prayer...

Father, forgive me for my selfishness. I so often notice only my needs or what I think I deserve. There are so many good and deserving people you have placed in my life who have blessed me. Use your Spirit to open my eyes and my heart to see those around me whom I can bless, and give me the courage to act in ways that glorify you and are a blessing to others. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
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Luke 19:10
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.

— Luke 19:10 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus came so that the last could be first, the sick could be healed, the sinners could be saved, and the lost could be found. That was his purpose: to fix that which was broken -- not just us, but our world, our humanity, and all that goes with it. So how can we wear the name of Jesus and not live with his passion and purpose toward what we see lost in our world?

My Prayer...

O loving Father and Almighty God, please stir a holy passion in your people, and especially in me, so that we may more nearly reflect Jesus' purpose in our lives, our families, and our churches. 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 3:17
If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?

— 1 John 3:17 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

I love the Bible because it is so gritty with the realities of real life. In the previous verse, John told these churches that they should be willing to lay down their lives for each other. That's pretty good in theory, especially when you don't think it will ever be necessary. But this verse makes the application of that principle an every day reality: If there is somebody in your church in need, then be moved to help them -- that's what laying down your life is all about!

My Prayer...

Use me, holy and righteous Father, to be your hands and heart in helping those around me. Give me the generosity and the patience it takes to be a blessing to those in need who are a part of my church family, and also those who have not yet come to know Jesus as Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Isaiah 10:1-2
Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people.

— Isaiah 10:1-2 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"Absolute power corrupts absolutely" ... by allowing us to have what we shouldn't; ... by allowing us to forget where we came from; ... by allowing us to ignore the cries of the oppressed. Power corrupts, because only God can truly handle power with righteousness, justice, and mercy! Our desire to have it is like the sin of Adam and Eve -- it is the lust to be God. But true power, power acceptable to The Only True Power, is used to bless the broken, lift the unfortunate, forgive the guilty, and assist the powerless.

My Prayer...

Almighty and incomparable God, I don't want to spend my time positioning myself to have power over others. Please give me the grace, the ability, and the opportunity to bless others -- not so I will feel superior or important, but so that they will be blessed and you will be praised. 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 1:8
The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia -- your faith in God has become known everywhere.

— 1 Thessalonians 1:8 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

What kind of reputation does your church have? What is your dream for the congregation where you are a member? So many of us have such short-sighted goals for our churches. The church at Thessalonica was only a few months old and its reputation for sharing their faith had become known all over the Roman Empire. Now that's the kind of reputation I want the congregation I work with to have! How about you?

My Prayer...

O Lord God Almighty, please fill our congregation with the power of your Holy Spirit so that with sensitivity and courage we may share the good news of your grace in Jesus Christ. Please be with our missionaries, our ministers, and all of our members so that we may display and declare the Gospel of salvation to our friends, our neighbors, and people all over the world. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Philippians 1:4-5
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

— Philippians 1:4-5 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Paul prayed with joy because the Philippians were partners with him, not just supporters. Through their financial help, prayers, and interest in his work, they truly shared in his ministry. They were partners! Let's get interested in our congregations' missions. Let's pray and contribute to missions and get to know our missionaries. Let's get to know our missionary partners all over the world!

My Prayer...

Father in heaven, I pray that your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Please bless and empower the spread of your Kingdom. Protect and strengthen those with whom our church is partnered wherever they may be. Bless them with greater resources, maturity, and character. Help me to recognize and to do the things that I can do to support and encourage 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 79:9
Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake.

— Psalm 79:9 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

I am sure at times that God gets disgusted with our behavior and our lack of seeking after him. I'm sure there are moments when he acts to bless us only because we are his people and we wear his name. But when we cry out, confessing our sins and shortcomings, he is still our Savior. Even when we are not what we should be, God can act out of compassion and preserve the glory of his name.

My Prayer...

Holy and righteous God, our Savior and Abba Father, please forgive us for our sins, rebellion, failures, and duplicity. Deliver us, not just from the consequences of our sin, but also from the mediocrity that permeates our commitment to you. Set fire to your holy zeal in us to seek your glory and the glory of your name. You alone, O God, are our Savior! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

— Acts 1:8 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Sometimes the most profound truths are very simple. The power to reach the world for Christ involves God's might through the Holy Spirit, God's plan of beginning where we are and reaching out to the world, and our willingness to tell others what God has done for us in Jesus.

My Prayer...

Father of all people, fill us with your powerful Holy Spirit, enable us to be effective in sharing our faith, and motivate us to reach our city, our region, and our world with the Gospel. I still believe, Father, that you desire to do in our day what happened long ago. Make your Name great. Exalt your holiness in the eyes of all people. Use me and the rest of your people to accomplish your will of reaching all nations with the Gospel of grace. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Acts 28:31
Boldly and without hindrance he [Paul] preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

— Acts 28:31 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

So often, we give excuses why we can't do evangelism. Throughout his life, Paul shows us how lame our excuses really are! He is under house arrest and having to support himself, yet he still manages to get the Gospel out to the lost!

My Prayer...

Loving and Almighty God, forgive my excuses and my fear. Please make me bold to share your saving truth in the Gospel. May all who know me also come to know more about Jesus through me! In his precious name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Isaiah 42:3-4
In faithfulness he [God] will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope.

— Isaiah 42:3-4 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God will not falter! In a world where justice so seldom prevails, God is our only real assurance that justice will ultimately triumph. The hope for all lands and all peoples is for Jesus to return and bring with him God's truth and justice. Maranatha, come O Lord!

My Prayer...

Righteous and merciful Father, I am sick of the corruption in our world and the injustice done to good, but powerless, people. Please send Jesus back soon and bring with him the righteous and just rule of your Kingdom. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Proverbs 17:16
Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?

— Proverbs 17:16 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

What do you value more, money or wisdom? Look closely at our verse. Money without wisdom is really worthless. It will not be put to good use and will soon evaporate in the hands of one who is foolish. Like Solomon, rather than pursuing riches or fame, let's pursue godly wisdom and the other things will take care of themselves.

My Prayer...

Eternal God and wise Father, please give me the wisdom to know what is most important for me to pursue with my time, efforts, and money. Please bless me with your holy wisdom, so that I may invest my life in what is truly meaningful and live to your glory. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
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Isaiah 25:1
O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.

— Isaiah 25:1 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

While there are many things for which we can praise God, one of the most significant is his faithfulness to do what he has planned and promised. While many of us are big dreamers and schemers, only God can accomplish the marvelous plans that he alone can make!

My Prayer...

Amazing and awesome God, thank you for planning a world so full of variety and beauty. Thank you for your amazing and wonderful works. Thank you for having a plan of salvation for us even before the creation of the world. Please help me be more diligent and disciplined in the plans I make to honor you and bring you glory. In Jesus' name I praise you. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
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Acts 20:24
I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to me -- the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

— Acts 20:24 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

How important is grace? Paul said that God's grace and telling others about that grace were more important than his own life! In fact, sharing God's grace with others no matter the cost was Paul's life!

My Prayer...

Almighty God, Holy Father, thank you for your lavish grace demonstrated and fully expressed in sending Jesus to die for me. As your child, and in thanks to your sacrificial gift, I pledge to you my life, my love, and my all. Through Jesus. Amen.