Today's Verse

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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John 1:41-42
The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah!"

— John 1:41-42 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Andrew was always bringing people to Jesus. Except for that fact, and that he was Simon Peter's brother and a fisherman, that's about all we know about this apostle. But isn't that the kind of reputation you would like to have!

My Prayer...

God of all salvation, please bless me as I seek to share Jesus with my friends and family. Please help me earn the reputation that Andrew had, someone who is always leading others to Christ. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Psalm 106:2
Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD or fully declare his praise?

— Psalm 106:2 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"Almighty!" That's one of the names for God. He is everything we can imagine that is good, right, and holy. But he is so much more! He is more than we can imagine and so much more than we can declare. Even our greatest moments of praise are great understatements of his glory.

My Prayer...

El Shaddai, the One True and Almighty God, you are worthy of all glory, honor, and praise! Thank you for hearing my feeble attempts at praise and being pleased and blessed with my love and my effort. You are too marvelous for my words and beyond my mind's comprehension. I gladly rest my hope and my future in you! In Jesus' name I praise. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Jeremiah 10:24
Correct me, LORD, but only with justice -- not in your anger, lest you reduce me to nothing.

— Jeremiah 10:24 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God is love! God is also holy and righteous! If he did not lovingly and tenderly correct us, none of us could survive before his awesome perfection. Yet our God has chosen to give us his undeserved mercy and kindness as he corrects us and molds us to be more like him.

My Prayer...

Holy and righteous Father, I truly do want to become more like you in my daily character; but please, dear Father, humble and correct me gently for you know how small I am compared to you. In the name of my Savior, your Son Jesus, 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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Micah 5:4-5
He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace.

— Micah 5:4-5 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

When Jesus proclaims that he is the ''Good Shepherd," he means that he will lay down his life for us! For us, however, it means all that Micah promised -- strength, majesty, security and peace.

My Prayer...

Loving and eternal God, thank you so very much for sending Jesus to be my sacrificial Shepherd. In a world gone crazy, his strength sustains me, his majesty overwhelms me, and in him I find my security and peace as I face the future. In the name of Jesus I thank you. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Jeremiah 22:29
O land, land, land, hear the word of the LORD.

— Jeremiah 22:29 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

What is absolutely essential for your country and your people to experience revival? First, the Spirit of God must move in a mighty way. Second, the people must open their hearts to hear and respond to the Word of the Lord. So let's commit to pray together, all over the world, that our people will open their hearts to the Spirit and the Word of God!

My Prayer...

Holy and Almighty God, please move powerfully in our day to bring revival. Open the hearts of the peoples to your truth and enable those who proclaim your Word to speak your truth with power. Please use me to help make a difference in the lives of those around me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Ezekiel 36:23
I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Sovereign LORD, when I show myself holy through you before their eyes.

— Ezekiel 36:23 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Ever wondered what would happen if all of God's people from every nation would humble themselves in repentance and ask God to reveal his holiness to the nations?

My Prayer...

Almighty and holy God, I am so sorry for my sins that have tarnished your witness through me to my friends. I am sorry for the sins of my nation and how we have turned from your way. Please forgive us and move in a mighty way to reveal yourself in our day, in all your holiness. In the name of Christ Jesus I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Galatians 5:1
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 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We have been set free! We are delivered from law, sin, and death. We have been set free to serve God and share in his grace eternally. So how will we use that freedom?

My Prayer...

God of freedom and grace, please give me your Spirit of wisdom to understand more fully all the ways that you have blessed me. Please help me use those blessings to share your grace with my family and friends. May I never take for granted your gifts or abuse my freedoms won at such great cost. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Psalm 106:6
We have sinned, even as our fathers did; we have done wrong and acted wickedly.

— Psalm 106:6 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Sin is nothing new. The candor of Scripture allows us to see the stupidities and rebelliousness of God's people in the past. We can be convicted by their lost opportunities and the disasters they brought upon themselves. We can also be reminded how little difference there often is between them and us.

My Prayer...

Father, I know my sin, my rebellion, and my unfaithfulness have hurt you and your cause today every bit as much as the sins of those in the Bible hurt in the past. Please forgive and strengthen me as I seek to live a life holy and pleasing to you and a blessing to those around me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Ephesians 3:12
In him [Jesus our Lord] and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

— Ephesians 3:12 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

In Christ we are given so many freedoms -- freedom from law, sin, death, etc. But one of the greatest freedoms we have is to boldly come before the Creator of the universe, the God of all time and creation, and speak openly and confidently with him. Incredibly, we mortals can enter God's world with our problems and be confident that he hears us and cares about our concerns.

My Prayer...

Almighty and most holy God, I know that without your grace and attentive care my requests to you would go unheeded. But I also am confident that because I am your child, my requests matter to you. Thank you for hearing my prayers each day. Thank you for caring about my concerns. Thank you for being patient with my impatience and tender with my frustrations. Most of all, Father, thank you for the freedom to do what I have no right or power to do -- to invade your world with my concerns and be welcomed by you there. In Jesus' name. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Isaiah 6:1
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.

— Isaiah 6:1 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We often view difficult times, crisis times, as bad because the circumstances we face are very hard. But difficult times can also be an opportunity for our hearts to re-awaken to the steadfastness and the gloriousness of God, as well as our great need for him in our lives. The crisis of Uzziah's death for Israel and Isaiah became the great opportunity for Isaiah to see God in a fresh way and to be called into a special ministry for God. How can God use your crises, hardships, trials, and difficulties? Why don't you ask him to show you!

My Prayer...

Holy God, I confess that I get discouraged enduring hardships. I sometimes wonder where you are and why you have forgotten me. Deep in my heart, dear Father, I know you are there. But sometimes, O God, it is difficult to keep my faith burning brightly when I don't hear your voice or see you face to face. Please strengthen my heart with your Holy Spirit and help me "see" you in a fresh way so that I will open myself to you and be tuned more perfectly for your service. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Isaiah 6:2-3
Above him were seraphs, each with six wings ... and they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."

— Isaiah 6:2-3 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus taught us that worship is not about a place, but about our Father (John 4:21-24). Knowing that our Father is worshipped by the heavenly hosts should inspire us, humble us, and motivate us to do the same, no matter where we may find ourselves. Above all other qualities, God is holy. Three times the heavenly beings acknowledge his holiness -- he is special, undefiled, pure, perfect, and something much more than everyday and mundane. His glory fills the earth and sky. He is bigger than all we can imagine. He is worthy of our worship, reverence, and awe.

My Prayer...

Holy God, Holy Father, Holy King of the ages, I praise you for the wonderful gift of your grace. I know that in comparison to your glory, I am not worthy to be in your presence. But you have made me worthy and holy by the sacrificial blood of Jesus, the Lamb slain for my sins. Thank you for this incredible gift so that I may worship you as I should! In Jesus' name I praise you. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Isaiah 6:5
"Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."

— Isaiah 6:5 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

In a time when God's name is so readily taken in vain, this passage has a refreshing bite to it: God is so much greater than we are, so much more holy than we can be. To come into his presence should make us instantly realize how utterly sinful we have been and how unworthy we are to be in the presence of the King of Glory. To experience God, to stand before his awesome presence, or to be aware of his holiness is to be humbled and awed. God's name, God's holiness, God's majesty, and our need for reverence in his presence are suddenly no longer theory; they become our life's passion!

My Prayer...

O Almighty God, forgive me for the times that I have not taken seriously your holiness and honor. Forgive me for using your holy name in ways that do not honor and glorify you. Forgive me for not treasuring the many names you have used to reveal your greatness in Scripture. Forgive me because I know my imperfections, my shortcomings, my failures, and my sinfulness. Forgive me, for without your grace, your holiness would be much too pure for me to survive. I ask for your forgiveness in the name of your holy Son, Jesus. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Isaiah 6:6-7
Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."

— Isaiah 6:6-7 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

When we put the bread and wine to our lips during the Lord's Supper, God tells us that our "guilt has been taken away" and our "sin has been atoned for." The Holy One, in his grace, did what we could never do: he provided the perfect Sacrifice for our sin with his own Son. Our holiness, our righteousness, and our perfection are not won through our efforts on earth, but by the one who came from heaven's altar and gave his life so that we might be the righteousness of God (see 2 Cor. 5:21).

My Prayer...

O precious and loving Father, thank you for your perfect sacrifice for my sins. Please use me to help others know of your incredible gift that allows them to stand before you holy and without any stain of sin. To you be all glory, honor, thanks, and praise in the name of Jesus, my Savior and Lord. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

— Isaiah 6:8 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Church worship on Sunday is not the goal of our life here on earth. As important as church worship and personal praise are, they are only part of our goal. We are here to glorify God with both our lips and our lives, with our hearts and our hands. With the world around us caught up in Satan's traps, God wants us to hear his call to us in our church and private worship and respond by saying, "Here am I. Use me!" Then he wants us to enter the world redemptively, making a difference in our "public worship" of ministry.

My Prayer...

Loving God, Rock and Refuge of my soul, thank you for giving me the experiences I've had in my life. Thank you for the abilities you placed in me while you fashioned me in my mother's womb. Thank you for the gifts your Spirit molded in me when I became your child. Now, dear Father, please help me to know how and where I am to use these gifts in your Kingdom and to bless those in the world, so that I can help bring others to you, help build up the Body of Christ, and bless your people. 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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Psalm 126:2
Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."

— Psalm 126:2 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

So many of us are so richly blessed -- if not by physical and financial blessings, then most definitely by God's gracious spiritual blessings. The Lord has done great things for us! Let's praise him with songs of praise and lives full of laughter and joy!

My Prayer...

Generous and gracious Father, thank you so much for the many ways you have blessed me. Your gift of salvation through your Son Jesus is so incredible and gives me hope and confidence for the future. May all the physical and financial blessings you've shared with me bring glory to you, not me! In Jesus' name. Amen.