Today's Verse

[nChrist]

________________________________
Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

1 Samuel 12:24
Be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.

— 1 Samuel 12:24 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God is awesome and mighty. He can do anything he chooses to do. So isn't it amazing that of all the things he could do, he chooses to do one thing especially well: God blesses us! God blesses us with material blessing; he blesses us with spiritual blessings; he blesses us with big things; he blesses us with small things; he blesses us with hope; he blesses us beyond pain; he blesses us now; he blesses us in the future; he blesses us ...

My Prayer...

Generous and gracious God, thank you for blessing me in so many ways. Please help me to be continuously aware of all of the blessings that you do give me and please use my life to be a blessing to others and a glory to you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

________________________________
Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

Philippians 2:14-15
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.

— Philippians 2:14-15 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"Don't complain or argue!" We don't normally associate these things with purity and blamelessness. Paul was extraordinarily close to the Philippians and knew them well. He knew their weaknesses and shortcomings. He also knew the destructive power that complaining and arguing have on the life of an otherwise vibrant community of Christians. Let's heed his warning today, as we see church after church taken under by the negative and cynical spirit that pervades modern culture.

My Prayer...

Forgive me and cleanse me, O God, from my argumentative spirit. Please empower me with your Spirit to use my speech only to bless and to build up, never to tear down or discourage. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

________________________________
Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

— Romans 15:4 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

If the Bible is a love story, then its theme is hope. No matter how dire the circumstances, no matter how big the enemy, no matter how deep the sin, no matter how lost the people, no matter how empty the cupboard, no matter how wide the river, no matter ... God repeatedly gives his people reason to hope in a brighter tomorrow. Then God brought the assurance of that tomorrow in Jesus!

My Prayer...

Eternal God, please give me patience and endurance as I search your Scriptures to know and understand your truth. I am amazed at the incredible things you did to redeem and bless your people in the Old Testament. I am absolutely astonished at what you were able to do with Jesus' rag-tag bunch of disciples. Please, O God, inspire my hope so that I will expect something great from your hand and then live to see you accomplish it in my day. May this, as well as all other things in my life, be to your honor and glory. In Jesus' mighty name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

________________________________
Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

Psalm 34:18
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

— Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

While many of us are richly blessed spiritually and physically, many of God's people face hardship and difficulty. You may be one of those in difficult circumstances. Please remember that God has not abandoned you. Jesus is the great reminder that God cares and involves himself with the broken, forgotten, and downtrodden. Please know as well that tens of thousands are praying for you today in the prayer that follows.

My Prayer...

O God, please be with those whose lives are difficult and filled with pain and sadness. Please minister in personal and mighty ways to every believer with a crushed spirit. Dear Father, please rekindle the hope of every discouraged Christian. Empower them as they hold on to their faith. Pour out your Spirit with power, strengthening each weary and burdened heart. Help each one of your children hold onto his or her faith, finding a renewed sense of hope in your presence. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

________________________________
Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

2 Corinthians 9:11
You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

— 2 Corinthians 9:11 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

As we examine our blessings and give thanks to God for his wonderful grace, let's ask why God has blessed us so much. Let's also remember the primary spiritual principle that God made clear in today's Scripture and also in his call to Abraham in Genesis 12:2: God's people are blessed to be a blessing. Let's make sure we are not just recipients of God's blessings. Let's commit to be conduits of those blessings to others.

My Prayer...

Thank you, generous Father, for giving your many lavish gifts to me. Open my eyes to see how I can pass on those blessings to those around me. As I share the blessings you have so richly given me, may others find their greatest blessing of all -- your loving grace -- and give thanks to you! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

________________________________
Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

Philippians 2:14-15
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.

— Philippians 2:14-15 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

I guess it's only natural to think that the problems of our own time in history are due to the pervasive depravity of our own time. Thankfully the Bible repeatedly reminds us that God's people have always had to swim upstream against culture. As children of God, we are to be bright stars in the dark night sky of our secular culture. Rather than constantly complaining about our worldly culture or our time in history, let's light the path for others to see another way to live.

My Prayer...

Almighty God, thank you for calling me to such a high and holy task. I want to shine like a star against the darkness of the culture around me. Please help me as I seek to live a holy life that has a redemptive influence on those around me who do not know Jesus. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

________________________________
Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

Psalm 35:22-23
O LORD, ... be not silent. Do not be far from me, O Lord. Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord.

— Psalm 35:22-23 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God sometimes seems to be distant and not to be listening to us. Think of the hundreds of years Israel was in bondage praying for God's promised Deliverer. "Isn't God listening?" they must have repeatedly wondered. Yet at the right time, God sent his Son and brought deliverance. Thankfully, God doesn't ask us to pretend that everything is okay when it isn't. He filled the Psalms with cries for deliverance and help. You may find yourself in a position where these words are yours. If you are, realize that thousands of Today's Verse participants are praying today for God's immediate and powerful deliverance of you.

My Prayer...

Almighty God, may your name be revered in all the earth just as it is among the angels of heaven. Show the power and might of your Kingdom in our day. Deliver your Church and your children from the hands of the evil one. Bring deliverance to your children who are crying for your help with spiritual, family, health, or financial problems they are having. May our lives be lived to your glory, now and forevermore. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

________________________________
Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

Daniel 12:3
Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.

— Daniel 12:3 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God promised a sifting between the righteous and unrighteous. Jesus repeated the same assurance in his parables. For God's people, however, these are not fearful warnings. Instead, these are words of promise. Those who have wisely honored and lived for God will shine brilliantly for all to see. Those who have led others to live righteously will twinkle like stars in their Father's eyes!

My Prayer...

Loving God, thank you for saving me by your grace and kindness. At the same time, Father, I get frustrated when I see the wicked prosper while your loyal servants are maligned and ridiculed for their character. I'm thankful that you will judge us based on your incredible grace! At the same time, I'm also thankful you will bring justice for those who love you and who are enduring hardship, danger, and ridicule because of their faith. Please be with them, wherever they may be, and give them strength to persevere until that day comes. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

________________________________
Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

Psalm 69:30

I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.

— Psalm 69:30 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

When was the last time you sang praises to God outside a church or devotional service? Why not open up the Psalms and find several verses that reflect your own praise and thanks to God and give them a tune -- your own tune! God doesn't care if your spiritual gift is music or not; he's just listening for your heart to be full of joy as you share your praise and thanksgiving with him.

My Prayer...

O gracious Father, giver of every good and perfect gift, forgive me for relegating my thanksgiving and praise to special days and special places. I praise you for creating your human children with the capacity to celebrate goodness, to rejoice in your creation, and to have the capacity for praise and thanksgiving. Thank you for making our world so full of reasons to offer thanks to you, our Abba Father and Creator. As you continually fill me with your Spirit, may my heart overflow with songs of praise and words of thanksgiving. In Jesus' holy name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

________________________________
Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

Colossians 1:13
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves...

— Colossians 1:13 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God doesn't just hear our cries for deliverance; he sends a powerful Deliverer! God sent Moses in response to the Israelites' cries from Egypt (see Exodus 3). God also sent Jesus in response to the world's cries for deliverance from its bondage to the evil prince of darkness. Our new world, our Kingdom, is built on love -- the sacrificial love of a Savior who not only conquered death for us, but gave himself up to do so. Jesus is not only our rescuer (saves us FROM something), he is also our Savior (also saves us FOR something as well)!

My Prayer...

Loving and eternal God, in Jesus you reached down to my limited and mortal world and rescued me from its mortal limits. Thank you for breaking the strangle hold of death. Thank you for using love to break down the barriers that kept me from you. Thank you for rescuing me and bringing me into your family and your Kingdom. I offer you my thanks, service, and praise in Jesus' name. Amen.

[nChrist]

________________________________
Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

Matthew 5:14
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

— Matthew 5:14 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

For Christians, there is no playing hide and seek with the world. Having been rescued from darkness, we have to let our light shine. That sometimes means that others see God's light reflected in us and learn to glorify God through us. At other times, however, it means that we stand out in a world of darkness and become targets because of our faith. Either way, there is no place to hide. We are light in a world of darkness; we cannot help but shine!

My Prayer...

O Holy God, please strengthen me so that with undaunted courage and with the compassion of Jesus I might display your light to the lost world around me. In the name of Jesus, the Light of the world, I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

________________________________
Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

Ephesians 5:3
Among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.

— Ephesians 5:3 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"Not even a hint!" Hmmmm! Don't you wish it were true? The church I attend and the person I see most often in the mirror don't quite measure up to this directive. If sexual temptation doesn't get us, greed often does. In a culture of conspicuous consumption, greed concerns me more than the immorality and impurity. Not because I am unconcerned with impurity, but because we have become so calloused to our own greed. In this season of giving, let's honestly examine our hearts about our "wanting," "getting," and "possessing."

My Prayer...

Forgive me, generous LORD, for my selfishness and greed. Please give me a heart like yours. You demonstrated that heart when you shared your most precious gift with sinners like me. Now I am a child at your table and an heir of your inheritance. Thank you for your grace! Please, dear Lord, bless me with your Spirit who seeks to bring about a generous and gracious heart within me. In the name of the greatest gift of all, Jesus of Bethlehem, I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

________________________________
Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

— John 8:12 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Are you walking in light or darkness? Can you clearly see your path, or do you find yourself stumbling along an uncertain path? Jesus wants us to boldly follow him. The way may not always be easy, but the destination is assured, and your way can be certain. Most of all, you won't ever have to have a night light -- you're assured that even in the deepest darkness, you will have his light, the only light that gives life.

My Prayer...

Wonderful and tender Shepherd, please give me a faithful heart. Even in my deepest moments of darkness and despair, I want to be able to find your Light and to share his life with others. In the name of the One who is never darkness, Jesus the Light of the world, I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

________________________________
Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

Psalm 112:4
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.

— Psalm 112:4 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

What a powerful promise! Just as night passes into dawn, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous, dawn comes even in the worst nights of deep spiritual darkness. The Holy Spirit is reminding us that even in those worst times of cultural decay and decadence, Satan's darkness will not rule forever. His darkness cannot stay where Jesus' disciples reflect the character of the Light of the world.

My Prayer...

Holy and loving God, help me to shine your light of holiness and Jesus' light of hope to those trapped in darkness. O God, please forgive my sinful failures. Please cleanse me and create a pure heart in me. I don't want to dim or to diminish your light as it shines through me. Help me so that I can more perfectly shine your light to those around me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

________________________________
Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
________________________________

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

— 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We are chosen with a purpose. We are brought out of the darkness of sin and given the wonderful light of salvation so we can help others. You see, we are blessed to be a blessing and given light to shine to others. Most of all, we are called to point others to the one, true, never-interrupted light -- Almighty God!

My Prayer...

Most holy and loving Father, thank you for giving me your light to push darkness out of my heart. Stir in me a profound and holy awe at being made part of your special people -- a priest, a part of your holy nation, a child belonging to you. Your grace to save me is further demonstrated in your desire to use me for your glorious purposes. Thank you for your salvation. In the name of my Savior, Jesus, I pray. Amen.