Today's Verse

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Joshua 1:8
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

— Joshua 1:8 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We need to be reminded, just like Joshua and the Israelites, that God gave us his Law to be a blessing to his people. The Law was given to help Israel live the will of God in their daily lives. If they would live God's way, he promised they would be blessed. In addition, God is the Creator. He knows the best way for humans to live in harmony with the principles of his universe. His Law was not intended to hinder or interfere with the happiness and experience of his people. Instead, it was to help them prosper and find success in life. As Paul repeatedly reminds us in Galatians, we are no longer under Law. But, as we live by the Spirit, the character that is produced reflects the character of Jesus, the one who fulfilled the Law and brings us the blessings God has intended all along. Bottom line: Following God's will and living his character is a blessing to us!

My Prayer...

Loving Father, thank you for speaking your will in human words so I can better know how to live for you. I know obeying your will blesses me and those around me. Empower me with your Spirit so that your character and grace will be fully realized in my life and my example. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Colossians 1:9

Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

— Colossians 1:9 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Paul wrote these words to the Christians at Colossae, but he had never been there. Despite his lack of "in person" knowledge, he ministered effectively to the Colossians. He prayed specifically for them to better know God and his will for them. What a great idea! Let's find a mission church (inner city, overseas, hostile environment) and start praying consistently for that congregation, asking God to help them know him and his will more perfectly.

My Prayer...

Holy and all powerful God, bless my church family with a deeper knowledge and appreciation of your nature, character, and grace. In addition, please bless ___ (add your mission church of choice) with growth, health, and most of all, knowledge of you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Proverbs 1:10

My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.

— Proverbs 1:10 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The real issue isn't "if" but "when"! Our children face tremendous peer pressure. We do, too! We must help them resist the enticements of this pressure. Also, we must never tire in resisting them ourselves.

My Prayer...

O God, I do face temptations and enticements. Please guard my heart, my life, and my example. Help me be a person of character and integrity. In addition, please enable me to lead, protect, guard, and warn my children -- both those who are my children in the flesh and those in the faith. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Mark 1:11

And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

— Mark 1:11 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Shortly after Jesus' baptism, he went to face Satan in a grueling 40 days of temptation. Remember what Satan's opening words were? "If you are the Son of God..." Wasn't it great that God had already reassured him of his relationship before it was questioned? What do those you love need to hear from you today? You don't know when their time of trial will come; you just know it will, so go ahead and reassure them before it's necessary!

My Prayer...

Almighty and loving Father, please help me to say the right words of love and affection to those whom I love so that when temptation comes, or when others try to draw them away from me, they will not doubt my love 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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James 1:12

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

— James 1:12 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

This beatitude comes from Jesus' brother. He had experienced it and not just taught it! James knew it was worth "hanging in" and "hanging on" when his faith was under attack. He affirmed that God loves us and that he has made incredible promises about what lies ahead for us. He knew that eventually our period of testing would be transformed into a time of great blessing. James wants us to know that God longs to bless us with life! After all, that's why he sent Jesus. (cf. John 10:10)

My Prayer...

Dear LORD and Father, thank you for all those times that you strengthened me when I was under attack and sustained me when I was weary and ready to quit. Write "perseverance" deep within my soul and give me a spirit of tenacity so that I might serve you no matter what the outward circumstances of my life may be. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Colossians 1:13-14

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

— Colossians 1:13-14 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Rescued! Redeemed! Forgiven! Those are the three concepts in this short passage. But, maybe the most important one of all is represented by the phrase, "Son he loves." God didn't save us with a plan, or a message, or a clean and immaculate process. Instead, he took what was most precious to him and offered Jesus up as our salvation. The cost was enormous. The love involved was overwhelming. The result is our greatest gift.

My Prayer...

Almighty God and Loving Father, neither my words nor my deeds could ever repay the gift you have given me in Jesus. Jesus, my appreciation for your sacrifice moves me to tears of joyful thanksgiving. For all that you have done, for all that you have made me, and for all that it cost you, I praise you and offer my life as a sacrifice of praise. In your name, Lord Jesus, I offer up my praise. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Ephesians 1:14

[You were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,] who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession -- to the praise of his glory.

— Ephesians 1:14 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God is true to his word. He keeps his promises. But, that was not enough for him. He gave us a down payment, a deposit, so we could be sure of our inheritance and look forward to the full realization of our salvation. He gave us the Holy Spirit. When God buys us out of slavery to our mortal bodies and redeems us into our eternal home with bodies that will not grow old or decay, we won't need the deposit; we will have the full inheritance. But until then, until we go to him, isn't it amazing that he makes his home within us!

My Prayer...

Transcendent and yet ever-near God, thank you for not making me wait to experience your presence. Thank you for giving me "a foretaste of glory divine." Thank you for sending your blessed and promised Spirit to live in me and remind me where my home truly is. Until the day I see you face-to-face, I want to honor your presence in my mortal body by living a life that is pure, holy, and a blessing to others. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Titus 1:15

To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.

— Titus 1:15 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Rust stains, grass stains, blood stains, chocolate stains -- ARGH! Those stains are real nightmares in the laundry room. They don't just leave a stain on the surface of the fabric, but they also leave a residue that infiltrates the fibers of our clothes. Evil is that way. We must not kid ourselves. Evil corrupts and leaves a residue that corrupts everything it touches, including the hearts of otherwise decent people. That's why we are urged to stay far away from evil and avoid its very appearance. That's also why Jesus died: to not only overcome the Evil One, but to also clean away the stain and its residue.

My Prayer...

Father, guard my path and give me good Christian friends who will help guard my life from evil. In addition, dear Father, please help me as I seek to share the cleansing and liberating power of Christ with those around me who are caught in evil's destructive and deceptive grasp. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Ruth 1:16

Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God."

— Ruth 1:16 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

This beautiful statement of loyalty makes its way into thousands of weddings each year. Incredibly, this wasn't originally a pledge of a bride or groom. Instead, it was the pledge of Ruth to her mother-in-law -- some would call her an ex-mother-in-law since Ruth's husband, Naomi's son, had died, but Ruth never treats Naomi as an "ex" of any kind. God loves loyalty and bestows his blessing and favor when we are loyal to others. In an era where people are thrown away as readily as paper plates and napkins, let's remember that loyalty is a quality that God not only loves, but it is also a quality that he defines for us in Jesus. So let's see loyalty to friends, to family, and to other followers of Jesus as a crucial commitment.

My Prayer...

Almighty and faithful God, thank you for your loyalty to your covenant promises to Israel. Thank you for not giving up on your people or your promises despite the fickleness and unfaithfulness of your people. Bless us today as we seek to be a loyal and honorable people, your true children in a turbulent and treacherous world. May the light of faithfulness that is seen through us beckon others to find stability and hope in your grace and in your people. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Isaiah 1:17

Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.

— Isaiah 1:17 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"A man's got to take care of himself!" Yeah, we do have to be responsible folks. But, part of being responsible, part of being blessed -- at least as God sees it -- is to care for others, to stick up for the disadvantaged, and to intervene when someone else is being exploited. After all, we are our "brother's and sister's keeper!"

My Prayer...

Remove the heart of selfishness, O God, that keeps me from caring for the downtrodden, abused, forgotten, and broken. Give me your eyes of concern and Jesus' heart of compassion to see them and minister to them. In his name, the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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1 Peter 1:18-19

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

— 1 Peter 1:18-19 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

A: "How much did it cost?" B: "What? This old thing? This sack of bones and blood and brain? This heart and mind and soul that live inside?" A: "Yeah! How much did it cost?" B: "It cost the greatest gift of heaven to redeem it and make me whole. That's how much God thinks of me. Incredible, isn't it?!"

My Prayer...

Father, I am bewildered, humbled, and thrilled to know that you value me so highly. Forgive me for cheapening myself with sin, for dwelling on things that are petty, and for chasing after things that are worthless. Thank you for loving me so. By your Spirit, please help me live up to the value you see in me and aspire to the lofty life you call me to live. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Ephesians 1:17-20
I pray ... also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know ... his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead...

— Ephesians 1:17-20 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

I still don't understand resurrection. I get the concept. I believe God did raise Jesus. Every once in a while, I experience that power through the Spirit's work in my life strengthening me for ministry, helping me love others in tough situations, comforting me when I'm broken, giving me insight when I study the Word, and strengthening me in the face of temptation. I am humbled, thrilled, and left longing for more. I want others I love to experience this awesome power. I'm sure it's the same with you. So let's join together today, thousands of us all around world, and let's pray for God to empower those closest to us to discover his power and to do great things through his Spirit who lives in them.

My Prayer...

Loving God, Almighty Father, please empower me today to live for you in glorious and wonderful ways. But Father, I don't just pray that I may do this, please empower those that I love to live for you. (Add the specific names of folks you want God to bless in this way.) May we all know that the power in us tore away the bars of death that held Jesus captive. May we experience this transforming power and use it to your glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Romans 1:20
For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities -- his eternal power and divine nature -- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

— Romans 1:20 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

What an incredible world we live in! The expanse of space is humbling. The majesty of the mountain peaks takes away our breath. On and on we could go, describing all the beautiful, magnificent, and awe-inspiring wonders of the universe. The variety, the order, the symmetry, and the unexpected all testify to God, the Genius behind it all.

My Prayer...

O LORD, Almighty God, your works of creation bedazzle me with your incredible sense of majesty, grace, wonder, awe, and beauty. Thank you for making your fingerprints so clearly seen in our incredible world. In Jesus' name I praise. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Deuteronomy 1:21
See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

— Deuteronomy 1:21 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

A word of encouragement is indispensable at the start of a new journey, especially when the journey demands your leadership. Joshua is no longer second chair. He is no longer the backup to all-pro Moses. Now it is his turn to lead. The people he leads have only known the leadership of the incomparable Moses. How will he lead? He will lead trusting the promises of God and without fear or discouragement! How is this possible? Because the real leader of God's people hasn't really changed! God is still God. His word is still true. His promises are still trustworthy. His might is still all-powerful.

My Prayer...

O God, as I face increasing responsibilities and greater challenges, remind me of your promises, allay my fears, strengthen my resolve, and lead me by your will. May the victories in which I participate always bring glory and honor to you. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ 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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Colossians 1:22
Once you were alienated from God ... but now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.

— Colossians 1:22 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven!" You've probably seen this bumper sticker or something similar. In one sense this is absolutely true. But, from God's point of view, Christians ARE perfect. That's the incredible message Paul gives the Colossians. Because of Jesus' sacrifice, God does not see our imperfections. He sees us through Christ's perfection. Look at these concepts and marvel! Look at how God views you and give thanks! Be humbled by God's grace to us in Jesus and rejoice! Holy, without blemish, and free from accusation -- there's nothing left to say but "Hallelujah!"

My Prayer...

Father, thank you for providing the sacrifice that makes me clean. Thank you for seeing my worth through the perfection of Jesus and his sacrifice. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for paying off my debt to sin and for sharing your perfection with me. May my life today, and everyday, more closely resemble the perfection you have given me by your grace. In the name of my Savior Jesus, I pray. Amen.