Today's Verse

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
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2 Corinthians 5:21
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

— 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus was perfect, spotless, holy, righteous, and clean. Yet he became what he hated, sin. Why would he do such a thing? Because he loved us and wanted us to be what he is today, the righteousness of God.

My Prayer...

Almighty and loving Father, thank you for making me holy -- your righteousness -- by the sacrifice of Jesus. Thank you, dear Savior, for paying such a horrible price, not just by dying on the cross, but also by becoming my sin and carrying away my guilt. All praise to you, dear Father, for your plan, and thanks and glory to you, dear Jesus, for your loving sacrifice. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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1 Thessalonians 5:23
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

— 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We know that true righteousness and holiness are qualities possessed perfectly by only God. Amazingly, God uses his Spirit to make those qualities a growing reality in our lives when we will yield to his leadership. Yesterday, we committed to let the Spirit work on maturing us in our weakest areas. Let's take an extra five or ten minutes sometime today, open God's Word, and read several passages of Scripture that apply to our specific vulnerabilities. Then, let's ask God's Spirit to transform us in these areas to be more like Christ!

My Prayer...

Dear Father, may Jesus come soon with grace and glory! May I be found blameless on that day, dear Father, not by my power and effort, but because of your transforming power at work within me. In Jesus' name I ask this. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
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Galatians 5:24
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

— Galatians 5:24 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

When we became Christians, we died to the old person of sin and were raised up a new person. While we have many of the same battles with temptation, we also now have the power of the resurrection and the Holy Spirit at work within us to help us.

My Prayer...

Righteous Father, help me keep the dead and cast-away sin of my past far away from my heart and out of my life. May my life be a holy sacrifice that is pleasing to you. In the name of my Savior, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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John 5:25
I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.

— John 5:25 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Aren't you glad that not even death can stop us from hearing Jesus' promised words to us: "RISE!"? We will hear his voice and live with him forever. That sure puts a lift in my future plans; what about you?

My Prayer...

Thank you, Almighty God, that Jesus' resurrection demonstrated your power to destroy death. I have confidence in your Son's promises to return, to raise me from the dead if I die before his return, and to take me home to be with you. In the Savior's name. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Luke 5:27
After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.

— Luke 5:27 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

After capturing the hearts of the crowd, Jesus now calls another disciple, Levi (Matthew). Two things are significant about this calling. First, Jesus called someone no other religious leader would have chosen, a tax collector and Roman sympathizer -- to any Jew of Jesus' era, Matthew would have seemed very much like a traitor to his heritage and to his faith. Second, the tax collector followed, leaving behind his livelihood and his fortune. This is a powerful reminder that there is no one we should write off as unreachable with the Gospel and as unusable by our Lord.

My Prayer...

Father of all nations, help me recognize the people you place in my path today who are ready to know more about Jesus. Give me the wisdom and the awareness to know when and how to speak with them about my Savior. In Jesus' name. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Luke 5:26
Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today."

— Luke 5:26 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus forgave a man who was lame, then showed he had authority to forgive by healing him. As exciting and important as this healing was, the most important thing was the reaction of those who witnessed it; they praised God out of a sense of amazed awe. They recognized that Jesus had come to minister as God's very presence. When we understand who Jesus is and what he has done for us and will continue to do for us, we do the same thing today -- we offer our praises with a sense of amazement and awe.

My Prayer...

Almighty God and Heavenly Father, I glorify your name and thank you for your grace which you so lavishly poured out on me through your Son and my Savior, Jesus, in whose name I offer this praise. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Matthew 5:28
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

— Matthew 5:28 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Living in a sexually supercharged world and facing the prevalence of pornography on the Internet and in today's media, how are you doing with this issue?

My Prayer...

Loving Father, give me the strength to resist sexual temptation, the wisdom to stay away from it, and character to triumph over it. 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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Acts 5:29
Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!"

— Acts 5:29 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Against a stern warning from the ruling council in Jerusalem, called the Sanhedrin, Peter and the other apostles proclaimed Jesus as Lord. They knew that Jesus had triumphed over the attempts of his enemies to extinguish him and his ministry. The apostles blatantly disobeyed the orders of the very same people who had Jesus crucified. By any standard, that is faithful courage. How are you doing in the "standing up for Jesus" battle?

My Prayer...

Lord God Almighty, please empower me by your Spirit to be courageous. I do not want to ever back down from my convictions nor ever renounce my faith in Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Acts 5:30
The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead -- whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.

— Acts 5:30 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Peter is making clear that his faith in Jesus didn't just begin with Jesus. It began with the Patriarchs, the great Jewish fathers. The God who blessed them also raised Jesus from the dead, even though Jesus had been executed in the most heinous and degrading way possible for a faithful Jew -- he was nailed to a cross, something that was both illegal and a sign of being cursed under Jewish Law. He raised Jesus from the dead and exalted him and made him our Savior and our Lord. Praise God!

My Prayer...

Thank you, dear Father, for showing your power over evil, sin, hate, jealousy, and death. In the name of Jesus, my Lord and Savior, I offer my praise and thanksgiving. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Luke 5:31-32
Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

— Luke 5:31-32 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus was often criticized for deliberately associating with people who were suspect in the eyes of the "religious." There was a reason for his behavior. He wasn't doing this to be popular, weird, bizarre, or hip. Jesus came to redeem the enslaved, find the lost, mend the broken, and reclaim the sinner. Can Jesus' bodily presence strive for anything less than this today, and still call herself Jesus' Church?

My Prayer...

Forgive me, Father, when I opt for security in my acquaintances and I avoid potentially messy entanglements in my relationships. Please open my eyes to see the needy all around me. Please use me to lead them to your grace and to help them find family with 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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Galatians 6:2
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

— Galatians 6:2 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"I didn't know Jesus had a law!" Well, he doesn't have a written one like we find in the Old Testament (2 Corinthians 3). No, his is Spirit-imprinted on our hearts and transforms our character. This law gives us liberty from written law (James 2:12-17) and emphasizes the undergirding principle that guided Jesus' life -- sacrifice and service for others (Philippians 2:5-11). Far more than a written law, this is a passion for Christ and a commitment to be like him.

My Prayer...

Almighty and compassionate Father, may Jesus' passion of helping others be my passion so that others may see your love and grace through my life and glorify you! 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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Matthew 6:1
"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."

— Matthew 6:1 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Compassion is not for personal glory, just as it is not a private internal emotion. Christian compassion must always motivate us to act in the best interest and for the greater good of those in need, without calling attention to ourselves or our sacrifices. God provides what we need to bless others and takes care of the reward when our goal is to please him and to be used by him to bless others who are in need.

My Prayer...

Loving God and tender Shepherd, use me each day to be a blessing to someone in need. Please open my eyes and ears to see those around me who need emotional support or financial help. Please give me the courage to bless them and lead them closer to you. 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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Romans 6:3
Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

— Romans 6:3 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

More than an outward symbol, baptism is coming to the core of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and sharing in it by grace (Romans 6:1-15). What an incredible blessing to be able to do what Jesus did at the beginning of his ministry to please God (Luke 3:21-22), and also know that through our faith in God's power to raise him from the dead, our lives can be joined with his until we can share fully in his glory! (Colossians 2:12; 3:1-4).

My Prayer...

Loving Father, thank you for your grace. Thank you for raising Jesus from death. Thank you for letting me share in that resurrection through faith. Thank you for the assurance I have of sharing in his glory. Thank you for letting me be your beloved child, with whom you are well pleased. Thank you in Jesus' name. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
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Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

— Ephesians 6:4 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Malachi 4:6 promised that fathers and children would be reunited in heart. Let's make that true in our homes by nurturing and correcting our children -- with a balance between nurture and correction. Let's not make our faith so full of rules and restrictions that it becomes impossible for our children to hear that they are our beloved children, with whom we are very pleased! Let's not grant so much freedom that our children feel neglected and uncertain. Let's turn our hearts toward them and pray for God to turn their hearts toward their home with us and their home with you!

My Prayer...

O Lord God Almighty, Abba Father, our land lies under a curse because so many Fathers have spiritually and physically abandoned their children. Please raise up parents, especially fathers, who will balance the challenging tasks of love, nurture, and correction so that our land may be healed and our children may know your love and grace. In Jesus name. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Verse
By Phil Ware, Heartlight Magazine
Free By RSS News From Heartlight
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Romans 6:5
If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.

— Romans 6:5 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

So, here's the great news: if we have died with Christ, we've already died the only death that really matters. Our lives are joined with his and so we will share in his glory when he returns (Colossians 3:1-4). Even death cannot separate us from his presence in our lives (Romans 8:35-39) because we have been given the victory over death through Christ Jesus our Lord (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). We do not have to fear the second death (Revelation 2:11; 20:6) because we have already passed over from death into life (John 5:24).

My Prayer...

Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God — through Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen. (Romans 7:24-25)