daily bible verse
august 12, 2009
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
— John 15:13
Words communicate and explain. We can tell
people that we love them. We can explain how
precious they are to us. Actions validate and confirm.
When we sacrifice our preferences for another, we show
our respect and affection. When we sacrifice ourselves,
our wishes, and our preferences for a friend, we give the
greatest of all gifts and prove our love beyond any doubt.
may 23, 2009
To him who is able to keep you from falling and
to present you before his glorious presence without
fault and with great joy -- to the only God our Savior be
glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus
Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!
Amen.
— Jude 24-25
Two things I trust implicitly: 1) God's power and might,
and 2) my joy at getting to share in his presence. My best
efforts will always fall short, but God's grace is greater
and more glorious than my best efforts! The faultlessness
that I have when I stand before him is based on his grace
and mercy. How can I not praise him from a thankful heart
and anticipate seeing him face to face in glory?
may 20, 2009
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
— Philippians 1:21
ultimate question in each of our lives is simply
this: do we have something to live for that is also
worth dying for? Paul's answer is "Yes!" Christ is the
answer, the reason, and the hope. Now if we can
get our wills and our hearts to line up with our
commitments, we can make that same statement, too!
may 19, 2009
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty
hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for you.
— 1 Peter 5:6-7
You've probably had a similar experience to this one.
Someone asks you how you're doing. At first, they seem
interested, but as you begin to share the burdens of your
heart, you begin to realize that they aren't really listening
and aren't really interested; they're just being polite. Most
people have so many burdens they simply don't know
what to do with more. Our Father in heaven, however, says
"Cast all your anxieties on me. You can share all of them
with me, because I genuinely care for you."
may 17, 2009
The way of the LORD is a refuge for the righteous,
but it is the ruin of those who do evil.
— Proverbs 10:29
What is your source of security, hope, and protection?
The way of the Lord is a refuge, a strength, a place of
security! Let's make sure we live our lives there, knowing
that God's commands and demands for righteousness
are for our protection as well as his glory.
may 13, 2009
"You are the light of the world.
A city on a hill cannot be hidden."
— Matthew 5:14
Darkness dominates our world. Despite appearances,
darkness controls much of what is said and how it is
viewed by the world. When people live for Christ, they
will be noticed. Their allegiance to Jesus and his
righteousness cannot be ignored. So what are we going
to do with that light? Are others going to see and be drawn
to our Father in Heaven who sent his Son as Savior?
Or, are they going to reject the way of Christ because
our walk is all talk and not much service? Let's let them
see God's grace through our lives so they will
come to know the Savior!
may 12, 2009
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses
its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It
is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown
out and trampled by men."
— Matthew 5:13
Jesus wanted us to never give up our moral
distinctiveness, our redemptive influence, or our
loving impact on those around us. The purpose
of our presence in the world is to be an influence
in our culture against further decay and to season
the bitter, dog-eat-dog world with grace and mercy.
may 11, 2009
"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you."
— Luke 6:27
Jesus was the perfect example of this command
in his life and death. Love has such redemptive,
life-changing power. While not everyone responds,
many do. While being kind in our deeds and loving
in our hearts to our enemies is not easy, God's Spirit
can fill us with Jesus' love and help us live powerful
lives of grace even in the presence of those who hate us.
may 10, 2009
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise,
as some understand slowness. He is patient with
you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone
to come to repentance.
— 2 Peter 3:9
God wants all people brought to repentance
so they can receive his grace and live with him
in glory. If that is God's passion, how can we not
make it our passion?
may 9, 2009
He who heeds discipline shows the way to life,
whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
— Proverbs 10:17
Discipline is not only important to us, but also to those
who are influenced by our actions. So often we undervalue
the impact of our personal decisions on others. But God
has placed each of us in a circle of influence to be a blessing
and a redemptive influence for those around us. To choose
what is foolish, to ignore godly correction, not only jeopardizes
our own future, but also the future of others.
may 8, 2009
However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear
has heard, no mind has conceived what God has
prepared for those who love him."
— 1 Corinthians 2:9
Kids look forward to Christmas, Disneyland, and
summer vacation. They imagine how great those things
could be. Christians look forward to heaven and dream
of seeing the Lord face to face, of being reunited with
those we love who have gone home to the Lord before
us, and of sharing in the glory of Jesus and his angels.
But we can't even begin to imagine the great things that
God has prepared for us. They are far more glorious than
anything we can dream or imagine. So let's anticipate
being surprised and live with passion for the cause of
the Kingdom knowing that any loss, any wound, any
trouble, will "not be worth comparing to the glory to be
revealed in us"
may 7, 2009
Who is wise and understanding among you?
Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done
in the humility that comes from wisdom.
— James 3:13
Wisdom isn't shown by our "book learning,"
smart comments, or arrogance. No, true wisdom
is shown by the godly character of our lives lived
with humility and kind deeds.
may 6, 2009
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
— Proverbs 3:7
Let's keep this simple. First, we need to admit
that with the complexities and perplexities of life that
even the smartest of us is not all that brilliant. Second,
the LORD our God is awesome in holiness, majesty,
power, wisdom, and grace; he is far beyond us and all
we can truly grasp of him is the smallest of glimpses
of glory. Finally, let's stay away from anything that
smacks of evil knowing that evil infects and confuses
us, as well as separates us from God.
may 5, 2009
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
— Psalm 139:23-24
Most of us don't like being scrutinized and tested.
But God knows us through and through. He has been
with us from our conception and will work with us
through the grave and beyond. So let's invite him
into our interior world to search us, test us, and even
scrutinize our anxious thoughts. He is not there to
condemn or punish, but to cleanse and redeem
so that we can be led to his eternal grace.
may 4, 2009
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God,
who gives generously to all without finding fault,
and it will be given to him.
— James 1:5
So often we act out of ignorance and face grave
consequences for our actions. God longs to grant
us spiritual wisdom that not only helps us make wise
choices, but also gives us the ability to act and react
with grace and wisdom. Before we face each day,
before we face challenging situations, before we
make challenging decisions, let's seek God's face
and ask for his gift of wisdom.
may 1, 2009
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone
who asks you to give the reason for the hope that
you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ....
— 1 Peter 3:15
How do we effectively share our faith, especially
in situations hostile to faith? First, we consciously
submit our hearts to Christ as Lord. Second, we prepare
a presentation of faith that focuses on the hope we have
in Jesus. Finally, when we share our reason for hope, we
do it with respect, gently sharing our faith with others.
Of course we would never have an opportunity to share our
faith if we don't live a life of faith that makes an
impact on those around us.