Verse of the Day

Verse of the Day - Isaiah 2:22

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he? — Isaiah 2:22

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God will humble the arrogant. He has a day designated to do this. But, until that day dawns, God's Kingdom people must live knowing that even the apparently powerful will be brought to ruin. We shouldn't trust in human power; it can evaporate like dew in the desert. Human power is limited by death. When the breath of a tyrant is gone, so is his power. Once the life of an evil person is over, all that is left is the evil. Our trust must be in Yahweh Sabbaoth, the Lord God of heaven's armies. Anything else is a dim, small, and distorted reflection of the real thing.

My Prayer...

Abba Father, forgive me for those times that I have relied on my own savvy, my own wits, and my own insight to life. Forgive me for not trusting in your deliverance and relying on underhanded ways or improper partners. Please cleanse me and create in me a pure heart and an unquenchable passion for you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. You can email questions or comments to phil@heartlight.org.

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All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Verse of the Day - Joel 2:21

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Be not afraid, O land; be glad and rejoice. Surely the LORD has done great things. — Joel 2:21

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

This reassurance from God is given to a people facing desperate times, which were brought on by God to lead them to repent. Their land lies desolate and decimated from drought, plagues, and poor harvests. God, however, is now promising to bless them if they will return to him with all their hearts. The LORD, the covenant God of Israel, will do great things to bring his people to deliverance through their repentance and his gracious power. The land can rejoice and be glad. So should his people! So should we! Because of Jesus, we know that "the LORD has done great things" for us!

My Prayer...

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your incredible work in our world. Thank you for your incredible work in my little part of that world. Thank you for your deliverance in Jesus. Thank you for the victory over death. Thank you for the incredible outpouring of your grace and mercy. Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit. Thank you for the Scriptures which your Spirit inspired and uses to teach us. Thank you for a family of friends in your Church. Thank you... in Jesus' name. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. You can email questions or comments to phil@heartlight.org.

Verse of the Day - Galatians 2:20

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. — Galatians 2:20

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We are dead, but more alive than ever before. We are crucified and humiliated, yet glorified as never before. You see, Christ lives in us. He works through us to bless others. So the life we live now in our limited bodies is not limited -- it is the work of Christ. The life we live now is lived by faith in the one and only Savior, who has shown his love by giving himself to redeem us.

My Prayer...

Almighty and Holy God, thank you for sharing your life and power with me and through me. Thank you for joining my life to Christ. Thank you for joining Christ to my life! May his love, grace, and power be seen in my actions and character. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. You can email questions or comments to phil@heartlight.org.

Verse of the Day - Hosea 2:19-20

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the LORD. — Hosea 2:19-20

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God longed for Israel to be faithful to him. Despite the unfaithfulness in the past, God offered his people forgiveness and hope that they could be restored to relationship with him again. If God was willing to pay such an incredibly high price to do this, shouldn't we do the same with each other? But, let's go one step further; let's be faithful to each other and to God in the first place!

My Prayer...

Dear Heavenly Father, God of compassion, please give me a more forgiving and sensitive heart. In addition, dear Father, please give me a faithful heart that will not stray from the pledges and vows I have made to you and to others. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. You can email questions or comments to phil@heartlight.org.

Verse of the Day - Genesis 2:18

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." — Genesis 2:18

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Two powerful principles are presented here. First, God looks out for us and blesses us with what we need most. Second, God made us for relationship: relationship with him and with a life partner. Yes, Matthew 19 and 1 Corinthians 7 both emphasize that some are gifted to be single, but most of us are made to be complete with another. Marriage and a marriage partner are a gift from God. Let's live like they are!

My Prayer...

Holy God, I want to thank you for looking out for my needs. So many times I ask you for what I want, not what I need. Thank you for doing what is best for me and not what I want! Now, dear Father, please help me treat the significant people in my life as gifts from you. In the name of Jesus, your ultimate gift, I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. You can email questions or comments to phil@heartlight.org.

Verse of the Day - Isaiah 2:17-18

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

The arrogance of man will be brought low and the pride of men humbled; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day, and the idols will totally disappear. — Isaiah 2:17-18

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Every time humankind gets "too big for its britches," we find ourselves humbled by a natural disaster, world war, incurable disease, economic depression, or widespread social disorder. Our arrogance seems to be the best predictor of our own impending disasters. Is the force at work here a basic principle of our universe? ("Pride goes before a fall.") Or is this the active discipline of God at work? I guess the answer is "Yes!" Both of these. Both God and his world remind us that there is so much about our lives we can't control. This passage, however, goes beyond the general principles and promises an ultimate day when human arrogance will be eliminated and all false gods disappear. On that day, God's children will rejoice and be glad! Until then, let's walk humbly with our God.

My Prayer...

Dear Father in heaven, please humble me gently. I don't want to lose my keen sense of your presence by becoming too full of myself. Neither do I want to bring disaster upon myself or those I love. Give me an undivided heart of devotion to you out of appreciation for your grace. In the name of the Lord Jesus I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. You can email questions or comments to phil@heartlight.org.

Verse of the Day - Malachi 2:16

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

"I hate divorce," says the LORD God of Israel... "So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith." — Malachi 2:16

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

In a throw-away world, God wants us to know that he hates it when we throw away people. Let's call each other to God's standard, to God's holiness. Let's not let our spirits be corrupted by selfishness and resentment. Let's not break faith with God by treating those closest to us with contempt. And in a world where people get broken by divorce, let's go find them, include them, and bring them home to God's family for healing.

My Prayer...

Almighty God, please make our words strong, our commitments lasting, and our lives faithful to the promises we make to you and to each other. Thank you for the great example of so many of your people who have had incredibly strong marriages. Bless me and my house with a legacy of faithfulness that lasts for generations to come. In addition, dear Father, please use me to bring home to you those who have been broken and disheartened in marriages that failed. In Jesus' name. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. You can email questions or comments to phil@heartlight.org.