Daily Verse

[A desperate and lonely woman who had been ill for years came to Jesus for healing after spending all her money on doctors who could not help her.] She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."—Matthew 9:21Thoughts on Today's Verse...The woman who said this to herself knew ostracism and loneliness because of her twelve-year bout with an illness that made her unclean under Jewish […]

"But what about you?" [Jesus asked his disciples]. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "The Christ of God."—Luke 9:20Thoughts on Today's Verse...Many people had and still have widely varying opinions about Jesus' identity. The real issue, however, is what YOU believe about Jesus and who Jesus reveals himself to be. What you decide about the identity of Jesus as God's Son, the LORD and Christ, the Messiah of […]

Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.—1 Corinthians 9:19Thoughts on Today's Verse...Grace frees us from the law of sin and death. However, our freedom is not to be used selfishly — not for rebellion or self-gratification. Instead, we must use our liberty redemptively, just as Jesus did (Philippians 2:5-11). We can voluntarily limit that freedom […]

Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.—Ecclesiastes 9:18Thoughts on Today's Verse...Just a little leaven and the whole lump is changed (1 Corinthians 5:6). A sinful person can have the same effect, leaving an evil residue on an entire group of people committed to God. So let's be wise and reverence God by obeying him and his Word. Let's be insightful in the way we […]

[Moses reminded the Israelites of his reaction to seeing the golden calf they had demanded by saying,] "So I took the two tablets and threw them out of my hands, breaking them to pieces before your eyes."—Deuteronomy 9:17Thoughts on Today's Verse...Anger, frustration, disappointment, and loss of self-control have sunk many of God's most significant leaders — even when what they have seen is horrible and dishonoring to God. Leading can […]

[God told Noah,] "Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."—Genesis 9:16Thoughts on Today's Verse...I don't know about you, but I'm very visual. So, I appreciate how God made the world with all its varied colors, many species, and rich landscapes. I am thankful that our Father in Heaven used […]

[In talking about others having the right to be supported in their ministry, the apostle Paul says of himself,] "But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me. I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast [of being self-supporting]."—1 Corinthians 9:15Thoughts on Today's Verse...Paul was careful not to take […]

In the same way [as God commanded farm animals to be fed for their work], the LORD has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.—1 Corinthians 9:14Thoughts on Today's Verse...One of the great tragedies of our modern world is that while some who preach and teach the gospel are charlatans and cheats, the vast majority of God's servants work hard and barely scrape […]

[When his disciples wondered how to feed the huge crowd who had been with them several days and were famished, Jesus] replied, "You give them something to eat."   They answered, "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish — unless we go and buy food for all this crowd."—Luke 9:13Thoughts on Today's Verse...I love the way Jesus got his disciples' attention in this situation. He challenged them […]