Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself...when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. (1Pet 2:9; 1John 3:1-2; Php 3:20-21; 2Thes 1:10)

Today's Thought

Today's Thought:

My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise, Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior... (Pro 24:21; Rom 13:1-2; 1Pet 2:13-15; 1Tim 2:1-3)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building...built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit...for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. (Pro 24:3-4; 1Cor 3:9; Eph 2:20-22; Php 2:13; 1Pet 2:4-5; John 1:16)

Today's Thought

Today's Thought:

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience... So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. (Mic 6:8; Col 3:12; Php 2:1-4; Rom 12:9-10)

Today's Thought

Today's Thought:

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high...All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. (Psa 19:1; Rom 1:20; Heb 1:1-3; John 1:3-4)

Today's Thought

Today's Thought: 

Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go. Jesus said.., “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. (Isa 48:17; John 14:6, 26, 16:-13; Gal 5:16-17, 25; Rom 8:5)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: “To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.” In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. (Isa 45:23; 1John 4:9; Php 2:8-11; Rom 6:11-13)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

“I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (Isa 43:25; 2Cor 5:21; Rom 8:3-4; 1John 2:1-2; 2Cor 5:17)

Today's Thought

Today's Thought:

“I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior.” And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." (Isa 43:11; 1John 5:20; Titus 3:4-7; 2Cor 4:6; 1Cor 1:30-31)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. (Isa 41:10; 2Cor 3:4-5; Php 1:6; Col 3:1-2; 1John 2:16)

Today's Thought

Today's Thought:

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Isa 40:28; Rom 11:33; Eph 1:3-6, 2:8-10)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away. For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. (Ecc 3:14-15; 1Cor 1:26-29; 2Cor 4:6-7)

Today's Thought

Today's Thought: 

Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind. First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior... It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. (Ecc 4:6; 1Tim 2:1-3; Lam 3:26; Gal 6:9-10; James 5:7-8)

Today's Thought

Today's Thought:

Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven. But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Pro 23:4-5; 1Tim 6:6-11; Heb 13:5)

 

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding. And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. (Pro 19:20, 11:14; Job 12:13; Eph 4:11-14)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good. Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. (Pro 19:8, 11; Rom 12:17-18; James 3:16-18; 2Tim 2:22; 1Tim 1:5)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity...so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. (Pro 18:15; 2Tim 3:16-17, 2:15; Eph 1:16-18; 2Pet 3:18; Col 1:10)

Today's Thought

Today's Thought:

Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. For "Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect... (Pro 17:27, 10:19; Psa 141:3; Col 4:6; 1Pet 3:10, 15)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace...Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one. (Pro 17:14; Rom 12:16-18; 1Pet:4:10; 1Thes 4:9, 11-12)

Today's Thought

Today's Thought: 

Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (Pro 16:32; Eph 4:26-27, 31; James 1:19-20; Gal 5:22-25)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. (Pro 16:17; 1Pet 1:14-19, 3-4)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart. "I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds." For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Pro 21:2; Jer 17:10; Heb 4:12; Gal 6:3; Rom 12:3 Titus 2:11-14)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Pro 16:24; Eph 4:29; 1Thes 5:11; Col 3:16-17; Rom 15:2; Col 4:6)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. (Pro 16:20; 2Pet 1:3-4; 2Tim 3:16-17; Eph 4:11-14)