Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts. I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. Jesus said...“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise... (Jer 15:16; Psa 119:101; John 14:6; 1John 2:7-8; Eph 5:15)

                   

Today's Thought

Today's Thought:

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent...my son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths...The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 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. (Psa 1:1; Pro 1:10, 15; Rom 3:12; Eph 5:11; Rom 12:2; Gal 5:16-17)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him... (Eph 4:7; 2Cor 6:1; 1Pet 4:10; Rom 15:1-2; 1John 3:18-19)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him...When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 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. I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called. (Col 1:21-22, 3:4; Titus 2:11-14; Eph 4:1)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

“I pray concerning them; I do not pray concerning the world, but concerning the ones whom You gave to Me, because they are Yours. And I do not pray concerning these only, but also concerning those who will believe in Me through their word; that all may be one, as You are in Me, Father, and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” For God is one, also there is one Mediator of God and of men, the Man Christ Jesus, the One having given Himself a ransom on behalf of all, the testimony to be given in its own time...And from this He is able to save to the end completely the ones drawing near to God through Him, forever living to intercede on their behalf. Now to Him being able to keep you without stumbling, and to set you before His glory without blemish, with unspeakable joy; to the only wise God, our Savior, be glory and majesty and might and authority, even now and forever. Amen. (John 17:9, 20-21; 1Tim 2:5-6; Heb :25; Jude 1:24-25)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come...assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. 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. (Rom 6:3-4; 2Cor 5:17; Eph 4:21-24; Rom 6:11-12)

Today's Thought

Today's Thought:

Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. (Rom 15:2-3, 12:4-5; 1Pet 4:8-10; Rom 14:18-19)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life... (Rom 8:1-2, 5:1; 2Cor 5:18-20; Php 2:14-16a)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

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...with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience...Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (Php 2:3-4; Eph 4:2-3; 1Cor 13:4-5; Col 3:12; 1Pet 5:6-7)

Today's Thought

Today's Thought:

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. (Eph 4:15-16; Gal 5:13; 1Tim 1:5; Rom 12:4-5, 10)

Today's Thought

Today's Thought:

 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. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. 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. 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... (2Cor 4:6-7; Eph 1:13-14; Php 3:20-21; Titus 2:11-13)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 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. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, (John 1:14, 16; Rom 5:1-2; Eph 2:8-10; Col 2:9-10; Php 1:27a)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 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. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (John 16:33; 1John 5:4-5, 2:15-16, 4:4; Eph 6:13; Col 3:2)

Today's Thought

Today's Thought:

"Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin." For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus...All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. (Rom 4:7-8, 3:23-24; Isa 53:6; Rom 8:1-2, 31-33)

Today's Thought

Today's Thought:

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...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. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 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. 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. (2Tim 2:15; 2Pet 1:4; Rom 1:16; 2Tim 3:16-17; Col 3:16-17)

 

Today's Thought

Today's Thought:

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ...and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience... Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 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. 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...Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. (Gal 3:27; Col 3:10, 12; Rom 12;2-3; Eph 1;18; 1John 2:6)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:      

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace...Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 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. (2Cor 8:9; Rom 8:16-17; Eph 1:17; 1Pet 1:3-5; Col 3:1-2)

Today's Thought

Today's Thought:

 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...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...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, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places...For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 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... (2Pet 1:3; Php 1:6; Eph 1:18-20; Titus 3:3-5)

Today's Thought

Today's Thought:

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. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image 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. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 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." (1John 3:1; 2Cor 4:4, 6; John 1:10-13; 1Cor 1:30-31)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 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. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. 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. (Psa 100:3; 2Cor 4:6, 5:17, 3:18; 1Cor 15:49; 1John 3:2)

Today's Thought

Today's Thought:

Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Rom 5:9-10; 1Thes 5:9-10; Rom 9:21-23; Eph 2:10)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures...since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? 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. This also comes from the LORD of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom. (James 1:18; 1Pet 1:23; Rom 10:17; Jer 23:29; 2Tim 3:16-17, 2:15; Isa 28:29)

Today's Thought

Today's Thought:

And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. 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. Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 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. So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1Thes 2:13; Col 3:16; 2Tim 4:2; Heb 4:12; Rom 10:17; 1Cor 1:18)

Today's Thought

Today's Thought:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead... (John 1:1-3; Gen 1:26-27; Psa 139:14; 1Pet 1:3)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

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. 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. Amen. To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Eph 4:11-14; 2Pet 3:18; 2Thes 1:11-12)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits...According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Psa 103:1-2; 1Pet 1:3b-5; Eph 2:4-7)