Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. 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. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us...who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Psa 34:22; Rom 8:31-34; 1Pet 1;5; John 3:18; Rom 8:1)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life. 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. Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Psa 34:14; Pro 16:16-17; Titus 2:11-14; Jude 1:24-25)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight. So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 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. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Psa 34:12-13; Pro 12:22; 1Pet 2:1-3; Eph 4:29; Col 4:6)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard... And Jesus came and said “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age… But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 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. (Psa 34:3, 66:8; Mat 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 2Cor 5:18-20)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption... 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 God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work...so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (Psa 34:1; 1Thes 5:6-8; 1Cor 1:30; 2Cor 3:4-5, 9:8; 1Cor 1:31)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 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. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 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. 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. (John 1:1, 14; Php 2:5-11; 1John 4:9)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.” Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. (Isa 7:14, 9:6; Luke 1:26-35; 1Tim 3:16)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

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. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins... as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son... 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. 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. “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (1John 4:9-10; Rom 3:10-12; Gal 4:4a; John 1:14; Isa 53:6; 2Cor 5:21; John 1:29b)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man; from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. 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. 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. (Psa 33:13-15, 103:10-12; 2Cor 4:6; Titus 2:11-14)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations. But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does. The LORD of hosts has sworn: “As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand.” 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 to himself 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. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ. (Psa 33:11; Job 23:13; Isa 14:24; Eph 1:3-9)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him...in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began...For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. 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. For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (Pro 30:5; Titus 1:2; Psa 33:4; 2Tim 3:16-17; Rom 15:4-6; John 17:16-17)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 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. 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 by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 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. (Psa 33:8-9, 19:1; John 1:1-3, 14; Col 1:16; Heb 1:3)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.” Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Psa 32:8; Pro 8:10-11; Php 3:8-9; Gal 2:20)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 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. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (Psa 32:1; Isa 1:18, 43:25; 1Cor 1:30; 2Cor 5:21; 1John 4:9-10)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (Psa 31:24; 2Tim 2:1; Col 1:11-12; 2Tim 1:7; Pro 2:6-8; Gal 5:25)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. The pillars of heaven tremble and are astounded at his rebuke. By his power he stilled the sea; by his understanding he shattered Rahab. By his wind the heavens were made fair; his hand pierced the fleeing serpent. Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?” And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 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. (Psa 29:4; Job 26:12-14; 1Kings 19:11-12; Heb 4:12; Rom 10:17)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever! “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory. Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Psa 121:1-2, 30: 11-12; John 15:11; 1Pet 1:8; Jude 1:24-25)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 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. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 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. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. (Psa 28:7; Isa 61:10; 2Cor 4:6, 5:21; 1John 3:2; 1Thes 5:23-24)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him. Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. 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... looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Isa 30:18; Psa 27:14; Lam 3:26; 1Pet 1:3-5; Col 3:1; Heb 12:2)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

O LORD, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells. 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. 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 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. 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. (Psa 26:8; John 1:14, 16; 2Cor 4:6, 3:18; Php 3:20-21; 2Thes 1:10)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and my mind. For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness. For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 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. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (Psa 26:2-3; 2Cor 5:14-15; Eph 5:1-2; Rom 12:2; Col 3:2)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 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. (Psa 25:12; Pro 3:5-6; 2Pet 1:19; 2Tim 3:16-17; Col 3:16-17)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. Jesus said... “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins...for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light… (Psa 25:8-9; 1John 1:6-7; Col 1:13-14; Eph 5:8)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Jesus answered... “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” 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. 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. (Psa 19:13; John 8:34-36; Rom 6:11-13; Titus 2;11-13)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 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. (Psa 19:7-8; 1Pet 2:2-3; 1Cor 13:11; Eph 4:11-14)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness. 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. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 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 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 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. (18:28; John 1:1-5, 14; 2Cor 4:6; Heb 1:3)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 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. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Psa 18:2; Eph 5:15-16, 6:11-13; 1Pet 5:8; 1Cor 15:57)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” Can a man be profitable to God? Surely he who is wise is profitable to himself. Is it any pleasure to the Almighty if you are in the right, or is it gain to him if you make your ways blameless? And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 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. 16:2; Job 22:2-3; 1Cor 1:30; 2Cor 5:17, 4:6-7)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God...“I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (Psa 12:6; Pro 30:5; 1Pet 1:22-23; John 17:14-17)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” The LORD has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our 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... Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (Psa 9:1-2; Acts 1:8; Isa 52:10; Php 2:14-16a; 2Cor 5:20)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 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, 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. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! (Psa 8:1, 19:1; Heb 1:1-3; Php 2:9-11; Psa 95:6)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High. 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 to himself 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. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 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. (Psa 7:17; Eph 1:3-6; 2Cor 5:17; Rom 8:1-2)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!” You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” 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. Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory… (Psa 4:6-7, 92:4; 2Cor 5:21; John 15:11; Col 3:16; Php 3:1; 1Pet 1:8)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD. Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.” For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (Psa 2:1-3; Pro 21:30; Jer 9:23-24; John 3:16-17)

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; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption... I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called… (Psa 1:1-2; Eph 2:1-3; 1Cor 6:11b, 1:30; Eph 4:1)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? It is higher than heaven—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know? Its measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 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. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. (Psa 145:3; Job 11:7-9; Gal 4:4-5; 1John 5:20; John 1:18)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

“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. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” 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. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! (John 16:13-16; Gal 5:16-17, 25; Psa 143:10)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of 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. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light... looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Psa 143:8, 119:105; Pro 6:23; 2Cor 4:6; Col 1:13; Eph 5:8; Heb 12:2)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. (1Cor 1:3-4; Eph 4:1; Col 1:11-14; 1Thes 5:16-18; Php 4:4)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Praise the LORD! Praise the name of the LORD, give praise, O servants of the LORD, who stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God! Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; sing to his name, for it is pleasant! 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. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 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. (Psa 135:1-3; Col 3:16-17; Heb 13:15; 1Pet 2:9)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 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, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 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. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (Psa 130:3; Rom 3:22-25; 1John 4:9-10)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness. For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me! It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” 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. (Psa 17:15; Job 19:26-27; Isa 25:9; 1Pet 1:3-5)

Today's Thought

Today's Thought:

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. 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... 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. (1Chr 21:11; Heb 1:1-3; Titus 2:11-14)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 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. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psa 127:2; Php 4:5-7; 1Pet 5:6-7; Psa 37:5, 46:10)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 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, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. (Psa 126:3; 1Cor 1:30; Eph 1:18-21; 2Cor 4:7)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 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. 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. Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth. (Rom 1:18-20; Eph 2:4-7; Jer 32:17; Psa 124:8)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens! 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...looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 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. 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. (Psa 123:1; Col 3:1-2; Heb 12:2; Php 3:20-21; 1John 3:1-2)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

The LORD is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. 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 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, for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Psa 118:27a; 2Cor 4:6; Titus 3:4-5; Eph 5:8-10; Col 1:13-14)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 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. 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… (Psa 118:22-23; 1Cor 3:11; 1Pet 2:4-5; Eph 4:11-13)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it. Jesus said.., “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 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 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. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Psa 118:19-20; John 14:6; Rom 5:2; 2Cor 4:6; Heb 7:25, 13:20-21)

Today's Thought

Today's Thought:

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” 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. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. (Isa 12:2; Rom 1:16; 1Tim 3:16; Rom 16:25-27)

Today's Thought

Today's Thought:

For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” Praise the LORD, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD! (Rom 5:19; John 14:21, 10:27-28; Psa 117:1-2)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

O LORD, I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant. You have loosed my bonds. I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD. So Jesus said... "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called... (Psa 116:16-17; John 8:31-32; Rom 6:16-18, 22; Eph 4:1)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. 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 has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 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. 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? (Psa 116:7; 2Cor 4:6; Col 1:13-14; Eph 2:4-7; Rom 8:31-32)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth! The heavens are the LORD's heavens, but the earth he has given to the children of man. The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it, you have founded them. “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come...where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him..." (Psa 115:15-16, 89:11; John 14:1-3; Heb 13:14, 6:20; 1Cor 2:9)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! 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. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. (Psa 115:1; 1Pet 1:3-5; Col 1:11-14; Eph 1:6)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock. The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you. 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. 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." (Psa 56:3; Isa 26:3-4; Psa 9:9-10; 2Cor 4:6; 1Cor 1:30-31)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised! The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens! Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise from the end of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that fills it, the coastlands and their inhabitants. Let them give glory to the LORD, and declare his praise in the coastlands. 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. Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. (Psa 113:3-4; Isa 42:10, 12; Col 3:16; Rom 16:25-27)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

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 in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 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. 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. (Rom 5:1-2; Col 1:19-20; Rom 8:1-2; Eph 2:8-9)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD! Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore! And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name...giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. (Psa 113:1-2; Eph 5:18-21; Heb 13:15; Col 1:12)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped...when my steps were washed with butter, and the rock poured out for me streams of oil! Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name. Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Psa 25:8-9, 73:2; Job 29:6; Psa 119:132-133, 32:8; Jude 1;24-25)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works. The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Psa 28:7, 46:1, 145 17-18; Heb 4:16; Php 4:4-7)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 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. (Jer 10:23; Psa 34:2-5; Pro 3:5-6; James 1;5; 2Cor 4:6)

Today's Thought

Today's Thought:

He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations. For I said, "Steadfast love will be built up forever; in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness." My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. With the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone. O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. (Acts 1:7-8; 2Cor 5:20; Psa 89:1-2, 71:15-17)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

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...for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1Pet 5:6-7; Php 2:13; 1Pet 5:10, 1:6-9)

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. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 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. I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of 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. (2Cor 4;6, 5:17; Eph 2:8-10, 4:1; Heb 12;2; Php 1:6)