Today's Thought

Today's Thought:

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person, 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 of life. (Lam 3:22-23; Psa 90:12; 1Pet 3:10-11; Col 4:5-6; Php 2:15-16)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. And he said.., “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 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.” And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season;(1Pet 2:9; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; 2Tim 2:2-4; Rom 10:17; 2Tim 4:2a)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

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. 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; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food. 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. (1Pet 2:2-3; Psa 19:7-9; Job 23:12; Jer 15:16)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope? Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain. 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. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Job 4:6; 1Pet 1:13; Heb 6:19; Col 3:1-2; Heb 12:2; Col 3:4)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 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. 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. (Psa 40:2; Rom 7:18; Eph 2:4-7; 1Cor 4:6)

Today's Thought

Today's Thought:

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, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Isa 61:10; Luke 1:47; 2Cor 5:21; Rom 1:16a-17; Heb 11:6; Rom 5:1)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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. (John 3:16-17)

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. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’ For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me even, as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” (1John 4:9; Heb 10:4-7; John 6:38; Mat 20:28; Rom 15:3)

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. 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. May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed! (John 1:14; Php 2:5-11; Psa 72:17)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

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. 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. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 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. (Eph 2:8-9; Rom 5:1-2; Heb 11:1; 2Cor 4:18; Php 3:20-21)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe... 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 goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Gal 3:22; Rom 3:10-12; Titus 3:4-7; Rom 3:26)

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. 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 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. 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. 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. (1John 4:9; John 1:14, 3:16-17; 1Tim 3:16; Heb 7:25)

Today's Thought

Today's Thought:

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 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. Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 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. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. (1Pet 2:11; Rom 12:2; Col 3:12, 1:13; 2Cor 5:17; Col 3:1; Heb 12:2; Rom 13:14)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

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. 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 (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. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Rom 13:12; Col 1:13-14; Eph 5:8-10; John 3:20-21; Eph 2:10)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness. 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. 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. (Eph 2:8; Heb 11:1, 6; Rom 4:4-5; 2Cor 4:6; John 3:18)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts 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. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 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. 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. (Psa 84:12; Isa 26:3-4, 9:6; John 1:14; Rom 5:1-2)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?...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 the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Jer 17:9; Rom 3:10-12; Gal 3:22; Titus 3:4-7)

Today's Thought

Today's Thought:

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 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. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (Mat 16:26; Psa 49:7-8; 1Tim 2:5-6; Isa 53:6; 2Cor 5:21; Acts 4:12)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1Pet 2:9; 2Tim 1:9-10; 1Pet 1:13-16)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 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. (1Tim 2:1; Eph 6:18; Col 2:2-3; Titus 2:11-14)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. God looks down from heaven on the children of man to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. 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. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. (2Tim 3:1-4; Psa 53:2-3, 103:8-10; 1John 4:9, 2:2)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, both low and high, rich and poor together! My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 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. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Psa 49:1-3; 1John 5:19; Rom 3:21-26)

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. 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. 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. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. For God, 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. (Psa 103:1-2, 10-11; 1John 4:9-10; 2Cor 5:21, 4:6)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful. 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 19:1, 111:2-4; Eph 2:4-7)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens! For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus. (Psa 123:1; Isa 57:15; Php 2:1-5)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth. 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. By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus... 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. (Hos 6:3; Psa 143:8, 42:8; Php 3:14; Eph 1:4-6)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

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 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. Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. (Eph 4:29; Col 3:16-17; Heb 13:15; Psa 141:3, 19:14)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness. 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 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). 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. (John 8:12; Psa 119:18, 105, 18:28; 2Cor 4:6; Eph 5:8-9; Col 1:13-14)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes! 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. Receive instruction from his mouth, and lay up his words in your heart. 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, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (Psa 119:11-12, 1:1-2; Job 22:22; 2Pet 1:19-21)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. 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. 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. (Col 2:8; Eph 4:10-14; 2Tim 3:16-17)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

The next day he [John] saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 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. (John 1:29; Acts 4:12; John 3:35-36; 1COr 3:11; 1Tim 2:5-6; 1john 4:10)