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. 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. 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; Eph 1:3-6; 2Cor 4:6)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Php 1:9; Eph 1:17-20; Php 2:13)

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; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (Psa 19:7-9; Eph 4:1; 1Cor 5:5; Gal 5:16, 25)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 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. (Psa 73:25-26; Col 3:1-2; Heb 12:2; Php 3:20-21)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 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. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 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. (Col 2:6-7, 9-10; 2Tim 3:16-17; 2Cor 4:7; Col 3:16)

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. Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (Psa 121:1-2; Isa 40:28-29; Php 4:13; Col 1:11; 2Tim:2:1)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. “For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you. Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God. 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 54:4; Isa 41:13, 10; 2COr 3:4-5; Jude 1:24-25)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 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. 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. (Psa 46:10, 37:7, 27:14; Gal 5:25; Php 1:6; 1Pet 1:13)

Today's Thought

Today's Thought:

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting. But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.” Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Psa 90:2, 93:2; Heb 1:8-12, 13:8)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. 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. Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. (Psa 62:1-2; Eph 6:11-13, 5:15-16)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. 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. 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. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (Psa 86:4, 10-11; Pro 9:10; 1John 5:20; 2Cor 4:6; James 1;17)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called. (Php 3:13-14; 1Cor 9:24-27; Eph 4:1)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 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 100:2-3, 46:10; Eph 2:10; Php 2:13; Heb 13:20-21)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Jesus said.., “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Psa 63:1; John 4:13-14, 7:38; Mat 11:28-30)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (Rom 10:8-11, 8:29; James 1:18)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the LORD!” Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! 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 40:16, 105:1-3; titus 2:11-14)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Psa 37:30-31; Pro 25:11-12; Col 3:16-17, 4:5-6)

Today's Thought

Today's Thought:

The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. 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! 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. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will. (Psa 33:11; Pro 19:21; Isa 14:24; 1Pet 1:3-5; Eph 1:11)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. 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 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 90:14, 36:7-9; 1John 4:9-10; 2Cor 4:6)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. (Eph 6:10-11; Rom 13:13, 12:2; 2Cor 10:3-5)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. (Titus 3:4-7; Rom 5:10; Eph 3:11-12)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ! 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. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (Eph 4:17-20; 2Cor 5:14-15, 21)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. “For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I am the one who helps you.’” 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. 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. (1John 4:18; Isa 41:13; Rom 8:31-34; 1Tim 2:5-6)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah. 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. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. (Psa 46:1-3; Rom 8:31-33; 2Tim 1:12b)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

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. If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called. (Titus 2:11-12; Col 3:1-2; Rom 8:29; 1Pet 2:21; Eph 4:1)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words. (Acts 1:9-11; 1Thes 4:16-18)

Today's Thought

 Today's Thought:

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 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. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. (John 15:4; Php 4:13; Col 2:6-7; Gal 2:20; 1John 2:5b-6)