Verse of the Day
for Saturday, May 27th, 2023

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. -- Acts 20:24

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
How important is grace? Paul said that God's grace and telling others about that grace were more important than his own life! Sharing God's grace with others was Paul's mission in life. He felt his life would be empty and valueless if he didn't complete the mission God had given him. Thankfully, as Paul awaited his execution in prison, he could say:

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:6-7).
Paul finished strong and fulfilled his mission. Now it's our turn to do the same!

My Prayer...
Almighty God, Holy Father, thank you for your lavish grace demonstrated and fully expressed in sending Jesus to die for me. As your child, and in thanks to your sacrificial gift, I pledge to you my life, my love, and my all. Through Jesus and in the power of his name, I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

Verse of the Day
for Friday, May 26th, 2023

O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and t***h.
-- Isaiah 25:1

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
While there are many things for which we can praise God, one of the most significant is his faithfulness to do what he has planned and promised. We praise God because "in perfect faithfulness [he] has done marvelous things, things planned long ago" for our blessing, salvation, and eternal future! While many of us are big dreamers and schemers, only God can accomplish the marvelous plans he alone can make!

My Prayer...
Amazing and awesome God, thank you for planning a world full of variety and beauty. Thank you for your excellent, creative, redemptive, and loving work in our lives. Thank you for having a plan of salvation for us before the world's creation. Please help us as we seek to be more diligent and disciplined in our plans to honor you and bring you glory. In Jesus' name, we praise you. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware

Verse of the Day
for Thursday, May 25th, 2023

Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, Seeing he hath no heart to it? -- Proverbs 17:16

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
What do you value more, money or wisdom? Look closely at our verse. Money without wisdom is worthless. Money will not be put to good use and will soon evaporate in the hands of one who is foolish. Like Solomon, rather than pursuing riches or fame, let's seek godly wisdom, and the other things in life — like money — will take care of themselves.

My Prayer...
Eternal God and wise Father, please give me the wisdom to know what is most important to pursue with my time, effort, and money. Please bless me with your holy wisdom so I may invest my life in what is truly meaningful and live to your glory. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

Verse of the Day
for Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto t***h. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. -- Isaiah 42:3-4

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
God will not falter! In a world where love-based justice so seldom prevails, God is our only absolute assurance that heaven's form of justice will ultimately triumph. This hope for all lands and peoples is for Jesus, the Servant of the Lord. He promised to return and bring God's t***h and love-based justice with him. Maranatha (1 Corinthians 16:22), come O Lord!

My Prayer...
Righteous and merciful Father, I am s**k of the corruption in our world and the injustice done to good but powerless people. Please send Jesus back soon, and bring with him the righteous and just rule of your Kingdom. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware

Verse of the Day
for Tuesday, May 23rd, 2023

tPreaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all uconfidence, no man forbidding him. -- Acts 28:31

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
So often, we give excuses why we can't do evangelism. Throughout his life, Paul showed us how lame our excuses are! He was passionately determined to fulfill God's mission for him and wouldn't let anything deter him (Acts 20:24). Luke closes the book of Acts with Paul under house arrest, needing to support himself and depend upon friends. Despite these difficulties, Paul still managed to get the Gospel proclaimed to the lost, mentor others who would follow in his steps, and live passionately for Jesus!

My Prayer...
Loving and Almighty God, forgive my excuses and my fear. Please make me bold to share your saving t***h in the Gospel. May all who know me also learn more about Jesus through me! In his precious name, I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

Verse of the Day
for Monday, May 22nd, 2023

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. -- Acts 1:8

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Sometimes the most profound t***hs are very simple. The power to reach the world for Christ involves God's might working through Jesus' disciples empowered by the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells his disciples about God's plan for them to begin where they are (HERE — "Jerusalem"), reaching out to those who are close geographically (NEAR — "all Judea and Samaria"), and go into all the world (FAR — "to the ends of the earth"). Our worldwide witness is based upon our willingness to tell others what God has done for us in Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit to make that witness effective!

My Prayer...
God and Father of all people, fill us with your powerful Holy Spirit, enable us to effectively share our faith, and motivate us to reach our city, region, and world with the Gospel. We still believe, Father, that you desire us to do what happened long ago in our day. Make your Name great. Exalt your holiness in the eyes of all people. Use me and the rest of your people to accomplish your will of reaching all nations with the Gospel of grace. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

Verse of the Day
for Saturday, May 20th, 2023

always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now -- Philippians 1:4-5

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Paul prayed for the Philippians full of deep and abiding joy, giving thanks because they were partners with him in his mission work. He considered them far more than encouragers and financial supporters of his efforts. The Philippian believers shared in Paul's ministry through their financial support, ongoing prayers, loving encouragement, and genuine interest. They were full partners in his mission to save lost people with the message of Jesus! Let's get interested in the mission efforts of our congregations and groups. Let's pray, contribute to missions, and get to know our mission workers. Let's get to know our partners in the message of Jesus as they share the Lord's good news worldwide!

My Prayer...
Father in heaven, I pray that your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Please bless and empower the spread of your Kingdom. Protect and strengthen those with whom our church is partnered, wherever they serve worldwide. Bless them with greater resources, maturity, courage, and character. Help me recognize and do what I can to support, encourage, and bless them in their efforts. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware

Ain't that the t***h....

Verse of the Day
for Friday, May 19th, 2023

For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.
-- 1 Thessalonians 1:8

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
What kind of reputation does your church have? What is your dream for the congregation you attend? What's the mission of your small group, life group, or house church? So many of us have such short-sighted goals for our congregations and groups. The church at Thessalonica was only a few months old, and the believers' reputation for sharing their faith had become known throughout the Roman Empire. Now that's the kind of reputation I want the congregation and groups I work with to have! How about you?

My Prayer...
O Lord God Almighty, please fill our congregation and groups with the power of your Holy Spirit so that with sensitivity and courage, we may share the good news of your grace in Jesus Christ. Please be with our missionaries, ministers, and members so that we may display and declare the Gospel of salvation to our friends, neighbors, and people everywhere. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

Verse of the Day
for Thursday, May 18th, 2023

Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; to turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!
-- Isaiah 10:1-2

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Absolute power corrupts completely by allowing us to have what we shouldn't, enabling us to forget where we came from, and leading us to ignore the cries of the oppressed. Absolute power corrupts because only God can handle full power and control! Our desire to have it is like Adam and Eve's sin- the lust to be God. True power, acceptable to the One with true absolute power, is used to bless the broken, lift the unfortunate, forgive the guilty, and assist the powerless. How do we know? God does those kinds of things!

My Prayer...
Almighty and incomparable God, I don't want to spend my time positioning myself to have power over others. Please give me the grace, the ability, and the opportunity to bless others — not so I will feel superior or essential, but so that they will be blessed and you will be honored and praised. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

Verse of the Day
for Tuesday, May 16th, 2023

Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, When it is in the power of thine hand to do it. -- Proverbs 3:27

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Rather than "looking out for" only "number 1" — for ourselves — God commands us to look out for those deserving of our goodness — whether that goodness is help, aid, praise, love, affection, attention, or affirmation. We should act decisively and give these deserving people what they need. We are to be a people, as Paul tells us, saved by Jesus and "eager to do good deeds" (Titus 2:14).

My Prayer...
Father, forgive me for my selfishness. I so often notice only my needs or what I deserve. You have placed so many good and deserving people in my life who have blessed me. I ask you, Holy Spirit, to open my heart to see those around me who need my goodness as a blessing. Give me the courage to act in ways that glorify the Father and reflect the goodness of Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware

I believe we are very close.

Verse of the Day
for Monday, May 15th, 2023

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
-- Luke 19:10

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Jesus came so that the last could be first, the sick could be healed, the sinners could be saved, and the lost could be found. That was his purpose: to fix that which was broken — not just what is broken in us, but also all that is broken in our world, all humanity that is warped, and all that is lost that goes with this brokenness. So how can we wear the name of Jesus, the Son of Man who is our Savior, and not live with his passion and purpose toward what we see lost in our world?

My Prayer...
O loving Father and Almighty God, I yearn for your Spirit to stir a holy passion in your people, especially in me, so that we may more nearly reflect Jesus' purpose in our lives, families, and churches. I pray in Jesus' name, the Son of Man who came to save me. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

You got that right eagle!

Verse of the Day
for Saturday, May 13th, 2023

Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; Keep the door of my lips.
-- Psalm 141:3

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
How important is our speech? Jesus said it revealed what was going on in our hearts. Proverbs repeatedly tells us that our words can wound and destroy or heal and bring life. The apostle Paul commands us to speak only what will benefit those who hear us. In light of these Scriptures, David's prayer in today's verse is very appropriate. Only God can help us tame our speech and use its power to bless. Let's invite him into our world of speech by purifying our hearts and taking control of what we say so we can use our speech for the good of those around us!

My Prayer...
Holy and righteous Father, I never want my language to betray you or wound others. Please help me as I seek to redeem my speech and use it to glorify you, bless your children, and speak of salvation with those who do not know your Son as their Savior and Lord. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware