Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Verse of the Day - Psalm 37:16-17
Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Which is your most important investment: Your money or your character? I can assure you, this question will be asked of you in a myriad of ways, quite often at the worst times and when you are most vulnerable. Martin Luther supposedly said that the last thing converted in a person is their wallet. So will you choose the little of the righteous over the wealth of the wicked? Hmmm! Tricky question if we are honest with ourselves. So let's make that decision now before the circumstances change, our vulnerability goes up, and temptation comes knocking on the door of our hearts. God, his Kingdom, will, and righteousness come first, right? Yes, it must, and for us, with each other's help, it will!
My Prayer...
Almighty God, creator and owner of everything, please give us love for righteousness and a disdain for greed and covetousness. We want to serve you with undivided hearts that cannot be swayed by the material values involved in a decision. Please help us know and do what is righteous. Please help us make our decisions based on what is pleasing to you, aligns with your will, and honors your righteousness. To honor Jesus our LORD, and to give glory to you and live your truth, O Father, we pray in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. You can email questions or comments to phil@verseoftheday.com.© 1998-2025, Heartlight, Inc. Verseoftheday.com is part of the Heartlight Network and is maintained by Infinite Publishing. | Privacy Policy
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Disclaimer: Content provided by Heartlight, Inc. is for informational and inspirational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for church, pastoral guidance, or professional counseling. Readers are solely responsible for their use of this material.
Monday, July 14, 2025
Verse of the Day - John 17:15
My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Jesus, in showing his love and care for his disciples in prayer right before his Passion, is our great example of how we can and must pray for God's spiritual protection over those we love. The LORD Jesus knew what would happen to him, yet chose to pray for them rather than focusing on himself. Praying for them was that important to the LORD! His disciples could not leave the world and still serve the world and reach the lost with God's grace. So, Jesus prayed protection over them and for them. Jesus' example is our command to pray for God to protect his disciples from the evil one (Matthew 6:13). The apostle Paul reminds us:
The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)We need to pray following the LORD's example!
My Prayer...
Loving and Tender Shepherd, the great Guardian of the Flock, please physically and spiritually protect your people from evil and the evil one. We trust in your faithfulness to strengthen and protect them. In the name of Jesus and following his example, we offer ourselves and our prayers to you. Amen.
The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. You can email questions or comments to phil@verseoftheday.com.© 1998-2025, Heartlight, Inc. Verseoftheday.com is part of the Heartlight Network and is maintained by Infinite Publishing. | Privacy Policy
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Disclaimer: Content provided by Heartlight, Inc. is for informational and inspirational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for church, pastoral guidance, or professional counseling. Readers are solely responsible for their use of this material.
Sunday, July 13, 2025
Verse of the Day - John 17:4
I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
One of the most amazing things that Jesus ever said, he said to his Father in heaven: "I have completed the work you gave me to do..." In fact, when Jesus breathed his last, he said; "It is finished." (Or, it is completed, or it is paid. John 19:30). Jesus finished the work God had sent the Son to accomplish in his life and on the cross by obeying the Father, glorifying the Father, and paying the debt of sin for all humankind. John quotes Jesus as using a form of the same word in John 17:4 and John 4:34. Even though Jesus' time on earth was relatively short, he lived with the glory of God as his highest priority and lived to complete the work the Father had given him to accomplish. We can also live with the glory of God as our highest priority and live to complete the work the Father has given us to do! This is our purpose as God's children (Ephesians 1:6, 1:12, 1:14; 1 Peter 2:9-10). The more we live by Kingdom priorities (Matthews 6:33), the more we can rest assured that we can finish our work and know we have honored the Father with our lives! Let's be like our Savior and complete the work the Father has given us to do.
My Prayer...
Please be glorified in me, dear LORD, as I seek to glorify you! Use me to bring others to know you and your grace. And please, dear LORD, empower me to complete the work you sent me to do in this world. In Jesus' name and to live for your glory, I pray. Amen.
The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. You can email questions or comments to phil@verseoftheday.com.© 1998-2025, Heartlight, Inc. Verseoftheday.com is part of the Heartlight Network and is maintained by Infinite Publishing. | Privacy Policy
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Disclaimer: Content provided by Heartlight, Inc. is for informational and inspirational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for church, pastoral guidance, or professional counseling. Readers are solely responsible for their use of this material.
Saturday, July 12, 2025
Verse of the Day - Matthew 7:13-14
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
"Majority rules!" That's the edict of democracy. This has been a blessed political philosophy for so many people over the course of history. However, "majority rule" doesn't apply to the Kingdom of God or the will of God. God sets the standards, not us. God's holiness is the goal, not just trying to be better than someone else. Regretably, most will never find the way of the LORD by following the majority's morality; this is the wide way that leads to destruction. One crucial problem with wanting things our way, the majority way: it leads away from God and to ultimate disaster. God, the Creator and Sustainer of all life, is the only one who can set life's agenda and can guide us on the path of true and eternal life. Let's ask for his help and guidance on our way in our confusing and lost world!
My Prayer...
Father, have your way with my heart, thoughts, words, time, job, family, and life. I want to live in a way that pleases you and join you on the way of righteousness, even though most will not choose to walk that way. In Jesus' name, I pray for your help, guidance, and wisdom to walk in your way of life. Amen.
The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. You can email questions or comments to phil@verseoftheday.com.© 1998-2025, Heartlight, Inc. Verseoftheday.com is part of the Heartlight Network and is maintained by Infinite Publishing. | Privacy Policy
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Disclaimer: Content provided by Heartlight, Inc. is for informational and inspirational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for church, pastoral guidance, or professional counseling. Readers are solely responsible for their use of this material.
Friday, July 11, 2025
Verse of the Day - Proverbs 16:20
Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Those who seek the instruction of God's wisdom and who truly trust in God for their life's blessings and values will find joyful prosperity. That's his promise. That's embedded in Scripture. While this philosophy doesn't play well in the world of today's commercials designed to appeal to our covetousness, pride, and greed, this biblical and godly understanding is vital to a truly blessed and prosperous life!
Video Commentary...
ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos
My Prayer...
Wise and eternal God, please open my mind to your wisdom and my heart to your gracious presence. I trust my future with you and want to live in obedience to your will and response to your truth and instruction. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. You can email questions or comments to phil@verseoftheday.com.© 1998-2025, Heartlight, Inc. Verseoftheday.com is part of the Heartlight Network and is maintained by Infinite Publishing. | Privacy Policy
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Disclaimer: Content provided by Heartlight, Inc. is for informational and inspirational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for church, pastoral guidance, or professional counseling. Readers are solely responsible for their use of this material.
Thursday, July 10, 2025
Verse of the Day - Philippians 4:11
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Paul tells Timothy that one of life's greatest treasures is to find contentment in godliness (1 Timothy 6:6). With this treasure, our physical circumstances become far less important to us than the character we display in all of life's circumstances. Our bottom line becomes far less important than loving God wholeheartedly. Those who are wealthy and show godliness — a very difficult challenge according to Jesus (Mark 10:23-27) — have demonstrated that they are content to be godly and will be that kind of person with or without wealth. Those who are poor and are godly have shown the same ability. So the bottom line is not how rich we are in money, but how rich we are in faith and grace!
My Prayer...
Steadfast and faithful Father, please calm my restless and sometimes covetous heart and help me find my contentment in your presence and character in my life. I want my "great gain" to be godliness and for that to be enough for me in every situation. In the name of Jesus, I ask for the Holy Spirit's help in making this true in me. Amen.
The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. You can email questions or comments to phil@verseoftheday.com.© 1998-2025, Heartlight, Inc. Verseoftheday.com is part of the Heartlight Network and is maintained by Infinite Publishing. | Privacy Policy
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Disclaimer: Content provided by Heartlight, Inc. is for informational and inspirational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for church, pastoral guidance, or professional counseling. Readers are solely responsible for their use of this material.
Wednesday, July 09, 2025
Verse of the Day - Proverbs 31:10
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
What would happen if we valued our spouses more than expensive jewelry, great riches, or wonderful and unexpected blessings? What would happen if we publicly valued a faithful wife more than a voluptuous starlet? What would happen if character was valued more than money? I believe these changes would transform our culture, enhance our marriages, and produce stronger and better-adjusted children. Plus, I know God would be pleased because we would then be valuing in people what he does, and not seeing women as something we can exploit, misuse, or abuse.
My Prayer...
Thank you, Holy Father, for the great women of faith I meet in Scripture. Thank you for the godly women I've met in your Kingdom and in my family. Please use me to show these women of noble character that I value them, especially those who are wives of virtue and godly character. Transform our sense of values, O God, so we can see people — especially the women in our lives — the way you do. In Jesus' name, I pray for this grace among your people and in me. Amen.
The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. You can email questions or comments to phil@verseoftheday.com.© 1998-2025, Heartlight, Inc. Verseoftheday.com is part of the Heartlight Network and is maintained by Infinite Publishing. | Privacy Policy
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Disclaimer: Content provided by Heartlight, Inc. is for informational and inspirational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for church, pastoral guidance, or professional counseling. Readers are solely responsible for their use of this material.