Knowledge is a relatively easy thing to gain these days. There are books available about practically anything, and whatever isn't available on the printed page is probably available somewhere, for better or worse, on the internet. Wisdom, on the other hand, is much harder to come by as it requires experience as well as knowledge. But there is a source we can turn to for wisdom, and today's verse, James 1:5 from the NIV, points us to it:
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault.
A knowledge of this verse definitely comes in handy when we find ourselves short on wisdom!
God bless you.
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In an ideal world, doing the right thing would be easy. We would immediately receive positive feedback for doing it, and nobody would complain that we should have done it differently, better, or not at all. Unfortunately, the world we live in is far from ideal, and the right choice is more often than not the difficult one. Today's verse, Galatians 6:9 from the NLT, encourages us to choose it anyway:
Don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.
Whenever we're tempted to choose the easy way instead of the right one, this is a good verse to bring to mind.
God bless you!
Background music provided by and copyright Craig Anderson (dub4k.com).
One of the things that often surprises new Christians, or those exploring Christianity, is the fact that Christians are just as prone to everyday problems as anyone else, perhaps more so. If Christian are in such a loving relationship with God, why do they experience the same challenges as everyone else? Today's verse, Psalm 34:19 from the NLT, offers an explanation:
The righteous face many troubles, but the Lord rescues them from each and every one.
We should tuck this verse away in our minds for those times when those challenges seem overwhelming.
God bless you!
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There are admittedly a few people who can have a heated argument over something and then walk away as if nothing happened. Then there are the rest of us, for whom an argument is emotionally unsettling whether we win or lose, is something that always ends up hurting at least one person's feelings, and which often escalates into something worse. In today's verse, Proverbs 17:14 from the NIV, the wisdom Solomon passes on about arguing is short but to the point:
Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
That's Proverbs 17:14 and any time we feel the need to get the last word in on something, this is the verse we should be thinking about!
God bless you.
Background music provided by and copyright Craig Anderson (dub4k.com).
"Faith" is one of those words that we hear used a lot but never really stop to think about. Being a Christian means we have to have faith, and it's probably the thing that makes it the most difficult for someone who isn't a Christian to become one. Faith flies in the face of logic and reason, and yet once you have it, it's impossible to justify a world without it. Today's verse, Hebrews 11:1 from the NLT, gives us a clear definition of faith, and hints at why we hold it so dear:
What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see.
This verse is worth thinking about in case someone ever asks you what you have faith in!
God bless you!
Background music provided by and copyright Craig Anderson (dub4k.com).
Being human, we have a tendency at times to give ourselves credit for things that have nothing to do with us. This can even be the case when it comes to salvation; a part of us would like to think that somewhere in us is the capacity to earn our way into Heaven. If that were true, however, then Jesus' sacrifice on the cross would have been unnecessary. Today's verses, Ephesians 2:4,5 from the NLT, makes it clear that salvation can only be received as a very special gift:
God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's special favor that you have been saved!)
These verses should be at the front of our minds whenever we start to think that maybe, just maybe, we're good enough to make it to Heaven on our own.
God bless you!
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Fear is something that we've talked about in the past and will probably talk about again in the future. It can be such a powerful force in our lives if we allow it to be, that we can actually get to the point where we become crippled by it. It doesn't have to be that way. In today's verse, Isaiah 41:10 from the NJKV, we see that we always have a source of strength by our side:
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
This is a great verse to memorize for those times when we find ourselves needing a hand to hold on to.
Have a great day!
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How we face life's challenges has a lot to do with how happy we are at the end of each day. Are we depressed because things aren't the way we would like them to be, or are we grateful because they're not as bad as they could have been? While it may seem like nothing more than a case of the glass half full or half empty, in reality it can often be the difference between hope and despair. Today's verses, 2 Corinthians 4:8,9 from the NJKV, encourage us to put things in the proper perspective:
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed...
We would do well to remember these verses when the glass starts to seem half empty.
Take a new perspective on life today!
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The Living Word has been delayed due to a severe migraine that is affecting all the GodCast Network feeds. It will be back as soon as possible and I apologize for the interruption.
We've all had experiences in life where we've been deeply wounded by nothing more than a careless tongue. Words can be devastating, despite the schoolyard chant about sticks and stones, and the Bible has a lot to say about the care with which we should use them. Today's verse, James 1:26 from the NJKVNIV, is just one example:
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
This is a great verse to think about before we speak.
Think before YOU speak today!
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We don't have to spend much time reading the New Testament to realize that Jesus' time here on earth was not spent causing division between people. In fact, it was exactly the opposite; he strove to bring people together, to unite them in a love for God and a love for each other. Today's verse, Ephesians 2:14 from the NLT, talks about this:
Christ himself has made peace between us Jews and you Gentiles by making us all one people. He has broken down the wall of hostility that used to separate us.
We should keep this verse in mind whenever we have a choice to divide or unite.
There's no denying that life can be challenging. But taken from an eternal perspective life is just a short journey that takes us somewhere far more important. By focusing on life's challenges we can easily miss out on the bigger picture. Today's verse, Romans 8:18 from the KJV, helps us to take a step back and get a quick view of things from God's perspective:
The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Committing this verse to memory will help us take a fresh look at life's challenges and see them for the minor bumps in our journey that they really are.
Try to view life from God's perspective today!
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We've all experienced the power of words to lift us up and also their power to chop us down. We've listened to conversations that have drawn us closer to God and conversations that have done everything but. Yet we're often quick to speak without thinking first about the effect of what we're saying. Today's verse, Ephesians 4:29 from the NIV, encourages us to choose our words wisely.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
If only we could all keep this verse running through our minds whenever we are about to say something the world would be a much better place!
Think before you speak today!
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Following Christ means that we often need to make choices that are not popular with the world around us. Even though these are choices we know are good for us in the long run, the tempation is strong to give in to peer pressure and make a bad choice for the sake of short term gain. Today's verse, 1 Thessalonians 2:4 from the NLT, helps provide an incentive to stay strong and keep our focus where it needs to be:
For we speak as messengers who have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He is the one who examines the motives of our hearts.
This is an especially important verse to keep in mind when we're faced with the option to make a bad choice and stay popular or make a good one and stay Holy.
Make good choices today!
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There are those who are quick to condemn God for not opening the gates of Heaven to everyone. But the keys to those gates are offered to all, and God goes out of His way to give each of us time to find them and time to make a choice to take them. More time, in fact, than we deserve. Romans 2:4 from the NLT makes this clear:
Don't you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don't you care? Can't you see how kind He has been in giving you time to turn from your sin?
If we think God is being unfair we should remember this verse and think back on how many times those keys have been offered and turned away.
Make sure you've accepted the keys!
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Have you ever watched a coach working with gymnasts? It[base ']s not the coach's job to perform a routine for the gymnasts but rather to assist them through the difficult parts so that they can safely learn to do it on their own. This is a good analogy for the role God can play in our lives sometimes, as Psalm 145:14 from the NKJV points out:
The LORD upholds all who fall,
And raises up all who are bowed down.
We should keep it in mind when we are worried that we have to figure out life's routines on our own.
Make it a great day!
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