Daily Bible Verse

Yesterday we talked a little bit about repentance. We saw that as followers of Jesus, we should be repenting, which means a change of action and a change of thought. As we grow in our relationship with the Holy Spirit and the Bible, we will find things in the word of God that should challenge our lifestyle. As Christians, we should want our lives to match up to what the Bible says.

This isn’t to say that we’re doing good works to gain salvation. Not at all. There is not a thing we could do to ever earn our salvation. But as a result of our salvation, we should be wanting to change to be more like Jesus. It’s Jesus that helps us and empowers us to change.

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance – Matthew 3:8 (NIV)

Our repentance should produce fruit in our lives. So as God begins to show you things, you should begin to change.

Here’s an example. I realized one day that I was not honoring my mom the way the Bible described. (Ephesians 6:1). Instead, I was talking bad about her behind her back. I was snarky, disobedient, and very unkind. Then the Holy Spirit began to reveal to me that I wasn’t honoring my mom. I realized that I didn’t have to like my mom or agree with her decisions to honor her. Instead, I simply had to choose to honor her and treat her with respect because she was my mom.

So I repented. I changed my behavior and attitude toward my mom. I wasn’t perfect, but I began to stop talking bad about her. Slowly, through the course of time, I allowed what the Bible said to dominate my actions. That’s what repentance looks like. It’s seeing something the Bible or the Holy Spirit reveals to you and changing your course. It’s humbling yourself and allowing God to be the boss of your life.

So today, challenge yourself to practice repentance in any area the Holy Spirit is leading you. It might be honoring a parent, stopping lying, or something else. But be sensitive to the leading and begin to make steps to change. You’ll experience more joy and freedom as you let God change you daily.

I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. – Revelation 1:8 (NIV)

Our lives are busy. As a result, we’ve often began to rely on ourselves. Many times we think that if we just work hard, get good grades, go to a good college, or something like that we will find success in our lives. And it’s true, you can get far with hard work. But here’s the catch: working hard, doing good things, and anything else you try in your own strength will not bring you the fulfillment you seek.

You will be more fulfilled as you spend time with God. Today’s verse says that God is the Alpha and Omega. Those are the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet. What is God saying by that? He’s saying, I’m the first, I’m the last, and I’m everything in between.

What does that mean for your life? Well, it means that God can bring fulfillment to every minute of your life. If you’re seeking for meaning, God can be your purpose. If you seek more wisdom, God can fill that void. Whatever it is that you truly need from God, He is there to help you and fill that need.

God wants to be your first and last. He wants to help you in every area of your life. So go to Him. Seek Him, let Him fill you and help you in every way. Let God be your all in all.

and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood – Revelation 1:5 (NIV)

Jesus has done a lot for us. Today’s verse helps us see a little more of who Jesus really is. It’s easy to get caught up in our own lives, so much so that we don’t realize how much we need Jesus.

The summer with it’s ball games, watching TV, talking to friends can often overshadow our relationship with Jesus. But let today’s verse be a reminder to you of how good Jesus is. Let it remind you that He is worthy and worth serving.

Take some time out of your summer to get to know Him more. It might look like setting your phone down in the morning and pulling out your Bible instead. It could be taking a few minutes before bed to pray or to talk to Him. Be sensitive to His leading, and He will give you an idea of how you can get to know Him more.

It doesn’t matter how much you already know, there’s always room to grow in Him. So realize that Jesus loves us and that He freed us from our sins. Then take some time this summer to get to know the one who did that. Get to know His heart and His love for you. He has good things in store for you!

Have you ever wondered why Revelation was in the Bible? I know I have. I mean, I understand that it tells us what will happen in the end times, but I’ve always struggled reading it. Maybe you’re the same. Perhaps Revelation has been a challenge for you. Maybe the idea of reading and understanding it makes you afraid. If so, you’re not alone. Let’s take a look at today’s Bible verse.

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. – Revelation 1:3 (NIV)

I like this verse. Why? Because even though the book of Revelation can seem strange at times and overwhelming but let’s look at what this verse says. It says that if you read Revelation out loud, or if you hear it, you’re blessed. Isn’t that good news? Reading this book is to be a blessing to you.

So when you go to open up your Bible and you get to this book, instead of being overwhelmed, realize that it is there to bless you. And when you read it, you can expect to learn something by the Holy Spirit and be blessed. So even if you’ve avoided the book in the past, realize that it is there to bless you. So take time to think about it, and read it and you’ll be blessed.

Have you ever been freaked out by the book of Revelation? I know I sure have. I’ve not known what to do with it at times. I’ve wondered what in the world it had to do with me and my life. For the next couple of days, we’re going to look at some scriptures from Revelation. Hopefully, you’ll be like me, and as you read them realize that the book of Revelation is a great book to read!

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, – Revelation 1:1 (NKJV)

You might think the book of Revelation only talks about the end times. Yes, there are lots of things in there about the end times. But here’s the great thing. This book in the first verse tells us that it’s a revelation of Jesus. So as followers of Jesus, we should read it with that in mind.

This book shows us a new picture of who Jesus is. We see the human side of Jesus in the gospels. We see Him walking the streets, healing the sick, and doing good works. After seeing that, what happened to Jesus and what will happen with Jesus in the future?

That’s where Revelation helps fill in some gaps. We see a different picture of who Jesus is in this book. And as a follower of Jesus, it’s really important to know about Him. The more you know about Him, the more you realize you love Him. So let’s keep that in mind, and take a look at a few verses of the first chapter over the next few days.

I remember never quite fitting in at school. No matter how hard I tried, no one ever seemed to want to be my friend. After awhile, I gave up, stopped talking and became a very quiet person. The whole time at school, I wanted nothing more than to be included.

The good news is that even if people don’t accept you, God always does. Take a look at today’s verse.

Then you will be empowered to discover what every holy one experiences—the great magnitude of the astonishing love of Christ in all its dimensions. How deeply intimate and far-reaching is his love! How enduring and inclusive it is! – Ephesians 3:18-19 (TPT)

I love how this verse describes God’s love. That it is so big and far reaching. I also like how it describes it as being inclusive. God’s love includes you. So even if people haven’t treated you right or included you, God does. To Him, you’re so valuable. He’s after your heart, if you’ll let Him.

So today, don’t let your worth be based on human love. That love is fickle and can change. God’s love never changes, and it’s based on Him, not you. So you don’t have to perform, or earn it. Instead, He freely gives it because of His love for you.

Today’s Challenge: Take some time today to thank God for His love!