Scripture of The Day

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Seek! That is the focus word in this verse. This word is a robust word, describing a passionate pursuit of something to make it our own. The Kingdom, and the righteousness of those in this Kingdom, are not our wish, our hope, our dream -- they are to be our passion. We will pursue God's Kingdom at all costs. We will pursue it with passion. This will be our consuming effort until we make it our own, or better yet, find it our home! My Prayer... Forgive me, dear God, for letting my passion for your Kingdom and your character get pushed to the side. Awaken me each morning with a sense of passion for your work and your will for that day. Father, I want to be a passionate seeker; please make me restless for your Kingdom as my home. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

"I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days;" (Deuteronomy 30:19-20) There are times in life when we are faced with situations that seem dark; Situations that cause us to question our faith in the promises that we have received from God’s Word. Sometimes we struggle with circumstances in the world that cause us to be distracted away from God as we try to battle and win by our own efforts. Even struggles with our own flesh can become a battle that causes us to focus more on our internal war than on God. But our struggle should not be with these things for the battle is the Lord’s. Our struggle should be focused on holding on to God and His Word no matter how dark, and no matter how hopeless...

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" Thoughts on Today's Verse... When we help those who can't help themselves -- those who have gotten themselves in trouble, those who have been falsely accused, those who are facing death -- we are helping Jesus himself. What would Jesus do? He would be helping someone find God out of their hopelessness and despair. My Prayer... Father, please give me wisdom to see my opportunities to serve your people as I try to help them understand your incredible grace. In the name of my Redeemer, Savior, and Friend, Jesus. Amen.

We’ve all made promises that we’ve broken. When that happens, we diminish ourselves as persons and lose the confidence of others. Sometimes it can lead to great bitterness and sorrow. A few hours before Judas betrayed him, Jesus told his disciples that they would soon all “fall away.” He would be arrested and crucified, he said, and all of them would forsake him. Peter vigorously disagreed: “Even if all the others fall away, I will not. I will never disown you.” But Jesus told him that before a rooster crowed twice the next morning, Peter would deny Jesus three times. And that’s what happened. Three times Peter broke the vow he’d made with so much gusto—and when he heard the rooster crow, Peter remembered Jesus’ words, and he broke down and wept. The story of Peter’s broken promise does not end there, however, because Jesus is the Savior who forgives promise breakers when they repent and return to him. After his resurrection Jesus restored Peter to the circle of his disciples, and Pete...

“The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone.” Mark 12:10 In ancient times a capstone was the most important stone of a great building. From Psalm 118:22, the passage Jesus quoted in our reading, we find that this term literally means “head of the corner,” so it could also refer to a cornerstone. A cornerstone was essential for laying a firm foundation. This stone was very large and was set carefully in place at the beginning of a construction project. All other stones were set in line with the cornerstone. Everything was built around it and depended on it. In God’s plan of salvation, Jesus himself is the cornerstone (see Ephesians 2:20), and everything is built around him. Though his enemies rejected him, he remains the pivotal center of God’s saving work. Jesus was saying that although his enemies would kill him, they could not defeat him—and that is precisely what happened. Jesus’ enemies sentenced him to death on a cross, but three days later he rose triumphantly from t...

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary It is a good work to succour and help a good minister in trouble. The nature of true Christian sympathy, is not only to feel concern for our friends in their troubles, but to do what we can to help them. The apostle was often in bonds, imprisonments, and necessities; but in all, he learned to be content, to bring his mind to his condition, and make the best of it. Pride, unbelief, vain hankering after something we have not got, and fickle disrelish of present things, make men discontented even under favourable circumstances. Let us pray for patient submission and hope when we are abased; for humility and a heavenly mind when exalted. It is a special grace to have an equal temper of mind always. And in a low state not to lose our comfort in God, nor distrust his providence, nor take any wrong course for our own supply. In a prosperous condition not to be proud, or secure, or worldly. This i...