Category: Verse for the day

“Unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it produces much fruit.”–John 12:24 Jesus gives us His very self — everything He has. In return, we should give Jesus everything at every moment. The world in its wisdom teaches us to save for the future. The rich man who planned to tear down his barns to build bigger ones (see Lk 12:18) seems to practice the best of worldly “wealth management,” but Jesus calls him a “fool” (see Lk 12:20). Later in the Gospel of Luke,...

“Peter spoke up and said, ‘Lord, if it is really You, tell me to come to You across the water.’ ‘Come!’ He said. So Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water, moving toward Jesus.” –Matthew 14:28-29 If you had asked Peter the day before he walked on the water: “Can you walk on water?”, Peter would have answered “No.” Peter could not walk on water unless Jesus told him to, and Peter obeyed Jesus’ command. This is a basic principle of the Christian life. For example, we must love our enemies (Lk 6:27, 35)...

“For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint.” –Habakkuk 2:3 God has given us visions, promises, high hopes. Over the years, some of these have not happened, and we have forgotten about them. Sometimes we remember these promises but do not hold on to our hopes because we don’t want more disappointments. However, the Lord tells us: “If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late” (Hab 2:3; cf 2 Pt 3:9). We must live by faith and not be afraid to expect God’s power in our...

“What profit would a man show if he were to gain the whole world and destroy himself in the process?” –Matthew 16:26 Every human being wants to show a profit. Most try to save their lives by taking control of things, working hard, and making things happen. That’s what the people of Nineveh did. They raised up great armies and undertook monumental campaigns. By human standards it appeared they were showing a profit, but it turned out just the opposite. The end result for Nineveh was: “Everyone who sees you runs from you, saying, ‘Nineveh is destroyed; who can pity...

“Keep your attention closely fixed on it, as you would on a lamp shining in a dark place.” –2 Peter 1:19 The Transfiguration shows our future, what will happen to us if we are truly faithful followers of the Lord. We are destined to a divine life if we “listen to Him” and heed His words (see Mk 9:7). God plans to make us “sharers of the divine nature” (2 Pt 1:4). If we remain in Jesus to the end of our life, when Christ appears, “we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1...