Category: Verse for the day

“Break up for yourselves a new field, for it is time to seek the Lord.” –Hosea 10:12 Most peoples of the Bible were agricultural. Like all farmers, they had a special kind of relationship with the ground. Hosea prophesied that if the people did not repent of their idolatry, the ground would be their death. The mountains would cover them and the hills fall on them (Hos 10:8; Rv 6:16). An unrepentant, idolatrous people would be buried in a spiritual landslide. However, if we repent and become disciples of Jesus, we will plow the ground and bear much fruit. If...

“Beg the harvest Master to send out laborers to gather His harvest.” –Matthew 9:37-38 In this part of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus has been on a healing-deliverance tour. He has lifted up the paralyzed, healed the hemorrhaging woman, raised up the dead, and cured the blind (Mt 9:1ff). Finally, Jesus expelled a demon from the mute man, and the man began to speak (Mt 9:33). Matthew recounts this miracle last to emphasize it. “The harvest is good but laborers are scarce” (Mt 9:37). There are few to proclaim the good news of the kingdom (Mt 9:35). The devil’s got our tongues;...

“My daughter has just died.” –Matthew 9:18 Recall some of the saddest words you have ever said. Maybe you’ve said such things as “She’s dead,” “There’s no hope,” “He’s gone,” “I’m lost,” or “I don’t want to go on.” Like the synagogue leader, bring your sadness to Jesus. “Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you” (1 Pt 5:7). “We do not have a High Priest Who is unable to sympathize with our weakness” (Heb 4:15). “So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and favor and to find help in time of...

“My grace is enough for you.” –2 Corinthians 12:9 Alleluia! Every Sunday is Resurrection day, the weekly celebration of that first Easter morning when Jesus rose from the tomb, triumphed over sin and death, and made all things new for us. Today is a day of unity, when believers from all over this earth gather to worship almighty God, listen to His living, all-powerful Word, and receive the Bread of Life, Jesus Himself. Today we learn again that God loves us so much that He can never give us enough of His blessings. Alleluia! How wonderful is God’s plan for...