Tagged: verse for the day

“It is the groom who has the bride. The groom’s best man waits there listening for him and is overjoyed to hear his voice. That is my joy, and it is complete.” –John 3:29 I was once a “best man,” at the wedding of a high school friend. I was overjoyed to see my friend marry his sweetheart. As a best man, your thoughts are wholly occupied with the groom. There is no disappointment for the best man when all the attention is being focused on the groom. It is a delight to see the groom’s joy in marrying his...

“Who, then, is conqueror of the world?” –1 John 5:5 During the Christmas season, it becomes even more obvious that there is a battle between Christians and the world. The world is focused on selfishness, pleasure-seeking, the lusts of the flesh, and the pride of life (1 Jn 2:16, RSV-CE). Christians focus on Christ, the Father’s will, the gifts and the fruit of the Spirit, and humility. Consequently, the world hates Jesus’ disciples as it hates Him (Jn 15:18). Through the Holy Spirit, we Christians have proven the world wrong about sin, justice, and condemnation (Jn 16:8). Through the cross,...

“Then, taking the five loaves and the two fish, Jesus raised His eyes to heaven, pronounced a blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples to distribute.” –Mark 6:41 Jesus can multiply five loaves and two fish to feed thousands. He can also take one day and make it worth a thousand years (2 Pt 3:8; Ps 90:4). Jesus wants to give you a Christmas present of multiplying time. Evangelizing the more than seven billion people on this earth will take many years, even with modern transportation and communications. Ask Jesus to multiply our time and do the...

“We will receive at His hands whatever we ask.” –1 John 3:22 The great events at the end of the year will be prepared for by the simple prayers of faith at the beginning of the year. So let us begin the year walking by faith and prayer, and not by sight (see 2 Cor 5:7). The prayers of the Christmas season are seeds that will result in a great harvest later in the year. Therefore, let us sow bountifully so as to reap bountifully (see 2 Cor 9:6). “The fervent petition of a holy man is powerful indeed” (Jas...