Today's Verse from Heartlight (NIV)

Luke 5:31-32 (05-31-12)

Thu, 31 May 2012 02:00:00 -0500

Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

— Luke 5:31-32 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus was often criticized for deliberately associating with people who were suspect in the eyes of the "religious." There was a reason for his behavior. He wasn't doing this to be popular, weird, bizarre, or hip. Jesus came to redeem the enslaved, find the lost, mend the broken, and reclaim the sinner. Can Jesus' bodily presence strive for anything less than this today, and still call herself Jesus' Church?

My Prayer...

Forgive me, Father, when I opt for security in my acquaintances and I avoid potentially messy entanglements in my relationships. Please open my eyes to see the needy all around me. Please use me to lead them to your grace and to help them find family with your people. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Acts 5:30 (05-30-12)

Wed, 30 May 2012 02:00:00 -0500

The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead -- whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.

— Acts 5:30 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Peter is making clear that his faith in Jesus didn't just begin with Jesus. It began with the Patriarchs, the great Jewish fathers. The God who blessed them also raised Jesus from the dead, even though Jesus had been executed in the most heinous and degrading way possible for a faithful Jew -- he was nailed to a cross, something that was both illegal and a sign of being cursed under Jewish Law. He raised Jesus from the dead and exalted him and made him our Savior and our Lord. Praise God!

My Prayer...

Thank you, dear Father, for showing your power over evil, sin, hate, jealousy, and death. In the name of Jesus, my Lord and Savior, I offer my praise and thanksgiving. Amen.

Acts 5:29 (05-29-12)

Tue, 29 May 2012 02:00:00 -0500

Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!"

— Acts 5:29 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Against a stern warning from the ruling council in Jerusalem, called the Sanhedrin, Peter and the other apostles proclaimed Jesus as Lord. They knew that Jesus had triumphed over the attempts of his enemies to extinguish him and his ministry. The apostles blatantly disobeyed the orders of the very same people who had Jesus crucified. By any standard, that is faithful courage. How are you doing in the "standing up for Jesus" battle?

My Prayer...

Lord God Almighty, please empower me by your Spirit to be courageous. I do not want to ever back down from my convictions nor ever renounce my faith in Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Matthew 5:28 (05-28-12)

Mon, 28 May 2012 02:00:00 -0500

But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

— Matthew 5:28 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Living in a sexually supercharged world and facing the prevalence of pornography on the Internet and in today's media, how are you doing with this issue?

My Prayer...

Loving Father, give me the strength to resist sexual temptation, the wisdom to stay away from it, and character to triumph over it. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Luke 5:27 (05-27-12)

Sun, 27 May 2012 02:00:00 -0500

After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.

— Luke 5:27 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

After capturing the hearts of the crowd, Jesus now calls another disciple, Levi (Matthew). Two things are significant about this calling. First, Jesus called someone no other religious leader would have chosen, a tax collector and Roman sympathizer -- to any Jew of Jesus' era, Matthew would have seemed very much like a traitor to his heritage and to his faith. Second, the tax collector followed, leaving behind his livelihood and his fortune. This is a powerful reminder that there is no one we should write off as unreachable with the Gospel and as unusable by our Lord.

My Prayer...

Father of all nations, help me recognize the people you place in my path today who are ready to know more about Jesus. Give me the wisdom and the awareness to know when and how to speak with them about my Savior. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Luke 5:26 (05-26-12)

Sat, 26 May 2012 02:00:00 -0500

Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today."

— Luke 5:26 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus forgave a man who was lame, then showed he had authority to forgive by healing him. As exciting and important as this healing was, the most important thing was the reaction of those who witnessed it; they praised God out of a sense of amazed awe. They recognized that Jesus had come to minister as God's very presence. When we understand who Jesus is and what he has done for us and will continue to do for us, we do the same thing today -- we offer our praises with a sense of amazement and awe.

My Prayer...

Almighty God and Heavenly Father, I glorify your name and thank you for your grace which you so lavishly poured out on me through your Son and my Savior, Jesus, in whose name I offer this praise. Amen.

John 5:25 (05-25-12)

Fri, 25 May 2012 02:00:00 -0500

I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.

— John 5:25 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Aren't you glad that not even death can stop us from hearing Jesus' promised words to us: "RISE!"? We will hear his voice and live with him forever. That sure puts a lift in my future plans; what about you?

My Prayer...

Thank you, Almighty God, that Jesus' resurrection demonstrated your power to destroy death. I have confidence in your Son's promises to return, to raise me from the dead if I die before his return, and to take me home to be with you. In the Savior's name. Amen.