Verse of the Day

  • September 8, 2012


    Proverbs 9:10

    The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. And the counsel of saints is understanding; For to know the law is characteristic of a good mind.

    Personal Challenge…

    Wisdom! Understanding! A good mind! All precious jewels to be sought after in our lives. We so often seek out our God and fear Him, and in that process gain His wisdom. We also read and study His law, His word, and from that gain a good mind. But what about the counsel of the saints, those whom have gone before us? Much of the modern church has abandoned this part of our pursuit of godliness and righteousness.

  • September 7, 2012


    Psalm 46:10 (45:11)

    Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.

    Encouraging Words…

    Contrary to what is so often taught in many of our churches, knowing God is a two-sided activity. I must take action to know Him, I must slow down and be still so that I can hear His voice. He expects me to be an active participant in the relationship with Him.

  • September 6, 2012


    Galatians 1:10

    For do I persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

    Personal Challenge…

    I cannot have it both ways…pleasing God and pleasing men. These two ways are mutually exclusive, diametrically opposed! To follow God is to leave the ways of the world behind. This is what it means to be a bondservant to Christ. Am I willing to give up my all for Him?

  • September 5, 2012

    Psalm 33:18 (34:18)

    The Lord is near those who are brokenhearted, and He will save the humble in spirit.

    Personal Challenge…

    Oh, how many times have well meaning Christians told me that I need to get closer to God in those times that I have been brokenhearted. “Read more scriptures!” “Pray more!” “Go to church more!” But this Psalm reminds me that it is in those times that I am boken that God draws near to me, that He wants to encourage and comfort me. Maybe an important part of our path to righteousness comes through the humility that comes out of being brokenhearted. Is my heart broken for Christ.

  • September 4, 2012



    I recently finished my read through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. September 1st is the beginning of the calendar year in the Orthodox church. I have decided to follow the readings of the church for the next year using the Orthodox Study Bible, which is the New King James Version with the Old Testament based on the Septuagint. As I do this I will be doing my verse of the day from these readings.

    Psalm 31:8 (32:8)

    “I will give you understanding, and I will teach you in the way you should walk; I will fix My eyes on you.”

    Encouraging Words…

    I am not on this journey through life alone. God is there with me all of the way. He desires to teach me and give me understanding. Am I willing to receive it and let go of my desires?

  • August 30, 2012


    Mark 13:31 NIV


    Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

    Encouraging Words…

    It is such a blessing to know that our God has always been and always will be. In today’s world where so many things are here today and gone tomorrow being a part of eternity is refreshing and freeing. It is also refreshing and freeing to know that His church can be found today practicing its faith in many ways just as it did when it was established nearly 2,000 years ago.

  • August 29, 2012


    Psalm 56:3-4 NASB


    When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?

    Encouraging Words…

    We are so blessed to have our Lord as the One whom we can put our trust in. In Him we do not need to fear anyone or anything. Through Him we can live our lives without fear of what man may try to do to us.

  • August 27, 2012


    James 2:17 NASB


    Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

    Personal Challenge…

    Faith is such a critical part of the Christian journey, but is not the end all. Our faith comes from God and draws us to Him, but it is the works that we do from within that faith that refines us on our journey. We must be living our lives for Him through the work that we do for Him.

  • August 22, 2012


    1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NASB


    Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.

    Personal Challenge…

    We are commanded to be on the alert, stand firm and to be strong…but that is all to be tempered and done in love. Love for God and love for our fellow mankind. I think that we all too often believe that we must be aggressive and overbearing in the way that we present Christ to those around us. This is not the case. We are to do all that we do in love…and that means everything.


    Note: photo provided by http://500px.com/photo/4171598

  • August 21, 2012


    Acts 21:13 NASB


    Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

    Personal Challenge…

    Oh, to be as strong and courageous as Paul. Knowing full well what his fate was going to be if he went back to Jerusalem he still went…for the sake of his Lord and Savior. Is the day coming where we who claim to follow Christ will have to make this same decision? Will I be able to be as committed as Paul was? My prayer is that by the grace of God I would.