Who can we depend on for safety and protection? You may have some in your life who you trust, but we live in a fallen world. Even those we trust may let us down. But, those who place their trust in th... View MoreWho can we depend on for safety and protection? You may have some in your life who you trust, but we live in a fallen world. Even those we trust may let us down. But, those who place their trust in the Lord will always be protected. Those who do not place trust in themselves or in others, but instead trust God, will find refuge. Why? Because God’s love is for eternity. No matter what you face here on earth, you can rest knowing you will spend eternity with your savior.
We have come to the last Sunday before Lent and we are presented with an unusual reading from the letter of Paul to the Galatians.
One of the biggest distortions I have heard is that only some can be... View MoreWe have come to the last Sunday before Lent and we are presented with an unusual reading from the letter of Paul to the Galatians.
One of the biggest distortions I have heard is that only some can be saved. Jesus is clear that he came to save all. Whether all will have eternal life with him is another question for another day, but since salvation is a gift, not something to be earned, to say that some cannot be saved doesn’t ring true. Paul answered this question in many of his letters as does John in his. Luke’s gospel in his prologue gives us the guide we need to judge if what we are being told is true to the gospel. Sometimes it seems daunting to read a gospel straight through, but it’s the best way to get a feel for what the evangelist is trying to say.
This is important because another way the gospel message can be perverted is to quote it out of context. Almost anything can be proved if you take things out of context! When my first child was born, I wanted to know everything I could about how to raise a child. I consulted several different "baby books" to see what I should be doing. What did I find? Let the baby cry, don’t let the baby cry. Feed the baby when he’s hungry, feed the baby on a schedule. Don’t use physical punishment, no problem with physical punishment. You get the picture. Scripture out of context is the same. If you really want to know the true gospel, read it, study it, reflect upon it. Don’t be led astray.
Prayer: Lord, I love your Word. Keep me true to your gospel and not be led astray by those who would pervert it. Amen.
Matthew 7:13-14 HCSB
[13] “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. [14] How narrow is the gate and... View MoreMatthew 7:13-14 HCSB
[13] “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. [14] How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.
https://bible.com/bible/72/mat.7.13-14.HCSB
Verse of the Day for Monday, March 3rd, 2025:
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. — Psalm 37:3
Share on Facebook | Discuss this Verse... View MoreVerse of the Day for Monday, March 3rd, 2025:
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. — Psalm 37:3
Share on Facebook | Discuss this Verse

Thoughts on Today's Verse....
Having a place to live amid life's uncertainties and having assurance of God's protection and care are based on two essential principles:
Trusting in the Lord.
Doing good to others.
When we live by these two commitments, we learn to depend upon God in fresh new ways that bring us refreshment, hope, and joy. As we do, we extend God's grace when do good and share God's blessings with others.
My Prayer...
Loving God, my Abba Father, I trust you with my life, which I offer to you as a living sacrifice to bring you glory and honor* as I seek to bless others as you have blessed me. As I do this, dear Father, I know you are rushing to meet me with your loving grace and love beyond compare. Thank you! Thank you for your love. Thank you for your protection. Thank you for holding my future in your hands. In Jesus' name, I praise you. Amen.
* Romans 12:1-2.
The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. You can email questions or comments to phil@verseoftheday.com.
Today's Verse Illustrated

Have you noticed that just hearing God’s word is not enough? No matter how many sermons you listen to or how many times you read the Bible, if your heart is not tuned to the Word, it will not change y... View MoreHave you noticed that just hearing God’s word is not enough? No matter how many sermons you listen to or how many times you read the Bible, if your heart is not tuned to the Word, it will not change you from the inside out. What sorts of things can be distractors from allowing God’s word to be fruitful in our lives? Worries about the world, wealth, pride – just to name a few. When we focus on the worries of the world or grow materialistic, we will not grow in our relationship with God.
Yesterday, we thought about doing God’s will. Today, we think about building up ourselves in faith. What are the ways that we can build ourselves up in? For whoever wishes to save his life will lose i... View MoreYesterday, we thought about doing God’s will. Today, we think about building up ourselves in faith. What are the ways that we can build ourselves up in? For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it." Faith? I had to give some thought about how I try to do this.
The first thing that came to mind is prayer. My grandmother told me that God waited at the end of each day for me to talk to him and tell him about my day. This habit is one that has lasted for over 70 years. I didn’t even realize that this was prayer until when I was older! Such experience gives me time to reflect on my day, give thanks for the good things, thanks for getting me through the difficult ones and asking for help both for myself and my friends and family. I usually end with a formal prayer and then remember the other things and people I need to pray for. I find comfort and inspiration in my church community. After all, the word "church" originally meant the gathering of the people, not a building.
Reflecting on Scripture brings me closer to the Father as well as to Jesus. How can we follow Jesus if we don’t know what he did and said? Studying the Bible with others gives me insights that I might never have seen. So, I guess that prayer, reflecting on Scripture, both alone and with others, and immersing myself in the Christian community are the ways that I try to build up myself in this holy faith with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. What are your ways?
Prayer: Loving God, you want us to get to know you. Send your Holy Spirit upon us to guide us to you. Amen.
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