1 Timothy 4:8 HCSB
[8] for the training of the body has a limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
https:... View More1 Timothy 4:8 HCSB
[8] for the training of the body has a limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
https://bible.com/bible/72/1ti.4.8.HCSB
While there is such a thing as righteous indignation, times when we ought to be angry, ungodly anger is sin and gives the Devil a foothold in our heart and life. Even like a beachhead must first be se... View MoreWhile there is such a thing as righteous indignation, times when we ought to be angry, ungodly anger is sin and gives the Devil a foothold in our heart and life. Even like a beachhead must first be secured by an army invading by sea, before a land can be conquered, even so the Devil must have some space from which to conduct his assaults. When we deny him that "place" or "foothold," he cannot overcome us.
"Cant’ complain!" I hear this phrase almost everyday, saying it quite often as well. Nobody likes to hear another person complaining, and when things are going well it is easy to oblige with the desir... View More"Cant’ complain!" I hear this phrase almost everyday, saying it quite often as well. Nobody likes to hear another person complaining, and when things are going well it is easy to oblige with the desires in this verse. Things are not always so easy though.
I remember taking a bicycle ride not too long ago. I started off feeling great: weather was nice, my bike and body were feeling good, and I would certainly say that I couldn’t complain. Fast forward an hour or so, and I had a flat tire with no way to repair it, no money, it had started to rain, and I remember biking back on my flat tire and even the slightest breeze in my face seemed like something I could write a book of complaints about. This is why Paul wants to emphasize the importance of keeping quiet rather than complaints in his letter to the Philippians.
Let’s be honest here: it is basically impossible to live our lives "without murmurings and disputings." Paul never had to wait on hold with customer service or had a flight delayed! But this is why Paul’s teaching is so important. Having this verse in your mind when you DO complain will work to ease any future complaints and eventually, hopefully, lead to less and less and possibly even no murmurings and disputings. Paul himself had some things he certainly could have complained about and possibly did, seeing as he was arrested and persecuted for his faith. No good comes from it. He realized it, I realize it, and I am sure that you do too. Keep this verse in your mind and it will only serve to improve your life and all the lives around you.
Several things happen when we complain, none of them positive. First, we focus our own mental power on something negative, something that has annoyed or bothered us. Second, we drag another person down by making them listen to our complaints. Third, complaints rarely offer a solution to the situation with which we had a problem. Usually they are just a reiteration of an event that caused us some discomfort. Lastly and most importantly, we forget to cherish every moment of our life, a great gift that all of us do not deserve but have been given. This is the most egregious of errors and one that meditating on this verse can certainly aid us with.
There are figures in the Bible that complain, certainly. I would argue that all of them, Job, King David, Moses, realize that their complaints were incorrect. They ask forgiveness almost immediately upon complaining, realizing their mistake. We should all seek to do the same. Keep this verse and meditation in your heart. Next time you are met with an inconvenience, "Can’t complain!"
Verse of the Day for Saturday, February 7th, 2026:
Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. — Psalm 97:10
S... View MoreVerse of the Day for Saturday, February 7th, 2026:
Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. — Psalm 97:10
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Thoughts on Today's Verse....
Hate - what a bold and powerful word. Jesus does not want us to hate people, not even our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48). However, we MUST HATE evil and the evil one. While balancing our hatred of the evil one with our love for others can be challenging, it is absolutely vital. Evil is here because of the evil one - the champion of hate, lies, murder, and death (John 8:44). We can and must daily pray for deliverance from evil and the evil one (Matthew 5:13). So, when evil rears its ugly head, let's be courageous and oppose the evil one and his work. As we resist the evil one, he will flee from us (James 4:7) as we draw near to God and are strengthened by his presence (James 4:8; Hebrews 10:22). Let's choose to be used by God to be redemptive as we pray for those trapped by evil and the evil one's tentacles. In so doing, we are not overcome by evil and the evil one, but we overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).
My Prayer...
Almighty God, make my heart pained by the evil in the world around me. Please also give me a holy revulsion to things opposed to your will and character that emanate from the evil one and propagate evil in your world. At the same time, dear Father, I know that you redeemed me by grace and rescued me while I was a captive to sin and the evil one. So, please give me the courage and compassion to care for those in the evil one's embrace and are captive to his evil ways. Please bless me as I try to balance my absolute disdain for the evil one and my love for those who have been hurt and made captive by his evil ways. Through Jesus, my Savior, I pray. Amen.
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

Verse of the Day for Friday, February 6th, 2026:
He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor. — Proverbs 21:21
Share on Facebook | Discuss this Verse... View MoreVerse of the Day for Friday, February 6th, 2026:
He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor. — Proverbs 21:21
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Thoughts on Today's Verse....
Isn't it sad that when we set off to find happiness, joy, significance, or meaning, we seldom find it the way we hope to find it? Instead, when we offer ourselves to serve others and give ourselves wholeheartedly to the Lord and his work, it is then that we find what we most need and what is most fulfilling. Plus, in doing this service to others, we resemble our Savior (Mark 10:43-45) and are assured that God is honored and will honor us (Philippians 2:6-11), because of how we live.
Video Commentary
We've included Phil's ToGather video from four years ago as an added blessing to our verse today:

[ Click to Play Video ]
ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos
My Prayer...
O Giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17-18), please bless me with opportunities to serve others and honor you in ways that demonstrate your grace and bring the reign of your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. When, in the process of serving others, you choose to meet the needs of my heart, I thank you for this double opportunity to give grace and receive it. I pray this through your servant Jesus, and to be transformed by the Spirit to be evermore like him. Amen.
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

Some like to quote Philippians 4:13 as if it had said simply " I can do all things." But it says that only through Christ strengthening us can we do all things. And it is not all things generally but ... View MoreSome like to quote Philippians 4:13 as if it had said simply " I can do all things." But it says that only through Christ strengthening us can we do all things. And it is not all things generally but all things that God wants us to do that is in view here. It is those things that we could not do without Him, if we were not in Christ. It is good works that please God.
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