Complaining and grumbling is a serious offense from God's point of view. The Israelites were guilty of this in the wilderness wanderings, when despite God's daily provision and leading, they murmered ... View MoreComplaining and grumbling is a serious offense from God's point of view. The Israelites were guilty of this in the wilderness wanderings, when despite God's daily provision and leading, they murmered in their tents. Lack of thankfulness will dim our lights and hurt our witness to the dark lost world around us. We are made the light of the world. It is our mission to shine out his righteousness in the midst of an unrighteous society.
These final words of Jesus are a grim reminder of the cruelty of humanity. It is easy to picture yourself in this setting, and the verses are rushed and unsettling. It all seems surreal and like it is... View MoreThese final words of Jesus are a grim reminder of the cruelty of humanity. It is easy to picture yourself in this setting, and the verses are rushed and unsettling. It all seems surreal and like it is over so fast. In a way, the life of Jesus is surreal and ends so quickly. The people around seem to barely notice Jesus, because he is just another person to be executed. Two others joined him that day, and the soldiers silently did their duty.
What a fitting end to Jesus' life: a reminder of his humility, sacrifice, forgiveness, and selflessness. The soldiers seem to not even notice, spending the time casting lots, essentially gambling, to see who would take the victims' possessions. Jesus, the Son of God, could ask for ANYTHING in this moment. He could DO anything in this moment. That is not our Savior's way. Instead, he thinks of others, begging God to forgive them considering this grisly scene. From the beginning until the end, Jesus loved us, no matter how we treated him.
Some countries still execute criminals. In American popular culture, it is common to see these events depicted on TV or in movies, with the criminals given a chance to have their last words. What would your last words be? In my case, I think that I would be pleading for my own life, hoping to save my own skin until the very end.
Jesus is the way the truth and the life. In the Lord's prayer, we say: "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors" (Matthew 6:12). God does forgive. Jesus even asked for us. How lucky we are to have been created by Him.
Prayer:
Merciful Jesus, thank you for shining as the light unto all the world. Your example is one that all should follow, and I pray that I can be ever slightly more in your image with each passing day. Forgive us, heavenly Father, for we have sinned: sinned against ourselves, sinned against your Son, sinned against you. As your only begotten said, we truly know not what we do. Thank you, O God, for trying to understand us even when we do not understand it ourselves. In the name of the Son, and the Father, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Psalms 23:6 HCSB
[6] Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.
https://bible.com/bible/72/psa.23.6.HCSB
Psalms 23:6 (HCSB) - Only goodness and faithful love wil | YouVersion
Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
as long as I live.
Verse of the Day for Thursday, March 19th, 2026:
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no la... View MoreVerse of the Day for Thursday, March 19th, 2026:
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. — Galatians 5:22-23
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Thoughts on Today's Verse....
Many religious groups offer various ways to know whether you have the Holy Spirit. Jesus has one simple answer: "By their fruit you will know them" (Matthew 7:16). Paul gives us the definition of God's holy fruit - LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL. These qualities come to life in us as good fruit that comes as a sign of the Spirit's work in our lives. Now, why not repeat them out loud and ask the Lord to make this fruit yours in full measure through the power of the Holy Spirit, the gift the Father gives to those who ask (Luke 11:13).
My Prayer...
Abba Father, through the Spirit, I call upon you, knowing you are interceding for me, O Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26-27). Please fulfill in me the character you possess and the fruit that displays your presence in my life. O Abba Father, I want to exhibit the qualities of your Son and my Savior, Jesus, in whose name 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

Ministers of the Word, pastors and missionaries in our churches, are duty-bound to preach Christ in such manner as to labor "till Christ be formed in" their hearers. (Galatians 4:19) For Christlikenes... View MoreMinisters of the Word, pastors and missionaries in our churches, are duty-bound to preach Christ in such manner as to labor "till Christ be formed in" their hearers. (Galatians 4:19) For Christlikeness is the ultimate rule of maturity and, in the next life, of perfection. God uses Biblical teaching and Bible-based warnings delivered by men of God in the pulpit and classroom and elsewhere to accomplish this.
I have met people that have told me nightmarish stories of their past; horrible things that have happened to them and even sadder things, horrible things that they did. Many of these people would be n... View MoreI have met people that have told me nightmarish stories of their past; horrible things that have happened to them and even sadder things, horrible things that they did. Many of these people would be nearly unrecognizable from their past selves, myself included. All of them, and I, went through hard times and were all comforted by God, in times of morning and heaviness. What was it that got us to where we are today? Forgiveness. Some verses to consider:
1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Romans 3:23-26 - For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God
2 Chronicles 7:14 - If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray without ceasing.
1 John 5:14-15 - And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
If you ask for forgiveness, if you ask for anything, God will hear you. Confess your sins and be forgiven. This is often the hardest step, however, especially if some of the sins that we have committed are too hard to look back on. Looking back and asking for forgiveness is the first step in moving forward. Only God can mend a broken life, one that is a pile of ashes, and replace it with beauty. Only God can comfort those who mourn and replace it with the oil of joy. Turn to the Lord when your life is darkest, seek forgiveness, and He will transform it, no matter how tangled and broken it may be, into something beautiful.
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