Psalms 34:18 HCSB
[18] The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit.
https://bible.com/bible/72/psa.34.18.HCSB
Verse of the Day for Saturday, December 6th, 2025:
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who... made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human lik... View MoreVerse of the Day for Saturday, December 6th, 2025:
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who... made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! — Philippians 2:5, 7-8
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Thoughts on Today's Verse....
Christianity is not for wimps or the faint-hearted. Our example, Jesus, "made himself nothing... taking the very nature of a servant... humbled himself... and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!" That's tough stuff. What's more, he is our example of how to live and sacrifice for others. The story of Jesus may begin with a sweet child, a tender virgin girl, and a loving, strong man who protected them. However, it also starts with his crib being the trough where animals ate their food, while an evil king was plotting to murder him. The birth stories of Jesus are precious and powerful. They are not, however, saccharine-sweet fake sentiment. Jesus' way of life is about servants who are willing to pay the price to redeem the ungrateful and undeserving, and disciples who are different because they know their Redeemer and are determined to become like their Teacher, Savior, and Lord (Luke 6:40).
My Prayer...
Almighty God, loving Father, thank you for placing the gospel story in the real world where I live. Jesus, thank you for being a Savior who has come into my world and faced its toughest edges and worst ugliness. Help me, please, as I learn to be sacrificial, obedient, redemptive, and humble so that I can be used to help others find your grace. 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

Here is the repeated cry of Israel again and again in the Book of Judges. They would serve the LORD for a time, depart from him to go after idols, then judgment would fall on them, then they would cry... View MoreHere is the repeated cry of Israel again and again in the Book of Judges. They would serve the LORD for a time, depart from him to go after idols, then judgment would fall on them, then they would cry out to the LORD for help, and he would raise up a judge to deliver them. This cycle can mirror our struggles in the Christian life as well, but far better when we simply consistently follow God.
Every winter and every summer I watch the news and see houses falling into the ocean. In the winter, they get blown away by blizzards and in the summer, hurricanes. They are built on sand. And three o... View MoreEvery winter and every summer I watch the news and see houses falling into the ocean. In the winter, they get blown away by blizzards and in the summer, hurricanes. They are built on sand. And three or four years later, these same families watch their homes fall into the ocean again. When will they learn? When will we learn to trust God and build our lives on a firm foundation of faith? When we try to do things on our own, ignoring the word of God, things can go very wrong. And yet, we repeat our mistakes over and over again. We trust ourselves, we trust others, but we don’t trust God. This time of year reminds me of parents putting toys together for their children or adults putting together more adult gifts. We often think that we know how to do it and ignore that little thing called an instruction booklet. Guilty as charged! I like to refer to the Bible as God’s instruction book. I figure that he created us so he should know how we work best. It doesn’t make any more sense to ignore God’s words than it does to ignore the instruction booklet that tells us how to put together toys, furniture, electronics, etc. We finally turn to the booklet when we have extra parts or the thing falls apart, but it would have been so easy to begin there. It’s the same with the word of God, the words of Jesus. Here we find truth, here we find the way to live a fulfilled, happy life. Why don’t we pay more attention?
Prayer: Lord, we do believe but we often build our homes on the sand of public opinion or the culture of today’s world. Help us to allow that home to fall into the ocean and turn around, building our new home on the solid rock of your word. Amen.
1 John 4:19 HCSB
[19] We love because He first loved us.
https://bible.com/bible/72/1jn.4.19.HCSB
Verse of the Day for Friday, December 5th, 2025:
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped..... View MoreVerse of the Day for Friday, December 5th, 2025:
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped... — Philippians 2:5-6
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Thoughts on Today's Verse....
Jesus did not cling to his heavenly glory but surrendered it to save us. He was born in a stable, made his first bed in a manger, and was welcomed to this world by lowly shepherds. His adoptive dad, Joseph, had to flee to Egypt with Mary to protect young Jesus. The Lord made his boyhood home in despised Nazareth, apprenticing in Joseph's carpenter's shop. Paul uses Jesus' surrender of his heavenly glory as an example for us. Paul, God's apostle to the nations, expended his human energy so Jesus would come alive in those who followed Jesus as Lord (Colossians 1:28-29). He reminded all disciples to focus on Jesus, to obey his teaching, and to follow his example. As we do, the Holy Spirit transforms us, with increasing likeness, into our Savior's sacrificial character. Now, we must serve each other as Jesus served. We must think of others' needs before our own comfort, preferences, and rights. Jesus' incarnation, ministry, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection were revolutionary. Now it is our turn to join the revolution and turn our fallen world upside down - a revolution we give our lives to help come to pass!
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 Father, please mold me through the transforming power of your Holy Spirit as I pursue becoming more JESUShaped. May my thoughts be JESUShaped thoughts. May my heart's desire reflect the passions of the Son. In Jesus' name, I choose to relinquish my sense of self-importance to serve others as Jesus did. 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

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