country: reserved

Then the Spirit lifted me [Ezekiel] and brought me to the east gateway of the LORD's Temple, where I saw twenty-five prominent men of the city. Among them were Jaazaniah son of Azzur and Pelatiah son of Benaiah, who were leaders among the people. —Ezekiel 11:1 NLT Key Thought Ezekiel's...

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these...

Then [the Spirit] said [to Ezekiel], "Son of man, get all these words that I'm giving you inside you. Listen to them obediently. Make them your own. And now go. Go to the exiles, your people, and speak. Tell them, 'This is the Message of GOD, the Master.' Speak your piece, whether they listen or...

He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. —Proverbs 14:29 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... Responding quickly to aggravation, threat, insult, or difficulty suggests strength to many folks today. However, responding hastily out of...

"Stand up, son of man," said the voice [of the Spirit to Ezekiel]. "I want to speak with you." The Spirit came into me as he spoke, and he set me on my feet. I listened carefully to his words. "Son of man," he said, "I am sending you to the nation of Israel, a rebellious nation that has rebelled...

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. —Romans 8:28 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... Bad stuff happens in life. Satan has a part to play in the bad stuff. Our own sins and their consequences also play a...

Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of anyone, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." —John 20:21-23 NIV Key...

But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. —1 John 2:27 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse...

After he took the wine, Jesus said, "It's done ... complete." Bowing his head, he offered up his spirit. —John 19:30 MESSAGE Key Thought Jesus died because he allowed himself to die: "[H]e offered up his spirit." He had completed what God had called him to do! Can we do that? Can we...

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. —Romans 8:26 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... Isn't it incredible! Even in those times that my...

[Jesus said,] "I still have many things to tell you, but you can't handle them now. But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won't draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen...

If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. —John 8:31-32 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... Truth is not something we know, it is something we live. Jesus reminds us that we must not only know his teaching, but...

[Jesus said,] "So let me say it again, this truth: It's better for you that I leave. If I don't leave, the Friend won't come. But if I go, I'll send him to you." —John 16:7 MESSAGE Key Thought Many of us have often longed to have been alive and seen Jesus as he ministered and taught while on...

Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. —Proverbs 16:19 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... What is your source of significance? This proverb challenges us to view the world upside down to the rest of culture. Humility and association...

[Jesus said,] "When the Friend I plan to send you from the Father comes — the Spirit of Truth issuing from the Father — he will confirm everything about me." —John 15:26 MESSAGE Key Thought I have always been amazed at how Jesus uses the last few hours of his life to prepare his followers for...

Whom [Tychicus] I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. —Ephesians 6:22 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... As Paul faced the difficulties of imprisonment, he was more concerned about the people in Ephesus than he was...

[Jesus said,] "I'm telling you these things while I'm still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to...

My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. —Proverbs 3:21-22 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... God used his wisdom to create the cosmos and all that is in it. Through his discernment, he appointed...

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. —Ephesians 2:19-20 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... "We...

[Jesus said,] "I will talk to the Father, and he'll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can't take him in because it doesn't have eyes to see him, doesn't know what to look for. But you know him already...