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[John the Baptizer continued,] "I didn't know [Jesus] was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, 'The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of...

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. —Psalm 103:8 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... God is holy, righteous, and just. But, as important as these qualities are, he reveals them within his compassion, graciousness, patience, and overflowing mercy and love...

[John the Baptizer said,] "I did not recognize [Jesus] as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel." Then John testified, "I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him." —John 1:31-32 NLT Key Thought Even though...

The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall. —Proverbs 10:8 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... When you hear a command from Scripture, do you wince? How about rationalize? How about transferring the responsibility to someone else? Or, do you obey to honor the...

[The Gentile Christians] were pleased to [send financial support to Jewish Christians], and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. —Romans 15:27 NIV Key Thought Through...

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. —1 Timothy 6:7-8 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... Godliness with contentment is great wealth! (see 1 Tim. 6:6) So what does it take for us to be...

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. —Romans 12:11 NIV Key Thought The phrase "keep your spiritual fervor" is the meaning of an idiom in Greek that literally says "to boil in the spirit." We are to be on fire with the Holy Spirit! That fire is the key to...

[Love] rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth... —1 Corinthians 13:6 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... Love does have its delights. One of those delights is in what is authentic, genuine, and true — TRUTH! So as Jesus' disciples, we are not deceitful, manipulative, or coercive...

For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. —Romans 1:11 NLT Key Thought Paul wants to bless the believers in Rome with a spiritual gift that finds its effectiveness and grace in the Holy Spirit's power and presence. When Paul is...

Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts...

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. —1 John 5:4 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... This is the companion passage to 1 John 2:17 — "The world and its desires are passing away, but the one who does the will of...

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. —Ephesians 1:3 NIV Key Thought Go back and read that verse again and instead of "every spiritual blessing," read "every blessing the Spirit gives"! Does...

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? —Romans 8:31-32 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... We know God paid a high price to...

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. —Colossians 3:16 NIV Key Thought Many translations use the term "spiritual songs" and so we...

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, ... —Colossians 1:9 NIV Key Thought There are simply some things that no...

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and...

As for us, we can't help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation — a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. —2...

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. —Romans 8:1-2 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... Can't you imagine...

In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. —Psalm 31:1 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... When all the clutter is stripped away, what is your real hope? When you push aside the diplomas, awards, accolades, and honors, what is the basis of...

Some of you were once [living sinful lives]. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. —1 Corinthians 6:11 NLT Key Thought The verses leading up to this passage give a laundry list of...