Heavenly father
give us grace to confront our worse fears and go without delay to confront them.1 Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went early, while it was still dark,
more
to the tomb, and saw the stone taken away from the tomb.
2 Therefore she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved,
and said to them, “They have taken away the…Heavenly father
give us grace to do whatever acts of kindness are within our power to do.38 After these things, Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus,
more
but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked of Pilate that he might take away Jesus’ body.
Pilate gave him permission. He came therefore and took away his body.
39 Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also…Heavenly father
give us grace to admit to our frailty and to our needs, to consistently do your will, and to place ourselves in your hands28 After this, Jesus, seeing that all things were now finished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I am thirsty.”
more
29 Now a vessel full of vinegar was set there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop, and held it at his mouth.
30 …Heavenly father
give us grace to care for those closest too us, whether or not they are our biological family23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the coat.
more
Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.
24 Then they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it to decide whose it will be,” that the Scripture…Heavenly father
give us grace to give our allegiance to you rather than to any earthly power, whatever the consequences12 At this, Pilate was seeking to release him, but the Jews cried out, saying,
more
“If you release this man, you aren’t Caesar’s friend! Everyone who makes himself a king speaks against Caesar!”
13 When Pilate therefore heard these words, he brought Jesus out
and sat down…Heavenly father
give us grace to use power to do good (as Pilate wanted to do) rather than to do evil (as the chief priests and officers did)4 Then Pilate went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I bring him out to you, that you may know that I find no basis for a charge against him.”
more
5 Jesus therefore came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment. Pilate said to them, “Behold, the man!”
6 When therefore…Heavenly father
give us grace to seek after truth today37 Pilate therefore said to him, “Are you a king then?”
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king.
For this reason I have been born, and for this reason I have come into the world, that I should testify to the truth.
Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”When he had said this, he…
moreHeavenly father
give us grace to seek your kingdom which is not of this world28 They led Jesus therefore from Caiaphas into the Praetorium.
more
It was early, and they themselves didn’t enter into the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.
29 Pilate therefore went out to them, and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?”
30 They answered him, “If this man weren’t an…Heavenly father
give us grace to avoid the temptations of hearing without understand, of abusing of power, of denying what we know to be true19 The high priest therefore asked Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching.
more
20 Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where the Jews always meet.
I said nothing in secret.
21 …Heavenly father
give us grace to avoid violence and deceit today, however much we are provoked10 Simon Peter therefore, having a sword, drew it,
more
struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
11 Jesus therefore said to Peter, “Put the sword into its sheath.
The cup which the Father has given me, shall I not surely drink it?”
12 So…Heavenly father
give us grace to be truthful and kind, particularly in the face of hatred and violence1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples over the brook Kidron,
more
where there was a garden, into which he and his disciples entered.
2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples.
3 Judas then, having taken a detachment of…10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore put on…
more[The Northern Kingdom Israel abandoned God and went into exile]
58 For they provoked him to anger with their high places,
more
and moved him to jealousy with their engraved images.
59 When God heard this, he was angry,
and greatly abhorred Israel,
60 so that he abandoned the tent of Shiloh,
the tent which he placed among men,
…Heavenly father
give us grace to be forgiving today2 Behold, they brought to him a man who was paralysed, lying on a bed.
more
Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, cheer up! Your sins are forgiven you.”
3 Behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man blasphemes.”
4 Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?
5 …Heavenly Father
give us grace to abide in you today in peace8 Your watchmen lift up their voice.
more
Together they sing;
for they shall see eye to eye when Yahweh returns to Zion. [i.e. our heavenly father living in his people]
9 Break out into joy!
Sing together, you waste places of Jerusalem; [parts of our lives from which we…Heavenly father
give us grace today to put away all wickedness, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and evil speaking1 Putting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking,
2 as newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, that with it you may grow,
3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious:Heavenly father
give us grace to be a blessing to others today, particularly those who need our help.1 He entered into a boat and crossed over, and came into his own city.
2 Behold, they brought to him a man who was paralysed, lying on a bed.
Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, cheer up! Your sins are forgiven you.”
Yahweh, you have searched me,
more
and you know me.
2 You know my sitting down and my rising up.
You perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down,
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word on my tongue,
but, behold, Yahweh, you know it altogether.
5 You hem…[Book of Joshua]
54 He brought them to the border of his sanctuary,
to this mountain, which his right hand had taken.
55 He also drove out the nations before them,
allotted them for an inheritance by line,
and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.[Books of 1 and 2 Kings, particularly…
moreHeavenly father give us grace to repent of our “pig-farmer” self interest and open our lives to you so that we may be blessing to others, particularly those who are damaged.
28 When he came to the other side, into the country of the Gergesenes,
more
two people possessed by demons met him there, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that nobody could pass that way.
29 Behold, they cried out,…Heavenly Father
give us grace to to speak words of peace and of good news today7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace,
who brings good news,
who proclaims salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”Heavenly father
give us grace to be obedient to your truth in love today.22 Seeing you have purified your souls
more
in your obedience to the truth
through the Spirit
in sincere brotherly affection,
love one another from the heart fervently,
23 having been born again,
not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible,
through the word of God,
which lives and remains forever.
24 For, “All…Heavenly father
give us grace to be full of faith (rather than full of fear) in whatever storms we face today.23 When he got into a boat, his disciples followed him.
more
24 Behold, a violent storm came up on the sea, so much that the boat was covered with the waves;
but he was asleep.
25 The disciples came to him and woke him up,
saying, “Save us, Lord! We are dying!”
…6 Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.
40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness,
and grieved him in the desert!
41 They turned again and tempted God,
and provoked the Holy One of Israel.
42 They didn’t remember his hand,
nor the day when he redeemed them from the adversary;43 how he set his signs in Egypt: 44…
moreHeavenly father
give us grace to follow your Son, Jesus today, particularly in the face of tragedy.21 Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.”
22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”Heavenly Father
give us grace to know you and your justice today and have no part in oppression.1Awake, awake! Put on your strength, Zion.
more
Put on your beautiful garments, Jerusalem, the holy city:
for from now on the uncircumcised and the unclean will no more come into you. [and oppress you]
2 Shake yourself from the dust!
Arise, sit up, Jerusalem!
…Heavenly father
give us grace to live today as those whose faith and hope are in you, particularly when faced with anything that is at all deadly18 [live] knowing that you were redeemed,
more
not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers,
19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish or spot, the blood of Christ,
20 who was foreknown indeed…Heavenly father
give us grace to live today as those whose who live in the kingdom of heaven18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes around him, he gave the order to depart to the other side.
more
19 A scribe came and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
20 Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”…1 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
more
let me never be put to shame.
2 In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;
turn your ear to me and save me.
3 Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,
…[God gave the Israelites mannah and quail to eat in the wilderness]
29 So they ate, and were well filled.
more
He gave them their own desire.
30 They didn’t turn from their cravings. [presumably something other than the mannah and quail]
Their food was yet in their mouths,
31 when the anger of God went up against…Heavenly father
give us grace to be unafraid when confronted with all forms of mental illness, and respond to the person graciously.16 When evening came, they brought to him many possessed with demons.
He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick,
17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,
“He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.”…
moreHeavenly Father
give us grace to trust in your justice today[The consequences of turning from the peaceful and righteous way of the Lord apply to all people.
In this case this has happened to the people of Jerusalem (in the shape of desolation, destruction, famine and sword),
but it will also happen to those who have walked over and afflicted them]17 Awake, awake!
more
Stand up, Jerusalem,
…Heavenly father
give us grace to walk humbly before you today, rejecting all other useless ways of life17 If you call on him as Father,
more
who without respect of persons judges according to each man’s work,
pass the time of your living as foreigners here in reverent fear,
18 knowing that you were redeemed,
not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers,
…Heavenly father
give us grace to allow ourselves to be touched by you, and then to touch others with the same grace as we serve them14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever.
15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her. So she got up and served him.21 But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets; 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction, 23 for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; 24 being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; 25 …
more34 When he killed them, then they inquired after him.
more
They returned and sought God earnestly.
35 They remembered that God was their rock,
the Most High God, their redeemer.
36 But they flattered him with their mouth,
and lied to him with their tongue.
37 For their heart was not right with him,
…Heavenly father
give us grace to live today as those who belong to the household of faith, lest we fall into faith-less habits and find ourselves in a dark place10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled and said to those who followed,
more
“Most certainly I tell you, I haven’t found so great a faith, not even in Israel.
11 I tell you that many will come from the east and the west, and will sit down
with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in…Heavenly Father
give us grace to live as your children so that your kingdom may come on earth as it is in heaven.16 I have put my words in your mouth
more
and have covered you in the shadow of my hand,
that I may plant the heavens,
and lay the foundations of the earth,
and tell Zion, ‘You are my people.’”…Heavenly father
give us grace to be pure in our thoughts and then in our actions today.13 Therefore prepare your minds for action.
more
Be sober, and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ—
14 as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance,
15 …Heavenly father
give us grace to voice our deepest needs and our highest hopes.5 When he came into Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking him for help,
more
6 saying, “Lord, my servant lies in the house paralyzed, grievously tormented.”
7 Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
8 The centurion answered, “Lord, I’m not worthy for you to come under my roof.…Heavenly father
give us grace to dare to put our hopes into words and listen to your response1 When he came down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.
2 Behold, a leper came to him and worshipped him, saying, “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.”3 Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I want to. Be made clean.” …
moreHeavenly Father
give us grace to turn to you when we have problems, particularly when we are trapped, when we face death and when our resources fail.14 The captive exile will speedily be freed.
more
He will not die and go down into the pit.
His bread won’t fail.
15 For I am Yahweh your God, who stirs up the sea
…Heavenly father
give us grace to live as those who are set free from the fear that we are alone when we suffer
and those who live in the glorious freedom of the risen Christ10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets sought and searched diligently.
more
They prophesied of the grace that would come to you,
11 searching for who or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ,
which was in them, pointed to, when he…Heavenly father
give us grace to be obedient to what we know you are calling us to do today24 “Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them,
more
I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on a rock.
25 The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house;
and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock.
26 Everyone who hears these words of mine and…6 I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.
more
7 I would flee far away and stay in the desert;
8 I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.”22 they didn’t believe in God,
more
and didn’t trust in his salvation.
23 Yet he commanded the skies above,
and opened the doors of heaven.
24 He rained down manna on them to eat,
and gave them food from the sky.
25 Man ate the bread of angels.
He sent them food to the full.
26 …Heavenly father
give us grace to do your will today21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven,
more
but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name,
in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’
23 Then I will tell them, ‘I…Heavenly Father
give us grace to not be afraid today, but to find comfort in you.12 “I, even I, am he who comforts you.
more
Who are you, that you are afraid of man who shall die,
and of the son of man who will be made as grass?
13 Have you forgotten Yahweh your Maker,
who stretched out the heavens,
…Heavenly father
give us grace to love, trust and give thanks today7 [your faith] may be found to result in praise, glory, and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ—
more
8 whom, not having known, you love.
In him, though now you don’t see him, yet believing,
you rejoice greatly with joy that is unspeakable and full of glory,
9 receiving the result of your…Heavenly father
give us grace to be attentive to the actions of others, particularly when it is at odds with their words.15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.
more
16 By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles?
17 Even so, every good tree produces good fruit, but the corrupt tree…9 Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and remain in his love. 11 I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full.
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. 13 …
more17 Yet they still went on to sin against him,
more
to rebel against the Most High in the desert.
18 They tempted God in their heart
by asking food according to their desire.
19 Yes, they spoke against God.
They said, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?
20 Behold, he struck the rock, so that waters gushed out,
…Heavenly father
give us grace to seek today the way that leads to life, particularly when others do not.13 “Enter in by the narrow gate;
for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction,
and there are many who enter in by it.
14 How the gate is narrow and the way is restricted that leads to life!
There are few who find it.Heavenly Father
give us grace to place today and tomorrow in your hands with joy, trusting in your power shown in the past.[the power of Yahweh existed before history and is attested to in mythical stories of monsters such as Rahab]
9 Awake, awake, put on strength, arm of Yahweh!
more
Awake, as in the days of old,
the generations of ancient times.
Isn’t it you who cut Rahab in pieces,
…Heavenly father
give us grace to rejoice in our salvation today, particularly when facing trials5 [you] are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
more
6 Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be,
you have been grieved in various trials,
7 that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that…Heavenly father
give us grace to desire good today, for ourselves and for others9 Or who is there among you who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?
more
10 Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent?
11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!…10 For Yahweh says, “After seventy years are accomplished for Babylon, I will visit you and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,” says Yahweh, “thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future. 12 You shall call on me, and you shall go and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You shall seek me, and find me…
more9 The children of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows,
more
turned back in the day of battle.
10 They didn’t keep God’s covenant,
and refused to walk in his law.
11 They forgot his doings,
his wondrous deeds that he had shown them.
12 He did marvellous things in the sight of their fathers,
in…Heavenly father
give us grace to ask, seek and knock today.7 “Ask, and it will be given you.
Seek, and you will find.
Knock, and it will be opened for you.
8 For everyone who asks receives.
He who seeks finds.
To him who knocks it will be opened.Heavenly Father
give us grace to open our hearts today to you so that we may know your righteousness and live accordingly.
more
6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
and look at the earth beneath;
for the heavens will vanish away like smoke,
and the earth will wear out like a garment.
Its inhabitants will die in the same way,
but my salvation will be forever,
…Heavenly father
give us grace to live in hope today, as those who have been born again in the Lord Jesus Christ3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
more
who according to his great mercy caused us to be born again
to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn’t fade away, reserved in Heaven for…Heavenly father
give us grace to be careful today and to be able to discern when to hold back in relationships6 “Don’t give that which is holy to the dogs,
neither throw your pearls before the pigs,
lest perhaps they trample them under their feet,
and turn and tear you to pieces.16 By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But whoever has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, then closes his heart of compassion against him, how does God’s love remain in him? 18 My little children, let’s not love in word only, or with the tongue only, but in deed and truth. 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth,…
more1 Hear my teaching, my people.
more
Turn your ears to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable.
I will utter dark sayings of old,
3 Which we have heard and known,
and our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children,
telling to the generation to come the…Heavenly father
give us grace to see our own imperfections today and deal with them3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye,
more
but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?
4 Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’
and behold, the beam is in your own eye?
5 You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye,
and then you can see clearly…Heavenly Father
give us grace to be agents of your justice today, trusting in you
more
4 “Listen to me, my people;
and hear me, my nation,
for a law will go out from me,
and I will establish my justice for a light to the peoples.
5 My righteousness is near.
My salvation has gone out,
and my arms will…Heavenly father
give us grace to be obedient to Jesus Christ today so that we may live in grace and peace1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
more
to the chosen ones who are living as foreigners in the Dispersion
in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,
in sanctification of the Spirit,
that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood:
…Heavenly father
give us grace to be generous in the measure we use for those around us today1 “Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged.
2 For with whatever judgement you judge, you will be judged;
and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you.1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know…
more11 I will remember Yah’s deeds;
more
for I will remember your wonders of old.
12 I will also meditate on all your work,
and consider your doings.
13 Your way, God, is in the sanctuary.
What god is great like God?
14 You are the God who does wonders.
You have made your strength known among the peoples.
…Heavenly father
give us grace to seek first your kingdom today.31 “Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’
more
32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
33 But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. …Heavenly Father
give us grace to find our joy in you today
more
1 “Listen to me, you who follow after righteousness,
you who seek Yahweh.
Look to the rock you were cut from,
and to the quarry you were dug from.
2 Look to Abraham your father,
and to Sarah who bore you;
for when he was but one I called him,
I…Heavenly father
give us grace to help those who have wandered from the truth today.19 Brothers, if any among you wanders from the truth and someone turns him back,
20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.Heavenly father
give us grace to allow you to clothe us today.27 “Which of you by being anxious, can add one moment to his lifespan?
more
28 Why are you anxious about clothing?
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin,
29 yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these.
30 But if God so clothes the…
Daily Bible Verses
These verses are emailed every morning, except Sundays, to those who sign up for them. Contact Nic for more information.