Today's Verse - 1 Chronicles 29:11

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.

—1 Chronicles 29:11

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Praise is the direct address of God that lets him know we recognize him for who he is, what he has done, and what he is doing. But more than informing God of his greatness, praise is rejoicing before him in his greatness, while recognizing that not only is his grace without comparison, his majesty and might and holiness and faithfulness and righteousness and mercy and love and forgiveness and justice... are all without comparison. The LORD God is God. My praise is my thankful celebration and recognition of him as God, my God, the one and only true God, and let's him know I rejoice in him!

My Prayer...

Great and gracious God, the Holy One who is without anyone to compare. You and you alone are truly worthy of my best words, deepest thoughts, and greatest imaginings. I not only worship and submit to you, but I also rejoice that you are who you are, and that you have revealed yourself to us, your creations. I celebrate what you have done. I long for what you are yet to do. You are magnificent, my Father and my God. In the name of Jesus, and because of your matchless love, I praise you for all you are to me, and what more of you I have yet to discover. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

—Proverbs 15:1

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Why is it so hard to endure unjust and unfair criticism? Why do we feel that we have to defend ourselves regardless of how ridiculous or unfair the accusations against us are? Why do we have to have the last word in any argument, or look to get even if we don't?
Often, the problems we have with others in an argument escalate because we do not choose "a gentle answer."
So, why do we not choose "a gentle answer"? These are the excuses I hear from others, and sometimes I make them myself:

• "I don't want to appear to be weak!"
• "I don't like to lose at anything!"
  
• "I don't want that person to have the last word!"
• "I resent the unfair things, the demeaning things, that person called me!"

When I look at these excuses - some of them are my excuses - the same pronoun appears again and again: the pronoun, "I." And what is in the middle of all sin? A great big ol' "I," always - sIn! We lose sight of saying what is in "the interests of others" (Philippians 2:3-4) and poison our influence on others because of our selfish, "I"-infected speech. In place of the "I" problem, let's focus on saying "only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (Ephesians 4:29). To do that means that we use "a gentle answer"!

My Prayer...

Precious and Holy God, please help me more carefully guard my speech from things you despise, especially gossip, slander, rage, malice, and meanness. I know that those ways of speaking and treating my brothers and sisters grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). I open my heart and close my mouth, inviting the Holy Spirit to produce the holy fruit of the Spirit in me. May this fruit be evident in me, especially when I speak and give "a gentle answer." Thank you. In Jesus name and by Jesus' grace, I pray. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - Hebrews 9:28

Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

—Hebrews 9:28

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Can you think of anything more exciting than waiting for Jesus to come take us home to share with him in his glory?!
Ours isn't a passive wait. Jesus gave us a commission to take his story to the whole world and invite others to prepare and join with us in awaiting his glorious return. We worship and praise our great God as we anticipate this great day - as we eagerly await him. We joyfully anticipate our salvation, trusting that it is nearer now than when we first believed (Romans 13:11). We stand on spiritual tiptoe, eagerly awaiting our Savior, the LORD Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20). We not only believe, we anticipate his return to bring the full experience of salvation promised to "those who are waiting for him." But until then, we work on mission so that others will join us in our anticipation, and say with us, "Maranatha! Come, O LORD (1 Corinthians 16:22).

My Prayer...

Majestic King of the Ages, may your Kingdom come in all its fullness as every knee bows to your Savior, and our King, the LORD Jesus Christ. We anticipate this day when every knee will bow (Philippians 2:9-10)! Please grant that this glorious day may come to pass in our generation as we work to bring others to know Jesus and anticipate his coming with us. Through Jesus, I expectantly pray. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.