Today's Verse - Proverbs 10:32

The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.

—Proverbs 10:32

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

How many times have you said just the "wrong" thing at the wrong time? For me, it is more often than I like. Jesus' words on this topic are indeed convicting to me: "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34-37). In other words, poor words and bad timing in our speech are more issues of our heart than a lack of proper social skills and decorum. Let's ask God to purify, mend, and re-focus our hearts on his will and passions, so that we can be a blessing to others.

My Prayer...

Almighty God, loving and merciful Father, please purify my heart of all evil, hate, duplicity, prejudice, malice, lust, and greed. By the powerful name of Jesus, please drive away any evil power or enticing temptation that would corrupt my heart and wound my soul. Please use the Holy Spirit to fill my heart with your love, grace, righteousness, holy passion, gentleness, forbearance, sensitivity, courage, and forgiveness. Give me discernment to know which of these qualities I need at any given moment. Sanctify me, body, soul, and spirit with your Holy Spirit.* In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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* I love this promise-prayer from Paul that we can pray for each other:

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 ESV)

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 - Psalm 23:6

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

—Psalm 23:6

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God is our Shepherd. Our Shepherd has chosen to attach his goodness and mercy to us. Why? Because our Shepherd longs to shower us with his goodness, mercy, grace, and love in this life now. Then, when this life is over, he will usher us home to dwell with him forever. We praise and thank our LORD God and the Son who shepherded us with their loving care and showered us with goodness with ever-increasing blessing in this life, and the life to come, when we "will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Father God, please bathe my heart in your goodness and reach out through me and use my influence to extend your love to others who desperately need it. Please guide my heart as I live to experience my home with you, and you make your home with me (John 14:23). In Jesus' name, I thank you and praise you for being my Shepherd. 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 - Psalm 23:5

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

—Psalm 23:5

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Our verse from the beautiful and comforting twenty-third psalm contains this stunning image of our Shepherd preparing us a victory dinner table in the presence of our vanquished enemies. While the enemies of the righteous may flourish for a season, God will lavish his love and show his favor on the righteous. As the apostle Paul reminded his dear friends in Philippi, their prayers and the work of the Holy Spirit guaranteed his deliverance: he would either be delivered from prison and death to serve them again, or he would be delivered from prison through death to be with the Father in glory (Philippians 3:19-21). Either way, God's righteous will get a banquet, a place of honor, and a royal welcome that will vindicate their faithfulness before those who oppose them. Our Shepherd will prepare a victory banquet for us, while the evil one and his minions will be cast out in horror forever, as we share in Jesus' victory forever.

My Prayer...

Father, King of the ages, I do believe that you will throw a party in our honor and treat us as your royal children worthy of great honor - to sit at your table in glory. Thank you for this promise. Thank you for the assurance of our ultimate vindication and victory. Thank you for making my life overflow with your love and grace, both now and forever. In Jesus' name we praise you! 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.