Today's Verse - Psalm 103:8

The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

—Psalm 103:8

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God is holy, righteous, and just. As important as these qualities are, he reveals them within his compassion, graciousness, and patience with overflowing mercy and love. We can obey, worship, and show reverent respect to God. We can also love, appreciate, and adore our Father in heaven for his loving grace! Then, we can lean into his challenge to reflect his righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful lovingkindness! We can be "compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love," like our Father!

My Prayer...

LORD God Almighty, I not only trust in you, but I appreciate your faithfulness, your mercy, your love, your graciousness, and your patient compassion. Please help me display each of these virtues you regularly share with me to others more perfectly. In the name of the LORD Jesus, I ask for your help to reflect your nature to those who need to see your love and grace. 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 10:8

The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.

—Proverbs 10:8

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

When you hear a command from Scripture, do you wince? Do you try to rationalize it away? Do you try to transfer the responsibility of obedience to someone else? Or, do you commit to obey that command as part of your worship and efforts to honor the Father? A wise heart accepts the commands of God as a blessing and a safeguard. A fool finds a way to circumvent the personal application of God's commands. Let's ask ourselves honestly, "Am I quick to obey or quick to avoid obedience?" Jesus made this choice crucial in our relationship with him at judgment:

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' " (Matthew 7:21-23)

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Precious and Gracious God, my Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me enough to show me your truth through your commands. Please, dear Father, I ask that the Holy Spirit use my commitment to obey your commands as the opportunity to form your character in me. Please make me a humble and godly example to those you have placed in my life. In Jesus' name, 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 - 1 Timothy 6:7-8

For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

—1 Timothy 6:7-8

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Godliness with contentment is great wealth (1 Timothy 6:6). So, what does it take for us to be content? Jesus and Paul remind us that as long as we have food and clothing, we should be content (Matthew 6:24-25; Luke 12:23). When our desires get out of that channel of need and when covetous greed takes over, our lives go off the rails and we replace God with a repacious desire for what becomes our idol (Colossians 3:5). God wants us to let him be enough and see the rest as the overflow of his grace!

My Prayer...

Holy God, forgive me for being caught up in the lifestyle of greed and covetousness, of excess and extravagance. These values of the world around me seem to be tearing us apart. Oh, Jesus, I don't want these things to dominate my heart. Please help my heart to be content with the blessings you have so lavishly poured out on me, and for me to find my joy in you and your people whom you have put into my life. In Jesus' name, 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.