Today's Verse - Proverbs 31:30

Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

—Proverbs 31:30

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

So many things we honor and exalt in our culture are shallow and temporary. The one thing that lasts in a beautiful woman is not her charm or her external beauty, but her godliness. Let's make sure that our church families and our physical families value godly women and give them the praise they deserve. Then, we will recognize true beauty and true charm, because they reflect the beauty and charm of God! (See also the related thoughts from May 9.)

My Prayer...

Holy God, please give us better eyes and more faithful hearts that we may see value in all people, especially those godly women whose character reflects your holiness, goodness, and grace. Please bless us as we raise our children, that we may instill in them a sense of proper values as they choose their life partners. And dear Father, please help us in our churches to value and praise women for their holy character, sacrificial service, and faithful examples of strength, courage, and perseverance as they use their spiritual gifts to bless your people and reach others for Jesus, in whose name, we 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 - Romans 8:1-2

There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life in Christ has set me free from the law of sin and death.

—Romans 8:1-2

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We can join the apostle Paul in thanking God for his grace and use the famous words of Dr. Martin Luther King, as he quoted the old spiritual song: "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"
Becoming a Christian means we have been liberated from law-keeping as the basis of our salvation. We now have God living in us through the Holy Spirit, empowering us. The Spirit helps us to know God's will and then live it (1 Corinthians 2:10-13; Galatians 5:22-23). Through the Spirit's power, we can do what no law could make us do: live up to God's standards of righteousness by the power of the Spirit (Romans 8:1-4). We are set free from law-keeping - not just Old Testament Law, but any law (Galatians 3:21-22) - and empowered to be like Jesus, free from the crippling power of law, sin, shame, and death (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).

My Prayer...

Gracious Father, thank you for all of your gifts to me. Today, I want to especially thank you for liberating me from law-keeping and empowering me with your Spirit to a higher standard: Christlikeness. Please, O God, fill and empower me today with your Spirit as I commit to live my life for you and follow the way of Jesus. In the name and by the authority of my LORD and Savior, 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 - Ephesians 4:32

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

—Ephesians 4:32

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Be kind and compassionate? These two qualities seem to be in short supply these days as we look at social media, politics, and people's personal agendas. Maybe it's because we hold up the wrong heroes? Maybe it is because we haven't let the Holy Spirit rule in our hearts? Unfortunately, kindness and compassion are two qualities often seen as signs of weakness rather than strength. To forgive as God forgave us requires great courage and great strength, two resources the Holy Spirit can supply if we pray for that strength, and pray for that strength in our brothers and sisters (Ephesians 3:14-21). So, let's pray for each other to be strong and courageous, and display those qualities through our kindness and compassion! Let's forgive each other, as God in Christ has forgiven us.

My Prayer...

Holy God, there is no way I can adequately thank you for sacrificing so much to forgive me and lavish me with your loving compassion. Today, I ask the Holy Spirit to help me as I pledge to be more like Jesus: to share more of his kindness and compassion with those who have wronged me. Father, please forgive them. Today, I ask you to help me forgive and release my bitterness toward _____________. I also ask that you bless each of those people with your kindness and grace. By the power of the Holy Spirit, and because of Jesus' example, I pray to grow in these graces of kindness and compassion, forgiving others as you have forgiven me. 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.