Today's Verse - Proverbs 4:27

Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

—Proverbs 4:27

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

When I see someone swerving in and out of their lane during heavy traffic, I immediately go into a defensive driving mode. Whether they are drunk, sleepy, distracted, or just plain careless, I know they are dangerous because they are swerving "to the right and left." God wants us to know the same is true of us when we allow ourselves to be distracted or drift in our lives trying to see and sample every form of temptation available. Let's stick to the straight and narrow with our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus!

My Prayer...

Loving Father, please forgive me for being so easily distracted by sinful temptations. Please give me wisdom to see the things that the evil one has designed for me and avoid them and resist them. Please make Jesus, his costly sacrifice, and his holy life very real to me today, and every day, as I seek to be your holy child in the corrupt world in which I live. 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 - Ephesians 4:26-27

"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

—Ephesians 4:26-27

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Pent-up anger is an explosion waiting to happen. Sooner or later, the pent-up frustration will explode, either in our own lives or into the lives of others. Jesus taught us to forgive and to reconcile (Matthew 18). We must deal with our anger, TODAY! Otherwise, the devil will use it to abuse us as well as others in our lives. Don't give the devil a foothold in your life. If you give him an inch (2.54 cm), he'll take a mile (1.61 km). In our anger, let's not sin but deal with our anger, today!

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Father in heaven, thank you for the ability to get angry at the things that anger you. Please help me channel that emotion in ways that are productive and help me to be repulsed at evil. At the same time, dear Father, please stir my heart to yearn and seek reconciliation — not anger or vengeance — especially when my anger is directed against one of your children. By the power of your Holy Spirit, I ask for your help in forgiving others as you have forgiven me and not give the devil a foothold with anger in my life. In the name of Jesus, my LORD, 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 - Romans 4:25

[Jesus] was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

—Romans 4:25

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Why are the Cross and the Empty Tomb so important? Everything essential and truly lasting in this life and our salvation in the life to come depends upon Jesus' death and resurrection! Jesus came to earth, lived among us as one of us, went to the cross, was buried in a borrowed tomb, and was raised victorious over death, sin, and hell for us — to erase our sins and bring us to life as God's holy children. Jesus did what he did for us. The love of God demonstrated to us in Christ Jesus is staggeringly gracious!

My Prayer...

Thank you, dear Father, for paying such an awful price for cleansing me of my sins. Thank you, precious Savior, for sacrificing everything to save me. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for cleansing me and living inside me to conform me to Christ. I pray in his name, Jesus of Nazareth, my Savior and Lord. 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.