Today's Verse - Ecclesiastes 5:2

Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.

—Ecclesiastes 5:2

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Even in our TikTok®, short sound-byte world, far too often, many words are spoken in pledge to God that go unfulfilled. We are also tempted to pray long prayers, thinking God will hear us because of our many words (Matthew 6:7). Instead, let's thank him, praise him, and make our requests to him. But let's also realize that while our prayers need to be persistent, our words don't need to be elaborate, refined, and many in number.

My Prayer...

Almighty God, thank you for the Holy Spirit interceding with you for us as we pray (Romans 8:26-27). Thank you for reminding us in your Scriptures that we don't have to use articulate prayers for you to hear our hearts. Thank you for not expecting grandiose promises or dazzling words from us when we pray. We come to you as your children, your humble servants, who long to live for you and praise you with our lives and our words. In Jesus' name, dear Father, we seek your grace as 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 5:1

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ...

—Romans 5:1

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The cost of peace is always high. Jesus' enormous sacrifice purchased our peace with God. God made sure the price for our rebellion was paid, but he didn't make us pay it because we could never have fulfilled our obligation. Instead, God paid it himself, in Jesus, and asked us to believe this "too-good-to-be-true" gift is true through his grace and our faith in his gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-7).

My Prayer...

Holy and loving Father, thank you for making peace and bringing me back to you at an enormous cost to yourself, the crucifixion of your Son (Colossians 1:18-19). Thank you, LORD Jesus, for willingly surrendering yourself to the horrible cruelty of the Cross. Thank you for not treating me as your enemy because of my sin (Romans 5:6-11) but as a lost sheep that needed to be found by your grace. Thank you for adopting me as your beloved child. In Jesus' name, I offer my thanks and praise. 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 4:30-31

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

—Ephesians 4:30-31

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Don't cause God's Holy Spirit to grieve! But how do we cause the Spirit of God to grieve? By harboring bitterness, unleashing anger-driven rage, brawling with others, and slandering the name of people or plotting to harm them. Not only are these behaviors in direct opposition to the will and character of God, but they are also the exact opposite of the qualities the Spirit is seeking to produce in our lives — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). No wonder such evil behaviors listed grieve the Holy Spirit; they are in direct opposition to the work of the Spirit in our lives and in our relationships.

My Prayer...

Almighty Father, please conform me to be more like Jesus by the power of your Holy Spirit as I commit to display Jesus' character and compassion in my life, especially how I treat others. 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.