Today's Verse - Titus 2:11-12

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age...

—Titus 2:11-12

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Grace is not about excuses for our sins, but about a deep-seated thanksgiving for pardon and a life-changing commitment to say, "No!" to all that is evil, corrupt, and wicked, no matter how alluring or how pervasive those temptations and desires may be, and no matter how prevalent they are in our culture. As Paul taught the Ephesians, we have received mercy and grace so we could be saved FROM sin, death, and hell (Ephesians 2:6-8), and so we can be saved FOR doing what is good (Ephesians 2:10).

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

LORD, God of Jesus, my Abba Father, I praise you for your costly grace and love demonstrated to me in Jesus. Now, please galvanize my commitment to say "No!" to all those sins that required my Savior's pain and humiliation to cleanse me and empower me to be your child. Through your Spirit, form in me a righteous lifestyle that is self-controlled and that reflects your righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful love and justice. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - Romans 6:11-12

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.

—Romans 6:11-12

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

If we have been cleansed from perversity, if we have died with Christ in baptism to our old ways of life and have been cleansed thoroughly and completely by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:9-11), then let's live for God. Let's resist sin and our inclinations towards evil with all our might, knowing that as we do, the Holy Spirit will empower us to a much greater righteousness than we could ever live on our own (Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Corinthians 3:18). Let's begin each day with a conscious decision to be dead to our sinful past and alive to God the holy character the Spirit is forming in us!

My Prayer...

Loving and Righteous Father, Almighty God, please help my heart remain firmly committed to your will and more fully conformed to your holy character and grace as I submit myself to the work of the Holy Spirit in me. In the name of Jesus, my Savior and my LORD. Amen.

Today's Verse - Proverbs 10:9

The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

—Proverbs 10:9

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"Tell the truth the first time, and then you won't have to remember what you said." That's a quote attributed to the famous Speaker of the U.S.A. House of Representatives, Sam Rayburn. That's basically what God's wisdom is trying to teach us in this passage. Be a person of integrity. Then, when someone finds out your secrets, you can feel secure knowing that you have lived for godliness. However, a perverse and deceitful person has to worry that someone will find out their duplicity and evil. There is no security or assurance in crooked paths, only the certainty of getting tripped up and caught. When the secrets of evil that have been whispered in dark places get shouted from the rooftops (Luke 12:3), those who have lived for the LORD can be secure, knowing that what gets shouted about them is said with the voice of God: "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21, 23).

My Prayer...

Please forgive me, dear Father, for those times that I have been secretive, sinful, and dishonest. Purify me of deceit. Help me speak only what is true, appropriate, and helpful. Transform my evil secrets, through your holy grace, into a character that is consistent in both public and private situations. In Jesus' name, I ask for your help to grow in the grace of integrity. Amen.