Today's Verse - Joel 2:23

Rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.

—Joel 2:23

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"The prayers go up, and the blessings come down..." The words to this children's song are only half right, because God sends his blessings many times even when we don't pray. But just as we love the special smell that comes with a drought-breaking rain, God loves the aroma of his children's joy, especially when he is the source of their delight! So, dear friends, let's find reasons to rejoice with the seasons changing to autumn (Northern Hemisphere) and spring (Southern Hemisphere). As the apostle Paul told the Philippians:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near (Philippians 4:4-5).

My Prayer...

Holy God and tender Father, you are our great delight. In the changing of our seasons, you remain our dependable, faithful, and loving God. You are our rock and fortress; you are our tender shepherd; and you are our solid mountain that cannot be shaken or moved. Your blessings and grace shower down upon us and fill us with joy. We can't wait for the day we get to see you face to face and delight in your presence forever. Until then, O LORD, we will rejoice in anticipation as you shower us with your blessings. In Jesus' glorious 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 - Ephesians 4:29

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

—Ephesians 4:29

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The goal in Christian communication is not just clarity. The goal is not just to be understood. The goal is not just to be truthful. The goal is not only to be appropriate and helpful, but also to be JESUShaped disciples; it means we want to deliver our message based on their needs so it benefits, blesses, and builds up those who listen. Not only do we avoid crude, profane, or improper speech, but we are to fill our lives and the ears of those who hear us with the kinds of words that Jesus would share with people. God has called us to this high standard because we are to reflect and demonstrate Christ's character in our lives, bearing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) as he transforms us to become more like our Savior (2 Corinthians 3:18).

My Prayer...

Tender Shepherd, please bless me with a pure heart so my words will be a helpful blessing to those who hear them. Please give me a kind heart so my words will build up those who hear them. Please help my heart be full of joy and encouragement so that I may benefit those who need my words. In Jesus' name, I pray, asking the Spirit to help my words be shaped by the fruit you want to see come alive in 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.

Today's Verse - Philippians 2:3-4

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

—Philippians 2:3-4

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Do you remember one of the earliest questions in the Bible? "Where is your brother... Abel?" To which Cain responded: "Am I my brother's keeper?" (Genesis 4:9) Paul's answer to Cain's question is clear and undeniable: It is, YES! As Paul tells the Philippians (and us) in this verse, we must not look only to our "own interests, but also to the interest of others"! We are our brother's keeper! We are our sister's keeper! We look not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of those around us who need God's grace and our love.

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Father, teach me to love your family as you love me. I get so caught up and distracted in my own world and my own problems that I forget to notice those hurting around me. Help me grow more aware and attuned to others' needs, so you may minister to their needs and interests through me. In the powerful name of Jesus, 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.