Today's Verse - Proverbs 15:23

A man finds joy in giving an apt reply — and how good is a timely word!

—Proverbs 15:23

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Knowing the right word at the right time is a great gift to have and a great blessing to those with whom we share that apt word. However, even the best wordsmiths among Jesus' people admit that their words are not nearly as good as those the Spirit gives them to share at just the right time. Nevertheless, we must not excuse ourselves for insensitive speech, unkindness, or harsh silences that miss opportunities to bless others. Not paying attention to what was said is no excuse. Not being spiritually in tune with others' needs is a cop-out - it's a failure of our hearts. Not knowing Scripture well enough to bless others with gracious speech at the right time is self-deception and laziness. Listening to others after having listened to God in his Word and seeing the example of Jesus should tune our hearts to hear and bless others. When we do, our well-timed, appropriate replies bring joy to both us and those with whom we share them. Yes, indeed: "how good is a timely word!"

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My Prayer...

Loving Shepherd, I will spend much of my time today with people who need a blessing. Some of them know you, but many of them do not. Please give me wisdom to say what leads people closer to you. Please give me apt words of help and hope for the broken, discouraged, and fainthearted. Please bless me with tender words for the hurting. Empower me with words of direction for the confused. Father, I pray that whatever words I share today reflect your will and grace. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - Galatians 6:2

Carry each other's burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

—Galatians 6:2

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Sometimes I let myself feel so burdened by my problems that I don't even see others' struggles, trials, and hardships. But Jesus reminds me that if I am to be like him, truly JESUShaped, I will be a burden-bearer for others. This principle is implicit in the second greatest commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39), and it's made clear by the example of Jesus! Jesus became one of us to lift our heaviest burdens. The LORD died and rose again to free us from the weight of sin, the fear of death, and the threat of hell. Jesus blessed us by carrying our heaviest burdens and now calls us to lighten the load of those around us.

My Prayer...

Compassionate Father, help me see the burdens weighing down those around me. Give me wisdom to know how best to respond with help and courage not to put off that help. I want to be a blessing to the broken and discouraged, so please help me find my place and my way of bearing burdens for others, to your glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Today's Verse - Psalm 40:8

I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.

—Psalm 40:8

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Too many of us are paranoid about the word "law" and find it hard to hear a scripture like today's verse. However, we must recognize that the goal of the New Covenant of grace and the gift of the Spirit is that God's law is written on our hearts (Hebrews 8:10, 10:16) and demonstrated in our lives (Romans 8:3-4). God is not concerned with the law being written on tablets of stone. He wants us to know his will in our hearts and live it out in our daily lives. Jeremiah prophesied of this day coming, a time when God's people desire to do God's will from the heart, with a passion to love what our Father loves and despise what he despises (Jeremiah 31:33). Having been saved by our faith in Jesus based on God's grace and filled with the Holy Spirit, we can now say with confidence:

I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.

My Prayer...

Abba Father, I long to do your will. I desire to please you, glorify you, and lead others to you. Please give me spiritual discernment to know your will, and spiritual courage to do it each day. I yearn for your character and righteousness to inform my heart when Satan tempts me not to live for you. Gently humble me when I am wrong, have lost my way, or ignore the Holy Spirit's influence in my heart. Awaken me, dear Father, to your law written in my heart, and unleash the power of the Holy Spirit to animate my life to live your will more completely. In the mighty name of Jesus, my Savior, I pray. Amen.