Proverbs 15:1 (NLT)
A gentle answer deflects anger,
but harsh words make tempers flare.
A war of words requires at least two people.
Good morning, Lord. When someone shoots angry words at me, I want to shoot angrier words back. When taunts and curses fly to-and-fro like flaming arrows, grant me wisdom to step away from the war of hurtful words. I want to be a peacemaker who speaks gentle words of healing, comfort and encouragement. Make it so, in Jesus’ name.
Scripture describes a clever con that resulted in an undeserved peace treaty.
Joshua 9:3-6 (NLT)
But when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, they … put on worn-out, patched sandals and ragged clothes. And the bread they took with them was dry and moldy …. they told Joshua and the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant land to ask you to make a peace treaty with us.”
Joshua made the treaty with these nearby neighbors, the Bible says, without inquiring of the Lord. In the end (Joshua 10) he graciously honored the treaty.
Good morning, Lord. Despite my best intentions, I make mistakes. Grant me the grace to own up to my errors, even when someone else shares the blame. Show me the right thing to do and empower me to do it.
“Cold words freeze people, and hot words scorch them, and bitter words make them bitter, and wrathful words make them wrathful.”
Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)
I often feel like I live in the flow of freezing and scorching words. It’s uncomfortable place. I don’t want to join the bitter, angry stream.
The book of Proverbs offers an alternative:
Proverbs 12:18 (NIV)
The words of the reckless pierce like swords,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Good morning, Lord. Fill my mouth with healing words. Keep me from speaking without thinking, deliver me from the temptation to respond in anger or bitterness. Show me when to be silent. Teach me when and how to respond to all the hot and cold words that come my way. Make me a fount of warmth and comfort, in Jesus’ name.
Usually, I’m not a fan of crowds.
But heaven’s great multitude —
count me in!
Revelation 7:9-10 (NIV)
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”
Good morning, Lord. I want to be part of heaven’s great multitude, to praise You alongside people I’ve known and loved, ancestors I’ve seen only in photos, folks I prayed for (and those who prayed for me), even some people I didn’t expect to see there (and ones surprised to see me). In perfect unity, we’ll rejoice together, so be it, amen.
“Every soul there [in heaven] is as a note in some concert of delightful music that sweetly harmonizes with every other note, and all together blend in the most rapturous strains in praising God and the Lamb forever.” Jonathan Edwards (1703-1728)
I look forward to heaven, where you and I will make beautiful music.
Good morning, Lord. Surely heaven is the best of everything: the sweetest fragrances, the most colorful landscapes, the tastiest fruit, the most glorious music. Wonder of wonders, I will be part of it all! Thank You.
This passage from John’s description of heaven intrigues me.
Revelation 22:1-2 (NIV)
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb … On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month.
A monthly harvest of fruit? Does heaven cycle through all four seasons in a month? Time works differently there.
Good morning, Lord. I imagine the best of everything here on earth is a poor reflection of the glories of heaven. The most delicate spring flowers, the most colorful autumn vistas, the tastiest fruit are previews of the coming attractions of heaven — abundantly bigger, brighter and sweeter than I can ask or think (Ephesians 2:20). All that, plus You, I look forward to it.
The next time I stub my toe or burn my finger, I’ll think about this verse:
Revelation 21:3-4 (NLT)
… Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.
Let’s put it in perspective — not just the quick cry or the short-term pain. No deep grief, no devastating diagnoses, no raging fevers, no aching joints. Forever and ever!
Good morning, Lord. When my body hurts, I look to the medicine cabinet for relief. In heaven, I’ll need no pain relievers, no tissue boxes, no ice packs or heating pads. No tears no pain, it’s all good. Hallelujah!
This week, we’ll catch a few glimpses of our future in heaven.
“It is not darkness you are going to, for God is Light. It is not lonely, for Christ is with you. It is not unknown country, for Christ is there.”
Charles Kingsley (1819-1875)
Without a doubt, we will know we’re in the right place.
Good morning, Lord. I get so caught up in day-to-day life that I lose sight of eternity in heaven. Remind me of its unending joy, grant me glimpses of its magnificent glory. While my feet are planted securely here on earth, set my heart on the hope of heaven, in Jesus’ name.
Self-control is one of many godly attributes we should be eager to embrace.
2 Peter 1:5-7 (NIV)
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.
We don’t add each characteristic one at a time, like picking a bouquet of flowers. We grow them together, like a field of wildflowers.
Good morning, Lord. Grow good attributes in my soul: faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love. Transform me from a self-centered individual into a God-centered person of faith, hope and love.
