Before You Speak…
Monday’s Verse:
From Proverbs 21:29 ESV
“A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright gives thought to his ways.”
Think before you speak.
I’ve heard this a lot during my life. Yesterday, May 10th, was Mother’s Day, but it was also my dad’s birthday. He’s been in heaven since 2020, and I’ve missed him dearly. An immigrant from Italy, he came here not knowing the language or the American culture, but he learned both. In Italy, he was “on the priest track,” but real life moved him not to pursue the priesthood. It is kind of ironic that his firstborn son took up his mantle and became a “priest.”
My dad didn’t like squabbles and tried to always keep the peace, even when he wanted to “do something” about the trouble. It was something he taught my brother and me. Never let anger or other people’s venom move you to do the same. And always think before you speak.
I try my best to do that. While the sinner in me wants to yell and scream, argue and fight, my dad’s words come to mind. Be a better person. Think before you speak.
That is why the words from Proverbs hit home with me today. Too many people in our world let their anger define who they are. They say mean things just because they can. God wants us, baptized believers, to be better than our sin. He wants us to remember our Lord Jesus Christ and what He did for us at the cross. Our Father desires His people to be loving, caring, and merciful, not warriors of discord and anger.
I strive to remain silent when the moment demands restraint. As we embark on this new week, let our collective prayer be that we serve as beacons of light within a world shrouded in darkness.
(And dad, Happy Belated Birthday)
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Gracious Father, may Your Holy Spirit guide me this day so that I can be a better person to others. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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