You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God.

What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not curse, swear, use satanic arts, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.

Today’s Bible Verse: Ephesians 5:4

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

For the next ten days of this devotional, we will reflect upon the Ten Commandments. If you do not have a physical copy of the updated Small Catechism, you can purchase one at Amazon by clicking here. If you wish to download a copy onto a Kindle or iPad, you can click here for the Kindle edition and click here for the Apple Books version.

Have you ever cursed? I don’t mean “cursing” someone so bad things happen to them, which is a no-no in and of itself. I mean opening your mouth and using words that are not “wholesome.” I did so last night when I listened to the first period of the New York Rangers game. As the announcers were describing a play on the ice, in the backgroudn I heard someone whistling the tune that leads Rangers fans to say “Potvin (Stinks)” (subscription required on The Athletic to read the article). And yes, I said those words. We’ve all done it and probably thought of or used those naughty words today. As Christians, we should make it a point to try and not use those vulgar words in our everyday lives. By saying those things, we aren’t bringing the best light to our faith in Jesus Christ. Let us work together to overcome this issue of using vulgar language.

PRAYERS

Keep in Your Prayers:

1. Those who have lost loved ones to crime.

2. Those who reject Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Prayer for Tuesday:

Gracious Father, I love You above all things and fear Your wrath. I give You thanks and praise for sending Jesus Christ, Your Son, into this world to my our Savior. Keep me and all believers mindful of Your grace and forgiveness throughout this Monday. In Jesus’ name, I pray. 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.. 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.

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On My Playlist

And one of my all-time favorite Christian contemporary songs.