Today's Verse - 1 Corinthians 2:9

However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him."

—1 Corinthians 2:9

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Kids look forward to Christmas, Disneyland, and summer vacations. They imagine how great those things could be. Christians look forward to heaven and dream of seeing the LORD face to face, reuniting with those we love that have gone home to the LORD before us, and sharing in the glory of Jesus and his angels. But we can't begin to imagine the great things that God has prepared for us without the Spirit's help. They are far more glorious than anything we can dream or imagine. So let's anticipate being surprised with glory and live until then with passion for the cause of the Kingdom. We know that any loss, any wound, any trouble, will not be worth comparing to the glory to be revealed in us (Romans 8:18). And, because we do have the Holy Spirit, let's ask the Spirit who helps understand glimpses of this glory, we can anticipate what glorious things are actually coming us (1 Corinthians 2:10). Because of the Holy Spirit in us, the meaning of this Scripture is changed for us who have the Holy Spirit. It focuses us on the anticipation and understanding of the future by the power of the Spirit, who gives life to our mortal body (Romans 8:11).

My Prayer...

Thank you, Father, for preparing a place of glory for me with you — whether it is in the new heavens and earth, or in the throne room in heaven with you, or being with Jesus, or seeing you in your glory in heaven.* I believe it is far greater than anything I could ever imagine, but I do ask the Spirit to give me glimpses of this glorious future with you. Thank you, Jesus, for returning to heaven to prepare a place for me with you in glory. In your name, LORD Jesus, I praise and thank you. Amen.

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* New heavens and new earth — 2 Peter 3:12-15; the throne room of heaven — Revelation 7:7-11; being with Jesus — 2 Corinthians 5:6; Philippians 1:19-25; seeing Christ as he is in his exalted glory — 1 John 3:2-3.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 - James 3:13

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

—James 3:13

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Wisdom isn't shown by our book learning, street smarts, intellectual comments, or arrogant boasting. True wisdom demonstrates itself through the godly character of our lives as we live with humility and are generous with kind deeds.

My Prayer...

O Father, make me wise like Jesus. Please help me know your will more fully and live it more faithfully with kindness and humility, especially toward the lost, outcast, stumbling, broken, forgotten, and alone. May the words of my mouth and the actions of my life please you and bring your grace to others. In Jesus' name, I ask for your help in being your kind of person. 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 - Proverbs 3:7

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.

—Proverbs 3:7

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Let's keep this simple today.

First, we need to admit that with the complexities and perplexities of life, even the smartest of us is not all that brilliant.

Second, the LORD our God is awesome in holiness, majesty, power, wisdom, and grace. Our God is far beyond us. All we can truly grasp of him is the smallest of glimpses of glory — "but the outskirts of his ways" (Job 26:14 ESV).

Finally, let's stay away from anything that hints of evil, knowing that evil infects and confuses us, as well as separates us from God.

My Prayer...

All wise and gracious Heavenly Father, your wisdom is matchless, your grace unfathomable, your holiness incomparable, and your love beyond comprehension. Thank you for all of your many blessings and gifts, but most of all, I thank you for your gift of accessibility. Your grace has given us access to your presence and grace because of your loving mercy. Please strengthen my will to withstand temptation and deepen my wisdom to see evil for what it is. Please empower me with a spiritual desire to stay far away from evil and its influence as I draw near to you and your love and your grace. In Jesus' name, 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.