Today's Verse - Proverbs 10:17

He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.

—Proverbs 10:17

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Discipline is not only essential for us, but also for those who are influenced by our actions. So often, we undervalue the impact of our personal decisions on others. But God has placed each of us in a circle of influence to be a blessing and a redemptive influence on those around us. To choose what is foolish and to ignore godly correction not only jeopardizes our future, but also the future of others we influence and long to point toward Jesus.

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Father, humble and correct me gently, but please discipline me as I need it. I am aware that there are areas in my personality and character that are weak and do not align with my spiritual goals. Mature me with your Spirit and correct me with your truth. Use my spiritual friends, your shepherds, and holy discipline to lead me in your everlasting way. I want my influence to be a blessing to those you have placed around me. I invite the Holy Spirit to mold and shape me, refine and transform me so that I can become more JESUShaped.* In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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* Our goal as believers should be to become remade by grace into people more like Jesus — Luke 6:40; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 4:19; Colossians 1:28-29.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 - 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.