Today's Verse - 2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

—2 Peter 3:9

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God wants all people brought to repentance so they can receive his grace and share with him in his glory. God desires our salvation so much that he came to us in Jesus to save us (John 3:16-17). Since saving us is God's passion for us, how can we not make it our passion to lead others to salvation through Jesus? Jesus' last words before returning to the Father remind us that reaching the world with the message of God's grace is also our Savior's mission for us (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8)!

My Prayer...

Father, I know that you hold the day of Jesus' return in your hands, and the reason he waits to return is known only to you. However, dear Father, I also know that you want all people to come to know Jesus as their Lord and be saved. Please use me to share your message of salvation and the gift of your loving grace through Jesus with someone around me this week, and may it hasten the day of his return. 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.

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.