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.

Today's Verse - Psalm 139:23-24

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

—Psalm 139:23-24

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Most of us don't like being scrutinized or tested, especially not the motives and thoughts behind our actions. However, God knows us thoroughly. He has been with us from our conception (Psalm 139:13-16) and will work with us through the grave and beyond (Psalm 139:7-12; Romans 8:38-39). So let's invite him into our interior world to search us, test us, and even scrutinize our anxious thoughts. He is not with us to condemn or punish, but to cleanse and redeem so we can find his everlasting way of life!

My Prayer...

Search me, O God. I know that my heart is not always pure, and my ways are far from perfect.

Search me, O God, for I need your purifying presence.

Search me, O God, for I want you to set my life's course and destination.

With the psalmist, David, I continue my prayer:

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

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.