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We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we present everyone perfect in Christ. — Colossians 1:28 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Our goal as Christians, as disciples of Jesus, is not to obey some ancient law, adhere to some arcane set of rules, or even follow some prescribed spiritual discipline. Our goal as Christians is to be conformed to the character, way of life, and heart of Jesus ( Luke 6:40 ). We want to be JESUShaped people. This is also the Holy Spirit's work in us ( 2 Corinthians 3:18 ). As Paul the apostle makes clear here and elsewhere ( Galatians 4:19 ), his goal is to see "Christ formed" in new disciples. Shouldn't this be our work as parents, friends, and spiritual mentors, too? We want to see each other, those we love, those we influence, and those in Jesus' family, fully and perfectly mature in Christ Jesus. My Prayer... Holy LORD, conform my heart, words, life, ministry, and actions to those of Jesus. I wan...

Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." — John 14:23 Thoughts on Today's Verse... At many Christian funerals and memorials, the preacher emphasizes that Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us to join him in heaven, but will one day come back for us and bring us home with him ( John 14:1-3 ). Just a few verses later, the LORD deepens his promise. He promises that if we love him and obey him, he will love us and reveal himself to us ( John 14:21 ). On top of that, he and the Father will love us and make their home in us until we can go home to be with them ( John 14:23 ). As we love God and obey Jesus' commandments, our relationship, closeness, and experience of God's presence as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, deepens because they live inside us - make their home with us. Obeying Jesus' teaching is our pathway to a closer walk with God! My Prayer... Holy God, I k...

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." — Matthew 28:18-20 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Last words matter! The last words of a parent to a child leaving for college... The last words of a loved one at the bedside of someone dying... The last words of a friend before moving to a distant place... Our last words are chosen with care because we know they leave a lasting impact on those who hear. They are important to us. We want those who hear them to know them and keep them. Jesus' last words are our authoritative marching orders for us as his disciples. These words are also very clear: Make disciples of all peoples by... Going to all nations. Baptizing believers in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spi...

What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you — guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. — 2 Timothy 1:13-14 Thoughts on Today's Verse... We live in a world of keys, locks, alarms, passwords, passkeys, and security systems. Paul's words shouldn't surprise us. We protect the things that are most valuable to us. So ask yourself, "What is more precious to me than the truth of God's saving grace in the Gospel, in faith?" Nothing. So thankfully, God has pre-wired each of us with a security system to help protect that incredibly precious hope. This security system lives in us and has given us God's Scriptures by inspiration. This security system is the Holy Spirit, given to us when we were born into God's family through the Spirit's work. So, let's value the Spirit's presence more. Let's ask for the Spirit's help more p...

This is what the LORD says — your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I AM the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go." — Isaiah 48:17 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Don't you sometimes long for the pillar of fire at night and the cloud by day to guide us as we make our way through life? God gave these blessings to the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings ( Exodus 13:21-22 ; Nehemiah 9:19-21 ). They never had to doubt God's presence was with them and his care was over them. Then I remember God's promised and abiding presence with us as followers of Jesus. This abiding presence is the Holy Spirit ( John 7:37-39 ; Romans 8:14 ). The Spirit's presence is coupled with the promise that God will never leave or forsake us ( Romans 8:38-39 ; Hebrews 13:5-6 ). As we seek God's presence and honor his character, he will get us where we need to be to do his will. We can be assured that he will work in ou...

The earth is filled with your love, O LORD; teach me your decrees. — Psalm 119:64 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Sometimes we get so caught up in the loving wonders of God's creation and the marvelous blessings of "the work of his hands" ( Psalm 19:1 , 111:7 ) that we forget to ask him to teach us his truths, help us understand his will, and give us the grace to live out his word in our daily lives. Let's not only worship God in awe for his majestic creation; let's also worship him by learning his will and living it in our daily lives ( Romans 12:1-2 ). My Prayer... Holy and Precious Father, please teach me your truth. Lead me to your will. Guide me in your wisdom. I want my life and my choices to reflect your plan for me when you made me in my mother's womb.* I desire for my life to display your righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful lovingkindness. In the name of Jesus I ask these things. Amen. * Psalm 139:13-16 . The Thoughts and Prayer...