Read John 16:33
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

This is one of my favorite verses in the whole Bible. We have peace in knowing Jesus and having a close relationship with him. He never promised us that life would be free from pain and struggle, loss and heartbreak, failures and tragedies.

It’s easy to get discouraged with the weight of the world on our shoulders, but Jesus says take heart for I have overcome the world! Yes, Jesus came to teach, yes Jesus came to serve and yes he came to die for our sins but he also came to conquer death! That power resides within us when we repent and trust in Jesus. Jesus is King!

//  Tommy Smith

We have a very small window into the life of Jesus, but scripture points out Jesus’ formation from a child to a man in Luke 2: 52:
“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”

And in Proverbs 1:2 we see that wisdom continue:
“for gaining wisdom and instruction (discipline), to understand words of insight”.

Spiritual disciplines are not for gaining favor with God, but to encounter God and his presence each day.  That the overflow of this daily relationship would yield wisdom, reverence, and trust.
Disciplines are not often easy to start or maintain.  

It’s similar to starting a workout routine.  I’ve heard it said the most difficult machine at the gym is opening the front door.  Gaining clarity of who the Father is, is a critical first step in your journey of growing as a father.

Ask yourself:
- What spiritual disciplines do you need to add to your daily routine to enhance your faith?
- Would you be as bold to ask God for help in these areas today?

//  John Ingold

Read Isaiah 42:16-17 
I will lead the blind by a way they did not know; I will guide them on paths they have not known. I will turn darkness to light in front of them and rough places into level ground. This is what I will do for them, and I will not abandon them. They will be turned back and utterly ashamed—those who trust in an idol and say to a cast image, ‘You are our gods!’
- CSB

“Being a godly man is a path we walk, not a line we cross.”

When I heard this line, it stuck with me. This is a life-long journey. One that is not easy or natural. As we travel the road that leads to godliness, it will come with uncertainty and difficulty.

Being reminded of God’s promises is key to making progress. Trust His guidance in the unknown. Let him lead. Don’t stop when the road gets rough. Wait for him to make smooth the path ahead. Stay the course.

//  Matt Smith

John 16:33
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

This is one of my favorite verses in the whole Bible.

We have peace in knowing Jesus and having a close relationship with him. He never promised us that life would be free from pain and struggle, loss and heartbreak, failures and tragedies. It’s easy to get discouraged with the weight of the world on our shoulders, but Jesus says take heart for I have overcome the world!

Yes Jesus came to teach, yes Jesus came to serve and yes he came to die for our sins but he also came to conquer death! That power resides within us when we repent and trust in Jesus. Jesus is King!

//  Thomas Richardson

Read Proverbs 24:10 
If thou faint in the day of adversity, Thy strength is small.
- KJV

Adversity is a word that most people dread. It isn't  a fun word, or one that puts a smile on most people's faces. However, as I have gotten older, it is a word that I have come to appreciate because of Proverbs 24:10.

Adversity keeps us ready, builds resilience, and fosters a dependence on Him. We must remember that He is the source of our strength. My prayer is that this word takes on a new meaning for you. That maybe you can learn to see it in a different light. The challenge is to face adversity head-on, eat the mushroom, and keep chopping wood!

//  Casey Harris

In life, we take all sorts of paths, career, where to live, who to marry, how we treat people. This passage includes instruction for how God wants us to live, paths not to go down, but also how we should go.

Verse 2 gives instruction on how a blessed or happy man should live. Meditating on God’s Word day and night is more than just reading a verse here and there. Meditating is pondering, focusing on, having God’s Word impact your way of living.

Verse 3 shows a beautiful image of what this looks like. By planting ourselves by the spiritual water, we will become healthy and strong in our faith, yielding fruit, in season.

A tree not planted beside life giving water will wither and die. It’s easily blown over by life’s storms.

Application:
Give your faith life-giving spiritual water today by studying God’s Word. Don’t just read through it quickly to check it off your list. Ponder it, meditate on the truth you read, let it provide spiritual water to your soul.

//  Chris Foster

Read Ephesians 3:16-18
I ask the Father in his great glory to give you the power to be strong inwardly [ in the inner person] through his Spirit.  I pray that Christ will live [make his home] in your hearts by faith and that your life will be strong in love and be built on love [ rooted and grounded in love].  And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand [comprehend; grasp] the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is.
(EXB)

Trees are designed to withstand winds from all directions. The stress that wind causes on a tree actually promotes healthy root growth. The healthier, deeper, and stronger the root system, the stronger winds a tree can withstand. IF a tree experiences wind from only 1 direction for too long, it will cause the root system to grow in only one direction under the ground. Then, when wind hits that tree from a different direction in the future, the tree is unable to withstand the stress/pressure because it does not have the proper root structure to support it. Trees need wind.

We need to be rooted and grounded in love. We need healthy, strong roots. Also, maybe we shouldn’t be afraid of the wind. We should expect it and appreciate what it is: an opportunity for God to make us stronger and grow our roots as we rely on Him.

//  Lyle Denton

Read James 1:19
My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.

So many times in the world we live in we feel the need to respond and lash out to all the noise around us. This can be over a philosophical debate or in response to a loved one that says something we don’t like. It can be in a moment of disagreement or frustration. In the book of James we see many examples of how we should tame our tongues and respond differently than what the world says.

How much of the time are we thinking about the next words that we want to say in response to someone talking rather than actually listening to what they say?

Our words matter and the way we respond in moments of frustration can point others to Jesus or draw them away. Today as you go about your day and interact with people through relationships at home, work and in the community, make an effort to truly listen before you speak. Hear them, see them and be reminded that we should treat them in a way that demonstrates the love of our Heavenly Father.

Application:
What is one relationship that you know you need to listen more and think before you speak?
How can being quick to listen and slow to speak impact this relationship in a positive way?

Additional Reading:
Read James 1:19-27 to further reflect on our actions related to how we listen and respond, not only to other people but to God’s Word.

//  Nikki Foster

As a sports fanatic, the term "legacy" is often discussed and debated. We love to talk about the careers of great athletes and debate whether Michael Jordan or Lebron James is really the GOAT. But when it comes to our own lives, do we really think about the kind of legacy we are leaving? Regardless of age, circumstance, or season of life, we are all creating some type of legacy each day. For some, it is reflected on our wives, children, and maybe grandchildren. For others, it's reflected on our friends, classmates, or coworkers. We have all been given a sphere of influence to "tell the coming generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord" as referenced in Psalm 78.

This mandate is not intended to be a burden to bear, but a wonderful responsibility to impact the people around us. As we move through each day, week, month, and year, it's easy to get caught up in the normal routines and rhythm of life. However, I hope we will learn to consider each moment, both public and private, as an opportunity to establish the legacy that God has called us to leave.

//  Austin Davis