Key Thought

Today's Prayer

O gracious heavenly Father, please forgive my compulsion to speak when I should be reverently silent. Humble me gently and help me see my proper response in the presence of your glorious Son with whom there is no equal, rival, or comparison. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

About eight days after Jesus said these things, he took Peter, James, and John and went up on a mountain to pray. While Jesus was praying, his face began to change. His clothes became shining white. Then two men were talking with Jesus. The men were Moses and Elijah. Moses and Elijah were shining bright too. They were talking with Jesus about his death that would happen in Jerusalem. Peter and the others were asleep. But they woke up and saw the glory of Jesus. They also saw the two men that were standing with Jesus. When Moses and Elijah were leaving, Peter said, "Master, it is good that we are here. We will put three tents here—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." (Peter did not know what he was saying.) While Peter was saying these things, a cloud came all around them. Peter, James, and John became afraid when the cloud covered them. A voice came from the cloud. The voice said, "This is my Son. He is the One I have chosen. Obey him." When the voice finished, only Jesus was there. Peter, James, and John said nothing. At that time they told no person about what they had seen. The next day, Jesus, Peter, James, and John came down from the mountain. A large group of people met Jesus. A man in the group shouted to Jesus, "Teacher, please come and look at my son. He is the only child I have. An evil spirit {from the devil} comes into my son, and then he shouts. He loses control of himself and he foams from the mouth. The evil spirit continues to hurt him and almost never leaves him. I begged your followers to make the evil spirit leave my son, but they could not do it." Jesus answered, "You people that live now have no faith. Your lives are all wrong. How long must I be with you and be patient with you?" Then Jesus said to the man, "Bring your son here." While the boy was coming, the demon threw the boy to the ground. The boy lost control of himself. But Jesus gave a strong command to the evil spirit. Then the boy was healed. And Jesus gave the boy back tohis father. All the people were amazed at the great power of God. The people were still amazed about all the things Jesus did. Jesus said to his followers,

Related Scripture Readings

Be very careful when you go to worship God. It is better to listen {to God} than to give sacrifices like foolish people. Foolish people often do bad things, and they don't even know it. Be careful when you make promises to God. Be careful about the things you say to God. Don't let your feelings cause you to speak too soon. God is in heaven, and you are on the earth. So you need to say only a few things to God. This saying is true: Bad dreams come with too many worries, and a fool with too many words. If you make a promise to God, then keep your promise. Don't be slow to do the thing you promised. God is not happy with foolish people. Give God what you promised to give him. It is better to promise nothing than to promise something and not be able to do it. So don't let your words cause you to sin. Don't say to the priest, "I didn't mean what I said!" If you do this, then God might become angry with your words and destroy everything you have worked for.

My dear brothers and sisters, always be more willing to listen than to speak. Don't become angry easily.

Even a fool seems wise if he keeps quiet. People think he is wise if he doesn't say anything.