One way to develop inner joy in your life is to end your nights with prayers of gratitude. Each night, right before you go to sleep, instead of rehashing the day or worrying about tomorrow, count your blessings and thank God for each and every one of them. List everything that makes you happy, from the comfort of your home, to the beauty of the clear blue sky. Pray these precious moments before sleep connecting with God and the good in your life.

There are times in life that despite trying your hardest, praying earnestly and deeply desiring something, it just doesn’t happen. Sometimes we must accept that not everything is available when we want it. When this happens we must trust that something better—something different than what we expected—is on its way.

During this the season when the wind scatters mature seeds across the earth, ask yourself, what small things can I do to help spread the good news of Jesus? Don’t overcomplicate things; simply be a messenger, a seed floating on the breeze, bring God’s Word and share the hope He brings to others.

To keep on the right path of life, follow Jesus’ commandment: “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.” God is always in the process of helping us become the best we can be. The journey is not always easy, but the trip is filled with meaning and the view is heavenly!

Today as we change the clocks back, take a moment and look back on the past year. Remember all the good things that God has done for you. Visualize sunlight shining on the glorious moments of your past and extending brilliant rays of light ahead into the future.

Each one of us is a living branch of this vine! If your energy and effort isn’t spent on deepening your connection with Jesus the Vine, your branches will dry up. Is there something that is getting in the way of maintaining a healthy and strong relationship with Him? Set your mind on letting go of any behaviors, thoughts or fears that separate you from God.

Beliefs aren’t something we take lightly. When we believe in something we feel it with passion and love. We defend and honor our beliefs. So when we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and totally believe in Him, our lives are filled with new hope and new meaning. As in the above verse, the heat in your heart tells you of His inner presence. Your actions tell others.

In autumn, evidence of God’s majesty is all around us—brightly colored leaves, pumpkin patches, blue sky and the shimmering of frost in the morning sun. Today, take a moment to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation.