When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. The priests could not enter the temple of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled it.—2 Chronicles 7:1–2 (NIV)
Lord, God Almighty, fill me with Your glory.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.—1 John 1:9 (NIV)
HOW ARE YOU doing on your resolutions and goals for 2020? If you aren’t as successful as you had hoped, it’s okay. Making changes, even small ones, can be difficult. Remember you don’t have to do it alone. Jesus can help you. He can help you start anew. He can help you reach your goals.
Heavenly Father, when I feel discouraged, help me clear away negative thoughts and words. Send the Holy Spirit to help me keep on track.
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.—John 10:10 (NKJV)
GET EXCITED ABOUT your life! Fight off the winter blues by filling your mind with abundant thoughts of love and faith, thoughts of God and glory, thoughts of this world and beyond. Make plans for what you want to do. Every day is a gift. Live it that way.
Heavenly Father, life with You is exciting and amazing. Help me make the most of today. Every day.
And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.—1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NIV)
IT HAS BEEN said that “Some things have to be believed to be seen.” As we end the first month of the New Year, believe in blessings to come! Envision new possibilities. Believe the days ahead offer new opportunities to do good and live out your faith.
Lord, give me the courage to face the year ahead with faith and optimism.
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.—Psalm 90:12 (ESV)
YOU NEED TO remove any obstacles that keep you from making 2020 your best year yet. Think about what is keeping you from living your best life. Is it a lack of priorities, trying to do too much, working too much or not spending time on the things that truly matter? Make a promise to eliminate all things that keep you from being the person God intended.
Dear Lord, help me live mindfully and passionately so that my life has purpose and meaning.
The Lord your God is going ahead of you…—Deuteronomy 1:30
IF YOU ARE facing difficulty, if you are discouraged, or disheartened about anything, just pray. You have a wonderful God who specializes in solving your problems. He’s waiting to hear from you and He’s ready to move on our behalf whenever we need Him. Take your trouble, whatever it is, keep praying until you feel God’s peace in your heart.
Dear Lord, I know You will never lead me into anything You won’t lead me through.
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.—Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)
DO YOU HAVE accomplishments you want to see come to fruition this year? Once you establish a goal, visualize reaching completion. The above verse helps us grasp the importance of vision. Ask God to help you see what you can accomplish with His help.
Please, God, keep me pressing toward the mark, relentlessly. Keep me faithful in my resolve; help me stay focused on reaching my goals.
God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”—Exodus 3:14 (NIV)
WHEN THE LORD reveals Himself to Moses at the burning bush, Moses is afraid. He asks, “What if they ask for Your name? What do I tell them?” God replies: I AM WHO I AM. God is unchanging. He’s the Lord of strength and glory. He is your Provider and Protector. When you are afraid, call to Him.
In the morning, Lord, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait expectantly.—Psalm 5:3 (NIV)
START THE DAY with God in mind. Pray, read a devotion, sing, take a walk, do any of a number of things that help you spiritually empower and prepare you for whatever comes your way.
Lord, let me begin my day with You.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!—Philippians 4:4 (NIV)
START THINKING JOYFULLY. Think of every wonderful thing the Lord has done for you. Celebrate the fact that He is always with you. When you consider the implications of that fact, there is every reason to rejoice and be happy, for it means that nothing can ever defeat you.
Lord Jesus, You are my Joy.
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!”—Mark 4:39 (NIV)
DOUBT IS NORMAL. Even the apostles had moments of uncertainty. Why did doubts rise in their minds? Perhaps it was simply that God’s plan was bigger than they could grasp. So when the storms of doubt come, lean into the wind and believe. And remember, no matter what you’re feeling, Jesus is still in charge.
Heavenly Father, help me to remember that not understanding is different from not believing.
Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.—Ephesians 4:26 (NIV)
WHEN WE ARE furious, Scripture advises that we should “Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent” (Psalm 4:4). Once the clouds of emotion have cleared, most of us recognize that holding onto anger actually hurts us more than the person we’re mad at. The burden that anger places on our hearts can be lifted when we lift our hearts to God.
Dear Lord, help me to put away all bitterness wrath and anger. Guide me to peace.
Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly…—1 CORINTHIANS 9:26 (NIV)
Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.—PROVERBS 12:25 (NIV
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God— this is your true and proper worship.—Romans 12:1 (NIV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.—Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.—2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (NIV)
The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.—Proverbs 19:8 (NIV)
One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.—Proverbs 13:7 (NIV)
They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.—Lamentati ons 3:23 (NASB)
The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.—Song of Solomon 2:12 (KJV)
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message.”—John 17:20 (NIV)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.—2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.—Hebrews 6:18 (NIV)
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.—Psalm 1:3 (KJV)
But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.—Jeremiah 10:12 (NIV)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?—John 11:25–26 (NIV)
They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left.—Mark 15:27 (NIV)
For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”—Galatians 5:14 (NIV)
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.—John 15:12 (ESV)
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.—2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)
My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul.—Psalm 108:1 (NIV)
