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)
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.—Romans 5:8 (NIV)
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.—Luke 6:35 (ESV)
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.—Luke 6:38 (NIV)
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.—1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.—2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.—Philippians 4:11 (NIV)
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.—Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.—Ephesians 4:26 (ESV)
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.—Psalm 107:1 (NIV)
Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.—Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God…—1 Peter 2:16–17 (NIV)
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!—1 John 3:1 (NIV)
As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.—1 Samuel 18:1 (ESV)
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)
