Jesus said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.”—John 5:8 (NASB)
Are you living your best life? Today’s uplifting verse is a call to action to cast away whatever is keeping you from experiencing God’s blessing. Pick up your pallet and rise to a new life, a new way of being and seeing.
Heavenly Father, I rise to Your call. Nothing can stop me. I am ready to live my best life.
But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.—Luke 5:15–16 (ESV)
It’s important to follow Jesus’ example and retreat to a quiet place and pray. Take in the stillness and rest in God. Remind yourself that you don’t have to do anything alone. Jesus is the Savior and He will help you.
Heavenly Father, when I focus my attention on You, the rest falls into place.
Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her.—Luke 4:38 (NIV)
Sometimes when a loved one is ill, it is difficult to find the words to pray, or to know how to ask God for His help. Today’s verse is a reminder that Jesus is with you, and if words escape you a simple “God, help her,” is a perfect prayer.
Lord, when I can’t find the words, I know You hear my heart and that the Spirit will intercede for me and carry my requests to You.
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.—John 15: 2 (NIV)
In today’s Bible verse, Jesus speaks of how God prunes us by cutting away things that are blocking Him from producing fruit in your life. Ask Him for the insight to see what needs to be plucked from your life—habits, bad thoughts, actions—so that You can follow His plan for your life.
Heavenly Father, help me prune my life so that I can grow closer to You.
I will strengthen the weak.—Ezekiel 34:16 (ESV)
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, said, “God is the Source of your energy so when you are feeling tired and rundown turn to Him. Ask for His strength and vitality and you will receive it.” Know that God will give you the energy you need.
Dear Lord, when my strength has reached its limits, You fill me with Your power.
Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin.—Luke 12:27 (NIV)
God constantly sends messages of His love and reassurance that He will take care of you. His gifts to you are sprinkled throughout the day—in the sky, birds chirping, wildflowers blooming in the field. His beauty and love is all around us. His messages of love are always there.
Heavenly Father, today I will seek, see and be grateful for the many ways You show Your love that surrounds me.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.—Matthew 6:34 (NIV)
Often our biggest worries hinge on what is going to happen. Fear of the future can block us from the blessings of right now. The next time you find yourself preoccupied with what-if worries, remind yourself of today’s verse. Stay hopeful in the present! It’s the best thing you can do for your future.
Heavenly Father, thank You for this moment. Thank You for today.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6 (KJV)
In The Practice of the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence wrote about the need for meeting Christ daily. God’s Word will prepare you for life’s challenges and when you make love of God the aim of your actions, the most difficult situations are transformed by His presence.
You are my salvation, Lord, my rock in any emergency.
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.—Colossians 4:5 (NIV)
When you feel overwhelmed with too much to do, ask God to help you prioritize the day’s tasks. Trust He will order your steps (Proverbs 16:9). Praise Him for His guidance and encouragement.
Heavenly Father thank You for helping me manage my time and balance my life.
His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness.”—Matthew 25:21 (NIV)
Have you ever asked yourself, how can I best serve the Lord so I can one day hear Jesus say, Well done? Today, take a moment, set your mind on God and ask Him to help you have the heart of a servant in all you do. Resolve to use your life as a training ground for His kingdom.
Dear Lord, I pray that I am faithful on my journey, open to hear Your instructions and willing to serve You.
I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonderful deeds.—Psalm 9:1 (NIV)
One of the greatest prayers is “Thank You!” Dr. Norman Vincent Peale said, “Let your prayer consist of all the wonderful things that have happened to you. Name them, thank God for them and make that your whole prayer. You will soon find that these prayers of thanksgiving grow longer and longer, and you will have more and more things for which to thank God.”
Dear Lord, give me the vision to see Your blessings instead of my fears. May I feel Your presence in times of worry and remember Your strong desire to protect and guide me is more powerful than anything on earth.
Then He told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, He gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people.—Matthew 14:19 (NLT)
When you feel lacking in energy, resources, or are unable to figure out how to make ends meet, turn to this verse and plan for the best outcome. Remember if you do your best, you don’t have to try to figure everything out because Jesus already has the answer.
Dear Lord, because of You, I believe in miracles. I know that when I give what I can, You are right there with me miraculously offering Your blessings.
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)
