Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.—1 Samuel 3:9 (NIV)
If you’re facing decisions in your life—big or small—and you need to hear from God, turn to Samuel’s prayer in today’s verse. Quiet your mind and wait for His wisdom. Consider whether you’re listening for God’s voice in your life.
Heavenly Father, help me to tune into Your voice. I am listening.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.—Luke 1:53 (NIV)
Things of this world, no matter how lovely and desirable will never fill the void in your heart. Only God satisfies the spirit. If you seek a life of goodness, make your faith your first priority. Read God’s Word, spend time in prayer and praise Him for the peace and contentment He provides.
I give thanks to You Lord, for You are good and Your steadfast love endures forever!
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is— His good, pleasing and perfect will.—Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Some things in life are beyond understanding. If you find yourself asking God, “Why did this happen?” Instead of straining to see meaning or look for answers, recognize that wisdom and growth take time. Have faith and trust God’s plan.
Heavenly Father, help me to let go of needing to understand everything. Help me to stop asking why and just accept what is.
Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.—Matthew 6:8 (ESV)
Jesus told his followers to keep prayer simple. Your Father knows what you need before you ask, so you don’t have use formal words or rehearsed language. Pray simply with the understanding that God wants to help solve your problems.
God, I am here. I have a lot to tell You.
I was angry, good and angry, because of Israel’s sins. I struck him hard and turned away in anger, while he kept at his stubborn, willful ways. When I looked again and saw what he was doing, I decided to heal him, lead him, and comfort him.—Isaiah 57:17-18 (MSG)
The Old Testament has many instances of God’s followers experiencing hardship and learning life lessons the hard way. However, today’s verse shows that God is merciful. His teaching is clear and simple: sin leads to pain and obedience leads to blessing. When you take this lesson to heart, you spare yourself difficulties and experience His grace.
Heavenly Father, thank You for guiding me on the path that leads me closer to You.
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?—Psalm 42:1–2 (NIV)
Just as a cool glass of water refreshes you on a hot summer day, Jesus the Living Water is the One who satisfies your spirit. When you feel drained, or out of sorts, reach out to Him. Ask Him to quench your spiritual thirst with His life-giving Spirit.
Heavenly Father, when I am weary or feel empty and afraid, refresh my spirit with Your healing streams.
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.—John 15:11 (ESV)
One of God’S greatest gifts is joy. Norman Vincent Peale said, “There is a human tendency to always think that we are going to begin being happy sometime in the future. The right time is now.” With faith in the Lord, your life can be full of joy.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of joy that lifts me up and keeps me going.
I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on Your laws. I hold fast to Your statutes, Lord; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of Your commands, for You have broadened my understanding.—Psalm 119:30-32 (NIV)
Today, as we celebrate Independence Day, reflect on the many blessings God has showered upon us as a nation. Give thanks for those who have sacrificed in the past and serve in the present to protect freedom, and pray for peace among nations and all people.
Lord, make us worthy of Your gift of freedom.
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.—Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale used the above verse as a key to achieving your dreams. He advised repeating this daily and then focusing on the outcome of your goal. See success in your mind’s eye as if you have already achieved it.
Heavenly Father, give me insight to see the purpose and meaning in my life through You.
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.—John 14:13-14 (NIV)
When you pray in Jesus’ name, center your awareness on Him and do your best to align your will with His. Think of the prayer as if it is coming from God and shape your petition so that you are praying for His will and not your own.
Heavenly Father, align my desires with Your will and let Your will be done through me.
When my life was ebbing away, I remembered You, Lord, and my prayer rose to You, to Your holy temple.—Jonah 2:7 (NIV)
Anything is possible when you ignite the power of prayer into your life. Prayer is not the means to end. Prayer itself is the power—the intimacy and strength of connecting with God. When you unite with God, you are a winner regardless of the problem you face.
Dear Lord, I come to You with a grateful and open heart. Thank You for being with me.
And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.—Isaiah 11:2 (ESV)
Did you know that you have direct access to Jesus’ infinite wisdom and understanding? Instead of complaining to Him, ask for His counsel. Be still, get quiet and listen. Wait. Breathe. Trust His answer.
Heavenly Father, no matter what situation I face, I know I can persevere because of You.
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)
