So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.—Romans 13:12 (NIV)
This time of year we begin to notice the change of season, the change in light. One of the best ways to counteract the darkness is to pick up your Bible. Take His Word into your heart and ask Him to reveal Himself to you.
Heavenly Father, You are the Source of wisdom and light. Your Word is a lamp for my feet.
For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.—1 Timothy 4:4 (NIV)
“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers,” wrote L.M. Montgomery in Anne of Green Gables. This time of year, evidence of God’s majesty surrounds us. The stunning fall foliage invites you to look around and take notice of the changing landscape. Be still in the moment and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation.
Lord, October is filled with beauty and blessings. May I never take the wonder of Your creation for granted.
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.
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.
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.
If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you’ve made a friend.—Matthew 18:15 (MSG)
Jesus encourages you to do the right thing when you’ve misunderstood someone or have been offended. He asks you respond without reacting or judging and make a friend rather than an enemy.
Heavenly Father, help me heal hurt feelings with wisdom and a gentle spirit.
Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.—Jeremiah 29:12 (NIV)
How deeply do you believe? The book of Jeremiah says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” When you believe with your whole heart, amazing things will happen.
Heavenly Father, help me to know Your truth in my heart so that I walk by faith and not by sight.
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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.—Hebrews 12:1–2 (NIV)
Some days are packed with little problems: annoyances like traffic jams, missed appointments and petty misunderstandings. When frustrations draw your attention, look to Jesus’ blessings. His grace is constant and the beauty of the life He gives us is filled with peace.
Dear Lord, when little problems grow out of proportion, remind me to fix my eyes on You.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.—Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
This scripture advises you to guard your mind by fixing your thoughts on things worthy of your time. Whenever a negative thought enters your mind, use the verse to think about Jesus. Focus on how He is true, honorable, just and pure.
Dear Lord, help me to make all my thoughts obedient to Your word. May all my thoughts be pleasing to You.
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.—James 1:5 (NIV)
Have you been wrestling with a problem? If something is troubling you, dedicate your prayer time to that specific issue. Separate yourself way from noise and interruption and ask for His help. He may have an exciting revelation for you.
In the midst of confusion, Lord, clear my mind so I can hear Your voice.
But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.—Luke 6:27-28 (NIV)
Fighting fire with fire may work in forests, but it isn’t effective when it comes to relationships. Jesus taught that we should bless those who curse us, and return good for evil. It isn’t productive to respond to anger with anger, or hate with hate. As difficult as it may seem, Jesus promises peace to those who follow His instructions.
Restrain me Lord, help me draw upon Your peace, and respond with love.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.—John 1:5 (NIV)
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.
Jesus, thank You for Your Light which brings new hope of glorious beginnings.
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)
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.—Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.—Proverbs 19:11 (NIV)
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.—2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.—Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.—Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it.—Isaiah 35:8 (NIV)
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.—Proverbs 11:3 (NIV)
And he opened his mouth and taught them.—Matthew 5:2 (ESV)
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.—Matthew 28:19 (NIV)
We love because he first loved us.—1 John 4:19 (NIV)
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.—Revelation 22:13 (NIV)
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.—Luke 2:14 (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)
