I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.—Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale believed that this verse held the power to change lives. By truly believing and putting your trust in Him you gain greater peace and can achieve victory over your problems.
Dear Lord, because of You I have the insight and greatness of spirit to face life’s challenges courageously and calmly.
David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.—2 Samuel 6:14-15 (NIV)
David’s dancing in the above Scripture is his way of expressing great emotion. He clearly felt God’s presence. Have there been times in your life when you felt overcome with emotion by His presence? Perhaps the birth of a child, the beauty of a sunrise, divine comfort during a gripping moment of grief. Reflect on your divine experiences.
Dear Lord, I am forever grateful to You for being so good to me!
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.—2 Timothy 1:6 (NIV)
Sometimes God leads us to opportunities and challenges that takes us out of our comfort zone. When we go above and beyond our personal abilities, we show the world that He is the way. So if you feel overwhelmed by a situation that is forcing you to grow, turn your worry into prayer.
Heavenly Father, I will follow Your instructions, knowing that I am not doing it alone. You are the power and the glory!
Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”—Mark 10:48 (NIV)
In the above verse, Blind Bartimaeus asked Jesus for mercy and his vision was restored. Bartimaeus’ testimony opened the eyes of countless others who grew in faith and started following Jesus. So many beautiful transformations were made possible simply because Bartimaeus had faith and asked for mercy.
Gracious God, have mercy on me.
For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.—Hebrews 8:12 (NIV)
Dwight L. Moody said, “When you go into God’s Kingdom, you go through the door of forgiveness.” Are you getting in your own way of growing spiritually by holding bitterness in your heart? Reflect on your past and any hard feelings you are harboring. Give yourself a great gift and release them.
Heavenly Father, help me move forward and let go of my hard feelings. Heal my wounded spirit.
Pray continually.—1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV)
As you know, God is always with you, not just at a planned prayer time, but anytime and every time you need Him. You can pray out of the depths of your soul, thank Him for the simple pleasures, or simply say, “I know You’re here. I know You’re with me.”
Lord, I thank You for the peace of Your presence, the daily guidance and moments like this where I recognize all You mean to me.
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 You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings, I sing for joy.— Psalm 63:7 (NASB)
When you feel lost and uncertain about what the future holds, pause for a moment and look back at your life. Reflect on the many instances where you were guided and blessed by God; the times when you could clearly feel Him helping you. Know He is with you now. He is helping you.
Merciful God, when I am in the midst of a difficult time and cannot recognize Your presence in my life, I trust You are helping me. I know I am not alone.
But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.—Matthew 26:70 (NIV)
As Jesus predicted, Peter denied knowing Him three times. Later, after Jesus’ resurrection, He asked Peter three times, “Do you love Me?”—giving Peter multiple chances to correct his wrongdoing and respond with love. Like He did for Peter, Jesus offers us His grace and forgiveness, every time we doubt or turn away from Him.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your endless grace and forgiveness that helps me to grow closer to You in faith.
I am the light of the world.—John 8:12, 9:5 (NLT)
Jesus made seven “I am” statements in the Gospel of John: I am the bread of life, I am the light of the world, I am the gate for the sheep, I am the good shepherd, I am the resurrection and the life, I am the way and the truth and the life, and I am the vine. With these declarations, Jesus went to great lengths to clarify His mission and to help the people understand that He is the Messiah. He is the Light in the darkness.
Lord Jesus, You are the resurrection and the life. You are the truth and the Light.
Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you.—Luke 8:39 (NASB)
Some of life’s worst experiences serve as our greatest lessons. Through our struggles, we learn to trust, to have faith and to recognize God’s touch in our lives. Every Christian has a faith story—that “Aha!” moment when they first experienced God’s divine love. When we share how our faith has helped us through tough times, we share His love and offer comfort to those who need a boost of hope.
Maker of Miracles and Great Endings, may my testimony be a beacon of light to someone in the darkness.
Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of His approval.—John 6:27
Jesus tells us not to worry about things that won’t last, but to focus our energy and concentrate on what is truly important, like living a life of faith. When we turn our eyes away from temporary things like money or fame, we open our hearts to the spiritual sustenance Jesus offers.
Heavenly Father, You fulfill all my needs—You are the Bread of Life!
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)
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.—1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.”—Habakkuk 2:2 (ESV)
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.—Philippians 3:13 (NIV)
So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.—Genesis 1:21 (NIV)
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)prayer
Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.—Genesis 5:24 (NIV)
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.—Genesis 50:20 (NIV) Bib
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)
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”—John 15:13 (NIV)
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)
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)
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)
