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)
They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.—Lamentati ons 3:23 (NASB)
“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish.”—Esther 4:14 (NIV)
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.—Matthe w 5:48 (NIV)
The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.—Proverbs 27:9 (NLT)
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.—1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver.—Psalm 66:10 (NIV)
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.—Hebrews 6:19–20 (NIV)
“I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.”—Isaiah 44:22 (NIV)
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)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?—John 11:25–26 (NIV)
They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left.—Mark 15:27 (NIV)
For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.—Matthew 12:40 (NIV)
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)
My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul.—Psalm 108:1 (NIV)
