The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”—Exodus 33:14 (NIV)
Autumn is a season of rest. The colder and darker days invite you to cozy up and relax. Listen to the cues of nature and recognize that rest is necessary. Give yourself permission to take a break from stress!
God Almighty, renew my mind, body, and spirit. Fill me with Your peace, love and joy.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.—2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
On days when you feel overcome by worry and fear, repeat the above verse and ask God to help you be brave. Find courage and strength in His Word. Turn to Isaiah 41:10 and hold “Do not fear, for I am with you,” firmly in your heart.
Lord, when I am afraid, wrap Your loving arms around me and help me to remember I have nothing to fear.
Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.—Luke 7:47 (NIV)
Love and relationships are complicated. Everyone makes mistakes, says things they shouldn’t, misses events and misreads unspoken signals. This verse helps us to remember that loving, trying and forgiving are all necessary parts of loving greatly—and experiencing God’s love.
Heavenly Father, help me to have a forgiving heart that opens me to Your great love.
The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.—Isaiah 32:17 (NIV)
Do you pray for world peace? Sometimes we are so caught up in our own personal needs that we forget to put the power of prayer behind something as large as peace on Earth. Today, focus all your thoughts on the people of the world; ask God to give leaders the insight to obtain justice for all. Teach us all humility and responsibility to care for those in need so that the world may be a safe home for everyone.
Prince of Peace, may the oppressed and needy experience justice, equality and a world without hunger and poverty.
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.—Hebrews 10:36 (NIV)
God’s promises happen in God’s timing. Sometimes we mistakenly believe that our wants should determine what happens when we know deep in our hearts that God’s blessings happen according to His perfect timing. When we do His will, we must also be patient and trust that we will see the promise fulfilled.
Heavenly Father, help me to be a faith-filled and patient person worthy and appreciative of Your graces.
O Lord, if You heal me, I will be truly healed; if You save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for You alone!—Jeremiah 17:14 (NLT)
Do you need to feel God’s healing power? Make time for yourself and for God. Pray and ask Him to help you relax so that you receive His healing power. Share your fears and tears. Ask that He shine His blessings on You.
Heavenly Father, I seek Your calming peace that comes from the wisdom that “this too shall pass.”
The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.—Exodus 1:17 (NIV)
When the King of Egypt instructed the midwives to kill all infant boys as soon as they were born, the caring women instead listened to their hearts and let the boys live. Of course, they were afraid of disobeying the king, but their fear of disobeying God was much greater and God blessed them and helped them deliver His children.
Heavenly Father, thank You for blessing me with the ability to hear Your guidance and callings, and to have the courage to rise above fear to follow Your lead.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.—1 John 1:9 (NIV)
Is there something in your past that weighs on your heart? Maybe something you said or didn’t say, a mistake or misunderstanding that still nags at your conscience? Turn to God and ask for His grace to forgive and cleanse you. Ask Him to lift this burden so that it no longer pulls you down and keeps you from experiencing His pure and beautiful love.
Dear Lord, when I put my full faith in You, I release the burden of sin and experience Your grace.
And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city.—Joshua 6:16 (KJV)
In the above verse, the Israelites were given instructions to march around the city blowing horns for days in order to win Jericho. Most likely, they were confused by the orders and yet, they obeyed and trusted Him. When you are up against defeat, express your faith, loudly. Even in the face of doubt and confusion, triumph will be yours.
Heavenly Father, when I face seemingly impossible obstacles, I will shout Your praises knowing that because of You, I have already won.
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!
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)
