Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.—Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
Today marks the first day of Advent, a time of purposeful waiting and preparation for Jesus’ coming. As you pray and reflect, get excited about Christ. Make a commitment to keep Him at the center of your focus.
Dear Lord, may my thoughts and deeds this season spread Your glorious light into the lives of those around me.
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.—Matthew 5:44 (NIV)
Pray for those who persecute you. Praying for someone that isn’t good to you is not easy— especially when you are angry or hurt—but it is exactly what Jesus requests of you in the above verse. By sincerely praying for the worst people in your life, you grow closer to God.
Father, today I pray for the people that have not been best to me—I open my heart to you and sincerely wish them the best.
Jesus wept.—John 11:35 (NIV)
The upcoming holidays can be a difficult time, especially if you are grieving the loss of a loved one. When you feel sad, find comfort in this verse. Jesus is filled with compassion and understanding of what you are going through. When you weep, He weeps with you. You are not alone.
Heavenly Father, the holidays can be tough. When sorrow comes, comfort me with Your love.
Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.—Psalm 106:1 (NIV)
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale said that when we give thanks, we not only recognize past blessings, we activate blessings yet to come. All of us have simple, beautiful things that Almighty God has given us which we can appreciate. Open your eyes and see that God “does wonderful things without number” (Job 5:9). Every day! Praise Him for the good in your life.
Dear Lord, thank You for the bounty of blessings You have given me.
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.—Galatians 1:10 (NIV)
In this scripture the apostle Paul addresses a problem everyone faces at one time or another: Do we please the people around us, or do we please God? Your life won’t always make sense and you won’t always make others happy, but it’s best to decide to trust His plan and purpose for your life. Seek to please and obey God over man and everything else will fall into place.
Heavenly Father, I come to You today with a heart open and ready to follow You.
And if we know that He hears us— whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.—1 John 5:15 (NIV)
Sometimes prayer takes time. You might feel as though God isn’t listening but prayer still works. Your time with Him reminds you of His presence even when you doubt He is there. Prayer brings comfort, and long-awaited answers remind you that delay doesn’t mean denial.
God Almighty, help me to recognize Your purpose in my persistent prayers.
Then she knelt behind Him at His feet, weeping. Her tears fell on His feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing His feet and putting perfume on them.—Luke 7:38 (NLT)
The story in this verse of the anointing of Jesus is a beautiful testimony of love. So moved by Jesus’ forgiveness, the sinful, unnamed woman didn’t utter a word. She simply wept and kissed His feet, knowing deep in her heart that she had been forgiven.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the countless times You’ve forgiven me.
May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.—Psalm 119:76 (NIV)
On cold autumn days, warm your heart by sitting with Jesus for a while. Know that even on the darkest days and during life’s harshest times, He will cover You with His love like a comfortable quilt. Invite His Word into your spirit.
Heavenly Father, Your love covers me like a blanket, warming my soul and comforting my heart.
Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders.—Judges 2:16 (NIV)
Philip Yancey said, “Though the world may be tilted toward the rich and powerful, God is tilted toward the underdog.” The Bible is filled with unlikely heroes, ordinary people that the world considered underdogs. When you think that a goal is out of reach and the odds are stacked against you, look to the Bible and the many examples of everyday people living lives of heroic faith.
Dear Lord, when I feel discouraged give me a boost of Your confidence. Help me to remember that because of You I will be victorious.
Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.—1 Corinthians 10:11 (ESV)
As another year winds down and we enter the holiday season, it’s not unusual to reflect on your life. Be kind to yourself and recognize you are a work in progress. You are growing in faith. Look ahead with hope. God has great plans for you!
Heavenly Father, help me truly grasp the divine gift of Your presence in my life. You are the Source of all hope.
My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.—Matthew 26:39 (NIV)
Unfortunately, at one time or another, we all face dark and painful moments. But we don’t have to go through our struggles alone. God will lead us through the darkness, until we come into the light again.
Lord, when my journey seems long and dreary, help me remember that You are traveling by my side.
Give your servant a discerning heart.—1 Kings 3:9 (NIV)
If you have a decision to make and need wisdom, go straight to the Source. Ask God to show you how to make choices that will bring honor to His name. As Daniel described in verses 2:21-22: “He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him.”
Heavenly Father, You are the Source and the Light of wisdom.
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)
All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.—Luke 21:4 (NIV)
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.—James 1:17 (NIV)
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.—Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.—2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
Dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life!—Jude 1:20–21 (MSG)
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.—Psalm 37:23 (NLT)
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)
Then God said to Noah, “Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and their wives.”—Genesis 8:15–16 (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)
And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.—Luke 2:7 (NIV)
And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good.—Genesis 1:31 (KJV)
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)
