And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord.”—Luke 1:46 (ESV)
The above verse is the beginning of the prayer that Mary prayed when the angel announced she would be the mother of Jesus. On this third Sunday of Advent pray Mary’s beautiful words and consider ways that you can glorify Him every day.
My soul magnifies You, oh Lord, and I rejoice in the coming of the Savior.
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.—John 13:34 (NIV)
The holidays can put families under stress. If you have strained relationships with loved ones, take a moment and pray about it. Ask God to help you respond to contention with kindness and guide you to words and actions that are rooted in love.
Dear God, give me the patience to bear disagreements and generosity to share my joys. Open my heart with Your understanding and help me bring comfort to those around me.
As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.—2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV)
Faith is having the vision to see beyond life’s challenges to the brightness of better days. When you develop your spiritual vision you see possibilities instead of problems and recognize the importance of “things unseen.” You trust God’s hidden workings and live in harmony with His plans.
Dear Lord, I faithfully believe in things that are unseen.
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.—Psalm 4:8 (NIV)
Stay well-rested this holiday season. Before you go to sleep pray the Lord’s Prayer, followed by intercessions for others, petitions for yourself, and lastly, prayers of praise for the wondrous works of God.
Heavenly Father, fortify me with Your peace. Watch over me, bless my house and my loved ones. Help me rest in Your promise.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.—Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Catherine Marshall said, “God is the only one who can make the valley of trouble a door of hope.” It’s difficult to celebrate the wonder of the season if you are plagued by adversity. Read the above Scripture and remind yourself that God can turn problems into possibilities. Let your heart overflow with hope.
Dear Lord, help me to let go of passing challenges so that I can fill my heart with the joy of Christmas.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.—John 3:16 (NIV)
This Christmas, nurture the spark of His love in your life and in the lives of those around you. Pray. Read the Bible. Be kind and compassionate to others. Smile at strangers. Have gratitude for your life and all its wonders and you’ll discover that the more you share His love, the greater it will grow.
Merciful Father, though mountains may vanish Your undying love will never leave me.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.—ISAIAH 7:14 (NIV)
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale said, “If, beginning this Christmas, you say to yourself ‘God, through Jesus Christ, is with me’ and repeat it daily through the long days and weeks, in happiness and discouragement, that is the greatest gift you can give the Christ Child.” On this second Sunday of Advent, reflect on the miracle that God is here. God is with us!
How comforting to know that You are here. Praise You, Jesus!
If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.—Galatians 6:3-5 (NIV)
You spend time on social media and see idealized photographs and posts of others, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing and feeling as if you’re not good enough. God wants you to know that you are special— exactly as He created you. Your family, your home, everything you are is not only good enough, it is perfect in His eyes.
Father God, when I look down on myself and feel that I am not good enough, direct my attention where it belongs, looking up to You and Your many blessings.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.—Luke 2:14 (KJV)
If you feel overwhelmed by the pressure of the holiday season, prioritize your commitments. Instead of turning this special time of year into expanding lists of must-dos, make your Christmas happy and holy by selectively saying “yes” only to what is truly important to you.
Dear Lord, help me make this Christmas a season of devotion, a time to love You even more.
Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy…—Psalm 47:1 (NIV)
Feel the joy of Christmas by spending more time with God. Carve out prayerful moments while on your daily walk, preparing dinner or right before bed. The more you make time for His presence, the more joy enters your heart. It might sound too easy but all you need to do is receive His joy and blessings.
Father Almighty, I am devoted to nurturing Your presence in my life. Fill me with Your love and joy.
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.—Psalm 91:11 (NIV)
A study some years ago showed that more than half of Americans believe they had been helped by a guardian angel. Do you believe God’s messengers protect and help you? Think about the above Scripture and reflect on your life. Can you name a time when you felt guided or protected in mysterious and comforting ways?
Heavenly Father, thank You and Your messengers for guarding, guiding and showering me with Your heavenly care.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.—Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Sometimes life’s challenges leave you doubtful about your future; in the worst cases you may even question your faith. During difficult times, when you feel as if God has let you down, turn to this verse. Read it slowly and take His Word deeply into your heart.
Lord, I need help letting go of my disappointment. I trust Your plan and know that You bring victory in my 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)
Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will
eat; or about your body, what you will wear.”—Luke 12:22 (NIV)
Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.—Ecclesiastes 4:6 (NIV)
As they make music they will sing, “All my fountains are in you.”—Psalm 87:7 (NIV)
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.—Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)
The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.—1 Timothy 1:14 (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)
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.—Titus 3:1–2 (NIV)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.—Ephesians 6:10 (NIV)
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)
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.—John 15:13 (NIV)
And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”—Luke 1:46–47 (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)
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