We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.—2 Chronicles 20:12 (NIV)
In the above verse, King Jehoshaphat called out to God for guidance. When you are in a situation and you don’t know what to do, repeat this Scripture and shift your thinking away from your problem and onto God.
Lord, I turn to You knowing that You are always there, an ever-present Source of peace and guidance.
On this fourth Sunday of Advent, take a moment and ponder what Jesus wants most. What gift can you offer? Is it forgiveness, gratitude, humility, or possibly more time dedicated to studying His Word and growing closer to Him?
Heavenly Father, I long to spend more time with you in prayer, to grow firm in my faith. I long to please You.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.—Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
As you prepare for Jesus’ coming, consider this: each and every day Jesus is planning your future and preparing blessings for you to discover on your path. Some gifts are designed to help you grow in faith. Others are signs of His presence to reassure you that you are not alone and that because of your faith, anything is possible. Life is amazing!
Heavenly Father, I am in awe of Your limitless wonders. I celebrate You, my glorious God.
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.—Psalm 94:19 (NIV)
Unfortunately, worries and problems don’t take a vacation during the holiday season. If you are upset about something, take a moment and tell God about it. Give words to your worries and then let them go. Let them rise above to Him for His care.
Lord, I release my fears and problems. I trust my future with You and look forward to finding the peace I deserve this Christmas because I know all is well in Your hands.
The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.”—1 Kings 19:7 (NIV)
In the above verse, Elijah is feeling down and the angel of the Lord nudges him toward self-care. As you go out of your way doing good deeds and finding the perfect gifts for others, don’t forget to give yourself something special, maybe a new prayer journal or a book that touches your spirit. Or send a donation in your name to a charity that means a lot to you. Treat yourself. You deserve it.
Lord, thank You for teaching me the importance of taking care of myself and nurturing my spirit.
But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”—Matthew 1:20 (ESV)
Joseph was facing a very difficult decision when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. Throughout the Bible there are a number of instances where God uses dreams to guide and protect. If you are in need of God’s guidance, ask for His help right before bedtime.
Dear God, I need Your guidance and divine instruction. Please help me with this problem while I sleep.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”—John 8:12 (NIV)
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross said, “People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.” Do you hold the Light of Christ in your heart? When you reflect His love, compassion and wisdom into the world, you glow with His beauty.
Heavenly Father, radiate Your loving Light through me. Transform me by the glow of Your Spirit; the deeper the darkness, the brighter I will shine.
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.—JAMES 1:6 (ESV)
Advent is a time to wholeheartedly align your inner light with Him; to work on all that is unresolved in your faith. Christ has come, He is with us. Yet there is holiness in faithfully pondering prayers that are unanswered and developing steadfast devotion that doesn’t waver in doubt.
Almighty Father, help me to feel the guidance, strength and grace of Your presence each day.
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.
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 thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.—1 Corinthians 15:57 (KJV)
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.—Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)
But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.—Luke 6:27 (NIV)
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.—Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)
But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.—Isaiah 59:2 (NIV)
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.—Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.—Lamentations 3:24–26 (NIV)
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.—Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.—Psalm 19:1 (NIV)
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.—Ephesians 6:16 (NIV)
I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.—Job 42:5-6 (NLT)
Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.—Joel 2:13 (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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