Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.—2 Corinthians 5:17 (NASB)
As the first flowers begin to push through the ground, rejoice. Spring is here. The glorious time to celebrate new life. Invite your spirit to be tilled by God’s Word.
Dear Lord, renew my spirit so that I live fully experiencing each and every day to the fullest.
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.—Nahum 1:7 (NIV)
Do you trust God in times of trouble or do you doubt His goodness and faithfulness? If you are having a crisis of faith, put your effort into knowing and loving Him more. Pray for help to overcome your doubt. He will fulfill your trust. He will never let you down.
Heavenly Father, help me to understand what is blocking me from putting all of my trust in You. Give me the peace I need to move my faith forward.
For nothing will be impossible with God.—Luke 1:37 (ESV)
In the above Scripture, the angel Gabriel tells Mary nothing is impossible. When you are feeling defeated and need hope in your life, turn to this encouraging verse that comes straight from the lips of a glorious angel.
Dear Lord, I believe that anything and everything is possible because of You.
For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.—1 Corinthians 3:9 (NIV)
You work hard—in hand with God—and as a Christian you have a part to play in His plan to help others. Do you accept his invitation to be part of His great purpose? Will you partner with Him in the fruitful work of building His church?
And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.”—Mark 16:15 (NLT)
Saint Patrick is said to have listened to his dreams and allowed them to direct his life. In one dream, he heard the people of Ireland calling out for him to walk among them. Shortly after, he began his priesthood studies. Do you listen to your dreams, or other ways God communicates with you?
Heavenly Father, I long to serve You. I am open to Your calling.
When you embrace the fruit of the Spirit, your life becomes more fulfilling and satisfying. The closer you are to God, the more He shapes your actions, enabling you to manage difficult situations with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.
Lord, guide me to live by the Spirit, to respond to those in need with kindness, goodness and faithfulness.
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.—Hebrews 13:16 (NIV)
Giving doesn’t have to be a burden or an obligation; instead, it should be an expression of our love, humanity and purpose. The best gift we can give ourselves is the joy we receive when helping and giving to others.
Dear God, help me to give generously to the causes I believe in and remind me that everything I give in charity, no matter how small, makes a difference.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.—Matthew 4:1-2 (NIV)
The above verse boldly states that Jesus was led to the devil by the Spirit. Ever wonder why after being baptized Jesus needed to be tested in the wilderness? It’s because these difficult trials are a part of walking with the Lord. Jesus’ experience shows us that when God brings us to the wilderness, it’s for an important and eternal purpose.
Heavenly Father, I am a Christian, a child of God and no matter what trials I face, I will obey Your Word.
Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.—Isaiah 55:3 (ESV)
When you read God’s Word, take your time. Don’t rush. Let the Scripture sink into your mind and heart. Deep listening allows something amazing to happen—His divine message is delivered powerfully into your spirit.
Heavenly Father, I incline my ear to You and open my heart and mind to Your wisdom.
Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”—Mark 5:36 (NIV)
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale said, “Whenever a negative thought concerning your personal powers comes to mind, deliberately voice a positive thought to cancel it out.” If you are worried that you cannot accomplish a goal, don’t give up. Conquer your doubt with faith.
God of Peace, I believe in myself because Your abundance, peace and power are within me. I lack for nothing.
The Lord’s…compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.—Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
In a world where everything changes, life’s uncertainties and unexpected twists can sometimes make you lose your footing. When you feel off-kilter focus on the beautiful truth that God is always the same. He is always and forever faithful, the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Lord, I trust Your constant faithfulness and love. Your never-changing compassion enables me to keep moving forward in this ever-changing world.
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.—Habakkuk 3:18 (NIV)
Despite challenges—job loss, illness, financial—you can be filled with joy because of your growing relationship with God. The more you rely on Him for your joy the less life’s ups and downs will affect you.
Lord, thank You for showing me that no matter what is going on in my life, I can be joyful because You are here. You are with me.
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)
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.—James 1:19 (NIV)
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.—2 Peter 3:18 (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)
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.—Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.—James 4:10 (NIV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.—Galatians 5:22–23 (NIV)
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.—1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”—Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”—Matthew 28:6 (NIV)
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.—Matthew 28:19 (NIV)
We love because he first loved us.—1 John 4:19 (NIV)
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.—Revelation 22:13 (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)
