“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.”—Isaiah 43:1 (NKJV )
As we close another month, take a moment and commit to living a faith-filled life. Remember that God calls you by name, that He has redeemed you and that you are His. There is no reason to fear.
Lord, I am grateful for the many gifts that are mine.
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.—Psalm 118:24 (ESV)
If you find yourself thinking, “I’d be happy if only I had more money, a different job, a better car,” then turn your thoughts to your faith. Every day is an opportunity to appreciate where you are and what you are at this exact moment.
Dear God, today may Your glory be manifested in my life—a day full of grace, joy, happiness and laughter.
Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”—1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV)
Are there people in your life who bring you down, or distract you from your faith? It’s important to surround yourself with others who support your relationship with God, and if you’ve fallen off track, help guide you back to the direction that He has for you.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the beautiful people in my life who help strengthen my faith.
Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young—a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God.—Psalm 84:3 (NIV)
Perhaps it is part of being human and wanting to be self-sufficient, that we doubt God’s promise to take care of us. We worry that we must be in control. Yet, the truth is, that no matter what you face there is no need to be afraid. Proclaim God as your Provider and trust that He will take care of your every need.
Lord, when worry overwhelms me, give me the peace that transcends all understanding. Remind me that I can breathe easy because You will never leave or forsake me.
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides.—James 1:2 (MSG)
No matter what today holds or tomorrow brings, you can be confident and encouraged if you recognize difficulties help shape your faith. Each challenge and every problem draws you closer to God, and as you pray, you see His goodness in a new light.
Lord, I know in my heart that the difficult times are a necessary part of my faith journey and give me an opportunity to experience Your grace.
If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness.—Isaiah 58:10 (NIV)
In the above verse, the prophet Isaiah describes the kind of service God favors. He values and uses your willing and generous acts to help those in need. He honors all who help build the powerful positive forces in His kingdom.
Heavenly Father, when I help others, I feel energized and refreshed. I feel Your light shine on me.
Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled among the weeds and nothing came of it. Some fell on good earth and came up with a flourish, producing a harvest exceeding his wildest dreams.—Mark 4:7–8 (MSG)
As the flowers bloom and gardens burst with bounty, weeds are also thriving, so it makes sense to reflect on your faith. Has anything crept into your life—unhealthy thoughts or habits—that needs weeding out? It’s important to nurture your relationship with God by removing anything that separates you from Him.
Lord, help me clear away all barriers that get in the way of my connection with You.
The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.—Psalm 121:8 (NIV)
God is always protecting His children. Yet despite His watchful care, there are times when you and your loved ones will experience heartache and difficulties. When you are facing tough times, trust that He is watching over you and helping you through hardship.
Lord, when my loved ones and I face uncertain times, give me hope to continue on.
Those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable.—1 Corinthians 12:22 (NIV)
The apostle Paul explains that God’s power is made possible because of your weakness. The areas of your life, and the parts of your body that you feel are weak, give you access to His power. Your limitations help you understand that His power rests in you.
Dear Lord, thank You for the glory that turns weakness into strength.
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.—1 John 4:18 (ESV)
A strong faith gives you the courage to take chances, and the freedom to explore opportunities even if it means you might fail. With God at your side, you can follow your heart knowing that no matter what happens, you are cared for by Him.
Heavenly Father, because of you I don’t have to let the fear of failure hold me back.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!—2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
If your faith life is beginning to feel tedious, face it, and ask God to help you find a new way to spend time with Him. Perhaps it’s praying while you take a walk, or joining a Bible study group. Tell Him you are ready to make a change that will help you grow closer to Him.
Lord, thank You for caring enough to guide me every day.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.—Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)
God created you to challenge yourself, to keep growing and learning new things. As a result, He frequently changes up your life by presenting new and exciting possibilities. Try not to fight or stress over what is to come. Instead, open your mind and heart.
Creator God, thank You for making each and every day fresh and exciting, filled with adventure.
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)
Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.—1 Chronicles 4:10 (NIV)
“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”—John 9:5 (ESV)
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.—Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.—John 15:12 (NIV)
But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.—Matthew 6:17–18 (NIV)
The Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.—Romans 8:26 (NIV)
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.—Romans 12:2 (NIV)
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.—Matthew 5:44 (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)
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)
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)
