Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.—Philippians 3:13 (NIV)
In the above Bible passage, the Apostle Paul gives wonderful guidance on overcoming life’s problems. Even in times of tremendous pain, you are never alone. There is always a brighter future ahead.
Heavenly Father, Your grace and Your strength are always with me in spirit. I praise You for Your glory.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.—Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
Live God’s word by focusing on the powerful teachings of Jesus. Allow Scripture to shape your actions. When you practice His Word, you will see amazing developments unfold.
Dear Lord, help me harness the power of Your word. Give me the strength and wisdom to follow in the footsteps of Jesus’ perfect example.
And we also thank God continually, because when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.—1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NIV)
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale said that through enthusiasm, prayer and faith you can reach your highest goals. In order to make your dreams come true, “Ask and believe; dream and believe; work and believe.”
God of Heaven, remind me that my thoughts truly can change my life!
To You, O Lord, I call; My rock, do not be deaf to me. For if You are silent to me, I will become like those who go down to the pit.—Psalm 28:1 (NASB)
Sometimes in your prayer life it might seem as if God is quiet—that maybe He is not present or hearing you. If this happens to you, continue praying. Keep track of your prayers and how you feel. Often you’ll discover that this desert period in your prayer life has brought about the most beautiful blooms.
Dear Lord, when I wrongly feel as if I am doing this alone, give me the energy to persevere and the faith to continue on.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.—Psalm 147:3 (NIV)
Does disagreement or resentment weigh on your heart? Jesus tells us to forgive our debtors, to love our enemies and to pray for those who harm us. Follow His way with this prayer.
Heavenly Father, please help me to release negative feelings so that I can experience Your true joy.
… A time to laugh.—Ecclesiastes 3:4 (NLT)
Heavenly Father, when I’m stressed and looking at life too seriously, nudge me to seek more joy and laughter.
…God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him.—1 Peter 2:9 (MSG)
It is a divine gift to act as God’s instrument for the healing and betterment of the world. When you believe that God has a plan and you ask Him to help you dedicate your life to His work, you will experience the fulfillment of being of service.
Heavenly Father, all I do today, I do for You!
So the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.” I was very much afraid …. The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven.—Nehemiah 2:2,4 (NIV)
Nehemiah faced a frightening situation and “he prayed to the God of heaven.” As Corrie ten Boom said, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” The next time you face a fearful problem, pray.
God of Heaven, please give me the courage to face my fears.
David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of… the Lord is finished ….”—1 Chronicles 28:20 (NIV)
God told His people dozens of times “Be strong.” Perhaps He tells us this because He knows He asks grand things from us, but also because He knows it can be human nature to be discouraged. Are there big plans in your life that you abandoned because they seemed too challenging? Revisit them now with God’s Word to propel you forward.
Dear Lord, help me find the courage and strength to carry out Your plans.
On a good day, enjoy yourself; On a bad day, examine your conscience. God arranges for both kinds of days so that we won’t take anything for granted.—Ecclesiastes 7:14 (MSG)
Building sandcastles is sometimes used as a metaphor for wasting your time. Yet sandcastles serve an important purpose; they allow us to create something that we know will not last; they encourage us to savor the present moment.
Heavenly Father, remind me that it is never a waste to be playful and to enjoy the day.
Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God.—Psalm 86:2 (NIV)
All-Knowing God, I invite you to direct my steps right now. I trust that You know what is best for me.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”—Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)
How do you react when worry enters your mind? What do you do when you can’t seem to ignore or rationalize your fear away? If this happens, take a deep breath and pray. Ask God to fill you with His peace so that you can rest in His presence.
God of Peace, worry is a thief that steals my joy. Help me grow my faith so that it guards my heart and allows me to manage my emotions.
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 God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.—Romans 5:8 (NIV)
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.—Luke 6:35 (ESV)
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.—Luke 6:38 (NIV)
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.—1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.—2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.—Philippians 4:11 (NIV)
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.—Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.—Ephesians 4:26 (ESV)
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.—Psalm 107:1 (NIV)
Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.—Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
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)
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)
