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)
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)
