I hear this most gentle whisper from One I never guessed would speak to me.—Psalm 81:5 (MSG)
When you experience a nudge from above to help someone, to do a good deed, listen! Being able to hear God’s whispers is a gift. If you are being guided to make a difference, rather than push it aside, be grateful and act.
Heavenly Father, thank You for trusting me with Your work.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!—2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Summer is starting to come to an end. Often when we enter into the end of something, we reflect on our own mortality. When you leave this Earth, you will let go of your material possessions. Ask yourself, am I holding on to my belongings too tightly? Now is a good time to focus on your faith and loosen your grip on things of this world.
All-Knowing Father, thank You for the reminder that material things, are just that—things—and that my spirit and my spiritual life are most important.
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.—2 Peter 3:9 (ESV)
Have you done something that you can’t forgive? Perhaps it’s something that you should have done but didn’t—a regret of inaction. Talk to God, Tell Him you are sorry. Ask for His forgiveness.
Heavenly Father, please forgive me and help me let go of regret so that I can live today and tomorrow fully with a clear conscience and an open heart.
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”—John 21:17 (NIV)
The apostle Peter lived a remarkable and full life—he walked beside and followed Jesus, sometimes letting his flaws, his doubt and fear guide his actions. Yet it’s undeniable that he lived with passion. He passionately followed Jesus. He loved Him with all his heart.
Dear Lord, I want to live my life fully—to experience it with passion, and wholeheartedly welcome every moment.
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.—John 3:5 (NIV)
Dear Lord, wash away my sins and guilt. Wash me and I will be clean.
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.—Romans 15:5 (NIV)
Do you ever wonder how you wound up in the life that you have? Maybe you feel like you’re in the wrong place or the wrong job? Perhaps a better question to ask is: how can I change myself or my attitude to make things better?
Dear Lord, I truly believe that my life is unfolding as it should and I am where I am supposed to be—right here, right now.
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”—John 20:29 (NIV)
Thomas had his doubts resolved by a personal visit from Jesus. Yet for most of us, when we face a dark night of the soul we must forge ahead with less dramatic proof. Through faith we can surpass our doubts and with confidence we can know that when we seek God we find Him.
My Lord and My God, help my unbelief! When my faith falters, help me believe.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.—2 Peter 3:18 (ESV)
Your spiritual growth continues until you enter into eternity. Regardless of your chronological age your spiritual age depends on your dedication to your faith. And unlike the negative connotation of old age, having an old spiritual age is a precious gift!
Loving Father, I long to be led by Your heart. It is my deepest desire to grow spiritually each and every day.
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.—Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
If you have been praying for something for a long time, ask yourself, could I have already received the answer and somehow missed it? Sometimes we are so focused on what we want, that we don’t recognize the answer we receive.
Dear Lord, I know You hear and answer my prayers. I’ll keep praying, knowing that You are helping me as I go forward.
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.—Psalm 143:8 (NIV)
You can hear God at any time, but in the above verse King David gives a model for listening and hearing Him in the morning. When you wake, make time to allow God to speak to you. Each day is an opportunity for you to be guided by His instructions, His daily treasure.
Heavenly Father, I am here. I am listening.
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.
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)
