Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.—James 1:22 (NIV)
Sometimes we must surrender to become strong. When we recognize our weakness and turn to God for His strength, we discover the power of prayer. Because of God, there is nothing we can’t face. The secret is surrender.
Dear Lord, I know I can’t face this alone. Fill me with your strength. Your will be done.
Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.—Ephesians 5:16 (ESV)
If you feel that there is never enough time, ask yourself if you had one extra hour today what would you have spent it doing? Tomorrow, make that the first thing that you get done. When you realize that you can shift priorities and manage time, you can begin to have more control over how you spend your day.
Heavenly Father, guide me to use my time wisely. Help me to make the changes I need to make so that I feel better at the end of the day.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.—Romans 8:28 (NIV)
When you feel upset about a situation, put your faith in knowing that God is working silently to help you. Even in stressful times, when you trust God’s power, you can steady your mind and heart and feel secure knowing that with His help you will get through tough times.
Dear Lord, in darkness and in light, I can go ahead because I know that You are working to make all things good.
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.
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)
I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.—2 John 1:12 (NIV)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.—2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (NIV)
The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.—Proverbs 19:8 (NIV)
One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.—Proverbs 13:7 (NIV)
Worry takes a tremendous amount of energy and often robs us of sleep and joy. Pray for the strength to follow the Lord’s instruction and let go of your fears. Take His words to heart—“Fear not!”—and feel a spark of excitement grow into joy.
Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.—Psalm 126:5 (NIV)
The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.—Song of Solomon 2:12 (KJV)
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message.”—John 17:20 (NIV)
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.—Psalm 1:3 (KJV)
But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.—Jeremiah 10:12 (NIV)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?—John 11:25–26 (NIV)
They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left.—Mark 15:27 (NIV)
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)
My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul.—Psalm 108:1 (NIV)
