Be holy because I am holy.—Leviticus 11:44 (GW)
The most important way to spend your day is to model your actions after Jesus. Every day brings new opportunities to become more like Him. To offer compassion, understanding and love, to be a blessing to those around you.
Lord, You have given me the greatest example to follow. I long to live a life of purpose. A life that serves You.
How great is God—beyond our understanding! The number of his years is past finding out.—Job 36:26 (NIV)
Job tried desperately to understand God’s actions. And although God responded to Job with a flurry of questions, He never directly answered him. God’s response shows that His actions, His reasons cannot be reduced to human understanding.
Heavenly Father, when I get frustrated and try to understand Your plan, lead me back to accepting that it is not for me to know all the answers right now.
We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.—Romans 8:26 (NIV)
Twenty years ago we experienced the heart-wrenching tragedy of September 11th. How comforting to know that God was with us on that day. He was helping us through the devastation and destruction and guiding us to be good to one another.
Dear Lord, on this solemn anniversary, we give thanks for Your presence in our time of need and remember all those affected by this tragedy. We pray for healing, harmony, peace and serenity.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”—Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)
Reflect on “immeasurably more,” in the above verse. God is capable of more than you can imagine. His plans reach far beyond what you can see in your mind’s eye. Even when you are facing circumstances that may not change, God will change you!
Dear God, You are bigger than the universe and Your love showers infinite blessings upon me.
This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.—Psalm 18:30 (ESV)
If a mistake or the unexpected happens—a misdialed number, a wrong turn, a missed meeting—instead of worrying or wishing it hadn’t happened, trust God and say a quick prayer of thanksgiving. Often our mistakes turn out to be a detour that brings blessings.
Dear Lord, every coincidence, every blessing in disguise is divine providence at work.
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.—Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
Sometimes God calls us to wait and not act. Our job is to continue to trust Him along the way. To surrender our will for His, to exchange our timing for His, knowing that He holds every moment in His hands.
Great Creator, I trust You with my whole life, believing that now is a time for me to be still and not act.
Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!—Psalm 144:15 (NKJV)
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale said, “Give thanks daily for your blessings. Get in the habit of thinking happy thoughts. Go out of your way to make other people happy. There is your formula for real happiness and enthusiasm.”
Lord God, guide my thoughts away from my problems and onto my blessings. Focus my actions on bringing others joy.
… Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas which means “son of encouragement.”—Acts 4:36 (NIV)
Barnabas helped new believers by encouraging them to keep the faith during difficult times. When you are in need of encouragement, follow Barnabas’ instructions and have unshakable confidence by keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus.
Merciful Father, because of Your love I have hope for the future.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.—John 10:10 (NIV)
Jesus promises you an abundant life. His endless blessings flow to you, filling you with His light. No matter what circumstances you face, trust that all is unfolding in the perfect way for you. Have faith!
Dear Lord, when I’m tired and overwhelmed, help me look to You and You alone to find an abundant life.
The appetite of the lazy craves, and gets nothing, while the appetite of the diligent is richly supplied.”—Proverbs 13:4 (NRSV)
God’s Word has a way of honing in to your weaknesses and helping you strengthen your resolve. He knows that change can be uncomfortable, and it takes bravery and strength to overcome cravings and do the right thing.
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me right now as I am and guiding me to make good and important changes in my life.
“Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” And the Lord heard this.—Numbers 12:2 (NIV)
In the above verse, when Miriam and Aaron witnessed God using Moses, they were jealous. Praising others and being truly happy for another’s spiritual or natural gifts can be difficult. But when you recognize that your work and your relationship with God is equally important, you can truly appreciate the blessings of others and be positive about their achievements.
Dear Lord, when I feel envious of another, please guide my focus back to You and the work that You have given me to do.
Upon this I awaked, and beheld; and my sleep was sweet unto me.—Jeremiah 31:26 (KJV)
God invites you to come to Him and He will restore and replenish your energy. He will refocus your mind and heart. He will satiate your weary soul and you will awake feeling comforted and loved.
Dear God, help me to release my burdens and worries to You. Fill my weary soul with your perfect peace.
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)
