Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults.—Psalm 19:12 (ESV)
When you make a mistake or regret saying something, forgive yourself. Learn from your blunder and let it go. Shift your thoughts and focus on how you’ve moved forward, persevered and succeeded. Look to the good.
God of New Beginnings, thank You for forgiving me and helping me move on.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.—Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
Jesus, You are my Savior. Because of You, miracles can happen.
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.”—Luke 10:41-42 (NIV)
It’s easy to become “worried and upset about many things” to the point that you don’t have time to spend on what is most important. Jesus tells us to live simply, to work but not so hard that there is no time for fellowship with Him.
Heavenly Father, when I become burdened by things I have to do, remind me that there is always time for You.
He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.—Job 9:9 (NIV)
When was the last time you engaged in the age-old practice of stargazing? The night sky has a magical effect of putting everything in perspective. Stand in the stillness and know that the One who made the stars never changes and your world—your life—is in a perfect pattern, too.
Creator God, thank You for the many ways You guide, inspire and encourage me.
Stay alert; be in prayer so you don’t wander into temptation without even knowing you’re in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there’s another part that’s as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire.—Matthew 26:41 (MSG)
Is your prayer life as “lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire”? What a great image! If any part of you feels that your faith could use a jumpstart, commit to making a change today. God knows your weaknesses and He is always ready for you to come to Him.
Dear Lord, I am eager to get to know You better. I am ready.
The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the army, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city!—Joshua 6:16 (NIV)
The Israelites were probably confused by God’s instructions, yet they did as He said knowing that God’s ways are not our ways. Have you sensed God is calling you to take a leap of faith? Did you have the courage to follow His lead?
Heavenly Father, I am ready to follow your instructions even when they don’t make sense to me.
All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.—Proverbs 15:15 (NIV)
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale advised that you should affirm: “I expect the best and with God’s help will attain the best” at least ten times a day—and that this practice will bring the best to you. When you put your trust in God, He guides your mind so that you do not want things that are not good for you.
Lord God, I expect the best and with Your help will attain the best!
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)
Peter is a great example of how the Holy Spirit can change a person. We grow spiritually when we learn to remove ourselves from the spotlight and shine it on others. The Holy Spirit filled Peter with understanding of God’s Word and courage to follow His plan.
Holy Spirit, I am ready to serve. Fill me with Your power and insight. Change me for the better!
We love because he first loved us.—I John 4:19 (ESV)
St. Teresa of Avila prayed this honest prayer, “Oh God, I don’t love you, I don’t even want to love you, but I want to want to love you!” There may be times when you feel upset or want to turn away from Him. But even in those moments, it is best to go to Him for help. To ask Him to help you grow closer to Him.
Heavenly Father, may my love for You grow more and more every day.
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever.—John 14:16 (ASV)
When trials and troubles overwhelm you, ask God for help. Trust that He will guide you through whatever comes your way. Remind yourself to keep perspective: in a week or a month, what seems to be a big problem right now is usually resolved and forgotten.
God, show me how to put my problems into perspective.
Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived.—Judges 16:30 (NIV)
Samson’s greatest victory wasn’t his defeat of the Philistines in the above verse. It was in his grim moment, when he was broken and returned to God praying, “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more.” (Judges 16:28)
Heavenly Father, please show me what I need to do to build a strong relationship with You.
“Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones…”—Joshua 4:2-3 (NIV)
In the above verse, the stones from the river were used as a sign of what God had done for His people. What are the symbols in your Christian life? Is there an image that you could use to remind you of a specific time that God taught you a meaningful lesson?
Lord, thank You for the times you have touched my life and changed everything; I am filled with Your love.
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)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.—2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.—Matthew 5:5 (ESV)
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.—Hebrews 10:24 (ESV)
The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.—James 3:6 (NIV)
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.—Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.—James 1:5 (NIV)
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.—Nahum 1:7 (NIV)
Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.—Luke 16:10 (NIV)
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.—Revelation 22:13 (NIV)
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.—Luke 2:14 (NIV)
And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.—Luke 2:7 (NIV)
And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good.—Genesis 1:31 (KJV)
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)
