He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.—Psalm 91:1 (AKJV)
God’s light is infinitely brighter than any light on Earth; His shadow casts brilliance upon us. When you make God a conscious part of your daily life, you enter the secret place of the Almighty.
Almighty God, I know that no matter what happens, I am safe in Your shadow.
Be careful what you think because your thoughts control your life.—Proverbs 4:23 (ERV)
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale advised that how you think about your future shapes it. Whenever you find yourself worrying about tomorrow and what lies ahead, fill your mind with happy thoughts and positive goals. You will reap the benefits of a blessed future.
Dear Lord, help me develop a sense of joyful expectation about the future. Thank You for bright tomorrows.
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.—Psalm 119:11 (NIV)
Begin each morning discussing your goals and sharing your progress with God. Thank Him for your successes and ask for help to overcome the challenges and difficulties you face. Think of each day as an opportunity to get closer to your goal and to God.
Lord, when I feel tempted to go against my resolutions, guide me to Your Word. Help me keep my promises to myself and to You.
It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.—Psalm 118:8 (KJV)
It happens in life. People let us down. They break promises and make mistakes. The good news is that God will never fail you. He is always faithful. Your connection to Him grows through prayer. When you are thinking about the future, be sure to plan more time for your spiritual life. The more energy you put into your relationship with Him the easier it is to discern His will and recognize His presence.
Heavenly Father, I don’t know what this new year will bring—but You do. Awaken me to Your possibilities, each and every day.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!—2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale wrote, “Since the new year will not be any newer than you are, make up your mind that you are going to be new.” Today is a glorious beginning. A time to focus on a future filled with prayer and praise, service to God and mankind; a future filled with God’s presence, guided by His wisdom and empowered by His strength.
Father Almighty, this is Your New Year. Shine Your love into my life, fill me with Your peace and encourage me with Your promises.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.—Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
OFTEN WE GO from one concern to another without pausing to recognize that God regularly helps us through our problems. What was worrying you a year ago, a month ago? Occasionally, look back and consider the obstacles you have overcome with God’s help. It will give you perspective and confidence that present difficulties will get better.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your part in solving my past problems and for standing by me today when life seems overwhelming!
Where is the One who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him.—Matthew 2:2 (NIV)
TODAY IS THE Epiphany, sometimes called Little Christmas because it commemorates the arrival of the Wise Men in Bethlehem where they presented baby Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Today, only 12 days after Christmas, if the joy of giving seems very far away remind yourself that we are the recipients of God’s goodness throughout the year, at all times, in all seasons. In turn, we should give our time, talent, resources and love.
Heavenly Father, help me to always remember when I give Your light flows through me.
Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 (NKJV)
NORMAN VINCENT PEALE referred to “victorious forgetfulness” as the art of forgetting about the things holding you back, letting go and reaching forward for what lies ahead. Yesterday is over. Focus on today.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your great truth and reminders that tomorrow will be wonderful. Help me forget the past and live today with a consciousness of the greatness and the opportunity of life.
In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence.—Proverbs 14:26 (KJV)
WHEN YOU GET close to God, your weaknesses, self-doubts and insecurities disintegrate. You, as a child of God, have the strength within you to meet any situation. Make a plan of what you aspire to be, and hold it firmly in your mind. Commit to living into God’s hands and let Him bring out of you the powerful person within you who is able to overcome.
Heavenly Father, let me feel close to You. Grant, O Lord, that in this moment I may truly surrender my life to You and realize the power that is within me.
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.—Psalm 4:8 NIV
Getting more sleep ranks in the top ten of New Year’s resolutions. Here’s a simple tip to help you have a restful night. Before you go to sleep, commit your soul to God’s care. Pray the Lord’s Prayer, followed by intercessions for others and lastly, any petitions for yourself.
Heavenly Father, fortify me each night with Your peace. Watch over me, bless my house and my loved ones. Help me rest in Your promise.
For to the snow He says, “Fall on the earth.”—Job 37:6 ESV
When you consider the miracle that no two snowflakes are exactly the same, and that God’s greatness goes beyond what He has created you realize nothing is beyond His power. Absolutely nothing! He is limitless.
Heavenly Father, You are miraculously working in each of us. I am in awe of Your greatness. Because of You, nothing is impossible!
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)
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.—Ephesians 5:15–16 (NIV)
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.—Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.—Lamentations 3:22–23 (ESV)
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will do this.—Psalm 37:5 (NIV)
And he opened his mouth and taught them.—Matthew 5:2 (ESV)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.—Romans 15:13 (NIV)
But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.—Matthew 6:17–18 (NIV)
The Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.—Romans 8:26 (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)
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)
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)
