He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!”—Mark 4:39 (NIV)
Heavenly Father, how wonderful that even my doubts lead me closer to You, and to understanding and believing in what I do not see.
But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.—Matthew 6:6 (ESV)
Sometimes, in order to hear God’s voice you must turn down the noise of your life and turn your attention to listening. Sitting in stillness can be a heavenly practice that brings you closer to Him. In moments of silence, He speaks to you heart-to-heart, and gives you clarity of mind.
Heavenly Father, help me silence my internal chatter. Open my heart to the whispers of Your voice.
Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!—Psalm 42:11 (NLT)
January can feel bleak with midwinter weather, but don’t let it get you down. Treat yourself to things that make you feel good—including spending time with God. Look ahead with hope. God has great plans for you!
Heavenly Father, no matter what challenges I face, I can still rejoice in You. You are the Source of all hope. I trust Your plan.
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his in Christ Jesus.—Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
With the holidays behind you, are you facing anxiety over paying your bills and making ends meet? If you’re experiencing financial problems, take a deep breath, let go of your stress and trust in God’s provision. God has taken care of you in the past, and He will take care of you today, too.
Heavenly Father, help me get my finances in order, to be smart in borrowing and diligent in paying what I owe. When bills overwhelm me, remind me that You are in control.
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.
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.—1 Chronicles 16:11 (NIV)
Some days seem too busy to pray, yet prayer is possible anywhere and anytime. When you have a spare moment, turn your attention to God. Praise Him for the blessing of right now. Praise the beauty of the ordinary: the warmth of the sun, the beauty of the snow. Breathe in His grace and breathe out gratitude.
Dear Lord, today I will pause and notice Your blessings. I will eagerly and graciously receive Your gifts.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?—Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)
Reflect on your life and the person you want to be. Are there areas where you could do better? A change in attitude, a greater faith? Now is the time to make new choices, to think new and great thoughts. Every day is an opportunity to create the life you want.
Lord, help me to choose the right attitude and actions. Help me live a life that pleases You.
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.—Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
God’s love is great and steadfast. Every day He bestows mercies and blessings upon you. Open your heart to His amazing love and your faith will outshine your worries. Believe that God will bring you through hardship. True joy is always in reach.
Heavenly Father, I need the comfort of Your love and of knowing I’m safe in Your hands.
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.—2 Peter 3:8 (NIV)
Beloved former Guideposts Editor-in-Chief Van Varner wrote, “When the old year dies and the new one comes bounding in, I draw strength from knowing that in the next twelve months the snows will go, the buds will burst, the heat will rise, the leaves will fly, that all these things will happen according to Your schedule and in Your time; that there is order in Your universe and I am part of it.”
Dear Lord, how amazing to know that I am part of Your wondrous world—where there is a time for everything and Your timing is always perfect.
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 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)
