Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.—Deuteronomy 4:39 (NIV)
God is with you, even when life’s chaos overshadows your focus on Him. His light shines on your life, on every single situation you face. There is no need to worry or feel vulnerable because you are not alone.
Dear Lord, security is knowing that You are in control.
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.—Isaiah 55:9 (NIV)
As you approach your day, be open to unexpected plans that God has made for you. Trust that a schedule change or an unanticipated appointment, phone call or any other interruption may be part of a bigger plan than you could have ever imagined on your own.
Heavenly Father, thank You for guiding me to the good life.
When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.”—Jonah 4:8 (NIV)
Jonah was angry and tired, wanting to die—absorbed in his own feelings when God gave him a lesson of compassion and taught him the value of caring for others. God had patience and saved Jonah from himself, not once but twice. God’s love for us is boundless.
Lord, when I am too focused on myself to see You and Your blessings, lead me to trust that You are a gracious God.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.—Romans 8:1 (ESV)
A true test of your faith and spiritual maturity is not your actions but your reactions when things go wrong. When you trust God, you know that He can turn your mistakes and problems into blessings.
Dear Lord, Your eye is on the sparrow and I know You care for me.
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.—Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
It has been said that anything worth pursuing takes time. When you are in the midst of waiting for a situation to unfold—or patiently anticipating God’s answer—know that you are building the valuable qualities of strength and trust and affirming that God hears you and knows what is best.
Lord, help me grow as I learn the art of waiting.
I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.—Psalm 89:1 (NIV)
God’s heavenly presence is present—in the sky, the warmth of the sun, a great idea. His beauty and love are all around us. Pay attention. Notice His blessings! His messages of love are always there.
Heavenly Father, today I will seek, see and be grateful for the many ways You show Your love.
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.—Philippians 3:13–14 (NIV)
Living a life of faith is the center of glorifying God. Ask God to help you shine His light through works of service. Worship His Word, and allow it to enter your heart and mind. Have hope about your future, and strive to keep your spiritual life on track.
Heavenly Father, may my thoughts, words and actions glorify You.
Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.—Acts 7:60 (NIV)
Stephen’s last words are a final prayer of complete selflessness. Examine your prayer life—does it center on your own needs or reflect the needs of those around you? Fill your heart with compassion and pray on behalf of those who need it.
Heavenly Father, guide me to pray selflessly with Your mercy in mind.
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.—Genesis 50:20 (NIV)
Joseph’s brothers were fueled by jealousy when they threw him in the deep pit and sold him into slavery. Yet ultimately, Joseph’s tremendous misfortune was transformed into victory. When bad things happen to you, turn to your faith and rest in the promises of God. Trust that He will bring good out of bad.
Lord, help me remember that what seems hopeless today can often be solved tomorrow.
Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.—Ecclesiastes 2:11 (NIV)
In Ecclesiastes, Solomon shares that our efforts that are apart from God are pointless and meaningless. Take that truth to heart. When you leave God out of your life and exclude Him from your purpose, nothing will satisfy you.
Merciful God, You fill me with purpose. You are the reason.
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks.—John 4:23 (NIV)
If your mind wanders while you are having quiet time with God, instead of getting upset or frustrated, take it as an opportunity to learn to let go of your distracting thought and give it to God. Release stray thoughts as they come and know that you are practicing being in His presence.
Heavenly Father, I release my distracting thoughts to You.
I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.—Philemon 1:6 (NIV)
Current events and world news can leave you feeling powerless and discouraged. When you turn your attention to God and pray for what is happening in the news, your conversation with Him will lift you above the Earth’s problems and help ground you in His peace.
Lord, shine Your love on the world. Bring healing.
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)
