December 10, 2019
Beat the Holiday Blues
THERE CAN BE moments during the holiday season where you feel disheartened. If that happens remember this: Over 2,000 years ago, God made a supreme effort to let us know that He cares about each of us! To remind us, to reassure us, He gave us His perfect Christmas gift—and laid it in a manger.
Lord, fill my heart with Your heavenly peace.
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If Your Heart Is Hurting
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.—Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
Heavenly Father, help me to focus my eyes on You instead of on my circumstances. Help me to discover unexplainable joys as I feel Your amazing comfort.
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Life Everlasting
I am like a tree that is always green; all your fruit comes from me.—Hosea 14:8 NLT
JUST AS AN evergreen tree remains unchanged throughout the seasons, your relationship with God is eternal. As you decorate your Christmas tree with bright bulbs, reflect on the blessed light He brings to your life—and the glorious promise of life everlasting.
I open my heart, Lord, to Your triumphant love.
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Praise His Marvelous Works
I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.—Psalm 9:1 (KJV)
DO YOU NOTICE and praise the things that matter to you? The way the snow outlines the spare trees in winter, the sound of a loved one’s laugh, the sparkle in a certain someone’s eyes—the list is yours to write, to think about, to reflect and see, to breathe in and hold, to praise God.
I praise You, Lord, for the things that matter to me, the things that make my life glorious!
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Joy to the World
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.—Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
TODAY, THE SECOND Sunday of Advent, reflect on a favorite Christmas song, listen to it, sing it to yourself, or simply go to a favorite memory where the song first found its way to your heart. Thank God for working in your life—for preparing moments and situations that have led you to this exact moment. Rejoice! You are an instrument of His grace.
Dear Lord, thank You for the joy in my heart and the song in my soul.
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A Most Unusual Christmas Tree
I am the vine, ye are the branches…—John 15:5 (KJV)
NORMAN VINCENT PEALE wrote about the most unusual Christmas tree he had ever seen, a lime tree that had been rescued from the trash by a church in Florida, whose congregation spray painted white and decorated with scraps of Scripture that had blessed their lives. Named the “Blessing Tree” people came from all over to read from the branches and be inspired. Dr. Peale asked each of us to reflect on how we might be the branches of God’s love.
Lord, show me how I can share the many blessings You have given me.
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Signs and Wonders
AS CHRISTMAS APPROACHES, recognize magical moments when someone or something touches your heart with the glorious spark of God’s love. Perhaps it’s the stillness of a snowy winter night that awakens your knowing of His presence, or an unexpected kindness, just when you need it. Be open to receiving His love this season.
Heavenly Father, help me to be mindful and see each and every one of Your precious gifts.
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Autumn Blues
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.—Deuteronomy 33:27 (NIV)
Lord, I know You are here, beside me, helping me keep my heart and mind lifted above my cares and worries.
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Grow Good Things
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale said, “One of the most serious and powerful facts in human nature is that you are likely to get what you are expecting.” If you spend years expecting things aren’t going to turn out well, most likely that is what will happen. Conversely, if you develop an attitude of faith and expectancy you will create conditions in which every good thing can and will grow.
Heavenly Father, because of You I can begin my day with expectation that I will have a wonderful day. Thank You for the tremendous difference You make in my life.
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Little Things
His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”—Matthew 25:21 (ESV)
The parable of the good and faithful servant in Matthew emphasizes the value of little things. Sometimes we think in grandiose terms—what bold grand gesture can we do to show our faith? But in this parable, as well as in the life of Jesus, it is the little things that “Enter into the joy of the Master.”
Heavenly Father, guide me to the little things I can do right now.
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The Power to Face Anything
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.—Deuteronomy 31:6 (KJV)
There will be times when we need courage to keep us going when the going is hard. Tap into the Source of Courage by feeling God’s presence. Hear Him say, “I am with you always.” Pray for courage as you pray for your daily bread.
Dear Lord, the strength of Your presence is always with me, right here in my heart, giving me the power to face anything.
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Keep Moving
Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly…—1 CORINTHIANS 9:26 (NIV)
I’m Just Fine
Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.—PROVERBS 12:25 (NIV
Take Care of Your Whole Self
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)
Free Yourself from Sin
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)
Bless the Animals
So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.—Genesis 1:21 (NIV)
You Deserve the Best
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.—Colossians 3:23 (ESV)
Renew Your Mind
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.—Romans 12:2 (ESV)
The World Needs Your Light
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.—Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
Sing a New Song
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.—Psalm 96:1 (NIV)
Trust His Plan
Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant my desire.—Job 6:8 (NIV)
Release Old Hurts
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.—Isaiah 61:1 (NIV)
Be Kind to the Unkind
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.—Romans 12:21 (NIV)
Celebrate Our Freedom
I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. I hold fast to your statutes, Lord; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding.—Psalm 119:30–32 (NIV)
Arbor Day Prayer
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.—Psalm 1:3 (KJV)
Prayer for Earth Day
But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.—Jeremiah 10:12 (NIV)
Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen!
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?—John 11:25–26 (NIV)
Accept One Another
For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”—Galatians 5:14 (NIV)
A Village
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.—John 15:12 (ESV)
Four-Legged Love
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.—2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)
With a Song in My Heart
My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul.—Psalm 108:1 (NIV)