January 27, 2020
A Promise and a Pledge
God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”—Exodus 3:14 (NIV)
WHEN THE LORD reveals Himself to Moses at the burning bush, Moses is afraid. He asks, “What if they ask for Your name? What do I tell them?” God replies: I AM WHO I AM. God is unchanging. He’s the Lord of strength and glory. He is your Provider and Protector. When you are afraid, call to Him.
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Start Each Day with God
In the morning, Lord, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait expectantly.—Psalm 5:3 (NIV)
START THE DAY with God in mind. Pray, read a devotion, sing, take a walk, do any of a number of things that help you spiritually empower and prepare you for whatever comes your way.
Lord, let me begin my day with You.
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Scripture for a Joy-Filled Day
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!—Philippians 4:4 (NIV)
START THINKING JOYFULLY. Think of every wonderful thing the Lord has done for you. Celebrate the fact that He is always with you. When you consider the implications of that fact, there is every reason to rejoice and be happy, for it means that nothing can ever defeat you.
Lord Jesus, You are my Joy.
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Feeling Doubtful
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!”—Mark 4:39 (NIV)
DOUBT IS NORMAL. Even the apostles had moments of uncertainty. Why did doubts rise in their minds? Perhaps it was simply that God’s plan was bigger than they could grasp. So when the storms of doubt come, lean into the wind and believe. And remember, no matter what you’re feeling, Jesus is still in charge.
Heavenly Father, help me to remember that not understanding is different from not believing.
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When Anger Strikes
Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.—Ephesians 4:26 (NIV)
WHEN WE ARE furious, Scripture advises that we should “Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent” (Psalm 4:4). Once the clouds of emotion have cleared, most of us recognize that holding onto anger actually hurts us more than the person we’re mad at. The burden that anger places on our hearts can be lifted when we lift our hearts to God.
Dear Lord, help me to put away all bitterness wrath and anger. Guide me to peace.
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Get Well with the Bible
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak…those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.—Isaiah 40:29, 31 (NIV)
WE’RE IN THE midst of the flu season and chances are that you or someone you love has been sick lately. Don’t underestimate the power of your mind in promoting wellness. Pray, talk, and believe healthy healing thoughts; praise God for His healing power. Always take a positive view of yourself as healthy, vital, and vigorous; believe the power of the healing God is working in you. Several times a day, offer up a prayer of affirmation, reaching out to God for his healing and strength.
Dear Lord, I need Your divine comfort. Please help heal me. Give me courage to face tomorrow and wisdom to appreciate the blessings of friends and loved ones who care about me. Most of all, thank You for Your healing love which strengthens me and gives me peace.
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His Word in Your Heart
Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against Thee.—Psalm 119:11 (KJV)
THE PSALMIST WHO wrote the verse above believes the best place to keep God’s word is deep in the heart. In other words, know His instructions and memorize them so they are readily at hand, available to draw on when guidance is needed. Hide His word in your heart and you’ll need no other security.
Lord, help me infuse Your word into my life.
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Live in God’s Light
When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”—John 8:12 (NIV)
GOD WANTS TO make you whole. Jesus has promised that, “Whoever follows Me will…have the light of life” (John 8:12). Can you think of a healthier, happier condition than being filled with God-given light? When dark challenges come, call on Jesus and rejoice as He draws you to the light of His love.
Heavenly Father, You are the true light. Shine upon me.
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The Power of Fasting
And when you fast, don’t make it obvious…for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting…But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.—Matthew 6:16–18 (NLT)
FASTING—GIVING UP something in order to focus on God—can draw us closer to Jesus, but only if we can do it without bragging. Jesus warns us to keep our fasting private so that we can focus on Him and discover the root of our needs, which Jesus can step in and meet.
Heavenly Father, today I will give up something that I consume mindlessly—social media, television, snacking—and focus on You.
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Unfreeze Your Heart
SOMETIMES WE MAKE the mistake of freezing people in time. We remember them at their worst moments and don’t give them a second chance or have faith that they can change. In God’s grace we can let go of our assumptions of people and open our hearts to see others as Christ sees them.
Heavenly Father, in the midst of winter, help me to let go of thoughts of others that are frozen in time. Unfreeze my heart.
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The Right Direction
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.—Matthew 7:13 (NIV)
MOST OF US need a guide in our lives. Otherwise, we are likely to go astray, get lost and spend endless time on useless things. Perhaps the best guide for living is Jesus’s great commandment: “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.” (Luke 10:27)
Lord, remind us to reach out every day to the guidelines You have given us.
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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)