Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.—Matthew 5:4 (NIV)
AT ONE TIME or another, we all experience pain in our lives. Thankfully our sorrow can help us grow in compassion and guide us to a deeper faith knowing God comforts the brokenhearted and brings peace to the wounded spirit.
Heavenly Father, You are my refuge and strength and my very present help in time of trouble.
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I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.—Psalm 27:13 (NIV)
WHEN BAD THINGS happen, it is difficult to see the God’s goodness at work. When illnesses linger or financial problems strike, ask Jesus to help you see the silver living. Perhaps it is a deeper dependence on Him. No matter even if life’s most difficult moments try to see the goodness of the Lord.
Heavenly Father, help me see Your goodness in every circumstance.
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Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, “Go, throw yourself into the sea,” and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.—Mark 11:23 (NIV)
FAITH OPENS THE door to miracles. Is a mountainous difficulty challenging you? Pray that God is helping you move the mountain right now. Believe in His infinite power and don’t doubt or underestimate what He can do.
Heavenly Father, I believe You can move mountains. I believe!
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Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.—Luke 8:43–44 (NKJV)
THE WOMAN IN the above verse had tried every treatment and still was not healed. When earthly wisdom and cures disappoint us, there is always hope. If there is something in your life that needs healing—problems, a sickness, a memory—reach out to Jesus and ask for His help.
Heavenly Father, I love You and praise You.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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)
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)
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.—Colossians 3:23 (ESV)
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)
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 to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.—Psalm 96:1 (NIV)
Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant my desire.—Job 6:8 (NIV)
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)
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.—Romans 12:21 (NIV)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul.—Psalm 108:1 (NIV)
