May 29, 2020
Live God’s Way
But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people.—Galatians 5:22 (MSG)
When you live God’s way, He plants and cultivates fruit into your life. Beautiful blessings—inspiration, endurance, empathy, serenity—will grace your days. And God’s love will flow through you to others easily and naturally.
Heavenly Father, help me remove habits or thoughts that prevent me from living Your way.
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Put Happy in Your Heart
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.—Titus 3:1-2 (NIV)
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, born 122 years ago today, said, “Take Jesus, the greatest giver of happiness the world has ever known, into your heart. His presence in your life will bring you joy and happiness.” Do good, help people and bring blessings into their lives. Become a beacon of peace in a world of turmoil. Make someone’s day better. Life will be good and you will love it.
Heavenly Father, thank You for showing me that faith is the way of highest happiness. Help me to be a beacon of peace in this world.
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The God of Guidance
He is the Rock; His deeds are perfect. Everything He does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright He is!—Deuteronomy 32:4 (NLT)
Jesus’ deeds are perfect. “God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection” (Psalm 18:30). When you need guidance, turn to Him for help. He is there for you in everything you do.
Lord, You are my rock. The One I can always turn to for wisdom and patience, advice and healing.
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There Are No Unanswered Prayers
But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then His disciples urged Him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.”—Matthew 15:23 (NLT)
Have you ever had that terrible feeling that God is ignoring you? Perhaps it’s a prayer request that has been on your heart for years. After a while it’s tempting to simply give up! Instead ask Him to help you use your struggle to grow your faith.
Heavenly Father, I trust your merciful nature and trust there is always a reason and an answer that fits with Your plan.
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Be a Monument of God’s Grace
Each time He said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.—2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale said, “When you get up in the morning, you have two choices—either to be happy or to be unhappy. Just choose to be happy.” Every day focus on the good and choose to be grateful for what you have and for what you can do.
Heavenly Father, help me to be a living, happy, monument of Your grace.
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Let Go of Regret
The mind is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.—Romans 8:6–7 (NIV)
Have you ever found yourself playing the game of regret? Do you pace through the past, examining failures and mishaps? When you become caught up in shouldhave thinking, ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit.
Heavenly Father, guide my mind away from rehashing upsetting situations. Help me see the past as You see it, through eyes of love.
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Lighten Another’s Load
When David had gone a short distance beyond the summit, there was Ziba, the steward of Mephibosheth, waiting to meet him. He had a string of donkeys saddled and loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred cakes of raisins, a hundred cakes of figs and a skin of wine.—2 Samuel 16:1 (NIV)
The above Bible verse shows the amazing impact of a gesture of encouragement. Today embrace God’s command to “encourage one another and build each other up.” Ask God to make you aware of who needs a pat on the back or a listening ear.
Heavenly Father, help me to be aware of another’s needs so that I can help ease their burden.
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Prayer for Memorial Day
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.—John 15:13 (NIV)
Today we remember those who gave the greatest sacrifice for our country. We hold them in our hearts and thank them for their courage and sacrifice. We pray for the families of our troops and ask for God’s comfort and blessings fill their homes.
Dear Lord, I remember and honor the men and women who died serving our country; please comfort their loved ones.
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Prayer Changes Things
She was quick: “You’re right, Master, but beggar dogs do get scraps from the master’s table.” Jesus gave in. “Oh, woman, your faith is something else. What you want is what you get!” Right then her daughter became well.—Matthew 15:27–28 (MSG)
In Jesus’ discussion with the Canaanite woman, she pleads, banters, bargains and amazingly Jesus changes His mind. This verse lets you know that you can change the outcome by prayer. But most importantly, God wants you to know that prayer changes you, transforming your attitude and bringing you closer to Him.
Dear Lord, I come to You humbly with open arms. Without Your help I don’t know where I’d be.
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Glorious Freedom
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.—John 8:36 (NIV)
Nothing on earth compares to the freedom of the soul that deep faith in Jesus offers. Freedom of fear, sorrow and pain. Freedom to rest from all that burdens you. Freedom from habits and circumstances. Freedom from the past.
Heavenly Father, thank You for planning great things for me. You have set me free!
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Your Alabaster Jar
While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.—Mark 14:3 (NIV)
The woman with the alabaster jar understood what she was doing when she poured very expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet. There are times in life for us, too, to break the alabaster jar—to spend lavishly and selflessly—to forget the expense and give from the heart.
Jesus, may every demonstration of my love honor You. How I would love for You to say to me as You did to the woman in Bethany, “She has done a beautiful thing to Me.”
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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)