July 5, 2020
Celebrate 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)
Today, as we celebrate Independence Day, reflect on the many blessings God has showered upon us as a nation. Give thanks for those who have sacrificed in the past and serve in the present to protect freedom, and pray for peace among nations and all people.
Lord, make us worthy of Your gift of freedom.
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Achieve Your Goals
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.—Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale used the above verse as a key to achieving your dreams. He advised repeating this daily and then focusing on the outcome of your goal. See success in your mind’s eye as if you have already achieved it.
Heavenly Father, give me insight to see the purpose and meaning in my life through You.
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In Jesus’ Name
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.—John 14:13-14 (NIV)
When you pray in Jesus’ name, center your awareness on Him and do your best to align your will with His. Think of the prayer as if it is coming from God and shape your petition so that you are praying for His will and not your own.
Heavenly Father, align my desires with Your will and let Your will be done through me.
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Unite with God
When my life was ebbing away, I remembered You, Lord, and my prayer rose to You, to Your holy temple.—Jonah 2:7 (NIV)
Anything is possible when you ignite the power of prayer into your life. Prayer is not the means to end. Prayer itself is the power—the intimacy and strength of connecting with God. When you unite with God, you are a winner regardless of the problem you face.
Dear Lord, I come to You with a grateful and open heart. Thank You for being with me.
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To Walk in God’s Wisdom
And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.—Isaiah 11:2 (ESV)
Did you know that you have direct access to Jesus’ infinite wisdom and understanding? Instead of complaining to Him, ask for His counsel. Be still, get quiet and listen. Wait. Breathe. Trust His answer.
Heavenly Father, no matter what situation I face, I know I can persevere because of You.
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Make Peace with Anger
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.—Ephesians 4:31 (NIV)
If you find yourself battling feelings of anger, ask the Lord to give you the strength to let go of your hostility. Spend time in prayer and reading the Bible. Refocus your thinking to His perspective on the situation.
Heavenly Father, help me treat others with the same kindness, compassion and forgiveness that You extend to me.
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One-Minute Stressbuster
From His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.—John 1:16 (ESV)
Heavenly Father, Your grace flows over and through me.
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Blessed Is the Believer
Yet the news about Him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.—Luke 5:15–16 (NIV)
The next time you feel overwhelmed by stress, remember Jesus’ example in the above verse. When crowds sought His attention, Jesus frequently slipped away by Himself to pray. When you are upset, take a moment, find a quiet place and ask Him to calm your troubled heart and grant you peace of mind.
Lord Jesus, when I am overwhelmed, I can draw strength, comfort and wisdom from You.
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Be Kind and Compassionate
If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you’ve made a friend.—Matthew 18:15 (MSG)
Jesus encourages you to do the right thing when you’ve misunderstood someone or have been offended. He asks you respond without reacting or judging and make a friend rather than an enemy.
Heavenly Father, help me heal hurt feelings with wisdom and a gentle spirit.
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Believe with Your Whole Heart
Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.—Jeremiah 29:12 (NIV)
How deeply do you believe? The book of Jeremiah says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” When you believe with your whole heart, amazing things will happen.
Heavenly Father, help me to know Your truth in my heart so that I walk by faith and not by sight.
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Peace Filled Living
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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.—Hebrews 12:1–2 (NIV)
Some days are packed with little problems: annoyances like traffic jams, missed appointments and petty misunderstandings. When frustrations draw your attention, look to Jesus’ blessings. His grace is constant and the beauty of the life He gives us is filled with peace.
Dear Lord, when little problems grow out of proportion, remind me to fix my eyes on You.
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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)