A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight.—Proverbs 11:1 (ESV)
This verse not only applies to having honesty and integrity in business matters but in all areas of your life. You should never compromise your values for fame or fortune. Instead, you should seek to do the right thing and live a faith-filled, balanced life.
Gracious God, I strive to do what is right.
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But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.—Matthew 12:36 (NIV)
The words you use have an impact on how you think, live and interact with others. Often Jesus instructed the disciples to reflect not only on their words but their motives. Use your words wisely—they have great power—to spread darkness or light.
Heavenly Father, empty words lead to an empty life. May my words be sincere and kind, comforting and encouraging, loving and understanding.
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The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he adrank from the brook.—1 Kings 17:6 (NIV)
Elijah was alone, and most likely afraid, when the ravens first swooped down to feed him. But the ravens, acting against their own natural impulses to scavenge and devour food, instead did as God had promised. Have you ever felt stretched to go beyond your wants and desires to follow God’s instructions? Do you answer His calls?
Heavenly Father, I long to serve You knowing that You will always provide for me.
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When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry.—Nehemiah 5:6 (NIV)
Anger can be a good thing. It can help guide you out of situations that need changing and lead you to make important decisions. So if you feel angry about something, instead of pushing it down deep, let it come to the surface and examine it. Use your feelings to uncover problems that need your attention.
Dear Lord, help me learn from my anger and then release it.
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Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.—Proverbs 4:23 (ESV)
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale helped countless people by teaching that one of the greatest choices you have in life is choosing what you want to think. When you choose to think good thoughts, everything changes for the better.
Dear Lord, thank You for empowering me with positive thinking. I increase my happiness and joy by focusing on the good.
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I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.—Ecclesiastes 1:14 (NIV)
The Book of Job reminds us that wisdom isn’t everything. Yes, wisdom is a helpful and necessary tool, yet it doesn’t serve every purpose. Likewise, the above Scripture tells us that a life of meaning, purpose and fulfillment is only found when we look to God.
Heavenly Father, You are the one who holds my future in Your hands. Everything else is just chasing the wind.
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Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.—Philippians 3:17 (NLT)
When you allow and pattern your life after Jesus, you bring godliness and righteous living to your life. Follow the principles laid down by Him. The more you look to Him for guidance, the more you will grow in strength and faith.
Heavenly Father, I expect the best and with Your guidance and help, I will attain it.
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Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.—James 4:10 (NIV)
Pride is a great obstacle to faith. As humans we long to believe we are self-sufficient, able to handle anything and everything alone. Once we let down our defenses and openly admit that we need His help and accept His infinite gift of salvation, we are forever changed. We become free!
Lord and Savior, I need Your help. I will not pretend that I’m doing this by myself.
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I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after Mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.—Acts 13:22 (KJV)
Despite King David’s flaws he is described in the Bible as “a man after God’s own heart.” Although David was not perfect, his mind, will and soul were in accord with God. David serves as an example of how to live a humble, respectful, faithful, obedient and devoted life.
Merciful God, though my actions and thoughts may not always be perfect, I long for you to say, “You are truly after my own heart!”
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Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.—Ephesians 4:31 (ESV)
Look to the and the falling leaves and be inspired to let go of the weight of past hurts and disappointments. Release any feelings of jealousy and worry, bitterness and defeat that block you from God’s presence. Breathe—and let go.
Heavenly Father, I don’t know why I insist on holding onto things that block me from fully experiencing Your love. Today I vow to embrace Your grace.
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I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.—Matthew 11:28 (MSG)
Jesus taught that we should value people over tasks. When you give as He gave—sharing your time with others, caring for people and offering comfort where needed—you can experience life in an unhurried, calm and peaceful way. It’s the perfect way to understand the “unforced rhythms of grace.”
Heavenly Father, when I make the time to get away with You, walk with You and work with You, I experience the divine groove of stress-free, faith-filled living.
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Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?”—Luke 17:17 (NIV)
In the above Scripture, Jesus healed ten lepers but only one threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him. Gratitude is an important part of faith, a spiritual discipline that opens our hearts to His love. What are you thankful for? Share your praise with Him.
Heavenly Father, thank You!
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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)
