November 28, 2020
Holiday Blues
Jesus wept.—John 11:35 (NIV)
The upcoming holidays can be a difficult time, especially if you are grieving the loss of a loved one. When you feel sad, find comfort in this verse. Jesus is filled with compassion and understanding of what you are going through. When you weep, He weeps with you. You are not alone.
Heavenly Father, the holidays can be tough. When sorrow comes, comfort me with Your love.
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Shine the Light of Gratitude
Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.—Psalm 106:1 (NIV)
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale said that when we give thanks, we not only recognize past blessings, we activate blessings yet to come. All of us have simple, beautiful things that Almighty God has given us which we can appreciate. Open your eyes and see that God “does wonderful things without number” (Job 5:9). Every day! Praise Him for the good in your life.
Dear Lord, thank You for the bounty of blessings You have given me.
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Follow the Leader
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.—Galatians 1:10 (NIV)
In this scripture the apostle Paul addresses a problem everyone faces at one time or another: Do we please the people around us, or do we please God? Your life won’t always make sense and you won’t always make others happy, but it’s best to decide to trust His plan and purpose for your life. Seek to please and obey God over man and everything else will fall into place.
Heavenly Father, I come to You today with a heart open and ready to follow You.
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Delay Doesn’t Mean Denial
And if we know that He hears us— whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.—1 John 5:15 (NIV)
Sometimes prayer takes time. You might feel as though God isn’t listening but prayer still works. Your time with Him reminds you of His presence even when you doubt He is there. Prayer brings comfort, and long-awaited answers remind you that delay doesn’t mean denial.
God Almighty, help me to recognize Your purpose in my persistent prayers.
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The Anointing of Jesus
Then she knelt behind Him at His feet, weeping. Her tears fell on His feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing His feet and putting perfume on them.—Luke 7:38 (NLT)
The story in this verse of the anointing of Jesus is a beautiful testimony of love. So moved by Jesus’ forgiveness, the sinful, unnamed woman didn’t utter a word. She simply wept and kissed His feet, knowing deep in her heart that she had been forgiven.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the countless times You’ve forgiven me.
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A Reason for Every Season
May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.—Psalm 119:76 (NIV)
On cold autumn days, warm your heart by sitting with Jesus for a while. Know that even on the darkest days and during life’s harshest times, He will cover You with His love like a comfortable quilt. Invite His Word into your spirit.
Heavenly Father, Your love covers me like a blanket, warming my soul and comforting my heart.
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God Loves the Underdog
Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders.—Judges 2:16 (NIV)
Philip Yancey said, “Though the world may be tilted toward the rich and powerful, God is tilted toward the underdog.” The Bible is filled with unlikely heroes, ordinary people that the world considered underdogs. When you think that a goal is out of reach and the odds are stacked against you, look to the Bible and the many examples of everyday people living lives of heroic faith.
Dear Lord, when I feel discouraged give me a boost of Your confidence. Help me to remember that because of You I will be victorious.
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Be Good to Yourself
Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.—1 Corinthians 10:11 (ESV)
As another year winds down and we enter the holiday season, it’s not unusual to reflect on your life. Be kind to yourself and recognize you are a work in progress. You are growing in faith. Look ahead with hope. God has great plans for you!
Heavenly Father, help me truly grasp the divine gift of Your presence in my life. You are the Source of all hope.
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In Life’s Darkest Moments
My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.—Matthew 26:39 (NIV)
Unfortunately, at one time or another, we all face dark and painful moments. But we don’t have to go through our struggles alone. God will lead us through the darkness, until we come into the light again.
Lord, when my journey seems long and dreary, help me remember that You are traveling by my side.
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The Source of All Wisdom
Give your servant a discerning heart.—1 Kings 3:9 (NIV)
If you have a decision to make and need wisdom, go straight to the Source. Ask God to show you how to make choices that will bring honor to His name. As Daniel described in verses 2:21-22: “He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him.”
Heavenly Father, You are the Source and the Light of wisdom.
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Look to the Clouds
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.—Acts 1:9 (NIV)
In this scripture, and in different passages throughout the Bible, clouds symbolize divine presence. Other examples are when Moses ascended Mount Sinai and a cloud covered the mountain, or at Solomon’s dedication when a cloud filled the temple. The next cloudy day, pause to reflect on God’s use of clouds to remind us of His presence and to feel His comfort when it is overcast.
Heavenly Father, help me feel Your presence, in both cloudy and cloudless skies.
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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)