December 18, 2020
Give Yourself a Present
The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.”—1 Kings 19:7 (NIV)
In the above verse, Elijah is feeling down and the angel of the Lord nudges him toward self-care. As you go out of your way doing good deeds and finding the perfect gifts for others, don’t forget to give yourself something special, maybe a new prayer journal or a book that touches your spirit. Or send a donation in your name to a charity that means a lot to you. Treat yourself. You deserve it.
Lord, thank You for teaching me the importance of taking care of myself and nurturing my spirit.
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Divine Dreams
But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”—Matthew 1:20 (ESV)
Joseph was facing a very difficult decision when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. Throughout the Bible there are a number of instances where God uses dreams to guide and protect. If you are in need of God’s guidance, ask for His help right before bedtime.
Dear God, I need Your guidance and divine instruction. Please help me with this problem while I sleep.
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Shine Your Light from Within
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”—John 8:12 (NIV)
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross said, “People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.” Do you hold the Light of Christ in your heart? When you reflect His love, compassion and wisdom into the world, you glow with His beauty.
Heavenly Father, radiate Your loving Light through me. Transform me by the glow of Your Spirit; the deeper the darkness, the brighter I will shine.
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His Presence Now and Forever
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.—JAMES 1:6 (ESV)
Advent is a time to wholeheartedly align your inner light with Him; to work on all that is unresolved in your faith. Christ has come, He is with us. Yet there is holiness in faithfully pondering prayers that are unanswered and developing steadfast devotion that doesn’t waver in doubt.
Almighty Father, help me to feel the guidance, strength and grace of Your presence each day.
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Magnify the Lord
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord.”—Luke 1:46 (ESV)
The above verse is the beginning of the prayer that Mary prayed when the angel announced she would be the mother of Jesus. On this third Sunday of Advent pray Mary’s beautiful words and consider ways that you can glorify Him every day.
My soul magnifies You, oh Lord, and I rejoice in the coming of the Savior.
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Family Harmony
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.—John 13:34 (NIV)
The holidays can put families under stress. If you have strained relationships with loved ones, take a moment and pray about it. Ask God to help you respond to contention with kindness and guide you to words and actions that are rooted in love.
Dear God, give me the patience to bear disagreements and generosity to share my joys. Open my heart with Your understanding and help me bring comfort to those around me.
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Enhance Your Spiritual Vision
As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.—2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV)
Faith is having the vision to see beyond life’s challenges to the brightness of better days. When you develop your spiritual vision you see possibilities instead of problems and recognize the importance of “things unseen.” You trust God’s hidden workings and live in harmony with His plans.
Dear Lord, I faithfully believe in things that are unseen.
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Sleep in Heavenly Peace
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.—Psalm 4:8 (NIV)
Stay well-rested this holiday season. Before you go to sleep pray the Lord’s Prayer, followed by intercessions for others, petitions for yourself, and lastly, prayers of praise for the wondrous works of God.
Heavenly Father, fortify me with Your peace. Watch over me, bless my house and my loved ones. Help me rest in Your promise.
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The God of Hope
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.—Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Catherine Marshall said, “God is the only one who can make the valley of trouble a door of hope.” It’s difficult to celebrate the wonder of the season if you are plagued by adversity. Read the above Scripture and remind yourself that God can turn problems into possibilities. Let your heart overflow with hope.
Dear Lord, help me to let go of passing challenges so that I can fill my heart with the joy of Christmas.
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Radiate God’s Love
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.—John 3:16 (NIV)
This Christmas, nurture the spark of His love in your life and in the lives of those around you. Pray. Read the Bible. Be kind and compassionate to others. Smile at strangers. Have gratitude for your life and all its wonders and you’ll discover that the more you share His love, the greater it will grow.
Merciful Father, though mountains may vanish Your undying love will never leave me.
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God Is with Us
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.—ISAIAH 7:14 (NIV)
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale said, “If, beginning this Christmas, you say to yourself ‘God, through Jesus Christ, is with me’ and repeat it daily through the long days and weeks, in happiness and discouragement, that is the greatest gift you can give the Christ Child.” On this second Sunday of Advent, reflect on the miracle that God is here. God is with us!
How comforting to know that You are here. Praise You, Jesus!
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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)