December 23, 2020
Let Us Adore Him
Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.—Psalm 95:6 NIV
Carols are an integral part of the Christmas season. “O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant…O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord!” The admonition here is clear: Gaze in gratitude and awe at the wonder of His birth.
Heavenly Father, today I’ll sing Your praises in my heart. Glory to God in the highest!
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When You Don’t Know What to Do
We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.—2 Chronicles 20:12 (NIV)
In the above verse, King Jehoshaphat called out to God for guidance. When you are in a situation and you don’t know what to do, repeat this Scripture and shift your thinking away from your problem and onto God.
Lord, I turn to You knowing that You are always there, an ever-present Source of peace and guidance.
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What Does Jesus Want?
On this fourth Sunday of Advent, take a moment and ponder what Jesus wants most. What gift can you offer? Is it forgiveness, gratitude, humility, or possibly more time dedicated to studying His Word and growing closer to Him?
Heavenly Father, I long to spend more time with you in prayer, to grow firm in my faith. I long to please You.
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Planning Your Path
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.—Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
As you prepare for Jesus’ coming, consider this: each and every day Jesus is planning your future and preparing blessings for you to discover on your path. Some gifts are designed to help you grow in faith. Others are signs of His presence to reassure you that you are not alone and that because of your faith, anything is possible. Life is amazing!
Heavenly Father, I am in awe of Your limitless wonders. I celebrate You, my glorious God.
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Let Go of Worry
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.—Psalm 94:19 (NIV)
Unfortunately, worries and problems don’t take a vacation during the holiday season. If you are upset about something, take a moment and tell God about it. Give words to your worries and then let them go. Let them rise above to Him for His care.
Lord, I release my fears and problems. I trust my future with You and look forward to finding the peace I deserve this Christmas because I know all is well in Your hands.
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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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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)