January 9, 2021
Build a Foundation of Hope
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.—Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
In the above verse hope is believing without a doubt that God always keeps His promises. Strong faith is the foundation for a hope-filled future. Dr. Norman Vincent Peale said, “Practice hope. As hopefulness becomes a habit, you can achieve a permanently happy spirit.”
Merciful Savior, I have no doubt that Your Word is true. When I need a boost of hope, I will lift my mind up to You and let faith pour down on me.
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Praise the Moment
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.—1 Chronicles 16:11 (NIV)
Some days seem too busy to pray, yet prayer is possible anywhere and anytime. When you have a spare moment, turn your attention to God. Praise Him for the blessing of right now. Praise the beauty of the ordinary: the warmth of the sun, the beauty of the snow. Breathe in His grace and breathe out gratitude.
Dear Lord, today I will pause and notice Your blessings. I will eagerly and graciously receive Your gifts.
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New and Great Things
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?—Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)
Reflect on your life and the person you want to be. Are there areas where you could do better? A change in attitude, a greater faith? Now is the time to make new choices, to think new and great thoughts. Every day is an opportunity to create the life you want.
Lord, help me to choose the right attitude and actions. Help me live a life that pleases You.
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God’s Amazing Love
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.—Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
God’s love is great and steadfast. Every day He bestows mercies and blessings upon you. Open your heart to His amazing love and your faith will outshine your worries. Believe that God will bring you through hardship. True joy is always in reach.
Heavenly Father, I need the comfort of Your love and of knowing I’m safe in Your hands.
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Divine Order and Timing
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.—2 Peter 3:8 (NIV)
Beloved former Guideposts Editor-in-Chief Van Varner wrote, “When the old year dies and the new one comes bounding in, I draw strength from knowing that in the next twelve months the snows will go, the buds will burst, the heat will rise, the leaves will fly, that all these things will happen according to Your schedule and in Your time; that there is order in Your universe and I am part of it.”
Dear Lord, how amazing to know that I am part of Your wondrous world—where there is a time for everything and Your timing is always perfect.
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Share Your Progress
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.—Psalm 119:11 (NIV)
Begin each morning discussing your goals and sharing your progress with God. Thank Him for your successes and ask for help to overcome the challenges and difficulties you face. Think of each day as an opportunity to get closer to your goal and to God.
Lord, when I feel tempted to go against my resolutions, guide me to Your Word. Help me keep my promises to myself and to You.
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God Is Faithful
It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.—Psalm 118:8 (KJV)
It happens in life. People let us down. They break promises and make mistakes. The good news is that God will never fail you. He is always faithful. Your connection to Him grows through prayer. When you are thinking about the future, be sure to plan more time for your spiritual life. The more energy you put into your relationship with Him the easier it is to discern His will and recognize His presence.
Heavenly Father, I don’t know what this new year will bring—but You do. Awaken me to Your possibilities, each and every day.
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Start the New Year with God
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!—2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale wrote, “Since the new year will not be any newer than you are, make up your mind that you are going to be new.” Today is a glorious beginning. A time to focus on a future filled with prayer and praise, service to God and mankind; a future filled with God’s presence, guided by His wisdom and empowered by His strength.
Father Almighty, this is Your New Year. Shine Your love into my life, fill me with Your peace and encourage me with Your promises.
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Be Spiritually Fit
have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.—2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV)
THIS TIME OF year many people focus on being physically fit, but it’s even more important to be spiritually fit. To become spiritually strong, you must be determined to be faithful. Spending time each day reading the Bible will make you stronger as you run the race of life.
Heavenly Father, on days when I feel too tired or busy to spend time with You, guide me to do it anyway.
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Don’t Give Up on God
I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.—Psalm 27:13 (NIV)
WE’VE ALL BEEN there…a persistent prayer that aches at your heart and seems to go unanswered. Take heart, don’t give up. Though it’s hard to have patience, know you’ll never regret waiting on Him. When it may look as if God is doing nothing, He is busily at work behind the scenes.
Dear Lord, give me patience to wait for Your answer.
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From Your Lips to God’s Ears
As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me.—Psalm 55:16 (NIV)
ARE YOU IN trouble? Is there a decision you need to make? Rest in the assurance that God is always waiting. Call unto Him, and He will answer. Know that He has His inclined ear to you. (Psalm 116:2)
Lord, when I am going through tough circumstances and face seemingly impossible odds, thank You for the many precious promises You’ve given me for calling unto 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)