Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.—Psalm 37:8 (NIV)
If you are responding to someone who has made you angry, take a moment and calm down. Slow your reaction so that you have time to rise above the situation. Spend time in prayer and reading the Bible. Ask God for His perspective on the situation.
Lord, let me be quick to hear, slow to speak and even slower to anger.
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And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.—Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
If you have a case of the nerves, turn to this verse. Put your focus on your faith. Imagine the peace of God flowing over you. Let it flood your nervous system. Replace anxious energy with His calming soothing power.
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Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”—John 14:6 (NIV)
Jesus wants you to follow Him, to use His teachings and example to influence your decisions and actions. When you look to God’s Word and align your behavior and goals with His goodness, anything is possible!
Heavenly Father, You are always with me and always will be, to the end of my life here into eternity.
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And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. Isaiah 35:8 (NIV)
You are progressing on the Way of Holiness. Reflect on how you feel as you move toward being more fully centered on God’s will. Take a moment and praise God for the positive changes happening in your faith and your life.
God of Truth, thank You for showing me the Highway of Holiness.
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The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you, saying, “Destroy them!”—Deuteronomy 33:27 (NIV)
It has been said that February is the most depressing time of the year. If you are feeling down, turn to prayer. Ask God to comfort and guide you to find support and resources that can help. Pray until you feel His everlasting arms around you.
Lord God, shine your heavenly light upon me. Guide me to peace, happiness and contentment.
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Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.—Romans 12:10 (NIV)
The above verse is the key to loving relationships. Put your loved one above yourself. Free your heart of jealousy and resentment. If you are focusing on yourself, take a moment and fill your spirit with God’s love. Feel it surge through you. Become an instrument of His work.
Dear Lord, when I focus on love I am filled with Your blessings.
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He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.—2 Samuel 22:17 (NIV)
Unexpected problems and everyday stresses can pull you into a place of darkness and deep trouble. If you find yourself drowning in difficulties, reach out to God. Offer Him your worries and challenges. Let Him rescue you.
Merciful Father, thank You for bringing me safely into Your arms where I can relax, breathe and know I will be okay.
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Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”—Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)
God’s Instructions aren’t always big, momentous life-changing moments. Often He gives us seemingly small instructions, little nudges to point us in the right direction. God is speaking to you all the time. Incline your ear and heart to His words.
Dear Lord, I want to hear and follow Your instructions big and small. Fulfill Your work in my life.
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That you will do us no harm, just as we did not harm you but always treated you well and sent you away peacefully. And now you are blessed by the Lord.—Genesis 26:29 (NIV)
Nurture your connection with God by taking a moment to say a prayer that blesses someone or something. Start your morning with a blessing prayer and you’ll receive His gifts throughout the day.
Heavenly Father, every day is a blessing because You are beside me, leading me to my best life.
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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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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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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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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)
