April 7, 2021
Spiritual Roadblocks
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.—Philippians 4:11 (NIV)
Is there something in your life that is wedging between you and God? Perhaps it is jealousy, greed, or dishonesty. Whatever it may be, you must stay alert to areas in your life that are coming between you and His love. Put Him first and ask His help to release all blocks that interfere with your relationship.
Dear Lord, help me release the things that hinder my faith journey. I want to walk closely with You, the Shepherd of my faith.
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Nothing Is Beyond God’s Forgiveness
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.—Matthew 5:44 (NKJV)
One thing is certain, when Judas realized the evil of his actions, he was so full of guilt that he could not live with himself. What he forgot was that Jesus would have forgiven him even for his betrayal. If you feel as if you’ve failed against God, remember there is no sin beyond His forgiveness.
Dear Lord, thank You for the grace of Your love that heals our guilt and takes away our sins.
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Easter Sunday
But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay.”—Matthew 28:5-6 (ESV)
The Easter message tells us that we do not need to be afraid of anything, not life with all its uncertainties, not even death itself. When your spirit is filled with the unshakable strength of God in the name of Jesus Christ, you can be filled with the power of tremendous hope.
Dear God, thank You for Your sacrifice. Thank You for making all things new! Shine Your light over me. Help me reflect Your peace and hope.
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The Great Silence of Holy Saturday
“Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.”—Matthew 27:65 (NIV)
The tomb was silent. Yet the silence would only last one more day. Today as you wait amidst the darkness of Good Friday and the Light of Easter, make time to reflect on the hope of the resurrection.
Lord Jesus, today I will focus on the miraculous fact that the darkness of yesterday will soon be overcome by the light of tomorrow.
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Good Friday: The Message of the Cross
Forgive, and you will be forgiven.—Luke 6:37 (NIV)
Today, on Good Friday, reflect on Jesus on the cross. Despite all He had been through, He asked for mercy and forgiveness for those who crucified Him. Are you able to pray for the people who cause you pain? A true pathway to a peaceful heart is to ask God for help in showing compassion to your adversaries.
Lord, thank You for Your infinite love expressed through Christ on the cross. Lead me to be a vessel of Your healing in this hurting world.
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Don’t Be an April Fool
But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?”—Luke 12:20 (NIV)
The parable about a farmer who selfishly stored his treasure is a lesson to teach us that we should never hoard God’s gifts. Don’t fall into the trap of being a materialistic fool. Focus your attention on your relationship with God, knowing His kingdom is built on more lasting things.
Give me wisdom, Lord, to fix my heart on You, for You are my greatest treasure.
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Take Time to Listen
Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life.—Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NIV)
Many people pray to God and spend so much time asking and talking that they forget to make an effort to listen for His guiding voice. When you listen to the Lord, He will instruct and comfort you.
Dear Lord, thank You for being patient with me. I’m here. I want to listen to You.
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Thorn in the Flesh
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.—2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
When the Apostle Paul asked God to take away a “thorn in the flesh,” God said no. Why? Because Paul’s pain was being used by God for a purpose. When you serve God despite your weaknesses and struggles, you show others the grace of His glory.
God of All Goodness, Your power is made perfect in my weakness. Your grace is sufficient for me.
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Fight Anger with Prayer
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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Calm Your Nerves
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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Life without Limits
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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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)