October 9, 2021
Center Your Heart
If you set your heart on God and reach out to him, if you scrub your hands of sin and refuse to entertain evil in your home, you’ll be able to face the world unashamed and keep a firm grip on life, guiltless and fearless… Your world will be washed in sunshine, every shadow dispersed by dayspring.—Job 11:13-17 (MSG)
If you feel empty and unable to connect with God, take a moment and center your heart. Ask Him to fill you with His spirit. Praise Him for the many ways He brings peace and guidance to your life.
Lord Jesus, fill me with the knowledge of Your will so that I may live a life that pleases You.
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Pick a Favorite
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name… who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.—Psalm 103:1 (NIV)
Do you have a favorite psalm? If not, explore David’s wonderful poetry and experience the restorative and healing power of the psalms. When you read the words and reflect, you deepen your relationship with God.
Lord, thank You for the transformative power of Your Word.
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Worth the Wait
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.—Acts 13:2-3 (KJV)
The starting point to truly knowing God’s will is waiting on the Lord. Rather than acting on your own wants and needs, it is better to reflect and pray for His guidance. Recognize that God’s timing is different from yours and sometimes He uses detours to guide you.
Heavenly Father, help me to have the courage to boldly step forward in faith and follow Your instructions.
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Let Go of the Past
Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.—Psalm 139:16 (NIV)
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale advised, “Let go of the past and look for God’s direction for a blessed future.” God is with you and watching out for you every day. Be still and receive the gift of His love. Trust that your future is in His hands.
Lord, I believe in my heart that all things work together for good.
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The Importance of Childlike Faith
And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”—Matthew 18:3–4 (NIV)
When life seems out of control, instead of trying to figure out why something has happened or how God allowed it—turn your questions to trust and your frustration into faith. Instead of driving yourself crazy trying to fix things, let go of your grip and put your focus on generating genuine childlike faith.
Lord God, help me set aside the worries and distractions in my heart so that I can fully feel Your presence.
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His Grace Is Sufficient
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)
As Apostle Paul explains in the above Scripture, God’s power works when we are weak. When you need strength for a challenge, invite Him to turn your shortcomings into an opportunity to boost your faith and experience His power.
Heavenly Father, Your grace is more than sufficient for me.
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God’s Heavenly Light
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”—John 8:12 (RSV)
As we enter into autumn and the shortening of daylight hours, it is the perfect time to turn our focus to the Light of the world. Thank God for His many blessings and ask for His guidance in how you might help spread His great light to those around you.
Dear Lord, when the world seems to be getting darker— help us hold fast to Your bright love.
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God Doesn’t Make Mistakes
This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.—Psalm 18:30 (ESV)
If a mistake or the unexpected happens—a misdialed number, a wrong turn, a missed meeting—instead of worrying or wishing it hadn’t happened, trust God and say a quick prayer of thanksgiving. Often our mistakes turn out to be a detour that brings blessings.
Dear Lord, every coincidence, every blessing in disguise is divine providence at work.
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The Hardest Part
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.—Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
Sometimes God calls us to wait and not act. Our job is to continue to trust Him along the way. To surrender our will for His, to exchange our timing for His, knowing that He holds every moment in His hands.
Great Creator, I trust You with my whole life, believing that now is a time for me to be still and not act.
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Are You Happy?
Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!—Psalm 144:15 (NKJV)
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale said, “Give thanks daily for your blessings. Get in the habit of thinking happy thoughts. Go out of your way to make other people happy. There is your formula for real happiness and enthusiasm.”
Lord God, guide my thoughts away from my problems and onto my blessings. Focus my actions on bringing others joy.
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Eyes Fixed on Jesus
… Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas which means “son of encouragement.”—Acts 4:36 (NIV)
Barnabas helped new believers by encouraging them to keep the faith during difficult times. When you are in need of encouragement, follow Barnabas’ instructions and have unshakable confidence by keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus.
Merciful Father, because of Your love I have hope for the future.
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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)