But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”—Matthew 14:30 (NIV)
When you are in the midst of life’s storms, don’t make Peter’s mistake. Instead of filling your mind and heart with fear, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. Know when to ask for His help and remain confident that He will never fail you.
Dear God, when I step out of the boat, I trust that You will help me.
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Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.—Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV)
There will be hard times when you need courage to keep going. Tap into the Source of Courage by feeling God’s presence. Hear Him say, “I am with you always.” Pray for courage as you pray for your daily bread.
Dear Lord, the power of Your presence is always with me, right here in my heart, giving me the courage to face anything.
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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)
Be a good steward of your whole self and recognize that taking care of yourself physically is an important aspect of your faith. Getting enough sleep, eating well and exercising all play a part in living your best life. Aligning with God’s will involves your body, mind and spirit.
Heavenly Father, let my life demonstrate how much You really mean to me.
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Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders before Pharaoh, but the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let the Israelites go out of his country.—Exodus 11:10 (NIV)
Pharoah’s stubbornness and refusal to set the Israelites free led to God punishing him by sending ten plagues to Egypt. But perhaps the purpose behind the plagues was larger—that future generations could know God by the powerful and miraculous events that the children of Israel witnessed.
Lord, Ruler of the World, I recognize the incredible lengths you have gone to so that I can know and love You.
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Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults.—Psalm 19:12 (ESV)
When you make a mistake or regret saying something, forgive yourself. Learn from your blunder and let it go. Shift your thoughts and focus on how you’ve moved forward, persevered and succeeded. Look to the good.
God of New Beginnings, thank You for forgiving me and helping me move on.
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Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.—Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
Jesus, You are my Savior. Because of You, miracles can happen.
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“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.”—Luke 10:41-42 (NIV)
It’s easy to become “worried and upset about many things” to the point that you don’t have time to spend on what is most important. Jesus tells us to live simply, to work but not so hard that there is no time for fellowship with Him.
Heavenly Father, when I become burdened by things I have to do, remind me that there is always time for You.
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He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.—Job 9:9 (NIV)
When was the last time you engaged in the age-old practice of stargazing? The night sky has a magical effect of putting everything in perspective. Stand in the stillness and know that the One who made the stars never changes and your world—your life—is in a perfect pattern, too.
Creator God, thank You for the many ways You guide, inspire and encourage me.
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Stay alert; be in prayer so you don’t wander into temptation without even knowing you’re in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there’s another part that’s as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire.—Matthew 26:41 (MSG)
Is your prayer life as “lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire”? What a great image! If any part of you feels that your faith could use a jumpstart, commit to making a change today. God knows your weaknesses and He is always ready for you to come to Him.
Dear Lord, I am eager to get to know You better. I am ready.
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The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the army, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city!—Joshua 6:16 (NIV)
The Israelites were probably confused by God’s instructions, yet they did as He said knowing that God’s ways are not our ways. Have you sensed God is calling you to take a leap of faith? Did you have the courage to follow His lead?
Heavenly Father, I am ready to follow your instructions even when they don’t make sense to me.
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All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.—Proverbs 15:15 (NIV)
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale advised that you should affirm: “I expect the best and with God’s help will attain the best” at least ten times a day—and that this practice will bring the best to you. When you put your trust in God, He guides your mind so that you do not want things that are not good for you.
Lord God, I expect the best and with Your help will attain the best!
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But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.—2 Peter 3:18 (ESV)
Peter is a great example of how the Holy Spirit can change a person. We grow spiritually when we learn to remove ourselves from the spotlight and shine it on others. The Holy Spirit filled Peter with understanding of God’s Word and courage to follow His plan.
Holy Spirit, I am ready to serve. Fill me with Your power and insight. Change me for the better!
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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)
