I Want to Want to…
We love because he first loved us.—I John 4:19 (ESV)
St. Teresa of Avila prayed this honest prayer, “Oh God, I don’t love you, I don’t even want to love you, but I want to want to love you!” There may be times when you feel upset or want to turn away from Him. But even in those moments, it is best to go to Him for help. To ask Him to help you grow closer to Him.
Heavenly Father, may my love for You grow more and more every day.
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Put Your Problems in Perspective
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever.—John 14:16 (ASV)
When trials and troubles overwhelm you, ask God for help. Trust that He will guide you through whatever comes your way. Remind yourself to keep perspective: in a week or a month, what seems to be a big problem right now is usually resolved and forgotten.
God, show me how to put my problems into perspective.
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God’s Strongman
Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived.—Judges 16:30 (NIV)
Samson’s greatest victory wasn’t his defeat of the Philistines in the above verse. It was in his grim moment, when he was broken and returned to God praying, “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more.” (Judges 16:28)
Heavenly Father, please show me what I need to do to build a strong relationship with You.
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Stones of Remembrance
“Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones…”—Joshua 4:2-3 (NIV)
In the above verse, the stones from the river were used as a sign of what God had done for His people. What are the symbols in your Christian life? Is there an image that you could use to remind you of a specific time that God taught you a meaningful lesson?
Lord, thank You for the times you have touched my life and changed everything; I am filled with Your love.
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What Would You Ask For?
At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”—1 Kings 3:5 (NIV)
“The trouble with most prayers is that they aren’t big enough,” said Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. In the above verse, God asked Solomon for whatever he wanted. If He asked you the same question what would your response be? Would you ask for wisdom? Wealth? Happiness?
Heavenly Father, what I want most, more than any earthly possession or pleasure, is to know and follow You.
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Change Is Good
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.—Ihaiah 43:19 (NIV)
God’s plan for your life includes change and growth. Yet most people resist and fear anything different—even when it’s a move toward something better. God pushes you beyond what you think you are capable of; He brings challenges that will guide you to become your best self.
Dear Lord, help me to be more resilient and open to accepting Your plan for me.
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When God Nudges
Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.—Acts 8:29 (KJV)
Philip is a wonderful example of taking action without needing to know the reason why. He had no idea what he might encounter. He simply knew God wanted him to go. Is God nudging you to do something that you may not completely understand? Follow Philip’s lead—and take action.
Forgive me, Lord, for the many times I’ve been hesitant in following Your lead. Give me the courage to budge whenever You nudge.
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When God Nudges
Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.—Acts 8:29 (KJV)
Philip is a wonderful example of taking action without needing to know the reason why. He had no idea what he might encounter. He simply knew God wanted him to go. Is God nudging you to do something that you may not completely understand? Follow Philip’s lead—and take action.
Forgive me, Lord, for the many times I’ve been hesitant in following Your lead. Give me the courage to budge whenever You nudge.
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God Chooses Ordinary People
And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.—Luke 1:39-40 (KJB)
God often chooses unlikely people for His work. You might feel too old, like Elizabeth, or not special enough, like Mary, but the fact is God does incredible things through ordinary people. The secret is, when God chooses you, you must be ready to answer His call.
Merciful Father, I long for my soul to glorify You.
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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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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)
A Special Place in His Kingdom
“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish.”—Esther 4:14 (NIV)
Uniquely Blessed
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.—Matthe w 5:48 (NIV)
Friendship Refreshes the Soul
The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.—Proverbs 27:9 (NLT)
Everything You Need
The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.—John 6:63 (NLT)
Bring Joy to Others
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”—Acts 20:35 (NIV)
Remove Obstacles
And it will be said: “Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.”—Isaiah 57:14 (NIV)
Put Your Trust in Him
My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.—Psalm 119:71 (NLT)
Love Yourself as Your Neighbor
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no commandment greater than these.—Mark 12:31 (NIV)
A Grateful Start
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.—1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (NIV)
Overflowing with Thankfulness
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.—Colossians 2:6–7 (NIV)
Glory to the Newborn King
The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.—Matthew 20:28 (AMP)
Be the Light
“Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished
speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.—John 12:36 (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)