Monday
Truly Loving Others
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good (Romans 12:9-10).
Loving others is not always an easy thing to do. We hold misconceptions and harbor ill feelings for some. We are broken people, and we must remember others are too.
We must put ourselves in other people’s shoes to know we are all alike in our failures. We must remember everyone is going through something in their lives. We are all fighting demons and life-issues.
When your feet hit the floor each morning, take the step to love the people you cross paths with each day. Put your prejudices behind you and live like a child of God.
Thank you, Lord, for giving us the ability to walk in step with you. Teach us, Lord, to love others as you love us. Amen.
Tuesday
Shed Your Sin
Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God – truly righteous and holy (Ephesians 4:21-24 NLT).
Shed the sin you are living in, and turn your life over to Jesus. You have heard the truth. Now is the time to live as if you have heard it.
Oh, to be clear, if God's Word says it is sin, then it is. You can't justify it no matter how hard you try. Sin is sin. God cannot let sin into His presence.
Lord God, help us to come into total repentance of our sin and lay the sin at the foot of your cross. Help us to live more like you today than yesterday. We pray in your holy name. Amen.
Wednesday
A Peaceful Existence
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! (Isaiah 26:3).
If you are without peace in your life, then there is but one way to have it – God. He blesses those who trust and rely on Him. Are you ready to find the peace you need?
Dear Father, bring your peace into the lives of those who need it. Lord, right now, touch them and bring them peace – a peace only you can provide. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Thursday
Finding Joy in Life
Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. For the scriptures say,
“If you want to enjoy life
and see many happy days,
keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies.
Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face
against those who do evil” (1 Peter 3:8-12 NLT).
In today's Scripture, Peter writes instructions for finding a great life. These instructions are valid for walking on this earth while securing the blessings of God for an eternity with Him.
Thanks be to God for His Word. Father God, you truly have given us the greatest Book ever written. It is the book of life.
Dear God, Creator, Savior, and King of all things, please save us from ourselves. Bring us back to you, Lord. We have drifted so far from your instructions. Lord, take us back into your mighty arms. We need you in our lives and in our nation. Save us, Lord. We ask and pray this in the holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Friday
Stillness
Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress (Psalm 46:10-11 NLT).
Being still is not a watermark in my life. Like many of you, I'm busy. Busyness can control our lives and take us away from our Lord. Sometimes being busy “for the Lord” moves us farther from what He has planned for us and moves us towards what “we” want. We must guard against busyness which takes us down well-intended paths but away from spending prayer time with God. We must be still and listen in order to discover God's plans for us.
Be still. Listen. Absorb His Word.
Father God, help us to be quiet. Help us to be still. Help us to absorb your Word, and we pray your Holy Spirit will guide our quiet time. Thank you, God, for your amazing Word and truth. Amen.
Saturday
Balancing Act
Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ (Colossians 2:8 NLT).
We must balance what people tell us what the Bible states. We will not go wrong by trusting God's Word, but we can be led astray by believing and listening to man's wisdom.
Father God, we ask and pray for more people to open your holy Word and read it. We pray for the Holy Spirit to touch their hearts and give them a desire to know more about you, Father. Lord, go with us today and let us be light-bearers for your truth. We pray in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus. Amen.
Sunday
Turning To Him Or Away From Him
Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me,” (John 12:44 NLT).
How many times do we stop trusting in the promises of Jesus? When we stop trusting His promises we also fail to trust God, our Father.
Remember God is faithful and trustworthy. Never recant your faith in His Son or His promises.
Thank you, God, for being faithful and trustworthy, even when we aren't. In the mighty name of Jesus, we ask and pray. Amen.
