Monday
Hope for the Hopeless
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13 NLT).
Never give up. Whatever your trial, turn it over to the Lord. Trust in Him. He is the source of all our hope. He will not fail.
Dear Father, grant us the assurance of your hope. We ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Tuesday
Petition His Help
Praise the LORD! For he has heard my cry for mercy (Psalm 28:6 NLT).
It seems more and more people are struggling with life issues right now. Many people are in need of God's grace, mercy, and love. Maybe it's because I'm getting older, but I can't remember seeing so many people hurting.
If you are one of many who is experiencing a hard time or situation, I have a simple question for you. Have you asked and prayed to God for His mercy and help in this current trial? If not, He might be waiting on your petition for His help.
Father God, we praise your holy name. Thank you for your love, mercy, and grace. We ask you act mightily in the lives of those who come to your throne for help. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Wednesday
Trials and Tribulations
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?
No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:35 NLT and Romans 8:37-39 NLT).
No matter what, no matter the illness, trouble, tragedy, financial issues, marital trouble, or sin, Jesus Christ is there with us. God didn't cause our problems, but He will use them to bring us to a deeper understanding and reliance on Him. He will teach us and show us things during the valleys of our lives that we might never learn any other way. Thank you, Lord.
May God meet your needs and His wonderful name be glorified. Amen.
Thursday
His Blood Cleanses
And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And he said to them, “This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many (Mark 14:23-24 NLT).
Jesus poured out His blood to cover the sin of the world. Not just the sin of the time described in the New Testament, but the sin of all times, the past, present, and future sin. He shed His blood for the sin that destroys our families. He bled and died for each of us. He bled and died for me. He bled and died for the world. Jesus bled and died for you!
How are you living your life? How are you showing you believe Christ died for you? What are you doing with your life to glorify His name? Is it evident by your “fruit” that you are attached to Jesus as the vine (John 15:1-8 NLT)?
Folks, we are saved only by the grace of God through His Son, Jesus Christ. We can only be saved through this grace by our faith in Christ and what He did on the cross. Thanks be to our heavenly Father for rolling the rock away from the tomb and raising Jesus to new life.
Lord God, forgive us for not living a life that glorifies you. We are broken people, living in a broken world. We can't get through this life without you. Save us from ourselves, Lord. Pull us back into your grasp. Forgive us, Lord. We are sinners. Through Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, we are able to walk as He did, Father God. Thanks be to you, Father. We praise your Holy Name. Amen.
Friday
God's Light, Not Ours
[Jesus speaking]
“In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father (Matthew 5:16 NLT).
Serve others, love others, work for the betterment of others, and shine Christ's Light for all to see.
Take no credit, but give God all the glory because we can do nothing without Him. With Jesus, all things are possible.
Thank you, Lord, for your continual hand of guidance. We also thank you for your rod of correction when we go astray. Lead us and direct us so we might do your work. Help us to see your plan for our lives. Let us strive to abide in you and share your love, mercy, and grace with this lost and dying world. We pray in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus. Amen.
Saturday
Only One Truth
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8 NLT).
We cannot produce anything truly good in our lives without Christ. He is the best guide anyone could have because He says in John 14:6 NLT, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
Folks, if you want to see how to tackle life's challenges, just look to Jesus.
Thank you, God, for your Son! Praise Jesus' name! He changed the world and all eternity. He changed my life yesterday, today, and forever. Let Him change your life too. Thank you, Jesus! Amen.
Sunday
God is the Basis
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again: I will obey your righteous regulations (Psalm 119:105-106 NLT).
Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land (2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT).
Join me today in prayer. I pray God will use our petitions of prayer to do amazing things in our lives and in our nation.
Let us pray together:
Lord, we come humbly before your throne to ask you to guide our path today and forever. We ask this for ourselves and for all those who read these words. We have all stumbled and continue to struggle with life. We need you, Lord, and your direction for our lives.
Lord, we ask specifically you will give us discernment for your will in our lives. We also intercede for all those who are reading this by praying you will provide them with a clear vision of what you would have them to do. Lord, lead us and direct us in your perfect ways.
Father God, we also pray for our nation. Our nation is struggling with sin. We have removed you and your instructions from our lives, our government, and our people. We are struggling as a nation with hate being the main theme for the day. Dear Lord, bring our nation back to you.
Lord, we lay these requests at the foot of the cross. We give you total control and ask you to meet our needs so your mighty name is glorified. I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
(Editor's Note: "God Has a Gift for You" that is the good news that restores the broken relationship we have with God because of our sin. Read and listen here for more.)
