When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. — Psalm 94:18-19 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
We are amazed at the vastness of God's reach, the awesome breadth of his power, and the glorious sweep of his majesty. An additional truth, incredible as it may seem, is God's personal nearness to us. He chooses to know us and be actively involved in the trials and triumphs we face each day. How will today, or tomorrow, be different because you are aware of his presence and companionship? What difference does it make to know he supports you when your foot slips or that his consolation is nearby when anxiety rises?
My Prayer...
Loving God, who is everywhere yet always near, please hear my heart. I am overwhelmed at your presence near me and within me. The comfort you bring when I am under siege, the strength you offer when I am weak, the courage you give when I am under attack, and the hope you instill when all seems hopeless -- these gifts of your presence are precious to me. Without your presence I would not know where to go or why I am here. Thank you for knowing me. I look forward to knowing you one day as you know me today. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today, I am thankful for:
- forgiveness!
I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.— Psalm 16:8 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
There are many things that can trouble our lives, but none that can shake us loose from the grip of God's grace if our hearts remain pointed at Jesus as our Lord and our hope remains focused on the Lord's return. If Jesus is our Lord, then all of life's greatest blessings lie ahead of us and he will let nothing rob us of this coming glory!
My Prayer...
Holy Lord, you are worthy of majesty, honor, and praise. I lift up your name, O God, and place it above every name. As I look to the future, I want to honor you and I want to journey with you there. Since I believe you will never leave or forsake me, I will always look ahead to find you leading the way. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.
Today, I am thankful for:
- the weekend
- fun with friends at the fair
- productive Fridays
- all my friends willing to help me move, again
- safe travel for my parents
- all my blessings!
He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.— 1 John 5:12 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
This statement is both a reminder of God's glorious grace and also of our need to share that grace with others. Life is such a precious gift, it would be a shame for anyone we know and love to miss out. God gave up the life of his Son so that in finding him, we too could share in his life.
My Prayer...
Father of all nations, resurrect in your people a desire to spread your grace to every language, tribe, nation, and people. Empower us with your Spirit so that we will speak the Gospel of Jesus with boldness and respect to a world who does not know him. Use us to help others come to life in the Son! Through the name of Jesus your Son, we pray. Amen.
Today, I am thankful for:
- improvement of my head cold
- patience of Derek
- rain to refresh the earth
- less traffic on the way to work
- girl's Bible study
- loving mentors
"Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.— 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
We live in a world with skewed values, false promises and fleeting fame. What can we boast in other than the steadfastness of the Lord's love, the incredible riches of the Lord's grace, the incomparable supply of the Lord's blessings, the sweetness of the Lord's people, the mercy of the Lord's plan for our salvation, the promise of the Lord's tomorrow, the ...? What other meaningful boast is there than the Lord and his eternal grace?
My Prayer...
Lord of majesty and mercy, every good and enduring thing in my life I have because of you. While these words are simple, they are heartfelt. In Jesus' name, thank you!
Today, I am thankful for:
- my wonderful sister! She is a lifesaver!
- my wonderful fiance'
- productive evenings
- allergy medicine
- helpful friends
- good nights rest
- goodwill
- the love of the Lord, no matter what!
“The cross of our Lord Jesus Christ is my only reason for bragging.” Galatians 6:14
Do you feel a need for affirmation? Does your self-esteem need attention? You don’t need to drop names or show off. You need only to pause at the base of the cross and be reminded of this: The maker of the stars would rather die for you than live without you. And that is a fact. So if you need to brag, brag about that.
My Prayer:
Purify my heart, my life, my body, my influence, O God. May my words and my thoughts be blameless in your sight. I want to be holy as you are holy and honor you as only you are worthy of honor. You alone are God! Through Jesus I ask it. Amen.
Today, I am thankful for:
- my church family in Oxford! We are overwhelming blessed.
- my wonderful family and new to be family
- safe travels to and from Oxford
- a good nights rest
- a productive weekend of checking things off the list
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.— Psalm 46:1 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Where can we go when all the walls fall and all the armies crumble and all hope is lost? To the eternal God, who is our Father. He preserved Israel through the most difficult of times, protected the Bible from those who would eradicate it, and has led his Church through troubles and triumphs through the centuries. He will do the same with us until he brings us home to himself.
My Prayer...
My Rock, My Hope and My Protector, I thank you for preserving my life. I thank you for hearing my cries for help and healing. I thank you for guiding my feet into ways that have been a blessing. Please, O God, stay close by as I face the stresses and challenges in my life. Through your Spirit, enable me to grow and be an example to others as I pass through life's storm. In the name of Jesus, my Savior and Lord, I ask it. Amen.
Today, I am thankful for:
- feeling better
- getting things accomplished
- new beginnings
- answered prayers
- sunshine
- breakfast
- safe trip to work
- Christian song writers, so uplifting
- helpful friends!
Enough
By Max Lucado
“He is able . . . to run to the cry of . . . those who are being . . . tested.” Hebrews 2:18 AMP
Jesus was angry enough to purge the temple, hungry enough to eat raw grain, distraught enough to weep in public, fun loving enough to be called a drunkard, winsome enough to attract kids, . . . radical enough to get kicked out of town, responsible enough to care for his mother, tempted enough to know the smell of Satan, and fearful enough to sweat blood . . .
Whatever you are facing, he knows how you feel.
Today, I am thankful for:
- someone that loves me even when I am falling apart
- laughter with friends
- people that go the extra mile
- walks with God at my side
- reminders that things will be ok!
- weekends!
- a God that loves me, even when I worry too much
The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. — 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Have you ever wondered how many potentially good friends you may have lost simply by judging them on your first impression of them? I'm amazed at how the first impression very seldom tells us much of substance about another person. We're not really going to be able to evaluate people properly until the Lord reveals at judgment what is really in their hearts. Don't you think that we should give them time to reveal what is in their hearts before we make a decision about them?! Let's don't just look on the outward appearance!
My Prayer...
Father, you alone know each heart. Please help me be more patient with others before forming an opinion about them. Please give me eyes to see them as Jesus does. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today, I am thankful for:
- my sweet mother, who looks out for me
- my husband-to-be, who is so patient with me
- my friends
- a nice walk
- hugs
- down time (when I get it)
- God time!