The Source of All Comfort

"When doubt filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer"  -- Psalm 94:19 / NLT

In times of adversity, we are wise to remember the words of Jesus, who, when He walked on the water, reassured His disciples, saying, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid" (Matthew 14:27).  Then, with Christ on His throne - and with trusted friends and family members at our sides - we can face our fears with courage and with faith.

Are you facing a difficult challenge? If so, remember that no problem is too big for God - not even mine or yours.

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"Only be walking with God can we hope to find the path that leads to life"  -- John Eldredge

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Lord, let our plans and hopes be pleasing to You.  Let us live according to Your commandments. Direct our path far from the temptations and distractions of this world. And, let us discover Your will and follow it, this day and always.

God's Guidance

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths"  -- Proverbs 3:5-6

Proverbs 3:5-6 makes this promise to us:  If you acknowledge God's sovereignty over every aspect of your life, He will guide your path.  And, as you prayerfully consider the path that God intends for you to take, here are things you should do:  You should study His Word and be ever watchful for His signs.  You should associate with fellow believers who will encourage your spiritual growth.  You should listen carefully to that inner voice that speaks to you in the quiet moments of your daily devotionals. And you should be patient.  Your Heavenly Father may not always reveal Himself as quickly as you would like, but rest assured that God intends to use you in wonderful, unexpected ways.  Your challenge is to watch, to listen, to learn ... and to follow.

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"No journey is complete that does not lead through some dark valleys.  We can properly comfort others with the comfort we ourselves have been given by God"

-- Vance Havner

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Lord, when we are troubled, You comfort us.  When we are discouraged, You lift us up.  Whatever our circumstances, Lord, we will trust Your plan for our lives. And, when our family and friends are troubled, we will remind them of Your love, Your wisdom, and Your grace.

The Greatest Among Us

"Therefore, get your minds ready for action, being self-disciplined, and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ"

-- 1 Peter 1:13 / HCSB

Jesus teaches that the most esteemed men and women are not the leaders of society or the captains of industry  To the contrary, Jesus teaches that the greatest among us are those who choose to minister and to serve.

Today, you may feel the temptation to build yourself up to the eyes of your neighbors.  Resist that temptation.  Instead, serve your neighbors quietly and without fanfare.  Then, when you have done your best to serve your community and serve God, you can rest comfortably knowing that in the eyes of God you have achieved greatness.  And God's eyes, after all, are the only ones that really count.

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"God will open up places of service for you as He sees u are ready. Meanwhile, study the Bible and give yourself a chance to grow" -- Warren Wiersbe

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Lord, let us help others in every way that we can.  Jesus served others; we can too.  We will serve other people with our good deeds and with our prayers.  And we will give thanks for all those who help us.

Your Traveling Companion

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord"  -- 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 / NKJV

As you continue to seek God's purpose for your life, you will undoubtedly experience your fair share of disappointments, detours, false starts and failures.  When you do, don't become discouraged:  God is not finished with you yet.

The old saying is as true today as it was when it was first spoken:  "Life is a marathon, not a sprint." That's why wise travelers select a travelling companion who never tires and never falters. That partner, of course, is your Heavenly Father.  So pray as if everything depended upon God, ad work as if everything depended upon you. And trust God to do the rest.

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"Often God shuts a door in our face so that he can open  the door through where he wants us to go"  -- Catherine Marshall

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Lord, when we want to give up, help us remember how important it is to keep trying and when we are worried or upset, help us remember to talk to You.

The Chains of Perfectionism

"He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap"  -- Ecclesiastes 11:4 / NASB

When you think about the media, they deliver a endless stream of messages that tell you how to look, how to behave, and how to dress.  The media's expectations are impossible to meet - God's are not.  God does not expect perfection - and neither should you.

If you find yourself bound up by the chains of perfectionism, it is time to ask yourself who you are trying to impress, and why.  If you are trying to impress other people, it is time to reconsider your priorities.  Your first responsibility is to the Heavenly Father who created you and to His Son who saved you. Then, you bear a powerful responsibility to your family. But, when it comes to meeting society's unrealistic expectations, forget it!  After all, pleasing God is simply a matter of obeying His commandments and accepting His Son. But as for pleasing everybody else? That's impossible!

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Lord, this world has so many expectations of us, but today we will not seek to meet the world's expectations; we will do our best to meet Your expectations. We will make You our ultimate priority.  Lord, by serving You, by praising You, by loving You, and by obeying You.

At Peace With Your Purpose

"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace"  -- Ephesians 2:13,14 / NKJV

Are you at peace with the direction of your life? If you are a Christian, you should be.  Perhaps you seek a new direction or a sense of renewed purpose, but those feelings should never rob you of the genuine peace that can and should be yours through a personal relationship with Jesus.

Have you found the lasting peace that can be yours through Jesus, or are you still rushing after the illusion of "peace and happiness" that our world promises but cannot deliver? Today, as a gift to yourself, to your family, and to your friends, claim the inner peace that is your spiritual birthright:  the peace of Jesus Christ.

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"That peace, which has been described and which believers enjoy, is a participation of the peace which their glorious Lord and Master himself enjoys"

-- Jonathan Edwards

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Lord, let us accept the peace and abundance that You offer through Your Son Jesus.  You are the Giver of all things good, and You give us peace when we draw close to You.  Help us to trust Your will, to follow Your commands, and to accept Your peace, today and forever.

Aim At Heaven, Not The World

"Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world,  the love of the Father is not in him"  -- 1 John 2:15 / NKJV

If you wish to possess a comfortable conscience and a peaceful soul, you must distance yourself, at least in part, from the temptations and distractions of modern-day society.  But distancing yourself is not easy, especially when so many societal forces are struggling to capture your attention, your participation, and your money.

C,S. Lewis said, "Aim at Heaven and you will get earth thrown in; aim at earth and you will get neither." That's good advice. You are likely to hit what you aim at, so aim high . . . aim at Heaven.  When you do, you will be strengthening your character as you improve every aspect of your life. And God will demonstrate His approval as He showers you with more spiritual blessings than you can count.

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"Christians don't fail to live as they should because they are in the world; they fail because the world has gotten into them"  -- Billy Graham

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Lord, when we look to the world for approval, we suffer.  But, when we look to You for approval, we are blessed.  Today, help us focus less on the world and more on You. Amen.

The Prince of Peace

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled; neither let it be afraid"  -- John 14:27 / NKJV

 

Have you found the genuine peace that can be yours through Jesus Christ?  Or are you still rushing after the illusion of "peace and happiness" that the world promises but cannot deliver?  The beautiful words of John 14:27 remind us that Jesus offers us peace, not as the world gives, but as He alone gives. Our challenge is to accept Christ's peace into our hearts and then, as best we can, to share His peace with our neighbors.

 

Today, as a gift to yourself, to your family and to your friends, claim the inner peace that is your spiritual birthright:  the peace of Jesus Christ.  it is offered freely; it has been paid for in full, it is yours for the asking. So ask. And then, share!

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"God's peace is like a river, not a pond. In other words, a sense of health and well-being, both of which are expressions of the Hebrew shalom, can permeate our homes even when we are in white water rapids"  -- Beth Moore

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Lord, we will open our hearts to You.  And we thank You, Lord, for your peace, and for Your Son.

God's Plan For Your Family

"Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who builds it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchmen stays awake in vain" -- Psalm 127:1 / NKJV

 

As you consider God's purpose for your own life, you must also consider how your plans will effect the most important people that God has entrusted to your care: your loved ones.

 

A loving family is a treasure from God.  If you happen to be a member of a close knit, supportive clan, offer a words of thanks to your Creator.  He has blessed you with one of His most precious earthly possessions.  Your obligation, in response to God's gift, is to treat your family in ways that are consistent with His commandments.  So, as you prayerfully seek God's direction, remember that He has important plans for your home life as well as your professional life.  It is up to you to act and to plan accordingly.

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"Loving life with a consistent spiritual walk deeply influences those we love most" 

-- Vonette Bright

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Lord, You have given us a family that cares for us and loves us.  Whether that is your immediate family or your brothers and sisters in Christ.  Thank You, Father.  Let us love all the members of our family despite their imperfections, and let them love us despite ours.

Sharing The Good News

"For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel - not with clever words, so that the cross of Christ will not be emptied of its effect"
-- 1 Corinthians 1:17 / HCSB

 

In his second letter to Timothy, Paul offers a message to believers of every generation when he writes, "God has not given us a spirit of timidity."  Paul's meaning is crystal clear:  When sharing our testimony, we, as Christians, must be courageous, forthright and unashamed.

 

We live in a world that desperately needs the healing message of Christ Jesus.  Every believer, each in his or her own way, bears a personal responsibility for sharing the message.  If you are a believer in Christ, you know how He has touched your heart and changed your life.  Now it is your turn to share the Good News with others.  And remember: today is the perfect time to share your testimony because tomorrow may quite simply be too late.

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"If we can love folks the way they are, we have a greater chance of winning them to the kingdom"  -- Dennis Swanberg

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Lord, the life that we live and the words that we speak will tell the world how we feel about You.  Today and every day, let our testimony be worthy of You.  Let our words be sure and true, and let our actions point others to You.

Being Patient With Ourselves

"Knowing God leads to self-control.  Self-control leads to patient endurance and patient endurance leads to godliness"  -- 2 Peter 1:6 / NLT

 

Being patient with other people can be difficult.  But sometimes, we find it even more difficult to be patient with ourselves. We have high expectations and lofty goals.  We want to accomplish things now, not later. And, of course, we want our lives to unfold according to our own timetables, not God's.

 

Throughout the Bible, we are instructed that patience is the companion of wisdom.  God's message, then, is clear: we must be patient with all people, beginning with that particular person who stares back at us each time we gaze into the mirror.

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"Be patient.  God is using today's difficulties to strengthen you for tomorrow.  He is equipping you.  The God who makes things grow will help you bear fruit"
-- Max Lucado

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Lord, You have been so patient with us, and we praise You for Your forgiveness. Let us be patient with ourselves, Father, even when we fall short of our own expectations.  You have forgiven us, Lord - now we must forgive ourselves.

Quality Time

"So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" 
-- Psalm 90:12 / NKJV

Make no mistake:  caring for your family requires time - lots of time.  You have probably heard about "quality time" and "quantity time." Your family needs both.  So, as a responsible Christian, you should willingly invest large quantities of your time and energy in the care and nurturing of your clan.

While caring for your family, you should do your best to ensure that God remains squarely at the center of your household.  When you do, God will bless you and yours in ways that you could scarcely imagine.

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"Never give your family the leftovers and crumbs of your time"  --  Charles Swindoll

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Father, help us to treasure those moments that we spend with our family and let us demonstrate, through our words and our actions, how much love we feel in our hearts for them, 

Being An Optimistic Christian

"Make me hear joy and gladness"  -- Psalm 51:8 / NKJV

To be a pessimistic Christian is a contradiction in terms, yet sometimes even the most devout Christians fall prey to fear, doubt and discouragement.  But, God has a different plan for our lives. The comforting words of the 23rd Psalm remind us of God's blessings.  In response to His grace, we should arrive to focus our thoughts on things that are pleasing to Him, not upon things that are evil, discouraging or frustrating.

So, the next time you find yourself mired in the pit of pessimism, remember God's Word and redirect your thoughts.  This world is God's creation; look for the best in it, and trust Him to take care of the rest.

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"Keep your feet on the ground, but let your heart soar as high as it will.  Refuse to be average or to surrender to the chill of our spiritual environment"

-- A. W. Tozer

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Lord, give us faith, optimism, and hope. Let us expect the best from You, and let us look for the best in others. Let us trust You, Lord, to direct our lives. And, let us be Your faithful, hopeful, optimistic servant every day that we live.

Glorious Opportunities

"Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity" -- Colossians 4:5 / NASB

Are you excited about  the opportunities that this week could bring and thrilled by the possibilities of this weekend? Do you confidently expect God to lead you to a place of abundance, peace, and joy?  And, when your days on earth are over, do you expect to receive the priceless gift of eternal life?  If you trust God's promises, and if you have welcomed God's Son into your heart, then you believe that your future is intensely and eternally bright.

This week as you prepare to meet the duties of everyday life, pause and consider God's promises.  And then think for a moment about the wonderful future that awaits all of us.  Trust that promise, and celebrate the life of abundance and eternal joy that is now yours through Christ.

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"With the right attitude and a willingness to pay the price, almost anyone can pursue nearly any opportunity and achieve it"  -- John Maxwell

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Lord, as we take the next steps on our life's journey, let us take them with You.  Whatever the next several days brings to us, we thank You for the opportunity to live  abundantly.  Let us lean upon You, Father - and trust You - this night and for the days to come.

New Beginnings

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you"  -- Ezekiel 36:26 / HCSB

If we sincerely want to change ourselves for the better, we must start on the inside and work our way out from there.  Lasting change does not occur ""out there"; it occurs "in here."  It occurs, not in the shifting sands of our own particular circumstances, but in quiet depths of our own hearts.

Are you in search of a new beginning or, for that matter, a new you?  If so, do not expect changing circumstances to miraculously transform you into the person you want to become. Transformation starts with God, and it starts in the silent center of a humble human heart - like yours.

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"If we trust God and depend on His grace, we can grow in personal character as we going through trials" -- Warren Wiersbe

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Lord, conform us to Your image. Create in us a new heart - a heart that reflects the love that You lavish upon us.  When we need to change, Lord, change us, and make us new again.

The Lessons of Tough Times

"I waited patiently for the Lord, and He turned to me and heard my cry for help.  He brought me up from a desolate pit, out of the muddy clay, and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure.  He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God"  -- Psalm 40:1-3 / HCSB

Have you experienced a recent setback?  If so, look for the lesson that God is trying to teach you.  Instead of complaining about life's sad state of affairs, learn what needs to be learned, change what needs to be changed, and move on.  View failure as an opportunity to reassess God's will for your life. View life's inevitable disappointments as opportunities to learn more about yourself and your world. 

Life can be difficult at times.  And everybody makes mistakes. Your job is to make them only once.

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"Lord, when we are wrong, make us willing to change; and when we are right, make us easy to live with"  -- Peter Marshall

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Lord, we know that we are imperfect and that we fail You in many ways.  Thank You for Your forgiveness and for Your unconditional love.  Show us the error of our ways, Lord, that we might confess our wrongdoing and correct our mistakes. And, let us grow each day in wisdom, in faith, and in our love for You.

Faith to Share

"This and this only has been my appointed work:  getting this news to those who have never heard of God, and explaining how it works by simple faith and plain truth"

-- 1 Timothy 2:7 / MSG

Genuine faith never meant to be locked up in the heart of a believer; to the contrary, it is meant to be shared with the world.  But, if you sincerely seek to share your faith, you must first find it.

When a suffering woman sought healing by merely touching the hem of His cloak, Jesus replied, "Daughter, be of good comfort; your faith has healed you" (Matthew 9:22).  The message to believers of every generation is clear:  live by faith every day.

How can you strengthen your faith? Through praise, through worship, through Bible study, and through prayer.  And , as your faith becomes stronger, you will find ways to share it with your friends, your family and with the world.

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"Our faith grows by expression.  If we want to keep our faith, we must share it.  We must act" -- Billy Graham

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Lord, help us to be people whose faith is evident to our family and friends.  Help us to remember that You are always near and that You can overcome any challenge.  With Your love and Your power, Lord, we will live courageously and share our faith with others, today and every day.

Standing Up for Your Faith

"Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong"  -- 1 Corinthians 16:13 / NKJV

Are you a person whose faith is obvious to your family and to the world, or are you a spiritual shrinking violet? God needs more people who are willing to stand up and be counted for Him.

Genuine faith is never meant to be locked up in the heart of a believer; to the contrary, it is meant to be shared. And a person who wishes to share God's Good News with the world should begin by sharing that message with friends and family members.

Through every triumph and tragedy, God will stand by your side and strengthen you . . . if you have faith in Him. Jesus taught His disciples that if they had faith, they could move mountains. You can too, and so can your family . . . if you have faith.
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"Hope must be in the future tense. Faith, to be faith, must always be in the present tense"
-- Catherine Marshall
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Lord, make us Your obedient, faithful, servants. You are with us always. Give us faith and let us remember that with Your love and Your power, we can live courageously and faithfully today and every day to come.