The Only Treasures That Satisfy

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.  Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.  Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”

—Matthew 6:19-21 (NLT)

Heavenly Father,

Help me never to forget that the only treasures that will ever truly satisfy the longing desires of my heart are found in Jesus Christ.

Don’t let me allow the distractions and attractions of this world to become a quickly vanishing treasure that I get lost in seeking after—when such a greater treasure is made available to me in Christ.

Help me remember that only the treasures that I lay up for myself in heaven are truly mine to keep—and are the only treasures which can never be taken away from me.

So, help me to keep my heart set on things eternal—things that cannot be destroyed and cannot be taken from me—holding what You bless me with in the here and now in open hands surrendered up to You to be used for Your Glory.

Help me never to forget that the only treasures that will ever truly satisfy the longing desires of my heart are found in Jesus Christ.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Don’t be Afraid. I am Here to Help You.

For I hold you by your right hand—
    I, the LORD your God.
And I say to you,
    ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.

—Isaiah 41:13 (NLT)

Sovereign LORD my God,

What a comfort and a joy to know that I am never alone!  For it is You who holds me by the right hand and tells me not to be afraid, who reminds me that You are always here to help me!

So help me to embrace whatever lies before me today, with the certain confidence that You are by my side—and with the understanding that my access to all that You are is only restricted by how willing I am to seek You out by faith.

Thank You for the compassionate love You show to me—that You comfort and keep me, holding fast to my right hand—so that in the times I stumble, You uphold me in Your strength and steady me, so that I don’t not fall down completely.

Thank You for Your assurance to me that I have nothing to fear, because You are here to help me, to guide and direct me—no matter the situation or circumstance in which I may find myself—as You lead me forward down paths of righteousness, for love’s sake and for Your glory, in the fullness of Truth and Grace.

What a comfort and a joy to know that I am never alone!  For it is You who holds me by the right hand and tells me not to be afraid, who reminds me that You are always here to help me!

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

The God Whose Faithful Love Endures Forever

He remembered us in our weakness.
      His faithful love endures forever.
He saved us from our enemies.
     His faithful love endures forever.
He gives food to every living thing.
     His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of heaven.
     His faithful love endures forever.

—Psalm 136:23-26 (NLT)

Merciful and Loving Father God,

Thank You for Your faithful and forever enduring love—which is infinitely far beyond what I could ever deserve.

Thank You for remembering me in my weakness—for loving me when I was lost in my sin, for wanting me enough to make a way for me to live in right relationship with You, and for giving me Your strength, so that I might truly live my life through You.

Thank You for saving me from those enemies which wage war against me—for saving me from sin, death, and even hell itself—through the sacrifice of Your Son, and my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Thank You for giving me life giving food—but not just that which I eat. Thank You that I find in You every good thing I need to live, and grow, and learn, and serve, so that in doing so my life might bring glory to You. 

I give You all of my thanks and all of my praise, for You are the Great and Glorious Creator of everything that is, and still You invite me to drink from the inexhaustible fountain of Your never ending mercy and love. 

Thank You for Your faithful and forever enduring love—which is infinitely far beyond what I could ever deserve.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

LORD Over All Things

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O LORD, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things.

—1 Chronicles 29:11 (NLT)

O LORD My God,

Grant that I would always adore You as the One who is over all things—the only One worthy to receive the worship of my heart!

Capture my thoughts this day with Your unsurpassed greatness—that I would ponder the limitlessness of the great God I serve and find comfort in Your unfailing love for me.

Help me to tap into Your power—that same power that raised Christ from the dead which lives in me—so that I can do all things that You require, in Christ.

Show me Your glory all around me, that I would find comfort for my weary soul in Your presence with me—knowing that You will never leave me, nor forsake me.

Strengthen me to walk in victory over all my sin—victory which You bought for me, through the redeeming sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus.

And let me worship You in all Your majesty—making much of You, so that my troubles here on earth fade from sight, in the light of who You are and of all that You have done.

Give me Your peace today, as I offer You all my adoration—knowing all things are Yours and under Your control, as You hold it all in the palm of Your hand.

Grant that I would always adore You as the One who is over all things—the only One worthy to receive the worship of my heart!

In the name of Jesus, Amen.