An Untroubled Heart

 

 

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.”

 

—John 14:1 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lord Jesus,

 

As we live our lives in this very troubled world, help us to remember Your instruction to us—help us never allow our hearts to be troubled.

 

Thank You for not only giving us this instruction, but also for empowering us to obey this instruction by showing us the pathway to an untroubled heart—that an untroubled heart trusts in God, and trusts in You.

 

Show us how our capacity to trust in You is dependent on the depth of our relationship with You—and that the depth of that relationship is determined by our understanding of who You are and of Your great love for us, which is revealed to us in the Word and by the Spirit.

 

Help us to realize that the more that we act on the Truth we find in Your Word, and put our trust in You, the more we give You the opportunity to show Yourself faithful to us, which in turn causes our trust to grow because of our experience of that faithfulness.

 

As we live our lives in this very troubled world, help us to remember Your instruction to us—help us never allow our hearts to be troubled.

 

In Your beautiful and powerful name, I pray, Lord Jesus. Amen.

 

God is With You!

 

“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:8-9 (NLT)

 

O LORD, My God,

 

Thank You for giving us Your Word—this amazing Book of Instruction—which tells us everything we need to know to navigate the challenges of life here on earth and fulfill our calling with strength and courage!

 

Help me to study Your Word continually and meditate on its truth day and night—so that I will not only be careful to fully understand Your instruction but also be able to apply its Truth to my life, in willing obedience.

 

For if I obey Your instruction, You have promised I will prosper and succeed in all that I do—and because of Your blessing upon my life, others will come to understand their own need for a relationship with You.

 

Keep me far from fear and discouragement—comforted by knowing that, though Your way for me may not always seem easy, it will always be right. And help me to remain strong and courageous, confident in the Truth that You are always with me wherever I go.

 

Thank You for giving us Your Word—this amazing Book of Instruction—which tells us everything we need to know to navigate the challenges of life here on earth and fulfill our calling, with strength and courage!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Do What It Says!

 

 

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

 

—James 1:22 (NLT)

 

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Don’t allow me to fool myself!  Help me not only to listen to Your Word, but also willingly choose to do what it says!

 

Save me from the self-deception that I am accomplishing something good when I merely listen to Your Word, but then walk away—failing to embrace and apply its instructions to my life.

 

Help me always to approach Your Word carefully and with proper reverence for the power of the Truth that it contains—that power to change me, from within, into all that You have called me to be.

 

Help me to invest the time to look carefully into the perfect law that sets me free, so that I can understand it, do what it says, remember what I have heard, and enjoy the freedom that living by Your Word can bring me.

 

Don’t allow me to fool myself!  Help me not only to listen to Your Word, but also willingly choose to do what it says!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Live a Holy Life

 

 

For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

 

—1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 (NIV)

 

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

You have called me to live a holy life, but You have also equipped me to live that life by sending me the Holy Spirit, who empowers me for my journey toward holiness.

 

Help me never forget that the instruction to live a holy life does not come from a man, but from You—and is given to me out of Your unsurpassed wisdom and for my own benefit, because of Your great and unfailing love for me.

 

May I always remember that when I reject this instruction, I reject You, my Creator and Protector—instead of allowing Your instruction to work within me the protections and blessings it brings.

 

Keep me from grieving Your Holy Spirit in that way—causing separation from the One who makes it possible for me to turn from impurity and choose to live a holy life.

 

Help me to understand fully that when I choose impurity over Your call to holiness, I don’t have my own best interests at heart—because I have rejected You, and Your very best for me.

 

You have called me to live a holy life, but You have also equipped me to live that life by sending me the Holy Spirit, who empowers me for my journey toward holiness.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Seek the LORD!

 

Seek the LORD while you can find him.
    Call on him now while he is near.
Let the wicked change their ways
    and banish the very thought of doing wrong.
Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them.
    Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.

 

—Isaiah 55:6-7 (NLT)

 

 

O LORD, My God,

Grant me the wisdom to seek You now—to call on You while You are near—knowing that in my repenting I will see Your mercy and forgiveness and find myself made complete in You.

 

May I seek You with my whole heart, mind, soul, and strength, believing that You are the God that can be found. May I call on You all the day long, while You are near.

 

Help me to repent of my sin—to turn from any wickedness that remains in me and run to You—and help me banish the very thought of doing wrong from my heart, so that nothing separates me from You.

 

Pour out Your mercy and forgiveness generously on me, as I come to You with faith and obedience, ready to receive the abundance of all the good things You have prepared for me.

Grant me the wisdom to seek You now—to call on You while You are near—knowing that in my repenting I will see Your mercy and forgiveness and find myself made complete in You.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

Along the Best Pathway for Your Life

 

 

The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.

    I will advise you and watch over you.

Do not be like a senseless horse or mule

    that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

 

—Psalm 32:8-9 (NLT)

 

 

 

Loving LORD,

 

Guide me along the best pathway for my life—advise me and watch over me always.  Let my heart be fully submitted to Your will, Your plan and Your purpose for me.

 

I don’t want to find myself fighting against You—like a senseless or stubborn horse or mule—only to end up having to endure the discipline and deal with the consequences of my foolish disobedience.

 

Help me to remember that the path You lead me down is the best way for me to go—the way that will keep me safe and the direction in which I will find my every need met according to Your plan and Your perfect timing.

 

Help me to seek out Your counsel, listen for Your advice, willingly obey Your instruction—and then, by faith, rest in Your provision, protection, peace, and joy.

 

Guide me along the best pathway for my life—advise me and watch over me always.  Let my heart be fully submitted to Your will, Your plan and Your purpose for me.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

That I Might Not Sin

 

 

Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.

 

—Psalm 119:11 (NKJV)

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Help me to hide Your Word in my heart, so I might not sin against You. May it cleanse me as it continuously washes over my soul.

 

Thank You that Your Word answers everything that I encounter on my earthly journey and takes me down the path of abundant and everlasting life in Christ, both in the here and now, and forevermore.

 

Help me truly know Your Word. May it be so much more than simply lines that I recall having read. Help me to grasp the depth of meaning contained in every verse, so that, with Your Spirit as my teacher, I can receive all the life-giving Truth that each word offers me.

 

Don’t let my hunger for Your Word ever wain but may I always hide it—as I would any great treasure—within the deepest parts of my heart.  And strengthen me as I commit to meditate daily on Your Word and apply each truth that I find there to my life.

 

Help me to hide Your Word in my heart, so I might not sin against You. May it cleanse me as it continuously washes over my soul.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

Remind the Believers

 

Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.  They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. 
—Titus 3:1-2 (NLT)

 

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help me to take seriously my responsibility to submit to the government and its officers—as long as doing so does not violate Your commands.

 

Your Word commands me to be obedient—especially to Your Word and Your Spirit—and to be ready to do that which is good.

 

Your Word commands me to never slander anyone and to avoid quarreling—to speak only truth, with grace, in love.

 

Your Word commands me to be gentle with others, and to show true humility to everyone—not thinking more highly of myself than I ought to but living within the truth of who I am in Christ—with the knowledge that any good in me comes from You.

 

Help me to take seriously my responsibility to submit to the government and its officers—as long as doing so does not violate Your commands.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Teach Me Again and Again!

 

They have turned their back to Me and not their face; though I taught them, teaching again and again, they would not listen and receive instruction.

 

—Jeremiah 32:33 (NASB)

 

My Creator and my God,

 

May I never turn my back to You—and may I always listen with a heart that hungers to receive Your instruction!

 

May You always see my face, as I set my course to run to You alone—never turning to the right or the left, and never returning to that place from which you brought me.

 

As you look upon my face and see me as I am, may my faith be pleasing to You—and may You turn Your face toward me, that I may live in the protection, provision, and peace of Your loving presence.

 

May I abide with You, carefully listening to all You would teach me, so that I would receive, embrace, and obey Your instruction—and remain in Your love forever.

 

May I never turn my back to You—and may I always listen with a heart that hungers to receive Your instruction!

 

In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Remain in the Love of Christ

 

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” —John 15:9-11 (NLT)

 

Loving Heavenly Father,

 

Help me to remain in the love of Christ, my Savior and Lord, by obeying His commandments—so that I will be continually filled to overflowing with the joy of Christ!

 

Thank You for the perfect love with which You loved Your Son, Jesus, who then loved me with that same perfect love—and gave up His life, so that I would find my life in Him.

 

Help me to remain in His love—in that ongoing and ever-growing love relationship with Him—proving my love for Him by my willing obedience to His every command.

 

For only there, in my complete submission to His instruction, will I find His joy, bubbling up from within me like an overflowing fountain—not only for my own benefit, but for the blessing of all those around me!

 

Help me to remain in the love of Christ, my Savior and Lord, by obeying His commandments—so that I will be continually filled to overflowing with the joy of Christ!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

The Path to an Untroubled Heart

 

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.”

 

—John 14:1 (NLT)

 

Lord Jesus,

 

As we live our lives in this very troubled world, help us to remember Your instruction to us—help us never allow our hearts to be troubled.

 

Thank You for not only giving us this instruction, but also for empowering us to obey this instruction by showing us the pathway to an untroubled heart—that an untroubled heart trusts in God, and trusts in You.

 

Show us how our capacity to trust in You is dependent on the depth of our relationship with You—and that the depth of that relationship is determined by our understanding of who You are and of Your great love for us, which is revealed to us in the Word and by the Spirit.

 

Help us to realize that the more that we act on the Truth we find in Your Word, and put our trust in You, the more we give You the opportunity to show Yourself faithful to us, which in turn causes our trust to grow because of our experience of that faithfulness.

 

As we live our lives in this very troubled world, help us to remember Your instruction to us—help us never allow our hearts to be troubled.

 

In Your beautiful and powerful name, I pray, Lord Jesus. Amen.

With You Wherever You Go

 

“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:8-9 (NLT)

 

O LORD, My God,

 

Thank You for giving us Your Word—this amazing Book of Instruction—which tells us everything we need to know to navigate the challenges of life here on earth and fulfill our calling with strength and courage!

 

Help me to study Your Word continually and meditate on its truth day and night—so that I will not only be careful to fully understand Your instruction, but also be able to apply its Truth to my life, in willing obedience.

 

For if I obey Your instruction, You have promised I will prosper and succeed in all that I do—and because of Your blessing upon my life, others will come to understand their own need for a relationship with You.

 

Keep me far from fear and discouragement—comforted by knowing that, though Your way for me may not always seem easy, it will always be right. And help me to remain strong and courageous, confident in the Truth that You are always with me wherever I go.

 

Thank You for giving us Your Word—this amazing Book of Instruction—which tells us everything we need to know to navigate the challenges of life here on earth and fulfill our calling, with strength and courage!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Don't Just Listen to God's Word!

 

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

 

—James 1:22 (NLT)

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Don’t allow me to fool myself!  Help me not only to listen to Your Word, but also willingly choose to do what it says!

 

Save me from the self-deception that I am accomplishing something good when I merely listen to Your Word, but then walk away—failing to embrace and apply its instructions to my life.

 

Help me always to approach Your Word carefully and with proper reverence for the power of the Truth that it contains—that power to change me, from within, into all that You have called me to be.

 

Help me to invest the time to look carefully into the perfect law that sets me free, so that I can understand it, do what it says, remember what I have heard, and enjoy the freedom that living by Your Word can bring me.

 

Don’t allow me to fool myself!  Help me not only to listen to Your Word, but also willingly choose to do what it says!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

To Live a Holy Life

 

For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

 

—1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 (NIV)

 

Heavenly Father,

 

You have called me to live a holy life, but You have also equipped me to live that life by sending me the Holy Spirit, who empowers me for my journey toward holiness.

 

Help me never forget that the instruction to live a holy life does not come from a man, but from You—and is given to me out of Your unsurpassed wisdom and for my own benefit, because of Your great and unfailing love for me.

 

May I always remember that when I reject this instruction, I reject You, my Creator and Protector—instead of allowing Your instruction to work within me the protections and blessings it brings.

 

Keep me from grieving Your Holy Spirit in that way—causing separation from the One who makes it possible for me to turn from impurity and choose to live a holy life.

 

Help me to understand fully that when I choose impurity over Your call to holiness, I don’t have my own best interests at heart—because I have rejected You, and Your very best for me.

 

You have called me to live a holy life, but You have also equipped me to live that life by sending me the Holy Spirit, who empowers me for my journey toward holiness.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

The Best Pathway for My Life

 

The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.

    I will advise you and watch over you.

Do not be like a senseless horse or mule

    that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

 

—Psalm 32:8-9 (NLT)

 

Loving LORD,

 

Guide me along the best pathway for my life—advise me and watch over me always.  Let my heart be fully submitted to Your will, Your plan and Your purpose for me.

 

I don’t want to find myself fighting against You—like a senseless or stubborn horse or mule—only to end up having to endure the discipline and deal with the consequences of my foolish disobedience.

 

Help me to remember that the path You lead me down is the best way for me to go—the way that will keep me safe and the direction in which I will find my every need met according to Your plan and Your perfect timing.

 

Help me to seek out Your counsel, listen for Your advice, willingly obey Your instruction—and then, by faith, rest in Your provision, protection, peace and joy.

 

Guide me along the best pathway for my life—advise me and watch over me always.  Let my heart be fully submitted to Your will, Your plan and Your purpose for me.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Your Word Hidden in My Heart

 

Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.

 

—Psalm 119:11 (NKJV)

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Help me to hide Your Word in my heart, so I might not sin against You. Let it cleanse me as it continuously washes over my soul.

 

Thank You that Your Word answers everything that I encounter on my earthly journey and takes me down the path of abundant and everlasting life in Christ, both in the here and now, and forevermore.

 

Help me truly know Your Word. Let it be so much more than simply lines that I recall having read. Help me to grasp the depth of meaning contained in every verse, so that, with Your Spirit as my teacher, I can receive all the life-giving Truth that each word offers me.

 

Don’t let my hunger for Your Word ever wain but may I always hide it—as I would any great treasure—within the deepest parts of my heart.  And strengthen me as I commit to meditate daily on Your Word and apply each truth that I find there to my life.

 

Help me to hide Your Word in my heart, so I might not sin against You. Let it cleanse me as it continuously washes over my soul.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Always Ready to Do What is Good

 

Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.  They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. 
—Titus 1:2-3 (NLT)

 

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help me to take seriously my responsibility to submit to the government and its officers—as long as doing so does not violate Your commands.

 

Your Word commands me to be obedient—especially to Your Word and Your Spirit—and to be ready to do that which is good.

 

Your Word commands me to never slander anyone and to avoid quarreling—to speak only truth, with grace, in love.

 

Your Word commands me to be gentle with others, and to show true humility to everyone—not thinking more highly of myself than I ought to but living within the truth of who I am in Christ, and with the knowledge that any good in me comes from You.

 

Help me to take seriously my responsibility to submit to the government and its officers—as long as doing so does not violate Your commands.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.