Don't Just Pretend to Love!

 

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.

 

—Romans 12:9 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loving LORD GOD,

 

With Christ as my example, teach me to love others in Spirit and in Truth, to hate what is evil, and hold tightly to what is good—for You are the source of all that is good.

 

Keep me from the hypocrisy of only pretending to love others—from “loving” others out of impure motives that falsely promise to serve me well, but in the end leave me empty and far from You.

 

Out of a grateful heart for Your love for me, help me to love others as You do—with complete selflessness—putting the needs of others before my own selfish wants and desires, so that they might see Your love for them through me.

 

Like Christ, help me to fight passionately against all that is evil—wherever it may raise its ugly head—by always speaking truth, always giving grace, and always walking in His perfect love.

 

With Christ as my example, teach me to love others in Spirit and in Truth, to hate what is evil, and hold tightly to what is good—for You are the source of all that is good.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

I Have Given Rest . . . and Joy!

 

 

 

“For I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing.”

 

—Jeremiah 31:25 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

 

 

O God, the One who sees me,

 

In those times when I become weary, in those times when sorrow fills my heart, may I find in You the rest You promise, and may You strengthen me with inexpressible joy!

 

You know me completely! You know how easy it is for me to let the cares of this world weigh me down. So, let me find my rest in You—as I choose to live my life in Christ.

 

You know every sorrow that fills my heart! Yet, You offer to restore me to a place of strength and gladness—as, by Your Holy Spirit, You fill me with the joy of my salvation!

 

So draw me close to You—so I can find rest for my weariness, and joy for my sorrow, in Christ Jesus alone!

 

In those times when I become weary, in those times when sorrow fills my heart, may I find in You the rest You promise, and may You strengthen me with inexpressible joy!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Personally

 

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”  

 

—Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT)

 

 

 

Omnipresent and Sovereign LORD,

 

May my confident hope—for the facing of this day before me—be found in Your promise that You will personally go ahead of me, that You will be with me, and that You will neither fail me nor abandon me!

 

Help me to remember that You are always with me, and that where I am going, You are already there—that You have gone before me to make a way for me, so that with each step I take, I can be where You are, as You call me to Yourself.

 

Don’t allow any situations or circumstances before me draw me into fear or discouragement. Help me to reject any thoughts or doubts that come up against the Truth of Your promises to me—help me trust in Your love for me!

 

Help me to walk boldly forward into the plan that You have for me today—knowing that You will never fail me nor abandon me, but will walk with me to empower me, provide for me, and protect me along the path You have chosen for me, today.

May my confident hope—for the facing of this day before me—be found in Your promise that You will personally go ahead of me, that You will be with me, and that You will neither fail me nor abandon me!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Be Still, Don't Worry

 

 

Be still in the presence of the LORD,
    and wait patiently for him to act.
Don’t worry about evil people who prosper
    or fret about their wicked schemes.

 

—Psalm 37:7 (NLT)

 

 

 

Loving LORD,

 

Bring me into the stillness and peace of Your presence and help me wait patiently for You to act, as You work in me, through me, and all around me. Don’t allow me to worry or fret over evil people, or their wicked schemes, but keep my eyes fixed on You.

 

Help me rest confidently in Your loving presence, far from the restless anxiousness that this life brings. Make me content to be where You have me now, and assured that You never stop working, never stop unfolding Your perfect plan.

 

Help me not to get caught up in fretting over those who seem to be getting away with their evil schemes—who make a game of life and appear to be winning, as they play that game by their own set of rules and leave the truth behind to chase after lies.

 

Help me remain in Your presence and live out my life within the protection that Your instructions promise, never compromising the truth. Help me remember that as I wait for You, You will set all things right—every hurt, every offense, every injustice—according to Your perfect timing, plan and purpose, and for Your greatest glory.

 

Bring me into the stillness and peace of Your presence and help me wait patiently for You to act, as You work in me, through me, and all around me. Don’t allow me to worry or fret over evil people, or their wicked schemes, but keep my eyes fixed on You.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Fully Convinced!

 

 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God.  He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.

 

—Romans 4:20-21 (NLT)

 

 

 

Heavenly Father,

May my faith never waver, but rather grow ever stronger, so that my life will bring glory to You—and may I ever remain fully convinced that You are able and will do everything that You have promised, at just the right time, according to Your perfect plan.

 

Remind me that—though my life has been filled with many mistakes, much sin, and multiple failures of my faith—You have always remained faithful to love and forgive me, and to use every circumstance I find myself in, to call me to a deeper faith in You.

 

Grant me the wisdom to seek out Your promises within the pages of Your Word, so I might, by faith, remain obedient to You in all things—and teach me to trust You even more, through my experience of Your faithfulness to me.

 

With strengthened faith, let me never again allow any doubt or unbelief to cause me to question Your faithfulness or Your ability to carry out that which You have promised—but let me remain fully convinced that You are able!

 

May my faith never waver, but rather grow ever stronger, so that my life will bring glory to You—and may I ever remain fully convinced that You are able and will do everything that You have promised, at just the right time, according to Your perfect plan.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

Life in This World

 

 

Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.

 

—John 12:25 (NLT)

 

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Thank You for showing me that the very best life that this world has to offer me is nothing when compared to the unending and unfailing life that You have promised me—a life that is safely kept in Christ, both now and for eternity.

 

Help me to hold every blessing of my life with open hands, lifted up to You—acknowledging that everything I have belongs to You—so that trying to hold onto the things of this life won’t rob me of one moment of the incomparable joy of living my life in Your presence.

 

Save me from my own selfish ways that tempt me to buy into the lies that positions will give me power, material things will bring me security, and pleasures will make me satisfied—so I can clearly see that only in You can I ever hope to experience true power, real security, and lasting satisfaction for my soul.

 

Help me to totally surrender my life into Your care and control—to live for Christ and allow Christ to live in me—so my life would in some way serve Your purposes and bring glory to Your name.

 

Thank You for showing me that the very best life that this world has to offer me is nothing when compared to the unending and unfailing life that You have promised me—a life that is safely kept in Christ, both now and for eternity.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

No Pretending

 

 

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.

 

—Romans 12:9 (NLT)

 

 

Loving LORD GOD,

 

With Christ as my example, teach me to love others in Spirit and in Truth, to hate what is evil, and hold tightly to what is good—for You are the source of all that is good.

 

Keep me from the hypocrisy of only pretending to love others—from “loving” others out of impure motives that falsely promise to serve me well, but in the end leave me empty and far from You.

 

Out of a grateful heart for Your love for me, help me to love others as You do—with complete selflessness—putting the needs of others before my own selfish wants and desires, so that they might see Your love for them through me.

 

Like Christ, help me to fight passionately against all that is evil—wherever it may raise its ugly head—by always speaking truth, always giving grace, and always walking in His perfect love.

 

With Christ as my example, teach me to love others in Spirit and in Truth, to hate what is evil, and hold tightly to what is good—for You are the source of all that is good.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Rest and Joy

 

“For I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing.”

 

—Jeremiah 31:25 (NLT)

 

O God, the One who sees me,

 

In those times when I become weary, in those times when sorrow fills my heart, may I find in You the rest You promise, and may You strengthen me with inexpressible joy!

 

You know me completely! You know how easy it is for me to let the cares of this world weigh me down. So, let me find my rest in You—as I choose to live my life in Christ.

 

You know every sorrow that fills my heart! Yet, You offer to restore me to a place of strength and gladness—as, by Your Holy Spirit, You fill me with the joy of my salvation!

 

So draw me close to You—so I can find rest for my weariness, and joy for my sorrow, in Christ Jesus alone!

 

In those times when I become weary, in those times when sorrow fills my heart, may I find in You the rest You promise, and may You strengthen me with inexpressible joy!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

Do Not Be Afraid or Discouraged

 

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”  

—Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT)

 

Omnipresent and Sovereign LORD,

 

May my confident hope—for the facing of this day before me—be found in Your promise that You will personally go ahead of me, that You will be with me, and that You will neither fail me nor abandon me!

 

Help me to remember that You are always with me, and that where I am going, You are already there—that You have gone before me to make a way for me, so that with each step I take, I can be where You are, as You call me to Yourself.

 

Don’t allow any situations or circumstances before me draw me into fear or discouragement. Help me to reject any thoughts or doubts that come up against the Truth of Your promises to me—help me trust in Your love for me!

 

Help me to walk boldly forward into the plan that You have for me today—knowing that You will never fail me nor abandon me, but will walk with me to empower me, provide for me, and protect me along the path You have chosen for me, today.

May my confident hope—for the facing of this day before me—be found in Your promise that You will personally go ahead of me, that You will be with me, and that You will neither fail me nor abandon me!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Be Still and Wait Patiently

 

Be still in the presence of the LORD,
    and wait patiently for him to act.
Don’t worry about evil people who prosper
    or fret about their wicked schemes.

 

—Psalm 37:7 (NLT)

 

Loving LORD,

 

Bring me into the stillness and peace of Your presence and help me wait patiently for You to act, as You work in me, through me, and all around me. Don’t allow me to worry or fret over evil people, or their wicked schemes, but keep my eyes fixed on You.

 

Help me rest confidently in Your loving presence, far from the restless anxiousness that this life brings. Make me content to be where You have me now, and assured that You never stop working, never stop unfolding Your perfect plan.

 

Help me not to get caught up in fretting over those who seem to be getting away with their evil schemes—who make a game of life and appear to be winning, as they play that game by their own set of rules and leave the truth behind to chase after lies.

 

Help me remain in Your presence and live out my life within the protection that Your instructions promise, never compromising the truth. Help me remember that as I wait for You, You will set all things right—every hurt, every offense, every injustice—according to Your perfect timing, plan and purpose, and for Your greatest glory.

 

Bring me into the stillness and peace of Your presence and help me wait patiently for You to act, as You work in me, through me, and all around me. Don’t allow me to worry or fret over evil people, or their wicked schemes, but keep my eyes fixed on You.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Believing God's Promises

 

Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God.  He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.

 

—Romans 4:20-21 (NLT)

 

 

Heavenly Father,

May my faith never waver, but rather grow ever stronger, so that my life will bring glory to You—and may I ever remain fully convinced that You are able and will do everything that You have promised, at just the right time, according to Your perfect plan.

 

Remind me that—though my life has been filled with many mistakes, much sin, and multiple failures of my faith—You have always remained faithful to love and forgive me, and to use every circumstance I find myself in, to call me to a deeper faith in You.

 

Grant me the wisdom to seek out Your promises within the pages of Your Word, so I might, by faith, remain obedient to You in all things—and teach me to trust You even more, through my experience of Your faithfulness to me.

 

With strengthened faith, let me never again allow any doubt or unbelief to cause me to question Your faithfulness or Your ability to carry out that which You have promised—but let me remain fully convinced that You are able!

 

May my faith never waver, but rather grow ever stronger, so that my life will bring glory to You—and may I ever remain fully convinced that You are able and will do everything that You have promised, at just the right time, according to Your perfect plan.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Keep Life for Eternity

 

Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.

 

—John 12:25 (NLT)

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Thank You for showing me that the very best life that this world has to offer me is nothing when compared to the unending and unfailing life that You have promised me—a life that is safely kept in Christ, both now and for eternity.

 

Help me to hold every blessing of my life with open hands, lifted up to You—acknowledging that everything I have belongs to You—so that trying to hold onto the things of this life won’t rob me of one moment of the incomparable joy of living my life in Your presence.

 

Save me from my own selfish ways that tempt me to buy into the lies that positions will give me power, material things will bring me security, and pleasures will make me satisfied—so I can clearly see that only in You can I ever hope to experience true power, real security, and lasting satisfaction for my soul.

 

Help me to totally surrender my life into Your care and control—to live for Christ and allow Christ to live in me—so my life would in some way serve Your purposes and bring glory to Your name.

 

Thank You for showing me that the very best life that this world has to offer me is nothing when compared to the unending and unfailing life that You have promised me—a life that is safely kept in Christ, both now and for eternity.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Don't Pretend, Really Love!

 

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.

 

—Romans 12:9 (NLT)

 

Loving LORD GOD,

 

With Christ as my example, teach me to love others in Spirit and in Truth, to hate what is evil, and hold tightly to what is good—for You are the source of all that is good.

 

Keep me from the hypocrisy of only pretending to love others—from “loving” others out of impure motives that falsely promise to serve me well, but in the end leave me empty and far from You.

 

Out of a grateful heart for Your love for me, help me to love others as You do—with complete selflessness—putting the needs of others before my own selfish wants and desires, so that they might see Your love for them through me.

 

Like Christ, help me to fight passionately against all that is evil—wherever it may raise its ugly head—by always speaking truth, always giving grace, and always walking in His perfect love.

 

With Christ as my example, teach me to love others in Spirit and in Truth, to hate what is evil, and hold tightly to what is good—for You are the source of all that is good.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Rest for My Weariness, Joy for My Sorrow

 

“For I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing.”

 

—Jeremiah 31:25 (NLT)

 

O God, the One who sees me,

 

In those times when I become weary, in those times when sorrow fills my heart, may I find in You the rest You promise, and may You strengthen me with inexpressible joy!

 

You know me completely!  You know how easy it is for me to let the cares of this world weigh me down.  So, let me find my rest in You—as I choose to live my life in Christ.

 

You know every sorrow that fills my heart!  Yet, You offer to restore me to a place of strength and gladness—as, by Your Holy Spirit, You fill me with the joy of my salvation!

 

So draw me close to You—so I can find rest for my weariness, and joy for my sorrow, in Christ Jesus alone!

 

In those times when I become weary, in those times when sorrow fills my heart, may I find in You the rest You promise, and may You strengthen me with inexpressible joy!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

The LORD Will Personally Go Ahead of You

 

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”  

—Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT)

 

Omnipresent and Sovereign LORD,

 

May my confident hope—for the facing of this day before me—be found in Your promise that You will personally go ahead of me, that You will be with me, and that You will neither fail me nor abandon me!

 

Help me to remember that You are always with me, and that where I am going, You are already there—that You have gone before me to make a way for me, so that with each step I take, I can be where You are, as You call me to Yourself.

 

Don’t allow any situations or circumstances before me draw me into fear or discouragement.  Help me to reject any thoughts or doubts that come up against the Truth of Your promises to me—help me trust in Your love for me!

 

Help me to walk boldly forward into the plan that You have for me today—knowing that You will never fail me nor abandon me, but will walk with me to empower me, provide for me, and protect me along the path You have chosen for me, today.

May my confident hope—for the facing of this day before me—be found in Your promise that You will personally go ahead of me, that You will be with me, and that You will neither fail me nor abandon me!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Be Still...Wait Patiently...Don't Worry

 

Be still in the presence of the LORD,
    and wait patiently for him to act.
Don’t worry about evil people who prosper
    or fret about their wicked schemes.

 

—Psalm 37:7 (NLT)

 

Loving LORD,

 

Bring me into the stillness and peace of Your presence and help me wait patiently for You to act—as You work in me, through me, and all around me.  Don’t allow me to worry or fret over evil people, or their wicked schemes—but keep my eyes fixed on You.

 

Help me rest confidently in Your loving presence—far from the restless anxiousness that this life brings—content to be where You have me now, and assured that You never stop working, never stop unfolding Your perfect plan.

 

Help me not to get caught up in fretting over those who seem to be getting away with their evil schemes—who make a game of life and appear to be winning, as they play that game by their own set of rules and leave the truth behind to chase after lies.

 

Help me be still in Your presence and live out my life within the protection that Your instructions promise, without compromising the truth, knowing that as I trust You, You will set all things right—every hurt, every offense, every injustice—according to Your perfect timing, plan and purpose, and for Your greatest glory.

 

Bring me into the stillness and peace of Your presence and help me wait patiently for You to act—as You work in me, through me, and all around me.  Don’t allow me to worry or fret over evil people, or their wicked schemes—but keep my eyes fixed on You.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.