Kept Safe

 

 

Those who trust in themselves are fools,
    but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.

 

—Proverbs 28:26 (NIV)

 

 

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Save me from the foolishness of trusting in myself and help me to walk as a wise man—with my eyes fixed on You and with a heart that beats only after Your own heart!

 

Don’t allow me to start believing that my thoughts are necessarily wise just because I think them, or that my own strength and power is sufficient to carry me, or that my own actions could ever be enough to justify me before You.

 

Keep me ever close to You—and help me to remember that the times that I am most likely to be deceived by the enemy are those times when I have foolishly wandered from Your Holy Presence.

 

Make me wise enough to put all my trust in You—in Your power at work in me, in Your promises given to me, and in Your unfailing love for me—the One who is faithful to keep safe all those who wisely humble themselves and step forward in faith, to walk with the One who is mighty to save!

 

Save me from the foolishness of trusting in myself and help me to walk as a wise man—with my eyes fixed on You and with a heart that beats only after Your own heart!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

The Things of Heaven

 

 

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.  For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.

 

—Colossians 3:2-3 (NLT)

 

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Let me live, having died to this life—taking no pleasure in the world’s evil enticements—being confident that my contentment, peace and joy can only be found in the home Christ has made within my heart.

 

Help me to fix my thoughts on the things of heaven—those things that have eternal value and meaning—rather than on the quickly fading distractions of this world, which would try to steal my heart away from You.

 

Help me to take on life from Your eternal perspective, so that the things of this world—and the lie of their promises to make me happy—will fall away as nothing, when compared to the glory of all that I can experience with You through Christ.

 

Help me to believe and to live, knowing my life is concealed and kept safe with Christ—that my salvation is sure, that it has already been accomplished, and that my eternal life with You is not some future event, but is both now and forevermore. Help me live obediently submitted to Your will.

 

Let me live, having died to this life—taking no pleasure in the world’s evil enticements—being confident that my contentment, peace and joy can only be found in the home Christ has made within my heart.

 

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.

 

My Ears Open, My Mouth Shut

 

As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God.  Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God.  After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth.  So let your words be few.

 

—Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 (NLT)

 

 

Almighty God,

 

Help me carefully guard my steps as I enter Your house—as I come before Your Presence—that I might not foolishly dishonor You.

 

Let me never come before You unless my ears are ready to listen, my heart is ready to receive, and my flesh is ready to obey all that You would ask of me.

 

Help me to thoughtfully consider every offering that I bring to You—that I might offer it with the humble acknowledgment that You alone are the One who takes each thing that I have to offer and makes it worthy to be received.

 

Keep me from making rash promises to You and to others—but help me consider my weaknesses and my propensity to fail to deliver on my promises, apart from Your power at work in me enabling me to do so.

 

Never allow me to come before You carelessly, abruptly, irreverently, or arrogantly—as if I deserved Your attention or could dictate to You what You should do to accommodate my wishes.

 

For You are the LORD of Heaven and Earth, God Almighty, the Creator and Sustainer of all there is, and all that there will ever be.  So, let my words be few.

 

Help me carefully guard my steps as I enter Your house—as I come before Your Presence—that I might not foolishly dishonor You.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

True and Right Paths!

 

Let those who are wise understand these things.

    Let those with discernment listen carefully.

The paths of the LORD are true and right,

    and righteous people live by walking in them.

    But in those paths sinners stumble and fall.  

 —Hosea 14:9 (NLT)

 

LORD of Heaven and Earth,

 

Give me the wisdom to search Your Holy Scriptures, that I might gain understanding.  And grant me the discernment to listen carefully to Your Spirit and walk uprightly in Your paths—to faithfully apply the Truth of Your Word to my life.

 

I know that all Your paths are true and right—and that because You chose to make me righteous through the sacrifice of Christ, I will find the abundant life that You promised me, by faithfully walking in those paths.

 

I know that without Christ, I could not walk those paths without stumbling and falling. So help my heart to swell with compassion for those who don’t yet have Your light within them to illuminate the path before them.

 

And make me bold to share that precious hope that is mine in Christ—that they, too, can walk in those true and right paths that lead to abundant life and a forever home with You.

 

Give me the wisdom to search Your Holy Scriptures, that I might gain understanding.  And grant me the discernment to listen carefully to Your Spirit and walk uprightly in Your paths—to faithfully apply the Truth of Your Word to my life.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

God's Way!

 

 God's way is perfect. 

     All the LORD’s promises prove true.

    He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.

 

—2 Samuel 22:31 (NLT)

 

O LORD, my God,

 

Help me always to trust in Your way—and rest in the integrity of Your character.

 

Help me never doubt that Your way is perfect, because You are perfect—that you are ever-faithful to fulfill Your promises and never-changing in Your love for me.

 

Help me to learn all Your promises—by searching Your Word for them—and then prove them out in my life through my obedience to all that You ask of me.

 

As I surrender my life to You—as I look to You to be my everything—be for me a shield of protection that surrounds me.

 

Help me always to trust in Your way—and rest in the integrity of Your character.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

All Who Call Upon Him

 

The LORD is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth.
He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
He will also hear their cry and will save them.

 

—Psalm 145:18-19 (NASB)

 

Faithful and Loving LORD,

 

What an amazing comfort to know that You are near, that You hear us when we call on You in truth, that You fulfill our desire when we fear You, and save us in every way!

 

May my response to Your promised nearness be to call upon You in truth—that is to call upon You from a clean, sincere, and devoted heart, a heart that beats after Your own heart.

 

May my response to Your promise to fulfill my desire be to fear You—that is to praise, worship, and serve only You, in holy awe of all You are and all You have done, so that my greatest desire is to know You and to make You known.

 

May my response to Your promise to hear me and save me be to cry out to You with confidence—that is to recognize my total dependence on You and find my hope in Your faithfulness to all Your promises.

 

What an amazing comfort to know that You are near, that You hear us when we call on You in truth, that You fulfill our desire when we fear You, and save us in every way!

 

In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

The LORD Says

 

 

The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. 

 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.

I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”    

—Psalm 91:14-16 (NLT)

 

O LORD my GOD,

 

Thank You for all the promises that I find in Your Word—and help me to do my part to secure those promises in my life.

 

Your Word promises me that You will rescue me—if I love You.

 

Your Word promises me that You will protect me—when I put my trust in Your name.

 

Your Word promises me that You will answer me—every time I call to You.

 

Your Word promises me that You will be with me—even when I find myself in trouble.

 

Your Word promises me that You will honor me—as I humbly depend on You alone.

 

Your Word promises me that You will reward me with long life—long enough for me to accomplish Your purposes for me here and to make me ready to meet You there.

 

Your Word promises me that You will give me Your salvation—as I reach out and take it by faith.

 

Thank You for all the promises that I find in Your Word—and help me to do my part to secure those promises in my life.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

I Trust in God!

 

 

But when I am afraid,
    I will put my trust in you.

I praise God for what he has promised.
    I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
    What can mere mortals do to me?

 

—Psalm 56:3-4 (NLT)

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Overwhelm me with an ever-deepening revelation of Your amazing love for me—so that I will place all my trust in You and see all my fears brought down to nothing!

 

Help me resist the times when my mind tries to take me to those dark places that open an entrance for fear to come rushing into my heart. May the light of Your love fill me up inside, flooding me with truth and driving the darkness of fear away.

 

May I always praise You out of a heart that is filled to overflowing with gratitude—as Your Spirit brings back to my remembrance every promise that You have given me in Your Word.

 

Help me to see the folly of fearing what mortal man can do to me, when it is You, the Ever-living LORD of all Creation, in whom I have placed my trust—that it is You who holds my life firmly and forever in His grip!

 

Overwhelm me with an ever-deepening revelation of Your amazing love for me—so that I will place all my trust in You and see all my fears brought down to nothing!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

My Comfort

 

 

 

This is my comfort in my affliction,
That Your word has revived me and given me life.

 

—Psalm 119:50 (AMP)

 

 

LORD of All Comfort,

 

Help me always run to Your Word—for only there have I found comfort when I am afflicted, a reviving for my soul, and the promised gift of new life, forevermore!

 

Grant that I would be able to see beyond any afflictions that I may face to the God who was made flesh for me, so that I can be comforted as I put my trust in the truth of both His unfailing love for me, and His faithful promises to me.

 

May my soul—my mind, will, and emotions—be continually revived and refreshed as Your Word washes over me, and may Your Spirit teach me to know and believe all that You say I am in Christ.

 

Let me forever praise and celebrate Jesus Christ with my life! For He is the One who heals me and makes me whole. He alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life—the One who gives me the promise of eternal life, fresh and anew, with every day that comes.

 

Help me always run to Your Word—for only there have I found comfort when I am afflicted, a reviving for my soul, and the promised gift of new life, forevermore!

 

In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Tell the Godly

 

Tell the godly that all will be well for them.
    They will enjoy the rich reward they have earned!
But the wicked are doomed,
    for they will get exactly what they deserve.

 

—Isaiah 3:10-11 (NLT)

 

Holy and Just, yet Merciful and Gracious, LORD GOD,

 

Thank You for being the God who sees His children and promises that all will be well for them—who promises that they will enjoy rich rewards for their godly actions.

 

Thank You that Your words—delivered through the prophet, Isaiah, to the people of Israel—remain true for Your children today.  Even though judgment may fall on this land—because we as a people have turned our backs on You—You will not forget the remnant of Your children who have remained faithful.

 

Neither will You allow any wicked person, intent on doing evil, to escape being held to account for that evil—but You will repay them according to their evil deeds, in order that justice would prevail.

 

Therefore, as Your children, help us to stand against the injustice of all things evil.  But let us also pray that the hearts of the wicked would be changed—that they would turn from their evil ways, surrender themselves to the lordship of Christ, and be saved, so they would escape eternal judgment. 

 

Thank You for being the God who sees His children and promises that all will be well for them—who promises that they will enjoy rich rewards for their godly actions.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Promises

 

 

He will cover you with his feathers.
    He will shelter you with his wings.
    His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

 

—Psalm 91:4 (NLT)

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Out of Your great love for me, You cover me—lovingly sheltering me under Your wings.  Help me to put my hope in the armor and protection of Your faithful promises. 

  

Just as a hen gathers her chicks close to herself and covers them with her protective wings, so gather me to Yourself and shelter me there—that my life would be hidden in You.

 

Thank You that throughout my life I can personally experience Your faithfulness to all Your promises—because You are always faithful to Your Word.

 

Help me to find within Your Word all the armor I need to cover me when attacked, and the protection that keeps me from harm. 

 

Out of Your great love for me, You cover me—lovingly sheltering me under Your wings.  Help me to put my hope in the armor and protection of Your faithful promises.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Walk in Wisdom

 

Those who trust in themselves are fools,
    but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.

 

—Proverbs 28:26 (NIV)

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Save me from the foolishness of trusting in myself and help me to walk as a wise man—with my eyes fixed on You and with a heart that beats only after Your own heart!

 

Don’t allow me to start believing that my thoughts are necessarily wise just because I think them, or that my own strength and power is sufficient to carry me, or that my own actions could ever be enough to justify me before You.

 

Keep me ever close to You—and help me to remember that the times that I am most likely to be deceived by the enemy are those times when I have foolishly wandered from Your Holy Presence.

 

Make me wise enough to put all my trust in You—in Your power at work in me, in Your promises given to me, and in Your unfailing love for me—the One who is faithful to keep safe all those who wisely humble themselves and step forward in faith, to walk with the One who is mighty to save!

 

Save me from the foolishness of trusting in myself and help me to walk as a wise man—with my eyes fixed on You and with a heart that beats only after Your own heart!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Your Real Life

 

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.  For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.

 

—Colossians 3:2-3 (NLT)

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Let me live, having died to this life—taking no pleasure in the world’s evil enticements—being confident that my contentment, peace and joy can only be found in the home Christ has made within my heart.

 

Help me to fix my thoughts on the things of heaven—those things that have eternal value and meaning—rather than on the quickly fading distractions of this world, which would try to steal my heart away from You.

 

Help me to take on life from Your eternal perspective, so that the things of this world—and the lies of their promises to make me happy—will fall away as nothing, when compared to the glory of all that I can experience with You through Christ.

 

Help me to believe and to live, knowing my life is concealed and kept safe with Christ—that my salvation is sure, that it has already been accomplished, and that my eternal life with You is not some future event, but is both now and forevermore. Help me live obediently submitted to Your will.

 

Let me live, having died to this life—taking no pleasure in the world’s evil enticements—being confident that my contentment, peace and joy can only be found in the home Christ has made within my heart.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Keep My Ears Open, My Mouth Shut Before God

 

As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God.  Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God.  After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth.  So let your words be few.

 

—Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 (NLT)

 

Almighty God,

 

Help me carefully guard my steps as I enter Your house—as I come before Your Presence—that I might not foolishly dishonor You.

 

Let me never come before You unless my ears are ready to listen, my heart is ready to receive, and my flesh is ready to obey all that You would ask of me.

 

Help me to thoughtfully consider every offering that I bring to You—that I might offer it with the humble acknowledgment that You alone are the One who takes each thing that I have to offer and makes it worthy to be received.

 

Keep me from making rash promises to You and to others—but help me consider my weaknesses and my propensity to fail to deliver on my promises, apart from Your power at work in me enabling me to do so.

 

Never allow me to come before You carelessly, abruptly, irreverently, or arrogantly—as if I deserved Your attention or could dictate to You what You should do to accommodate my wishes.

 

For You are the LORD of Heaven and Earth, God Almighty, the Creator and Sustainer of all there is and all that there will ever be.  So, let my words be few.

 

Help me carefully guard my steps as I enter Your house—as I come before Your Presence—that I might not foolishly dishonor You.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.