Friday, August 7, 2015

That Once Dark Place Of My Heart



For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.  We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure.  This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

—2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (NLT)



Heavenly Father,


Thank You for making Your light shine in that once dark place of my heart.


Thank You for the light of the Good News of Jesus Christ which shines brightly within me, giving me knowledge of Your glory through Him—knowledge which is given to me, so I can give You all the glory, honor and praise that is due You.

Thank You that even though I am frail, fragile and fallible, You entrusted this infinitely priceless message of salvation to me, so that Your glory would be fully seen in me—that others would be able to see and know that my life is empowered by Your presence in me and that I do not stand in my own power.

May my understanding of my total dependence on You, work in me to keep me from the foolishness of pride—and may that knowledge motivate me to stay in continuous contact with You as my only source of strength.

May I take seriously my responsibility to allow others see You in me, by being open and transparent about my powerlessness aside from You.


Thank You for making Your light shine in that once dark place of my heart.


In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

This Book Of Instruction



“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)



Heavenly Father,


Help me to remain strong and courageous at all times—in every circumstance and situation I face—because I know that You are always with me wherever I go.


Thank You for giving us the Bible—this amazing Book of Instruction for life—which tells me all I need to know in order to navigate the challenges of life here on earth, while on my journey home to You.

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

For I know that it is Your will that I prosper and succeed in all that I do in perfect obedience to You—and that You are always working for my good and ultimate gain.

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.


Help me to remain strong and courageous at all times—in every circumstance and situation I face—because I know that You are always with me wherever I go.


In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Monday, August 3, 2015

Your Ways And Your Truth



Teach me your ways, O LORD,
    that I may live according to your truth!
Grant me purity of heart,
    so that I may honor you.

—Psalm 86:11 (NLT)



LORD my God,


Teach me Your ways, that I may live according to Your Truth—honoring You with a pure and undivided heart.


Help me to live my life in search of the Truth and not be satisfied to live according to anything less.

Grant me great discernment so that I never fall for the lies of the world in which I live—lies that are put forth as truth, but fall far short of conforming to fact or reality.

Help me never to believe the lies that the enemy speaks to me—lies put forth to tempt me to question what I know to be true—but hold up every idea that comes into my mind to see if it agrees with the Truth of Your Word.

And show me my own heart, so that any sin that I harbor there may not stand against the light of Truth—and so my heart may be united in Christ with Your own heart.

Then help me to guard my heart with Your Truth, that it may be pure and solely given to Truth—making me free to serve You with all that I am.


Teach me Your ways, that I may live according to Your Truth—honoring You with a pure and undivided heart.


In the name of Jesus, Amen.