Receive God's Peace as the Year Draws to a Close

Isaiah 9:6 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

John 14:26-27 - "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."

II Corinthians 4:7 - But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show I that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

Dear God, thank You for peace. Even as I struggle through this day, this latest infection, and just life in general, thank You for peace that supersedes all of my struggling. Peace, peace, peace. Peace be with me. Peace still my heart. Peace calm my anxious heart. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

God Is Leading You Along a Way That Is Uniquely Right for You

John 15:4 - "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me."

II Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Ephesians 2:10 - For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

I John 4:7-8 - Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Dear God, thank You for the path You have placed me on. Thank You that it is uniquely my path even when it crosses the path of another or runs alongside of the path of another. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Trust Him with Every Fiber of Your Being

Psalm 40:4 - Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!

Psalm 56:3-4 - When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

Psalm 62:8 - Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.

Isaiah 26:3-4 - You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

  

Dear God, thank You for being trustworthy, completely trustworthy. Trustworthy in both the good times and the bad times. Thank You for teaching me more about trusting You in the big things no the small things. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

He Is Your Refuge and Strength

Psalm 46:1-3 - God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, thought the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

Psalm 89:15-16 - Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face, who exult in your name all the day and in your righteousness are exalted. 

Dear God, thank You for the blessings You shower on this planet deposited what the media choose to focus on. I am not going to be afraid of terrorists (if I were afraid, it would be of the white man down the street who is an avid gun buyer and insists on carrying guns everywhere he goes). I am not going to be afraid of earthquakes or floods. I am not going to be afraid of the medical testing I will have to do in the new year (unless the republicans screw things up and cause me to lose my insurance coverage because of their sick hatred for the president). I am going to put my trust in You, my refuge and my strength. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

God Is Preparing You for What Is on the Road Ahead

Psalm 36:9 - For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.

Isaiah 64:4 - From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.

John 15:5 - "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Dear God, thank You for preparing me for what lies ahead. Thank You for giving me strength and courage for what lies ahead. It is because of that strength and courage that I am not afraid of the tests I will be facing in the new year to make sure that the initial test was not a fluke or a mistake. And it is because of that strength and courage that if the test comes back the same as the initial test I am not afraid of the next test that may need to be done to determine whether it is just an activation thing or whether it is in my bone marrow. I am no longer afraid. What I do worry about is insurance which is fighting tooth and nail to not cover needed treatments. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

He Is the Gift That Continuously Gives

Deuteronomy 33:27 - The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. And he thrust out the enemy before you and said, Destroy.

Psalm 13:5 - But I have trusted in our steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

I John 4:15-16 - Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.mso we have come to know and to believe the love that God ha score us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 

I John 4:18 - There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 

Dear God, thank You for unconditional love that does not hinge upon what I do or do not do. When love hinges upon behavior, it cannot be real. Help me to never punish myself by separating myself from You and Your loving arms. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Wait Attentively in His Presence

Luke 2:13-14 - And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

II Corinthians 4:6 - For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 

II Corinthians 8:9 - For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

Philippians 2:5-7 - Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

Dear God, thank You for glimpses of glory during my times spent with You. Thank You for allowing Your Son to come to earth as a little baby so that I may have relationship with You. In that one moment, the world was changed. On this day, the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus, may I remember Your glory shining through the darkness. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

He Speaks to You from the Depths of Eternity

Psalm 90:2 - Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. 

Colossians 1:27 - To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 

Colossians 3:15 - And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Dear God, thank You for Your glory. Thank You for Your love. Thank You for the kindness of a stranger. Thank You for the beauty of a flower. Thank You for the sweet song of a bird. Thank You for Your peace. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

He Is King of Kings and Lord of Lords

Psalm 95:6-9 - Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness, when your fathers put me to the test and out me to the proof, though they had seen my work. 

Romans 8:32 - He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

I Timothy 6:13-16 - I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. 

II Peter 1:19-20 - And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lmao shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation.

Dear God, thank You for everything. Thank You for desiring to be with me. Thank You for life. Thank You for beauty and majesty. Thank You for family. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Go to Him and Rest in His Presence

Matthew 2:10-11 - When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Luke 1:35 - And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God."

Luke 1:76-79 - "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, where's the sunrise shall visits us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

John 1:14 - And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Dear God,  thank You for the star that guides me to You. I praise You for the blessings You bring. Lead me where You need to lead me and help me along the way. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

His Plan for Your Life Is Unfolding Before You

Psalm 63:2 - So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, be holding your power and glory.

 

John 11:40 - Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?"

II Corinthians 5:6-7 - So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.

Dear God, I know I am weak. And I know I need You in order for me to carry on with the day. Thank You for Your strength. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

God's Glory

Psalm 92:1-5 - It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy. How great are your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep!

Luke 23:35-37 - And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!" The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" 

John 2:11 - This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. 

Dear God, may I never forget to give You the glory that is due to You and to share Your glory with the world and the people around me. Thank You for showing me Your glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Do Not Be Weighed Down by the Clutter in Your Life

Proverbs 16:3 - Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Dear God, help me to keep my focus not so much on the little things as on the bigger things. Thank You for blessing me. Thank You for being there. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

View a Persistent Problem as a Rich Opportunity

Isaiah 30:20-21 - And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.

II Corinthians 4:17-18 - For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Dear God, right now my body is afflicted. But I am trusting that heaven will be a place where I will be made whole in body. Teach me to be more thankful. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Go to God With Your Gaping Emptiness

Psalm 150:6 - Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

Matthew 5:3 - "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

II Corinthians 4:6 - For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Colossians 2:9-10 - For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

Dear God, thank You for the many blessings You have given me. I know You will continue to bless me as I continue to trust You. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

God Is Speaking in the Depths of Your Being

Isaiah 50:4 - The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. 

Isaiah 60:2 - For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.

Revelation 2:4 - "But I have this against you, that you have and done the love you had at first."

Dear God, help me to always hear Your voice above all others. Even if the demands are high, help me to still hear Your voice overt the demands. Thank You for peace and joy. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Your Longing for Heaven Is Good

Romans 8:23-25 - And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For int his hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Hebrews 6:17-20 - So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encourage me to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Dear God, help me to never ever lose the hope of heaven that I have. Thank You for giving me tastes of heaven on earth. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Rest in Him

Proverbs 3:6 - In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Ecclesiastes 1:2 - Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.

Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Dear God, thank You for providing meaning for each new day. Without You, the day would be meaningless. Thank You for being there. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Take Time to Be Holy

Psalm 27:4 - One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon a the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.

I Corinthians 6:19-20 - Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Ephesians 3:20-21 - Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

II Thessalonians 1:9-10 - For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols it serve the living and the true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Dear God, transform and renew my mind and heart during the time I spend with You throughout the day. Fill me with Your piece. Cleanse me. Thank You for wanting to spend time with me. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

He Is Taking Care of You

Job 42:1-3 - Then Job answered the Lord and said: "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know."

Romans 8:28 - And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

II Corinthians 5:6-7 - So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.

I Peter 5:6-7 - Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Dear God, thank You for taking care of me. Even when I do not feel You strongly, You are taking constant care of me. This week, take care especially of my mom and I as well as the fur babies. Help us all relax and have fun. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!