God is Nearer

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While Jesus was literally in the same boat as His disciples, He was unconcerned about the weather. As the all-powerful Creator, He had no fear of a storm. “He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm” (Matt8:26). We are not all-powerful so what are we to do when the storms of life rage around us? Whether they quickly blow over or last for a long time, we can be confident in this: we are in the same boat with the One whom even the winds and the sea obey.
Heavenly Father, this life is full of uncertainty. But You have promised us Your unfailing presence. May we see You today – especially when we are tempted to panic or to do things in our own strength.
No danger can come so near that God is not nearer.

God, The source of Our Strength

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“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength…” — Isa40:31
In His time and ways, God can renew our strength. By His Spirit, He can enable us to rise up on “wings like eagles” or to “run and not grow weary, (to) walk and not be faint”.
Lord, forgive us for the many times that we rely on our short-lived strength. Help us see that all good gifts come from You, and that You are the never-failing source of our strength, hope and joy.
When we draw near to God, our minds are refreshed and our strength is renewed.

With Him Its Possible

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When Joshua faced Jericho it felt like an impossible situation (Joshua5:13 – 6:5) however, he stopped to listen to God and to worship Him. Then He obeyed God’s instructions and the impossible happened.
Dear Lord, often when I am faced with an impossible situation I choose worry rather than trust. Help me to trust You and to remember that nothing is too hard for You.
Nothing is Impossible for the Lord

When God Calls, Don't Be Afraid

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We may have fears when God calls us to do something for Him. But His encouragement to Moses can also spur us on “Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say” (Exo4:12). What God calls you, do not be afraid of trembling and wobbling knees, for He will be with you.
What task does God have for you to do today? Depend on Him by asking for His help.
Wherever God sends us, He comes alongside us.

Reach Out and Persevere

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“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” — Gal6:9
We at times find ourselves determined to reach out and help someone we know who is in great need. But when we fail to see improvement right away, our resolve can weaken and we may eventually give up. We discover that what we hoped would be an immediate change has become an ongoing process.
The apostle Paul urges us to be patient in helping one another through the stumbles and struggles of life. When he writes, “Carry each other’s burdens” and so “fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2), he is comparing our task to the work, time, and waiting it takes for a farmer to see a harvest.
Father in heaven, we ask for hope and perseverance to continue reaching out to others.

Always Accessible

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“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His Will, He hears us” (1John5:14)
God is always accessible, for He never slumber nor sleeps! (Ps121:4). And thanks for His love for us, He is waiting and ready to listen.
Lord, thank you for desiring communication with me and for the reassurance that You are indeed listening and ready to help in time of need. Teach us to come to You with confidence in Your attentive love for us.
God is always accessible in our time of need.

Seek God's Wisdom

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Throughout scripture, wisdom is celebrated as a treasure that is worth seeking. It is better than riches (Prov3:13-18). It’s source is God, who alone is perfectly wise (Rom16:27). And it is found in the actions and attitude of Jesus, in whom “all the treasures of wisdom” are found (Col2:3). Wisdom comes from reading and applying scripture.
Lord, strengthen my resolve to live by the wisdom that comes only from You. Give me the discernment to live all of life from Your point of view that I might know the blessings of a life lived wisely.
Blessing comes from seeking wisdom and living by it.

Surrender to His Will

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Matthew’s gospel says that the leper came and approached Jesus in worship, with trust in His power and with humility, acknowledging that the choice to help belonged to Jesus. He said, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean” (Matt8:2). In compassion, Jesus touched him and he was cleansed immediately.
Like the leper, we don’t need to hesitate to approach Jesus with our desire for His help. As we go to Him in humility and worship, we can trust that He will make the best choices for us.
What an example this leper is to me, Lord. Give me a heart of worship, of confidence in Your power, and of trust that when I bring my needs to You, You’ll make the best choice. May I surrender to Your will.

He Knows Your Name

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The story of Zacchaeus and Jesus (Luke19:1-10) contains a surprising recognition. As Jesus passed through the city of Jericho, a wealthy tax collector named Zacchaeus climbed a tree in order to see Him. “When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw Him and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house’ “ (v.5). Instead of ignoring Zacchaeus or saying “Hey, you in the tree,” Jesus called him by name. From that moment on, his life began to change.
When it seems that no one knows you or cares who you are, remember Jesus. He knows us by name and longs for us to know Him in a personal way. Our Father in heaven sees us through His eyes of love and cares about every detail of our lives.
Jesus knows you by name and longs for you to know Him.

Are We on the Lord's Side?

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”It is good for me to draw near to God” — Ps73:28
God is not there to support our plans, our perspectives, our decisions and our desires. For even our best plans may not be near to what God desires. We then, ought to draw near to God, so that we can be certain that we are on His side, as His Spirit helps us measure every thought and action by His ways that are always right.
So, let’s ask ourselves: are we on the Lord’s side? Being on His side means that we will reflect His love to the world around us in the way we interact with others. We will forgive, treat others justly and seek peace. God’s ways are always best.
Father, teach us to search Your ways so that we may know how to be on Your side of the critical issues in life. Thank You that when we draw near to You, You draw near to us with gifts of wisdom and discernment.