Day 1 - God Is Bigger Than Your Worldly Troubles
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Have you ever stopped to think how different life would be if we were still living in Eden? No broken relationships. No difficult pregnancies. No squabbles with spouses. No financial woes. No cancer. No feeling far away from God. (And this list doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface!)
Instead we live in a world marred by the effects of sin. We daily face all kinds of pain, trouble, suffering, weeping, loss and despair.
The temptation is to blame our woes on God, but let’s be honest: The human race did this to itself. All God ever did was love us, and—when we rebelled—implement a plan to rescue us.
The promise above—a statement by Jesus to his followers—is a sobering assessment of the way things are. But it is also a hopeful reminder of the once and future Paradise for which we were created.
In light of such truth, author Elisabeth Elliot counsels us: “Refuse self-pity. Refuse it absolutely. It is a deadly thing with power to destroy you. Turn your thoughts to Christ who has already carried your griefs and sorrows.”
God’s Promise to Me
Trials and sorrows are part of living in a fallen world.
I am bigger and more powerful than any worldly troubles you face.
My Prayer to God
Heavenly Father, trials and sorrows are a normal part of life. I don’t like this truth, but it reminds me of my need for you, God. I can take heart in the fact that you will have the final word. I praise you because you are powerful and sovereign over my life—even the hard times. Always keep me looking to you.
Day 2 - God Uses Problems to Shape You
We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3
Tell the truth. When you run into problems, what is your first and most common response: complaining? crying? yelling? denial? pouting? rejoicing?
Unless you’re highly unusual (or slightly dishonest) you probably didn’t answer “rejoicing.” Let’s face it—it isn’t normal to be joyful in the face of trials. But you can develop this trait. According to the promise above, trials are good for you. How so? In the same way that an excruciating exercise regimen is good for you. You sweat and strain through painful and unpleasant workouts. But over time, if you keep at it, you see big changes. You’re stronger and healthier.
Viewing your troubles as a kind of “spiritual exercise program” enables you to rejoice (see 1 Peter 1:6-7 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,) . It enables you to see your suffering as something good in your life. God is using trials in your life to stretch you and strengthen your faith. Without these pressures, you’d be just another flabby, out-of-shape Christian.
God’s Promise to Me
I allow you to go through trials so that you might grow.
My Prayer to God
God, you want me to trust you in the hard times. Rejoicing isn’t natural for me, so make it my supernatural response to difficulties and pressures in my life. Teach me to endure, Lord, so that my faith will grow and get stronger.
Day 3 - God Promises Good Plans for Your Life
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:11-12
These powerful words are part of a letter from the prophet Jeremiah to the Jews who had been exiled to Babylon. Their beloved city, Jerusalem, had been destroyed, and the people had been carted away from the land. Things could not have been much worse. Yet this was what God had promised if the people continued their disobedience. Reading 1 and 2 Kings will quickly reveal the depth of the people’s faithlessness. So great is God’s love, however, that he promised to bring his people home again (see Jeremiah 29:10). Then follows the amazing promise that God has plans for them—good plans—that give them a future and a hope. When they pray, he will listen.
As God’s people today, we also can claim this promise. God does have plans for us, plans to prosper and not to harm, plans that will give us a future and a hope.
God’s plans are good. Thank the Lord for the promise of good plans full of hope.
God’s Promise to Me
I have plans for your life.
When you pray, I will listen.
My Prayer to God
Thank you for your plans, Lord. You promise that when I pray, you will listen. Help me persevere in seeking you. In seeking you, I know that I will find you.
Day 4 - God Helps His People
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress . . . Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Psalm 107:19,21-Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He saved them out of their distresses. 21-Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
A few questions for those with a tendency to worry (pause briefly and ponder each one):
What situations in life are you most worried about right now? Why?
Of the various situations currently prompting anxiety in your life, which can you personally change? Over what issues do you have absolutely no control?
What are the inward and outward signs that something has got you really concerned and nervous?
List all the benefits of worrying. What are some of the drawbacks?
Is worrying a “sin”? Why or why not?
How do you think God feels when his children are panicky and anxious?
Why do some people seem almost immune to worry?
When is the last time you truly felt at peace?
Instead of worrying, you can cry out to God for help. In times of trouble, trust in God’s unfailing love.
God’s Promise to Me
When you cry out to me, I will help you.
My Prayer to God
God, I’m crying out to you for help. Help me trust that you will come to my rescue.
Day 5 - God’s Word Points the Way to Success
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8
It’s the same every weekend. Tens of thousands of people pack convention centers and hotel ballrooms across the country to hear self-help gurus and financial experts speak on how to be successful. Most of these events are slick and entertaining, with attendees caught up in the possibility of “realizing their potential” or “seeing their dreams become a reality.” And many of the people come away feeling motivated and helped. But how much of the advice they hear really squares with what God has said about how to succeed?
According to today’s verse, true success isn’t about making money, positive thinking or getting people to do what you want. God defines success as knowing and doing his Word. We achieve lasting glory when our sole goal is to honor the Lord.
God’s Promise to Me
If you study, meditate on and obey my Word, you will have success.
My Prayer to God
You have given me your Word, Lord. Thank you for revealing yourself and for showing me the right and best way to live. True success requires me to be immersed in and submitted to your truth. Give me the discipline to study, the desire to meditate on and the courage to obey the Scriptures.
Day 6 - God Provides a Solution for Harried Saints
The Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18
George Santayana once observed, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” This is precisely the reason the church (i.e. the modern day people of God) is wise to ponder carefully the experience of the Jews in the Old Testament.
By the time Isaiah arrived on the scene in 739 BC, Judah was in big-time trouble. Like the ten tribes of Israel to the north, the two southern tribes had forgotten God and were beginning to experience life apart from his blessing. Isaiah urged them to turn around . . . or else.
The details vary, but the principles and promise are still valid today. To experience all that God wants for us, we must turn to him—and wait for him in faith. If we ignore him, we do so at our own peril.
God’s Promise to Me
· Return to me, wait for me and I will deliver you.
· You will find strength when you trust me.
My Prayer to God
Lord, you are sovereign and holy. Forgive me for acting as though I am in charge of my own life and for doing unholy things. I will turn to you and wait for you.
Day 7 - You Are God’s Temple
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? . . . What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 2 Corinthians 6:14,16
If you’ve ever seen two yoked animals, you know that a matched pair of animals is necessary. Otherwise, they won’t move as a team. That’s why you would never yoke a horse with an ox.
These verses from Corinthians offer excellent advice for all kinds of relationships. To be yoked with someone means you are working with them as a team.
Sometimes believers read these verses and they are tempted to think they need to build a high wall around themselves, close the drawbridge and never come out lest they be infected by the evil world. That’s not what the rest of the Bible tells us, however, nor was that Jesus’ example to us.
We need to pray that we can be around unbelievers—at school, at work, in the neighborhood—and yet not be influenced by them. We need to discern how to have friendships with unbelievers and yet know where to draw the line. We need to interact with them, but not be yoked to them. We need to pray that we will shine for Christ and influence unbelievers—not the other way around.
God’s Promise to Me
You are my temple.
I am your God and I walk beside you.
My Prayer to God
Heavenly Father, because we are your temples, you command that we not make lasting commitments with unbelievers. Thank you for the promise that you will walk among us and be our God
Day 8 - God Rewards Your Quiet Time With Him
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6:6
There is a thriving breed of people in America known as the Coffee Shop Writers. They cannot work anywhere else except in the bustling coffee shop of their neighborhood. They settle in, get their coffee and work tirelessly on their novel, article or screenplay. They seem to believe that their work needs an audience—both before and after publication.
Even though this is a specialized group, in reality you can find people with a similar perspective in all walks of life: lifting weights, taking pictures, cooking, running, working or even eating. People are beginning to find it difficult to do anything without an audience.
The last thing God wants our spiritual life to become is a show we put on for others. Prayer should be a time of personal reflection and divine conversation. It needs to be between us and God. That’s it. Even when you’re not on your cell phone, your webcam is off and you’re not engaging in social media, you still have an audience of One—and he knows your heart.
God’s Promise to Me
I will always be personal, and I will always be with you.
Others look on the outside, I will always look at the heart.
My Prayer to God
Lord, thank you for always listening to me. Help me to remember that even though I follow you in deed and in word, our relationship is a personal one.
Day 9 - You Have Power
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
Paul wrote the words in today’s verse to Timothy, a young man with a big responsibility as pastor of the church in Ephesus. God has not called Christians to be fearful, cowering doormats waiting to let the world step on our faith and wipe its feet on our principles. With the God of the universe in our hearts, we have a spirit of power, love and self-discipline.
People in leadership need God’s help. Wherever we lead, God promises power—boldness to speak the truth. We don’t have this power in order to lord it over others but to empower them, to give them boldness in their faith. God promises love, a fruit of the Spirit. We have power to speak the truth, but love for our listeners tempers that power so it does not become prideful. God also promises self-discipline, or self-control, which gives us a cool head and a sound perspective in the hazards of leadership.
God has given us a great gift—power—instead of fear or timidity. How will you exercise this gift?
God’s Promise to Me
When I place you in a position of leadership, I will be with you.
I can give you a spirit of power, love and self-discipline in order to lead effectively.
My Prayer to God
Leadership is a big responsibility, Lord. No leader can please everyone, and every leader eventually needs to take a stand on important issues. I pray that I will be strong in faith and able to stand on my principles. Give me power and boldness without pride.
Day 10 - Nothing Is Impossible With Faith in God
[Jesus] replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20
In this verse Jesus wasn’t pointing to a measurement of faith, as though we could check our faith by stepping on a scale and claiming that the extra weight comes from extra faith. (Wouldn’t that would be nice?) Immediately after saying the disciples didn’t have enough faith, Jesus told them that even faith as small as a tiny mustard seed would be enough to move a mountain. Obviously it was not the amount of faith but the focus of the faith.
Earlier in Matthew 17 the disciples had tried to cast out a demon without success. Perhaps they had tried to cast it out depending on what they considered their own power. Whatever occurred, their faith must have been in the wrong place. When they put their faith in the right place—in the all-powerful God—then even a tiny grain of faith would be enough. Nothing is impossible when our faith is in God.
This kind of faith moves mountains and makes all things possible. At times we may feel that we have great faith; at other times we may feel that our faith is suffering. In the end, however, if even that suffering faith is in God, then it is enough to do the impossible!
God’s Promise to Me
If you have faith in me as small as a mustard seed, then it is enough to move mountains and do the impossible.
My Prayer to God
You promise, Lord, that with faith in you nothing is impossible. Thank you for being the God of the possible. Help me to remember that my faith, even small and weak, can do great things for you.
Day 11-of God's Promises by Bible Gateway
Day 11 - God Empowers You to Build His Kingdom
Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses . . . in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left. 2 Corinthians 6:4,7
All Christians have a responsibility both to practice and to proclaim their faith. Evangelism is not optional. But what about when hard times come? Don’t we get a break? Aren’t we exempt from the “Great Commission”—at least until our lives calm down?
Not really. Trials aren’t an excuse for not sharing our faith; on the contrary, they are an opportunity to speak out for God. The apostle Paul says as much in the passage above. It is during these times that God gives us the strength to endure in order to keep going in our task of kingdom building. In fact our endurance fuels our message.
Trials didn’t stop Paul from announcing the Good News; they should not deter us either.
God’s Promise to Me
I have forgiven your sin and reconciled you to myself.
I have given you Good News to share with others.
My Prayer to God
God, you have given the gospel to me so that I might show it and share it. Help me to see beyond my problems today, to my real purpose—building your kingdom. Give me creativity in using my struggles to speak for you.
Day 12 - God Is Love
We know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear. 1 John 4:16-18
God is love. Everything about his character is perfectly loving. He cannot be otherwise. We know how much God loves us because he sent his Son to die for us.
Is there any better feeling than being loved? To know that someone loves us gives us a sense of assurance, a sense of being special. That feeling can be ours every day because of God’s love for us. God has taken up residence in our lives through his Holy Spirit; therefore, love has taken up residence in our lives. We literally “live in love.” We are surrounded by it, filled with it. Love envelops us every moment of every day. Such love fills us and then overflows to other people, like water from a fountain. The result of such love? We will not be afraid on the day of judgment. God promises that we will be able to face him with confidence because we know that our salvation is sure.
We can trust in this God who is love. We can also pray for others to sense God’s love and know their salvation is certain.
God’s Promise to Me
· I love you.
· As I live in you, your love will grow more perfect.
· Because of my love, you need not fear the day of judgment but can be confident in your salvation.
My Prayer to God
Fill me with your love, O God. May it overflow on others like a fountain of refreshment.
Day 13 - The Holy Spirit Guarantees Future Promises
You also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14
Who are the “you also” to whom Paul referred? This meant all non-Jews who had become believers. Christ came to die for everyone—not just Jews, but Gentiles too. God had promised that through one of Abraham’s descendants, “all peoples on earth will be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). Jesus fulfilled that promise when he opened the way of salvation to everyone. When we believe the Good News, God saves us. In that moment God gives us his Holy Spirit, who is like a security deposit. The fact that we have the Holy Spirit means that all the rest of God’s promises will come true.
God’s promises about eternity are as certain as our salvation. There is no need to doubt what God says. While we may not understand everything in our lives or even agree on how the future will play out, we can agree that Jesus is coming back to take us to heaven to be with him forever.
We can have confidence in God’s promises for the future. The Holy Spirit testifies daily to the fact that all of God’s promises will come true “to the praise of his glory.”
God’s Promise to Me
· I gave you my Spirit as a guarantee that I will give you everything else I promised.
· You can be confident in all of my promises for the future.
My Prayer to God
God, thank you for giving me your Holy Spirit and for identifying me as your child. Thank you for the glorious future you have in store for me.
Day 14 - God Directs Your Ways
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
Here’s an exercise for the next time you find yourself up to your neck in question marks. Whenever you’re wondering which path to go down, and perhaps feeling pressured by the fast pace of life to make a quick choice, ask yourself: Am I looking to and leaning on God?
Do I put more stock in God’s counsel than in my own ideas or the opinions of others? Am I open to the idea that God may very well ask me to do something that everyone else thinks is crazy?
Do I honestly want what God wants—in every part of my life? Am I willing to wait until I have a clear sense of his leading?
If you can answer “yes” to these questions, God promises to direct you. How good is that?
God’s Promise to Me
· If you trust me and seek me, I will show you the way to go.
My Prayer to God
You want me to trust you, Lord, with all my heart, and I want to do that. You’re worthy of my trust. Forgive me for the times I doubt. In times of uncertainty I know I need more than mere human understanding. I need you! I want your will, God. Please show me which way to go.
Day 14 - God Directs Your Ways
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
Here’s an exercise for the next time you find yourself up to your neck in question marks. Whenever you’re wondering which path to go down, and perhaps feeling pressured by the fast pace of life to make a quick choice, ask yourself: Am I looking to and leaning on God?
Do I put more stock in God’s counsel than in my own ideas or the opinions of others? Am I open to the idea that God may very well ask me to do something that everyone else thinks is crazy?
Do I honestly want what God wants—in every part of my life? Am I willing to wait until I have a clear sense of his leading?
If you can answer “yes” to these questions, God promises to direct you. How good is that?
God’s Promise to Me
If you trust me and seek me, I will show you the way to go.
My Prayer to God
You want me to trust you, Lord, with all my heart, and I want to do that. You’re worthy of my trust. Forgive me for the times I doubt. In times of uncertainty I know I need more than mere human understanding. I need you! I want your will, God. Please show me which way to go.
Day 15 - God Is Most Concerned With Your Heart
The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7
When does concern over one’s appearance cross the line between healthy and unhealthy?
Is it wrong, for instance, to work out every day? What about cosmetic surgery? Or spending time and effort searching for the “perfect” haircut, suntan, makeup or wardrobe?
There are no simple answers to these questions, but the promise above reminds us that God is far more interested in what’s going on inside us than how we look on the outside.
The apostle Paul’s words fit well here: “Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:7-8).
God’s Promise to Me
· I don’t evaluate people by looking at their outward appearance.
· I judge people by their thoughts and intentions.
My Prayer to God
Lord, it’s true that our world thinks external image is everything. Forgive me for the times I am overly concerned with my appearance. Grant me the wisdom and discipline to expend the necessary time and energy to care for my soul. May you be pleased more and more as you examine my thoughts and intentions.
Day 16 - God Has Given You All You Need
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3
When life gets chaotic, we are prone to daydream: “If only I could stop the clock for two weeks, I could catch up.” “If only I could win a million bucks, my life would be simplified.” “If only I . . .”
If only. If only.
In stressful times, whether self-induced or externally imposed, we are quick to look for relief through physical or material means. This is unfortunate since what we really need most in hard times are immaterial realities like peace, patience, joy, endurance, inner strength, faithfulness and humility.
The good news is that all those priceless qualities are available to us now—in limitless quantities. The lesson? We are to stop wishing for superficial things that don’t really help and start taking advantage of the spiritual blessings that can and will make a real difference in our lives.
God’s Promise to Me
· I am the God who blesses.
· I have already prospered you with every spiritual blessing that you need to live in a fallen world.
My Prayer to God
O God, I praise you! You are the God who blesses. How easy it is to forget that you are the source of every good thing and that you yourself are good. Your goodness to me is not because of any goodness on my part. It is all because of Christ, all because of grace.
Day 17 - God Understands Your Temptations
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Matthew 6:13
You’ve taken on too many responsibilities and now you’re scrambling to get it all done. People are not cooperating. Your stress level is rising even as your mood is deteriorating. Success looks doubtful. Ever been in this place?
To make matters worse, because of your busyness you haven’t taken time out to make sure you’re approaching the situation with God’s perspective. Just when the external pressure is greatest your inner strength is waning. There’s a lesson here: people have a tendency to lower their spiritual guards in stressful situations.
The good news is that when we find ourselves in tempting places—no matter what the source—we have someone to whom we can turn. He understands our weaknesses and promises to help us if we’ll cling to him. God is the ultimate preventive measure against falling into temptation.
God’s Promise to Me
· You can pray for my help to avoid temptation.
My Prayer to God
Lord, I’m grateful that I can turn to you to avoid temptation. Help me trust your leading and learn from your roadblocks.
Day 18 - God Never Stops Loving You
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers . . . will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Most of what our world calls “love” is conditional. You get to be on the receiving end only if or because you are a certain way or if or because you do certain things. Stop being or doing those things and watch how quickly the “love” disappears. Except when it comes to God.
His love is unconditional, permanent, sure. Like sunlight it shines on us no matter what we do or don’t do. We can’t cause it to burn more brightly. We can’t possibly turn it off. It is the great constant in life—the one thing we can’t evade.
Sin in our lives might prevent us from the vivid experience of God’s love, but it doesn’t diminish that love any more than a few clouds can diminish the sun.
Take time today to bask in the warmth of divine love.
God’s Promise to Me
· Nothing can separate you from my love.
My Prayer to God
Your love is permanent, Lord. Transform me as I understand more deeply your undying affection for me. When I am in situations where I cannot sense your love, give me the faith to trust that you are still there and that I am always in your care.
Day 19 - God Helps You Reach Your Goals
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3
Ever set goals for your family? Perhaps you sat down as a family and decided on what you wanted to do or how you wanted to help each other grow. Setting goals together is a way of working as a team, as well as showing your love for each other.
As a member of God’s family God wants to do the same thing with you: sit down together and work through your goals. Because he loves you and wants the best for you, he wants to hear your plans, hopes and dreams.
Sometimes we make plans without consulting God because we simply want our own way. Some of these plans may succeed; others fail. God wants us to submit our plans to him for his approval before we act. In this way, we show our love for and submission to him.
God’s Promise to Me
· If you commit your plans to me, I will help you reach godly goals.
My Prayer to God
Heavenly Father, I’m glad you’re so interested in my life that I can come and talk to you whenever I want. Thank you for helping me set good goals.
Day 20 - God Invites You to Come to Him for Help
He knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103:14
When we are scrambling around during tough times, trying to figure out what to do, our minds have a tendency to dream up all sorts of unlikely scenarios. Money woes, for instance, might prompt us to imagine an out-of-the-blue phone call from a billionaire like Bill Gates, offering to bail us out. Medical problems can get us daydreaming about an invitation to come consult—for free, of course—with the world’s foremost specialists at a place like the Mayo Clinic.
Bottom line—what we want most in times of trouble is understanding and help from someone with the power to deal effectively with our situation.
God offers precisely what we want and need. He knows our every weakness and cares about them. We can trust that when we seek him for help in a situation, he’ll care enough to do something about it.
God’s Promise to Me
· I understand your weaknesses.
· I want you to come boldly into my presence.
· I will give you mercy and grace in your time of need.
My Prayer to God
Lord, you know my weaknesses and the temptations I face. You are never too busy for me. Thank you for the total, unhindered access I have to you.
Day 21 - God’s Word Will Last Forever
Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Psalm 119:89
A popular statement among Christians not so long ago was “God said it, I believe it and that settles it.” Before long some believers had modified the slogan to say: “God said it, and that settles it—whether we believe it or not.”
They were pointing out the utter reliability of God. His Word is sure—even when our faith is shaky. And because he himself is one hundred percent faithful, he is worthy of our complete trust.
The goal is not to clutch at a few Bible promises like a desperate mountain climber might grasp a series of dangling ropes. We need, rather, to come to see God’s Word as a mighty mountain under our feet—strong, stable and eternal. Our daily time spent with him will build up that mountain, giving us a strong, secure footing in the face of any difficulty.
God’s Promise to Me
· My Word is eternal and firm.
· My faithfulness to you is forever.
My Prayer to God
Your Word stands firm forever, O Lord. As I have spent time in your Word over the last several days, I’ve see my relationship with you grow. You are a God of promises, and as I spend time with you, I see your promises evident in my life. I promise, you, Lord, that I will make this the year that I will spend time with you each day!
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Have you ever stopped to think how different life would be if we were still living in Eden? No broken relationships. No difficult pregnancies. No squabbles with spouses. No financial woes. No cancer. No feeling far away from God. (And this list doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface!)
Instead we live in a world marred by the effects of sin. We daily face all kinds of pain, trouble, suffering, weeping, loss and despair.
The temptation is to blame our woes on God, but let’s be honest: The human race did this to itself. All God ever did was love us, and—when we rebelled—implement a plan to rescue us.
The promise above—a statement by Jesus to his followers—is a sobering assessment of the way things are. But it is also a hopeful reminder of the once and future Paradise for which we were created.
In light of such truth, author Elisabeth Elliot counsels us: “Refuse self-pity. Refuse it absolutely. It is a deadly thing with power to destroy you. Turn your thoughts to Christ who has already carried your griefs and sorrows.”
God’s Promise to Me
Trials and sorrows are part of living in a fallen world.
I am bigger and more powerful than any worldly troubles you face.
My Prayer to God
Heavenly Father, trials and sorrows are a normal part of life. I don’t like this truth, but it reminds me of my need for you, God. I can take heart in the fact that you will have the final word. I praise you because you are powerful and sovereign over my life—even the hard times. Always keep me looking to you.
Day 2 - God Uses Problems to Shape You
We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3
Tell the truth. When you run into problems, what is your first and most common response: complaining? crying? yelling? denial? pouting? rejoicing?
Unless you’re highly unusual (or slightly dishonest) you probably didn’t answer “rejoicing.” Let’s face it—it isn’t normal to be joyful in the face of trials. But you can develop this trait. According to the promise above, trials are good for you. How so? In the same way that an excruciating exercise regimen is good for you. You sweat and strain through painful and unpleasant workouts. But over time, if you keep at it, you see big changes. You’re stronger and healthier.
Viewing your troubles as a kind of “spiritual exercise program” enables you to rejoice (see 1 Peter 1:6-7 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,) . It enables you to see your suffering as something good in your life. God is using trials in your life to stretch you and strengthen your faith. Without these pressures, you’d be just another flabby, out-of-shape Christian.
God’s Promise to Me
I allow you to go through trials so that you might grow.
My Prayer to God
God, you want me to trust you in the hard times. Rejoicing isn’t natural for me, so make it my supernatural response to difficulties and pressures in my life. Teach me to endure, Lord, so that my faith will grow and get stronger.
Day 3 - God Promises Good Plans for Your Life
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:11-12
These powerful words are part of a letter from the prophet Jeremiah to the Jews who had been exiled to Babylon. Their beloved city, Jerusalem, had been destroyed, and the people had been carted away from the land. Things could not have been much worse. Yet this was what God had promised if the people continued their disobedience. Reading 1 and 2 Kings will quickly reveal the depth of the people’s faithlessness. So great is God’s love, however, that he promised to bring his people home again (see Jeremiah 29:10). Then follows the amazing promise that God has plans for them—good plans—that give them a future and a hope. When they pray, he will listen.
As God’s people today, we also can claim this promise. God does have plans for us, plans to prosper and not to harm, plans that will give us a future and a hope.
God’s plans are good. Thank the Lord for the promise of good plans full of hope.
God’s Promise to Me
I have plans for your life.
When you pray, I will listen.
My Prayer to God
Thank you for your plans, Lord. You promise that when I pray, you will listen. Help me persevere in seeking you. In seeking you, I know that I will find you.
Day 4 - God Helps His People
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress . . . Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Psalm 107:19,21-Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He saved them out of their distresses. 21-Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
A few questions for those with a tendency to worry (pause briefly and ponder each one):
What situations in life are you most worried about right now? Why?
Of the various situations currently prompting anxiety in your life, which can you personally change? Over what issues do you have absolutely no control?
What are the inward and outward signs that something has got you really concerned and nervous?
List all the benefits of worrying. What are some of the drawbacks?
Is worrying a “sin”? Why or why not?
How do you think God feels when his children are panicky and anxious?
Why do some people seem almost immune to worry?
When is the last time you truly felt at peace?
Instead of worrying, you can cry out to God for help. In times of trouble, trust in God’s unfailing love.
God’s Promise to Me
When you cry out to me, I will help you.
My Prayer to God
God, I’m crying out to you for help. Help me trust that you will come to my rescue.
Day 5 - God’s Word Points the Way to Success
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8
It’s the same every weekend. Tens of thousands of people pack convention centers and hotel ballrooms across the country to hear self-help gurus and financial experts speak on how to be successful. Most of these events are slick and entertaining, with attendees caught up in the possibility of “realizing their potential” or “seeing their dreams become a reality.” And many of the people come away feeling motivated and helped. But how much of the advice they hear really squares with what God has said about how to succeed?
According to today’s verse, true success isn’t about making money, positive thinking or getting people to do what you want. God defines success as knowing and doing his Word. We achieve lasting glory when our sole goal is to honor the Lord.
God’s Promise to Me
If you study, meditate on and obey my Word, you will have success.
My Prayer to God
You have given me your Word, Lord. Thank you for revealing yourself and for showing me the right and best way to live. True success requires me to be immersed in and submitted to your truth. Give me the discipline to study, the desire to meditate on and the courage to obey the Scriptures.
Day 6 - God Provides a Solution for Harried Saints
The Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18
George Santayana once observed, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” This is precisely the reason the church (i.e. the modern day people of God) is wise to ponder carefully the experience of the Jews in the Old Testament.
By the time Isaiah arrived on the scene in 739 BC, Judah was in big-time trouble. Like the ten tribes of Israel to the north, the two southern tribes had forgotten God and were beginning to experience life apart from his blessing. Isaiah urged them to turn around . . . or else.
The details vary, but the principles and promise are still valid today. To experience all that God wants for us, we must turn to him—and wait for him in faith. If we ignore him, we do so at our own peril.
God’s Promise to Me
· Return to me, wait for me and I will deliver you.
· You will find strength when you trust me.
My Prayer to God
Lord, you are sovereign and holy. Forgive me for acting as though I am in charge of my own life and for doing unholy things. I will turn to you and wait for you.
Day 7 - You Are God’s Temple
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? . . . What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 2 Corinthians 6:14,16
If you’ve ever seen two yoked animals, you know that a matched pair of animals is necessary. Otherwise, they won’t move as a team. That’s why you would never yoke a horse with an ox.
These verses from Corinthians offer excellent advice for all kinds of relationships. To be yoked with someone means you are working with them as a team.
Sometimes believers read these verses and they are tempted to think they need to build a high wall around themselves, close the drawbridge and never come out lest they be infected by the evil world. That’s not what the rest of the Bible tells us, however, nor was that Jesus’ example to us.
We need to pray that we can be around unbelievers—at school, at work, in the neighborhood—and yet not be influenced by them. We need to discern how to have friendships with unbelievers and yet know where to draw the line. We need to interact with them, but not be yoked to them. We need to pray that we will shine for Christ and influence unbelievers—not the other way around.
God’s Promise to Me
You are my temple.
I am your God and I walk beside you.
My Prayer to God
Heavenly Father, because we are your temples, you command that we not make lasting commitments with unbelievers. Thank you for the promise that you will walk among us and be our God
Day 8 - God Rewards Your Quiet Time With Him
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6:6
There is a thriving breed of people in America known as the Coffee Shop Writers. They cannot work anywhere else except in the bustling coffee shop of their neighborhood. They settle in, get their coffee and work tirelessly on their novel, article or screenplay. They seem to believe that their work needs an audience—both before and after publication.
Even though this is a specialized group, in reality you can find people with a similar perspective in all walks of life: lifting weights, taking pictures, cooking, running, working or even eating. People are beginning to find it difficult to do anything without an audience.
The last thing God wants our spiritual life to become is a show we put on for others. Prayer should be a time of personal reflection and divine conversation. It needs to be between us and God. That’s it. Even when you’re not on your cell phone, your webcam is off and you’re not engaging in social media, you still have an audience of One—and he knows your heart.
God’s Promise to Me
I will always be personal, and I will always be with you.
Others look on the outside, I will always look at the heart.
My Prayer to God
Lord, thank you for always listening to me. Help me to remember that even though I follow you in deed and in word, our relationship is a personal one.
Day 9 - You Have Power
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
Paul wrote the words in today’s verse to Timothy, a young man with a big responsibility as pastor of the church in Ephesus. God has not called Christians to be fearful, cowering doormats waiting to let the world step on our faith and wipe its feet on our principles. With the God of the universe in our hearts, we have a spirit of power, love and self-discipline.
People in leadership need God’s help. Wherever we lead, God promises power—boldness to speak the truth. We don’t have this power in order to lord it over others but to empower them, to give them boldness in their faith. God promises love, a fruit of the Spirit. We have power to speak the truth, but love for our listeners tempers that power so it does not become prideful. God also promises self-discipline, or self-control, which gives us a cool head and a sound perspective in the hazards of leadership.
God has given us a great gift—power—instead of fear or timidity. How will you exercise this gift?
God’s Promise to Me
When I place you in a position of leadership, I will be with you.
I can give you a spirit of power, love and self-discipline in order to lead effectively.
My Prayer to God
Leadership is a big responsibility, Lord. No leader can please everyone, and every leader eventually needs to take a stand on important issues. I pray that I will be strong in faith and able to stand on my principles. Give me power and boldness without pride.
Day 10 - Nothing Is Impossible With Faith in God
[Jesus] replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20
In this verse Jesus wasn’t pointing to a measurement of faith, as though we could check our faith by stepping on a scale and claiming that the extra weight comes from extra faith. (Wouldn’t that would be nice?) Immediately after saying the disciples didn’t have enough faith, Jesus told them that even faith as small as a tiny mustard seed would be enough to move a mountain. Obviously it was not the amount of faith but the focus of the faith.
Earlier in Matthew 17 the disciples had tried to cast out a demon without success. Perhaps they had tried to cast it out depending on what they considered their own power. Whatever occurred, their faith must have been in the wrong place. When they put their faith in the right place—in the all-powerful God—then even a tiny grain of faith would be enough. Nothing is impossible when our faith is in God.
This kind of faith moves mountains and makes all things possible. At times we may feel that we have great faith; at other times we may feel that our faith is suffering. In the end, however, if even that suffering faith is in God, then it is enough to do the impossible!
God’s Promise to Me
If you have faith in me as small as a mustard seed, then it is enough to move mountains and do the impossible.
My Prayer to God
You promise, Lord, that with faith in you nothing is impossible. Thank you for being the God of the possible. Help me to remember that my faith, even small and weak, can do great things for you.
Day 11-of God's Promises by Bible Gateway
Day 11 - God Empowers You to Build His Kingdom
Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses . . . in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left. 2 Corinthians 6:4,7
All Christians have a responsibility both to practice and to proclaim their faith. Evangelism is not optional. But what about when hard times come? Don’t we get a break? Aren’t we exempt from the “Great Commission”—at least until our lives calm down?
Not really. Trials aren’t an excuse for not sharing our faith; on the contrary, they are an opportunity to speak out for God. The apostle Paul says as much in the passage above. It is during these times that God gives us the strength to endure in order to keep going in our task of kingdom building. In fact our endurance fuels our message.
Trials didn’t stop Paul from announcing the Good News; they should not deter us either.
God’s Promise to Me
I have forgiven your sin and reconciled you to myself.
I have given you Good News to share with others.
My Prayer to God
God, you have given the gospel to me so that I might show it and share it. Help me to see beyond my problems today, to my real purpose—building your kingdom. Give me creativity in using my struggles to speak for you.
Day 12 - God Is Love
We know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear. 1 John 4:16-18
God is love. Everything about his character is perfectly loving. He cannot be otherwise. We know how much God loves us because he sent his Son to die for us.
Is there any better feeling than being loved? To know that someone loves us gives us a sense of assurance, a sense of being special. That feeling can be ours every day because of God’s love for us. God has taken up residence in our lives through his Holy Spirit; therefore, love has taken up residence in our lives. We literally “live in love.” We are surrounded by it, filled with it. Love envelops us every moment of every day. Such love fills us and then overflows to other people, like water from a fountain. The result of such love? We will not be afraid on the day of judgment. God promises that we will be able to face him with confidence because we know that our salvation is sure.
We can trust in this God who is love. We can also pray for others to sense God’s love and know their salvation is certain.
God’s Promise to Me
· I love you.
· As I live in you, your love will grow more perfect.
· Because of my love, you need not fear the day of judgment but can be confident in your salvation.
My Prayer to God
Fill me with your love, O God. May it overflow on others like a fountain of refreshment.
Day 13 - The Holy Spirit Guarantees Future Promises
You also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14
Who are the “you also” to whom Paul referred? This meant all non-Jews who had become believers. Christ came to die for everyone—not just Jews, but Gentiles too. God had promised that through one of Abraham’s descendants, “all peoples on earth will be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). Jesus fulfilled that promise when he opened the way of salvation to everyone. When we believe the Good News, God saves us. In that moment God gives us his Holy Spirit, who is like a security deposit. The fact that we have the Holy Spirit means that all the rest of God’s promises will come true.
God’s promises about eternity are as certain as our salvation. There is no need to doubt what God says. While we may not understand everything in our lives or even agree on how the future will play out, we can agree that Jesus is coming back to take us to heaven to be with him forever.
We can have confidence in God’s promises for the future. The Holy Spirit testifies daily to the fact that all of God’s promises will come true “to the praise of his glory.”
God’s Promise to Me
· I gave you my Spirit as a guarantee that I will give you everything else I promised.
· You can be confident in all of my promises for the future.
My Prayer to God
God, thank you for giving me your Holy Spirit and for identifying me as your child. Thank you for the glorious future you have in store for me.
Day 14 - God Directs Your Ways
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
Here’s an exercise for the next time you find yourself up to your neck in question marks. Whenever you’re wondering which path to go down, and perhaps feeling pressured by the fast pace of life to make a quick choice, ask yourself: Am I looking to and leaning on God?
Do I put more stock in God’s counsel than in my own ideas or the opinions of others? Am I open to the idea that God may very well ask me to do something that everyone else thinks is crazy?
Do I honestly want what God wants—in every part of my life? Am I willing to wait until I have a clear sense of his leading?
If you can answer “yes” to these questions, God promises to direct you. How good is that?
God’s Promise to Me
· If you trust me and seek me, I will show you the way to go.
My Prayer to God
You want me to trust you, Lord, with all my heart, and I want to do that. You’re worthy of my trust. Forgive me for the times I doubt. In times of uncertainty I know I need more than mere human understanding. I need you! I want your will, God. Please show me which way to go.
Day 14 - God Directs Your Ways
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
Here’s an exercise for the next time you find yourself up to your neck in question marks. Whenever you’re wondering which path to go down, and perhaps feeling pressured by the fast pace of life to make a quick choice, ask yourself: Am I looking to and leaning on God?
Do I put more stock in God’s counsel than in my own ideas or the opinions of others? Am I open to the idea that God may very well ask me to do something that everyone else thinks is crazy?
Do I honestly want what God wants—in every part of my life? Am I willing to wait until I have a clear sense of his leading?
If you can answer “yes” to these questions, God promises to direct you. How good is that?
God’s Promise to Me
If you trust me and seek me, I will show you the way to go.
My Prayer to God
You want me to trust you, Lord, with all my heart, and I want to do that. You’re worthy of my trust. Forgive me for the times I doubt. In times of uncertainty I know I need more than mere human understanding. I need you! I want your will, God. Please show me which way to go.
Day 15 - God Is Most Concerned With Your Heart
The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7
When does concern over one’s appearance cross the line between healthy and unhealthy?
Is it wrong, for instance, to work out every day? What about cosmetic surgery? Or spending time and effort searching for the “perfect” haircut, suntan, makeup or wardrobe?
There are no simple answers to these questions, but the promise above reminds us that God is far more interested in what’s going on inside us than how we look on the outside.
The apostle Paul’s words fit well here: “Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:7-8).
God’s Promise to Me
· I don’t evaluate people by looking at their outward appearance.
· I judge people by their thoughts and intentions.
My Prayer to God
Lord, it’s true that our world thinks external image is everything. Forgive me for the times I am overly concerned with my appearance. Grant me the wisdom and discipline to expend the necessary time and energy to care for my soul. May you be pleased more and more as you examine my thoughts and intentions.
Day 16 - God Has Given You All You Need
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3
When life gets chaotic, we are prone to daydream: “If only I could stop the clock for two weeks, I could catch up.” “If only I could win a million bucks, my life would be simplified.” “If only I . . .”
If only. If only.
In stressful times, whether self-induced or externally imposed, we are quick to look for relief through physical or material means. This is unfortunate since what we really need most in hard times are immaterial realities like peace, patience, joy, endurance, inner strength, faithfulness and humility.
The good news is that all those priceless qualities are available to us now—in limitless quantities. The lesson? We are to stop wishing for superficial things that don’t really help and start taking advantage of the spiritual blessings that can and will make a real difference in our lives.
God’s Promise to Me
· I am the God who blesses.
· I have already prospered you with every spiritual blessing that you need to live in a fallen world.
My Prayer to God
O God, I praise you! You are the God who blesses. How easy it is to forget that you are the source of every good thing and that you yourself are good. Your goodness to me is not because of any goodness on my part. It is all because of Christ, all because of grace.
Day 17 - God Understands Your Temptations
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Matthew 6:13
You’ve taken on too many responsibilities and now you’re scrambling to get it all done. People are not cooperating. Your stress level is rising even as your mood is deteriorating. Success looks doubtful. Ever been in this place?
To make matters worse, because of your busyness you haven’t taken time out to make sure you’re approaching the situation with God’s perspective. Just when the external pressure is greatest your inner strength is waning. There’s a lesson here: people have a tendency to lower their spiritual guards in stressful situations.
The good news is that when we find ourselves in tempting places—no matter what the source—we have someone to whom we can turn. He understands our weaknesses and promises to help us if we’ll cling to him. God is the ultimate preventive measure against falling into temptation.
God’s Promise to Me
· You can pray for my help to avoid temptation.
My Prayer to God
Lord, I’m grateful that I can turn to you to avoid temptation. Help me trust your leading and learn from your roadblocks.
Day 18 - God Never Stops Loving You
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers . . . will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Most of what our world calls “love” is conditional. You get to be on the receiving end only if or because you are a certain way or if or because you do certain things. Stop being or doing those things and watch how quickly the “love” disappears. Except when it comes to God.
His love is unconditional, permanent, sure. Like sunlight it shines on us no matter what we do or don’t do. We can’t cause it to burn more brightly. We can’t possibly turn it off. It is the great constant in life—the one thing we can’t evade.
Sin in our lives might prevent us from the vivid experience of God’s love, but it doesn’t diminish that love any more than a few clouds can diminish the sun.
Take time today to bask in the warmth of divine love.
God’s Promise to Me
· Nothing can separate you from my love.
My Prayer to God
Your love is permanent, Lord. Transform me as I understand more deeply your undying affection for me. When I am in situations where I cannot sense your love, give me the faith to trust that you are still there and that I am always in your care.
Day 19 - God Helps You Reach Your Goals
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3
Ever set goals for your family? Perhaps you sat down as a family and decided on what you wanted to do or how you wanted to help each other grow. Setting goals together is a way of working as a team, as well as showing your love for each other.
As a member of God’s family God wants to do the same thing with you: sit down together and work through your goals. Because he loves you and wants the best for you, he wants to hear your plans, hopes and dreams.
Sometimes we make plans without consulting God because we simply want our own way. Some of these plans may succeed; others fail. God wants us to submit our plans to him for his approval before we act. In this way, we show our love for and submission to him.
God’s Promise to Me
· If you commit your plans to me, I will help you reach godly goals.
My Prayer to God
Heavenly Father, I’m glad you’re so interested in my life that I can come and talk to you whenever I want. Thank you for helping me set good goals.
Day 20 - God Invites You to Come to Him for Help
He knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103:14
When we are scrambling around during tough times, trying to figure out what to do, our minds have a tendency to dream up all sorts of unlikely scenarios. Money woes, for instance, might prompt us to imagine an out-of-the-blue phone call from a billionaire like Bill Gates, offering to bail us out. Medical problems can get us daydreaming about an invitation to come consult—for free, of course—with the world’s foremost specialists at a place like the Mayo Clinic.
Bottom line—what we want most in times of trouble is understanding and help from someone with the power to deal effectively with our situation.
God offers precisely what we want and need. He knows our every weakness and cares about them. We can trust that when we seek him for help in a situation, he’ll care enough to do something about it.
God’s Promise to Me
· I understand your weaknesses.
· I want you to come boldly into my presence.
· I will give you mercy and grace in your time of need.
My Prayer to God
Lord, you know my weaknesses and the temptations I face. You are never too busy for me. Thank you for the total, unhindered access I have to you.
Day 21 - God’s Word Will Last Forever
Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Psalm 119:89
A popular statement among Christians not so long ago was “God said it, I believe it and that settles it.” Before long some believers had modified the slogan to say: “God said it, and that settles it—whether we believe it or not.”
They were pointing out the utter reliability of God. His Word is sure—even when our faith is shaky. And because he himself is one hundred percent faithful, he is worthy of our complete trust.
The goal is not to clutch at a few Bible promises like a desperate mountain climber might grasp a series of dangling ropes. We need, rather, to come to see God’s Word as a mighty mountain under our feet—strong, stable and eternal. Our daily time spent with him will build up that mountain, giving us a strong, secure footing in the face of any difficulty.
God’s Promise to Me
· My Word is eternal and firm.
· My faithfulness to you is forever.
My Prayer to God
Your Word stands firm forever, O Lord. As I have spent time in your Word over the last several days, I’ve see my relationship with you grow. You are a God of promises, and as I spend time with you, I see your promises evident in my life. I promise, you, Lord, that I will make this the year that I will spend time with you each day!