Day 1
After all, the spirit given to us by God isn’t a fearful spirit: it’s a spirit of power, love and prudence. 2 Timothy 1:7
Today’s Thought: You have the ability to operate with power and love in your soul, making your mind and body work for you not against you.
Some people think that mindfulness is just being present but that is not enough. Being present in God’s power and love is what creates a sound mind. Your mind controls your body and soul. When we turn our love toward Jesus and see that we were created in the image of God, we will walk in love and in power. Remember, the Bible says God is love. He is the most powerful being that has ever existed, and you were created in His image!
Day 2
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
Today’s Thought: Your Father knows your needs, so you don’t have to worry.
It seems that worry comes so naturally…too naturally. It adds nothing. We gain nothing from it. Yet, on the subject of worrying, this passage of scripture was Jesus’ response. It’s an invitation into His way of living—to live supernaturally instead of naturally. We have very real needs in our lives, and they scream at us every day. Jesus isn’t telling us to ignore those things but to not prioritize them above living a life that pursues His heart. And His promise is that your Heavenly Father already knows about the bills that need to be paid and is already at work providing for you. You can trust Him.
Day 3
It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Psalm 127:2
Today’s Thought: Overworking and anxious toil are lifestyles in direct opposition to the sleep God longs to give us, His beloved children.
Overworking and anxious toil are not driven by the Holy Spirit, which begs the question: What is the driving force? It could be our desire to be noticed or affirmed, the desire for wealth, the fear of bosses, the habit of what has been wrongly modeled for us, the pride of life, improper boundaries, or a host of other things. We need to ask the Holy Spirit to show us the root of our anxious toil and to teach us how to work from rest and remain in His rest. Working is a good thing, but overworking is not. The time has come for us to receive that sweet sleep that only comes from God.
Day 4
Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. Psalms 103:2-3
Today’s Thought: May I never forget.
Isn't it amazing that we can forget the biggest moments or inspirational things we have experienced in times of trials? If there is ever a time that we need to remember, it's in the trials and temptations. Our amnesia is common and can keep us from experiencing all the joy God has for our souls, but the writer here encourages us to never forget! Like we've said about Sept 11th, 2001: May we never forget! I hope to never again forget that He (the God who loved me enough to die for me), forgives ALL and heals ALL! As this verse says, “Let all that I am praise the Lord!”
Day 5
Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always]. Colossians 3:15
Today’s Thought: God has given us the gift of peace to lead us.
Peace is so much more than a feeling or a state of being, it’s an assurance that comes from Christ. As followers of Jesus, we are told to allow peace to work like an umpire in our lives, making the decision if something is “in” or “out,” and helping us settle the questions that come into our hearts and minds. When faced with decisions, we can be led by following peace from the Holy Spirit and use it to direct our paths. If you’re feeling unsettled about something, ask God to give you peace about the decision. And when you follow peace, you can be assured you’re obeying His guidance and His best for you.
Day 6
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and
admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms
and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in
your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16
Today's Thought: The default setting in our lives is typically
“fast paced,” but when it comes to worship, we can intentionally hit the brakes.
When I see the word “richly,” I’m reminded of a rich, decadent dessert
that makes me want to savor every moment of every bite.
When I take the time to read the Bible slowly and intentionally, savoring
its goodness, I allow God to let His Word dwell in me richly.
It becomes sweet to my spirit, melting life’s cares away into their proper
place at the foot of the cross and off my shoulders. It’s in this spiritually
decadent place that songs of thankfulness flow most freely.
Day 7
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17
Today’s Thought: God loves you beyond measure and sent His Son to offer everyone freedom from guilt, not disapproval.
God is looking at you and everyone around you with approval. Jesus was sent here as a promise to all people, not just a few. When you look out at your family and friends or look in the mirror, He wants you to see as He sees. That is, with love and adoration for all who believe in His Son.
Day 8
I hold firmly to the hope I professed because I can trust God to do what He promised. Hebrews 10:23
Today’s Thought: Have you ever had a promise from God that you yearned for, but the hope of receiving it faded over time? Don’t lose heart.
Did you know there is a divine moment in time when God’s promises will intersect in your life? The Bible tells us God cannot lie, and His word cannot return void without accomplishing what it was sent out to do. So, what do we do to keep our hope rising while in the waiting season? We seek God with our whole hearts and partner with His promises by praying as the Holy Spirit leads us to bring it to pass. In turn, a season of waiting can become of the most beautiful, precious, and intimate times of walking closely with Jesus this side of heaven. Can you imagine any better place to be?
Day 9
In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16
Today’s Thought: Stepping out in faith is something we learn how to do, and the more we do it, the easier it gets.
The Bible describes faith as a shield, but a shield isn't used by the dominant hand. If you're a righty, you would train with your left hand to do something it has never done before, and vice versa if you're a lefty. In the same way, walking by faith in our daily lives isn't a natural skill; it's a learned habit. Stepping out and exercising your faith can feel strange, scary, or even awkward at times, but that's okay! Faith is something we learn how to use, and the more we use it, the more natural it becomes.
Day 10
Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:5
Today's Thought: God is always directing you with His love.
"Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God." Wait. What about the times I ignored God? What about the times I chose my flesh over Him? Why would He direct my broken, fleshy, deceiving heart into His love? Because in His love is where healing, purpose, and hope are found. God not only loves us, but He cares so much about us that He’d actually direct our hearts right into the thing that will set us free. The amplified version puts it this way: “May the Lord direct your hearts into realizing and showing the love of God.” When we fully realize the depths of the love of God, our response is to show the love of God to others. We love others because He first loved us.
Day 11
What then is faith? It is what gives assurance to our hopes; it is what gives us conviction about things we can't see. Hebrews 11:1
Today’s Thought: We are co-creators of our destiny alongside God.
We are not victims of our biology. We are co-creators of our destiny alongside God. God leads, but we have to choose to let God lead. God has given us the intellect (consciousness or mind) to be co-creators. As such, you have a say in the possible outcomes of your life. You are designed to be in dialogue with God about your life through your intellect. It’s kind of like baking a cake. The cake represents a particular life issue you are dealing with. The gift of free will allows us to choose the type of cake we will bake and what we do with this cake. We choose the ingredients and we bake the cake—God doesn't give us the ready-baked cake. We can choose to do this with or without God. We have been designed to create thoughts, and from these, we live out our lives. Whatever you believe in and hope for becomes substance on a physical level, and you act upon this.
Day 12
And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
Today’s Thought: You don’t have to strive to survive. If you let the Lord be your source, He will lead you to your provision.
It is easy to get caught up in the stress of providing for yourself or your family. We are often told, “If you don’t take care of yourself, no one else will.” But God’s Kingdom doesn’t work that way. He created the world and the entire universe. He is the source of all things. Instead of asking yourself, What do I need to do to pay for this or get through that? Ask, God, what do you have for me today? Lead me through the right doors. Help me make favorable choices. I know You will provide all I need, for You have the power to do all things.
Day 13
The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8
Today's Thought: Worrying is a waste of time when you discover that the God of peace is leading you forward, and He knows exactly where He’s taking you.
Many times thoughts of fear and uncertainty can cloud our minds when figuring out where we’re going, what we’re doing, and how we’re going to get there. But we can exchange fear for peace when we remember that the God of the universe is leading us forward and promises to advise us. Instead of dwelling on things out of your control, choose to rest in Him. Trust that He’s guiding you and is with you every step of the way. He is the Good Shepherd.
Day 14
The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
Today’s Thought: Recognizing God’s character in His Word is the entry point for you to believe He is able to do great and mighty things in your life.
When we peer into God’s Word, one of the primary things we should glean is an understanding of His character. When we are familiar with who God is, it helps us recognize His movement on our behalf in our lives. Because He never changes, we can set our expectations on Him. This scripture is a picture of the kind of God we serve and what it can look like when God is the very center point of your life: He will defend, protect, and set you free. He will joyfully cheer you on and cheer you up. You can find rest and peace with Him in His love. He will spin around and dance over you with songs of gladness and triumph.
Day 15
Just as each of you has received a gift, so you should use it for ministry one to another, as good stewards of God’s many-sided grace. 1 Peter 4:10
Today’s Thought: You are 100% unique and important in this world.
Everybody has a unique experience, and when you receive God’s grace in your life, it is unique to your mind and soul. You are important because people need to experience the grace God gave you. If you sit at home and live as a failure, the world is missing out on the precious gift of grace God gave you. First, receive grace. Then start giving it out! Get involved in the world around you. Serve at church, invite friends to the park, share joy with the check-out person at Publix, make a dinner for a sick friend, babysit for your grandkids…There are so many sides to God’s grace that the list is endless. So pick one and start living out God’s grace.
Day 16
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. Psalm 27:13
Today’s Thought: Your heart is as strong as your hope in God.
This “Psalm of David” is a powerful example of how placing our hope in God in times of testing and trouble can turn a heart that wants to give up into a heart that sings. It’s interesting that, throughout this entire psalm, David doesn’t ask for the trouble to be removed. Instead, the “one thing” he asks for is to see the Lord and His beauty in the midst of the ugliness of life. It is likely that David composed this psalm while in exile and was being pursued by a murderously jealous King Saul, and he could have easily given up on his hope of ever being at rest or sitting on the throne that had been promised to him. But he never lost heart, because his hope was not in the throne. It was not in perfect circumstances. It was in God’s goodness and in His presence and in His promises. And because he didn’t give up hope in God’s goodness, he later rose to take his place on Israel’s throne. If your heart needs strength today, you can find it by believing in His goodness. You will surely see it if you look for it.
Day 17
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23
Today’s Thought: Fix your life’s course by protecting your life’s source—your heart.
When water is pure and clean at the source, it is able to bring life from there forward to so many outlets. Conversely, water that is polluted at the source will be a contaminant all the way down the line unless it is purified. What is the source of the dominant thought in your heart today? Is it from heaven? Is it rooted in Scripture? If it’s a thought of fear, of overwhelm, of insecurity, or a thought based on something other than what God thinks, it’s time to do some work with Jesus. We must be like an armed guard, taking every thought that comes into our heart captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) and either: purifying it with Scripture if needed, throwing it out altogether if it is polluted or rooted in humanism or the devil’s lies, or allowing it to linger and take root in our faith if it is a thought from God’s heart. Take a moment to take inventory of your heart’s most pressing and present thoughts. Wash your heart in the water of God’s words today. If we fix our thoughts at the source, we will fix our course.
Day 18
And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested. 1 Chronicles 4:10
Today’s Thought: Ask for God’s blessing and protection as an honorable person, and He will grant you your request.
A man whose very name is a reminder that he has caused pain in the past asked God for His blessings to be poured out on him. Jabez didn’t just ask for his own protection, but to be spared from evil so that others might not suffer by Jabez’s actions. If we come to God with an honorable spirit and ask for His blessings that we might expand our influence and provide for the protection of others by keeping us from evil, God will hear our prayers.
Day 19
You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation]. Isaiah 26:3
Today’s Thought: God is the giver and keeper of our peace.
Have you ever found yourself working hard and striving to achieve a state of peace in your life? Of course, you have. We all have. But can there ever truly be peace in the midst of our striving? Jesus declared in John 14 that peace is a gift. He gave us His peace and we know that anything He has is from the Father. So, peace is not actually something we need to work or strive to attain, rather it is a gift given to us through Jesus that is kept by God. Our scripture today, Isaiah 26:3, is an invitation into a deeper level of intimacy with God. When we draw near to Him and fix our focus on Him, we have but to trust in Him, take refuge in Him, to find that “perfect and constant peace” is ours.
Day 20
You crown the year with Your goodness, And Your paths drip with abundance. Psalm 65:11
JToday’s Thought: God is always up to something good, even if we can’t see it right now.
2020 was a wild year. There seemed to be a lot of uncertainty and a lot of opportunity to choose fear because of surrounding circumstances. The Lord pointed to this verse and reminded me that He is ALWAYS up to something good and always providing. The truth is, He was still there to comfort those who needed comfort and to provide direction for those wondering what to do next. Just like He was there then, He is here now! You are not alone, and 2023 is crowned with His goodness. Take a moment to remind your heart of God’s goodness today.
Day 21
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. James 5:16b-18
Today’s Thought: Prayer changes things. When you feel discouraged by unanswered prayers, remember your part, and have faith that God will do His.
We don’t always feel it or see it, and sometimes it is hard to believe it, but prayer changes situations. James says our prayers—which are put into action and made effective by God—are dynamic and powerful. Dynamic means that change is stimulated. And this change can be done by God alone. There are no magic words in prayer.