January 16

Quote:
One of the ways that our faith expresses itself is
by our ability to be still, to be present, and not to
panic or lose perspective. God still does his best
work in the most difficult of circumstances. ~ Tim Hansel

Psalm 4:3-5
But know that the LORD hath set apart him
that is godly for himself:
the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
Stand in awe, and sin not:
commune with your own heart upon your bed,
and be still. Selah.
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
and put your trust in the LORD.

Prayer:
Gracious Father,
If I start to worry or fret, remind me WHO You are.
May I meditate on Your glory, power and grace
that melt away all fears. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

January 17

Quote:
There are things God wants you to do,
and you are a split-second decision away
from either walking into the will of God or
shrinking back in fear. ~ Cathy Lechner

Deuteronomy 5:32-33 ESV
You shall be careful therefore to do as the LORD your God
has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right
hand or to the left. You shall walk in all the way that the
LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live,
and that it may go well with you, and that you may live
long in the land that you shall possess.

Prayer:
Almighty God,
Keep my eyes focused on the things You want me to do.
May all of my decisions be according to Your will so that
I can walk forward without fear. Amen.

January 18

Quote:
The state of your heart dictates whether you harbor a
grudge or give grace, seek self-pity or seek Christ, drink
human misery or taste God's mercy. ~ Max Lucado

James 5:8-9
Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming
of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another,
brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth
before the door.

Prayer:
Thank you Lord, For helping me to give grace, seek Christ and taste Your
mercy. Amen.

January 19

Quote:
Suffering helps you to view your life in light of eternity,
knowing that the hard times you face today are only
temporary. So when you are brought to a season of
suffering in your life, understand that it's meant to build
a longing in you for a day when all suffering will cease...
when God makes all things right! ~ Chaplain Michael Clark

Isaiah 40:29
He giveth power to the faint;
and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.

Prayer:
O Lord,
It is only because I have known great suffering that I can know
great peace. Amen.

January 20

Quote:
Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut
diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be
known. Improve them and they will become the brightest
gems in a useful life. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson {submitted by Rev. Nancy}

Romans 12:11-13 ESV
Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve
the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be
constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints
and seek to show hospitality.

Prayer:
O Lord,
When I have spare moments do not allow me to fall into
temptation. Rather, direct my thoughts to You that I use
these moments to pray, think of Scripture or plan on how
I can be a blessing to another person. In the name of Jesus
I pray. Amen.

January 21

Quote:
A man is what he is on his knees before God -- and
nothing more. ~ Robert Murray McCheyne

Matthew 18:3
"Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become
like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest
in the kingdom of heaven."

Prayer:
O God,
Take away all traces of false pride that I harbor in my heart.
Annihilate all threads of self-righteousness that I am able
to come before You as a little child with no pretense or
falsehood. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

January 22

Quote:
The fruit of silence is prayer.
The fruit of prayer is faith.
The fruit of faith is love.
The fruit of love is service.
The fruit of service is peace.
~ Mother Theresa of Calcutta {submitted by Rev. Nancy}

Matthew 7:18
A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit,
nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.

Prayer:
O God,
Make me a healthy tree that I bear the fruit of silence, prayer, faith,
love, service and peace. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

January 23

Quote:
Many people begin "The good fight of faith" but forget to add patience,
persistence, and endurance to their enthusiasm. ~ Anonymous

Galatians 6:9
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap,
if we faint not.

Prayer:
My Lord,
I am guilty of fighting the good fight of faith and stopping there. Grant me
not only enthusiasm but also bless it with patience, persistence, and endurance.
In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

January 24

Quote:
May God give us a pure heart so we may see Him; a humble heart
so we may hear Him; a loving heart so we may serve Him; a faithful
heart so we may live Him. ~ Dag Hammarskjold

Psalm 24:4-5 ESV
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully.
He will receive blessing from the LORD
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Prayer:
Dear Father,
Make my heart pure, humble, loving and faithful that I may see You,
hear You, serve You and live for You. Amen.

January 25

Quote:
Whatever man loves, that is his god. For he carries it in his heart;
he goes about with it night and day; he sleeps and wakes with it,
be it what it may - wealth or self, pleasure or renown. ~ Martin Luther

Romans 1:21-22 ESV
For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give
thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish
hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools...

Prayer:
Lord,
May I love You above all else so that I carry You in my heart night and day;
that I sleep with You and wake with You and honor You in all my ways. Amen.

January 26

Quote:
Make sure that you let God's grace work in your souls by accepting
whatever He gives you, and giving Him whatever He takes from you.
True holiness consists in doing God's work with a smile. ~ Mother Teresa

Hebrews 12:5-6 TEV
Have you forgotten the encouraging words which God speaks to
you as his children? "My child, pay attention when the Lord corrects
you, and do not be discouraged when he rebukes you. Because the
Lord corrects everyone he loves, and punishes everyone he accepts
as a child."

Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Grant me the grace and peace to accept whatever You give to me and to
willingly give You whatever You take from me. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

January 27

Quote:
There are very few crises in life; the great crisis
is the surrender of the will. God never crushes a
man's will into surrender, He never beseeches him,
He waits until the man yields up his will to Him.
That battle never needs to be re-fought. ~ Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

Matthew 10:39
He that findeth his life shall lose it:
and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Prayer:
O God,
Why is it so difficult for me to surrender my will to You?
Pride is stubborn and keeps me chained to myself. Break
these bonds that hold me so tightly, that I may surrender to
You and enjoy blessed freedom. Amen.

January 28

Quote:
People see God every day,
They just don't recognize him.
~ Pearl Bailey {submitted by Rev. Nancy}

Acts 17:27-28 ESV
Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,
for "In him we live and move and have our being."...

Prayer:
Almighty Father,
When I feel far from You, it is I who has moved away.
Open my eyes that I see You. Unstop my ears so that
I may hear You. Open my mind and my soul to Your holy
presence. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

January 29

Quote:
Hold fast to the faith
with strong conviction.
Then you will be able to
understand the good times.
And surely, in bad times,
you will receive the most
beautiful comfort, and experience glorious hope.
~ Martin Luther {submitted by Rev. Nancy}

Psalm 32:10-11
Many sorrows shall be to the wicked:
but he that trusteth in the LORD,
mercy shall compass him about.
Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous:
and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

Prayer:
O God,
When I am afflicted and find myself in bad times, I still have my faith
and Your grace in my life. In the midst of storms I do receive the most
beautiful comfort, and experience glorious hope. Thank you. Amen.

January 30

Quote:
The renewal of our natures is a work of great importance. It is not
to be done in a day. We have not only a new house to build up,
but an old one to pull down. ~ George Whitefield

1 Thessalonians 5:21-24 NKJV
Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may
your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

Prayer:
Father,
In recovery, I not only have a new house to build but I also must
remember to tear down the old house. The old ways of thinking,
acting and doing must be disposed of before the new ways can be
set in place. Lead me as I test all things and hold fast to what is good.
In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.