Friday, February 28, 2014
Do You Want To Be Set Free?
From today's devotional
Although we may feel overwhelmed by the multitude of our sins, God will forgive them all if we ask sincerely. Do you feel as though God could never forgive you, that your sins are too many, or that some of them are too great? The good news is that God can and will forgive them all. Nobody is beyond redemption, and nobody is so full of sin that he or she cannot be made clean.
1 Peter 1:24, 25 NLT
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Counting Sheep or counting On God
From today's devotional
During sleepless, uncomfortable nights, David thought about God. Instead of counting sheep, he meditated on his Shepherd. He reviewed all the ways God had already helped him, and he greeted the next day with songs of praise. In quiet moments or wakeful nights, make it a point to count examples of God's faithfulness to you. Doing so is far more likely to give you rest than any other items you might count!
Colossians 3:23, 24 NLT
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Psalms 61:8 NLT
Praise God Every Day
From today's devotional
David made a vow to praise God each day. David continually praised God through both the good and difficult times of his life. Do you find something to praise God for each day? As you do, you will find your heart elevated from daily distractions to lasting confidence.
Philippians 4:8 NLT
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Psalms 48:14 NLT
A Map and A Guide
From today's devotional
We often pray for God's guidance as we struggle with decisions. What we need is both guidance and a guide-a map that gives us landmarks and directions as well as a constant companion who has an intimate knowledge of the way and will make sure we interpret the map correctly. The Bible will be such a map, and the Holy Spirit will be the constant companion and guide. As you make your way through life, use both the map and your Guide.
Galatians 6:7, 8 NLT
Monday, February 24, 2014
Psalms 42:5, 6 NLT
A Word On Depression
From today's devotional
Depression is one of the most common emotional ailments. One antidote for depression is to meditate on the record of God's goodness to his people. This will take your mind off the present situation and give hope that it will improve. It will focus your thoughts on God's ability to help you rather than on your inability to help yourself. When you feel depressed, take advantage of this psalm's antidepressant. Read the Bible's accounts of God's goodness, and meditate on them.
Colossians 1:17, 18 NLT
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Psalms 41:1, 2 NLT
Your Rest Depends On Him
From today's devotional
As the life of a deer depends upon water, so our lives depend upon God. Those who seek him and long to understand him find never-ending life. Feeling separated from God, this psalmist wouldn't rest until he restored his relationship with God because he knew that his very life depended on it.
1 Timothy 2:1, 2 NLT
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Psalms 39:4 NLT
Because Life Is Short
From today's devotional
Life is short no matter how long we live. If there is something important we want to do, we must not put it off for a better day. Ask yourself, "If I had only six months to live, what would I do?" Tell someone that you love him or her? Deal with an undisciplined area in your life? Tell someone about Jesus? Because life is short, don't neglect what is truly important.
Jude 1:20, 21 NLT
Friday, February 21, 2014
What God Gives, Lasts Forever
From today's devotional
We should never envy evil people, even though some may be extremely popular or excessively rich. No matter how much they have, it will fade and vanish like grass that withers and dies. Those who follow God live differently from the wicked and, in the end, will have far greater treasures in heaven. What the unbeliever gets may last a lifetime, if he is lucky. What you get from following God lasts forever.
Romans 12:3 NLT
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Psalms 33:11 NLT
You Can Trust God
From today's devotional
"The LORD's plans stand firm forever." Are you frustrated by inconsistencies you see in others, or even in yourself? God is completely trustworthy-his intentions never change. There is a promise that good and perfect gifts come to us from the Creator who never changes. When you wonder if there is anyone in whom you can trust, remember that God is completely consistent. Let him counsel you, and trust in his plans for your life.
James 3:17, 18 NLT
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Psalms 32:5 NLT
Confession Is Good
From today's devotional
What is confession? To confess our sin is to agree with God, acknowledging that he is right to declare what we have done as sinful, and that we are wrong to desire or to do it. It is to affirm our intention of abandoning that sin in order to follow him more faithfully.
Jeremiah 17:9, 10 NLT
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Psalms 25:14 NLT
Be In Awe Of Him
From today's devotional
The LORD is a friend to those who fear him." God offers intimate and lasting friendship to those who revere him, who hold him in highest honor. What relationship could ever compare with having the Lord of all creation for a friend? Your everlasting friendship with God will grow as you revere him.
Romans 15:5, 6 NLT
Monday, February 17, 2014
Psalms 25:4 NLT
God's Guidance
From today's devotional
David expressed his desire for guidance. How do we receive God's guidance? The first step is to want to be guided and to realize that God's primary guidance system is in his Word, the Bible. By reading it and constantly learning from it, we will gain the wisdom to perceive God's direction for our lives. We may be tempted to demand answers from God, but David asked for direction. When we are willing to seek God, learn from his Word, and obey his commands, then will we receive his specific guidance.
Psalms 1:1, 2 NLT
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Psalms 22:30, 31 NLT
Live Out Your Faith
From today's devotional
If we want our children to serve the Lord, they must hear about Him from us. It is not enough to rely on the church or those with more knowledge to provide all their Christian education. We must reinforce the lessons of the Bible in our homes.
1 Corinthians 1:10 NLT
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Psalms 19:14 NLT
How Are Your Words and Thoughts?
From today's devotional
Would you change the way you live if you knew that every word and thought would be examined by God first? David asks that God approve his words and thoughts as though they were offerings brought to the altar. As you begin each day, determine that God's love will guide what you say and how you think.
Ephesians 3:20, 21 NLT
Friday, February 14, 2014
Psalms 19:3, 4 NLT
Nature Proclaims God's Existence and Power
From today's devotional
The apostle Paul referred to this psalm when he explained that everyone knows about God because nature proclaims God's existence and power. This does not cancel the need for missions because the message of God's salvation found in his Word, the Bible, must still be told to the ends of the earth. While nature points to the existence of God, the Bible tells us about salvation. God's people must explain to others how they can have a relationship with God. Although people everywhere should already believe in a Creator by just looking at the evidence of nature around them, God needs us to explain his love, mercy, and grace. What are you doing to take God's message to the world?
1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Psalms 18:2, 3 NLT
God's Protection
From today's devotional
God's protection of his people is limitless and can take many forms. David characterized God's care with five military symbols. God is like (1) a rock that can't be moved by any who would harm us, (2) a fortress or place of safety where the enemy can't follow, (3) a shield that comes between us and harm, (4) a horn of salvation-a symbol of might and power, and (5) a stronghold high above our enemies. If you need protection, look to God.
Galatians 6:9, 10 NLT
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Psalms 17:8 NLT
God Protects
John 10:28-30 NLT
(Jesus) I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” (John 10:28-30 NLT)
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Psalms 16:9 NLT
Joy or Happiness
From today's devotional
David's heart was glad-he had found the secret to joy. True joy is far deeper than happiness; we can feel joy in spite of our deepest troubles. Happiness is temporary because it is based on external circumstances, but joy is lasting because it is based on God's presence within us. As we contemplate his daily presence, we will find contentment. As we understand the future he has for us, we will experience joy. Don't base your life on circumstances, but on God.
Ephesians 1:9, 10 NLT
Monday, February 10, 2014
Psalms 16:7, 8 NLT
Not Your Plan, But God's
From today's devotional
It is human nature to make our own plans and then ask God to bless them. Instead, we should seek God's will first. By constantly thinking about the Lord and his way of living, we will gain insights that will help us make right decisions and live the way God desires. Communicating with God allows him to counsel us and give us wisdom.
2 Corinthians 5:14, 15 NLT
Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.