Lord Almighty One, I am like all men that desire an unfailing love. Every use of those words ‘unfailing love’ in Scripture is attributed to You alone. You are the only one capable of perpetual unfailing love. Help me understand that my deep cravings for someone to love me with that kind of love were meant to be satisfied by You alone. And thank You deeply, my God, my Father.
As to human love, if any infatuation of a lovely friendship preoccupies you, at least try to cure yourself little by little. Open your eyes: the creature which you love is not faultless. Turn your attention to the Supreme Goodness, from whom you will never suffer abandonment. Let your friendships be grave, simple, and edifying in all things. Do not love one single person too much, and love more those whom God commands you to love.
Try to love God without waiting for Him to assure you of His love for you. You should realize that your love is a guarantee of His! Your confidence will disarm Him and turn all His severity into tenderness. Trust His love!
We seek impatiently for consolation that we can feel, because we fear we are not sufficiently penitent. Why do we not take as penitence the giving up of the consolation which we are attempting to seek? Let us take comfort and consolation when He gives them, but without becoming attached to them. When He plunges us into the night of pure faith, then let us go into this night and let us lovingly suffer this agony, knowing He is always with us whether we feel Him or not.
Despair of yourself as much as you please, but do not make the mistake of despairing of our God. He is both loving and powerful! When unforeseen occasions arise suddenly, act promptly, and even if you are wrong, God will accept your right intentions if you have sought with a single heart to do what you believe to be right in His eyes.
Bear with yourself, avoiding both self-deception and discouragement. Expect nothing of yourself, but expect all things of God. These are the true foundations of all spiritual life. Do not be afraid of anything on your way. God will lead you by the hand, if only you are filled with love for Him rather than fear for yourself.
Not only does God hide Himself, but He also hides us from ourselves, so all can be done in faith. So when we step out in faith in a bad situation, we usually end up surprising ourselves with our faithfulness. And learn something more about God’s love in the process.
God’s love for you is unprecedented, undeserved, and never-faltering.
Goddoes everything, arranges everything, makes everything to be as it is. He knows the hairs of your head, the number of leaves of every tree, the grains of sand on every shore, the drops of water in each body of water. When He made the world, His wisdom weighed and measured every atom. In every moment He renews and sustains the breath of life. Nothing happens on earth which God has not willed. It is He who does all, who rules all, who gives to each thing all that it has.
Therefore, we must yield entirely to God our mood, whether the things which we have to do are agreeable or inconvenient. We should try to begin every undertaking in the vision of the pure glory of God, to continue it without relaxing, and to finish it without strain or impatience.
We are to conclude then that to do all that God wishes, there is very little to do in one sense. It is only a question of:
not wishing for anything, and wishing for everything without restriction and without choice;
of going gaily on the day’s journey, as providence leads us, not seeking anything, and not refusing anything;
of finding everything in the present moment, letting Him act who does all, and allowing His will to work quietly in our own.
It takes a continual attention to God’s will to accomplish this.
For You created all things and by Your will they were created and have their being (Revelation 4:11). According to Your will, You have done this great thing (2 Samuel 7:21), and made known all these great promises (1 Chronicles 17:19).
For creation [itself] was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the One who subjected it (Romans 8:20). Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of Your Father (Matthew 10:29).
He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will (Ephesians 1:5). For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose (Philippians 2:13). Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is (Ephesians 5:17).
“My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work” (John 4:34). For the Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life (John 6:40). Whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother (Matthew 12:50).
I desire to do Your will, O my God (Psalm 40:8). Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). Teach me to do Your will, for you are my God (Psalm 143:10).
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18). You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised (Hebrews 10:36).
We need to follow God’s will. He alone knows the whole future.
If it be “things” that slay you, what matter whether things you have or things you have not? (C. S. Lewis)
Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come! (Matthew 18:7)
The worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things come in and choke the Word, making it unfruitful (Mark 4:19).
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25).
For you know that is was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers (1 Peter 1:18).
“You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God (Luke 12:19-21).
“Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken – that is, created things – so that what cannot be shaken may remain (Hebrews 12:26-27).
Do you see all these things? I tell you the truth, not one stone will be left on another; every one will be thrown down (Matthew 24:2). The end of all things is near (1 Peter 4:7).
It is true that we are nothing without passion, whether it is love or sex or art or whatever. The minute we let it all go, however, and follow our souls, that’s when life becomes good… Because in the end it is the people in our lives, not the things we own, that make life worth living.
For the enemies of the cross – their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things (Philippians 3:19). To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure (Titus 1:15). Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did (1 Corinthians 10:6).
Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:1-2). [Be like] those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them – for this world in its present form is passing away (1 Corinthians 7:31).
Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things but only one thing is needed (Luke 10:41).
The richest people aren’t those who have the wealth or the power. The richest people are those who have happiness. Everyone has problems, but it seems as if happy people rise above all of that and make the most of every day.
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart (Luke 6:45).
For us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things come and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus the Christ, through whom all things come and through whom we live (1 Corinthians 8:6).
In these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things and through whom He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word (Hebrews 1:2-3).
God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything (Ephesians 1:22). For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things (Romans 11:36). Through Him all things were made; without Him, nothing was made that has been made (John 1:3).
By Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things and in Him all things hold together… God [the Father] was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in [the Son], and through [the Son] to reconcile to Himself [the Father] all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven (Colossians 1:16-20).
We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him… He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all – how will He not also, along with the Son, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:28, 32)
“All things have been committed to Me by My Father” (Matthew 11:27). [Including later] when the times will have reached their fulfillment – to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head – even Christ… (Ephesians 1:10). [Ah] the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne (Matthew 19:28).
Every thing in heaven and earth is designed to purify and make us worthy of Him!
Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:23)
Things have been placed here to beautify our world. We cannot control them, so why try?
Tribulations are what separate true believers from mere pretenders. So it is important to practice endurance – every day provides an opportunity to practice faithful endurance. Each time we deny ourselves, walk an extra mile, make the extra sacrifice, bless someone who curses us… we are growing in endurance and proving our faith is genuine.
In this world you will have tribulations, but take heart; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).
We kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer tribulation (1 Thessalonians 3:4).
Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22).
There will be tribulation and distress for every soul (Romans 2:9).
I know your tribulations (Revelation 2:9).
Yet he has no firm root in himself but is only temporary, and when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away (Matthew 13:21).
What will separate us from the love Christ has for us? Can trouble, distress, persecution… The One who loves us gives us an overwhelming victory in all these difficulties (Romans 8:35, 37).
We exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance (Romans 5:3).
Be happy in your confidence, be patient in trouble, and pray continually (Romans 12:12).
Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He is the Father who is compassionate and the God who gives comfort. He comforts us whenever we suffer. That is why whenever other people suffer, we are able to comfort them by using the same comfort we have received from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
Every trial helps us grow endurance and stronger faith.
I used to have a tremendous temper. But God knew His child could never be of service to the world unless He was wholly sanctified. (Smith Wigglesworth)
This question of temper can be the acid test of our spirituality. There is victory over temper, moods, temperament, and every alien thing that would rob us of God’s best in our lives. The secret lies in allowing Jesus to reign in our hearts. For Wigglesworth, that meant days of earnest, determined seeking of God’s face. It was then that God dealt with the “Wigglesworth nature” and worked in him the “Jesus nature”.
The Spirit of God can change our nature. His Word is creative, and as you believe, the creative power will change your whole nature. You cannot reach this attitude except by faith. No man can keep himself. No man can change himself, for self is too strong. The God of Almightiness spreads His covering over you, saying, “I am able to do all things.”
“All things are possible to Him who believes” (Mark 9:23).
I am a wise person, so I truly want to turn away from anger; a fool gives full vent to anger but I am a wise person and I want to keep myself under control (Proverbs 29:8, 11). Through Jesus Christ living in me, and by His power, I will aim to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and even slower to anger (James 1:19).
O Lord, I desire not to grieve Your Holy Spirit with whom I am sealed for the day of redemption. By the great power of Your Spirit, please guide me to get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander, and all kinds of malice. (Ephesians 4:30-31).
Please keep my spirit from rushing to be angry, for anger abides in the heart of fools (Ecclesiastes 7:9). Help me to cease from anger and forsake wrath; to not fret at all, since it only causes harm (Psalms 37:9). But when I am angry for a good cause, please help me not sin, but to reflect and be still in my heart, so Your Spirit can let me know what is really needed at that moment (Psalm 4:4).
Father God, please change me not to use foul or abusive language. For Your sake I want everything I say to be good and helpful, so my words will be an encouragement to those who hear them (Ephesians 4:29). Do what You have said, Dearest Lord, and let Your Holy Spirit teach me what needs to be said even as I stand there (Luke 12:12). Please take control of my mouth, O Lord, and keep my lips for You (Psalm 141:3).
Teach me, Lord, to practice patience, for patience is better than power, and controlling one’s temper is more productive than controlling a whole army (Proverbs 16:32). Please teach me to be patient with everyone (1 Thessalonians 5:14).
By Your Spirit teach me to practice hospitality and to be kind to others without grumbling or complaining (1 Peter 4:9). Teach me to not always speak in regard to need, but help me learn to be content (Philippians 4:11). For Godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6).
O Lord Jesus, You know how upset we become when we perceive harm done to us. You forgave those who harmed You. Please help us to forgive, so we will not be destroyed by anger, or hatred, or revenge. Instead, lead us to grow ever stronger in Your love, full of compassion and courage and hope. Give us grace to move ahead, walking always with You, at Your side.
Lord God, my Heavenly Father, I beg You, please build in me the nature of being merciful in action, kindly in heart, and humble in mind. And above all, lead me to be truly loving.
Only God can change our hearts of anger into hearts of peace.
By the light of nature we see God as a God above us. By the light of the Law we see Him as a God against us. But by the light of the Gospel we see Him as Emmanuel – God with us. (Matthew Henry).
We are a slave to whatever we give our hearts to — except God; He wants to treat me as a daughter and you as a son, not a slave.
Father, You say that You rejoice over me with joy (Zephaniah 3:17), that spirit of rejoicing, joy and laughter is my heritage. You fill my heart with joy and with the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:52). Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty — emancipation from bondage, freedom. I so will to walk in that liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17).
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty. For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord God, and You are exalted as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; in Your hand is it to make great and give strength (1 Chronicles 29:11-12).
Who would not fear You, O King of the Nations? For this is Your rightful due. Among all the wise men of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You… My Lord is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King (Jeremiah 10:7, 10). From everlasting to everlasting You are God (Psalm 90:2)!
I delight myself in my Lord Jesus, and He gives me the desires of my heart (Psalm 37:4). Whatever I do in word or deed, I do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God my Father through Him (Colossians 3:17). Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You, O Lord my Redeemer. I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods, and with singing lips my mouth will praise You (Psalm 63:3-5).
I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart. I will glorify Your name forever (Psalm 86:12). I will praise Your name in song and glorify You with thanksgiving (Psalm 69:30). I will celebrate Your abundant goodness, O God, and joyfully sing of Your righteousness (Psalm 145:7). For You, O Lord, have made me glad by what You have done. I will sing for joy at the work of Your hands (Psalm 92:4).
The Lord commands His loving-kindness to me in the daytime, and His song will be with me in the night — [my every breath shall be] a prayer to the God of my life (Psalm 42:8).
You, Father, faithful Lord, are gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. You, my loving Lord, are good to all; You have compassion on all You have made. All You have made will praise You, O Lord; Your saints will extol You (Psalm 145:8-10).
In response to all He has done for us, let us out-do each other in being helpful and kind to each other, and in doing good in all the world around us (Hebrews 10:24).
As long as this day is called Today, I will rejoice in God my Redeemer.
Self-love would rather find fault with itself than abide silent and ignored. Self-love speaks less when it sees that we pay no attention to it.The safest course is never to speak needlessly of one’s self either good or bad.
Do not be quick with your mouth. Do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few (Ecclesiastes 5:2). Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord. Keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil (Psalm 141:3-4).
Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from trouble (Proverbs 21:23). He who guards his lips guards his life (Proverbs 13:3). Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent; and discerning if he holds his tongue (Proverbs 17:28). So I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin. I will put a muzzle over my mouth as long as the wicked are before me (Psalm 39:1). I will keep my tongue from evil and my lips from speaking lies (Psalm 34:13).
If I speak, I shall speak the very words of God (1 Peter 4:11). The plans of the mind and orderly thinking belong to man, but from the Lord comes the wise answer of the tongue (Proverbs 16:1). Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing (Proverbs 12:18). Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit [for death or life] (Proverbs 18:21). I love speaking God’s Word and I will bear much good fruit.
Therefore, I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth (Psalm 34:1). May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14). May my meditations be pleasing to You as I rejoice in You, O my loving Lord (Psalm 104:38).
God has not intended to leave us any “empty” time, nor any which might be said to be left to our own discretion, or for us to “lose”. The important thing is to know what He wants us to do with it. A general rule for the good use of time is to accustom oneself to live in a continual dependence on the Spirit of God, receiving from moment to moment whatever it pleases Him to give us.
We should refer to Him at once the doubts which we necessarily run into. We are to turn to Him in weakness, into which goodness slips from exhaustion. We are to call on Him and lift ourselves to Him when the heart gets swept away by material things, sees itself led imperceptibly off the path, or finds itself forgetting and drifting away from God.
We must divide ourselves so as not to neglect our own needs while devoting ourselves to those needs of others, and also not to neglect the needs of others while being engrossed in our own needs.
It is right to begin with the needs of mind and body, and to reserve enough hours for both… For the rest of the time, we must still examine thoroughly (1) the duties of the place in which we are; (2) the real good that can be done here; (3) and the tools which God gives for our success here.
My God makes all grace flow to me in abundance, so that in all things at all times, having all sufficiency in all that is needed, I abound to every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8).
I am Your workmanship, dear God, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which You prepared in advance for me to do (Ephesians 2:10).
Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and is profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
God has allotted us each a measure of time. Let us use it to the best of our ability.
Jesus, You are in heaven now, seated in the heavenly realm. I understand that I am Your eyes and ears, Your feet, Your hands — that to get Your work done, it is up to us — the Body of the Church — to do it. And so I pray: Please empower us and embolden us.
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, because the Lord has appointed me to bring good news to the poor [for whenever I give dignity to the downtrodden, I spread the good news of the gospel]. Christ Jesus has sent me to comfort the broken hearted [for whenever I give of myself to those who feel need, I give comfort], and to announce captives will be released and prisoners will be freed [for whenever I help someone to avoid sin, I help release that soul from bondage] (Isaiah 61:1). He has given me the tongue of the learned that I may know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary [for any act of love is a word in season] (Isaiah 50:4).
I fight the good fight for what I believe. I hold tight to the eternal life God has given me, which I confess (1 Timothy 6:12). I throw off everything that hinders and [especially] the sin that so easily entangles, and I run with perseverance the race Christ Jesus marked out for me, looking away from all distractions to Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith (Hebrews 12:1-2).
I keep myself in the kingdom of light, in love, in the Word; and [in so doing] the wicked one cannot harm me (1 John 5:18). I submit myself to God; I resist the devil in Jesus’ power, and the devil must flee from me. I draw near to God, my Father, and God draws near to me (James 4:7-8). God said, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” So I say with confidence: The Lord is my Helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? (Hebrews 13:5-6)
I set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be moved (Psalm 16:8). Because of Christ Jesus and my faith in Him, I am able to approach God with boldness, freedom and confidence (Ephesians 3:12). I have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the Blood of Jesus, my Commander (Hebrews 10:19).
Let us approach the Throne of Grace with confidence so we may receive mercy and find grace to help in our times of need (Hebrews 4:16), for grace teaches us how to live in freedom.
Let us embrace the call to become His working Body.
I am a wise child and I will heed my Father’s instructions (Proverbs 13:1). I no longer care to conform to the pattern of this world. I am being transformed by the renewing of my mind through God’s Word (Romans 12:2). Please, Father, revive me according to Your Word (Psalm 119:25). I do not want to let Your Word depart from before my eyes, Father. So I pray to You to help me keep it within my heart. For it is life to me; I have found it and it is health and healing to all my flesh and bones (Proverbs 4:21-22).
Establish Your Word to Your servant, O Lord, who is devoted to fearing You (Psalm 119:38). Help me hide Your Word in my heart, dearest Father, so that I might not sin against You (Psalm 119:11). Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105).
I will study Your commandments and reflect on Your ways; I delight in Your principles and I will not forget Your Word (Psalm 119:15-16) as You have put Your Holy Spirit in me to remind me of it (John 14:26). You are my lamp, O Lord; You turn my darkness into light (2 Samuel 22:29). Lord, You have brought light to my life. You light up my darkness (Psalm 18:28).
Therefore, I will put a stop to idle and foolish talk (Ephesians 4:27, 5:4), for You have made me to be a blessing to others (Galatians 6:10). My desire is to bless You, Father. So I will let no foul or polluted language, nor any evil word, nor unwholesome or worthless talk come out of my mouth, but only such things as is good and beneficial to others, that it may be a blessing and bring grace to those who hear it. (Ephesians 4:29).
I earnestly pray that I walk worthy of You, my Lord God, fully pleasing You and desiring to please You in all things, and being fruitful in every good work. I am increasing in the knowledge of You, my God. And so I pray that I am being strengthened with all power according to Your glorious might (Colossians 1:10-11).
I am Your dear child, Lord God, and I am from You, and so I overcome all that is in the world — all the influences of the evil one. Because the One who is in me is greater than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4). The Great God has redeemed me from the hand of my adversary, therefore I will have no more fear of the devil (Psalm 107:2). I let the peace of Christ Jesus rule in my heart since as a member of His body I was called to peace. And I am thankful, grateful, and even praiseful (Colossians 3:15). I refuse to worry about anything. God is on my side. God is in me now. Who can be against me and win? (Romans 8:31)
Let us continually refresh ourselves in God’s wonderful Word.
