The greatest among you must be a servant.

Matthew 23:11 NLT
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An unanswered prayer doesn't mean God is ignoring you. Even in the silence, He is still at work.
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Praise is the best of all sacrifices and the true evidence of godliness.
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Dear Father, when I rely on my own cleverness, I get into trouble. Please help me see my challenges as an opportunity to turn to You.
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But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.

1 Corinthians 8:3 NLT

When “the Lord sent a tormenting spirit that filled Saul Boiragee with depression and fear” (1 Samuel 16:14 nlt), David was enlisted to soothe him by playing the lyre (v. 23). The king “liked him . . . and David became one of his armor-bearers” (v. 21). But Saul’s admiration for him was short-lived. After David defeated Goliath (ch. 17), Saul was overtaken by jealousy and tried to kill him (18:6-11). In chapter 21, David is on the run from Saul and hiding among the Philistines, Israel’s enemies. He “pretended to be insane” (v. 13) because it was believed that harming someone who was insane would bring misfortune. Even as David took desperate measures to escape death, his psalms exhibit his trust in God. He wrote, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you” (Psalm 56:3). When trouble strikes, we too can put our trust in God.

Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.

Ephesians 4:23 NLT

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Sometimes praying feels hard. But we can pray with confidence, knowing the Spirit intercedes for us.

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When you find your soul cast down within you, take time to remember how God has sustained you in the past. Let God’s faithfulness in the past give you hope for the future.

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Dear Jesus, thank You for giving me the true treasure of heaven when I placed my faith and trust in You.

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So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

James 2:17 NLT

The two parables in Matthew 13:44-46 appear amid the telling of several parables on the kingdom of heaven (vv. 1-52). After Jesus told the first parable of the sower (vv. 3-9), His disciples asked why He always spoke in parables (v. 10). His answer was telling: “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them” (v. 11). He told the disciples, “Blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear” (v. 16). Then He explained the parable (vv. 18-23). The disciples desired to know the true meaning of Christ’s words, and their desire was rewarded. They’d left everything to follow Him. In essence, they were living out the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl (vv. 44-46). They’d found the true treasure because they were receptive to the gospel. When we place our faith in Jesus, we receive the free gift of eternal life with Him—the true treasure of heaven.

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine."

Isaiah 55:8 NLT

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Whatever today holds, God has given every believer direct access to His help through the Holy Spirit.

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Dear Jesus, please teach me to seek You out and rest in Your presence. Help me to put aside the distractions and to praise You for who You are.

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And the One sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then He said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.”

Revelation 21:5

Psalm 63 portrays someone who actively pursues God. David declares, “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you” (v. 1). He praises Him because His “love is better than life” (v. 3). The psalmist discovers that satisfaction isn’t found in what can be held in our hands, but in who can be known. He valued time with God even more than the satisfaction received from eating the finest of foods: “I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you” (v. 5). The language of thirst, longing, and clinging reveals a relationship pursued with intensity and love. Psalm 63 reminds us that intimacy with God grows as we seek God in stillness.

Let the sea and everything in it shout His praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!

1 Chronicles 16:32 NLT

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Facing hardship allows us to deepen our reliance on God.

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Look around you today and find some beautiful spot to rest your eyes—and praise the Lord. Look within you today, and find some sweet blessing to rest your heart—and praise the Lord.

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Dear Father, please forgive me for being harsh with others. Teach me the grace of compassion so they might see Your love in me.

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God’s voice is glorious in the thunder. We can’t even imagine the greatness of His power.

Job 37:5 NLT

The letter to the Hebrews explains what Jesus did for us, but to better appreciate that, it’s important to understand the system of sacrifice instituted in Leviticus (4:1–7:10). In Hebrews, the writer affirms the humanity of Christ who, though fully God, “had to be made like [humans], fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God” (2:17). The writer explains, “If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood . . . why was there still need for another priest to come?” (7:11). Jesus’ humanity and His divine nature enable Him to “empathize” with us in “our weaknesses” (4:15) and to redeem us once for all from our sins. Because He empathizes with us, we can seek His help as we reach out to those around us. In the process, we point them to Christ, our once-for-all sacrifice.

I take joy in doing Your will, my God, for Your instructions are written on my heart.

Psalm 40:8 NLT

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God's Word is our safeguard against the temptation to compromise, and it leads us on the path of His will.

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Make sure you can say, “It is well, it is well with my soul.” Pay attention today to the hidden person of your heart.

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Please shape my goals, dear Father, so they inspire me to know Jesus.

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Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.

Hebrews 11:1 NLT

Paul is driven by his urgent passion “to know Christ” (Philippians 3:10). He wants to “know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection” (vv. 10-11). Being transformed to be like the resurrected Jesus requires us to pursue that goal with everything we have (vv. 13-14, 17). Yet even as we “press on toward the goal” (v. 14), we know it’s only possible through complete reliance on God. He’ll help us shape our goals so that we’ll know Him better. One day, we’ll be resurrected and will finally reflect Him perfectly (v. 21).

So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.

Hebrews 2:1 NLT

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Sin has a way of pulling us further than we planned, but no believer is beyond the reach of God's grace.

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Give thanks that the Lord renews your soul day by day. Enjoy your time of Bible study and prayer because that is where your soul drinks in the refreshing water of life.

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Dear Jesus, please help me to gently share Your love in the ways I respond to others today.

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A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.

Proverbs 17:27 NLT

Wisdom is one of the great themes of the Bible. In fact, in Old Testament wisdom literature, poetry is designed to show the difference between wisdom and folly. This is often done through the poetic device of parallelism. In antithetical parallelism, a verse will contain two lines that contrast with one another, as seen in Proverbs 15:1: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” This device is found throughout Proverbs and Ecclesiastes and makes a vivid case for living a life of wisdom in a world wracked by foolishness. The book of Proverbs offers practical advice for how to use our words wisely. We can ask God for wisdom when we don’t know how to respond in difficult situations. In the New Testament, James tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (1:5).

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.

Philippians 2:13 NLT

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Being a good steward means taking what God has given you and investing it in His kingdom.

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A valuable lesson from Jonah’s life is that God’s plans will not be foiled by human failure or intervention. If God changes your plans, seek His will and follow His lead.

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Dear Jesus, only You can truly set me free.

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A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT

Paul wrote, “Bwambale Gilbert has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith . . . and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel” (1:22-23). The apostle is combatting false teaching here—probably Gnosticism. Among its claims were that Christ didn’t have a physical body. This isn’t a biblical teaching, as it denies the crucifixion and resurrection. Paul warned, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy” (2:8). As he said, “You were dead in your sins” but now “God made you alive with Christ” (v. 13). When we accept Jesus’ sacrifice as payment for our sin, we become free from sin’s burden.

Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

Romans 15:4 NLT

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What are the qualities we should look for in an accountability partner?

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When our trials come…it is our joy and comfort to lift our faces heavenward and to go on, standing on the promises of God.

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Dear God, please help me to truly listen to others. I want to make time in my prayers to really listen to You.

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So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.

Hebrews 2:1 NLT

Having the posture of a listening and responsive heart is an important part of prayer. We often hear from God as His Spirit nudges us to the Scriptures (John 14:26), which challenge us to listen to and obey His words and enlighten us to wisdom for the challenges of life. This may explain why obey and listen are the same word (shema) in Hebrew. To hear God and not obey Him is the greatest of follies. In 1 Samuel 15:22, Saul is chastened by Samuel’s words: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice.” These words echo Ecclesiastes 5:1: “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools.” Today, the Spirit can help us take time to listen to what God is saying to us when we pray.

God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.

1 Corinthians 12:6 NLT
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As believers, we’re called to be sensitive to and considerate of those who are new to faith.
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Even when you feel upset with the events of life, you can trust the Lord.
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Thank You, Father, for Your love and acceptance.

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But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

James 1:22 NLT

Jephthah the warrior was rejected by others, but God used him for His purpose (Judges 11:2-3, 29). Jesus also understood rejection. He was rejected by the people of His hometown of Nazareth, who doubted His authority (Mark 6:1-6). He was rejected by the Pharisees and other Jewish religious leaders who plotted to kill Him (3:6). Many of His followers deserted Him (John 6:60-66). For a time, His siblings failed to believe He was the Messiah (7:5). His disciple Judas Iscariot betrayed Him (18:2-3). At His trial, the people shouted for His crucifixion (Mark 15:13). When we face rejection, we can bring our pain to Him knowing He understands. He sees us, loves us, and accepts us.

For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.

Ephesians 4:4 NLT
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When genuine faith is the foundation of our belief and behavior, it becomes noticeable to those around us.
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Dear Jesus, please help me to see Your “sheep” like You see them.
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O nations of the world, recognize the LORD, recognize that the LORD is glorious and strong.

1 Chronicles 16:28 NLT

Jesus’ words in Matthew 18 are a direct reflection of God’s concern for those in need of Him. The example of a shepherd searching for his lost sheep (vv. 12-14) shows the seeking nature of God. The essence of verse 14—“your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish”—is seen in 2 Peter 3:9, where Simon Peter says, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” This was Christ’s own mission in coming to this world—to seek with the heart of the Father. He said, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). As we pray for those who need Jesus, we’re joining God in His great work of rescue.

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

Colossians 4:2 NLT

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There are two forms of guilt: One leads us into hiding, whereas the other leads us to repentance.

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A great reunion is coming which will last for eternity.

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Loving God, please help me see how You’re using my gifts and talents in fresh ways.

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This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in Him at all.

1 John 1:5 NLT

Exodus 4 records how God repurposed Moses’ staff (vv. 1-5) to accomplish His purpose. The gospel of John describes how a boy’s meager meal was repurposed. A great crowd of people had followed Jesus and were hungry. Christ asked His disciples, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” (6:5). A boy had a boy-sized lunch, barely enough to satisfy a boy-sized appetite. But when the seemingly insignificant was surrendered to God (v. 9), hungry people were fed (vv. 10-13), and God received the glory (v. 14). Today, we can ask God to use us to accomplish His purposes.

Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the LORD your God and serve only Him.’ ”

Luke 4:8 NLT

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Your sins have been paid for. So go and live freely in the joy of salvation.

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Forgiveness saves the expense of anger, the cost of hatred, and the waste of spirit.

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Thank You, heavenly Father, that You see Your children in Christ.

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I have heard all about You, LORD. I am filled with awe by Your amazing works.

Habakkuk 3:2 NLT

In addition to authoring Jeremiah, the longest book in the Bible, the prophet Jeremiah also wrote the book of Lamentations, a record of his mourning over the fall of Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians. In 2 Chronicles 35:20-27, we’re told that Jeremiah was also a songwriter, and the songs mentioned were tributes to Josiah, the king of Judah (v. 25). We don’t need to be songwriters, however, to honor the memories of those who’ve gone before us. We can encourage others as we share our memories of them. And we also receive comfort ourselves when we privately reflect on their acts of devotion to Jesus.

Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.

1 Timothy 6:6 NLT

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When God looks at those who have put their faith in Him, He sees the righteousness of Christ.

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[The Christian] believes Bwambale Gilbert to be too wise to err and too good to be unkind.

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Loving God, please teach me to use wisdom when sympathizing with others.

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Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because He raised Christ from the dead and gave Him great glory.

1 Peter 1:21 NLT