February 7 - Changed Hearts

 

“For seven days they celebrated with joy

the Feast of Unleavened Bread,

because the Lord had filled them with joy

by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria,

so that he assisted them in the work

on the house of God, the God of Israel.”

(Ezra 6:22 NIV)

 

Those who complained against the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem were forced to support it! My God is powerful enough to change the hearts of the fiercest enemy I could face today. Nothing will stand in the way of His purposes. I will fight beside Him today. I hope you will, too!

 

February 6 - A Speck of Dust

 

“What is man that you are mindful of him,

the son of man that you care for him?”

(Psalm 8:4 NIV)

 

I did not create myself. I cannot take any credit for my birth or life. Like an ant compared to a human, I am incapable of understanding my Creator. Yet, He fashioned everything from a speck of dust to the stars in the universe. He cares about each one and wants His creation to know and love Him. I will seek my heavenly Father and spread His love today. I hope you will, too! 

  

February 5 - Spinning Plates

 

“Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe;

help me overcome my unbelief!’”

(Mark 9:24 NIV)

 

Are you spinning plates with me today, like circus performers? Are you juggling 10,000 balls over your head, afraid to drop one? Are you tempted to jump off the nearest bridge? All Jesus asks is for me to have faith in Him, small as a mustard seed. It is not about the amount of faith, but what I have faith in. Who am I trusting? I will give it all to Him today. I hope you will, too!

  

February 4 - Holding Hands

 

“I have set the Lord always before me.

Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

(Psalm 16:8 NIV)

 

I woke in the wee hours last night and knew I was not alone. I reached out my right hand to grasp the hand of my loving Lord. I held on for a few minutes and asked Him to let me fall back asleep. Jumbled thoughts tried to keep me awake. I brought my hand back to myself and drifted away. I will trust the Holy Spirit to take my hand today. I hope you will, too!

 

Available

by Macy Johnson

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served,

but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

(Mark 10:45 NIV)

 

I drove home from Madison after spending the afternoon playing Dominoes with friends and singing at the local nursing home. A text came through on my Tahoe’s dashboard, “Our pianist is sick, can you cover for her at choir practice tonight?” I asked the Lord what I should do.

February 3 - Grab Your Handle

 

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

and certain of what we do not see.”

(Hebrews 11:1 NIV)

 

I ask myself, what do I want today? Can I see it, feel it, touch it? Or is it beyond my five senses? In order to grab anything, I must reach out. When something eludes me, I must reach out in faith to the One who loves me more than I could ever know. When everything starts to fall apart or drift away, I will reach out and grab the handle of faith. I hope you will, too!  

 

February 2 - Groundhog Day

 

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

for His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.”

(Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV)

 

Are you, along with me, dreading situations where a series of tedious trials seem to be recurring in exactly the same way? Will I have to go through THAT again? With the help of the Holy Spirit I can do all things, even improve the outcome of monotonous events. I will not fear this ominous day, but step out in faith in the One who controls it. I hope you will, too!

 

February 1 - The Next Thing

 

“One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved,

was reclining next to Him.”

(John 13:23 NIV)

 

As I step into a new month, I realize it is God’s next thing. January is past and February lies ahead. The cold outside will stay, but the warmth of St. Valentine’s hearts will remind me of God’s sweetness. He will fill me with His joy as I step into the next thing. I would rather indulge in His perfect love than anything He has created. I will recline next to Him, like John did. I hope you will, too!

 

January 31 - A Peaceful Heart

“Do not be anxious about anything,

but in everything, by prayer and petition,

with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

(Philippians 4:6 NIV)

 

Someone once reminded me that a peaceful heart is more important than any well-planned day. I faced a day filled with responsibilities and activities the Lord led me to. A few minutes before I needed to leave for the first obligation, I sat quietly and calmed my mind and heart to surrender my day to my Lord. I released all my fears to Him. I hope you will, too!

 

January 30 - Continuously Converted

 

“I tell you the truth,

unless you change and become like little children,

you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

(Matthew 18:3 NIV)

 

Why do I doubt and worry? I never did as a child. My parents provided for all my needs. Jesus tells me I must be continuously converted into a small child, completely dependent on my heavenly Father for everything. He keeps His promises. I will put on the new man today and allow God to rule in my thoughts and heart. I hope you will, too!

 

January 29 - Broken Promises

 

“Not one of all the Lord’s good promises

to the house of Israel failed;

every one was fulfilled.”

(Joshua 21:45 NIV)

 

Broken promises lay scattered across the floor of my mind. Shards of procrastination and commitments stabbed my pride and reminded me of my foolishness. All my plans are filthy, murderous strategies. My heavenly Father promised to fill me with the righteousness of Jesus and bring me into glory with Him. I will release my flimsy ideas and hold on to the promises of God. I hope you will, too!

January 28 - Honest Scales

  

“All a man’s ways seem right to him,

but the Lord weighs the heart.”

(Proverbs 19:2 NIV)

 

Job asked God to weigh him with honest scales, to know he is blameless (Job 31:6). Lord, please weigh my heart today and show me where I lack commitment to your ways and indulge in my own. Help me where I lack and where I overflow. I want to be filled to the brim with Jesus. Balance on honest scales is the key. I will submit to His will today. I hope you will, too!

Day of Rest

 by Macy Johnson

“So the people rested on the seventh day.”

(Exodus 16:30 NIV)

 

I sat at my desk early one Sunday morning in January and watched snowflakes fall. It was the first flurry of the year for our small Georgia community. I could barely see the falling flakes in the darkness. A calm peace covered my deck, my yard, and settled into my heart.

January 27 - Relief

  

“And we know that in all things

God works for the good of those who love Him,

who have been called according to His purpose.”

(Romans 8:28 NIV)

 

Oswald Chambers reminds us: “If we learn to worship God in the trying circumstances, He will alter them in two seconds when He chooses.” Today will be a day of relief. I know Jesus will walk with me through the fires, the storms, the struggles so He will be seen and glorified in my life. I will hope in His presence and power. I hope you will too!

 

January 26 - God's Attention

“Now, my God, may your eyes be open

and your ears attentive to the prayers

offered in this place.”

(2 Chronicles 6:40 NIV)

 

Every day is a fresh new start in God’s kingdom. New opportunities await and there are new people to meet and greet in His name. My heavenly Father is always attentive one hundred percent to all His children. No prayer goes unanswered. No wish falls to the ground without His attention. I open my heart and mind to the Holy Spirit today. I hope you will, too!

 

January 25 - Hugs

  

“The Lord, the compassionate and gracious God,

slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”

(Exodus 34:6 NIV)

 

I need a hug from God today. I need to glimpse His compassion, feel His grace, smile with Him in His laughter. Like a little child, I will reach out for the hand of Jesus and stop taking myself so seriously. He will help me to understand His long-suffering, forgiving nature. He will wrap His arms around me and soothe my agitated soul. I will not doubt His love anymore. I hope you will, too!

 

January 24 - Mercy

  

“Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.”

(Matthew 5:7 NIV)

 

How can I show compassion or forgiveness today to someone who deserves harm or harsh discipline? I will begin by showing mercy to myself. I know I deserve eternal torture and separation from God. He shows His perfect mercy to me so I will go and do likewise. I will shake off the chains I have put on myself and others and walk in freedom today. I will rejoice in showing mercy as it has been lavished on me. I hope you will, too!

 

January 23 - Hope Floats

 

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace

 as you trust in Him,

so that you may overflow with hope

by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

(Romans 15:13 NIV)

 

The sky may be dreary, but I know the sun shines behind the clouds. Jesus is with us, even in the dark. I may be standing in the bottom of a well, but I can look up in hope. The Holy Spirit will lift me out of the pit and restore me to Himself. I will hope in Jesus today. I hope you will, too!

  

January 22 - Spirit of Power

  

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity,

but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”

(2 Timothy 1:7 NIV)

 

As I watch cold winds of January blow through the trees, I am reminded of the power of God. My heavenly Father fills me with the Holy Spirit so I can stand firm in the storms. The pressures of the day will not blow me over. I will not give in to the distractions, but stand firm in faith and seek my Savior’s face. I hope you will, too!

 

January 21 - Stouthearted

  

“When I called, you answered me;

you made me bold and stouthearted.”

(Psalm 138:3 NIV)

 

The definition of stouthearted is “courageous and determined.” Although I do not use that word often, it permeates my heart and soul. By faith, I know my heavenly Father hears all my thoughts long before I think them. He answers all my prayers, often in ways I do not want or expect. Just the fact that He listens to me and knows me perfectly is enough to encourage me to call on Him. I hope you will, too!

Emunah

 by Macy Johnson

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

and certain of what we do not see.”

(Hebrews 11:1 NIV)

 

A dear sister in the Lord recently brought the Hebrew word “emunah” (pronounced eh-moo-NAH) to my attention. I researched it in Hebrew for Christians and discovered the first time it appeared in the Bible is with Abraham. God declared him righteous because he trusted God to do what He promised to do. Abraham demonstrated emunah, a kind of Amen, or “so be it” faith.

January 20 - Walk with the King

  

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence,

so that we may receive mercy

and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

(Hebrews 4:16 NIV)

 

Does today look uncertain for you? Will you face difficult situations and people today? God knows what we face long before we face it. He reveals Himself to us in the good and the bad. He will walk us through the storms and the struggles into His wonderful light of joy and peace. I will hold Jesus’ hand today. I hope you will, too!

 

January 19 - Confidence

 

“Being confident of this

that He who began a good work in you

will carry it on to completion

until the day of Christ Jesus.”

(Philippians 1:6 NIV)

 

Confidence is a fleeting thing, if it is dependent on myself, on my abilities. But confidence in the Creator of the Universe who personally works in me, is rock solid. Amazed and armed with the knowledge of changes and blessings around and in me, I can rejoice at what the next steps are. I will confidently step out into today and all that He holds for me. I hope you will, too!

  

January 18 - God's Purpose

 

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart,

but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

(Proverbs 19:21 NIV)

 

I will plan the work and work the plan today. Many ideas tug at my mind. The twists and turns, stops and starts will be orchestrated by the Holy Spirit as I release all to Him. Obedience to His leading will allow me pinholes of light into His purpose. Lord, help me to stay close to you today. I will choose to walk in the center of His will. I hope you will, too!

 

January 17 - Impossible is Possible

 

“Jesus looked at them and said,

‘With man this is impossible,

but with God all things as possible.’”

(Matthew 19:26 NIV)

 

This day is bigger than life, Lord. So many things vie for my attention – places to go and people to see. I cannot see how the pieces will fit together. The impossible looms ahead in the darkness, but you are with me in the light. Nothing happens apart from your kindness and goodness. I surrender all to my heavenly Father and trust in Him to take care of today’s impossible for my good. I hope you will, too!

 

January 16 - True Humility

  

“Slander no one,

be peaceable and considerate,

and show true humility toward all men.”

(Titus 3:2 NIV)

 

My mother often reminded me to think more highly of others than myself. Jesus humbled Himself to the point of death for those who hate him. I cannot do that on my own, but only by the power of the Holy Spirit living in me. His humility shines through my pride and puts me in my proper place. I will humble and deny myself today for His glory. I hope you will, too!

January 15 - Commit Today

 

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do,

and your plans will succeed.”

(Proverbs 16:3 NIV)

 

Today is the half-way mark through the year’s first month. As I look back, I watch Jesus wash away all my mistakes. As I look forward, I watch Jesus point to the bright light of the future. As I look around, I watch His kingdom grow to fulfill all its purposes in the people around me, today. His plans are beyond my puny thoughts. I will commit today to His care. I hope you will, too!

January 14 - Everlasting Love

  

“The eternal God is your refuge,

and underneath are the everlasting arms.”

(Deuteronomy 33:27 NIV)

 

God is pure, perfect, and unconditional love. He does not just give love, He is love. Because He is love, He gave Himself to us. That is what true love is all about. I cannot fathom what this really means. It is bigger and beyond the human heart. Love has no beginning and no end. I will rest in His powerful arms today and know He will lead me on in His love. I hope you will, too!

Surrender

 by Macy Johnson

“I eagerly expect and hope

that I will in no way be ashamed,

but will have sufficient courage

so that now as always

Christ will be exalted in my body,

whether by life or by death.”

(Philippians 1:20 NIV)

 

Oswald Chambers reminded me on New Year’s Day in “My Utmost for His Highest” to surrender my will to God absolutely and irrevocably. Nothing should get in the way of doing exactly what my Heavenly Father wants me to do.

 

January 13 - Tapestry of Wisdom

 

“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.”

(James 1:5 NIV)

 

I have a problem with comparisons. I look at others and wonder how they can do so many things. Their worlds are falling into place and mine seems to be falling apart. Then God gives me wisdom to understand and see the tapestry of my life from the top sometimes, not from the bottom. I will rejoice in my unique and special life, here and now. I hope you will, too!

January 12 - Welcome Today

                                          

                           “Teach us to number our days aright,

that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

(Psalm 90:12 NIV)

 

How do I number my days? Joni Eareckson Tada suggested, “Welcome the next trial as a friend: a friend that forces you to slow down and live, utterly dependent on God. Thank Him for His grace and ask for His help.” Trials come when I least expect them. Welcoming them is not easy. I must be on the alert and treat every day with care. I will stop, look, and listen today. I hope you will, too! 

January 11 - Something New

       

                               “They are created now, and not long ago;

you have not heard of them before today.”

(Isaiah 48:7 NIV)

 

What new thing do you have for me today, Lord? How have you prepared me for all that you have prepared for me? All things come from the loving hands of Jesus. One thought, one breath, one step at a time I will follow Him into the unknown. I will be on the lookout for something new, something different, and something special among the mundane and ordinary. I hope you will, too! 

January 10 - Anxious Thoughts

 

“Search me, O God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.”

(Psalm 139:22 NIV)

 

I roll out of bed every morning to my knees. I bury my face in my hands and thank my heavenly Father for waking me to another day. I ask Him to use me in all ways for His glory. Anxious thoughts of the coming hours greedily press on my heart, but I obediently pass them over to Jesus. I release all fears and worries to His care. I hope you will, too!

January 9 - Be Alert

 

“This is what the Lord says –

your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:

‘I am the Lord your God,

who teaches you what is best for you,

who directs you in the way you should go.”

(Isaiah 48:17 NIV)

 

I do not need an alarm to wake me but have many alerts during the day that instruct me. GPS takes me where I need to go and timers tell me when I need to stop or start. I will be attentive and alert to the Holy Spirit’s leading in my life today. I hope you will, too!

January 8 - Rise Up

  

“Arise, shine, for your light has come,

and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”

(Isaiah 60:1 NIV)

 

Another day has dawned. Another gift of life. Another opportunity to serve in God’s kingdom presents itself. I dare not expect anything, because my heavenly Father is full of surprises. His glory will shine through me to touch everyone around me. I am a walking representation of Jesus. He put me here, now, to be His hands, feet, and heart to others. I anticipate this day with joy! I hope you will, too!