January

JANUARY 1

Daily Light

Truth's shining light guides me in my choices and decisions; the revelation of your Word makes my pathway clear.

Psalm 119:105

Father, as I enter into a new year, I come before you eager to walk in your ways. Illuminate my path, guide my steps, and help me to see all the good things you have for me. My greatest desire is to follow after you with a pure heart, a sound mind, and a renewed spirit. I want to chew on and savor your life-giving words day in and day out so that I might not stumble in the mists of confusion and worry.

Thank you for the gift of Scripture and the truth it brings to my life. It's like a nourishing meal that gives me strength for whatever lies ahead. It satisfies, yet I'm always hungry for more. Thank you for revealing your good heart to me in the pages of your Word. I trust you, and I love you. Help me to be wise, not as the world understands wisdom but as heaven has revealed it. May the choices and decisions I make bring honor to you.

Do you need wisdom in a certain area of your life? Go to God's Word and seek it there.

JANUARY 2

A Life of Praise

I will worship you, YAHWEH, with extended hands as my whole heart erupts with praise! I will tell everyone everywhere about your wonderful works!

Psalm 9:1

I was created to be an instrument of praise, and I am here today to make much of you, Lord. I will lift my voice when I'm gathered with my brothers and sisters, and I will sing when I'm all alone. Either way, I worship before an audience of One. I am not ashamed to proclaim your goodness, your kindness, your strength, and your mercy. You are worthy of every bit of praise I can give.

You have saved me and delivered me. You have given me a new life, a new identity, and a place in your family. How could I not worship you? My praise is simply the overflow of the love you have poured into me-and I want others to know how you have transformed my life. As an act of obedient worship, I will tell them about your goodness, how you sent Jesus to take away my sins and make me whole, and that you can do the same for anyone who comes to you in faith. I live to worship you.

What can you praise God for today? Draw near and tell him how much you love him.

JANUARY 3

His Forever Love

Let everyone thank God, for he is good, and he is easy to please! His tender love for us continues on forever!

Psalm 136:1

Heavenly Father, I could spend the rest of my life writing thank-you notes to you, and it wouldn't be enough. There is no end to your kindness. Every gift you give us is "good and perfect" (James [Jacob] 1:17). Everywhere I turn, I see reminders of your thoughtfulness and your provision, your mercy and your love. The morning sun peeking over the horizon reminds me of your faithfulness. The sweet scent in the air after a rainstorm proclaims your invitation to refresh all who come to you (Acts 3:19).

Your love goes on and on. Like a river during a flood, your love cannot be contained; it cannot be pushed back. It knows no boundaries. You loved me while I was living only to please myself. You came and rescued me even though I had done nothing to attract your mercy. I was dead, and you breathed life into me. Thank you, Lord, for making me new, for giving me your Spirit, and for setting me free from sin.

Where do you see God's love showing up in your life? Consider both the big and the little things.

JANUARY 4

Merciful Pain

The pain never let up, for your hand of conviction was heavy on my heart. My strength was sapped, my inner life dried up like a spiritual drought within my soul.

Psalm 32:4

My secret sins were eating away at my soul. To others, I looked healthy and stable, but deep within, I was falling apart. You saw, good Lord, and you applied pressure to my wound. The pain was terrible, but through it, I came to realize my need for repentance and change. I needed the conviction of your Holy Spirit. Otherwise, I would have continued on sinning, feeding my flesh and living a double life. Thank you, Father, for your healing touch.

Even now, Lord, I recognize that something offensive to you may still be festering in my heart. Reveal to me anything in me that is not of you, anything that does not reflect a life of faith, hope, and love. Then I will confess it, and as you promised, you will forgive me and cleanse me (1 John 1:9). I am ready to receive correction, and I welcome your conviction. Thank you, heavenly Father, for your mercy. Thank you, Lord, for tending to my soul.

Has the Lord been convicting you of anything recently? Go to him with open hands and an open heart.

JANUARY 5

Numbered Days

Help us to remember that our days are numbered, and help us to interpret our lives correctly. Set your wisdom deeply in our hearts so that we may accept your correction.

Psalm 90:12

My Lord and my Creator, every day you give to me is a gift, precious and wonderful to behold. You are the author of life, the one who knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10), and the one who guards me like a faithful shepherd (Psalm 23:4). Help me to remember that you have set me in this time and place for your purposes. I am not here by chance. No day or hour is meaningless; each moment is a new opportunity to fellowship with you and to serve you in this world.

Lord, this life is so brief compared to eternity. Help me to make it count for your kingdom and for your glory. Grant me wisdom and understanding for these times. Give me eyes to see the world as you see it, a heart to love people as you love them, and the strength to stand firm when others kneel before the gods of this age. I commit my life to you anew, heavenly Father.

How can you seize this day for Jesus? Never forget just how precious your life is.

JANUARY 6

Global Praise

From the four corners of the earth, the peoples of the world will remember and return to YAHWEH. Every nation will come and worship him.

Psalm 22:27

Jesus, you are my King! You are the Lamb who is worthy, the Lamb who was slain for me and my sins. Though I look around at the world today and see war and hardship, pain and suffering, I know that evil will not have the final word. Your kingdom has invaded this earth, and one day it will be said, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our God and of his Anointed One!" (Revelation 11:15). You will bring total peace, complete healing, and an end to death and suffering, once and for all. My heart beats faster just thinking about it.

Lord, I will not wait until then to give you my praise. I will worship you here and now, in the calm and in the storm. You have brought me into your kingdom, and I am your servant. It is my privilege to tell everyone I meet about your goodness and your grace so that one day people from every nation will join in the celebration of praise.

Whom can you share the gospel with this week? Ask God to go before you and prepare fertile soil.

JANUARY 7

The Way of God

What delight comes to the one who follows God's ways! He won't walk in step with the wicked, nor share the sinner's way, nor be found sitting in the scorner's seat.

Psalm 1:1

Almighty God, you have set before each of us the way of life and the way of death, and you freely give wisdom to all who ask for it (James [Jacob] 1:5). I choose your way, Lord-the narrow gate that Jesus talked about (Matthew 7:13). I want to walk according to your commands, in step with your Spirit, and in cooperation with your plans for my life. Guide my steps and keep me. I reject the broad path of self-fulfillment, the way of worldliness and status, the road of sinful pleasures. Your way is always best, Father.

Though others may mock me and tell me I'm somehow "missing out," I know your path is filled with treasures of blessing and joy. The good life is a life lived with you. Therefore, I will memorize your Word and store it deep in my heart, and I will seek to know you every day of my life. I want more of you, Lord. You are always faithful.

What does it look like to choose the way of the Lord in your life? Step out in faith.

JANUARY 8

Our Wonder-Working God

He's the awe-inspiring God, great and glorious in power! We've never seen anything like him! Mighty in miracles, you cause your enemies to tremble.

Psalm 66:3

There is nothing too hard for you, Father. In your presence, impassable mountains move aside, thrashing storms cease, wild seas part. There is nothing you can't do. How, then, can I be afraid? What can life throw at me that you can't conquer? I know all this in my head, but in my heart, I sometimes tremble at the mountains, cower in the storms, and fall faint at the sea stretched out before me. "I do believe, Lord; help my little faith!" (Mark 9:24).

With you, there is no shortage...