The Inner Voice

June 1, 2022 (Wednesday)

Be In the World

“I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

– John 17:15-17

Memory Verse: “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17)

You can never live away from the world. You are in the world. Any attempt to escape from the world comes from your fear and weaknesses. Be in the world but never forget that you do not belong to the world. You belong to God. Be sanctified by the truth Jesus taught you.

O Lord, teach me your truth so that I may be sanctified. Amen.

June 2, 2022 (Thursday)

Listen To the Voice of Your Heart

“I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;

   in the night also my heart instructs me.

I keep the Lord always before me;

   because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.”

– Psalm 16:7-8

Memory Verse: “I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.” (Psalm 16:7)

God puts his words of wisdom in your heart. Listen to the voice of your heart. Every night examine your heart and see what God instructs you. Blessed are those who can hear God’s counsel. God is right near you and sees what’s going on in your life. He will guide you with the words of wisdom. Listen to your heart where God puts his instruction.

O Lord, please allow me to hear your voice you put in my heart. Amen.

June 3, 2022 (Friday)

Praise God

“Bless the Lord, O my soul,

   and all that is within me,

   bless his holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

   and do not forget all his benefits—

who forgives all your iniquity,

   who heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the Pit,

   who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

who satisfies you with good as long as you live

   so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

– Psalm 103:1-5

Memory Verse: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.” (Psalm 103:1)

Praise God. That is when you are the holiest. All your worries and bad thoughts will melt away. With everything within you, praise God. That is how you become purified. God will renew your strength and with the new strength, you will soar like an eagle. Praise God. God will fill you with new thoughts that are pure and blameless.

O Lord, I praise you with everything that I have within me. Amen.

June 4, 2022 (Saturday)

Being in Spirit

“Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.”

– Ephesians 6:18

Memory Verse: “Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18)

Prayer is not what you say. Prayer is being in the Spirit. Train yourself to be in the Spirit. You will be shaped and formed by the Spirit. The Spirit will give you peace that the world cannot give. Confidence and courage will arise from within. You will have the wisdom to see your situation in a spiritual way. Everything within you will come alive.

O Lord, thank you for the Spirit through whom my prayer becomes alive. Amen.

June 5, 2022 (Sunday)

Peace

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”

– John 14:27

Memory Verse: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

Peace is what gives you stability. When you have peace, you won’t be shaken. Peace always brings you back to where you are supposed to be. You are in God’s good hands. That gives you peace. Do not be afraid.

O Lord, thank you for the peace that surpasses all understanding. Amen.

June 6, 2022 (Monday)

God Watches Over You

“I lift up my eyes to the hills—

   from where will my help come?

My help comes from the Lord,

   who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;

   he who keeps you will not slumber.

He who keeps Israel

   will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;

   the Lord is your shade at your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day,

   nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;

   he will keep your life.

The Lord will keep

   your going out and your coming in

   from this time on and for evermore.”

– Psalm 121

Memory Verse: “The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and for evermore.” (Psalm 121:8)

It is good to know that someone watches over you. You don’t have to take care of everything that happens in your life. There are things that you can take care of and things that you cannot. For what you can take care of, do your best. For what you cannot take care of, leave it to God who watches over you.

O Lord, thank you for always watching over me. Amen.

June 7, 2022 (Tuesday)

Shine Your Light

“‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

– Matthew 5:13-16

Memory Verse: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

If you have no light inside you, you cannot shine your light. When you are transformed by Jesus’ light, you will have the light. Your pleasant smile and loving gentleness will bring light to those who are struggling in darkness. Wherever you are, shine your light. 

O Lord, shine on me so that I may shine your light. Amen.

June 8, 2022 (Wednesday)

Acceptable Worship

“So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.”

– Matthew 5:23-24

Memory Verse: “Leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:24)

Love your brothers and sisters. Forgive them and be reconciled with them. That is a good preparation for your spiritual worship. God accepts not the action of your worship. God accepts your heart. Loving heart is what God wants from you and worship is giving your loving heart to God. That is the best offering you can give to God. 

O Lord, may my worship be acceptable to you. Amen.

June 9, 2022 (Thursday)

Lift Up Your Soul To God

“Answer me quickly, O Lord;

   my spirit fails.

Do not hide your face from me,

   or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit.

Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning,

   for in you I put my trust.

Teach me the way I should go,

   for to you I lift up my soul.”

– Psalm 143:7-8

Memory Verse: “Teach me the way I should go,

   for to you I lift up my soul.” (Psalm 143:8)

Lift up your soul to God, God will teach you the way you should go. Put your trust in God, you will hear of God’s steadfast love. Every morning you wake up, the first thing you have to do is to lift up your soul to God and put your trust in God. Then you will see God’s smiling face and you will find peace.

O Lord, I lift up my soul to you. Amen.

June 10, 2022 (Friday)

Justification

“Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For ‘no human being will be justified in his sight’ by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.”

– Romans 3:19-20

Memory Verse: “For ‘no human being will be justified in his sight’ by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3:20)

There is nobody who can be justified by the law. Through the law, you only understand the depth of your sin. When you come to God with the knowledge of your sin and ask for God’s mercy, God is merciful and forgives your sins. That is how justification is possible for you. You are justified not by the law but by the mercy of God.

O Lord, thank you for your mercy. Amen.

June 11, 2022 (Saturday)

Life of Bearing Fruit

“You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.”

– John 15:16

Memory Verse: “You did not choose me but I chose you.” (John 15:16)

God chose you and appointed you to bear fruit. God will provide you with what you need. Don’t force yourself to bear fruit on your own. Ask God to help you and you will bear wonderful fruit. You will be filled with joy and God will be very pleased. Through your fruit, many people will be able to find joy in their lives.

O Lord, thank you for the wonderful life of living my life bearing fruit. Amen.

June 12, 2022 (Sunday)

Wisdom

“Does not wisdom call,

   and does not understanding raise her voice?

On the heights, beside the way,

   at the crossroads she takes her stand;

beside the gates in front of the town,

   at the entrance of the portals she cries out:

‘To you, O people, I call,

   and my cry is to all that live.”

– Proverbs 8:1-4

Memory Verse: “To you, O people, I call, and my cry is to all that live.” (Proverbs 8:4)

Wisdom is all around you. Wisdom is calling you. Wisdom cries out so that you can hear. Listen carefully and you will be able to hear the voice of wisdom. Wisdom will show you the path you need to take and if you take that path, you will live. Wisdom will give you understanding and this understanding will let you see God.

O Lord, in silence, I incline my ears to you. Amen.

June 13, 2022 (Monday)

Overcome Evil with Good

“ You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.”

– Matthew 5:38-42

Memory Verse: “But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer.” (Matthew 5:39)

Do not pay evil for evil. Overcome evil with good. When you try to pay evil for evil, you will lose everything. Stand strong in God’s goodness. God of justice is with you. Nothing in the world can destroy you. You are God’s precious child.

O Lord, give me the strength to overcome evil with good. Amen.

June 14, 2022 (Tuesday)

Holy Spirit

“Create in me a clean heart, O God,

   and put a new and right spirit within me.

Do not cast me away from your presence,

   and do not take your holy spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

   and sustain in me a willing spirit.”

– Psalm 51:10-12

Memory Verse: “Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me.” (Psalm 51:11)

The Holy Spirit is with you. The Holy Spirit will never leave you alone. The Spirit will restore the joy of your salvation. The Spirit will renew your desire to live. With the Spirit, everything within you comes alive. The most important gift you received through Jesus Christ is the Spirit. Be confident in the Spirit.

O Lord, thank you for giving me the Spirit. Amen.

June 15, 2022 (Wednesday)

Suffering and God’s Grace

“Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”

– Romans 5:1-5

Memory Verse: “Suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” (Romans 5:3, 4)

Suffering by itself does not produce hope. Suffering creates despair within you. Suffering makes you bitter and angry. Suffering is not what you choose. It comes to you at any time in its own way. What you need is not to try to escape suffering. What you need is to change the effect of suffering. You have access to God’s grace and God’s grace will change the effect of suffering. When you are in God’s grace, suffering will make you stronger and produce hope within you.

O Lord, thank you for your grace. Amen.

June 16, 2022 (Thursday)

Temptation

“No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.”

– 1 Corinthians 10:13

Memory Verse: “No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

The ultimate temptation is the temptation to give up. When you give up, no one can help you. Even God cannot help you. When you don’t give up, God can help you and he will lead you out of the snare you are trapped in. Don’t give up. Wait for God. He will come to you.

O Lord, thank you for not giving up on me. Amen.

June 17, 2022 ( Thursday)

Your Eyes See God

“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!”

– Matthew 6:22, 23

Memory Verse: “The eye is the lamp of the body.” (Matthew 6:22)

Your eyes follow your heart. When your heart is filled with greed, your eyes will see what will satisfy your greed. If your heart desires what is good, your eyes will see what is good. If your heart desires God, your eyes will be able to see God. When you see God, God’s light will fill you and you will be full of light.
 

O Lord, I want to see you. Please show yourself to me. Amen.

June 18, 2022, (Friday)

Serve God

“No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”

– Matthew 6:24

Memory Verse: “You cannot serve God and wealth.” (Matthew 6:24)

Wealth is good but it is not something that you should serve. Wealth should serve you. Don’t let wealth tell you what to do. Don’t let it control your life. It may not necessarily lead you to where you want to be. Serve God and let God lead your life. He will lead you to a good place. Then wealth will serve you.

O Lord, everything good comes from you. Amen.

June 19, 2022 (Saturday)

Spiritual Maturity

“Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian.”

– Galatians 3:23-25

Memory Verse: “But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian.” (Galatians 3:25)

When you are young, sometimes you are forced to do things that are good for you. When you are young, often you do what you are told to do. When you grow up, you discover what is good for you. When you  are an adult, you choose what to do. Faith makes you a spiritually mature person who is no longer subject to a disciplinarian.

O Lord, thank you for guiding me through faith not by the law. Amen.

June 20, 2022 (Sunday)

Do Not Judge

“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgement you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbour, “Let me take the speck out of your eye”, while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbour’s eye.”

– Matthew 7:1-5

Memory Verse: “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged.” (Matthew 7:1)

We are all broken people. We all need to be loved. We all can change. By judging, you are taking away their most basic need to be loved and removing the possibility to change. Love them. With the love they receive from you, they may be able to change. You also need that love. Stop destroying each other. Learn to build each other up.

O Lord, thank you for loving me, accepting me, and helping me to change. Amen.

June 21, 2022 (Monday)

Empathy

“‘In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.”

– Matthew 7:12

Memory Verse: “‘In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)

Putting yourself in someone else’s shoes is a guideline of what you should do. Having empathy is a sign of maturity. As you become spiritually mature, you know how others feel. That will give you wisdom of what to do. Don’t be a victim of narcissism. Narcissism will make you blind so that you don’t see what you are supposed to see.

O Lord, help me to grow spiritually. Amen.

June 22, 2022 (Tuesday)

Fruit

“You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits.”

– Matthew 7:16-20

Memory Verse: “you will know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:20)

Your inner quality will manifest itself by your fruit. Your inner quality is invisible but your fruit is visible. Focus on what is invisible. Focussing on what is visible already shows what kind of fruit it will be. It will be fruit of hypocrisy. Cultivate your inner quality. Fruit will naturally come. Fruit exists not for yourself but for others.

O Lord, fill me with your Spirit so that I may bear fruit of the Spirit. Amen.

June 23, 2022 (Wednesday)

God’s Will

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?’ Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.’”

– Matthew 7:21-23

Memory Verse: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)

Knowing the will of God is the most important spiritual discipline. To know the will of God, you need to be in tune with God. The Spirit within you will guide your thoughts and minds. Do not confuse your will as God’s will. Pray so that you may be able to discern God’s will which can be quite different from your thinking.

O Lord, guide me and show me your will. Amen.

June 24, 2022 (Friday)

The Examined Life

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!.”

– Matthew 7:24-27

Memory Verse: “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.” (Matthew 7:24)

Words of God should not remain as thoughts. Put them in action. You will see the power of the words of God. They will awaken your lazy soul. They will reveal what is going on in your heart. They will examine your heart. With the words of God, you can live the examined life. That is life of wisdom.

O Lord, thank you for your words. Your words are a treasure to me. Amen.

June 25, 2022 (Saturday)

Consider the Weak

“Happy are those who consider the poor;

   the Lord delivers them in the day of trouble.

The Lord protects them and keeps them alive;

   they are called happy in the land.

   You do not give them up to the will of their enemies.

The Lord sustains them on their sickbed;

   in their illness you heal all their infirmities.”

– Psalm 41:1-3

Memory Verse: “Happy are those who consider the poor; the Lord delivers them in the day of trouble.” (Psalm 41:1)

Be mindful of those who are sick and poor. Pray for them and provide them with what they need. God will take care of your needs and deliver them in the day of trouble. God gave you the strength so that you can take care of the weak. God gave you money so that you can take care of the poor. God gave you health so that you can take care of the sick.

O Lord, help me not to indulge myself in my own well-being. Help me always to consider those who are weak and vulnerable around me.  Amen.

June 26, 2022 (Sunday)

Freedom

“For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.”

– Galatians 5:13

Memory Verse: “For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.” (Galatians 5:13)

Freedom is not about what you can do or what you cannot do. Everything is permissible for people who are free. But people who are free also know that not everything is good for them. Freedom is to have power to do what is good for you and for others. 

O Lord, empower me so that I may freely do what is good for me and for others.  Amen.

June 27, 2022 (Monday)

God Helps You

“For not in my bow do I trust,

   nor can my sword save me.

But you have saved us from our foes,

   and have put to confusion those who hate us.

In God we have boasted continually,

   and we will give thanks to your name for ever.”

– Psalm 44:6-8

Memory Verse: “For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me.” (Psalm 44:6)

Life challenges are often more than you can handle. Remember that you are not alone. Don’t panic. You don’t have to trust only in your power to deal with every challenge that comes at you. Learn to trust God. You will not be hardened. You can take challenges of life with a thankful heart. 

O Lord, I thank you for your help.  Amen.

June 28, 2022 (Tuesday)

Be Filled With the Spirit

“Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want.”

– Galatians 5:16-17

Memory Verse: “Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)

If you follow the desires of the flesh, you will fall into the addiction of the desires of the flesh. You can never satisfy the desire of the flesh. In the end, what is left in you is only emptiness. When you follow what the Spirit desires, you will find true satisfaction. Do not gratify the desires of the flesh. You will only become more thirsty. Be filled with the Spirit. 

O Lord, fill me with your Spirit.  Amen.

June 29, 2022 (Wednesday)

Being Faithful

“Listen to me, O coastlands,

   pay attention, you peoples from far away!

The Lord called me before I was born,

   while I was in my mother’s womb he named me.

He made my mouth like a sharp sword,

   in the shadow of his hand he hid me;

he made me a polished arrow,

   in his quiver he hid me away.

And he said to me, ‘You are my servant,

   Israel, in whom I will be glorified.’

But I said, ‘I have laboured in vain,

   I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity;

yet surely my cause is with the Lord,

   and my reward with my God.’”

– Isaiah 49:1-4

Memory Verse: “The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother’s womb he named me.” (Isaiah 49:1)

There are times when you experience that what you do has no meaning and no effect. You did your best but feel like you have laboured in vain. That is when you have to remember that God has called you even before you were aware of his presence. Do not focus on your effectiveness. Focus on being faithful. Do your best and leave the result in God’s hands. 

O Lord, I find peace in you. I know that you will use my life for your good purpose.  Amen.

June 30, 2022 (Thursday)

Salvation Depends on God

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

– Romans 10:13

Memory Verse: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

Your salvation does not depend on you. That is why it is good news. Your salvation depends on God and his mercy. Many things in life depend on you and your ability. That gives you burden that is sometimes hard to bear. God has sent Jesus Christ to let you know that you are not alone. You don’t need to handle life’s challenges on your own. God is there to help you. To understand this is the first step in understanding the reality of salvation.

O Lord, thank you for being with me.  Amen.

 May 1, 2022 (Sunday)

God Is Your Helper

“I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up,

   and did not let my foes rejoice over me.

O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,

   and you have healed me.

O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol,

   restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones,

   and give thanks to his holy name.”

– Psalm 30:1-4

Memory Verse: “Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name.” (Psalm 30:4)

You cried out for help and God has healed you. Out of darkness, you sought God’s presence and God has brought up your soul from death. You didn’t see any hope and you prayed. God answered your prayers. God has been faithful to you all your life. Praise God and give thanks to him.

O Lord, you are my help. I praise you. Amen.

 May 2, 2022 (Monday)

Your Dwelling Place

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.”

– John 14:1-3

Memory Verse: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places.” (John 14:1, 2)

When uncertainties strike you and therefore, you cannot see what’s ahead of you, do not let your heart be troubled. That is when you believe in God and believe in Jesus’ promise. God will give you a place where you can lay down your doubts, worries, and fear. It is a place where you can find true comfort and peace. It is your dwelling place.

O Lord, thank you for providing me with a beautiful dwelling place. Amen.

 May 3, 2022 (Tuesday)

The Empty Space

“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

– John 6:35

Memory Verse: “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35)

There is an empty space within us which only God can fill. You cannot fill it with things you possess or things you do. The reason we feel empty in life is because this space is not filled up. When you believe in God, God will fill up this space. You will never be hungry and never be thirsty. When this empty space is filled up, you will find great satisfaction in whatever you do.

O Lord, I bring my empty cup to you. Please fill it with your presence. Amen.

 May 4, 2022 (Wednesday)

Live with Joy

“Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;

sing the glory of his name;

   give to him glorious praise.

Say to God, ‘How awesome are your deeds!

   Because of your great power, your enemies cringe before you.

All the earth worships you;

   they sing praises to you,

   sing praises to your name.”

– Psalm 66:1-4

Memory Verse: “Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth.” (Psalm 66:1)

Living with joy is God’s will for you. God wants you to be happy. God wants you enjoy God. God wants to remove all those things that take joy away from you. God helps you so that your joy may be restored. When you have this joy, then your worship will become meaningful. God accepts this kind of worship with joy.

O Lord, thank you for giving me joy. I worship you with joy. Amen.

 May 5, 2022 (Thursday)

An Instrument of Peace

“For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, so that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father.”

– Ephesians 2:14-18

Memory Verse: “(Jesus) might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it.” (Ephesians 2:16)

Commandments and ordinances are good but when there is hostility within you, they become walls that divide you from others. Jesus came to destroy the hostility within you so that you may not live with hostility but with love, creating peace and harmony. Jesus sacrificed himself so that we may all become one. Let us be an instrument of peace.

O Lord, make me an instrument of peace. Amen.

May 6, 2022 (Friday)

The Good News of Salvation

“Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things.”

– Ephesians 3:7-9

Memory Verse: “Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power.” (Ephesians 3:7)

Jesus Christ gave you the good news. It is no longer your worthiness that brings salvation to you but God’s grace. It is not your power that makes the salvation possible but God’s power. In other words, your salvation is a statement about God not about you. This is God’s mystery hidden for ages. Boldly proclaim this good news. God will give you the power to bring about transformation.

O Lord, thank you for the wonderful news about salvation. Give me your power to boldly proclaim this good news. Amen.

May 7, 2022 (Saturday)

Behold the Beauty of the Lord

“One thing I asked of the Lord,

   that will I seek after:

to live in the house of the Lord

   all the days of my life,

to behold the beauty of the Lord,

   and to inquire in his temple.

For he will hide me in his shelter

   in the day of trouble;

he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;

   he will set me high on a rock.

Now my head is lifted up

   above my enemies all around me,

and I will offer in his tent

   sacrifices with shouts of joy;

I will sing and make melody to the Lord.”

– Psalm 27:4-6

Memory Verse: “One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4)

Behold the beauty of the Lord. Seek God’s presence. That is all you need. God will take care of your enemies. God will hide you in his wings. Do not be afraid of the troubles you experience in life. They cannot destroy you. God will strengthen you and fill you with the wisdom. As you behold the beauty of the Lord, your soul will be uplifted and you will see the beauty of life.

O Lord, my eyes see your beauty. Amen.

 May 8, 2022 (Sunday)

Mother

“As a mother comforts her child,

   so I will comfort you;

   you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”

– Isaiah 66:13

Memory Verse: “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 66:13)

God has given you mother to show God’s love. There is a special quality in mother’s love. Mother’s love is quiet but strong. Mothers never forget their children and they are always in their minds. Mother’s prayer is powerful because it comes from loving concern. God comforts you through loving care of your mother.

O Lord, thank you for showing me your love through mother. Amen.

 May 9, 2022 (Monday)

Thirst for God

“As a deer longs for flowing streams,

   so my soul longs for you, O God.

My soul thirsts for God,

   for the living God.

When shall I come and behold

   the face of God?”

– Psalm 42:1-2

Memory Verse: “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.” (Psalm 42:1)

Having thirst for God is a blessing. That is the beginning of your spiritual journey. Without this thirst, you can never meet God. God will quench your thirst and reveal himself to you. There may be things happening in your life that make you search for God. Be thankful for that even if they may cause you pain. You will meet God who will not only heal your pain but also give you the eternal joy.

O Lord, I desire you. Please show me your goodness to me. Amen.

May 10, 2022 (Tuesday)

Anger

“Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil.”

– Ephesians 4:26-27

Memory Verse: “Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil.” (Psalm 4:26-27)

Being angry is a natural response when you experience injustice and unfairness. Being angry itself is not a sin. It can be rather a healthy expression of what you may feel inside. However, anger cannot be the power through which you can bring about change. Anger is a negative energy and from the negative energy, comes negative results. Be angry but don’t let anger control you. When anger becomes uncontrolled, it becomes violence.

O Lord, I desire your mercy. Help me to overcome my anger and live my life fighting for justice with love. Amen.

May 11, 2022 (Wednesday)

Light

“I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness.”

– John 12:46

Memory Verse: “I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness.” (John 12:46)

When you are in darkness, everything becomes dark: your thinking, your outlook for life, your attitude, and your lifestyle. When you remain in darkness, you become down and depressed. Come to Jesus who came to the world as light. This light will brighten up your life. Coming to Jesus means to let him be in your life. Just be aware of Jesus being in your life. Slowly, you will see changes in you.

O Lord, I come to you. Let your light shine in me. Amen.

May 12, 2022 (Thursday)

Live As a Wise Person

“Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit.”

– Ephesians 5:15-17

Memory Verse: “Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time.” (Ephesians 5:15, 16)

Live as a wise person. Living as a wise person is to be well aware of how you live. Instead of living like a drunken person, be fully awake and examine how you live. Ask yourself these questions. Are you true to yourself? Do you feel alive? Do you feel fulfilled? Are you happy? Is your life meaningful? Is your life helpful to others? Do you feel connected with God? By asking these questions, although you may not have answers right away, at least you will get to know deeper what these questions mean to you.

O Lord, help me to live my life as a wise person. Amen.

 May 13, 2022 (Friday)

Jesus the Way

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

– John 14:6

Memory Verse: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Jesus is the way of the truth and the way of the life. Do not follow easier path. It is wide but the end is destruction. Follow the narrow path. It is hard but the end is the truth and the eternal life. Jesus came to us to show us the way, the way of life. Meditate on how Jesus lived and follow the way he lived his life.

O Lord, help me to always focus on how you lived. Help me to follow your way even though it may be hard. Amen.

May 14, 2022 (Saturday)

Do Not Judge

“But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgement before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.”

– 1 Corinthians 4:3-5

Memory Verse: “Therefore do not pronounce judgement before the time, before the Lord comes.” (1 Corinthians 4:5)

Your judgment is not complete because you do not have a complete picture about others and also about yourself. Your judgment is very much influenced by the context you are in. Instead of judging others, take each person with respect. Jesus “will bring to light the things hidden in darkness and disclose the purposes of the heart.” Be humble, be real, and be honest.

O Lord, I come to you, trusting in your mercy. Forgive my judgmental attitude. Amen.

 May 15, 2022 (Sunday)

Love One Another

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

– John 13:34-35

Memory Verse: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

A distinctive characteristic of being a disciple of Jesus Christ is to have love. Jesus taught us that the secret of opening the mystery of life is to love. Jesus has unlocked the mystery of God’s love. As Jesus has loved you, love one another. There will be nothing that will separate you from one another. Living with love is how you become a disciple of Jesus Christ. You will be filled with joy of living in harmony when you love.

O Lord, fill me with your love. I need your love to love. Amen.

 May 16, 2022 (Monday)

Peace

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”

– John 14:27

Memory Verse: “Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” It is not something you can do if you have no peace. To enable you to do it, Jesus gave you peace. It is not peace you can find in the world. It is peace given by the one who overcame the power of death and darkness. Now there is nothing for you to worry about. You have the eternal life.

O Lord, thank you for giving me your peace. Amen.

May 17, 2022 (Tuesday)

God Is Near

“The Lord is near to all who call on him,

   to all who call on him in truth.

He fulfils the desire of all who fear him;

   he also hears their cry, and saves them.”

– Psalm 145:18-19

Memory Verse: “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18)

God is everywhere but there is a time when we feel that God is near. When your soul cries out to God, God comes near to you. When God is near, his presence chases your darkness away and brings you the light of hope. You will be able to see the bright side of your life. Be near to God.

O Lord, I cry out to you. Please be near me. Amen.

 May 18, 2022 (Wednesday)

Fruit

“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.”

– John 15:4-5

Memory Verse: “I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

Instead of trying to bear fruit, abide in God. It is not you who bear fruit through God but God who bears fruit through you. There is nothing for you to boast about since it is God who makes your life abundant. Don’t worry about not being able to bear fruit. Trust in God and abide in God. God will make your existence meaningful, abundant, and fruitful. 

O Lord, I find total freedom in you. May your name be glorified. Amen.

May 19, 2022 (Thursday)

Joy of Freedom

“As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil.”

– 1 Peter 2:16

Memory Verse: “As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil.” (1 Peter 2:16)

True freedom is freedom from evil. If you use your freedom as a pretext for evil, then you lose the joy of freedom. Freedom without joy is not true freedom. Use your freedom for doing good. As you live for the truth, you will experience freedom from fear. That’s what the truth does for you. Do what is good and do not fear anything. You are in God’s good hands. Stand up for the truth. You will find the joy of freedom. 

O Lord, help me know your truth and find freedom in your truth. Amen.

 May 20, 2022 (Friday)

Fruitful Life

“You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.”

– John 15:16-17

Memory Verse: “You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.” (John 15:16)

It is God’s will for you to live a fruitful life. A fruitful life is an abundant life. When God’s grace overflows within you, you become fruitful. God chose you and filled you with his grace so that you may become fruitful. Ask God. God will give you what you ask for. God will provide you with all you need. 

O Lord, thank you for blessing me abundantly. Amen.

 May 21, 2022 (Saturday)

Love the World

“If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you.”

– John 15:18-19

Memory Verse: “If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18)

You do not belong to the world. Your validation does not come from the world. Don’t live your life expecting the world to love you but live your life loving the world. Do not conform to the world but be transformed by God’s love.

O Lord, as you have overcome the world, give me the strength to overcome the world. Amen.

 May 22, 2022 (Sunday)

The New Self

“Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!”

– Colossians 3:9-11

Memory Verse: “(You) have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator.” (Colossians 3:10)

Be renewed. Strip off the old self and clothe yourself with the new self. Being renewed is being awakened. You will have no need to differentiate yourself from others. You will have no need to dominate others. You won’t live a life that is full of lies. You will be one with them. You will find beautiful harmony in life.

O Lord, help me to live humbly in harmony with others. Amen.

 May 23, 2022 (Monday)

Precious Life

“The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.”

– 1 Peter 4:7-10

Memory Verse: “The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers.” (1 Peter 4:7)

Time flies. When you are not awake, life passes by you in the blink of an eye. Be aware of every moment you live. Live every moment prayerfully. Don’t waste your precious moments, living mindlessly. Do what is important and meaningful to you. Be prepared for the end. Love one another. That is the most important thing in preparing for the end.

O Lord, thank you for giving me a precious life. Help me to cherish it. Amen.

May 24, 2022 (Tuesday)

Be Humble

“For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly;

   but the haughty he perceives from far away.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,

   you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;

you stretch out your hand,

   and your right hand delivers me.”

– Psalm 138:6-7

Memory Verse: “For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly; but the haughty he perceives from far away.” (Psalm 138:6)

God does not like the haughty and the arrogant. God values the humility. There is nothing for human beings to be proud because without God, you are nothing but dust. You are precious only because God puts his glory in you. Humbly come before God. God will stretch out his hand to preserve you and deliver you from troubles.

O Lord, I glorify your name with the glory you put in me. I humbly praise your name. Amen.

May 25, 2022 (Wednesday)

The Spirit Guide You Into All the Truth

“‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”

– John 16:12-15

Memory Verse: “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” (John 16:12)

Jesus taught you many things but you may not understand them all at once. It takes time to understand fully what Jesus taught you. Your understanding will get deeper as your life experiences become deeper. Jesus gave you the Spirit so that the Spirt may teach you and guide you into all the truth. Be in sync with the Spirit and the Spirit will open up your understanding and show you the great truth Jesus taught you.

O Spirit, guide me into all the truth. Amen.

 May 26, 2022 (Thursday)

All Things Go Back To God

“The sun rises and the sun goes down,

   and hurries to the place where it rises.

The wind blows to the south,

   and goes round to the north;

round and round goes the wind,

   and on its circuits the wind returns.

All streams run to the sea,

   but the sea is not full;

to the place where the streams flow,

   there they continue to flow.”

– Ecclesiastes 1:5-7

Memory Verse: “The sun rises and the sun goes down, and hurries to the place where it rises.” (Ecclesiastes 1:5)

Everything comes and goes. Joy comes and goes. Sorrow comes and goes. Life you have comes and goes. Do not be sad. They all go back to God who is the origin of all these things. Live day by day with gratitude and cherish the moment you have.

O Lord, thank you for giving me this beautiful moment. Amen.

May 27, 2022 (Friday)

Turn Suffering Into Joy

“Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. When a woman is in labour, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world. So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”

– John 16:20-22

Memory Verse: “When a woman is in labour, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world.” (John 16:21)

When you see suffering as the suffering of child birth, your suffering will bring joy. Suffering cannot take away joy from you. Suffering is a way that takes you to joy. When you suffer, remember that God is still working. God will use your suffering to create something new and then your tears will turn into laughter of joy.

O Lord, in suffering, I praise you. Amen.

 May 28, 2022 (Saturday)

Ask In Jesus’ Name

“On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.”

– John 16:23-24

Memory Verse: “If you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.” (John 16:23)

Ask God and God will give you. This is a powerful way of living your life. Knowing that God will give you what you ask for gives you a positive energy. It makes you move forward. No challenge will discourage you from trying new things. Jesus opened this door for you. Ask God in Jesus’ name and you will receive. You will be filled with joy.

O Lord, thank you for granting what I ask for in Jesus’ name. Amen.

May 29, 2022 (Sunday)

God’s Glory and Unity

“I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

– John 17:20-23

Memory Verse: “The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one.” (John 17:22)

You may become one when God’s glory is given to you. Unity is the fruit of God’s glory. When there is the light of the glory of God within you, it will unite you with others. Without the glory, there will be only division and isolation. Let God’s glory shine on you. You may be able to be the instrument of peace and harmony.

O Lord, shine your glory upon me. Amen.

 May 30, 2022 (Monday)

Do What Is Right

“I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!”

– John 17:20-23

Memory Verse: “I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!” (John 16:33)

Do not be scared of persecution you may face in the world. Doing what is right is better than doing what looks good to people. Always do what is right. God will take care of the rest. If you need courage, God will give you courage. If you need strength, God will give you the strength. When you do what is right, don’t be discouraged. God is with you.

O Lord, thank you for always being with me. Amen.

May 31, 2022 (Tuesday)

God Is Happy with You

“The Lord, your God, is in your midst,

   a warrior who gives victory;

he will rejoice over you with gladness,

   he will renew you in his love;

he will exult over you with loud singing.”

– Zephaniah 3:17

Memory Verse: “The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

God is very happy with you not because you are perfect but because you are his precious child. God sees you and he is filled with joy over you. He will protect you. He will wrap you around with his mighty hand. He will comfort you and give you strength to go on. Having a right image of God will change you and your life.

O Lord, thank you for being my God. Amen.

 April 1, 2022 (Friday)

Love and Knowledge

“Then Jesus cried out as he was teaching in the temple, ‘You know me, and you know where I am from. I have not come on my own. But the one who sent me is true, and you do not know him. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.’ Then they tried to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him, because his hour had not yet come.”

– John 7:28-30

Memory Verse: “I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.” (John 7:29)

Jesus knew God because he loved God. True knowledge comes from love. When you have love, it will open your eyes to see who God is and who you are. Love takes you into deeper truth. Jesus’ teachings came from his love for God and for the world. With the heart of love, let us learn Jesus’ teaching. 

O Lord, fill me with your love. Amen.

 April 2, 2022 (Saturday)

Eternal Life

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’”

– John 11:25-26

Memory Verse: “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’” (John 11:25-26)

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Jesus also said, those who believe in him will live even though they die. This gives us hope. When we trust what Jesus said, we will not live any longer under fear of death. We will live with confidence and assurance. Nothing, not even death, can take away life given to us.

O Lord, allow me to have faith in you. Amen.

 April 3, 2022 (Sunday)

Knowing Christ

“Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith.”

– Philippians 3:7-9

Memory Verse: “I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Philippians 3:8)

Knowing Christ brings tremendous blessings to your life. When you know Christ, your life will be transformed. Your mind will be cleansed and purified. You will experience tremendous joy and peace. Focus your mind on Christ. Meditate on him. Open your heart so that Christ may come into your heart. He will give you true rest.

O Lord, come into my heart and purify me. Amen.

April 4, 2022 (Monday)

The Lord Is My Shepherd

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside still waters;

he restores my soul.

He leads me in right paths

   for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,

   I fear no evil;

for you are with me;

   your rod and your staff—

   they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me

   in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

   my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

   all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord

   my whole life long.”

– Psalm 23

Memory Verse: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.” (Psalm 23:6)

The Lord is your shepherd. He will guide you to a good place. Even when you walk through the valley of darkness, he will be right there and show you the way out. He will be good to you always and show his mercy to you. You will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

O Lord, thank you for being my shepherd. Amen.

 April 5, 2022 (Tuesday)

Cry Out

“Hear my prayer, O Lord;

   let my cry come to you.

Do not hide your face from me

   on the day of my distress.

Incline your ear to me;

   answer me speedily on the day when I call.”

– Psalm 102:1-2

Memory Verse: “Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you.” (Psalm 102:1)

When you are stressed out, do not let it out on yourself or others. Bring your stress before God and cry out to God. God will hear your outcry and provide you with the peace you need and he will assure you that you will be taken care of. Your prayers will be answered.

O Lord, when I am stressed, I trust you. Please give me your peace. Amen.

 April 6, 2022 (Wednesday)

Discipline

“For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share his holiness. Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.”

– Hebrews 12:10-13

Memory Verse: “Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11)

Becoming holy is possible through disciplines. When life becomes difficult, it is hard to be pleasant. You become vulnerable and can become easily negative in your outlook of life. That is when you can discipline yourself. God gives you this opportunity to train you and teach you about your weaknesses. Discipline can be hard and painful but it will strengthen you. Take your discipline with joy.

O Lord, please give me the strength to go through the times of trial patiently so that I may share your holiness. Amen.

April 7, 2022 (Thursday)

Remember God

“Why are you cast down, O my soul,

   and why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

   my help and my God.

My soul is cast down within me;

   therefore I remember you

from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,

   from Mount Mizar.

Deep calls to deep

   at the thunder of your cataracts;

all your waves and your billows

   have gone over me.

By day the Lord commands his steadfast love,

   and at night his song is with me,

   a prayer to the God of my life.”

– Psalm 42:5-8

Memory Verse: “By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.” (Psalm 42:8)

During the day, remember God’s steadfast love. At night, give thanks to God for taking care of you today and wonderful things God will do for the next day. Don’t let your soul be cast down. Remember God and have hope in God. When you pray, your soul will be lifted up. Darkness will dissipate and the light will fill your soul.

O Lord, thank you for the strength you give me. Amen.

April 8, 2022 (Friday)

Thirst for God

“As a deer longs for flowing streams,

   so my soul longs for you, O God.

My soul thirsts for God,

   for the living God.

When shall I come and behold

   the face of God?

My tears have been my food

   day and night,

while people say to me continually,

   ‘Where is your God?’”

– Psalm 42:1-3

Memory Verse: “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God?” (Psalm 42:2)

Cultivate a thirst for God. Thirst for God will produce a thirst for life. Living a good life is to live with this thirst for life. When you have thirst for life, everything will come alive. You will appreciate everything that you do. That is how God gives you an abundant life. It all starts with a thirst for God.

O Lord, I thirst for you. Show be your face. Amen.

 April 9, 2022 (Saturday)

The Lord Will Keep You

“I lift up my eyes to the hills—

   from where will my help come?

My help comes from the Lord,

   who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;

   he who keeps you will not slumber.

He who keeps Israel

   will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;

   the Lord is your shade at your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day,

   nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;

   he will keep your life.

The Lord will keep

   your going out and your coming in

   from this time on and for evermore.”

– Psalm 121

Memory Verse: “The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and for evermore.” (Psalm 121:8)

God will keep you from harms. God will never leave you alone. He watches over you wherever you are. He will give you help when you need it. He will give you rest when you are tired. He will give you the assurance when you fear. He will show you the way when you are lost. Look to God. Help comes from the Lord.

O Lord, thank you for keeping me safe. Amen.

 April 10, 2022 (Sunday)

The Spirit of God

“But, as it is written,

‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,

   nor the human heart conceived,

what God has prepared for those who love him’—

these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God’s except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God.”

– 1 Corinthians 2:9-12

Memory Verse: “Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God.” (1 Corinthians 2:12)

God gave you the Spirit so that the Spirit could help you. God reveals the truth, his desire, and his will through the Spirit. Be connected with the Spirit who is within you. Quiet yourself and let the Spirit speak to you. Pay attention to what the Spirit has to say. Even when you don’t know what to pray for, the Spirit searches your heart, prays for you, and reveals the depths of God to you.

O Lord, here I am. Speak to me through the Spirit. Amen.

 April 11, 2022 (Monday)

Bring Forth Justice

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold,

   my chosen, in whom my soul delights;

I have put my spirit upon him;

   he will bring forth justice to the nations.

He will not cry or lift up his voice,

   or make it heard in the street;

a bruised reed he will not break,

   and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;

   he will faithfully bring forth justice.

He will not grow faint or be crushed

   until he has established justice in the earth;

   and the coastlands wait for his teaching.”

– Isaiah 42:1-4

Memory Verse: “I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.” (Isaiah 42:1)

God put his Spirit on Jesus. Jesus lived his life with the help of the Spirit. Jesus gave you the Spirit to live faithfully, bringing forth justice. There is nothing that you should be afraid of. Just be faithful to the truth Jesus has taught you. He will not break a bruised reed and quench a dimly burning wick. He will faithfully bring forth justice through you.

O Lord, fill me with the Spirit and use me as your instrument to bring forth justice. Amen.

 April 12, 2022 (Tuesday)

Sacrificial Love of Jesus

“For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,

‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

   and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.’

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe.”

– 1 Corinthians 1:18-21

Memory Verse: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” (1 Corinthians 1:19)

The message of the cross is the power of God. It has the power to change you. When you look at the cross, you become humbled by the love of Jesus who sacrificed himself for you. Change becomes possible when you become humble, not when you are wise. You can know God when you understand the power of the sacrificial love. Meditate on the sacrificial love of Jesus.

O Lord, help me to daily meditate on the cross. Amen.

 April 13, 2022 (Wednesday)

You Are Precious

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.”

– Hebrews 12:1-3

Memory Verse: “Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:3)

Do not grow weary or lose your heart because Jesus has lifted up the burden of your sins. Jesus knows your struggles and wants you to know that you don’t have to live, struggling in darkness any more. To Jesus, you are precious, precious enough for him to sacrifice for you. When Jesus even brought death upon himself, what sin can he not forgive? Be confident in Jesus’ forgiveness.

O Lord, I look to you because only in you, I see true salvation. Amen.

 April 14, 2022 (Thursday)

Humble Service

“After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.”

– John 13:12-15

Memory Verse: “So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14)

Washing one another’s feet is a sign of humility. It is a sign of serving one another. You are called to live your life, humbly serving one another. As you live with that attitude, you will help many people to appreciate their life and human goodness. This kind of attitude is simple and yet rare to see. Washing others’ feet is an action of a great person.

O Lord, thank you for serving me, a sinner. Help me to live with the attitude of humbly serving others. Amen.

 April 15, 2022 (Friday)

Jesus’ Righteousness

“Surely he has borne our infirmities

   and carried our diseases;

yet we accounted him stricken,

   struck down by God, and afflicted.

But he was wounded for our transgressions,

   crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the punishment that made us whole,

   and by his bruises we are healed.”

– Isaiah 53:4-5

Memory Verse: “Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted.” (Isaiah 53:4)

Jesus did not prove himself to be righteous. He was already righteous. Self-justification was not needed because he knew he was righteous. His righteousness was not self-justification but self-sacrifice. He sacrificed his dignity, even his innocence to carry our diseases. That was his righteousness. Miraculously, his punishment made us whole, and his bruises healed us. 

O Lord, thank you for your sacrifice. You were misunderstood as being unrighteous and yet still you took my sin upon yourself and got punished. Thank you for your forgiveness and your healing. Amen.

April 16, 2022 (Saturday)

Discipline of Prayer and Love

“The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins.”

– 1 Peter 4:7-8

Memory Verse: “The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers.” (1 Peter 4:7)

Discipline is the most important thing in spiritual growth. Without discipline, there will be no spiritual growth. Do not pray as you feel like it. Make it as a discipline. As you practice the discipline of prayer, you will be able to enter into God’s presence and experience how God works in your life. Above all, practice a discipline of love. That is the ultimate discipline. Love completes our discipline.

O Lord, teach me how to pray and love. Amen.

 April 17, 2022 (Sunday)

You Are Free

“We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.”

– Romans 6:6-9

Memory Verse: “If we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.” (Romans 6:8)

Sin paralyzes you. Sin does not let you live a life you really want. Sin brings conflicts within you. Sin takes you where you don’t want to go. Don’t let sin have so much power over you. Jesus crucified our sins through his death and claimed victory over sin. Sin has no more power over you. Be united with Christ. Let Christ live in you. You are now free in Christ.

O Lord, thank you for setting me free from sin. Amen.

 April 18, 2022 (Monday)

The Path of Life

“I keep the Lord always before me;

   because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;

   my body also rests secure.

For you do not give me up to Sheol,

   or let your faithful one see the Pit.

You show me the path of life.

   In your presence there is fullness of joy;

   in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.”

– Psalm 16:8-11

Memory Verse: “You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:11)

Have joy in your life. God will show you the path of life. When you cannot see what is ahead of you, God will open the door for you. When you are surrounded by darkness and fear of death, God will bring you the light of hope and show you the way. Whatever you do, God will show you the way that leads to life. 

O Lord, thank you for showing me the path of life. Amen.

 April 19, 2022 (Tuesday)

The Resurrection

“For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.”

– 1 Corinthians 15:16-19

Memory Verse: “If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (1 Corinthians 15:19)

If there is no resurrection, our faith becomes futile. Nothing can overcome the meaninglessness that the death brings to us except the power of resurrection. Death does not get intimidated by anything else but the resurrection. When the light comes, darkness cannot do anything but disappear. In the same way, when the life comes, death cannot do anything but disappear. Jesus’ resurrection has brought life to us. Let us celebrate the life we have.

O Lord, thank you for the life you have given to me through your resurrection. Amen.

 April 20, 2022 (Wednesday)

Seek God

“Glory in his holy name;

   let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

Seek the Lord and his strength;

   seek his presence continually.”

– Psalm 105:3-4

Memory Verse: “Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.” (Psalm 105:3)

As you seek the Lord, your heart will be filled joy. As you seek the Lord, you will find that God is very near. God will give you his strength and in that strength, you will find confidence in life. You are not alone. You don’t need to hide anything from him. He is not there to judge you. He already knows everything about you. He is there to give you strength for you to overcome your weaknesses.

O Lord, thank you for being always there for me. Amen.

 April 21, 2022 (Thursday)

You Are Beautiful

“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,

   the moon and the stars that you have established;

what are human beings that you are mindful of them,

   mortals that you care for them?

Yet you have made them a little lower than God,

   and crowned them with glory and honour.”

– Psalm 8:3-5

Memory Verse: “what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:4)

God has crowned you with glory and honour. You are precious. God is always mindful of you. God cares about what you are struggling with. God knows and understands your weaknesses. God never leaves you alone in your struggles. God walks through the struggles with you and gives you strength. 

O Lord, thank you for crowning me with glory and honour. In you, I find confidence and strength. Amen.

 April 22, 2022 (Friday)

Your Life, A Seed

“So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body.”

– 1 Corinthians 15:42-44

Memory Verse: “It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body.” (1 Corinthians 15:44)

Your life is like a seed. There’s nothing fantastic about the seed but it has the power of life. It is sown perishable but raised imperishable. It is sown in dishonour but raised in glory. It is sown in weakness but raised in power. What you sow with your life may look small but God will use it to accomplish his mighty work. Do not be discouraged, seeing your finite existence. Be encouraged, seeing God’s infinite plan.

O Lord, you are the source of my hope. I trust you and leave my life in your hands. Amen.

April 23, 2022 (Saturday)

Death Has No More Power

“‘Where, O death, is your victory?

   Where, O death, is your sting?’

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.”

– 1 Corinthians 15:55-58

Memory Verse: “Where, O death, is your victory?Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55)

Jesus defeated death. Death lost its sting. Death lost its grip on you. You are free now from fear of death in Jesus Christ. Don’t let death shake you. Don’t let death intimidate you. Be strong and confident in Christ. Just do what is good.

O Lord, thank you for defeating the power of death through your own death. Now I am free in you. Amen.

 April 24, 2022 (Sunday)

Forgiveness

“When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

– John 20:19-23

Memory Verse: “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (John 20:23)

You are given the power and the privilege to forgive. The power to forgive is more powerful than all the powers in the world. You have the power to release people from the imprisonment of guilt and fear of punishment. You have the power to give people the joy of freedom. As you forgive others, your sins will be also forgiven. You will experience the joy of being free from sins.

O Lord, thank you for giving me the power to forgive. Help me to live my life, forgiving others. Amen.

 April 25, 2022 (Monday)

Wisdom

“The mind of the righteous ponders how to answer,

   but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil.”

– Proverbs 15:28

Memory Verse: “The mind of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil.” (Proverbs 15:28)

It is important to know how you answer in a given situation. You can make the situation better and everyone gets uplifted or you can make the situation worse and everyone gets hurt. Instead of pouring out the feelings you have, ask God for wisdom. You will know how to answer.

O Lord, give me your wisdom. Amen.

 April 26, 2022 (Tuesday)

Reap With Joy

“May those who sow in tears

   reap with shouts of joy.

Those who go out weeping,

   bearing the seed for sowing,

shall come home with shouts of joy,

   carrying their sheaves.”

– Psalm 126:5-6

Memory Verse: “Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.” (Psalm 126:6)

Your labour will not be in vain. No matter how hard you try, you cannot predict the result. This causes anxiety within you. Do your best and leave the result in God’s hands. What you sow with tears will not become a waste. It will bear fruits and give you joy.

O Lord, thank you for bearing fruits through my humble service. Amen.

 April 27, 2022 (Wednesday)

No Condemnation

“‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

– John 3:17

Memory Verse: “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:17)

When you stand before God, you feel condemned simply because God is so pure and blameless. Jesus was pure and blameless and he had all the reasons to condemn the world. Knowing all your sins and shortcomings, still Jesus came to help you rather than condemning you. Through Jesus’ help, you can overcome your sins and find salvation. 

O Lord, thank you for helping me, instead of condemning me. Amen.

 April 28, 2022 (Thursday)

God Is True

“The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, yet no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified this, that God is true.”

– John 3:31-33

Memory Verse: “Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified this, that God is true.” (John 3:33)

Everything depends on whether God is true or not. If God is not true, you have no hope. No matter how much you enjoy the life you have right now, no matter how much power and privilege you relish in this life, if God is not true, everything becomes futile. God gave the truth to Jesus and Jesus testified it to us. By understanding the truth Jesus testified, you will know that God is true. The truth itself reveals the trueness of God who gave it. God is not a fantasy we created. God is true.

O Lord, thank you for sending Jesus Christ to teach me the truth and thereby show me that God is true. Amen.

 April 29, 2022 (Friday)

God Is Our Strength

“The Lord is my light and my salvation;

   whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life;

   of whom shall I be afraid?

When evildoers assail me

   to devour my flesh—

my adversaries and foes—

   they shall stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me,

   my heart shall not fear;

though war rise up against me,

   yet I will be confident.

One thing I asked of the Lord,

   that will I seek after:

to live in the house of the Lord

   all the days of my life,

to behold the beauty of the Lord,

   and to inquire in his temple.”

– Psalm 27:1-4

Memory Verse: “One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4)

There is nothing for you to fear. There are a lot of things happening around you that intimidate you. If you let them arouse fear within you, they will take over your life. Your fear will not chase away your problems. It will only draw you into your problems. Your fear will weaken you. Have confidence in God. God will give you the strength to fight your problems. You are in God’s strong hands.

O Lord, you are my strength. Amen.

 April 30, 2022 (Saturday)

Wisdom of Words

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.”

– Colossians 4:6

Memory Verse: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:6)

Knowing what to say in each situation is extremely important. Do not speak as you feel like it. Once the words go out of your mouth, you cannot take them back and they are beyond your control. Be always considerate and think about what will be the most edifying. You will know what to say. Then say it with graciousness.

O Lord, teach me what to say in any given situation. Amen.

March 1, 2022 (Tuesday)

God’s Justice

“He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.”

– Psalm 98:9

Memory Verse: “He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.” (Psalm 98:9)

God will judge the world with righteousness. God will not tolerate the powerful to oppress and abuse the weak. God listens to the outcries of the weak who are suffering. God will strike down the proud and lift up the humble. Let us pray for God’s justice. Let us ask God to save those who are unjustly oppressed.

O Lord, we pray for the world. There are many people who are oppressed because of the abuse of the evil power. We ask, O Lord, to restore your justice in this world. Amen.

March 2, 2022 (Wednesday) 

Abundant Life in Christ

“We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see—we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.”

– 2 Corinthians 6:8-10

Memory Verse: “(We are) as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” (2 Corinthians 6:10)

What is shown on the surface is not as important as what is inside. Life is not about how we appear to others. Life is about what is going on inside of us. With Christ, we have everything. This gives us true joy. More than anything else, with Christ, we have eternal life. Now, we can live an abundant life.

O Lord, you are my everything. In you, I find true peace and joy. In you, I enjoy the abundant life. Thank you. Amen.

March 3, 2022 (Thursday)

Denial of Oneself

“Then he said to them all, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?”

– Luke 9:23-25

Memory Verse: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

Letting go of one’s desire is a secret to happy life. The more we desire to have, the more thirsty we will become. The more we try to display ourselves to the world, the less of self we will become. Denial of oneself is a strange way of affirming oneself. The more humble we are, the more confident and the happier we will become.

O Lord, even if I get lost in the world, I am found in you. Amen.

 March 4, 2022 (Friday)

Fasting

“Is not this the fast that I choose:

   to loose the bonds of injustice,

   to undo the thongs of the yoke,

to let the oppressed go free,

   and to break every yoke?

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,

   and bring the homeless poor into your house;

when you see the naked, to cover them,

   and not to hide yourself from your own kin?

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,

   and your healing shall spring up quickly;

your vindicator shall go before you,

   the glory of the Lord shall be your rearguard.

Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;

   you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.”

– Isaiah 58:6-9

Memory Verse: “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6)

Fasting is a wonderful spiritual discipline. It is restraining our greed for food. It is to leave our basic needs in God’s care. But the ultimate goal of our spiritual discipline is to serve others, not our self interests. In that sense, our true fasting is to loose the bonds of injustice and to take care of the needs of the people around us.

O Lord, thank you for the daily bread. Help me to be always mindful of those around me. Amen.

 March 5, 2022 (Saturday)

Taking Care of Those Who Need Help

“Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;

   you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.

If you remove the yoke from among you,

   the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil,

if you offer your food to the hungry

   and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,

then your light shall rise in the darkness

   and your gloom be like the noonday.

The Lord will guide you continually,

   and satisfy your needs in parched places,

   and make your bones strong;

and you shall be like a watered garden,

   like a spring of water,

   whose waters never fail.”

– Isaiah 58:9-11

Memory Verse: “Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am” (Isaiah 58:9)

Taking care of those who need help is a blessed life. It will be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. When we live a life of taking care of those who need help, God will answer us when we call. When we cry for help, God will be right there.

O Lord, help me to be always mindful of those around me who need my help. Amen.

 March 6, 2022 (Sunday)

Food

“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, One does not live by bread alone.’”

– Luke 4:1-4

Memory Verse: “Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, One does not live by bread alone.’” (Luke 4:4)

The greatest temptation is the temptation that threatens our life. Bread is the basic necessity that sustains our life. To overcome this temptation, we have to believe that our life belongs to God. It is God who sustains our life, not food. Let us appreciate food that we have but don’t let it control our life. Let God control our life.

O Lord, thank you for my daily bread. Amen.

 March 7, 2022 (Monday)

Jesus In Those Who Are Hurting

“‘For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’”

– Matthew 25:35-40

Memory Verse: “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40)

Jesus is in those who are hurting. What we do for those who are ignored, alienated, and rejected by our society is what we do for Jesus. Our spirituality is connected with our service for those who need our help. God uses us to take care of those who are in need. We are God’s hands and God’s feet. 

O Lord, help me to seek you not in a lofty place but in those who are hurting. Amen.

 March 8, 2022 (Tuesday)

Be Fruitful

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,

   and do not return there until they have watered the earth,

making it bring forth and sprout,

   giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;

   it shall not return to me empty,

but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,

   and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

– Isaiah 55:10-11

Memory Verse: “My word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)

The rain and the snow come down from heaven and water the earth, making it fruitful and return to heaven. This is like our life. When we have God’s word within us, our life will bear fruits on the earth and return to heaven. We will not return to God empty. We will fulfill God’s will in our life. May our life be filled with God’s word.

O Lord, fill me with your word. Amen.

 March 9, 2022 (Wednesday)

A Broken and Contrite Heart

“The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;

   a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

– Psalm 51:17

Memory Verse: “The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)

Without a broken heart, we cannot come to God. A broken and contrite heart is what we get when we are deeply aware of our own shortcomings and experience God’s mercy. Let us try not to avoid our brokenness through self-justification and false confidence. Instead let us be humble to recognize our own brokenness. God will forgive us and create in us a gentle heart.

O Lord, please forgive my hardened heart. Melt me and mould me with your gentle grace. Amen.

 March 10, 2022 (Thursday)

Shine On Us

“Seek the Lord while he may be found,

   call upon him while he is near;

let the wicked forsake their way,

   and the unrighteous their thoughts;

let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them,

   and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

   nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

   so are my ways higher than your ways

   and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

– Isaiah 55:6-9

Memory Verse: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.” (Isaiah 55:8)

Assuming that our thoughts are God’s thoughts is arrogance. When we absolutize our thoughts, we become blind. There will be no more room to understand greater truths. We will fall into the abyss that locks us up in darkness. With humility, let us come to God. God will take us to the light and the light will shine upon us and illuminate our thoughts. We will have the joy of finding God.

O Lord, remove my stubbornness and show me your way. Amen.

 March 11, 2022 (Friday)

True Righteousness

“For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ‘You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not murder”; and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgement.” But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, “You fool”, you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.”

– Matthew 5:20-24

Memory Verse: “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20)

Worshipping God is not what we do. Worshipping God is to give our heart to God. When our heart is filled with anger and hatred, our worship will not be true worship. We have to cultivate our spirituality not to hate and hold grudge against those who disappoint us and hurt us. Then we can give a true worship to God. This kind of worship comes from righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees.

O Lord, help me to pursue righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees. Amen.

March 12, 2022 (Saturday)

Love In Its Purest Form

“‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

– Matthew 5:43-48

Memory Verse: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)

Love your enemies – it is paradoxical. It is oxymoron. Enemies are those you hate by definition. But Jesus said to love your enemies and he showed us his example. Jesus died for us to save those who were enemies to God. In loving enemies, God’s mysterious plan of salvation is hidden. God’s love for us is like loving enemies. That is God’s love. In loving your enemies, the essence of the gospel is hidden. Also, in loving your enemies, the essence of love is hidden.

We will find love in its PUREST FORM in loving our enemies.

O Lord, fill me with your love so that I may overcome hatred within me. Amen.

 March 13, 2022 (Sunday)

Eyes On God

“The Lord is my light and my salvation;

   whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life;

   of whom shall I be afraid?

When evildoers assail me

   to devour my flesh—

my adversaries and foes—

   they shall stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me,

   my heart shall not fear;

though war rise up against me,

   yet I will be confident.

One thing I asked of the Lord,

   that will I seek after:

to live in the house of the Lord

   all the days of my life,

to behold the beauty of the Lord,

   and to inquire in his temple.”

– Psalm 27:1-4

Memory Verse: “One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4)

Do not fear for anything. Just seek after God and fix your eyes on God. Nothing will destroy you. God will fight for you. Behold the beauty of the Lord every day. You will find confidence and with the confidence, you will come out strong.

O Lord, take away fear from me and fill me with your beauty. Amen.

March 14, 2022 (Monday)

Be Merciful

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”

– Luke 6:36-38

Memory Verse: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)

Being merciful comes from receiving God’s mercy. God’s mercy has no limit and so should our mercy. Blessed are you when you experience God’s mercy, for you will be able to live now a merciful life. Instead of living a judgmental life, you will be able to live a life of forgiving. That is one of the greatest blessings you can enjoy in life.

O Lord, I want my heart to be changed by your mercy. Amen.

March 15, 2022 (Tuesday)

Be Exalted

“The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

– Matthew 23:11-12

Memory Verse: “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12)

When you try to exalt yourself, you become blind. You don’t see things as they are. Humility is courage and power to be able to see things as they are. Through humility, you will get wisdom and this wisdom will open your eyes to be able to see that you are already exalted and do not need to try so hard to prove yourself.

O Lord, thank you for always accepting me and giving me the courage to be able to see things as they are. Amen.

 March 16, 2022 (Wednesday)

Doing What Is Right

“If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.”

– Galatians 6:8-10

Memory Verse: “So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

When you do what is right, do not be discouraged. Do not expect a quick result. In God’s time, you will be able to see the beautiful result of your good works. You do what is right and leave the result in God’s hands. That is how your good works and faith work together to accomplish God’s will.

O Lord, give me your strength to keep doing what is right. Amen.

 March 17, 2022 (Thursday)

Trust In God

“Blessed are those who trust in the Lord,

   whose trust is the Lord.

They shall be like a tree planted by water,

   sending out its roots by the stream.

It shall not fear when heat comes,

   and its leaves shall stay green;

in the year of drought it is not anxious,

   and it does not cease to bear fruit.”

– Jeremiah 17:7-8

Memory Verse: “Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.” (Jeremiah 17:7)

God takes care of you. God will provide what you need. What you need is to trust in God. Trusting in God is like having deep roots. These roots will sustain your life. In the depth of your soul, you will find true comfort and security. You will not fear when troubles come. You will stay strong.

O Lord, thank you for taking care of me. I trust that you will always be with me. Amen.

 March 18, 2022 (Friday)

God’s Will

“Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own. Those who speak on their own seek their own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and there is nothing false in him.”

– John 7:17-18

Memory Verse: “Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own.” (John 7:17)

Without knowing the will of God, you cannot do the will of God. So, the first thing in trying to do the will of God is to find a way to know the will of God. You have to understand the difference between God’s will and your will. You will find the will of God progressively as you become closer to God and freer from your own prejudices. Be always humble in seeking God’s will. God will show you what is good and beautiful.

O Lord, I humbly seek your will. Please show me your will that is good and beautiful. Amen.

 March 19, 2022 (Saturday)

God Calls Into Being That Are Not

“As it is written: ‘I have made you a father of many nations.’ He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not. Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’”

– Romans 4:17-18

Memory Verse: “…the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.” (Romans 4:17)

God calls into being things that are not. God is creator and he creates life from the dead. With God, we can hope for things that look impossible in our eyes. When we have hope, we can imagine things that are not visible to us. That is what prayer is. Prayer is not seeking what we can see but what we cannot see.

O Lord, thank you for giving me hope that allows me to see what I didn’t see before. Amen.

 March 20, 2022 (Sunday)

Testing

“So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.”

– 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Memory Verse: “God will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Being tested is an unavoidable reality of your life. When you go through trials of life, your faith is tested and your strength is tested. When you are tested, remember that God will not let you be tested beyond your strength. God will show you the way out. Don’t panic. Pray and look around. You will be able to see the way God has provided for you. That is the way out. Testing will only strengthen you.

O Lord, when I am tested, don’t let fear overtake me. Help me see the way that you have provided for me. Amen.

March 21, 2022 (Monday)

Desire for God

“As a deer longs for flowing streams,

   so my soul longs for you, O God.

My soul thirsts for God,

   for the living God.

When shall I come and behold

   the face of God?”

– Psalm 42:1-2

Memory Verse: “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.” (Psalm 42:1)

Cultivating desire for God is the first step of spiritual discipline. Without desire, what we do becomes heartless duties. In this way, we cannot be connected with God. The ultimate goal of spiritual discipline is to be connected with God. We can cultivate desire for God when we deeply meditate on God’s goodness.

O Lord, you have been so good to me. I meditate on your goodness day and night. Amen.

 March 22, 2022 (Tuesday)

Forgiveness

“Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.”

– Matthew 18:21-22

Memory Verse: “Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.’” (Matthew 18:22)

Forgiveness is to deal with the evil done to you. It is not to let the evil take you over and destroy you. Forgiveness is to stop the evil from further damages. The evil cannot be defeated by the evil of revenge. The evil can be defeated by the goodness of forgiveness.

O Lord, thank you for showing me an example of forgiveness through the cross. Amen.

March 23, 2022 (Wednesday)

Light

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’”

– John 8:12

Memory Verse: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Come to the light. Do not hide in darkness. Do not deceive yourself. When you come to the light, you will see things clearly. You will see the truth. The truth may be painful but it will set you free and lead you to life. Jesus’ light is not the light that exposes and judges you but the light that drives out darkness, enlightens and frees you. 

O Lord, I come to the light. Please drive out darkness within me and fill me with your life. Amen.

 March 24, 2022 (Thursday)

Refuge

“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,

   for in you my soul takes refuge;

in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,

   until the destroying storms pass by.

I cry to God Most High,

   to God who fulfils his purpose for me.”

– Psalm 57:1-2

Memory Verse: “Be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, until the destroying storms pass by.” (Psalm 57:1)

Storms will not be with us permanently. They will pass by. Do not react against the storm you face with fear and anger. Wait and find refuge. God is your refuge. God is merciful and will take you in the shadow of his wings. You will find peace and calmness in God’s care. 

O Lord, give me patience and wisdom. I find refuge in you. Give me your peace. Amen.

March 25, 2022 (Friday)

Prayer

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

– Luke 18:10-14

Memory Verse: “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14)

When you pray, you are in God’s presence who knows everything about you. You don’t need to prove yourself or explain your goodness. When you are truly in God’s presence, you will see God’s greatness and your smallness in comparison. You will feel that it is all right to confess your sins. Then God’s mercy will exalt you.

O Lord, thank you for your mercy. Amen.

March 26, 2022 (Saturday)

Know God

“Come, let us return to the Lord;

   for it is he who has torn, and he will heal us;

   he has struck down, and he will bind us up.

After two days he will revive us;

   on the third day he will raise us up,

   that we may live before him.

Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord;

   his appearing is as sure as the dawn;

he will come to us like the showers,

   like the spring rains that water the earth.”

– Hosea 6:1-3

Memory Verse: “Come, let us return to the Lord; for it is he who has torn, and he will heal us; he has struck down, and he will bind us up.” (Hosea 6:1)

With God, you experience both good and bad, high and low. God does not just cover up your shortcomings. There are times when God tears you apart because of a false image you have created for yourself. There are times when God strikes you down because you have become arrogant. But when you return to God, God always heals you and binds you up. Through this process, you will get to know God more deeply.

O Lord, thank you for strengthening me and disciplining me. Amen.

March 27, 2022 (Sunday)

Be Gracious

“Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,

   whose sin is covered.

Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity,

   and in whose spirit there is no deceit.”

– Psalm 32:1-2

Memory Verse: “Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” (Psalm 32:1)

When your sin is exposed, you cannot survive. God knows that very well. We human beings cannot handle our sinfulness. Sin will destroy you. It will enslave you. God, knowing your weaknesses, has helped you by forgiving you and covering your sin. As God is gracious to you, be gracious to others.

O Lord, thank you for forgiving me and covering my sin. Amen.

 March 28, 2022 (Monday)

Heart

“The heart is devious above all else;

   it is perverse—

   who can understand it?

I the Lord test the mind

   and search the heart,

to give to all according to their ways,

   according to the fruit of their doings.”

– Jeremiah 17:9-10

Memory Verse: “The heart is devious above all else.” (Jeremiah 17:9)

The hardest thing to discipline is your heart. Your heart is what governs your life. The greatest corruption is the corruption of the heart. Also in your heart, your true desire is hidden. That’s why God searches your heart. God puts his truth in your heart, not in your brain. Searching your heart with honesty is the beginning of your spiritual journey. Cultivating your heart with God’s desire is the most beautiful thing you can do to yourself.

O Lord, I give my heart to you. Please mold me and shape me with your word and your Spirit. Amen.

 March 29, 2022 (Tuesday)

God Shapes Us

“So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him. Then the word of the Lord came to me: Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the Lord. Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.”

– Jeremiah 18:3-6

Memory Verse: “Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.” (Jeremiah 18:6)

God is the potter and you are the clay. God moulds you in the way that is the best for you. You are in God’s hands. God will use all your circumstances to shape you. Trust God and leave your circumstances in God’s hands. God will shape the most beautiful person out of you in the way you could not have imagined.

O Lord, I give myself away in your hands. Mould me and shape me. Amen.

 March 30, 2022 (Wednesday)

Eternal Life

“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgement, but has passed from death to life. ‘Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; and he has given him authority to execute judgement, because he is the Son of Man.”

– John 5:24-27

Memory Verse: “Anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgement, but has passed from death to life.” (John 5:24)

Through Jesus’ teaching, you get to hear about God and know God. You hear about God’s love and his care for us. That God sent Jesus Christ to tell us how important we are. When you believe in Jesus’ teaching and believe God, you have eternal life. You will not live any more under the fear of judgment. You have passed from the fear of death to joy of life.

O Lord, thank you for the good news of God’s love. Amen.

March 31, 2022 (Thursday)

Glorified Existence

“It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.”

– Philippians 1:20-21

Memory Verse: “For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)

The purpose of life is not to live longer and enjoy more things of life. The purpose of life is to have a glorified existence. When you are glorified, the time you live becomes exalted and stretched to eternity, and the place you belong to becomes sanctified and expanded. Everything will come alive and you will experience the fullness of your existence. Then Christ will be glorified within you and you will be one with God. 

O Lord, glorify my existence. Amen.