The Inner Voice

February 1, 2022 (Tuesday)

Call On God

“Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me,

   for I am poor and needy.

Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you;

   save your servant who trusts in you.

You are my God; be gracious to me, O Lord,

   for to you do I cry all day long.

Gladden the soul of your servant,

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

For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,

   abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you.

Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;

   listen to my cry of supplication.

In the day of my trouble I call on you,

   for you will answer me.”

– Psalm 86:1-7

Memory Verse: “For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you.” (Psalm 86:5)

God saves those who call on God. God forgives those who call on him. God grants unfathomable mercy to those who call on him. Let us call on God every morning. God will come and give us a new life. God will give us a new body and a new mind to face new challenges that come at us. Call on God.

O Lord, your mercy is beyond my understanding. Thank you for answering me when I call on you. Amen.

February 2, 2022 (Wednesday)

Be Free From the Power of Death

“Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people.”

– Hebrews 2:14-17

Memory Verse: “He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death.” (Hebrews 2:14, 15)

The devil has the power of death. With the power, the devil threatens us and holds us in slavery. When we live being held by the threat of the devil, we will lose joy and the meaning of life. Jesus came to set us free from the fear of death and now we live trusting in God, enjoying every minute of our life.

O Lord, thank you for freeing us from the power of death. Amen.

February 3, 2022 (Thursday)

Being Childlike

“Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking; rather, be infants in evil, but in thinking be adults.”

– 1 Corinthians 14:20

Memory Verse: “Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking; rather, be infants in evil, but in thinking be adults.” (1 Corinthians 14:20)

Being childish and being childlike are two different things. Being childish is lacking wisdom and being childlike is being pure. Living in the world filled with evil, we need both wisdom and purity. Let us be childlike in terms of doing what is good but let us be like adults in knowing what is good.

O Lord, grant me your wisdom and help me to live like a child in doing what is good. Amen.

 February 4, 2022 (Friday)

God Is Our Refuge

“This God—his way is perfect;

   the promise of the Lord proves true;

   he is a shield for all who take refuge in him.

For who is God except the Lord?

   And who is a rock besides our God?—

the God who girded me with strength,

   and made my way safe.”

– Psalm 18:30-32

Memory Verse: “For who is God except the Lord? And who is a rock besides our God?” (Psalm 18:31)

There is nothing in the world that is like God. There is no place we can take refuge except in God. God is our strength and our protection. We can find true peace and rest in God. God is our rock and in him, we will not be shaken. Let us trust him with all our heart and mind. He will show us his perfect way.

O Lord, you are my God and I trust nothing else but you. Show me your way. Amen.

February 5, 2022 (Saturday)

Be Cleansed By God’s Word

“I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you.”

– Psalm 119

Memory Verse: “I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11)

Let us meditate on God’s word. It will transform us. It will give us a desire to live a holy life. Be cleansed and purified by God’s word. We will have moral courage and strength. Confidence comes from living out the truth we find in God’s word.

O Lord, teach me your word and show me the way to live out the truth in your word. Amen.

 February 6, 2022 (Sunday)

Message of the Resurrection

“For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to someone untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace towards me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them—though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.”

– 1 Corinthians 15:3-10

Memory Verse: “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace towards me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them—though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10)

Resurrected Jesus showed himself to Paul. That was a big deal for Paul. He experienced God’s grace through the appearance of the risen Christ. It is the greatest blessing to know that we have the resurrection. We need to hear the message of St. Paul who saw the risen Christ. This message will save us. Then we can serve Jesus harder than anybody.

O Lord, help me hold unto the message St. Paul proclaimed about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Amen.

February 7, 2022 (Monday)

Abide In Jesus

“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.”

– John 15:4

Memory Verse: “Abide in me as I abide in you.” (John 15:4)

When we abide in Jesus, we have peace. In him, there is peace and joy. In him, there is eternal life. Abiding in Jesus means to be connected with him. Leave your worries and anxieties in his hands. Leave your body and mind in his hands. Leave your future in his hands. When we abide in Jesus, he will come and abide in us.

O Lord, thank you for abiding in me. Amen.

 February 8, 2022 (Tuesday)

A Resting Place

“How lovely is your dwelling place,

   O Lord of hosts!

My soul longs, indeed it faints

   for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and my flesh sing for joy

   to the living God.

Even the sparrow finds a home,

   and the swallow a nest for herself,

   where she may lay her young,

at your altars, O Lord of hosts,

   my King and my God.

Happy are those who live in your house,

   ever singing your praise.”

– Psalm 84:1-4

Memory Verse: “Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.” (Psalm 84:3)

We find a resting place in God. When we feel weak and vulnerable, let us seek God’s presence. When we feel uncertain about tomorrow, let us seek God’s presence. We will be able to find comfort and God will give us assurance that we are in God’s good hands.

O Lord, my soul longs for you. Amen.

 February 9, 2022 (Wednesday)

Do Well and Wait

“Commit your way to the Lord;

   trust in him, and he will act.

He will make your vindication shine like the light,

   and the justice of your cause like the noonday.

Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him;

   do not fret over those who prosper in their way,

   over those who carry out evil devices.”

– Psalm 37:5-7

Memory Verse: “Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices.” (Psalm 37:7)

Just do what is good. Let us practice justice in our lives. Let us not be disappointed because our goodness does not bring out the results immediately. Let us patiently wait for God. God will use our good deeds for establishing his justice.

O Lord, may your justice shine like the sun. Amen.

 February 10, 2022 (Thursday)

We Are Blessed

“Remember me, O Lord, when you show favour to your people;

   help me when you deliver them;

that I may see the prosperity of your chosen ones,

   that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation,

   that I may glory in your heritage.”

– Psalm 106:4-5

Memory Verse: “Remember me, O Lord, when you show favour to your people; help me when you deliver them.” (Psalm 106:4)

God shows favour to his people. Chosen people will have the prosperity and enjoy God’s abundant blessings. Let us thank God that he has chosen us and blessed us. God always remembers us. Let us share this abundant blessings with those around us.

O Lord, thank you for your blessings. Help me to share these blessings with people around me. Amen.

 February 11, 2022 (Friday)

In God’s Hand

“Into your hand I commit my spirit;

   you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

You hate those who pay regard to worthless idols,

   but I trust in the Lord.”

– Psalm 31:5-6

Memory Verse: “Into your hand I commit my spirit.” (Psalm 31:5)

Let us live one day at a time. Make one day the best day. Let us leave ourselves totally in God’s hand. We don’t know about tomorrow. What we have is today. When we leave our spirit in God’s hand, God will take it and bless it.

O Lord, I commit my spirit in your hand. Amen.

 February 12, 2022 (Saturday)

Asking

“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: “Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.” (John 16:24)

If we don’t ask, we won’t receive. If we ask, we will receive. That is Jesus’ promise. We should live a life of asking. When there are problems, let us not just give up. Let us ask God to help us. He will come and help us. Asking moves our life forward.

O Lord, thank you for granting what I need when I ask. Amen.

 February 13, 2022 (Sunday)

Resurrection

“If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died.”

– 1 Corinthians 15:19-20

Memory Verse: “Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died.” (1 Corinthians 15:20)

We enjoy this life. We enjoy every single minute of this life. But we don’t put all our hope only in this life. We enjoy this life because we know that this life is connected to the greater life Jesus gave us. We have the eternal life. Jesus showed us the way by being the first fruit of the resurrection.

O Lord, thank you for the eternal life. Amen.

 February 14, 2022 (Monday)

Faith and Doubt

“But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.”

– James 1:6-8

Memory Verse: “But ask in faith, never doubting.” (James 1:6)

Faith and doubt are two sides of the same coin. There is always a struggle between faith and doubt. When doubt arises from within us, let us not fear. We have faith within us. Let us focus on God’s promises and let us surrender ourselves in God’s hands. God will help us and give us strength to deal with our doubt. God will answer our prayer when we ask in faith. 

O Lord, let my faith within me be strengthened with your help. Amen.

 February 15, 2022 (Tuesday)

Desire

“Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. No one, when tempted, should say, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one. But one is tempted by one’s own desire, being lured and enticed by it; then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death.”

– James 1:12-15

Memory Verse: “Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)

Temptation comes from our desire. To endure temptation, we need to train our desire. All kinds of desires arise from within. Not all desires are bad. But there are desires that lead us to sin and these desires will make us weak and powerless. That is greed. Let us pursue desires that promote what is good and beautiful.

O Lord, may my desire to worship you and love you consume all other desires within me. Amen.

February 16, 2022 (Wednesday)

Anger

“You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness.”

– James 1:19-20

Memory Verse: “Your anger does not produce God’s righteousness.” (James 1:20)

Anger comes from lack of self-control. When we lose our self-control, we let ourselves open to all kinds of evil. Anger is not something we can get rid of. When we try to get rid of anger, we will develop something worse. Let us deal with anger as we take care of a child. Don’t let anger control us by giving into it.

O Lord, help me to live my life with gentleness. Amen.

 February 17, 2022 (Thursday)

Discrimination

“My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favouritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, ‘Have a seat here, please’, while to the one who is poor you say, ‘Stand there’, or, ‘Sit at my feet’, have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?”

– James 2:1-4

Memory Verse: “My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favouritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ?” (James 2:1)

Believing in Jesus Christ and discrimination do not go together. Jesus uplifted the poor and the powerless. Jesus ate with them and became their friend. Jesus did not focus on what they had but on who they were. Each person is precious no matter what his/her social status may be. Let us honour each person with love and respect.

O Lord, thank you for loving me. Help me to live my life with the love you have shown to me. Amen.

February 18, 2022 (Friday)

Faith

“So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.”

– James 2:17

Memory Verse: “So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.” (James 2:17)

Faith does not exist on its own. Faith is useless by itself. Faith does not exist in our mind. It manifests itself in everything we do. When we believe in God, we will be able to hear what God wants us to do. With faith, we carry on what God wants us to do. That is how faith works in our life. When we have faith, we will be able to do what is beyond our ability.

O Lord, I can do all things in you who strengthen me. Amen.

 February 19, 2022 (Saturday)

Speak from Your Heart

“…but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.”

– James 3:8-10

Memory Verse: “…but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3:8)

What we say has to come from our heart. When our heart is corrupted, we don’t speak from our heart. We become deceitful with our words. Then, what we say will not mean anything. We are well trained to say what we don’t mean. Training our tongue is useless when our heart is not trained. Let us give our heart to God so that he may heal us. Then and only then, we can speak from our heart.

O Lord, please heal my wounded heart. Amen.

 February 20, 2022 (Sunday)

Enough for Today

“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today..”

– Matthew 6:34

Memory Verse: “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (Matthew 6:34)

Each day has enough trouble for us to handle. Bringing tomorrow’s trouble on our plate is too much to deal with. By doing that, we are not living each day fully. We let our worry take over our day without taking care of our troubles. Let us live each day fully and leave our tomorrow till tomorrow. God will give us strength.

O Lord, thank you for today. Help me to live today fully in your strength. Amen.

 February 21, 2022 (Monday)

Wisdom From Above

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.”

– James 13:13-18

Memory Verse: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.” (James 13:13)

Wisdom comes from doing what is good. In every situation, let us try to do what is good. God will give us wisdom that we need. Don’t do anything with evil intention. Our minds will be darkened and we will not be able to see what is good and wise. Wisdom that comes from love is pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits.

O Lord, please grant me your wisdom. Amen.

 February 22, 2022 (Tuesday) 

Cravings

“Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures.”

– James 4:1-3

Memory Verse: “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:3)

When life is filled with cravings, we will constantly live in conflict. When our cravings are not satisfied, we will become unhappy and we will be at war within us. Instead of cultivating cravings for our pleasures, let us learn to be thankful and satisfied with what we have. We will be able to find peace within us.

O Lord, help me to learn to be thankful for little things in life. Amen.

 February 23, 2022 (Wednesday)

God’s Plan

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a town and spend a year there, doing business and making money.’ Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wishes, we will live and do this or that.’ As it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.”

– James 4:13-16

Memory Verse: “If the Lord wishes, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:15)

If God is not with us, our plan becomes futile. We live today without knowing what tomorrow may bring to us. We can plan for tomorrow because God is with us. God will provide a way for us. God’s plan for us is much bigger than our plan. God will help us understand his plan for us little by little. Let us humbly seek God’s will for us. 

O Lord, thank you, for I am in your great plan. Amen.

 February 24, 2022 (Thursday)

Doing Good To Others

“For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.”

– Mark 9:41

Memory Verse: “For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.” (Mark 9:41)

God will never forget the good we do to others. Doing good to others is the most beautiful principle of life. That is goal of our life. With whatever we have, we use it to do good to others. If we do good to even those who did evil to us, how much more should we do good to those who bear the name of Christ? God blessed us so that we live a life of doing good to others.

O Lord, thank you for all your blessings. Help me not to be greedy but live my life, doing good to others. Amen.

February 25, 2022 (Friday) 

Say What We Mean

“Above all, my beloved, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your ‘Yes’ be yes and your ‘No’ be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.”

– James 5:12

Memory Verse: “Above all, my beloved, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath.” (James 5:12)

What we say can be deceiving. We say things we don’t mean. Our words can be used to manipulate what others think of us. Let us discipline ourselves to say simply what we mean. The power of words is manifested in simplicity. 

O Lord, please purify my lips. Amen.

February 26, 2022 (Saturday)

Good Times and Hard Times

“Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise.”

– James 5:13

Memory Verse: “Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise.” (James 5:13)

When we suffer, we should pray. When we are cheerful, we should sing songs of praise. Prayer and singing are two pillars of life. The writer of Ecclesiastes said, “When life is good, enjoy it. But when life is hard, remember that God gives us good times and hard times.” Accepting both good times and hard times with gratitude is the wisdom of life.

O Lord, thank you for good times and hard times. Amen.

 February 27, 2022 (Sunday)

The Spirit Frees Us

“…but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.”

– 2 Corinthians 3:16-18

Memory Verse: “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:17)

We are not completely free. We are conditioned by our upbringing, our environment, our experiences, and our education. These things help us see our reality and make sense of it but sometimes they can be a veil that blinds our eyes and a chain that enslaves us. In the Spirit of God, we can be free from all those things that blind our eyes. Let us ask the Spirit to free us so that we can see things as they are.

O Spirit, come into my heart and free me from my own prejudice and narrow-mindedness. Amen.

February 28, 2022 (Monday) 

Faith

“In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

– 1 Peter 1:6-9

Memory Verse: “The genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:7)

Our faith is precious. It will give us strength to persevere through various trials. It is more precious than gold that is perishable. Through faith, we can see the glory of God. Our future is unknown but through faith, we can have boldness and courage to face our tomorrow. Faith keeps us moving forward.

O Lord, I believe in you. Please come and rescue me from all kinds of trials. Amen.

January 1, 2022 (Saturday)

Crowned with Glory and Honour

“O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger. 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 8:1-5

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

We are like a dust. Compared to the whole universe, we are very small and insignificant. Yet God has crowned us with glory and honour. We are precious in God’s eyes. Let us remember that we are God’s precious children. Let us treat each other with honour.

O Lord, thank you for your love that makes us very special in your eyes. Amen.

 January 2, 2022 (Sunday)

The Light of God’s Glory

“Arise, shine; for your light has come,

   and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

For darkness shall cover the earth,

   and thick darkness the peoples;

but the Lord will arise upon you,

   and his glory will appear over you.

Nations shall come to your light,

   and kings to the brightness of your dawn.”

– Isaiah 60:1-3

Memory Verse: “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1)

Let us arise. Now we see the light. We see the glory of God. Even though darkness may cover our life, God will shine his light upon us. When we come to God, we will see God’s glory and we will be glorified by his glory. Don’t let darkness devour us. Overcome darkness with the light of hope. We can deal with challenges of 2022 when we see the light of God’s glory.

O Lord, shine your light upon me. I will arise. Amen.

 January 3, 2022 (Monday)

Repentance

“The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned. From that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’”

– Matthew 4:16-17

Memory Verse: “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” (Matthew 4:16)

God gave us the gift of repentance. If God doesn’t accept our repentance, we have no hope. God has chosen to move us from darkness to light when we repent. Let us repent and come to the light. Darkness will move away from our lives and we will see the light.

O Lord, thank you for accepting my repentance. Please lead me into the light. Amen.

 January 4, 2022 (Tuesday)

Love One Another

“Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him.”

– 1 John 4:7-9

Memory Verse: “Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7)

We cannot know God through our intellect. We can know God only through love. Let us love one another. We cannot love God who is invisible when we cannot love our sisters and brothers who are with us. When we love one another, God comes to us and shows himself to us.

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

 January 5, 2022 (Wednesday)

Love and Fear

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love.”

– 1 John 4:18

Memory Verse: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18)

The best way to defeat fear in life is to love. Guilt brings fear and fear makes us defensive and hostile. That is when anger and violence take control of our life. Love casts out fear and brings back softness and gentleness. We will find peace in the midst of storm. Let us soak ourselves in God’s love.

O Lord, help me to dwell in your love. Amen.

January 6, 2022 (Thursday)

Gracious Speech

“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving…Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.”

– Colossians 4:2, 6

Memory Verse: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt.” (Colossians 4:6)

Our speech reflects our spirituality. Let us devote ourselves to prayer. Our speech will change. Let our speech be gracious. It will uplift others. As we experience God’s grace deeply in our prayer, our speech will become gracious.

O Lord, thank you for your grace. Let my speech be always gentle and gracious. Amen.

 January 7, 2022 (Friday)

Eternal Life

“And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

– 1 John 5:11-13

Memory Verse: “God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” (1 John 5:11)

God gave us eternal life through Jesus Christ. Whoever believes in Jesus has eternal life. Let us live with confidence. We will not be destroyed. Let us stand up for what is right and what is true. Let us not fear life but love it.

O Lord, thank you for the eternal life you have given to me through Jesus Christ. Amen.

January 8, 2022 (Saturday)

Life of Seeking

“And this is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him.”

– 1 John 5:14-15

Memory Verse: “And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him.” (1 John 5:15)

Let us not struggle to deal with our life on our own. Let us live a life of seeking God’s help. In everything we do, if we seek God, God will show us and lead us. He will provide us with what we need. Let us make a habit of asking God. We will be able to see God who does amazing things in our lives.

O Lord, I seek you in my daily life. Thank you for always being with me and answering my prayer. Amen.

January 9, 2022 (Sunday)

God Protects Us

“But now thus says the Lord,

   he who created you, O Jacob,

   he who formed you, O Israel:

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

   I have called you by name, you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

   and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

   and the flame shall not consume you.

For I am the Lord your God,

   the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.”

– Isaiah 43:1-3

Memory Verse: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:2)

Nothing will be able to overtake us. We may face troubles, crises, and dangers but they will not be able to harm us because God is with us. God is our shield. God wraps his strong arms around us. God protects us like a mother bear protecting her cub. Let us not fear anything. We are God’s children. God created us, formed us, and redeemed us.

O Lord, in you, I find peace and safety. Thank you for protecting me. Amen.

January 10, 2022 (Monday)

Our Response to God’s Grace

“What shall I return to the Lord

   for all his bounty to me?

I will lift up the cup of salvation

   and call on the name of the Lord,

I will pay my vows to the Lord

   in the presence of all his people.”

– Psalm 116:12-14

Memory Verse: “What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me?” (Psalm 116:12)

“What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me” is the question we should always ask in our life. God has done marvellous things in our life. He has provided us with all the good things. Our life should be our response to God’s grace. As we live with this question always, we will know what to do.

O Lord, thank you for your grace. I give my life to you. Use me for your glory. Amen.

 January 11, 2022 (Tuesday)

Prayer and Faith

“Jesus answered them, Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea’, it will be done. Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.”

– Matthew 21:21-22

Memory Verse: “Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.” (Matthew 21:22)

Prayer is not an activity. It is not what we do. Prayer is the outward expression of our faith. Whenever we exercise our faith, it becomes our prayer. Let us do everything in prayer. God will grant us what we ask for in the way we could not possibly imagine.

O Lord, please increase my faith. Amen.

 January 12, 2022 (Wednesday)

God Answers Our Cry

“I waited patiently for the Lord;

   he inclined to me and heard my cry.

He drew me up from the desolate pit,

   out of the miry bog,

and set my feet upon a rock,

   making my steps secure.

He put a new song in my mouth,

   a song of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear,

   and put their trust in the Lord.

Happy are those who make

   the Lord their trust,

who do not turn to the proud,

   to those who go astray after false gods.”

– Psalm 40:1-4

Memory Verse: “Happy are those who make the Lord their trust, who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods.” (Psalm 40:4)

The proud does not seek God. They trust in their own power. The humble seeks God. They cry out when they are in trouble. They put their trust in God. God answers their prayer and this gives them the joy. Let us sing with joy because God has answered our prayer.

O Lord, thank you for answering my cry. Amen.

January 13, 2022 (Thursday)

Who Will Ascent the Hill of the Lord?

“Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?

   And who shall stand in his holy place?

Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,

   who do not lift up their souls to what is false,

   and do not swear deceitfully.

They will receive blessing from the Lord,

   and vindication from the God of their salvation.

Such is the company of those who seek him,

   who seek the face of the God of Jacob.”

– Psalm 24:3

Memory Verse: “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place?” (Psalm 24:4)

God sees us through. God does not want us to be puffed up in our pride. He does not appreciate those who follow their own vainglory. God wants us to be honest and humbly seek God’s way. God will grant his blessings to those who humbly seek God. They are the ones who shall ascend the hill of the Lord and stand in his holy place.

O Lord, I know who I am. I am a broken vessel who needs you and your healing. I seek your mercy. Amen.

January 14, 2022 (Friday)

Becoming Fools for the Sake of Christ

“We are fools for the sake of Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honour, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed and beaten and homeless, and we grow weary from the work of our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we speak kindly. We have become like the rubbish of the world, the dregs of all things, to this very day.”

– 1 Corinthians 4:10-13

Memory Verse: “…when slandered, we speak kindly. We have become like the rubbish of the world, the dregs of all things, to this very day” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Becoming fools for the sake of Christ is a virtue. Christ has become a fool for us. That was why St. Paul said that the cross is foolishness to those who don’t believe. Even though Jesus was the Son of God, he received all kinds of insults and false accusations. That is foolishness to the eyes of the world but there is wisdom hidden in that foolishness. Let us become fools for the sake of Christ.

O Lord, help me to understand the profound wisdom hidden in the cross. Help me to take up my cross and follow you. Amen.

 January 15, 2022 (Saturday)

Salvation

“When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax-collectors, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does he eat with tax-collectors and sinners?’ When Jesus heard this, he said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’”

– Mark 2:16-17

Memory Verse: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” (Mark 2:17)

Salvation is granted to those who have strong need for it. Sick people desperately seek a doctor’s help. The first step for salvation is to have a yearning desire for God’s help. God sees this desire within us and helps us. Let us come to God with a sincere desire to be healed. God will heal us and grant salvation.

Oh Lord, grant your salvation to me. I need your help. I come to you every morning, seeking your salvation. Amen.

 January 16, 2022 (Sunday)

Our Reward

“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: “Surely my cause is with the Lord, and my reward with my God.” (Isaiah 49:4)

Even though God calls us, sharpens our gifts and uses us, sometimes we feel discouraged. Even though God says that we are his servants in whom God shall be glorified, we feel we have laboured in vain. That’s when we have to remind ourselves that we are serving the Lord because of him and our reward is with our God. 

O Lord, help me to know that you are the reason I serve you and there is no other reason. Amen.

 January 17, 2022 (Monday)

Our Desire

“No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak; otherwise, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins.”

– Mark 2:21-22

Memory Verse: “One puts new wine into fresh wineskins.” (Mark 2:22)

We can be renewed only when we have desire to be renewed. God sees our deep-seated desire and uses that desire to transform us. Our desire makes us who we are. Our life moves in the direction of our desire. Let us cultivate a beautiful desire to be moulded in God’s image. New wine should be put into a fresh wineskin and the fresh wineskin is our desire.

O Lord, please use my desire to shape me. Amen.

January 18, 2022 (Tuesday)

The Sabbath

“One sabbath he was going through the cornfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, ‘Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?’ And he said to them, ‘Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food? He entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and he gave some to his companions.’ Then he said to them, ‘The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.’”

– Mark 2:23-28

Memory Verse: “The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.” (Mark 2:27, 28)

God gave us the sabbath to give us rest. It is created for humankind. Sabbath is one of many things God created. God created the sabbath to bless and sanctify all the creations he made. On the sabbath, we are blessed and sanctified. The focus is not on the sabbath itself. The focus is on all the creations God made. Jesus blesses and sanctifies us and in that way, Jesus is Lord even of the sabbath.

O Lord, thank you for blessing and sanctifying me. May your sabbath be a blessed day. Amen.

 January 19, 2022 (Wednesday)

Fix Our Gaze

“But David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with sword and spear and javelin; but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This very day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head; and I will give the dead bodies of the Philistine army this very day to the birds of the air and to the wild animals of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not save by sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and he will give you into our hand.’”

– 1 Samuel 17:45-47

Memory Verse: “The Lord does not save by sword and spear.” (1 Samuel 17:47)

We will not win our battle with sword and spear. God gives us strength and shows us a way we can win our battle. As we face our challenges without fear, we will know what to do. When we fix our gaze on our problems, we will be able to see solutions. Let us not panic. Let us ask God to help us.

O Lord, with you, I have confidence. No challenge can overwhelm me. Thank you for your strength and help. Amen.

January 20, 2022 (Thursday)

Comparison

“As they were coming home, when David returned from killing the Philistine, the women came out of all the towns of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments. 7And the women sang to one another as they made merry,

‘Saul has killed his thousands,

   and David his tens of thousands.’

Saul was very angry, for this saying displeased him. He said, ‘They have ascribed to David tens of thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands; what more can he have but the kingdom?’ So Saul eyed David from that day on.”

– 1 Samuel 18:6-9

Memory Verse: “Saul was very angry, for this saying displeased him. He said, ‘They have ascribed to David tens of thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands; what more can he have but the kingdom?’” (1 Samuel 18:8)

Saul did not have confidence in himself. It was because of his attitude of comparing himself with others. He saw his own shortcomings by comparing with others. God gave us many beautiful things that we need. God made us very unique. We don’t need to live our lives comparing with others. Let us remember our own beauty that is uniquely ascribed to us. Our confidence will be restored. 

O Lord, thank you for the beautiful life and beautiful gifts given to me. Amen.

January 21, 2022 (Friday)

Under God’s Wings

“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: “In you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge.” (Psalm 57:1)

God is our refuge. When the storm of destruction comes at us, the best thing to do is to find a place to hide. The storm will not be with us forever. When the time comes, it will pass by. God will take us under his wings until the storm passes by us. 

O Lord, thank you for hiding me under your wings. Amen.

 January 22, 2022 (Saturday)

Talents

“For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.”

– Matthew 25:29

Memory Verse: “For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.” (Matthew 25:29)

The more we use our talents, the more they become sharpened. Let us not bury our talents. We do that because we are scared of making mistakes. Making mistakes is not a sign of failure. It is only a process of becoming better. Without mistakes, we can never be better. Let us keep trying. God will sharpen our gifts.

O Lord, thank you for many gifts you have given me. Help me to use them freely without fear. Amen.

January 23, 2022 (Sunday)

Our Yearning Desire

“‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

   because he has anointed me

     to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives

   and recovery of sight to the blind,

     to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”

– Luke 4:18, 19

Memory Verse: “‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

   because he has anointed me

     to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives

   and recovery of sight to the blind,

     to let the oppressed go free,

19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’.” (Luke 4:18, 19)

This was what Jesus said before he started his ministry. Jesus came for those who are rejected and alienated. Jesus was on the side of the poor, the weak, and the vulnerable. Jesus did that because they needed him more than anybody else. No matter how much we have and how well we do, we all need God. When we have that yearning desire for God, God will quench our thirst.

O Lord, I need you. Every hour, I need you. Please come and quench my thirst. Amen.

January 24, 2022 (Monday)

Division and Unity

“Then he went home; and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, ‘He has gone out of his mind.’ And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, ‘He has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons.’ And he called them to him, and spoke to them in parables, ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered.”

– Mark 3:20-27

Memory Verse: “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.” (Mark 3:24, 25)

When evil controls us, we become internally divided. When we are divided internally, we bring division and conflicts in our relationships. A country cannot be established on a divisive ideology. A family cannot be established on favouritism that divides the family members. God is good and brings unity through justice and truth.

O Lord, drive away darkness within me and teach me your truth so that I may practice justice and bring peace that unites us. Amen.

January 25, 2022 (Tuesday)

With God

“Now the word of the Lord came to me saying,

‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,

and before you were born I consecrated you;

I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’

Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.’ But the Lord said to me,

‘Do not say, “I am only a boy”;

for you shall go to all to whom I send you,

and you shall speak whatever I command you.

Do not be afraid of them,

for I am with you to deliver you,

says the Lord.’

Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me,

‘Now I have put my words in your mouth.”

– Jeremiah 1:4-9

Memory Verse: “But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not say, “I am only a boy”; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you.” (Jeremiah 1:7)

When we feel small, God comes to us. God knew us even before he formed us in the womb. Even before we were born, God consecrated us. We are not alone. We all struggle with our low self-image. With God, we can overcome it and we can see ourselves differently. This affects our perspective on life. With God, we can be strong. With God, we can go beyond ourselves.

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

 January 26, 2022 (Wednesday)

Higher Moral Principle

“‘All things are lawful’, but not all things are beneficial. ‘All things are lawful’, but not all things build up. Do not seek your own advantage, but that of others.”

– 1 Corinthians 10:23-24

Memory Verse: “Do not seek your own advantage, but that of others.” (1 Corinthians 10:24)

Proving one’s self-righteousness by keeping the law doesn’t do any good to others. It only edifies ourselves. Let us not seek our own advantage, but that of others. Seeking the advantage of others is a higher moral principle than seeking self-righteousness.

O Lord, thank you for your mercy. You have shown me true righteousness by forgiving my sins through your sacrifice. Amen.

January 27, 2022 (Thursday)

Come To Light

“He said to them, ‘Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’”

– Mark 4:21-23

Memory Verse: “Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand?” (Mark 4:21)

We need to be transparent. Hypocrisy destroys our identity. Spirituality is not about hiding our shortcomings but about bring them to the light and asking for God’s help. Let us come to light. God will help us.

O Lord, give me courage to come to the light. Amen.

January 28, 2022 (Friday)

Humbly Wait for God

“He also said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.”

– Mark 4:26-29

Memory Verse: “The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head.” (Mark 4:21)

We spread seeds but we don’t know how they grow. It is hidden in God’s mystery. We work hard, do good, and pray but it is God who brings out the fruit. Let us leave our life in God’s hands. God who began a good work in us will bring out the good results. Let us not get discouraged when things don’t go well. Let us humbly wait for God.

O Lord, I leave my life in your hands. I believe that you will guide me to a good path. Amen.

January 29, 2022 (Saturday)

God Is Always There

“On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great gale arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’ And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’”

– Mark 4:35-41

Memory Verse: “And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’” (Mark 4:41)

Sometimes we feel that God is silent. We wonder whether God is asleep. God neither slumbers nor sleeps. He watches over us and keeps us safe. Sometimes, God appears to us in an obvious way and we strongly feel his presence. But other times, God works in the background and we feel his absence. Whether we feel his presence or his absence, God never leaves us alone. He always takes care of us.

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

January 30, 2022 (Sunday)

Love

“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

– 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Memory Verse: “And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)

Love is beautiful. It is not about ourselves. It is about others. Love has everything to do with dealing with others. When there is love, our desire to display ourselves dies. We become free from the fear of losing ourselves. We come alive in love. That is salvation.

O Lord, thank you for your love. Amen.

January 31, 2022 (Monday)

God Sustains Us

“But you, O Lord, are a shield around me,

   my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.

I cry aloud to the Lord,

   and he answers me from his holy hill.

I lie down and sleep;

   I wake again, for the Lord sustains me.

I am not afraid of tens of thousands of people

   who have set themselves against me all around.”

– Psalm 3:3-6

Memory Verse: “I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the Lord sustains me.” (Psalm 3:5)

Every morning we wake up, we realize that God sustains us. He gives us good rest and a wonderful morning so that we can start a new day with a renewed body and mind. It is God who sustains us. It is God who protects us. It is God who gives us strength. We are not afraid of anything.

O Lord, thank you for sustaining me. Amen.

December 1, 2021 (Wednesday)
God Is Good

“On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples
   a feast of rich food, a feast of well-matured wines,
   of rich food filled with marrow, of well-matured wines strained clear.
And he will destroy on this mountain
   the shroud that is cast over all peoples,
   the sheet that is spread over all nations;
he will swallow up death for ever.
Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces,
   and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth,
   for the Lord has spoken.”

– Isaiah 25:6-8

Memory Verse: “Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth.” (Isaiah 25:8)
                          
God gives us joy and wipes away the tears from our eyes. God forgives us and takes away our shame from us. God heals us and frees us from all diseases. God gives us life and gives us victory over death. It is God who does all these. Let us trust God and thank God. He takes care of us.
 
O Lord, I trust you and thank you for all the good things that you do for me. Amen.

 December 2, 2021 (Thursday)
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.”

– Matthew 7:21

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)
                          
It is important to know God’s will. Discerning God’s will is the highest goal of our spiritual discipline. We cannot decide God’s will in the way it fits our thinking. We cannot choose God’s will arbitrarily in the way we want. Devoting ourselves to God is beautiful but doing it without understanding God’s will is not only futile but also dangerous. Let us humbly seek God’s will. God will show it to us.
 
O Lord, please show me your will. I humbly wait for you to speak to me. Amen.

December 3, 2021 (Friday)
Fear

“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: “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?” (Psalm 27:1)
                           
There are many things that bring fear in our lives. Fear itself is not what causes problems for us. Fear is something we experience every day and is very much a part of our lives. Sometimes it is even necessary to have fear. But when fear brings darkness upon us and drives us into despair, it has negative effects on us. When that happens, let us look to God. God is our stronghold. God is our light and salvation. No fear can destroy us.
 
O Lord, I praise you, leaving everything in your hands. Amen.

December 5, 2021 (Sunday)

God’s Eternal Mercy

“Restore us, O God;

let your face shine, that we may be saved.

O Lord God of hosts,

how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?.”

– Psalm 80:3-4

Memory Verse: “Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.” (Psalm 80:3)

Sometimes we feel that God is angry with us. When we feel that, let us not run away from God. Let us ask God to forgive us and ask God to let his face shine upon us. God is slow to anger. God is patient. God will forgive us and will answer our prayers.

O Lord, thank you for your eternal mercy. Amen.

 December 6, 2021 (Monday)

Be Strong

“The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,

   the desert shall rejoice and blossom;

like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly,

   and rejoice with joy and singing.

The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,

   the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.

They shall see the glory of the Lord,

   the majesty of our God.

Strengthen the weak hands,

   and make firm the feeble knees.

Say to those who are of a fearful heart,

   ‘Be strong, do not fear!.”

– Isaiah 35:1-4

Memory Verse: “Say to those who are of a fearful heart,‘Be strong, do not fear!” (Isaiah 35:4)

Be strong. Do not fear. That is what God wants to be and to do. God will help us. God will strengthen our weak hands and make firm the feeble knees. We can be strong because of God. Trust in God. God will give you courage. Let us live with the courage God gives to us.

O Lord, thank you for strengthening me. Amen.

 December 7, 2021 (Tuesday)

Be Clothed with Love

“As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.”

– Colossians 3:12-15

Memory Verse: “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” (Colossians 3:14)

Our clothes are important. They not only give us warmth but also they make us look good and presentable. St. Paul compares our character with our clothes. When we wear good characters, they make us look beautiful. Let us clothe ourselves with love. Other people will find warmth when they interact with us.

O Lord, clothe me with your love. May my life provide warmth to others. Amen.

 December 8, 2021 (Wednesday)
God Strengthens Us

“Why do you say, O Jacob,

   and speak, O Israel,

‘My way is hidden from the Lord,

   and my right is disregarded by my God’?

Have you not known? Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

   the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He does not faint or grow weary;

   his understanding is unsearchable.

He gives power to the faint,

   and strengthens the powerless.

Even youths will faint and be weary,

   and the young will fall exhausted;

but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,

   they shall mount up with wings like eagles,

they shall run and not be weary,

   they shall walk and not faint.”

– Isaiah 40:27-31

Memory Verse: “Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

God strengthens our weak knees. God renews our strength. With God, we can run and not be weary. From the depth of our being, we feel strength. Let us wait for the Lord. He will come and strengthen us. In God, we become new.

O Lord, thank you for strengthening me. I wait for you every day. Amen.

God Shows Us the Way

 December 9, 2021 (Thursday)
God Shows Us The Way

“Thus says the Lord,

   your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:

I am the Lord your God,

   who teaches you for your own good,

   who leads you in the way you should go.”

– Isaiah 48:17

Memory Verse: “Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you for your own good, who leads you in the way you should go.” (Isaiah 48:17)

God will show us the way which is the best for us. God will teach us so that our eyes may be able to see what is good. God will resist the proud and teach the humble who opens their ears to listen. Let us seek God’s ways and he will show us things that we never knew before.

O Lord, I humbly come before you. Please speak to me and show me your mystery. Amen.

December 10, 2021 (Friday)

Deep Empathy

“‘But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market-places and calling to one another,

‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”

– Matthew 11:16-19

Memory Verse: “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.” (Matthew 11:17)

Feeling numb is another form of pain. When pain penetrates deeply into our soul, we become numb. Joy disappears from us. Nothing excites us. Only thing that is left is bitterness and judgemental attitude. Jesus came to restore our empathy so that we can dance with those who rejoice and cry with those who weep.

O Lord, please help me to have deep empathy for those around me. Amen.

December 11, 2021 (Saturday)

Real Relationship

“Happy are those

   who do not follow the advice of the wicked,

or take the path that sinners tread,

   or sit in the seat of scoffers;

but their delight is in the law of the Lord,

   and on his law they meditate day and night.

They are like trees

   planted by streams of water,

which yield their fruit in its season,

   and their leaves do not wither.

In all that they do, they prosper.

The wicked are not so,

   but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement,

   nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,

   but the way of the wicked will perish.”

– Psalm 1

Memory Verse: “The Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” (Psalm 1:6)

God’s approval is important. God approves those who are honest before God. Being righteous does not mean being faultless. Being righteous means to have a right relationship with God, an honest relationship. God sees who we really are and he wants to have a real relationship with us, not a superficial one.

O Lord, I come to you as broken as I am. Please have mercy on me. I need you and I want you. Please watch over me. Amen.

 December 12, 2021 (Sunday)

Joy

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

– Philippians 4:4-7

Memory Verse: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4)

Joy is essential in living a good and meaningful life. Joy makes everything come alive. Joy makes our life worth living. Joy is not what we make. It is God’s gift. When we ask for joy, God will grant it to us in abundance. Joy is contagious. When there is joy within us, it spreads to others around us.

O Lord, thank you for giving me your joy. Please guard my heart and my mind. Amen.

 December 13, 2021 (Monday)

God’s Ways

“Make me to know your ways, O Lord;

   teach me your paths.

Lead me in your truth, and teach me,

   for you are the God of my salvation;

   for you I wait all day long.

Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,

   for they have been from of old.

Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;

   according to your steadfast love remember me,

   for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!”

– Psalm 25:4-7

Memory Verse: “Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.” (Psalm 25:6)

Don’t let past our mistakes haunt us. Don’t let them define who we are. God is merciful and he does not hold our sins against us. God will teach us and lead us in his truth. Let us ask God to teach us his paths. He will show us the way.

O Lord, teach me your ways. Amen.

 December 14, 2021 (Tuesday)

Speaking from the Heart

“What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father? They said, ‘The first.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, the tax-collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.’”

– Matthew 21:28-31

Memory Verse: “Truly I tell you, the tax-collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.” (Matthew 21:31)

Words and actions go together. Words should be the expression of what’s inside of us. When we speak truly from our heart, our words will have power and authority. Let us not use our words to deceive others and God. Let us discipline ourselves to speak words that are true and edifying.

O Lord, please help me to speak from the heart. Amen.

December 15, 2021 (Wednesday)

God’s Peace

“Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,

   and grant us your salvation.

Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,

   for he will speak peace to his people,

   to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.

Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,

   that his glory may dwell in our land.

Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;

   righteousness and peace will kiss each other.

Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,

   and righteousness will look down from the sky.

The Lord will give what is good,

   and our land will yield its increase.

Righteousness will go before him,

   and will make a path for his steps.”

– Psalm 85:7-13

Memory Verse: “Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.” (Psalm 85:10)

God’s love and justice work in harmony. God will love those who fear him and honour him and will teach them God’s peace. Let us live with peace God gives to us. Let us find strength to live righteously in God’s peace.

O Lord, please grant me your peace. Amen.

 December 16, 2021 (Thursday)

Being Called

“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)

Sometimes we feel that our labour is in vain. We feel like we have spent our strength for nothing and vanity. That is when we have to hear that we are God’s children and he called us into existence. He will give us strength and restore our joy of being God’s children.

O Lord, thank you for calling me to be your child. Amen.

 December 17, 2021 (Friday)

Evil Thoughts

“But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will go on doing the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.”

– 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5

 Memory Verse: “But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.” (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

God will guard us from the evil one. We need God to protect us from evil thoughts. Often our thoughts are beyond our control. Our thoughts and our will are not in sync. Our thoughts are much more powerful than our will. We need God’s help. God will guard our thoughts and our minds. God will give us peace.

O Lord, when I go astray, please help me. You are faithful to me. Show me your way and give me strength to follow your way. Amen.

December 18, 2021 (Saturday)

Good News

“How beautiful upon the mountains

   are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,

who brings good news,

   who announces salvation,

   who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’

Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices,

   together they sing for joy;

for in plain sight they see

   the return of the Lord to Zion.

Break forth together into singing,

   you ruins of Jerusalem;

for the Lord has comforted his people,

   he has redeemed Jerusalem.”

– Isaiah 52:7-9

Memory Verse: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’” (Isaiah 52:7)

Let us be messengers who announce peace and bring good news. We are surrounded by bad news. We hear the news of danger, disaster, fights, death and fear. We need news of salvation. God is with us. God will save us. God will redeem us from ruins of our life. God will comfort us and give us hope.

O Lord, you are my hope and salvation. Only in you, I have hope. Please reign in my life. Amen.

December 19, 2021 (Sunday)

Be In the Spirit

“A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse,

   and a branch shall grow out of his roots.

The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,

   the spirit of wisdom and understanding,

   the spirit of counsel and might,

   the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.

He shall not judge by what his eyes see,

   or decide by what his ears hear;

but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,

   and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;

he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,

   and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.

Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist,

   and faithfulness the belt around his loins.”

– Isaiah 11:1-5

Memory Verse: “The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” (Isaiah 11:2)

The Spirit of the Lord came upon Jesus and filled him with wisdom and understanding. Jesus and the Spirit are one. His message came from the Spirit. Now Jesus dwells in our heart. He gives us wisdom and understanding. Be in the Spirit. Surrender yourself to the Spirit.

O Lord, fill me with your Spirit. May the wisdom of Jesus come upon me. Amen.

 December 20, 2021 (Monday)

Pure Hearts

“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,

   the world, and those who live in it;

for he has founded it on the seas,

   and established it on the rivers.

Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?

   And who shall stand in his holy place?

Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,

   who do not lift up their souls to what is false,

   and do not swear deceitfully.

They will receive blessing from the Lord,

   and vindication from the God of their salvation.

Such is the company of those who seek him,

   who seek the face of the God of Jacob.”

– Psalm 24:1-6

Memory Verse: “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully.” (Psalm 24:3, 4)

People who have pure heart are blessed. People who do not idolize themselves are blessed. A pure heart is a humble heart that doesn’t fall into the trap of one’s vain ego. God blesses those who are humble and lifts them up. Jesus showed us what a humble person looks like. Let us follow the path Jesus showed us.

O Lord, help me to have a pure heart. Help me always be humble. Amen.

 December 21, 2021 (Tuesday)

God Our Shield

“Our soul waits for the Lord;

   he is our help and shield.

Our heart is glad in him,

   because we trust in his holy name.

Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,

   even as we hope in you.”

– Psalm 33:20-22

Memory Verse: “Our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.” (Psalm 33:21)

We trust in God’s holy name. That’s why our heart rejoices. Joy comes from trusting God’s help. Joy comes from knowing that God loves us. We wait for God every day. He will come and lift up our heart and bring back joy in our heart. Nothing can destroy us. Nothing can harm us. God is our shield. He will protect us for ever.

O Lord, thank you for being my shield. You are always there for me. Amen.

December 22, 2021 (Wednesday)

Praise God

“Praise the Lord!

Praise, O servants of the Lord;

   praise the name of the Lord.

Blessed be the name of the Lord

   from this time on and for evermore.

From the rising of the sun to its setting

   the name of the Lord is to be praised.

The Lord is high above all nations,

   and his glory above the heavens.”

– Psalm 113:1-4

Memory Verse: “From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised.” (Psalm 113:3)

Let us praise God when life is hard. Let us praise God when our future is dark and gloomy. Let us praise God when we have nothing to hope for. From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised. There is power in praise. When we praise God, God will break open our future. We will march through our challenges, praising God.

O Lord, I will not let the praise depart from my lips. Amen.

 December 23, 2021 (Thursday)

God and Time

“But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.”

– 2 Peter 3:8-9

Memory Verse: “But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.” (2 Peter 3:8)

We live within the boundary of time. God does not exist within time; he created time. Time cannot control what God does. God is eternal. The eternal God took pity on us who live within the boundary of time and liberated us from the tyranny of time and gave us eternal life. We thank Jesus Christ who chose to come into our world and let himself be limited by the limitation of time, and teach us God’s eternal life.
 

O Lord, thank you for granting me eternal life. Help me not be discouraged by all the problems that happen in time. Help me always look to the eternal God and live my life. Amen.

December 24, 2021 (Friday)

Gift

“When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

– Matthew 2:9-11

Memory Verse: “On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11)

We have received the best gift ever on Christmas, God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Because of him, we have a new life that never dies away. No one can take this gift away from us. This gift is not an old worn-out gift. It gets renewed and gets better. Let us celebrate this gift. Let us enjoy this gift. Let us give back our life as a gift to our Lord Jesus Christ.

O Lord, thank you for giving me this new life. Nothing can take this gift away from me. I will return this life back to you as my gift for you. Amen

 December 25, 2021 (Saturday)

The Light

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined…For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

– Isaiah 9:2, 6

Memory Verse: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined.” (Isaiah 9:2)

Jesus is the Light. With the birth of Jesus Christ on this day, the Light came into the world. People who lived in a land of deep darkness saw the Light. Let the light of Jesus Christ shine upon you. May the light of Jesus Christ deliver us from the life of darkness. Now let us live in the light.

O Lord, thank you for coming to me as the Light. Darkness surrounds me and brings heaviness upon me. Shine your light upon me so that I may be lifted from my burdens. Amen.

 December 26, 2021 (Sunday)

Christ In Me

For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me

– Galatians 2:19-20

Memory Verse: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.” (Galatians 2:19-20)

We have a new life because Christ dwells within us. We live by faith now. We believe that Christ will help us when we cannot help ourselves. Often, we feel that we are helpless and that is when we should experience that Christ is within us and helps us. Let us recognize Christ who dwells within us. He will guide us which direction we need to take. He will give us strength to deal with challenges we face.

O Lord, thank you for being within me. Because you are within me, I can now find confidence in life. Guide me, O Lord. Amen.

December 27, 2021 (Monday)

Come To the Light

If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

– 1 John 1:6-10

Memory Verse: “If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Being in darkness means being blind to our sins. When we come to the light, we will be able to see our own darkness and our own sins. Recognizing our sins and confessing them are essential in our spiritual discipline. That is the discipline of coming to the light. Don’t let pride lead us into darkness. Let us come to the light.

O Lord, forgive my sins. Help me to come to the light. Amen.

 December 28, 2021 (Tuesday)

Power of God

“Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God.”

– 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

Memory Verse: “God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are.” (1 Corinthians 1:28)

We are weak and we have nothing to boast about. Accepting that is the beginning of experiencing the power of God. Let us not get discouraged when we see our own weaknesses. Let us see how God turns our weaknesses into strength. That will give us confidence. God’s strength is manifested in our weaknesses.

O Lord, thank you for using me even though I am weak. Thank you for empowering me. Amen.

 December 29, 2021 (Wednesday)

Hatred, Darkness, Love, and Light

“Whoever says, ‘I am in the light’, while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates another believer is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know the way to go, because the darkness has brought on blindness.”

– 1 John 2:9-11

Memory Verse: “But whoever hates another believer is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know the way to go, because the darkness has brought on blindness.” (1 John 2:11)

Hatred brings darkness to us. Darkness will bring blindness to us. We will not be able to know the way to go. When hatred controls our lives, we will become lost and we will wander. We won’t know what we are doing. Love brings light to us. It will shine our way to show us where to go. Love will open the path for us.

O Lord, fill me with your love. Please don’t let hatred control my life. Amen.

December 30, 2021 (Thursday)

God’s Will

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live for ever.”

– 1 John 2:15-17

Memory Verse: “And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live for ever.” (1 John 2:17)

We become attached to things that we love. We do not want to be attached to things that pass away. We want to be attached to things that give us eternal pleasure. Let us enjoy our lives and the greatest joy is to live out the will of God for us. There is no greater joy than knowing the will of God and living it out.

O Lord, show me your will. May your will govern my life. Amen.

 December 31, 2021 (Friday)

The Word

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”

– John 1:1-5

Memory Verse: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)

The Word was in the beginning before any matters were created. From the Word, the world was created. From the Word, life was created. From the Word, the light was created. In the new year, let us absorb the Word and it will create new life within us.

O Lord, may your word be alive within me. May your word create new life within me. Amen.

 November 1, 2021 (Monday)
God Makes Everything New

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
‘See, the home of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them;
they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them;
he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.’”

– Revelation 21:1-4

Memory Verse: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
                           
With God, everything becomes new. We will be renewed in God. Our old self will pass away and God will clothe us with a new self. Let us dwell in God and let God renew us. Ultimately God will bring us a new heaven and a new earth. God will wipe every tear from our eyes. There will be no more mourning and crying. There will be no more death.
 
O Lord, thank you for the new life you have given me. Amen.

 November 2, 2021 (Tuesday)
The Body of Christ

“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.”

– Romans 12:3-5

Memory Verse: “So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.” (Romans 12:5)
                           
Church is the body of Christ that consists of many different parts. Each part is different but every part still belongs to one body. We are all connected. We are different but we are one. The true unity can be found only in diversity. It is the love of Christ that binds us all.
 
O Lord, may your church be an instrument of bringing the true unity in this world. Amen.

 November 3, 2021 (Wednesday)
Life of Blessing Others

“Praise the Lord!
 Happy are those who fear the Lord,
   who greatly delight in his commandments.
Their descendants will be mighty in the land;
   the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in their houses,
   and their righteousness endures for ever.
They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright;
   they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.
It is well with those who deal generously and lend,
   who conduct their affairs with justice.
For the righteous will never be moved;
   they will be remembered for ever.”

– Psalm 112:1-6

Memory Verse: “It is well with those who deal generously and lend, who conduct their affairs with justice.” (Psalm 112:5)
                           
God is interested in how we treat others. He wants us to deal with others with generosity and justice. Let us live our lives blessing others. God will bless us. God will bless not only us but also our descendants. Let us teach our children to be good with others. They will see God’s abundance.
 
O Lord, thank you for your blessings. Help me to share these blessings with others. Amen.

 November 4, 2021 (Thursday)
Faith That Welcomes the Weak

“Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarrelling over opinions. Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgement on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. Who are you to pass judgement on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.”

– Romans 14:1-4

Memory Verse: “Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarrelling over opinions.” (Romans 14:1)
                           
The more faith we have, the more understanding we have for those who are weak. Faith is not something we can boast about because it is a gift from God. The more faith we receive, the humbler we become. The humbler we become, the more compassionate we become. For this reason, true faith brings unity.
 
O Lord, thank you for loving me and giving me faith even though I am weak. Amen.

November 5, 2021 (Friday)
Security

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written, One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, He will command his angels concerning you, and On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; and he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! for it is written, Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’ Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.”

– Matthew 4:1-11

Memory Verse: “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)
                           
According to Martin Luther, the greatest idol is our security. Having security is one of the most important things in our lives. We do many things for the sake of security. Since it is that important, we need to leave our security in God’s hands. God will take care of our needs.
 
O Lord, thank you for giving me daily bread. Amen.

 November 6, 2021 (Saturday)
God’s Good Will

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written, One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, He will command his angels concerning you, and On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; and he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! for it is written, Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’ Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.”

– Matthew 4:1-11

Memory Verse: “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” (Matthew 4:7)
                           
Let us not doubt God’s good will. God’s will is good not only for us but also for everyone. We should not demand God to work only for us. We should not get disappointed just because we didn’t get what we wished for. We should always trust God’s good will for all.
 
O Lord, thank you for your good will for us all. Amen.

 November 7, 2021 (Sunday)
Worship God

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written, One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, He will command his angels concerning you, and On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; and he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! for it is written, Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’ Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.”

– Matthew 4:1-11

Memory Verse: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” (Matthew 4:10)
                           
To see people worshipping and praying to God is the most beautiful thing. They do not worship themselves. They do not seek after their selfish desire. They do not boast about themselves. They simply give their heart, their mind, and their whole self to God. Let us worship God.
 
O Lord, I give my whole self to you. Amen.

November 8, 2021 (Monday)
Faith

“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ The Lord replied, ‘If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea’, and it would obey you.”

– Luke 17:5-6

Memory Verse: “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea’, and it would obey you.” (Luke 17:6)
                           
Living by faith does wonders in our lives. We will be able to see things that we didn’t see before. We will understand things that we didn’t know before. We will find joy and peace that defeat worries and anxiety. Let us ask God to increase our faith.
 
O Lord, please increase my faith. Amen.

 November 9, 2021 (Tuesday)
Evil

“‘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: “Do not resist an evildoer.” (Matthew 5:39)
                           
Evil cannot be defeated by evil. Evil loses its power when it encounters love. We can defeat the evil within us when we are filled with God’s love. When God’s grace flows within us abundantly, the evil desire will begin to die down. Let us seek God’s grace.
 
O Lord, please fill me with your grace. Amen.

 November 10, 2021 (Wednesday)
Gratitude

“On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ When he saw them, he said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, ‘Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ Then he said to him, ‘Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.’”

– Luke 17:11-19

Memory Verse: “Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:18)
                           
Gratitude comes from our heart but it doesn’t remain at our heart. What’s in our heart should come out as our expression of giving thanks. That is what our worship is. We give praise to God, giving thanks for all the good things God has provided for us. Let us worship God.
 
O Lord, thank you for your grace. I worship you and give my praise to you. Amen.

 November 11, 2021 (Thursday)
Love

“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 5:46-48

Memory Verse: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)
                           
Love is not something we do when we feel like it. We don’t feel like loving our enemies and yet Jesus told us to love our enemies. Our feeling changes when our situations change. So we cannot depend on our feelings to love. Our love comes from the grateful heart for the love God showed us.
 
O Lord, thank you for your love so that I can love others with the love you gave me. Amen.

 November 12, 2021 (Friday)
Prayer

“And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

– Matthew 6:5-8

Memory Verse: “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:8)
                           
God knows our needs before we ask him. Then, what is the purpose of praying to God who already knows what we need? God listens to our prayer not to find out what we need but to have time with us. Prayer is spending time with God. Through prayer, we get to know God and also ourselves. We don’t need to worry about our needs. God already knows them.
 
O Lord, thank you for listening to my prayers. Amen.

November 13, 2021 (Saturday)
Forgiveness

“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

– Matthew 6:14-15

Memory Verse: “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14)
                           
We can forgive others only when we experience forgiveness ourselves. We know how liberating it is to be forgiven. When we forgive others, they may not even know our forgiveness. But our heavenly Father knows what we do and He will forgive our sins.
 
O Lord, thank you for forgiving my sins. Amen.

November 14, 2021 (Sunday)
With God

“He put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.’ He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.’”

– Matthew 13:31-33

Memory Verse: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” (Matthew 13:31, 32)
                           
With God, life gets better. With God, our vision becomes bigger. With God, we can think beyond ourselves. Let us live a fuller life with God. Life is short but with God it becomes eternally blessed.
 
O Lord, thank you for being my God. Amen.

 November 15, 2021 (Monday)
Judgment

“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)
                           
Judgment and discernment are different. We need discernment to see what is good for us. Without discernment, we will be lost. Judgment is to put ourselves above others. It is our attitude toward others. When we judge others, we use discernment to feel superior. Let us be humble so that our discernment may do good to us and also to others.
 
O Lord, humbly I come to you. Show me your wisdom. Amen.

November 16, 2021 (Tuesday)
The Narrow Road

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

– Matthew 7:13-14

Memory Verse: “For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:14)
                          
Finding one’s own unique existence is not always what people choose. Conforming to what everybody else is doing seems easier and safer. It is the best way to survive mindlessly. But we are called to live, not just to survive. To live, we need to find our own unique existence. The road we take to live is narrow and hard but it leads to life.
 
O Lord, give me strength and wisdom to take the narrow road. Amen.

 November 17, 2021 (Wednesday)
Be Mindful of God

“What shall I return to the Lord
   for all his bounty to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation
   and call on the name of the Lord,
I will pay my vows to the Lord
   in the presence of all his people.”

– Psalm 116:12-14

Memory Verse: “I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.” (Psalm 116:14)
                           
Our life is our response to God’s grace. We cannot pay back the abundance God has provided for us. We simply give ourselves to God in our thankfulness. In everything we do, let us be mindful of what God has done for us.
 
O Lord, thank you for all you have done for me. Amen.

 November 18, 2021 (Thursday)
Peace

“A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse,
   and a branch shall grow out of his roots…
The wolf shall live with the lamb,
   the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
   and a little child shall lead them.
The cow and the bear shall graze,
   their young shall lie down together;
   and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
   and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
They will not hurt or destroy
   on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
   as the waters cover the sea.

– Isaiah 11:1, 6-9

Memory Verse: “They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” (Isaiah 11:9)
                           
Living in harmony is God’s desire for us. Because of sins, human beings have been divided, fighting against each other. Jesus is our peace. He destroyed the dividing walls that separated the humanity. Jesus called us to be peacemakers.
 
O Lord, please make me a channel of your peace. Amen.

 November 19, 2021 (Friday)
God Is With Us

“And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. A gale arose on the lake, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him up, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’ And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, you of little faith?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. They were amazed, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?’

– Matthew 8:23-27

Memory Verse: “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?’” (Matthew 8:26)
                           
Jesus is always with us. We do not take this life journey alone. Let us not be afraid. Jesus is with us. When we meet storms in life, he will calm them. When we face life’s difficulties, let us not be shaken but trust in God. He will strengthen us to deal with our difficulties and lead us to a good place where the sun shines.
 
O Lord, thank you for always being with me. Amen.

 November 20, 2021 (Saturday)
Forgiveness

“And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax-collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax-collectors and sinners?’ But when he heard this, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’”

– Matthew 9:10-13

Memory Verse: “I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” (Matthew 9:13)
                           
We need forgiveness. Our sins affect us in a profound way. Our life becomes dark because of our sins. God is the only one who can forgive our sins. God is very much interested in forgiving us and healing us. That’s why God sent his son Jesus Christ. He came to call sinners to be forgiven and healed. Let us come and receive God’s forgiveness.
 
O Lord, thank you for forgiving me and healing me. Amen.

 November 21, 2021 (Sunday)
Justice

“The God of Israel has spoken,
   the Rock of Israel has said to me:
One who rules over people justly,
   ruling in the fear of God,
is like the light of morning,
   like the sun rising on a cloudless morning,
   gleaming from the rain on the grassy land.”

– 2 Samuel 23:3-4

Memory Verse: “One who rules over people justly, ruling in the fear of God, is like the light of morning, like the sun rising on a cloudless morning, gleaming from the rain on the grassy land.” (2 Samuel 23:3, 4)
                           
Practicing justice is what God requires of us. We should be mindful of those who are suffering from injustice. We should practice mercy and do justice in every aspect of our lives. God will bring his light upon us. Our life will be like the light of morning sun.
 
O Lord, give me courage to always stand up for your justice. Amen.

 November 22, 2021 (Monday)
A Good Life

“He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. He said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.’”

– Luke 21:1-4

Memory Verse: “All of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21:4)
                           
Being generous is being abundant. Generosity comes from our appreciation of what God has done for us. The more we are aware of God’s grace, the more generous we will become. Abundant life begins from our appreciation of life. God has given us a good life. Let us live a good life with deep appreciation.
 
O Lord, thank you for all you have done for me. Amen.

 November 23, 2021 (Tuesday)
The Peace of God

“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

– Philippians 4:6-7

Memory Verse: “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

We all need the peace of God. The peace of God gives us strength to deal with our situations with a sound mind. The peace of God defeats the fear that blinds our eyes. When we have God’s peace, we will see things clearly and it will guide us into the truth.
 
O Lord, please grant me your peace. Amen.

 November 24, 2021 (Wednesday)
Precious Love

“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground unperceived by your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

– Matthew 10:28-31

We are precious. We are more precious than all things that we can buy with money. As we are precious, we have to recognize that other people are precious too. Appreciating ourselves and others is the beginning of love.
 
O Lord, thank you for your precious love for me. Amen.

November 25, 2021 (Thursday)
Not Shaken

“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
   which cannot be moved, but abides for ever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
   so the Lord surrounds his people,
   from this time on and for evermore.
For the sceptre of wickedness shall not rest
   on the land allotted to the righteous,
so that the righteous may not stretch out
   their hands to do wrong.
Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
   and to those who are upright in their hearts.
But those who turn aside to their own crooked ways
   the Lord will lead away with evildoers.
   Peace be upon Israel!”

– Psalm 125

Memory Verse: “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides for ever.” (Psalm 125:1)                           

We are easily distracted and irritated. We can easily lose our patience and peace. Let us trust in the Lord. God will make us like a mountain that is not easily shaken. Let us trust that God will help us. Nothing will harm us or destroy us. We will be strong like a rock. God’s light will shine upon us and remove our darkness.
 
O Lord, I face troubles big and small. I am easily distracted by these things. Help me know that you are with me. I believe that you will make me like a mountain that is not easily shaken. Amen.

November 26, 2021 (Friday)
God Knows Us

“O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
   you discern my thoughts from far away.
You search out my path and my lying down,
   and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
   O Lord, you know it completely.”

– Psalm 139:1-4

Memory Verse: “O Lord, you have searched me and known me.” (Psalm 139:1)
                          
God knows what is inside of us. God knows our struggles, our fears, and our secrets. It is comforting to know that someone knows all about us and yet loves us. Being known is being understood. With God, we don’t have to live in emotional isolation. With God, we can be honest with ourselves. That is the freedom that empowers us to move on.
 
O Lord, I have been judged and rejected. I have been scared of being who I am. But with you, I have experienced the freedom to be myself. Thank you for accepting me and giving me the freedom to deal with my problems. Amen.

 November 27, 2021 (Saturday)
Rest

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

– Matthew 11:28-30

Memory Verse: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)
                           
It is hard to find rest for our souls. Our souls are troubled. We carry a lot of burdens and these burdens sometimes overwhelm us. What we need is peace and Jesus gives us peace that surpasses our understanding. This peace gives us strength to deal with our burdens.
 
O Lord, thank you for giving me your peace and in that peace my soul finds true rest. Amen.

November 28, 2021 (Sunday)
God’s Truth

“Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
   teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
   for you are the God of my salvation;
   for you I wait all day long.”

– Psalm 25:4-5

Memory Verse: “Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.” (Psalm 25:4)
                           
Knowing God’s ways is not what we figure out. It is God who teaches us his ways and leads us in God’s truth. If God does not reveal his truth to us, we can never know. So, humility is important in our pursuit of God’s truth. God allows his truth to be revealed to the humble. Let us humbly and eagerly wait for God’s truth.
 
O Lord, have mercy on me and show me your truth. Amen.

November 29, 2021 (Monday)
Leaving Completely in God’s Hands

“When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him and saying, ‘Lord, my servant is lying at home paralysed, in terrible distress.’ And he said to him, ‘I will come and cure him.’ The centurion answered, ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go’, and he goes, and to another, ‘Come’, and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this’, and the slave does it.’ When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, ‘Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.’”

– Matthew 8:5-10

Memory Verse: “Only speak the word, and my servant will be healed.” (Matthew 8:8)
                         
Faith is total trust, leaving everything in God’s hands. There should be no negotiation, no bargain, and no manipulation. We simply leave our lives in God’s hands. It is to say that God knows what is the best. God will grant what is the best for us. Let us leave our lives in God’s hands.
 
O Lord, I leave my life completely in your hands. May your good will be done in my life and through my life. Amen.

 November 30, 2021 (Tuesday)
Life

“Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”

– John 12:24-25

Memory Verse: “Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” (John 12:25)
                           
Life is God’s gift for us. It is not something we can have more just because we want it more. Instead of focusing on having longer life, we should focus on what we will do with the life given to us as a gift. The more you think about having more, the more you will feel empty. The more you think about what you will do with the life given to us, the more we will experience the abundance of life.
 
O Lord, thank you for your gift of life. Help me to use it for your glory. Amen.

 October 1, 2021 (Friday)
God Sustains Us

“My companion laid hands on a friend
   and violated a covenant with me
with speech smoother than butter,
   but with a heart set on war;
with words that were softer than oil,
   but in fact were drawn swords.
Cast your burden on the Lord,
   and he will sustain you;
he will never permit
   the righteous to be moved.”

– Psalm 55:20-22

Memory Verse: “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22)
                           
Friends can hurt us. People around us can attack us. Their speech is smoother than butter and their words are softer than oil but their heart is set on war. Let us not look to people for comfort. Let us look to God. Let us cast our burden on God. He will sustain us.
 
O Lord, I cast my burden on you. Thank you for sustaining me. Amen.

 October 2, 2021 (Saturday)
God Reveals To Us

“At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.’”

– Luke 10:21

Memory Verse: “You have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants.” (Luke 10:21)
                           
God’s will is hidden from those who think they know. The moment we think we know, our understanding stops. The deepest mystery of God is revealed to those who are not tainted with their prejudice and preconception. Let us come to God as children who have desire to know.
 
O Lord, I empty my heart. Please reveal your will to me. Amen.

 October 3, 2021 (Sunday)
God’s Precious Child

“O Lord, our Sovereign,
   how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
   Out of the mouths of babes and infants
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
   to silence the enemy and the avenger.
 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 8:1-5

Memory Verse: “what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:4)
                           
Compared to the splendor of God’s creation, we human beings are small and yet God crowned us with glory and honour. Let us always remember how precious we are to God. When we feel down, let us remember that God cares for us. When we feel like we are nobody, let us remember that we are God’s precious children.
 
O Lord, who am I that you are mindful of me? Thank you for your care. Amen.

 October 4, 2021 (Sunday)
God Doesn’t Run Away From Us

“Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying, ‘Go at once to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before me.’ But Jonah set out to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid his fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.’”

– Jonah 1:1-3

Memory Verse: “So he paid his fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord” (Jonah 1:3)
                           
Sometimes we want to run away from God. When we feel guilty, we run away from God. When we don’t get what we want and therefore we are disappointed, we run away from God. But God never runs away from us. God never leaves us alone in our own guilt, anger and disappointment. God comes and restores us. God is patient and full of compassion.
 
O Lord, thank you for your compassion and understanding. Amen.

 October 5, 2021 (Tuesday)
One Thing At A Time

“Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’”

– Luke 10:38-42

Memory Verse: “You are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing.” (Luke 10:41)
                           
There are many things going on in our minds. They divide our minds and take us into many different directions. We lose focus and energy to concentrate if we try to deal with them all at once. One thing at a time. One day at a time. Let us focus on one thing and leave everything else in God’s hands. God will help us.

O Lord, I leave all my worries and problems in your hand. Please guide me. Amen.

 October 6, 2021 (Wednesday)
Crying Out

“Be gracious to me, O Lord,
   for to you do I cry all day long.
Gladden the soul of your servant,
   for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
   abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you.
Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
   listen to my cry of supplication.
In the day of my trouble I call on you,
   for you will answer me.’”

– Psalm 86:3-7

Memory Verse: “In the day of my trouble I call on you,
   for you will answer me.” (Psalm 86:7)
                           
Crying out to God expresses our yearning for God and his help. Crying out to God is our resolution not to accept our situation as it is. We cry out for justice. When we cry out, God will answer us. In the day of our trouble, let us call on God. God will answer us.
 
O Lord, thank you for listening to my outcry. Amen.

 October 7, 2021 (Thursday)
The Holy Spirit

“Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

– Luke 11:11-13

Memory Verse: “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13)
                           
Having the Holy Spirit is not the possession we have. This is the mistake many people have about the Holy Spirit. People treat the Holy spirit as “something” they possess. When we ask for the Holy Spirit, we enter into the realm of the Holy Spirit and we become filled with the Spirit. The Spirit is within us and we are in the Spirit. Ask for the Holy Spirit and let the Holy Spirit guide us.
 
O Lord, thank you for the Holy Spirit. Amen.

October 8, 2021 (Friday)
God’s Wonderful Deeds

“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
   I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and exult in you;
   I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
When my enemies turned back,
   they stumbled and perished before you.”

– Psalm 9:1-3

Memory Verse: “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds” (Psalm 9:1)
                           
Let us live with thanksgiving. God has done wonderful things in our lives. God defeated all those enemies who attack us and try to destroy us. God is on our side and who will be against us? Peril, hardships, troubles, and threats? They will not destroy us because God is with us.
 
O Lord, thank you for your wonderful deeds in my life. Amen.

 October 9, 2021 (Saturday)
God’s Faithful Love

“Know that the Lord is God.
   It is he that made us, and we are his;
   we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
   and his courts with praise.
   Give thanks to him, bless his name.
For the Lord is good;
   his steadfast love endures for ever,
   and his faithfulness to all generations.”

– Psalm 100:3-5

Memory Verse: “For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures for ever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalm 100:5)
                           
God’s love is constant. We don’t find that kind of love anywhere in the world. God is the same yesterday, today and forever in terms of his love for us. His love is not contingent upon us. It comes purely from who he is. Let us thank God for his faithfulness.
 
O Lord, thank you for always loving me. Amen.

 October 10, 2021 (Sunday)
God’s Word

“Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.”

– Hebrews 42:12-13

Memory Verse: “Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 42:12)
                           
The word of God is powerful. It revives our soul. When the word of God works within us, it will give us understanding and this understanding will purify our thinking. Fear and worries will disappear from us and peace and confidence will fill our heart. Let us meditate on the word of God.
 
O Lord, please strengthen me with your word. Amen.

 October 11, 2021 (Monday)
Serving

“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus answered, ‘You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’”

– John 13:3-7

Memory Verse: “Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.” (John 13:5)
                           
Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. Even though he was their teacher, he washed their feet. Through this, Jesus has shown us how we should live. This is an example of serving others. Jesus said he didn’t come to be served but to serve. Serving others is a beautiful act. Let us serve one another. Let us live with a serving attitude.
 
O Lord, please let my life be a life of service. Amen.

 October 12, 2021 (Tuesday)
God Reveals Himself

“The heavens are telling the glory of God;
   and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours forth speech,
   and night to night declares knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words;
   their voice is not heard;
yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
   and their words to the end of the world.”

– Psalm 19:1-4

Memory Verse: “The heavens are telling the glory of God;
   and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1)
                           
God is God who reveals himself. He reveals himself through the nature, through events, and through his words. God also reveals himself through us. Let us show the glory of God. We are the light of the world that reveals the glory of God.
 
O Lord, thank you for revealing your glory to me so that I can be the light of the world. Amen.

 October 13, 2021 (Wednesday)
God Alone

“For God alone my soul waits in silence;
   from him comes my salvation.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
   my fortress; I shall never be shaken.”

– Psalm 62:1-2

Memory Verse: “For God alone my soul waits in silence;
   from him comes my salvation.” (Psalm 62:1)
                           
We wait in silence for God and God alone. Nothing else will be able to save us from all the troubles we face in life. Only in God, we find strength and hope. God deserves our whole attention. When we give our full attention to God, we will never be shaken. We will find light in the darkness and a way in the wilderness.
 
O Lord, I wait for you and you alone. Amen.

 October 14, 2021 (Thursday)
God Made Us Righteous

“Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.”

– Romans 3:27-28

Memory Verse: “For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.” (Romans 3:28)
                           
We have nothing to boast about our righteousness when it comes to our righteousness. We did not become righteous by our own power and efforts. God saw our weaknesses and helplessness. God came to us and gave us his helping hands. That was what Jesus did. As we held his hands, he lifted us from the pit of our sinfulness. Let us be humble and thankful.
 
O Lord, thank you for helping me when I couldn’t help myself. Amen.

 October 15, 2021 (Friday)
God Knows Us

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

– Luke 12:6-7

Memory Verse: “But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:7)
                           
There is nothing we can hide from God. God knows everything about us. He knows what we think, what we do, and what we don’t do. God knows our fear, our weaknesses, and our shortcomings. There are no secrets we can keep from God. So, the best way to relate to God is to be honest. This gives us tremendous freedom because we know that God cares for us.
 
O Lord, thank you for knowing all about me and yet loving me. Amen.

 October 16, 2021 (Saturday)
Faith

“Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become ‘the father of many nations’, according to what was said, ‘So numerous shall your descendants be.’”

– Romans 4:18

Memory Verse: “Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become ‘the father of many nations’, according to what was said, ‘So numerous shall your descendants be.’” (Romans 4:18)
                           
When our situation is hopeless and there is nothing that we can do, let us trust God. God will show us the way. God gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. Faith we have even in our hopeless situation will show us who our God truly is. 
 
O Lord, you are my hope and I trust in you. Amen.

 October 17, 2021 (Sunday)
Sacrifice

“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: “Upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed”. (Isaiah 53:5)
                           
It is the most beautiful thing to sacrifice oneself for others but it is very difficult to do so. In that sacrifice, there is healing power. In that sacrifice, we see humility and love. The cross is the ultimate form of this kind of sacrifice.
 
O Lord, thank you for your sacrifice. Amen.

 October 18, 2021 (Monday)
Be Strong

“Strengthen the weak hands,
   and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
   ‘Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God.
   He will come with vengeance,
with terrible recompense.
   He will come and save you.’
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
   and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
then the lame shall leap like a deer,
   and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,
   and streams in the desert.”

– Isaiah 35:3-6

Memory Verse: “God will come and save you.” (Isaiah 35:4)
                           
There is nothing for us to fear. God will strengthen our weak hands and make firm our feeble knees. Let us be strong. He will come when we suffer and he will save us from our troubles. Then, we will see God’s miracles in our lives.
 
O Lord, in you, I find strength. Amen.

 October 19, 2021 (Tuesday)
Be Ready

“Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them.”

– Luke 12:35-37

Memory Verse: “Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit.” (Luke 12:35)
                           
Let us live a life of being ready. When there are so many things to take care of, we get overwhelmed. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, let us prepare ourselves and be ready. God will help us. Let us do one thing at a time. That is all we can do and that is the best way not to give up.
 
O Lord, please help me when I am anxious. Help me do one thing at a time. Amen.

 October 20, 2021 (Wednesday)
God’s Grace

“Therefore, do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions. No longer present your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”

– Romans 6:12-14

Memory Verse: “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” (Romans 6:14)
                           
Sin has no more power over us. Sin used to have power over us and control us by making us feel guilty. Guilt takes away joy from us and also our self-worth. When we believe in Christ, he gives us the grace of God. This grace frees us from the power of guilt and restores in us, joy and the self-worth.
 
Thanks be to God for his grace through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

 October 21, 2021 (Thursday)
Training of Godliness

“Have nothing to do with profane myths and old wives’ tales. Train yourself in godliness, for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

– 1 Timothy 4:7-8

Memory Verse: “While physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8)
                           
Training of godliness is essential in our spiritual journey. We need to be pure in terms of serving God and serving people. There should be no other agenda but our love for God and for our neighbours. The best way to train godliness is to examine ourselves by God’s word and pray to God for his help.
 
O Lord, create in me a clean heart. Amen.

 October 22, 2021 (Friday)
Dilemma

“For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand.”

– Romans 7:18-21

Memory Verse: “So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand.” (Romans 7:21)
                           
Recognizing the dilemma within us is the beginning of our spiritual journey. We are good at hiding our own faults and weaknesses because of shame. When we overcome our shame and have courage to be able to see our own darkness, we can seek God’s light and his grace.
 
O Lord, grant to me your grace for I am a sinner. Amen.

 October 23, 2021 (Saturday)
The Spirit of Life

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”

– Romans 8:1-2

Memory Verse: “The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” (Romans 8:2)
                           
The Spirit of life dwells within us. The Spirit of life creates new life within us. We are free from the unnecessary burden of having to be always good to be approved. The Spirit of life accepts us as we are. That is the beginning of becoming who we ought to be.
 
O Lord, thank you for creating a new life within me. Amen.

 October 24, 2021 (Sunday)
Being Desperate

“Ho, everyone who thirsts,
   come to the waters;
and you that have no money,
   come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
   without money and without price.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
   and your labour for that which does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,
   and delight yourselves in rich food.”

– Isaiah 55:1-2

Memory Verse: “Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” (Isaiah 55:1)
                           
God feeds the hungry and quenches the thirsty. When we have spiritual thirst, we will experience God’s grace of quenching our thirst. Spiritual thirst can be created through our desperateness. When we feel desperate, let us not fear but cultivate our spiritual thirst. We will experience God very closely.
 
O Lord, I am desperate for you. Fill my desperate heart with your grace. Amen.

 October 25, 2021 (Monday)
Children of God

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.”

– Romans 8:14-17

Memory Verse: “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” (Romans 8:14)
                           
Whenever we are doubtful about ourselves, let us remember that we are children of God. The Spirit within us cries out that we are children of God. We have nothing to fear. Now we live with courage and hope. The Spirit helps us. 
 
O Lord, thank you for making me your child. I will live with courage. Amen.

 October 26, 2021 (Tuesday)
Hope That Overcomes Suffering

“I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”

– Romans 8:18-21

Memory Verse: “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18)
                           
Life is full of suffering. We can never free ourselves from suffering on our own. It is not something that human efforts can achieve. It is the Spirit of God who sets us free from our bondage to decay. We can experience this freedom when we are filled with hope.  
 
O Lord, thank you for setting me free from the suffering that comes from the awareness of my own decay. Amen.

 October 27, 2021 (Wednesday)
The Spirit Within Us

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”

– Romans 8:26-28

Memory Verse: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26)
                           
The Spirit is within us and helps us with our weaknesses. Even when we cannot even pray, the Spirit intercedes for us. That is why all things will work together for good. Let us be in touch with the Spirit within us and we will know what to do.  
 
O Lord, thank you for the Spirit within me. Amen.

 October 28, 2021 (Thursday)
Love That Connects Us To God

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

– Romans 8:38-39

Memory Verse: “(Nothing) will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39)
                           
God’s love is a cord that connects us to God. Nothing will be able to cut this cord. God’s love is deeply ingrained within us. Nothing can take that love away from us. Since we are connected with God who is eternal, we have eternal life. Let us dwell in God’s love.
 
O Lord, thank you for your love. Amen.

 October 29, 2021 (Friday)
Secret of Happiness

“His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
   nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;
 but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
   in those who hope in his steadfast love.”

– Psalm 147:10-11

Memory Verse: “The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.” (Psalm 147:11)
                           
Our effectiveness and capability may allow us to achieve many things. But the secret of happiness is not in our achievement. The secret of our happiness depends on God. God is pleased with those who fear him. When our effective and capability are combined with humility, we will experience the abundance of life.
 
O Lord, every day, I seek your wisdom and help. Amen.

October 30, 2021 (Saturday)
Self-Respect

“When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honour, he told them a parable. When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honour, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give this person your place’, and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honoured in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

– Luke 14:7-11

Memory Verse: “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)
                           
Having self-respect is a sign of healthy mind. When we have a healthy mind, we won’t need to exalt ourselves. We will not be influenced deeply by how other people treat us. When we discover how much God loves us, we will be able to begin a journey of loving ourselves.
 
O Lord, thank you for loving me. Amen.

 October 31, 2021 (Sunday)
Love Strengthens Us

“One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, ‘Which commandment is the first of all?’ Jesus answered, ‘The first is, Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.’”

– Luke 14:7-11

Memory Verse: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength…You shall love your neighbour as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Luke 14:11)
                           
Love shows our greatest strength. God has empowered us by loving us. We have the strength of God’s love within us. Now with that strength, we can love God and love our neighbour. Whenever we feel weak and vulnerable, let us remember God’s love within us. We will become strong again. With that strength, we will live again the life of love.
 
O Lord, thank you for strengthening me with your love. Amen.