God Knows You

Spiritual Vitamin: "O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely." Psalm 139:1-4

Challenge: Take a moment to look up Psalm 139 in You Version or your bible. Read out loud, replacing the appropriate pronouns with your own name. At the end of your reading, pray for any stressors, anxieties or worries that weigh you down. Give them to God today. He will take each one!

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you that You already know everything about me. There is nothing hidden before You. You even know the number of hairs on my head! Thank you that You still accept me and love me. You are with me in every situation, in every trial. I need you to help guide me through the things that trouble me today. Amen.

God's Creation

 Spiritual Vitamin: "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard." Psalm 19:1-3

Challenge: Go for a walk and be with God. Notice signs of God's love. Thank God for his creation. Tell him what's on your heart today.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for your creation. Nature is a gift from you. You reveal yourself in your creation. Thank you for Psalm 19. We are surrounded by fantastic displays of your glory and craftmanship. Your heavens demonstrate your existence, your power, your glory, your love and your care. Thank you, Lord! I give you all the glory! Amen.

All You Need

 Spiritual Vitamin:"By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence." (2 Peter 1:3 NLT)

Challenge: Do you find yourself focusing only on what you lack? (bigger salary, nicer car, more money, etc) When you know Jesus, you have everything you need for living a fulfilling life. God has given you what you need the most- Jesus. Did you know you have everything you need?

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for your divine power that gives me everything I need for living a godly life. I am so grateful for knowing Jesus as my Savior. Help me to focus my life on growing in the knowledge of God. (2 Peter 1:2)To know you means that I have everything I need. Thank you,God! Amen.

Fires

Spiritual Vitamin: Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego answered the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to present a defense to you in this matter. If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O King, let him deliver us. But if not, be it known to you, O King, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that you have set up." (Daniel 3:16-18)

Challenge:What trials are you going through today? Do you trust that God is with you in whatever you face. Thank Him today for loving You so much to walk through whatever you face.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for the story in Daniel and how You joined them in the fire. Help me to look for your presence in the suffering I face. You may not save me from the "fires" of life, but You promise to be with me during them. Thank you! Amen.

 

Compassion

Spiritual Vitamin: "Be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." 1 Peter 3:8-9

Challenge: Compassion means feeling with and for others as well as extending mercy and help to them in extravagantly practical ways. (Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook) What experiences in your life make it easy or difficult to show compassion?

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for sending Jesus to this earth, who showed compassion to the outcasts, prostitutes, sinners, crowds, beggars and more. Jesus saw the people that others overlooked. Lord, whom do I overlook? Teach me to be a compassionate person, Jesus. Amen.

Justice

Spiritual Vitamin: "Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.... Don't let public opinion influence how you live out our glorious, Christ-originated faith." (James 1:27-2:1, The Message) 

Challenge: Where does concern for the injustices of this world fit into your thoughts and life? Take a moment and pray for our country. Pray for peace and justice issues. Be open to what God might want you to do.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you that you desire us to seek good, not evil. (Amos 5:14-15) God, help me to love others by seeing their good and protection. Help me see how I can serve others by treating others fairly and showing no favoritism. Amen. 

Building Other Up

Spiritual Vitamin: Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.Ephesians 4:29

Challenge: How do you speak about others when they're not around? Do you give people the benefit of the doubt? Do you look for ways to give grace to those who hear?

Prayer: Dear God, I know the power of words that are spoken in deep love as well as deep hate. Words are powerful. I can control my words. I long for my words to bring you glory and bring encouragement to those whom I speak. I give my words to you, O Lord. Help me to build up others in love. Amen. 

God comforts

Spiritual Vitamin: "All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT)

Challenge: God is the source of your ultimate comfort. Yet, sometimes we turn to every other person, place or thing besides God. Remember, as God comforts you with his love, you will be able to comfort others. Be on the look out for someone who needs encouragement. 

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for being the God of all comfort. You comfort me in my own troubles so that I can comfort those around me. Lord, I need your comfort to penetrate every fear and sorrow that I carry this day. Thank you for sustaining me. Amen.

God's love

 Spiritual Vitamin

"My kind of love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Challenge: 

God is showing us the way of love by demonstrating it to us! We are his beloved. Would yo make it your aim to love with 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 love?

Prayer

Dear God, Thank you so much for the way You love us perfectly. You show us the way of love so that we can also walk this path of love. Help us to give your love way! Help us be serious about loving well. Amen.

Lifter of My Head

Spiritual Vitamin

"You, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head." Psalm 3:3

Challenge: What is your greatest challenge today? When we feel broken, needy and can't help ourselves, God can give us life! He gives us abundant life! Allow God to take and carry every challenge you face today.

Prayer 

Dear God, There are times that my challenges feel more than I can handle. I can't pull myself up by my own bootstraps. I need You! Thankfully, I don't need to. Please remind me today of your constant and amazing love, surrounding me and lifting my eyes to see better days. Amen. 

Hope in God

Spiritual Vitamin: 

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:1-2, 5-6

Challenge: Write the verse above on a small card, and memorize it as you jog or walk. Reflect on the Psalmist's words.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for the example of the deer by the streams of water. Oh, Lord, may my soul pant for you today. Transform my attitude! Help me speak to myself boldly and say: "Put your hope in God!" Amen.

Hiding Place

Spiritual Vitamin

"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance." Psalm 32:7 

Challenge: David does not say "You are a hiding place" as  one among many. David knew the personal and individual benefit of God's work. God was HIS hiding place. How do you need God to be your hiding place today?

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for being my hiding place and shield. You surround me in an insecure, scary world. You will protect me no matter what. You are my secret immovable hiding place, a special fortress when life overwhelms me. Thank you that I can always run to you. Amen. 

Hospitality

 Spiritual Vitamin

"Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love. Be ready with a meal or a bed when it's needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it!" (Hebrews 13:1-2, The Message)

Challenge: Hospitality is a way of loving our neighbor in the same way God has loved you and I. How can you show hospitality during this time of COVID? Take time to really get to know people, asking unique questions. Do you struggle with doing everything perfectly? Love, not entertain!

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for showing us with your love. Help me be a safe person who can extend hospitality in a myriad of ways. Jesus, you were One who constantly initiated with all types of people. Lord, my I be a welcoming person in all I do. Help me celebrate and honor others. Amen.

Encouraging One Another

Spiritual Vitamin

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." (Hebrews 3:13)

Challenge:Do you have an accountability partner in your life that you can share your true self with? Someone who will consistently pray with you, encourage you and challenge you? Pray for that someone in your life!

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much that we don't have to do this journey of life alone. We need each other! People to sharpen us and share with us and challenge us! Lord, I need help in orienting me to the life you want me to live. Please send me an accountability partner so that we can mutually encourage one another. Amen. 

Listening to God

 Spiritual Vitamin

"The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught." Isaiah 50:4

Challenge: Do I give careful attention to my relationship with God? Do I attend to and recognize God's voice in my life? Pray that you will experience God's presence and nearness, allowing him to wake you each morning and teach you.

Prayer

Dear God, Thank you for the fact that You give to me the tongue of a disciple and you show me how to refresh those who are weary. Lord, help me be an encourager to those who are distressed in any way. You know those who need peace and comfort this day. Thank you for wakening me this morning. May I listen to You for how best to encourage and love. Amen.

Understanding God

 Spiritual Vitamin

"Oh, the depth fo the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" Romans 11:33-34

Challenge:Have you asked these two questions: Who has known the mind of the Lord? Who has been his counselor? No one! Take time to get to know God! He alone is the possessor of absolute power and absolute wisdom.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for helping me so your absolute power and absolute wisdom. Lord, so many times I minimize you into my own human mind. But, You are God. May I seek You with all of my heart and know that You take great delight in counseling me about anything. Amen.

Slow Down

 Spiritual Vitamin

"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12

Challenge: Try deliberate ways to slow down and enjoy the day God has given you. Drive in the slow lane. Choose the longest lane at the grocery. Look people in the eyes. 

Prayer

Dear God, Forgive me for the addiction to hurry. Teach me to slow down and number each day. Help me savor each day and trust your unhurried schedule. Help me receive interruptions graciously knowing that people matter. Amen.

Simplicity

 Spiritual Vitamin

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store for yourselves treasures in heaven...For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

Challenge: How do you need to uncomplicate your life? How do you need to simply? Learn to live simply.

Prayer

Dear God, Thank you so much for this verse! Help me not store up for myself treasures on this earth, things that won't last. Teach me how to simplify my life. Help me live an uncluttered life so I can focus on what really matters.

Rest

 Spiritual Vitamin

"He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul." Psalm 23:2-3

Challenge: Do I make time in my schedule to God? Times of retreat bring a new perspective and peace. Take time for God today.

Prayer

Dear God, Thank you so much for the peace and quiet times. Help me learn to pause and be still. Help me learn from You. You promise to restore my soul. Thank you. Amen.

Rest in God

 Spiritual Vitamin

"My soul finds rest in God alone." Psalm 62:1

Challenge: What does rest look like for you? Make note of what a perfect day of rest and relaxation would look like for you. Plan for it. Take time to give yourself this treat.

Prayer

Dear God, Thank you so much for the gift of rest. We were not designed to work non-stop. We have limits. Lord, show me my limits. Remind me I can't say 'yes' to everything. Help me set aside unhurried time to rest and enjoy refreshment. Amen.

Humility

Spiritual Vitamin

"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6

Challenge: In the midst of the challenges today in our country, do you judge judgmental people? Are you cynical with the cynics? Are you angry with those that are angry? God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Do you need this reminder today?

Prayer

Dear God, Thank you so much for this verse. I long for your grace, Jesus. Forgive me for when I get irritated, fearful, angry, and cynical to what's going on around me. Let me long for your humility. Forgive me for my pride. Amen.

My Questions

Spiritual Vitamin

"What's God going to say to my questions? I'm braced for the worst. I'll climb to the lookout tower and scan the horizon. I'll wait to see what God says, how he'll answer my complaint." (Habakkuk 2:1, The Message)

Challenge: What questions do you have for God? Do you believe He will respond to your complaints? Trust God with the questions in your life.

Prayer 

Dear God, Thank you for Habakkuk and that he was so bold to tell you He questioned you. He even braced for the worst! Help me to wait and see what You say. Help me to trust you with my questions. Thank you, God. Amen.

Counselor

Spiritual Vitamin

"I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me." Psalm 16:7

Challenge: Did you know that the Lord will counsel you? He will help you through your challenges as you slow down and pray for his help. 

Prayer 

Dear God, Thank you so much for being my counselor. You are the God of the universe and have perfect understanding into my life. I need your counsel on so many things. Help me slow down and be alert to my life and where I need your counsel. I'm thankful that even at night my heart can instruct me, because of You. amen.

Contemplation

Spiritual Vitamin

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18

Challenge: How could fixing your eyes on what is unseen help your perspective of life?

Prayer  

Dear God, Thank you so much that every day I can wake up to the presence of God in all things. Amidst so much going on in this world, give me an eternal perspective, Lord. Help me learn to rest in your love. Help me see others through your eyes. Teach me to remain present with you throughout each day. Amen.

Worshiping God

 Spiritual Vitamin

"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." Revelations 4:11

Challenge: Think of a time when you've been moved to worship God. What was happening at the time? Look for ways to worship God this week!

Prayer

Dear God, Thank you, God, that you are worthy to receive all glory, honor and power! We value you today above all else. Help me focus on You and learn more what it means to worship you with my life. Amen.

Draw Near to God

 Spiritual Vitamin

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." James 4:8

Challenge: When and where do you feel closest to God? What would drawing near to God look like for you?

Prayer

Dear God, Thank you so much that when we draw near to you, you will respond by moving closer to us. That's such an incredible act of your mercy! Thank you, God, for loving us so much! Amen.

Seek Him First

 Spiritual Vitamin

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be give to you as well." Matthew 6:33

Challenge: Where is your life out of control and not centered in Christ?

Prayer

Dear God, Thank you so much for that you desire me to place you first in my life. Help me diligently seek you and your righteousness. This is not the righteousness of man, but of God. May I trust you for all those things that I worry or wonder about. You will meet my needs. Thank you. Amen.

Abiding

Spiritual Vitamin

"Abide in me, and I in you. 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

Challenge: How would "abiding in Christ" help you?

Prayer 

Dear God, Thank you so much that we can abide in Christ. Help me hold fast to Jesus and rest in His love today, moment by moment, day by day. Help me abide in You as You abide in me. May it be as natural as breathing. Amen.

Give Thanks always!

Spiritual Vitamin

"Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Challenge: Begin a gratitude journal and keep record of daily ways to give thanks to God. 

Prayer 

Dear God, Thank you today for the reminder to give you thanks in all circumstances. Help me to gratefully notice your presence and gifts throughout the day. Amen.

Hope in God

 Spiritual Vitamin

"My soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope; Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:20-24) 

Challenge: Jeremiah found a reason to delight and hope in God even in his sorrow. What a challenge for each of us in our trials!

Prayer

Dear God, Thank you so much for being with me during my deepest struggles. When I call you to mind, I am reminded of hope! Thank you, Lord, that no matter what is going on in this world, I don't have to be consumed. Your compassions are real and never fail. Help me trust in you today. Amen.

God's incredible love

 Spiritual Vitamin

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

Challenge: Do you comprehend God's incredible love for you?

Prayer

Dear God, Thank you so much for your amazing love. To believe you take great delight in me? I'm amazed at this! Thank you that you quiet me with your love and rejoice over me with singing. Help me to know you more this day! Amen.