Grieving with Hope

Spiritual Vitamin: "Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope." 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Challenge: In this text, Paul is writing to the Thessalonians to remind them of the good news of the second coming of Christ. They don't have to grieve as those who have no hope. They can grieve with hope! Maybe you're grieving the loss of a loved one today.  How does knowing what happens after death help you in your grief?

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for this important verse reminding us of what is true about believers that know you who die. Help me to grieve with hope as I await the day that I will be rejoined with you and them. Amen. 

God is Patient

Spiritual Vitamin: "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

Challenge: The word "patient" or "longsuffering"in this verse demonstrates the idea of a person who is extraordinarily patient and can go for a long time before blowing up in anger. God is so patient that he is not willing that any should perish, so He continues to extend Himself. God is patiently giving the world time to repent. How does this inspire you today in your faith?

Prayer: Dear God, Please help me be patient and longsuffering in my relationships with people. Help me partner with You to share your good news with. I'm so grateful for your patience and love for all humans. Help me never take your patience for granted. Amen.

Trust in the Lord

 Spiritual Vitamin: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Challenge: To receive God's guidance in life, we must acknowledge God in all our ways. This involves turning ever area of life over to Him. Usually, we'd like to hold on to something. Will you choose to acknowledge God in all your ways?

Prayer: Dear God, I love this verse, but admit it's not always easy to trust you. I also want to lean on my own understanding but forget that You are God and I am not. Help me to turn every area of my life over to You. Show me those parts that I still want to hold on to. Amen.

Loving Well

 Spiritual Vitamin: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:4-6

Challenge: God gives us the ability to love like 1 Corinthians 13:4-6. This kind of love goes against our natural inclinations. We struggle with impatiences, unkindness, envy, boasting and pride. We can be rude and angry and see things for ourself. Where do you most struggle with loving others. Pray for God to help you love well.

Prayer: Dear God, I confess to you today that I fall short each day of loving others with 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 love. Forgive me for my sin. Please help me through your spirit love with this kind of love EACH person I come in contact with today. Lord, help me love well. Amen.

Believing is Seeing

Spiritual Vitamin: "I am still confident of this; I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." (Psalm 27:13-14)

Challenge: These words were written by David. He had assurance that no matter what dangers or challenges came his way, God would rescue him.  He had to wait confidently in the Lord. It was as if he were speaking to himself! David was confident that God would see him through his trial. Will you believe God will see you through your challenge?

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for these confident words from David. Waiting on you is not easy, but I look to this Psalm for a new way of thinking!I must hold to what I know of your goodness and trust what I cannot see. I don't want to live with a "seeing is believing" mindset but instead a "believing is seeing" mindset. Thank you, Lord, for this Psalm. Amen.

Mind on the Spirit

Spiritual Challenges: "For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace."

Challenge:Do you long to experience peace today? Do you long to keep your mind on the spirit? What is hindering your peace? There is a battle for your thoughts every moment. May you find peace today in your thoughts.

Prayer: Dear Father, I desire to place my trust in You. I desire to have a peaceful thought-life. Your word says "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." (Isaiah 26:3) I ask you, Holy Spirit, to help me renew my mind and place my trust in You, so that I may truly experience your peace. Amen.

Reading of Scripture

 Spiritual Challenge: "Turn my heart toward your statutes...Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long... How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Your statues are m heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart." (Psalm 119:36, 97, 103, 111) 

Challenge: Read the above verses slowly and out loud. If there is a word or phrase that catches your attention. Stop and attend to what God might be saying to you. Listen and hear the word of the Lord.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for your word. Help me prayerfully come before your word, listening to what You have for me. I believe your word is living and active and able to judge the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12-13) Please use your word in my life. I want to become more like You. Amen.

Not to Worry!

Spiritual Vitamin: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Philippians 4:6)

Challenge: Try an experiment for tomorrow. Ask God to help you to maintain peace by continually coming to God when you feel anxious throughout the day. Remember, you can bring EVERY concern to God, asking Him for what we want and surrendering to what He wants. 

Prayer: Dear God, I know that prayer will help me keep my heart and mind from racing and stressing out. Thank you for this powerful command to not be anxious. It seems impossible without You. But, with You, all things are possible. I give you ever concern, Lord. Thank you! Amen. 

Showing Honor

Spiritual Vitamin: "Honor one another above yourselves." (Romans 12:10)

Challenge: As a Christian, we are to take the initiative, and show honor or respect to others without waiting for them to do the same to us. We are to love one another and be devoted to one another as a close knit family, because that's what we are as Christians.How do you outdo one another in honor? What would that look like tomorrow?

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for Your love. Help me to show concern for others, emulating Christ's love. Help me to demonstrate care for others without counting the cost to me. Lord, forgive me when I want to think only about myself. Help me take delight in honoring others. Amen.

Look to the Interests of Others

Spiritual Vitamin: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility, consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4)

Challenge: How are you motivated by selfish ambition or vain conceit? Much of what we do is not out of love for others, but out of our own desire to promote ourselves. When we put away our own selfish ambitions, we will naturally have a greater concern for others. Read Philippians 2: 5-11 to get a picture of Jesus' humility.

Prayer: Dear God, It is my desire to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. With your humility of heart, help me value others above myself. Lord, I can only do this with your help. I look to your example of humility in Philippians 2:5-11. Thank you, Jesus, for living this verse out while on earth. May I imitate You. Amen.

God Will Not Forsake You!

 Spiritual Vitamin: "It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:8

Challenge:How have you felt forsaken? Have you experienced rejection by a friend? Betrayal by someone you trusted? Did you know that God will NEVER forsake you or leave you. How does God's covenantal love for you encourage you today? Thank Him for never letting you go!

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for your unchanging love. Lord, you are not like humans, who I so often compare You to. You are an eternal and everlasting God, who is perfect in all your ways. You will never let me down. You are always there and always care. Thank you, God. Amen.

Draw Near

Spiritual Vitamin: "Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings." (Hebrews 10:22)

Challenge: The great desire of the writer of Hebrews is that we learn to draw near to God. That we come to him to find all the help we need. We come to his throne with confidence. Don't settle for a life that is distant from God. Let Him be a near and present reality. Come to Him today. Approach Him. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you.

Prayer: Dear Father, Thank you so much that we can have a relationship with the God of the universe! I pray that You will help me enjoy a life dedicated to loving and pursuing you. Every day. No matter what happens. Lord, give me a sincere heart and strengthen my faith. Amen. 

Casting Off

 Spiritual Vitamin: "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)

Challenge: Do you allow stress and anxiety to be a part of your mind? The Bible tells us to actively "cast" all our anxiety on him. How have you felt anxiety and stress? Meditate on these verses: 1 Peter 5:6-11, James 4:7, 2 Peter 5:10) Journal your response and prayers.

Prayer: Dear God, As anxiety and stress come over me, help me quickly remember to cast it off onto you. You are the One who cares for me and You are the One who can actually do something about my stress. Amen.

Call on God

 Spiritual Vitamin: "This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles." (Psalm 34:6)

Challenge: Is it frustrating when you're trying to get a hold of a friend or family member, and you can't? People aren't able to always come through for you, but God does. God hears you. Always! He knows your heart and cares about your concerns. Take the next 24 hours and try to go to God with all of your concerns. Notice how it feels to share your heart with Him instead of becoming anxious. 

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for being a responder and always present in my life. You care about everything I care about. You are always "on call" to hear my prayers and provide the deliverance I need. I'm so grateful for You. Amen.

Abundantly Beyond

Spiritual Vitamin: "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." Ephesians 3:20

Challenge: Do you believe that God is able to do far more than we can ask or even thing? (Ephesians 3:14-21) What are you worrying about instead of praying about? Will you believe that God is able?

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for this encouraging verse. I am so limited in truly seeing what You are able to do. Forgive me for not believing You are able. Strengthen my faith, God. Amen. 

God's Closeness

 Spiritual Vitamin: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you." (Isaiah 43:1-2)

Challenge: God calls me by name, my name! He tells me not to fear. He redeems me. God will be with me in all my trials. Do I trust that He will do that for me today?

Prayer: Dear Father, Thank you that You know my name and call me by my name. You are a deeply personal God and I'm so grateful for that. I don't go through any challenging circumstance without You right beside me. I have that promise. Thank you for being with me. I trust in You today. Amen.

His Way is Perfect

Spiritual Vitamin: "As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord's word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him." (Psalm 18:30)

Challenge: God's way is perfect! Even though we are in a challenging time in our country with COVID, God doesn't change. Will you seek God for safety and security today? Depend upon Him, not the circumstances around you.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you that your way is perfect! Your word is flawless. It is good to take refuge in You, because You shield us! Lord, remind me today that I'm not in control, but You are! Help me not seek the conveniences of this life, but trust in You. Amen.

Listening Prayer

Spiritual Vitamin: "Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness." Psalm 86:11

Challenge: How do you feel when you talk with someone who isn't listening to you? Have you ever thought about your prayer life? Are your conversations with God one-sided? Get alone with God in a quiet place. Speak to Him but take time to listen to Him. Be willing to say "Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness."

Prayer: Dear Father, Am I talking so much and telling You what I want that I don't hear You? Teach me Your way. Not my way, but Your way. That takes listening, Lord. Sometimes, I'm not so good at listening. Help me to take time to listen to the urgings of the Spirit and Your word. Teach me in the silence as I wait on You. Amen.

Unanswered Prayer

Spiritual Vitamin: "Jesus went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." Matthew 26:42 

Challenge: How do you feel when you're prayers aren't answered the way you want? Prayer isn't just getting God to do what you want Him to do. Prayer is about a relationship with God. It's an expression of our trust in His power, wisdom, and sovereign plan. Will you trust that God has your very best interests in mind?

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for the reminder that even your Son, Jesus, prayed and desired for the cup to be taken away. Yet, He wanted first and foremost, your will. Your will was for Him to be a sacrifice for the sins of this world. Lord, even though so painful for Jesus, I can't imagine what life would be like if Jesus didn't trust You! So, Lord, may I trust you for those prayers that "feel" unanswered. I know, they're just not answered the way I want them to be. Amen.

Praying about Everything

Spiritual Vitamin: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Challenge: Oswald Chambers writes "We tend to use prayer as a last resort, but God wants it to be our first line of defense. We pray when there's nothing else we can do, but God wants us to pray before we do anything at all." Will you pray about those things that you are anxious about?

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for your command to not be anxious about ANYTHING. It's truly amazing to me that you give a way of life that works! I don't have to be anxious! Your peace, which is hard to really understand, will guard my heart and mind in Christ. Help me to run to You first. Let prayer not be a last resort. I want to trust you with all those things that concern me today. Amen.

The Good Samaritan

Spiritual Vitamin: But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. (Luke 10:33-34)

Challenge: The priest and the Levite were all too busy to tend to the man along the road. But the Samaritan took pity on him and bandaged his wounds and took him to safety. God's love cares for all human beings! There are people around us who have been beaten up by life. Pray to God and ask Him to show you who needs your care and encouragement today.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for the story of the Good Samaritan. What a model of how You want us to live for our fellow man! Thank you, God, for your perfect love.You are the one who gives me the ability to love and serve others. Give me your compassion and love today. Amen.

Storms of Life

Spiritual Vitamin: "Silence! Be Still" Jesus said when His disciples woke Him up. He spoke to the raging storm and "suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm." (Mark 4:39)

Challenge: When we're going through a crises, we sometimes wonder if God cares that "we're going to drown." We just want the crises to stop! But take heart, God cares when you feel like you're going to drown. Whether or not the crises goes away, God speaks His peace to you today. Trust God's peace today. 

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you that your peace will "guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7) So, no matter what comes my way today, God, I will trust you. I give you my fears, my doubts, my anxieties and my stressors. Thank you that You are in the boat with me. Amen.

Job and Trials

Spiritual Vitamin: "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. I had heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eyes sees You, therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes." Job 42:2, 5-6

Challenge: Reading the book of Job can be very challenging. He went through so much suffering! But, finally, Job understood. God loved Job! He doesn't allow suffering because he is punishing you. Yet, suffering has the potential to strengthen and transform us! God sustained Job through his suffering and will do so for you. How are you experiencing suffering today? Remember that God loves you and will sustain you through it.

Prayer: Dear Father, Thank you so much for using our suffering to help us see You and Your love for us more clearly. Job said "My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you."(Job 42:5) Lord, please take the challenges of my life and help me walk with You through them. Thank you for sustaining me through the trials. Amen

Throne of Grace

Spiritual Vitamin: "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)

Challenge: The God of the universe is inviting you to stand before His throne of grace. He loves you so much! Jesus, is our perfect High Priest, and has made a way for us to come to God by becoming the perfect offering for us. What keeps you from accepting this free gift of God? 

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for this invitation to come boldly to the throne of grace. We don't have to cower anxiously before Your presence. Rather, you encourage us to come to You and to keep on coming to Your throne, without fear or doubt. You are not a distant God, but one who has come close by sending your Son Jesus to die for us. I'm so thankful for your goodness and grace. Amen. 

Discernment

Spiritual Vitamin: "So this is my prayer; that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings to that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush." (Philippians 1:9-10 The Message)

Challenge: What would it look like for you to be fully engaged in God's agenda and will for your life? What gets in the way of freely surrendering to God? Are you able to discern what the Holy Spirit is doing in your life currently?

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you that taking time to listen to You and recognize your voice is something I can do. Thank you that I can ask you for help, counsel and guidance on anything! Help me attend to the desires that You have placed deeply inside of me. Help me experience your love each and every day. Amen.

Wisdom for the Asking

Spiritual Vitamin: "Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her." (Proverbs 3:13-15)

Challenge: God longs to give you wisdom! Did you know that wisdom isn't always equated with age? Ask God for wisdom. "Wisdom is knowledge, with the spiritual insight to judge what really matters. And it's yours for the asking."(66 Ways God Loves You, Jennifer Rothschild)

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you today for loving me so much to give me the very best gifts. Lord, I ask for a discerning heart. Give me your wisdom to make right decisions in every circumstance. Amen.

God Knows Me

Spiritual Vitamin: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (Psalm 139:13-14)

Challenge: Slowly read the the Psalm aloud, pausing each each verse. Substitute your own name for the pronouns  me and I.  "For you created ____ inmost being; you knit ____ together in ___ mother's womb. I praise you because ____ am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, ____ knows that full well." (Psalm 139:13-14)

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for this beautiful scripture and reminder that I am known fully by you. Free me from my own self-doubts. Help me take this Psalm personally, because that is it's intent. When I fill my name into this scripture, it touches me deeply. You love me so much and I'm so grateful. Amen.

Encourage One Another

Spiritual Vitamin: "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Challenge: Everywhere you look, people need encouragement. How can you edify or build up other people? Today, make it your goal to look for others to encourage. Ask God to show you! Listen. Wait. Pray. Then, look someone in the eye and build them up! 

Prayer: Dear God, There are so many around us that are discouraged or defeated. Help me to give the warm gift of encouragement to those who need it. Help me get outside myself and my concerns and think more of the other person than myself. Thank you that the word encouragement literally means to give support, confidence or hope to someone. Help me to do just that. Amen.

Live in Harmony

Spiritual Vitamin: ""Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble." (1 Peter 3:8)

Challenge: Do you have compassion for others in your life? Do you empathize in the trials and difficulties that others are going through? We can sometimes be so busy that we don't have time to help, comfort, support and encourage. Ask God to show you how to live in harmony with others and demonstrate compassion.

Prayer: Dear God, Help me to be tender-hearted and to have a humble attitude toward those in my midst. Help me sympathize with those that are hurting and going through difficult trials. Help me notice them and encourage them in their challenge. Thank you, God, for your help in living out this verse! Amen.

Do Not Lie

Spiritual Vitamin: "Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped of the old self with its practices." (Colossians 3:9) "So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another." (Ephesians 4:25)

Challenge: Think back to the last time you lied about something? What did you hide? Why did you lie? Was it worth compromising your integrity?

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for your commandment not to lie to one another. Forgive me for any time where I have not told the entire truth. Show me when I hide things by giving only half truths. Please give me confidence to believe that I'm worthy of being who I am. I don't have to hide from anyone! Thank you that "you desire truth in the innermost being." Help me to speak the truth at all times. Amen.

Kneeling in Prayer

Spiritual Vitamin: "Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before." (Daniel 6:10) 

Challenge: The most important thing in prayer isn't about the posture but the condition of our soul. When we kneel, it's like a physical choice that helps me focus on prayer and realize that God is God and I am not. I concentrate on Him, not all the distractions around me. Try kneeling before God and praying to Him.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you that you're interested in our hearts when we come to pray. Today, I humbly come before you, bowing down before you. You are God and I am not. I desire to bring you glory in my life. Help me pray without ceasing, giving thanks to you, just like Daniel. In this place of kneeling, I chose  to trust You for all things and release my worries and anxieties to You, God. Amen.