Peace and Sleep

Spiritual Vitamin: "In peace I will lay down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8

Challenge: The Psalmist knew that he could rest securely upon God's promises, and trust his gracious providence. He owes his safety not to his own wisdom but to God alone. The Psalm knew that he was never alone, for God was always with him. The Lord was sufficient to protect him. How many of your sleepless hours can be traced back to an untrusting and disordered mind? 

Prayer: Dear God, give us a calm rest in Thee, not only in our sleep, but also throughout the day. May we like David, lie down in peace, and sleep each night. God, you are my hope and rest. You cause the weary to rest and this is so refreshing! Amen. 

Call Upon God

Spiritual Vitamin: "Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear." Isaiah 65:24. "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3

Challenge: Read both of these verses several times. What words are repeated more than once? Call. I will. Answer. Wow! Do you see the personal nature of our God? He longs to have a personal relationship with us! Call to Him today. Wait to hear his voice. He wants to show you great things that you do not know!

Prayer: Dear God, Forgive me for having such a human view of You and not see You as you really are. You are a personal God and you desire to relate to me. You listen to me and desire to answer me. You desire to tell me great and unsearchable things. Things I don't know. Oh, Lord, You are God and You have the whole picture! Why do I try to live life without You? Help me, Lord. Amen. 

God is my Helper

Spiritual Vitamin: "Behold, God is my helper, the Lord is the upholder of my life." Psalm 54:4

Challenge: Did you know that God can help you through every aspect of your day? So often, we just run to God when things get bad. However, God LOVES to be in relationship with us. He LOVES to engage in our everyday life, our everyday moments. In fact, we can trust God for the dailyness of our lives. Talk to Him constantly in prayer. Ask Him for wisdom. Seek His guidance. Inquire of Him. Wait on Him. Listen to Him. He is YOUR helper and the upholder of your life. Will you trust Him today?

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for being my helper. I don't think I realize the extent of which You desire to help me. Why do I try to go through life on my own? Help me trust You for every aspect of my life. You long to walk with me and talk with me throughout my day. Lord, I step into this kind of life. Teach me what it's like to be in constant relationship with You. Amen. 

God's Grace

Spiritual Vitamin: "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8

Challenge: Look around you. Where do you see evidences of God's rich grace in your life? Just last week, we experienced a snow storm and many of us lost some of the basic needs of life we take for granted. God's grace is evident in your life. Do you see it today?

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for the grace that abounds all around us. You have provided so much and are sufficient in all things at all times. Father, forgive us today for the times we've taken for granted the many blessings you provide. Your extend grace non-stop in our lives. You forgive us when we mess up. You provided your Son as an atonement for our sins. Lord, your grace surely is amazing! Amen.

Godly Living

Spiritual Vitamin: "Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never repay evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all people. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people." Romans 12:16-18

Challenge: There is a lot packed away in these verses for us! Will you associate with all people? Do you attach yourself with the "important" people? Are you a companion of the humble person? Are you puffed up with your own opinion? When someone hurts you, are you quick to hurt back? Do you respect people whose opinions are different than yours? Do you live at peace with all people. Take a moment and invite God to help you live these verses out.

Prayer: Dear God, I'm so grateful for Your Scripture that gives us such guidance on how to live. In this section of scripture, I realize that I fall short. I'm so tempted to get in the way and allow "self" to reign. Please forgive me for those times I'm tempted to hurt others when hurt myself. Guide me and help me live at peace with all people. I'm so grateful for your help! Amen.

Strength to the Weary

Spiritual Vitamin: "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." Isaiah 40:29

Challenge: We don't want to appear or feel "weak" do we? But when we get to the place where we recognize our weakness, we can then experience God's spiritual strength. He strengthens our faith and enlarges our view of Himself. Take time to give God your weaknesses today. Ask Him for a big dose of His strength and power.

Prayer: Dear God, I'm so thankful for the fact that You long to walk with me in life. You give strength when I am weary and You give power in my weakness. Why do I try to push through life with a stiff upper lip? Father, I need You so much! Forgive me for those times when I try to do life on my own. I long to live in relationship to You. Amen.

Steadfast Love

Spiritual Vitamin: "For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you." Isaiah 54:10

Challenge: This last week has been tough on most Texans! Not only are we dealing with COVID, but a week of snow and ice and loss of power/water. Who/what can we trust? We can trust in God's steadfast love. The question is not whether He loves us. The question is whether you and I have the ability to experience His love today and every day. Will he love me when fail, mess up, run away from God, etc? Trust in God's steadfast love. He will never fail you.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for the reminder of your steadfast love. In the craziness of this last week, it's been hard to find much of anything secure! Yet, Your love is secure. Draw us to You. Help us realize that we need more of You and less of us each day. Teach us to trust You, today and every day. Amen.