Scripture: Psalms 113:3

Continual Praise

What would it look like to be a woman who praises God from the time she awakens each morning until the time she falls asleep each night? This kind of life would not only bring God delight as we worship him constantly, but it would transform our entire outlook on life. Worship shifts our focus from our own problems to the goodness of God. It provides an opportunity to invite his presence into every part of our day.

As we go about our day, we can look for reasons to praise God. Each moment provides a chance to lift up his name and acknowledge his presence. Whether we are commuting to work, preparing a meal, going for a walk, or talking to a loved one, there is always a reason to be grateful for God’s hand in our lives. The more we pay attention to the way he works, the more natural it becomes to praise him at all times. As we embrace an attitude of thanksgiving, we will share God’s goodness with those around us and give them a reason to praise his name as well. Praise is contagious, and our expression of worship can draw others into the joy of God’s presence.

Intentional, continual praise can only naturally result in intentional, continual joy. When we choose to look at each moment as an opportunity for worship, we will cultivate a steadfast sense of joy that doesn’t depend on our circumstances. This allows us to find beauty, peace, and purpose in God’s presence that goes beyond the everchanging details of our lives. No matter what happens, we can remain steady and secure, knowing that God is in control. This shift in perspective helps us embrace challenges and trials without being shaken or thrown off course.

As you reflect on the day, do so with a heart of praise. Choose to remember how God’s goodness echoed in everything around you. Even if your day was overwhelming, he is with you. His presence sustains you, and he will never let you go. He is faithful, and his promises are true.

Scripture: Isaiah 26:3

Find Peace Here

What does peace look like? For most of us, peace might look like an escape or a getaway. We might picture ourselves relaxing in a hot bath while the warm water sooths away our stress. A candle flickers, and our favorite song plays in the background. Perhaps we imagine laying on the sand as waves gently roll and crash on the beach. The sun warms our skin, and the troubles of the world fade away. Tension is erased, and the demands of life seem distant and unimportant. While these images are lovely, they are also fleeting. Nobody can stay in a bathtub or Bali forever. It’s not possible to constantly orchestrate scenarios where we feel at peace. Instead, we must remember that we can experience peace not by escaping our present troubles but by inviting it into our chaos.

Instead of waiting for the perfect situation to unfold, cultivate peace in your current circumstances. This begins by letting the Holy Spirit quiet your movements. Let Jesus slow your racing or frantic thoughts. Call upon his name and ask him for help. Make space in your heart for him to intervene and create order out of chaos. He will quiet your heart as you turn your eyes toward him. His peace is available at all times, in any place, no matter what is going on around you.

Fix your thoughts on the Lord by deliberately thinking about his goodness, promises, and presence. As you focus on him, it becomes much harder to remain unsettled. The more you train your mind to stay with him, the more you will find perfect peace. Place your trust in him instead of letting your external circumstances dictate the state of your heart. His peace surpasses understanding and can be your constant companion.

Scripture: Psalms 61:2

Lifted Higher

Have you ever walked through a maze? Even if you can easily navigate one on paper, it’s quite a different experience without a bird’s eye perspective. In a physical maze, all you can see are the walls or rows in front of you blocking your view. Every decision could be the wrong one, and it’s easy to lose your way. You take one step at a time, hoping each choice brings you closer to the exit. Each turn you take holds the possibility of being closer to the finish line, and you often don’t realize you’re lost until a dead end is staring back at you.

Life can often feel like a maze. Some seasons are filled with uncertainty and confusion. It’s easy to become overwhelmed when we feel lost, unsure, or stuck in a cycle of wrong turns. The good news is that no matter how many missteps we make, we are never alone. God is with us, and he sees the full picture the whole way through. His perspective is perfect, and we can depend on him to give us help and guidance.

God can lead us step by step, giving us instructions when we don’t know which way to go. His voice is steady and confident. He doesn’t create confusion, frustration, or disorder. His wisdom is reliable and perfect, and his desire is for us to live abundantly as we follow his leadership. As we trust him, we will find our way through the trials and issues that come up.

In moments of desperation, we can call to him for rescue. Rather than sink into fear, huddled into a corner of the maze in defeat, we can cry out to God. No matter how far we’ve travelled, he will hear us. No matter how long we’ve wandered without looking his way, he will respond with mercy and grace. His loving hand can pluck us straight out of our fear and onto the mountaintop of his promises. Our circumstances may not change right away, but our hearts will lighten. With God’s help, we can find our way through any maze.

Scripture: Psalms 16:2

Still Good

When we enthrone Jesus as the Lord of our lives, his presence changes everything. Because of his kindness, we are empowered to be kind. Because of his patience, we learn how to be patient. We can look to his character as our example in everything we do. His love permeates every part of who we are and impacts our day-to-day experiences. With Christ in the center of our lives, we experience growth in ways we aren’t capable of on our own. His presence transforms every aspect of our being.

Jesus is responsible for the good things in your life. He is the source of the gifts you’ve been given. You can thank him wholeheartedly for every small blessing you experience. He has given you a multitude of reasons to be thankful. He has filled your life with glimpses of his goodness. From the air you breathe to the food on your table, nothing is too small to give him credit for. He causes the sun to rise and set, and he is worthy of all your praise.

Jesus isn’t just responsible for the good things in your life; he’s also the author of the good things within you. Your tenderness, humor, and talent? That’s Jesus in you. Your faith, perseverance, and loyalty? All the Lord. Even when you are struggling to see physical blessings in your life, you can look within your heart for the work of the Lord. Even when nothing around you is going according to plan, you still have an abundance of unseen gifts. God’s grace and mercy are not small things. You might not be able to see them, but they are miraculously at work within you.

It’s easy to get lost in cynicism, negativity, or doubt. The world will never have a shortage of suffering, corruption, or disappointments. You get to choose what you will focus on. You can frantically jump from one problem to the next, or you can keep your eyes steadily on the Lord. Look around you with the expectation that you will see God’s goodness in each of your days. If your desire is to recognize his goodness, you won’t be disappointed.

Scripture: Philippians 4:19

What You Need

What do we really need? We often get sidetracked by what we want, and we overcomplicate the reality of necessity. Most of our lives are filled with more than we require. We lose sight of what we actually need and then feel disappointed by God when he doesn’t fulfill a list of our whims. We set ourselves up for disappointment by having unrealistic expectations. God faithfully provides for his children, and he is happy to meet our needs. His provision goes beyond our basic needs of food, shelter, and safety. He offers us something far more precious than anything we can muster up for ourselves. He graciously provides us with abundant riches in Christ. 

Through Jesus we have access to a life of unspeakable joy. We can have a life that is filled with good fruit even when our physical circumstances are disappointing. Jesus opens the door to a life of selfless love, abundant grace, and unending mercy. Through him we have everything we need to thrive, not just survive. He provides us with more than we can ask for or imagine. He fulfills the deepest longings of our hearts, and he blesses us with his presence every step of the way. What more could we possibly need? 

God doesn’t expect you to have everything figured out. He doesn’t need you to approach him with a detailed list that outlines your needs. He knows exactly how to provide for you. He sees each of your days, and he knows exactly how to equip you for them. He never tires of providing for you, and you will never reach a point when you don’t need to rely on him anymore. No matter how you grow in wisdom, strength, or perseverance, there is always more to be found in the presence of God. He is your source, your provision, and your greatest hope. 

Today, let the Lord’s faithful provision minister to you. Pay attention to his sustaining grace and recognize all he has done for you. Deliberately turn your eyes away from your list of wants and cultivate thanksgiving for the many blessings you have. Allow the sufficiency of his love to fill you up and remember that you are truly rich.

Scripture: Isaiah 59:1

Never Too Late

When Jesus hung on the cross, there were two thieves hanging beside him. Both of them were at the end of their lives, but only one of them saw something different in Jesus. As he hung in his final moments of life, he asked Jesus for grace and a second chance. It didn’t matter that he didn’t have long to live. Despite the circumstances, Jesus responded with love and mercy. That thief was given forgiveness and eternal life minutes before his death.

His life may have been marked by crime and regret, but he was still forgiven and promised eternal life. The very same day he entered paradise as a clean man. His simple and profound faith saved him. His story is a powerful reminder that no matter where we are or how far we’ve fallen, it’s never too late to turn to Jesus. There is nothing in our lives that cannot be redeemed.

You might have regrets in your life that you wish you could take back. There might be moments or situations that you aren’t proud of. Maybe you lay awake at night and remember your past choices, or maybe you feel trapped by messes of your own making. Think about the thief on the cross and remember that God’s grace is always available to you. He isn’t tallying up your mistakes, waiting for you to reach a threshold that is beyond his ability to redeem you. His arms are always open, and he is eager to show you mercy.

There is always hope in Jesus. The God you serve is the God of second chances. His love has no end, and his grace has no bounds. It is never too late for you to follow him, start anew, and experience the transformation that he alone can bring. Your heavenly Father longs to be gracious to you no matter where you are or what you’ve done.

Scripture: Hosea 2:18-20

Promised Peace

We strive for peace in our countries, cities, workplaces, and homes, constantly yearning for a world without conflict. Peace seems to be elusive despite our best efforts. We fight for justice, but we sometimes perpetuate conflicts by letting our actions be ruled by pride, insecurity, and greed. Everyone has a different idea of what peace should look like, and it can be difficult to find unity.

What a great day it will be when God fulfills his promise of bringing true justice and peace to the earth. Weapons will be laid down, and wars will cease. Every wrong will be made right, and every tear will be wiped away. Jesus will rule and reign, and the values of his kingdom will spread across the earth. When we are overwhelmed by the current lack of peace, we can look toward that day with great anticipation. We can stand firm on God’s promises and persevere through our current trials.

Unlike some of the human vows we make, God’s promise is forever. We can trust his Word, and we can confidently hope for his promises to be fulfilled. When he returns to complete his kingdom on earth, we will experience true righteousness, justice, and the fullness of love. We will live in perfect peace and unity. Hatred, violence, and division will simply be memories while we live each day in the light of God’s glory for all eternity.

While we are waiting for God to fulfill his promises, he has work for us to do. We are called to show the world who he is. We can spread justice, love, and peace by imitating his actions and embodying his character. Every act of kindness, sacrificial love, and humility reflects who he is. We have the beautiful privilege of partnering with God while we wait for the goodness that is sure to come.

Let God speak to you tonight about how you can make a difference in your part of the world. Open your heart to him and do your best to follow his leadership. He will equip you to accomplish whatever he calls you to do.