ENCOURAGEMENT
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
“Looking for that blessed hope . . ..”
-Titus 2:13
TODAY'S WORD
One of the best ways to get rid of discouragement is to remember that Christ is coming again. The most thrilling, glorious truth in all the world is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. When we look around and see pessimism on every side, we should remember the Bible is the only Book in the world that predicts the future. The Bible is more modern than tomorrow morning’s newspaper. The Bible accurately foretells the future, and it says that the consummation of all things shall be the coming again of Jesus Christ to this earth. If your life is dismal, depressed, and gloomy today, Christ can turn those dark clouds inside out. The sunlight of His love can still shine into the darkest part of your life.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Longing to see Your face, Christ Jesus, I rejoice in the anticipation of Your coming again.
Credit:billygraham.org/devotion
MOULDING YOU
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
“When we suffer and die for Christ it only means that we will begin living with him in heaven.”
-2 Timothy 2:11 (TLB)
TODAY'S WORD
I have a friend who during the Depression lost his job, a fortune, a wife, and a home. But he tenaciously held to his faith—the only thing he had left. One day he stopped to watch some men doing stonework on a huge church. One of them was chiseling a triangular piece of stone. “What are you going to do with that?” asked my friend. The workman said, “See that little opening away up there near the spire? Well, I’m shaping this down here, so it will fit in up there.” Tears filled the eyes of my friend as he walked away, for it seemed that God had spoken through the workman to explain his ordeal through which he was passing, “I’m shaping you down here, so you’ll fit in up there.”
TODAY'S PRAYER
Thank You, Lord, for all the “shaping” in my life, which brings me closer to You.
Credit:billygraham.org/devotion
ESTABLISHING PEACE
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
“Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
-Romans 5:1
TODAY'S WORD
Before the Big Four Conference in Geneva I watched President Eisenhower kneel in a chapel and ask God for divine guidance in the deliberations to follow. I felt sure that God would answer his earnest prayer. I believe that He did, for President Eisenhower during those days displayed the spirit of a true peacemaker on the international level. The only corrective measure in establishing peace is for men as individuals to know the peace of God. Though I am not wholly averse to movements which strive in one way or another for world peace, I have a strong conviction that such peace will never come unless there is a spiritual dynamic at the core. I pray for wars to cease, just as I pray for crime to stop; but I know that the basic cause of both crime and war is the inherent sinfulness of human nature. The world cannot be reborn until men are born again and are at peace with God.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I pray for the peace of the world through individuals surrendering to Your Son, Jesus Christ. Bless all today who are spreading the Gospel here and abroad.
Credit:billygraham.org/devotion
GOD'S WHISPER
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
“Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that You, Lord, are God, and that You are turning their hearts back again.”
-1 Kings 18:37 (NIV)
TODAY'S WORD
When Elijah was afraid and hiding in a cave, God’s voice came as a gentle whisper encouraging him to continue on. Do you hear God’s whispers in your life? A good way to tune your ear to His guidance is to take several moments throughout the day, be still and focus on Him. Invite Him into your heart.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Heavenly Father, help me to be quiet so that I hear Your whispers.
Credit: guideposts.org/faith-and-prayer/daily-devotions
LIFE'S CURVE BALLS
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”
-Psalm 37:23 (NLT)
TODAY'S WORD
It's been said that man plans and God laughs, but it can be upsetting when it happens to you. Trust is the key to keeping your chin up when your best plans and the future you had mapped out suddenly take a sharp, unexpected detour. Only God knows what tomorrow holds. By developing a strong faith, you can confidently walk wherever God calls you to go.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Lord, I’m doing my best to be faithful and flexible, to follow Your lead anywhere it takes me.
Credit: guideposts.org/faith-and-prayer/daily-devotions