So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16 NLT  I pray you'll be encouraged knowing that Jesus is your emphatic High Priest and He is there for you in your time of need. He has made it possible for us to be able to come boldly to God's gracious throne to receive mercy and find grace in our time of need. Soften your heart and obey Him today. God gives mercy when we need it most and you'll find grace when you ask. Are you coming boldly to His throne? Are you humbly coming with a soft heart? Have you received His mercy? Are you finding His grace? What might be holding you back from asking our gracious God for help today?

  Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written. John 21:25 NLT  I pray you'll thank God for giving us His Word and the stories of Jesus. The Scriptures are a treasury of all Jesus did and said. The glorious life of Christ is inexhaustible, uncontainable and eternal. Where would we be without this written record--the Bible? Will you read His Word today and hide it deep within your heart?

  You have been deceived by your own pride because you live in a rock fortress and make your home high in the mountains. ‘Who can ever reach us way up here?’ you ask boastfully. But even if you soar as high as eagles and build your nest among the stars, I will bring you crashing down,” says the Lord. Obadiah 1:3-4 NLT  I pray you'll learn from God's judgment pronounced on Edom. Pride is so deceptive in your life. It leads you to a false assumption that you're beyond God's reach and can skirt yourself away from giving an account. Thanks be to Jesus for His grace to all who will humble themselves before Him.

  If you find honey, eat just enough—too much of it, and you will vomit. Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house— too much of you, and they will hate you. Proverbs 25:16-17 NLT  I pray you'll have self-control as you walk in the Spirit. Know when to say that's enough or it's time to leave. Otherwise, you're looking at vomiting what you ate or being a recipient of hatred. Don't outstay your welcome or take advantage of someone's hospitality and kindness. Don't be known for your indulgence and inability to say no (even to a good thing). What are some tangible ways to learn and grow in practicing self-control? How will you heed this warning today?

  He has paid a full ransom for his people.  He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever.  What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has! Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever! Psalms 111:9-10 NLT  I pray you'll thank God for the full ransom that was paid for you. Jesus Christ gave His life so that you could have a guaranteed covenant relationship with the Father forever. His name is holy and awe-inspiring beyond anything that could ever be thought or imagined. Will you fearfully and reverently worship Him? Will you obey His commands and receive the true wisdom He has for you?

  God said to Solomon, “Because your greatest desire is to help your people, and you did not ask for wealth, riches, fame, or even the death of your enemies or a long life, but rather you asked for wisdom and knowledge to properly govern my people— I will certainly give you the wisdom and knowledge you requested. But I will also give you wealth, riches, and fame such as no other king has had before you or will ever have in the future!” 2 Chronicles 1:11-12 NLT  I pray you'll hear this question from God today. Questions reveal motives and the condition of a heart. Solomon asked for wisdom for the task. God has promised, if we ask in faith for He will give it. Is there a task or situation that you need God's wisdom from above for? He is still saying to ask. What's keeping you from asking Him right now?

  I see him, but not here and now. I perceive him, but far in the distant future. A star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel. It will crush the heads of Moab’s people, cracking the skulls of the people of Sheth. Edom will be taken over, and Seir, its enemy, will be conquered, while Israel marches on in triumph. A ruler will rise in Jacob who will destroy the survivors of Ir.” Numbers 24:17-19 NLT  I pray you'll see how God is patient and right in His ways.  God gave Balaam a word of the coming Christ--the true Star and King. Even as  Balaam kept entertaining the idea of being able to please both God and Balak. Their wills were contrary to each other as far apart as a blessing and a curse. He kept asking God and pressing forward (his greed and ego) but after a talking donkey and an angel, he still kept entertaining the idea. Will you obey God the first time and look to the Star that rises from Jacob and Scepter that rules?  

  I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon, because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people.  And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people. Philemon 4-7 NLT  I pray you'll live in such a way that when someone prays for you they'll tell God how grateful they are for you and all the ways you bless them. The faith, the love, the generosity, the joy, the comfort, the kindness and the refreshment were all a part of his reputation. Who comes to your mind today? How will you express your appreciation to them?

  “Therefore, I will bring upon you all the disasters I have announced. Prepare to meet your God in judgment, you people of Israel!”  For the Lord is the one who shaped the mountains, stirs up the winds, and reveals his thoughts to mankind. He turns the light of dawn into darkness and treads on the heights of the earth. The Lord God of Heaven’s Armies is his name! Amos 4:12-13 NLT  I pray you'll reflect on the Lord's nature and how everyone has the need to be made ready to meet God in Christ. He, Jesus, took the punishment and judgment for our sin so that we would be prepared to meet God. Thank Him for that day when you received grace and mercy in Christ. Who do you know that is not prepared to stand before God? Will you be prepared to share the hope of the gospel today?

  “Therefore, I will bring upon you all the disasters I have announced. Prepare to meet your God in judgment, you people of Israel!”  For the Lord is the one who shaped the mountains, stirs up the winds, and reveals his thoughts to mankind. He turns the light of dawn into darkness and treads on the heights of the earth. The Lord God of Heaven’s Armies is his name! Amos 4:12-13 NLT  I pray you'll reflect on the Lord's nature and how everyone has the need to be made ready to meet God in Christ. He, Jesus, took the punishment and judgment for our sin so that we would be prepared to meet God. Thank Him for that day when you received grace and mercy in Christ. Who do you know that is not prepared to stand before God? Will you be prepared to share the hope of the gospel today?

  My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste. In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short. Proverbs 24:13-14 NLT  I pray you'll be able to say how sweet it is to trust in Jesus and experience the amazing sweetness in your soul that only He can bring. He is Wisdom. If you believe Jesus and His finished redemptive work for you, then He promises a bright future and a steadfast hope both in the here and in the hereafter. For believers the Word of God is not only our daily bread but is also sweetness for our souls. Will you taste and see that the Lord is good? What actions are you taking to seek God's wisdom today? Is your life consistently characterized by sweetness or something else?

  “And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.  So take this seriously. The Lord has chosen you to build a Temple as his sanctuary. Be strong, and do the work.” 1 Chronicles 28:9-10  NLT I pray you'll hear this charge as your own and take it seriously. Learn to know God intimately through Christ. Worship and serve Him with your whole heart and willing mind. Seek God. Be strong and do the task set before you. Reflecting back, which exhortation needs your attention? Who are you exhorting to take seriously their relationship with God and their divine assignment?

  When Moses brought all the staffs out from the Lord’s presence, he showed them to the people. Each man claimed his own staff.  And the Lord said to Moses: “Place Aaron’s staff permanently before the Ark of the Covenant to serve as a warning to rebels. This should put an end to their complaints against me and prevent any further deaths.” So Moses did as the Lord commanded him. Then the people of Israel said to Moses, “Look, we are doomed! We are dead! We are ruined! Everyone who even comes close to the Tabernacle of the Lord dies. Are we all doomed to die?” Numbers 17:9-13 NLT  I pray you'll see how Aaron's staff budding speaks to God's holy presence and fruitfulness in your life. See how the complainers were traumatized by God's holiness and their sin. Are you abiding in Christ and bearing fruit?

  This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began. And now at just the right time he has revealed this message, which we announce to everyone. It is by the command of God our Savior that I have been entrusted with this work for him. Titus 1:2-3 NLT  I pray you'll have assurance from God our Savior about the eternal life He has given you in Christ. He is the Truth. When God has spoken over you salvation, He does not lie. His Word is filled with promises of the eternal security. Rest in His finished work and now be totally committed to following His will in living a godly life filled with service to Him. How have you been guilty of not taking God at His Word? Will you ponder the reality that God cannot lie and is trustworthy?

  Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. John 13:1 NLT  I pray you'll love like Jesus did during your ministry on earth and faithfully love to the end until the Lord calls you home. Jesus demonstrated His love to us by dying on the cross, rising from the dead and returning to the Father. He is the Lamb of God our Passover. He lived with purpose. Oh how He loves you and me. He gave His life what more could He give. Oh how He loves you and me! If you know the song sing it out and bask in that love this day.

  That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. Who knows? Perhaps he will give you a reprieve, sending you a blessing instead of this curse. Perhaps you will be able to offer grain and wine to the Lord your God as before. Joel 2:12-14 NLT  I pray you'll see the seriousness of being in right standing with God. Turn now while there is still time. Urgency. Tear your heart. Devotion. Trust God's nature and willingness to pardon. Holiness. Christ is THE hope. Do you desire revival? Let it begin in me!

  A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. Proverbs 22:3  I pray you'll stay vigilant and be prudent in every situation before you. Trust God for He has the ability to forecast possible dangers and reveal the consequences of a bad choice. When He does show you the dangers be sure to take the necessary precautions and don't go blindly on like the simpleton. The simpleton is thoughtless and naïve . What can you do to receive foresight from God and how will you know what specific God-given precautions are really needed for the situation?

  “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor! Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. Psalm 107:28-31 NLT I pray you'll think about Jesus who with the word calmed the sea and demonstrated His sovereignty over creation. You can call out to Him for help and He is more than able to save. What storms are you going through and do you believe He can calm them today? Will you pause and praise Him for His great love and all the wonderful things He has done for you?

  But King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on buying it for the full price. I will not take what is yours and give it to the Lord. I will not present burnt offerings that have cost me nothing!”  So David gave Araunah 600 pieces of gold in payment for the threshing floor. 1 Chronicles 21:24-25 NLT I pray you'll never take advantage of your authority as a leader to do something out of step with God's holy nature. David could have given an offering which cost him nothing but he had learned (the hard way) that God is not to be ignored or trifled with when it comes to how you relate to Him. Will you seek God's direction before making any decision? How would God evaluate your worship in terms of costly obedience? What are you giving to Jesus and have you counted the cost to follow Him?

  But my servant Caleb has a different attitude than the others have. He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will possess their full share of that land. Now turn around, and don't go on toward the land where the Amalekites and Canaanites live. Numbers 14:24-25 NLT  I pray you'll be like Caleb who God said had a different attitude. He believed God. He was loyal to God. He was a servant of God. He and his descendants would in time receive God's promises in the land. He was willing to be in the minority (with Joshua) and stand for what was right before God. Giants and fortified cities didn't intimidate him for he knew the Almighty God. Do you have this different attitude in your walk with Christ? Which one of these Caleb qualities need your attention?

  They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! 2 Timothy 3:5  I pray you'll examine yourself against all of Paul's descriptions of people's behavior in the last days. Especially focus here on verse 5 because these are people who have a form of godliness but deny the power of God in their lives. God empowers His people through the Holy Spirit and He is the key to living a godly life. Stay away from these counterfeits and live a set apart Holy Spirit filled life. How can you stay reliant on God's power? Is there someone you need to stay away from who would have only a form of godliness and deny God's power upon their life?

  The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. John 10:10-11  I pray you'll experience the abundant life the Good Shepherd has for you and the entry point is Jesus the One who gave His life for you. There is a thief who kills, steals and destroys. He is at work with an aim to keep you from that rich and satisfying life. He is sneaky and lies by pointing you to false entry points. But God the Father has made one and only One way and that's through His Son Jesus. How are you experiencing this rich and satisfying life? Who do you know that is under the influence of the thief living a life of loss, death and destruction? Jesus is THE Door to abundant life!

  The hearts of the people are fickle; they are guilty and must be punished. The Lord will break down their altars and smash their sacred pillars. Then they will say, “We have no king because we didn’t fear the Lord. But even if we had a king, what could he do for us anyway?” They spout empty words and make covenants they don’t intend to keep. So injustice springs up among them like poisonous weeds in a farmer’s field.  Hosea 10:2-4 I pray you'll ask the Lord to deliver you from a fickle heart. Be steadfast in your walk with Jesus free of the influence of idols. Save us from empty words and sins of the tongue. May the Word of God supernaturally flow out of your mouth in every conversation. Will you give your fickle heart to the Lord Jesus the King and humbly talk using Spirit filled words today?

  The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord;  he guides it wherever he pleases. People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart. Proverbs 21:1-2  I pray you'll know that God is in control even though kings and those in authority over us make their "own" decisions but for the believer God is the sovereign decision maker who is really ultimately in charge. He directs their hearts and it's imperative that we faithfully pray for those in authority. Take note how God is concerned about our motives. Oh how it is easy to deceive yourself and act like you're in charge. Will you ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you any motives that are not in line with King Jesus's heart and ways. Will you trust God who has a unstoppable plan and knows how to best direct it?

  Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may never forget the good things he does for me. Psalm 103:1-2  I pray you'll fully praise the Lord the Holy One with all your being. Body. Mind. Heart. Soul. Will. Ambition. Emotion. Jesus gave every fiber of His being for you on the Cross. May you worship Him today with every fiber of your being and never forget all the good things He has done for you. Is there an area where you're holding back? What would it take to correct that and give Him all 100 percent? Are there some good things that you're forgetting to praise Him for?