Daily Quote, Bible Verse and Prayer - January

[bluidkiti]

January 1

Quote:
When you are reading a book in a dark room, and find it difficult, you
take it to a window to get more light. So take your Bible to Christ.
~ Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Isaiah 34:16 NKJV
Search from the book of the Lord, and read.

Prayer:
Father,
When reading the scriptures seems dry or I just don't "get it," remind me
to pray and ask for guidance and for the Holy Spirit to shine light on
my understanding. Amen.

[bluidkiti]

January 2

Quote:
When I was young I was sure of everything; in a few years, having been
mistaken a thousand times, I was not half so sure of most things as I
was before; at present, I am hardly sure of anything but what God has
revealed to me. ~ John Wesley

1 Corinthians 2:10 NIV
But God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches
all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men
knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him?
In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the
Spirit of God.

Prayer:
My Lord,
I laugh when I remember how sure I used to be of everything.
Now I see clearly that there is only One that is sure, One Who
can be trusted and One Who loves me unconditionally. You are
the Author and Creator of all things. I praise You at all times and
in all circumstances. Amen.

[bluidkiti]

January 3

Quote:
The strength that comes from confidence can be quickly lost to conceit.
{submitted by Rev. Nancy}

Philippians 2:3-4 ESV
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more
significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own
interests, but also to the interests of others.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Cleanse me of all conceit, excessive pride and vanity. Help me to
dig deep into my inner being and see things clearly so I may make
the needed changes. Make me a more godly person that I may be
a blessing to others and bring joy to You. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

[bluidkiti]

January 4

Quote:
Disaster only brings the Christian closer to God. Nasty surprises or
twists and turns of plot do not deter us from the path we tread. Because
of the cross, we may march through earthly jungles, deserts, gardens,
cities, but we are on a heavenly trek. No matter what our journeys lead
us through, we always end up in God. From where we stand now, our
future may look dreadful, exciting, boring, but we may rest assured that
we are in better hands than our own if we simply give our future to Christ.
~ Leslie Williams, Night Wrestling

John 10:27-28 ESV
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will
snatch them out of my hand."

Prayer:
O God,
The path is not easy but it is the heavenly trek. I give this day and all coming
days to Christ that I may follow in His footsteps. Amen.

[bluidkiti]

January 5

Quote:
Some think Christ so distant and their prayers so
ineffective that they describe it this way, “I feel like
my prayers are reaching only the ceiling and bouncing
back to me.” However, since Christ is in us, that bounce
means he hears our prayer twice! Great efficiency. ~ Gayle Erwin

John 16:24
Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

Prayer:
O Lord,
When I think my prayers are bouncing off of the ceiling
remind me that they are indeed being heard twice! Amen.

[bluidkiti]

January 6

Quote:
God often comforts us, not by changing the circumstances
of our lives, but by changing our attitude towards them.
~ S. H.B. Masterman

Psalm 51:12 ESV
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Prayer:
Gracious Lord,
You have shown me time and again that it is
not my circumstances that need changing but
instead my attitude toward them. I will hold this
truth in my heart as I face adversity. Amen.

[bluidkiti]

January 7

Quote:
The arrow has to draw back to fly ahead. {submitted by Rev. Nancy}

Philippians 4:6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And
the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your
hearts and minds through Christ Jesus

Prayer:
Lord,
Remind me that sometimes I have to draw back before I can be
powerfully launched forward. Amen.

[bluidkiti]

January 8

Quote:
The temptation to disconnect from that deep place in you
where God dwells and to let yourself be drowned in the
praise or the blame of the world always remains. ~ Henri J. M. Nouwen

Mark 8:36-38
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world,
and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange
for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and
of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also
shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory
of his Father with the holy angels.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Lead me to put You, Your Word and Your Will first and foremost
in my life. All things must be measured by You. The praise and
blame of the world is fleeting and means little in comparison. Amen.

[bluidkiti]

January 9

Quote:
Whatever trial you are experiencing today, cling to God
and He will restore you completely! ~ Chaplain Michael Clark

Joshua 22:5
Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the
law that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you,
to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways and
to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve
him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Prayer:
My Lord,
I will hold on to You tenaciously just as a little child clings to its
mother. And just as child follows closely behind, I shall walk in
all of Your ways and keep Your commandments. Amen.

[bluidkiti]

January 10

Quote:
The individual is capable of both great compassion and
great indifference. He has it within his means to nourish
the former and outgrow the latter. ~ Norman Cousins

1Peter 3:8 ESV
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy,
brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

Prayer:
O God,
Indifference can lead quickly to apathy. Stoke the fires of my
heart and soul that I become passionate about others and burn
to help when I am able. And may I do this all in the name of Jesus. Amen.

[bluidkiti]

January 11

Quote:
Obstacles are those frightening things we see
when we temporarily lose our faith. {submitted by Rev. Nancy}

Deuteronomy 31:8
And the LORD, He it is that doth go before thee;
He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither
forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Something becomes an obstacle when I believe I have to remove it,
I have to surmount it or I have to circumvent it. Obstacles melt when
I realize that You are the One Who enables me to overcome. Amen.

[bluidkiti]

January 12

Quote:
A judicious friend, into whose heart we may pour
out our souls, and tell our corruptions as well as
our comforts, is a very great privilege. ~ George Whitefield

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Two are better than one; because they have a
good reward for their labour.For if they fall, the
one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is
alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to
help him up.

Prayer:
Father,
Thank you for my believing friends in whom I can confide.
Their willingness to listen to me and their patience in
guiding me is a true blessing. May I in turn bless others
who need a helping hand. Amen.

[bluidkiti]

January 13

Quote:
Build a little fence of trust around today,
Fill the space with loving deeds and therein stay;
Look not through the sheltering bars upon tomorrow,
God will help thee bear what comes of joy or sorrow.
~ Mary Frances Butts {submitted by Rev. Nancy}

2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of
power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Prayer:
Father,
Help me to build a fence of trust around today and to find
rest and peace within. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

[bluidkiti]

January 14

Quote:
We must make the choice to rejoice. I am saying that God is good, and even
when things are not good, He works them for our good. If you believe this
is true, your faith in God will relieve you from a host of dark and dangerous
attitudes. God is Who He says He is. Even if we don't know all the details
along the way, we trust that He is good. ~ Francis Frangipane

Ezra 8:22
"The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him..."

Prayer:
Father,
May my faith always
bubble forth in rejoicing as I trust in You and never doubt.
In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

[bluidkiti]

January 15

Quote:
The man who gazes upon and contemplates day by day
the face of the Lord Jesus Christ, and who has caught
the glow of the reality that the Lord is not a theory but
an indwelling power and force is his life, is as a mirror
reflecting the glory of the Lord....He has caught the glow
and is reflecting it. We all reflect as in a mirror. Has
anything been getting through to your life? - any light,
any reflection, any glow? ~ Alan Redpath

John 1:45 ESV
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The
light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not
overcome it.

Prayer:
Lord Above,
You are the Light of life and all men. May I be a mirror
that reflects Your glory to others who are in darkness.
And if my glow starts to dim, lead me to ponder Your
face and infill me ever more with Your Holy Spirit. Amen