When I am afraid, I will put my trust and faith in You.

Psalm 56:3 (AMP)

David killed bears and lions with his own hands when he was just a shepherd boy. He fought the giant Goliath with a slingshot and a couple of river stones. The people said that while King Saul killed thousands, David killed tens of thousands.

We might think that David was fearless to do all those things, but he wrote in Psalms that when he was afraid, he put his trust in God. The use of when implies that there were times when he felt afraid, but he chose to go forward anyway, in faith, because he trusted in God.

If you’ve been afraid of something and desire to be free, the time will eventually come when you’ll have to face your fear and not run away from it. Like David, you will have to approach it with the following attitude: I trust God, and I’m going to do it, even if I have to do it afraid.

The Bible says that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love, discipline, and a calm mind (2 Timothy 1:7). That means that we don’t have to bow down to fear when it strikes. We can move forward in faith and go anywhere that God leads us.

Prayer of the Day: God, forgive me for the times when I have let fear stop me. Help me trust in and rely on You as I move forward in faith, amen.

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So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13 (ESV)

Human beings crave love. When a woman’s soul has been wounded, that craving for love often takes one of two forms. Some women develop hard or harsh personalities so other people will not want to get close to them. If the wounds in their souls are related to men, they may make firm decisions not to trust men or not to build relationships with men at all. Other women may be excessive in their desires to have a man in their life, to the point that they are willing to enter into a relationship with any man who pays attention to them. Perhaps you know women like this, women who seem to go from one unhealthy relationship to another. Maybe you have even done it yourself. You keep thinking the next man in your life will finally be the “right” one, only to find yourself disappointed.

When a woman has a string of relationships that never satisfy her, two things are usually true. One, she has not yet found her fulfillment in God alone; and two, she has not yet learned what real love is. In order to stop the cycle of craving love, seeking it from a man, and being disappointed, a woman’s soul needs to be healed. Part of that healing involves first receiving God’s unconditional love and then understanding what it really means to love and be loved by another person.

I want to share some things I hope will help you in your love relationships with other people. Only God can love us perfectly, but 1 Corinthians 13, which is called “the love chapter” of the Bible, helps us understand what real love is. If someone says, “I love you,” but isn’t demonstrating the attributes of love in this chapter, you might want to think twice before believing that person and going very far in a relationship.

Love is something that can be seen and felt. It is displayed in a variety of ways. When you are trying to decide whether someone loves you, and whether you love that person, you can use the qualities mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13 as a guide. It says that love is patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, and not arrogant or rude. It also does not demand its own way and is not irritable. It does not harbor resentment. Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:6-7, ESV). Love helps others; it gives and it is quick to forgive. This requires intentionality and saying no to self regularly.

The basic qualities of love in 1 Corinthians 13 give us plenty to think about when we consider whether we love someone else and whether they love us. Remember, only God can love you perfectly. Other human beings will let us down, but when we know what true love looks like, we can be wise in our relationships.

Prayer of the Day: Father, thank You for loving me perfectly and unconditionally. Please heal any wounds in my heart, and teach me what real love looks like so I can love wisely and unconditionally.

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Adapted from Battlefield of the Mind

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed and made appointment with them. And when they saw Him, they fell down and worshiped Him; but some doubted. Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be).

Matthew 28:16-20 (AMPC)

These verses give us some insights as to what happened immediately after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We often refer to this passage as the Great Commission. Jesus appeared to His disciples on a particular mountain in Galilee, and He told them that God the Father had given Him all authority in heaven and on earth. He then charged them to go out into the world and make disciples of all nations.

Matthew says that the disciples worshiped Jesus the instant they realized it was actually Him they were seeing. But then he adds the one sad, negative statement in this significant story: But some doubted.

How can that be? Judas was dead, but the others—those great Christians who later traveled throughout the known world and taught everyone about Jesus—doubted? How could they? Had they not witnessed miracles? Had they not seen the lame walk, the blind eyes opened, the demon-possessed healed? Had they not seen Jesus dying on the cross? Did they not—even now—notice His nail-scarred hands?

The answer to all of these questions, of course, is yes. Yet Matthew still says, But some doubted (Matthew 28:17 AMPC). Even these special, anointed, and handpicked followers of Christ struggled with doubt and unbelief.

Is it any wonder then that Jesus referred to the importance of faith on so many occasions? Why would Jesus rebuke these faithful men for not believing? Why would He urge them not to doubt? It was because He knew the hearts of men.

Earlier in his gospel, Matthew described what happened when Jesus saw a fig tree that had leaves but no fruit. A fig tree bears fruit at the same time or before it produces leaves, so it was reasonable for him to expect the tree to be bearing fruit. And He said to it, Never again shall fruit grow on you! And the fig tree withered up at once (Matthew 21:19 AMPC).

The disciples marveled and asked him, How is it that the fig tree has withered away all at once (Matthew 21:20 AMPC)?

Jesus’ answer about the fig tree also applies to faith. Truly I say to you, if you have faith (a firm relying trust) and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, Be taken up and cast into the sea, it will be done (Matthew 21:21 AMPC).

His point is this: When we believe and do not doubt, we can accomplish miracles. Abraham believed, and God honored his faithfulness. Faith is a gift of God, but doubt is a choice. Doubt is a result of thoughts formed in the mind that are in direct opposition to God’s Word. That is why it is so important for us to know the Word of God. We are immediately able to discern the devil’s lies when we know the Word. Doubt is just another part of the devil’s arsenal of weapons aimed against our minds.

I’ve often pointed out that we can choose our thoughts. We have the option to decide whether to accept or reject our thoughts. That means when doubt knocks on the door of our minds, we have the option of inviting it in or calmly but firmly dismissing it. The choice is ours. We can believe or we can doubt. And we know the path of believing leads to the blessings of God.

Prayer of the Day: Dear Lord Jesus, I have allowed doubt to enter my mind; many times, I have allowed Satan to torture me through my thoughts. I confess these things and ask for Your forgiveness. Now I ask You to fill me with faith and enable me to push away such thoughts. I rejoice that I believe only in You, amen.

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Trust in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is a refuge for us (a fortress and a high tower). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

Psalm 62:8 (AMPC)

One thing you can expect to encounter in your journey with God is the trust test. How many times do you say to God, “What is going on in my life? What are You doing? What is happening? I don’t understand.” If you are in a place right now where nothing in your life makes any sense, trust God anyway.

You are not just to have faith and trust in God once in a while or from time to time, but at all times. You must learn to live from faith to faith, trusting the Lord when things are good and when things are bad. There is no such thing as trusting God without unanswered questions. There are always going to be things you just don’t understand.

Prayer of the Day: Father, help me trust You at all times, even when I don’t understand what’s happening. Teach me to lean on You fully, no matter my unanswered questions.

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So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts upon them [obeying them] will be like a sensible (prudent, practical, wise) man who built his house upon the rock.

Matthew 7:24 (AMPC)

Being out of balance opens the door for the devil to rob people of the good life.

The devil tempts them to live in excess and extremes. He pushes some to be workaholics, and others to be lazy, whichever works to keep them unproductive. He drives some to seek wealth above God, and convinces others that poverty is godliness. I believe that the only safe life is a balanced life.

And a balanced life is obtained by keeping its priorities in line with God’s truth. Build your life on solid, safe ground by praying to God and listening to His plan for you.

Prayer of the Day: Father, help me live a balanced life, free from excess and extremes. Keep my priorities in line with Your truth and help me build my life on You.

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Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord, your God; for He gives you the former or early rain in just measure and in righteousness, and He causes to come down for you the rain, the former rain and the latter rain, as before. And the [threshing] floors shall be full of grain and the vats shall overflow with juice [of the grape] and oil.

Joel 2:23-24 (AMPC)

So many times our outward appearance shows the way we’re feeling inside. But it can also work the other way! When we look confident on the outside, we can feel more confident on the inside. When you walk, stand upright. Don’t slump your shoulders and hang your head down. You are full of the life of God, so act like it!

Live with passion, zeal, and enthusiasm. Don’t just try to “make it” through the day. Celebrate the day. Say, “This is the day the LORD has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24 NKJV). Don’t dread the day; attack the day. Know what you want to accomplish today and go for it.

You go, girl—you start talking and walking with confidence! It is time for you to look up, not down. It is time for you to expect great things to happen in your life.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, I want to live this day passionately and to celebrate Your life in me. This is the day You have made, and I want to bring You glory in it, amen.

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And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ.

Philippians 1:9-10 (NKJV)

The gift of discernment is an important thing to have, and it is available to all those who have a relationship with God.

Here’s how it works: Before you do anything, you can quickly check with your spirit to see if the thing you are about to do feels right. If you have peace, then proceed confidently. But if you are uncomfortable or confused, remain still. Ask God to give you His wisdom on how to proceed instead of rushing into something that you don’t have peace about.

The exciting thing about moments like these is that every time you choose to listen to and follow the Holy Spirit’s promptings, your spirit grows stronger in God, and more and more of God’s wisdom is released in your life to operate in the fruit of the Spirit. When you seek to operate with discernment, God will guide you into His very best for your life.

Prayer of the Day: Holy Spirit, teach me to discern Your peace before I act. Help me listen closely to Your promptings and follow Your wisdom into Your best for my life.

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For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.

2 Timothy 1:7 (AMPC)

We have all been given 24 hours in each day. It is important how we use that time—how we regulate the different areas of our lives to keep them in proper perspective. If we have too much work and not enough rest, we get out of balance. We become workaholics and end up weary and worn out.

I get a lot of satisfaction out of accomplishments and work. I don’t like a lot of wasted time or useless activities. But because of my nature, it is easy for me to get out of balance in the area of work. I have to regularly determine that I will not only work but also rest. It must be a priority in order for me to be healthy and close to God.

But it is also possible to have too much rest and not enough work. Solomon says that through . . . idleness of the hands the house leaks (Ecclesiastes 10:18 AMPC). In other words, people who don’t work enough end up in trouble. Their finances, spiritual life, possessions, bodies, and everything else suffer because they don’t do the work necessary to keep things in order.

Ask God to help you have a healthy and proper balance of work and rest. Take time to accomplish the tasks before you but be sure to seize your opportunities to be at peace and enjoy rest. Both are important. Balance is the key!

Prayer of the Day: Father, help me find a healthy balance between work and rest. Give me discipline to work well and wisdom to rest, so I can stay close to You.

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Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love.

Ephesians 1:4 (AMPC)

God tells us in His Word how much He loves us and accepts us, and even though He already knew every mistake we would ever make, He actually chose us for Himself. We read it, but we have a difficult time receiving it.

After all, how could God, Who is perfect, be pleased with us in our imperfections? He can because He separates who we are from what we do. As believers in Jesus Christ, we are God’s children. We may not always act the way He wants us to, but we never stop being His children and He never stops loving us.

Prayer of the Day: Father, thank You for choosing me and loving me unconditionally. Help me receive Your love fully, even when I fail, and remember I am always Your child.

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Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are those who observe justice [treating others fairly] and who do right and are in right standing with God at all times.

Psalm 106:3 (AMPC)

Many of our trials in life are the result of other people. Someone else’s failure, carelessness, ignorance, or sin affects us, and we understandably pray for God to change him or her.

Even though we want others to change and treat us better, I have discovered that it is better for me to focus on how I treat people than on how they treat me. Sometimes God uses the things about people that irritate us to change us. He makes us more tolerant and patient and enables us to love unconditionally.

Pray for people, but don’t forget to pray for yourself that your reaction to their weaknesses will be what God wants it to be.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, I need Your help to love the people who drive me crazy and to show them Your love no matter what is going on. Help me to look to You for guidance, to respond with patience and grace, and to treat others the way You want me to, amen.

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And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities…

Hebrews 10:24 (AMPC)

I have asked hundreds of people to share with me some practical ways they believe we can show love. I have read books, searched the Internet, and been very aggressive on my own journey to find creative ways to incorporate this concept of loving people into my everyday life. I would like to share with you some of the things I have learned.

Here are some ideas I have collected:

• When it is obvious that you and someone else want the same parking place, let the other person have it and do so with a smile on your face.
• Mow an elderly neighbor’s lawn or shovel their snow in the winter.
• Go grocery shopping for a family with a newborn baby.
• Give someone without transportation a ride to church or another event, even if it is out of your way to do so.
• Truly listen to someone without interrupting.
• Hold a door open for a stranger and let him or her go ahead of you.
• Let someone with just a few items go in front of you when you’re in a checkout line.
• Babysit for a single parent to give that person a bit of alone time or time to get a project done peacefully.
• Invite a person who has no family in town to your house for the holidays.
• Send cards and/or flowers to show appreciation.

Start with this simple list, but let the Holy Spirit show you more ideas. Doing random things for people just to be a blessing is an amazing way to show God’s love.

Prayer of the Day: Father, show me practical ways to bless others today. Give me eyes to see needs around me and a willing heart to act in love, just as You’ve loved me.

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Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility.]

Philippians 2:5 (AMPC)

As human beings, we all struggle with selfishness and ingratitude. We can pray and believe God for something and even be very thankful and grateful for it when we receive it. But it doesn’t take us very long until we are no longer thankful and grateful for them but actually come to think we are entitled to them.

If we aren’t careful, we can even develop a demanding attitude in our relationship with the Lord. We can become upset and aggravated when the Lord doesn’t give us everything we think we are entitled to. As His children, we do have an inheritance, but a humble attitude is necessary to receive it. A humble attitude pleases God and will keep our hearts grateful for every blessing we receive.

Prayer of the Day: Father, I am so thankful for Your work in my life. Please help me to keep a humble attitude, never demanding Your goodness. Thank You that You pour out Your favor in my life, not because I’ve earned it, but simply because You love me and You want to bless me.

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Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.

Psalm 117:1-2 (NIV)

Psalm 117 consists of only two verses, and we read similar words throughout Psalms. I have come to believe that any time God’s Word says certain things repeatedly, they are important, and we need to pay close attention to them.

We enter God’s gates with thanksgiving and come into His courts with praise (Psalm 100:4), so I believe thanksgiving and praise should always precede our requests. I can’t ask God for something if I am not even in His presence, so I begin my morning prayer times with praise and thanksgiving. I pray in other ways throughout the day without doing that because I am not making a law out of it, but I do believe that our day should be filled with thanksgiving and praise, as well as prayers for ourselves and others.

Scripture says many times that God loves us and that His love is great and endures forever, and I believe we should also tell Him that we love Him throughout the day. I don’t think we can say this too often. I never tire of hearing my husband tell me that he loves me, and I never tire of hearing God tell me that He loves me. I seriously doubt that He gets tired of hearing us tell Him we love Him.

Tell God today that He is good, that you appreciate all He does for you, that you love Him, and that you are relying on Him to help you in all you do.

Prayer of the Day: Father, I am thankful for You, and I praise You for all Your mighty works. I love You and I need You. You are good and You are faithful. I put my trust in You, amen.

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Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.

Mark 11:13-14 (NIV)

One of the Bible stories that can be confusing to people is the story of the fig tree. They wonder why Jesus cursed it to the point that it withered and dried up. I think the reason is simple: It wasn’t doing what God designed it to do. Because it had leaves, it should have had fruit too.

The day after Jesus cursed the tree, He and His disciples passed it again, and the disciples were shocked to see that it had died. Seeing their shock, Jesus told them, Have faith in God (Mark 11:22 NIV). He then went on in Mark 11:23–24 to talk about the sheer power of faith.

As believers, we can choose to respond to what God says the way the disciples responded when Jesus spoke to the fig tree, and we can be surprised when His Word actually comes to pass. Or, we can be filled with faith. When we read God’s Word or hear His voice, we can immediately begin expecting it to happen.

Fill your mind today with thoughts of faith and confidence in God, not with thoughts of doubting Him, questioning Him, or wondering if He means what He says.

Believe God’s Word and keep believing it until you see Him fulfill His promises.

Prayer of the Day: Father, may I never be surprised when what You say actually happens. May I live looking for You to move and expecting You to do what You say You will do. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; spare not; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes.

Isaiah 54:2 (AMPC)

God’s Word teaches us that He can do much more than what we can dream, imagine, or think (Ephesians 3:20), so why not think big? Surely we don’t believe that God wants us to live narrow lives with barely enough to get by in life. He is a big God and wants to provide more than enough of all that we need.

Always be content with what God is providing, but at the same time, think big about your future. God wants to use you in a big way, bless you in a big way, and help you in a big way! Don’t let your own small thinking keep you trapped in a little life.

Prayer of the Day: Father, thank You for reminding me to think big! Let me think Your thoughts and dream Your dreams.

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I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

Psalm 40:1-2 (NIV)

Anytime I read about a pit in Scripture, I think of the depths of depression. Throughout the psalms that David wrote, he referred to emotional lows as being in a pit. When he found himself in such circumstances, he always cried out to the Lord to rescue him and set his feet on solid, level ground. The Lord was faithful to help him.

Like David, nobody wants to be in the pit of depression. It is an emotionally difficult place that feels hopeless. When we are deeply depressed, we feel bad enough as it is. Then the devil brings thoughts of every negative thing imaginable to make the misery worse. He reminds us of our disappointments and tries to make us believe that nothing good will ever happen to us. His goal is to keep us so miserable and hopeless that we will not be able to cause him any problems or fulfill God’s purpose for our lives.

According to Romans 14:17 (NIV), God wants us to experience righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, so we know He does not want us stuck in depression. As today’s scripture says, the pit of depression is a slimy place, and slimy places are difficult to climb out of without help.

The Holy Spirit is our Helper (John 14:26 AMP). When we cry out to God, He pulls our emotions out of the pit, sets us on a rock, and gives us a firm place to stand so we can be emotionally stable.

Prayer of the Day: Holy Spirit, when I feel like I’m in a pit, help me. Set my feet on a rock and give me a firm place to stand.

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And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.

Galatians 6:9 (AMPC)

One reason people do not hear God’s voice is simply that they give up too soon. Paul and Silas were found still worshiping and praising God in their jail cell at midnight (Acts 16:25–26). Many people would have given up and gone to sleep much earlier. Our motto should be: “Never Give Up.”

I encourage you not to give up talking to God and waiting for Him to speak to you, no matter what. Spend time with God daily. A person who refuses to quit is one whom Satan cannot defeat. He wants you to give up right now and to say things like:

• “I’ll never have anything.”
• “I’ll never be accepted.”
• “I’ll never get a better job.”
• “I’ll never live in a nice place.”
• “I’ll never get married.”
• “I’ll never get out of debt.”
• “I’ll never lose weight.”

Attitudes like these may guarantee that we will not receive anything! But we can also choose the attitude that says, “God is faithful to His Word and I will never give up.” One of the biggest reasons that people never see the result of their prayers is that they give up. We will reap in due time, but what time is that? It is when God knows that we are ready to receive what we are asking for. Until that time our one job is to remain faithful. Keep praying and keep obeying.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, I need Your help to never give up on You, Your promises, or the purpose You’ve placed in my life. Keep me faithful in prayer and steadfast in obedience until I see Your answer. Strengthen my faith to trust You in every season. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Moreover, He called for a famine upon the land [of Egypt]; He cut off every source of bread. He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold as a servant. His feet they hurt with fetters; he was laid in chains of iron and his soul entered into the iron.

Psalm 105:16-18 (AMPC)

In Genesis chapters 37 and 39–50, we read that Joseph suffered many unfair situations. His brothers were jealous of him; they sold him into slavery and told his father a wild animal had killed him. He became the head of the house for Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officers. Potiphar’s wife wanted Joseph to sleep with her, and when he refused, she had him thrown in prison, where he remained for years. There, God promoted him, and he had authority over the other prisoners.

He helped a cupbearer get out of prison by interpreting a dream for him and asked the cupbearer to remember him when he was free, but when the cupbearer left prison, he forgot about Joseph.

Through these circumstances, Joseph kept a good attitude and continued trusting and obeying God. In every situation, God gave him favor and promoted him. Eventually, Joseph interpreted one of Pharaoh’s dreams, and he was so impressed that he put Joseph in a high administrative position in his government. Joseph went from the pit to the palace!

If someone mistreats you, keep a good attitude and continue helping other people, and God will give you favor and reward you for your faithfulness to Him.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, help me keep a good attitude no matter what’s happening in my life or when I feel mistreated. Like Joseph, let me trust and obey You, knowing You will reward my faithfulness, amen.

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Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated), for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9 (AMP)

Have you ever noticed that the armor of God detailed in Ephesians 6 doesn’t include anything that covers your back? It includes the sword, the helmet, the breastplate, the belt, the shoes, and the shield. Nowhere on that list is anything to protect your back, because God never intended for us to run away! He has anointed you to go through hard times, when needed.

In Genesis 16, a pregnant Hagar wanted to run away when Sarai began to mistreat her, but an angel of the Lord found her and told her to go back and submit to her mistress.

In Exodus 2, Moses fled Egypt after he killed a man. He ran to the wilderness, where he stayed 40 years, but an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a burning bush and told him to go back.

In 1 Kings 19, the prophet Elijah hid in a cave to avoid Jezebel, but the word of the Lord came to him and told him to go back.

You won’t always be “in the mood” to confront your issues. You won’t always “feel like it” when God tells you to stay in the fight, but He may bring you back to it until you learn to trust Him there.

Prayer of the Day: God, thank You for being with me wherever I go. Help me keep moving forward. Give me the courage to face what I need to face and stay in the fight until I get it, especially on those days when I feel like running away, amen.

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The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22–23 (ESV)

When you are on a journey of healing in your soul, there are times when you feel good about it because you are making progress, and there are times when you encounter setbacks and you wonder if you will ever be made whole. Sometimes the enemy tempts you to wonder if God gets frustrated or exasperated with you because you stumble on your way to healing and wholeness. Sometimes he simply plants in your mind that you have gone too far to be healed, that so much has happened that it is too late. Nothing could be farther from the truth. God is unendingly patient with you. He always loves you, always fights for you, and is always on your side, moving you forward into the very best He has for you. It is never too late to ask Him to help you. And when you ask, He answers.

God’s love never runs out, no matter what you do. It is possible to frustrate a human being to the point that he or she may back away from you for a while, but God is not like that. He always stays close. Lamentations 3:22 says His steadfast love “never ceases.” Plenty of people in Scripture struggled for long periods of time and could have lost hope, but God was always there for them. He always redeemed them and used them in spite of their past mistakes. For example:

• Abraham and Sarah were close to 100 years old when God fulfilled a promise to them and gave them a child. After a lifetime of barrenness for Sarah, I am sure they thought it was too late for them to become parents (Gen. 21:1–7).
• A woman suffered with a bleeding disorder for 12 years, but when she touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, she was instantly healed (Matt. 9:20).
• A man unable to walk sat beside a pool for 38 years hoping for a miracle to restore the use of his legs. Jesus spoke a word of healing to him and he bent over, picked up his bed, and walked—immediately (John 5:1–9).
• Jesus’ friend Lazarus was dead in a tomb for four days—not just very sick, but actually dead. Jesus went to his tomb, prayed, and called his name—and he walked out (John 11:38–44).

New beginnings and fresh starts are never in short supply with God. It is never too late for Him to heal a broken heart or restore a life that seems damaged beyond repair. No matter how long you have struggled, it is not too late to hope again. You can dust off your dreams and begin to move forward today. New mercies are waiting for you!

Prayer of the Day: Lord, I refuse to stay stuck any longer. Renew my mind, heal my soul, and help me move forward into the good plans and hopeful future You have prepared for me. You are so good to me and I love You, amen.

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