Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3 Jesus challenges the disciples arrogance and power with a child’s innocence and dependence. Embody and practice humility today!

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 Lord, thank you for starting a work in me and please give me the strength and guidance to see your end. Amen

““I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest,” replied Paul. “For it is written, You must not speak evil of a ruler of your people.” ,” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭23‬:‭5‬ ‭CSB‬‬

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3 Peace is available for us who depend and focus more on God than our present situations. Discipline and direct our minds today!!

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! Proverbs 6:6 Solomon challenges us to use the ant as an example of being purposeful, industrious, Ingenuitive, and innovative. Be intentional today!!

“do not boast that you are better than those branches. But if you do boast #— #you do not sustain the root, but the root sustains you. ” Romans 11:18 CSB

Ephesians 6:11 NIV Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes Paul wanted to ensure the believers understood their fight was a spiritual battle that needed the right equipment. Be strong against the enemies’ schemes & tactics today!

“As it is written, Look, I am putting a stone in Zion to stumble over and a rock to trip over, and the one who believes on him   will not be put to shame.  ,” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭9‬:‭33‬ ‭CSB‬‬

When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments. 2 Timothy 4:13 Paul in jail wrote to Timothy for him to bring a coat for the cold and scrolls to learn and read. Find time to send encouragement and care to one today!!

“This hope will not disappoint us,  because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts  through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭5‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24 David reminds us that there’s strength found in trusting God. Find your eternal spiritual resources in your trusting in God today!!

From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. Jonah 2:1 God’s mercy is wide and deep. Jonah arrogantly resisted God’s call yet God sent a fish to swallow Jonah. Mercy allowed another chance. Thank God for mercy today by offering mercy to others.

We all . . . are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory. 2 Corinthians 3:18 Being like Jesus is an ever-present spiritual journey. John in his writings sought life, light and love themes to describe why Jesus came. Be like Jesus today!

“While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.” St. Francis of Assisi

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. Zephaniah 3:17 No matter how distant Judah had drifted, God’s mercy still pursued them. Appreciate a Mighty and Merciful God today that loves us even when we fail at loving Him.

Unless the Lord Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom. Isaiah 1:9 The gift of mercy shields us from dire ends. Isaiah warns that without being spared, Sodom would’ve been their end. Thank God for mercy today!!

They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. Revelation 21:3 There’s a space within us that only God can satisfy. Relationship matters. Find peace in God today!

“Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭33‬ ‭CSB‬‬

A well-to-do woman . . . urged [Elisha] to stay for a meal. 2 Kings 4:8 Elisha was interrupted by a woman that insisted he stay for a meal and proceeded to convince her husband to build a place to Elisha to reside. Find opportunities to serve today!

“So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭26‬ ‭CSB‬‬

The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. Acts 11:26 Believers had lived so much like Jesus that outsiders labeled them Christians. Live up to your name today!!

God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. Acts 10:34-35 Peter learned through revelation and an encounter the value of inclusion and acceptance. Thank God for Dr. MLK! Be a bridge today!!!

I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.” Nehemiah 6:9 Prayer sees beyond the surface to offer strength to bear the inevitable. Nehemiah was being falsely accused and prayer enabled his stance. Be prayerful today!!

“Let Thy light burn in me that I may, from this moment on, take effective steps within my own powers, to live up to the light and courageously to pay for the kind of world I so deeply desire.” Excerpt From Meditations of the Heart Howard Thurman

Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:38 Purpose comes with splinters if we are truly bearing our crosses selflessly. A cross symbolizes our Divine passion. Endure the inconvenience of assignment today!!

I will run the course of Your commandments, for You shall enlarge my heart. Psalm 119:32 nkjv Lord, please make room in my heart for Your truth. Allow my obedience to stretch my area of trust and fertile my ability to believe. Thank you for the gift of opportunity today. Amen!

Those who are with us are more than those who are with them. 2 Kings 6:16 Elisha reminded his servant of God’s providential care when forces around them were greater than the natural eye could see. Ask God for vision today!

“He who calls  you  is faithful; he will do it.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭24‬ ‭CSB‬‬ “But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. ” ‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬ ‭CSB‬‬

The God of all comfort . . . comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort [others]. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 God comes alongside our burdens and assists us with carrying their weight. Comfort as you’ve been comforted. Appreciate God’s comfort today!!

I will not let you go unless you bless me. Genesis 32:26 Jacob after an encounter with his brother, in whom he tricked out of his birthright, began wrestling until the break of day. Practice persistence today!

“Start where you are, with what you have. Make something of it.” George Washington Carver

I will instruct you . . . I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8 David understood after making a bad decision that he needed God’s guidance. Be a humble student today!

We have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna! Numbers 11:6 Lord, please never allow me to complain or arrogantly accept your bounty of blessing. Amen!!

“After leaving the jail, they came to Lydia’s house, where they saw and encouraged the brothers and sisters, and departed. ” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭16‬:‭40‬ ‭CSB‬‬

You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. James 4:14 Tomorrow is a mystery while today is a precious gift. Appreciate and maximize today!!

“Speak and act as those who are to be judged by the law of freedom.  For judgment is without mercy to the one who has not shown mercy.  Mercy triumphs over judgment.” ‭‭James‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. Isaiah 43:18 God forgives the people of Israel so they can experience whats next. Let go of yesterday so you can appreciate today and tomorrow. Don’t dwell on the past today!

Here is a boy w/five small barley loaves & two small fish, but how far will they go among so many? John 6:9 The crowd had been w/Jesus the entirety of the day as hunger overtook them. The inquiry revealed the challenge of smallness placed in Jesus’ hands. Work the small today!

I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Philippians 4:2 Euodia and Syntyche were assets to the kingdom of God yet had a difference of opinion & their conflict disrupted the unity in the church. Practice conflict resolution skills today!

They bowed down and worshiped Him. Matthew 2:11 The magi or wise men sought Jesus while distance, danger and/or delays didn’t deter their efforts. Seek Jesus at all costs today!

Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. 1 Samuel 12:23 Samuel was caught in between the people’s desires for a king and God’s disappointment in their selection. Prayer is the great equalizer. Pray for someone other than you today!!

Consider the lilies . . . . Luke 12:27 esv If God cares and considers the beauty of the lilies, certainly God cares for us. Find comfort in God’s creation today!

“Teach us to overcome our fear of life; and in that freedom may we learn to understand life and, in our understanding of life, to love life. Steady us that we may cast our vote for and not against life. Howard Thurman

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. Romans 12:6 God has uniquely provided gifts to each of us to enhance His kingdom! Let your gift work today!

He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal [debt]. Colossians 2:13-14 Sin was a critical bill all humanity owed but Christ’s death on the cross paid it off. Walk debt free today!!

When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered. Acts 17:32 The Truth is often objected but never denied. Paul stood unapologetically in the marketplace sharing his testimony and many rejected. Stand on your truth today!

“Dear friend, you are acting faithfully in whatever you do for the brothers and sisters, especially when they are strangers.” ‭‭3 John‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 Vine branches get their nourishment remaining connected to the True Vine. Find resource in connection today!

“As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you don’t need anyone to teach you. Instead, his anointing teaches you about all things  and is true and is not a lie; just as it has taught you,  remain in him. ” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭27‬ ‭CSB‬‬

The Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. Genesis 39:21 NLT God’s presence resides in our uncomfortable spaces. Joseph dropped by his brothers and sold into slavery now finds himself in prison yet God’s love abides. Appreciate God’s ‘withs’ today!