January
Father, I've made plans for this year - good plans, reasonable plans, plans I'm attached to. I've told you about them in prayer, but honestly, I was more informing than inviting. I want your blessing on my plans more than I want your plans for me. That's backwards, and I know it. Teach me
January
Mary had plans. As a young woman engaged to Joseph, she could envision her future - a traditional wedding, starting a family in Nazareth, living a quiet life. Then Gabriel showed up with news that would obliterate every plan she'd made: "You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you a
January
My plans for you aren't just "good enough" - they're designed for your flourishing, packed with hope, aimed at a future better than you can imagine. I'm not winging it with your life or making it up as I go. Every detail has been lovingly considered, every path carefully prepared. Trust My
January
Jesus, the magi brought you their best - gold, frankincense, myrrh - before they knew what you'd do for them, before you performed a single miracle, before you proved yourself by their standards. They worshiped because of who you were, not because of what you'd done for them. My worship is
January
Gold, frankincense, and myrrh - the magi's gifts weren't randomly selected luxury items. Each carried profound symbolic weight. Gold signified royalty, acknowledging Jesus as king. Frankincense was used in temple worship, recognizing his deity. Myrrh was a burial spice, foreshadowing his d
January
The magi worshiped a toddler they barely understood, in a town they'd never heard of, following a star they couldn't explain. They didn't need complete understanding to offer complete devotion. You don't have to figure everything out to worship Me fully. Bring your questions, your confusio
January
Lord, I confess I'm often like Jerusalem - disturbed when you show up in unexpected ways, comfortable with my assumptions about how you should work. I scan for the dramatic and miss the quiet. I look for power and overlook weakness. I want glory on my terms, not yours. Adjust my vision to
January
Tomorrow, the church celebrates Epiphany - the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles through the magi's visit. These weren't Jewish scholars steeped in messianic prophecy; they were foreign astrologers who followed a star to find a king. The irony is stunning: Jerusalem's religious experts,
January
I give you strength for everything I call you to do - not in advance, but exactly when you need it. You don't have to stockpile courage for future battles or worry about whether you'll have enough when the time comes. My power shows up on time, every time. Trust Me with today, and I'll han
January
Father, I started this year sprinting, and I'm already tired. I made ambitious plans that assumed I could maintain January energy through December. I forgot that faithfulness is measured in years and decades, not weeks and months. Forgive my unsustainable intensity. Teach me to run the ra
January
Elijah experienced one of Scripture's most dramatic displays of God's power on Mount Carmel. Fire fell from heaven, prophets of Baal were defeated, and rain ended a three-year drought. Victory was complete, vindication was public, and God's power was unmistakable. Twenty-four hours later,
January
When you hope in Me - really anchor yourself to Me, not just positive thinking - I renew your strength. You'll soar when you need to soar, run when you need to run, and walk when walking is the faithful thing. I don't promise you'll never get tired, but I promise you won't burn out. Wait o