Devo | Jan • Feb • March • April • May • June • July • Aug • Sept • Oct • Nov • Dec

February 1

Threats and Accusations

“You will be protected from the lash of the tongue, and need not fear when destruction comes.” Job 5:21

Men may talk evil of you and lie about you, but their threats and accusations sow their own destruction. Sinful men may bear down on a righteous man with hurtful words and harmful weapons but their temporal power can not prevent God’s wrath as He protects and avenges His saints. When the tongue of the wicked assaults, take refuge in the Lord who upholds you.

Men who resort to threatening, accusing, and harming as their means of expressing disagreement are merely showing their disdain for God and His laws, but know that He sees the truth and He will vindicate you.

Let’s pray today to take solace in the Lord, even when others talk and act against us.

February 2

Peace from Repentance

“Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you.” Job 22:21

If peace of mind alludes you and discontent is the norm, it may be time to change course and align your life with God’s Word. If your life is unbecoming to you, it’s time to be coming to Jesus Christ. Yes, bad things do happen to good people, but why would you want your life out of God’s will, especially if it just increases those bad opportunities for you? You can be at peace with yourself, others, and God now, if you will repent and turn to Him.

When we seek the Lord’s will for our lives and recognize that we need to make a u-turn and change a behavior or pattern in our life, don’t worry about the criticism of others and don’t forget that the Spirit of God will be with you along the way.

Let’s pray today that we will turn from waywardness and follow our Lord and His word.

February 3

Backslidden from God

“If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored: If you remove wickedness far from your tent.” Job 22:23

If you’ve backslidden down to the deepest hole, you are still not too far down for the grace of God to lift you out. The Spirit of the Lord can reach you, lift you, and rebuild you. You can have a testimony of God’s saving grace that no other can have. The lost see where you have been and as they watch the transforming power of God in your life and long for that in theirs.

The grace of Christ will not leave you to struggle on your own as you aim to live for Him. Walking away from sin is not dependent on us exerting whatever discipline we think we can conjure up, but by resolutely walking toward the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let’s pray today for the convicting Spirit of God to work with those who have wondered far from God.

February 4

Youth Who Thrive

“That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” Psalm 1:3

Blessed are the youth who have been planted in the rich soil of God’s word, because their life will thrive. The greatest influence a parent can have on their children is a love and respect for the Bible as God’s authoritative word. Their future will be less likely to be influenced by Satan’s course when they have been planted on the path of the Savior and His grace.

It is never too late for a parent to turn to the Lord or to admit to their children that they failed in building a biblical foundation at home, but it is always a powerful witness of the redeeming work of Christ.

Let’s pray that we may impart the truth as it is in Jesus to the youth in our lives.

February 5

Absence of Wicked Men

“For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.” Psalm 1:6

The good news about bad news is it will not last forever, because the wicked will not last forever. Soon the righteous will no longer be subjected to evil men who force their selfish will upon their neighbors through crime, violence, and false accusations. The deeds of the wicked will finally be absent from our conversations, our lives, and our world because in Heaven the former things will be no more.

We may be forced to endure undeserved hardship and dishonest ridicule but it can only last a season. Our earthly lives are but a vapor compared to the ceaseless eternal ages of peace that we will have in Heaven.

Let’s pray today that the injustice and wickedness of our world will not take our eyes off Heaven.

February 6

The God of Prayer

“The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.” Psalm 6:9

God always hears our prayer when it is within His will, best for us now, and advances the gospel. God welcomes all and every prayer we may offer, but we ought not expect our every wish to be validated by Him. We think in terms limited by time and selfishness, but our God has the far superior perspective of being all wise and knowing, and that is why we ultimately can only pray to Him.

Prayer is the answer to our quest for relief, our need for forgiveness, and our desire for divine intervention in the crushing circumstances of life. Men may help, but only the God of creation can answer our prayers.

Let’s pray today that we always recognize the will of our God in our prayers for ourselves.

February 7

Stronghold of Jesus

“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” Psalm 9:9

When the circumstances of life are battering against you like a ship on rough seas, Jesus is your stronghold. You can find a shelter in Him that is secure, safe, and peaceful despite the storms that rage on the outside. You can come to Him wet and worn out, you can come to Him tired and without hope, you can come to Him however your trials have battered, but by all means, come to Jesus.

When the waters of life are smooth and relaxing, don’t neglect communing with your Savior through prayer and Bible study. Walking with the Lord in the good times will put you close to Him when times of troubles arise.

Let’s pray today that those who we know and love will find shelter in the stronghold of Jesus Christ.

February 8

The Name of Jesus

“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10

Jesus is the only name this earth has known that stands as a testimony of righteousness and salvation. We pray in Jesus’ name because none compare to what He did for us at Calvary by paying the price we could not and would not in order to become the second Adam. There are many gods who claim to be superior but all bow to the only God who is worthy of all glory, and His name is Jesus Christ.

No other but Jesus can offer sinful man full forgiveness, the cloak of His righteousness before the judgment, and redemption from the condition of our fallen planet that leads to an eternity in a New Earth and a New Heaven.

Let’s pray today that our lips may speak the name of Jesus more often as a testimony to the Lord.

February 9

Keep Jesus Before You

“I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8

If you put your relationship with the Lord front and center of your life, you will never have to wonder where He is. Too many people decide to find Christ only after the other solutions don’t work. You will find Christ when you are down, but if you keep Him before you in your heart, mind, and soul you will be one step ahead of the struggle with your Lord before you.

Anyone at any time in their life can make the decision to invite the Lord to lead them. Seek Him and you will find Him in the Bible and in prayer. Begin by reading through the book of John, and by simply opening your heart in prayer.

Let’s pray today that we may keep Jesus first so He is always there, in good times and bad.

February 10

Christ in our Lives

“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 16:11

Without the Lord Jesus Christ in your life you will likely feel aimless, unsure of your purpose, and never satisfied. Yes, followers of the Lord do have moments and seasons of grappling to make sense of life, but we have an overarching peace as we know to run back to Calvary. With Christ in your life there is a stronghold of security and a joy that always hopes beyond the happenings of this world.

Do not wait until you have achieved contentment or arrive at some predetermined spiritual indicator before you allow Christ into your life, because that is putting the cart before the horse. Allow the Lord to lead and you will have these things.

Let’s pray today to keep Jesus close in our lives as we seek Him daily through prayer and Scripture.

February 11

Jesus First

“As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.” Psalm 17:15

We may seek to model our lives after a mentor or a parent we admire, but ultimately our energy and focus should be in making Jesus first. The Christian goal is Christ-likeness. Don’t give up your divine inheritance for a temporal promise of a bigger paycheck, more material gains, or public notoriety. Be excellent at your craft or profession, but please do not compromise your calling to arise in the resurrection in His likeness.

Some will gain the world and lose their soul and for them it means the second resurrection. As for you, choose life by putting Jesus first and you will awake in the first resurrection of the saved and the eternal reward of seeing His face.

Let’s pray today that Jesus stays first in our attitude, business, and relationships.

February 12

Small Sins

“Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.” Psalm 19:13

It is the little liberties with seemingly insignificant sins that lead to the out of control sinful habits of rebellion. Don’t ignore the convicting power of the Holy Spirit upon your life and don’t underestimate the wickedness of small sins, because if you allow your conscience to be seared in small sins it will easily welcome the big sins, which have the weightier chains.

The promise of forgiveness and restoration of righteousness in the eyes of our ultimate Judge is applicable to our private life as it is to our public life. The all-seeing and all-knowing God extends the same grace as often as we run to Christ.

Let’s pray today that as the Holy Spirit brings conviction to our hearts we will stop, turn, and find grace.

February 13

One World Government

“All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him.” Psalm 22:27

When the Kingdom of God is established on earth and the tribulation is past, the Lord Jesus Christ will reign. Some worry about the one world government of the Antichrist, but we ought to be longing for the one world government of King Jesus when sin is banished and His righteousness reigns across the globe and He is worshiped across the families, peoples, and nations of the earth.

The Lord Jesus is returning soon, and while we may find reason to shutter at the signs unfolding around us that point to escalating troubles ahead, our hope is not in the signs but in the Savior.

Let’s pray today that we may confidently live as citizens of the King – King Jesus the Righteous.

February 14

We are Sheep

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” Psalm 23:1

We are like sheep, and like sheep, if we don’t have a shepherd to lead us we are doomed to be devoured. The good news is that God sent His Son to be our Shepherd and lead us through dangerous landscapes of a world with a lion seeking whom he may devour. So don’t be so swift to think you can do it alone or choose your own path or go in a direction untested.

Staying with the Shepherd sent to save us is how we stay safe, protected from wolves, and led to green fields and freshwater. With the Lord always leading before us we may not have everything we want, but we will have what we need.

Let’s pray today that we may remain closely focused on the leading of the Shepherd.

February 15

The Darkest Valley

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

For us whose Shepherd is the Lord, even the darkest of circumstances is only a shadow of what those without Jesus experience. Our Shepherd does not leave us, but stays close, though we may walk through the deepest of valleys. Satan will lie about being with you, but when death calls, he’ll be of no help and nowhere to be found.

The Lord Jesus came to earth, walked where we walked, lived how we live, and knows the struggles we know. Just as Heaven did not forsake Jesus in His darkest valley, neither will Jesus forsake us in ours.

Let’s pray today that we steadfastly follow the Lord our Shepherd through every valley of life.

February 16

Humility or Hell

“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.” Psalm 25:9

If we are not humbled under the headship of the Lord Jesus Christ, our conceited hearts will lead us to hell. A boastful man can not accept help or guidance, but a humble man is willfully able to accept Christ’s grace and freely learn of Him. A man who is self-absorbed with a false sense of self-importance, will go to his grave unrepentant unless he encounters the Lord.

Satan wants us to remain unteachable and unaware of our own need for a Savior. He is content to lead the best of us into self-centered religious legalism, because the focus on self, not on the grace of Jesus Christ, stands against humility.

Let’s pray today that we may resist the temptation of selfishness and find humility in Christ.

February 17

Friends with Jesus

“The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.” Psalms 25:14

Friendship is a mutual relationship of love and respect, which is what God desires to have with us. Our God does not sit passively awaiting homage, but He is an interpersonal God who cares and is involved in our lives. Look no further than His Son Jesus for assurance that as He lived in friendship with the twelve, He will also live in friendship with you.

The Christian faith is having a relationship with the Creator of all things, and it is a relationship that He pursues with us. The Lord left the glories of Heaven to have a relationship with fallen man, that you and I may know Him as our Friend.

Let’s pray today that we may live and act in faith as a friend of the Lord Jesus Christ.

February 18

God’s Shelter

“For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.” Psalm 27:5

When we get to heaven we may finally realize how often God’s providence and angels intervened to save us. There can be no fear for our future when we are reminded of our Lord’s mercy and His leading in our life. Scripture is a testament to God’s shaping of the circumstances faced by the saints throughout the ages, so face your day confident in Jesus Christ.

There is eternal safety in the dwelling of the Lord, but its doorway is open to any who seek Him and His shelter. Mortal man may bring trouble to us, but no man can prevent us from the immortal life our God gives us.

Let’s pray today that we may recognize and give praise to our Lord for his leading in our life.

February 19

Your Father in Heaven

“Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” Psalm 27:10

If you are living life without your parent’s presence, love, or involvement, turn to your Father in Heaven. The God of Creation waits with open arms as a righteous Father who desires to care, help, and lead His children. Your parents may have not painted a clear picture for you of God’s love, but for whatever reason, remind yourself that they were human and your Heavenly Father is not.

It is often said that after our parents die there is an odd sense of feeling orphaned, even as an older adult. However, we need to remind ourselves that we have been adopted into the family of God and prayer is how we call home.

Let’s pray today that our parent’s good influence will live on and our Father God will be glorified.

February 20

While We Wait

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14

Waiting tries our patience and can leave us discouraged unless we take that time for communion with Jesus. We wait on cashiers, we wait on services, we even wait on answers to prayer. We wait everyday on something or someone, but rather than waiting on them we ought to wait on the Lord. Every delay is a call to prayer and intercession on behalf of those around us.

There is strength in prayer and encouragement for our soul. When we give our attention to communing with the Lord and interceding for those about us, we are not feeding our anxiety or discontent from waiting.

Let’s pray today in times of waiting and for those whom we wait on in the marketplace.

February 21

No More Sorrow

“For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5

The Christian knows that sorrow and trials of sin are temporary, but the joy of eternal life will be forever. Seventy years on earth in sin will be incomparable to seventy billion years and more in heaven under the righteous favor of our Lord Jesus Christ. We may hurt for a season now, but we will rejoice forevermore when we are with our Lord.

It sometimes helps to remind ourselves how fast time flies from our childhood to adulthood to old age, because it puts into perspective that we are that much closer to our eternal home where we will have a forever lifetime of no more sorrow.

Let’s pray today that we may find comfort in knowing that when Jesus returns we will cease weeping and begin rejoicing.

February 22

God Beside Us

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8

The Spirit of God does not lead you from a distance, but He is with you and guides you from along beside you. There is no risk of transmitting needed data when it comes to God’s deciphering of how He can help us with what is going on in our world. Through the person of the Holy Spirit, God is right where you are and He has first-hand knowledge of circumstances that trouble you, so know that you are not alone.

Our God is not peering from behind a distant cloud, but is close and present with you. While that does mean that you can’t hide anything from Him, it also means that He is aware of your struggles and an ever present help.

Let’s pray today that we would find comfort knowing that our God is with us as we walk through our day.

February 23

The Lord Delivers

“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.” Psalm 34:7

Our Lord delights in protecting and delivering His people from the aggression of His enemies. He always comes through for His followers, sometimes immediately and dramatically, or other times it happens in the future at the same perfect timing of His return for the church or coming for the saints at the end of the age, but always know that your Lord will deliver.

The day will likely come when we are in Heaven that angels will show us a playback of how they protected us from an otherwise certain disaster. Thankfully, the Lord and His angels encamp around His own as an ever-vigilant military fortress.

Let’s pray today that we trust in the Lord to deliver us in His time and in His way.

February 24

Righteous by Grace

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” Psalm 34:17

We are righteous in God’s sight because we personally claim the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ by faith. We are not righteous in our own doings or by our own being, otherwise we would have no reason to cry out in help. We are a people living by grace, day by day. We live by faith and not by our own works or reason, so in our need we call out to our Lord and He delivers us.

God could be presented as a Father leaning toward His children with a listening ear and a heart ready to act on behalf of those whose faith seeks Him. His mercy is great toward His saints and His name upon them will always be vindicated.

Let’s pray today that as troubles arise we turn to the Lord God Almighty for help and deliverance.

February 25

God of Compassion

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

We serve the God of compassion and when life leaves us lonely and feeling abandoned, He is present. When it’s just you, your tears, and a cold pillow, the Lord comforts you. When the shock of horrible news leaves you collapsed in weakness, the Lord will lift you up. Our God does not run when our troubles arise, nor does He vanish when life becomes overwhelming.

Unlike other gods, our God endured the injustice that pierced His Son and He knows the agony common to our humanity. Our God does not turn from us in painful times, He moves near to us and compassionately lifts our spirit.

Let’s pray today to walk close with the Lord in good times and never forget His presence in bad times.

February 26

Deliverance in Trials

“The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.” Psalm 34:19

The believer in Christ Jesus is not promised a life without trials, just the deliverance from trials. Deliverance will come, but don’t be discouraged when it seems yet far off, because we will spend much more time in eternity than we are putting up with in the trials on earth. Sometimes deliverance comes quickly and sometimes it comes in the resurrection, but either way it will come.

Regardless of the trial that is pressing against us, we can have hope as we hold onto Jesus through faith and prayer. Trials will not go with us to Heaven, but the character we strengthen through them will.

Let’s pray today that we may always hold on to hope in every trial of life, knowing deliverance will come.

February 27

Trust in Jesus

“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.” Psalm 37:3

To be in the world but not of it is to be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ because He is your true safety. Some will put their arms up in welcoming you, some will put their arms around you in comfort, but only Jesus put His arms up on a cruel Roman cross for you. The Lord desires an eternal friendship with you that is beyond the temporary satisfaction of this world.

As we trust in the Lord, the inclination of our heart will be to do good towards others as we have opportunity. As we trust in the Lord, the end result of walking by faith with Him will be an eternity of dwelling in a safe land.

Let’s pray today that we would spend time with Jesus and trust in Him.

February 28

God Provides

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

Stop obsessing about what you think you need and start focusing on the Lord who provides your needs. The want of your heart will be provided, if it is a desire that aligns with God’s will and word, but He is the Giver of all good things. He is the God who answers prayer. Don’t manipulate that thing into your life, but allow the Lord to work it out as He sees fit.

When the desire of our heart is received by the providence of God, it is much sweeter when it’s finally ours. Our duty is not to fix our energy and focus on the want, but on the Provider by seeking Him first so that these things will follow by His grace.

Let’s pray today that we may lay our plans and desires out before our Lord and seek His answers.

February 29

When Evil Prevails

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” Psalm 37:7

Do not let the evil doer steal your peace and shake your faith when they prevail in their wicked ways. The wicked may taunt you with their wealth and achievements, but they will face the judgment of God. You may lack and want, but the Lord knows and His plan for your future exceeds your best imagination, so when evil men confront, be still and wait for the Lord to take revenge.

If you find yourself struggling with maintaining righteousness despite being subjected to the ridicule of those prevailing in wickedness, remind yourself that their worldly assent is all they have but you have eternal Heaven in your future.

Let’s pray today that we may stand strong in the Lord and not lose heart when evil men prevail.

Devo | Jan • Feb • March • April • May • June • July • Aug • Sept • Oct • Nov • Dec