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April 1

Thinking Ahead

“The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.” Proverbs 14:18

Short thinking will often lead to ruin because our God expects us to use the brain He gave us. We may live simple lives, but our minds are meant to keep us from the trap of emotional immediate gratification. Biblical Christians think ahead and consider the implications of today’s behaviors and decisions in light of the gospel and the future Kingdom.

Our hearts may be turned toward the Lord, but our minds are still in a battle between the gratification of our flesh and obedience to God’s laws. Even the smartest of us can’t think our lives after God but we can live by His grace.

Let’s pray today that we would think as Jesus did and look ahead toward the glory of God.

April 2

Examples for Children

“Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.” Proverbs 14:26

A man without Christ is easily weakened without resolve, influencing his children to more likely grow up doubting God. Generally speaking, a child grows to mimic his parent’s attitudes toward the things that matter most to them. When dad expresses a healthy and humbling respectful fear of the Lord, it impacts children with an example of lifelong assurance that the Lord is their refuge, too.

As parents and grandparents, let the children in your family see how you go to Calvary for forgiveness of sins or to prayer for solutions to your problems, and let them see you as a disciple of Christ and they will follow that example.

Let’s pray today that we may be good examples of belief in Christ for our children and youth.

April 3

Protector of Widows

“The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.” Proverbs 15:25

The extravagance of a wicked man’s wealth is no match for a Christian widow’s humble abode. A proud man may construct homes of admirable worth, but a widow with simple means has the superior protection of the Lord of Hosts. God has a special caring interest in the widow who looks toward Him as her Provider.

It is easy to assume that all our security has gone to the grave with our deceased spouse, but that is not so. The God of the Heavens is quick to show His protection to the widow and widower who claims this promise by faith.

Let’s pray today for every widow to find comfort in trusting in the Lord God as Provider and Protector.

April 4

Worshipful Work

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3

The best laid plans can leave a worthy goal unrealized if we ignore the worshipful act of its work. For a Christian, the secret of success is in our commitment of those plans to ultimately give glory and witness to the Lord God. We plan, we pray, we proceed as we are able and we give that work as a worship offering to Christ for His glory, leaving the results in His hands.

Don’t be disappointed if your work doesn’t produce the results you were expecting or don’t immediately assume that it was against God’s direction. Sometimes plans need to fail in order for us to be moved to where we are called to be.

Let’s pray today that we would be diligent to work, but worshipful through that process for God.

April 5

Pridefulness

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.“ Proverbs 16:18

A man who is too proud to accept Christ and follow in His humbleness, needs prayer. If you know one, or are married to one, please pray for the Spirit of God to break them to their knees before they draw their last breath. It’s easy for our sinful nature to be prideful unless we learn from the example of the Savior.

A healthy pride is short-lived and leads to gratefulness. An unhealthy pride leads to self-aggrandizement, like gazing long in a mirror and admiring creation without regard to the Creator. To cling to pride is to cling to sin, and that won’t end well.

Let’s pray today that we may stay humble at the foot of Calvary’s grace and banish selfishness from our life.

April 6

Reprieve from Anxiety

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22

Anxiety will weigh heavy on our hearts and minds leading to ill health unless we learn to carry it to Calvary. Even when life is going well and smooth there are cares and concerns that we can give to Jesus. When we find peace and joy in Jesus, we find a reprieve from the crushing anxiety of life and a reminder that our Lord sees us through the stresses we face day by day in a fallen world.

There is therapy in laughter, refreshment in smiling, and an appreciation from the little moments of cheerfulness as they arise. By living one day at a time, not allowing tomorrow’s worry to ruin today, we’ll find more of those joyful moments.

Let’s pray today that we may turn our anxiety over to the Lord Jesus and find a joyful heart.

April 7

Witnesses

“Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.“ Proverbs 20:22

Our world is a courtroom and God has appointed us as His witnesses not as our own judge and jury. Without Christ in our hearts, it’s easy to become obsessed with revenge, rather than leaving it in the hands of the One who will exact ultimate judgment. When we wait for God to deal with it we preserve ourselves from going down with them.

It may be human to want to payback another for the harm they have inflicted, but getting even is short-sighted. If you are a disciple of Jesus then you are cognizant that whatever revenge you may be able to exact, won’t undo the harm.

Let’s pray today that we would serve as God’s witness and allow God to execute judgment.

April 8

Child of God

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6

Childhood is the only opportunity we have to set a future adult in the direction of the cross for a lifetime. We can influence adults to repent of sin and follow the Savior, but the foundation of one’s life is built in the classroom of childhood when faith in Jesus is easiest to exercise. If you are a parent, don’t shrink back from teaching children about the Lord.

If you are an adult who missed out on being raised in the ways of the Lord, don’t think it’s too late for you to follow Him. With a spirit as pure as the child you once were, your faith in Christ can still grow and keep you on the safe path.

Let’s pray today that we would teach children the path of God, as we have opportunity.

April 9

Harboring Sin

“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

When we harbor sin, when we nurture it in a hidden place of our heart and rehearse it in our mind, we are only hurting ourselves. Like a cancer, concealed sin will eat us from the inside out. Better is the one who is honest with himself and his Lord about his transgression, even if all outward appearances point to failure, than one who seems to have it all together.

On the outside we may appear prosperous, but on the inside we may be in turmoil with the heaviness of guilt or in bearing a lie. It is far better to admit our shortcomings to the Savior through confession and be at peace again.

Let’s pray today that we may quickly repent of hidden sin, before we have time to cherish it.

April 10

Resistance to God

“Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.” Proverbs 29:1

We are created with a free-will to choose to be obedient to the Lord or to choose to resist obedience to the Lord. The choice is ours, because the God of love has not programmed us to behave as robots or computers. Like a parent who cares for the life of his children, God reproves us in our waywardness in hopes to correct us.

At some point, persistent resistance to God turns one from life to certain death because in persisting they have shut-out their own chance to repent. It is called hardening your heart or searing your conscience with a hot iron.

Let’s pray today that we may not resist eternal life by resisting God’s Spirit.

April 11

Eternally Safe

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” Proverbs 29:25

We ought to be wise about the evil intentions of the wicked, but not worried, fearful, or paranoid about their next move. Let’s not fear the actions of sinful men against us or against any of God’s saints. Consider that the worst case scenario from evil men is death, even torture, but though we die yet shall we live and go to be with our Lord!

If we are victims of hurt or harm, we stand as a witness to His faithfulness, and either way, we are eternally safe. Like each new day replaces the one before it, the certainty of our Lord’s deliverance is coming soon and eternity will forget any fear we know now.

Let’s pray today that we may keep our eyes on the safety of Heaven and the power of Calvary to safely sustain us.

April 12

Forever Saved

“I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.” Ecclesiastes 3:14

Please don’t doubt your salvation, because God is faithful to His word and His works. He does not change His mind and He does not have need to reinvent or improve what He has done. Consider how much we respect a man who keeps true to his word, and now realize that the Lord deserves so much more than just our respect, He deserves our faith.

So what has God done for you? Has He saved you? Then don’t doubt it. Has He forgiven you? Than don’t keep rehearsing the guilt. Has He brought you out of difficulty? Than stop worrying about your past and start praising Him for your future.

Let’s pray today that we make no place for doubt of God’s word and work for our lives.

April 13

God Judges

“I said in my heart, God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time to judge every deed.” Ecclesiastes 3:17

God judges who has believed in Jesus as their personal Savior and who has rejected Jesus as their personal Savior. The saved will escape the penalty of sin in a similar way that a judge rules time served and releases one from prison. Our God determines who has claimed their right to enter the gates of eternity by the righteousness of Jesus.

The judgment verifies the claims of the saved and the evidence of those who have willfully forfeited their right to Heaven by consistently rejecting the Savior’s sacrifice of forgiveness and redemption as offered on Calvary.

Let’s pray today in thanksgiving that the judgment will show our claim of Christ’s grace and righteousness for salvation.

April 14

Casting in Hope

“Ship your grain across the sea; after many days you may receive a return.” Ecclesiastes 11:1

We should take great hope in knowing that our God will come through and we will reap in due time, when He deems best. We wait, but we don’t wait in despair like those without hope. We may feel abandoned or doomed, but we know our circumstances will change, either on earth or when our Lord returns. The healing will come.

When we give ourselves to prayer, sowing in faith, working for the sake of others, we are casting our hope toward Heaven. When we invest our focus, time, and resources in the advancement of our Lord’s glory we are casting our hope in Jesus Christ.

Let’s pray today to stay focused on God’s faithfulness and not to waiver in our hope.

April 15

Present with God

“and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” Ecclesiastes 12:7

It is comforting to know that to be absent from our body is to be present with our Lord in spirit. The resurrection will bring forth our glorified bodies when our spirit once again reinvigorates us at the last trump. We may not understand it, but we can believe it because we are living souls with God’s immortal breath of life in mere mortal earthly bodies, awaiting the resurrection.

Like Lazarus, Jesus will call us forth from our temporal graves at the Lord’s return. On the glorious day of the resurrection, where we’ll reunite with our loved ones for eternity, and we will be present with God together, forever and ever.

Let’s pray today that our loved ones may yield to the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

April 16

Man’s Duty

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” Ecclesiastes 12:13

A man’s search for the meaning of his life can become an unresolved age-long struggle, unless one takes to heart Solomon’s conclusion. A commitment to God and to keeping the commands of God’s Word is the focus we need to stay purposeful, add significance to our days, and fulfillment to our journey toward eternity and becoming Christ-like.

Continuously lamenting over our disappointments and failures of life will only lead us away from experiencing the duty of living in our fallen world. A life respecting God and following His law is a hedge of protection against a life of meaninglessness.

Let’s pray today that we fear the Lord and follow His word above all that we do.

April 17

Evidence of Faith

“For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:14

Take heart that the judgment overlooks nothing in our lives, including things in secret that tell of our faithfulness to God. God knows the quiet little acts of kindness that you might think to be insignificant, yet helpful to others. It also means God knows the behind the scenes scheming and harm perpetrated by the wicked upon the innocent.

The wicked may not want to know that their secret sins and unknown evil deeds will be exposed, but they can seek forgiveness before then. Thankfully, God’s verdicts are always just and for us it is evidence that we have sought forgiveness in Jesus as our Savior.

Let’s pray today that we may be reminded that our Lord sees and knows our heart.

April 18

Reasoning in Faith

“Come now, let us settle the matter, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.“ Isaiah 1:18

Forgiveness for sins is not a cheap exchange but a reasoning between our heart and head with faith in God’s Word. Forgiveness is an exchange of conversation, toil, and yielding of guilt through the prayer of faith. Biblical Christianity is not mindless. The Son of God gave up the glory of Heaven for the cruel cross of Calvary in exchange for our forgiven life.

Our sins may be the darkest of humanity, the deepest in depravity, or the most shameful of haunting guilt, but God’s promise is that if we go and settle it with Him in faith those stains will be washed away. By this, and in the Lord’s eyes, we’ll stand in robes of cleanliness.

Let’s pray today that we may turn our heart and mind toward the Lord trusting in His promise through faith.

April 19

The Messiah

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14

Our Savior wasn’t just a visitor to us or made similar like us, but the Messiah was born with us into humanity. The Messiah would not be a mere fellow mortal who jumped at the opportunity to be elevated to a higher position among peers. The only God-Man, Jesus Christ, is unlike any deity conjured up in the mind of men.

Our Lord and only true God, known by no other name, became Immanuel, God with Us. Which is why He is called by the Gospel writers, both the Son of God and the Son of Man, because He is with us as both God and man and that makes Him our Savior.

Let’s pray today that we may not forget that our Lord has walked our experience and knows us.

April 20

The Name of God

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Don’t be fooled by those who say a foreign god is the same as our God, just known by a different name. There is no God but Christ Jesus. He is the only One given for us to be known to us as God, the only One worthy to be Lord, and the only One who leads a true religion of redemption. Jesus is the only God whose name is above all names.

Scoffers may criticize Christian beliefs because they refuse to humble themselves under God’s economy of salvation by grace through faith. Jesus didn’t leave Heaven to come to earth in order that we can save ourselves through religious works.

Let’s pray today that we may freely keep the name of Jesus confidently on our lips as the only God.

April 21

Reign of King Jesus

“They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” Isaiah 11:9

The day is coming, when the earth is made new and Jesus is King. There shall be no more pain inflicted by the wicked on the saints. A personal knowledge of God’s love shall reign among all people. No longer will there be those who do not follow the laws of our holy God, and no longer will the righteous be hurt or destroyed by them. Until then, let us be faithful to that day and prayerful for the persecuted.

It’s time we develop a Kingdom mindset to help brush away the distractions of these times. If you need to rise above the headlines, hold to an outlook that says this world is not home, I am a citizen of Heaven, and King Jesus is coming soon.

Let’s pray today for our fellow believers to take hope that the reign of King Jesus is coming and near.

April 22

Refreshing Joy

“With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” Isaiah 12:3

Being saved is not just a moment encounter like a sip of cold water when you thirst. When you are parched with sorrows, dry with despair or bewildered by circumstances, remember that you have continuous access to a never ending spring of pure living water. There is joyfulness in knowing you have Jesus as a constant well of refreshment.

You don’t have to dig your own well every time you thirst because the Lord Jesus made full atonement at Calvary. Just go there in faith whenever sin stains, life troubles you, or fear grips your outlook of the future and find reasons to have joy.

Let’s pray today that we may turn to Jesus for refreshing living pure water daily and often.

April 23

Sin No More

“See, the day of the Lord is coming—a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger—to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it.“ Isaiah 13:9

The good news about God’s wrath is the total relief from the reign of evil and an end of injustice by wickedness in high places. The day of the Lord will usher in the execution of God’s judgment upon the political systems that have oppressed and harmed God’s people. His righteous ways will be vindicated, His saints will rule with Him, and sin will be no more.

The weeds will grow with the wheat until that day because God desires that men would repent before then and be saved. However, the day of the Lord’s wrath is coming because there is nothing else that can be done for those who have outright rejected God’s grace.

Let’s pray today that we would not lose sight that our Lord will redeem and end the reign of sin.

April 24

Peace in Jesus

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3

Without Jesus, finding peace in a world that’s in collusion with the gates of hell is impossible. Fix your thoughts on the Lord and trust in Him. We can be hopeful for our future by waiting on the Lord and trusting in Him. We can stand for right among a people doing wrong by being faithful to the ways of the Lord and trusting in His word. We can only find peace in these times in Jesus.

Sometimes we need to invest less time fixing our mind on the headlines and more time fixing our mind on Jesus. When we intentionally think on the promises of God’s Word and spend more time praising than Lord, peace will no longer allude us.

Let’s pray today by turning our hearts and minds toward the Prince of Peace, Jesus.

April 25

Our Certain Resurrection

“But your dead will live, Lord; their bodies will rise—let those who dwell in the dust wake up and shout for joy—your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead.” Isaiah 26:19

Our Lord lives, His tomb is empty, and His grieving followers have the ultimate hope in a certain resurrection. The believer knows the sadness of the grave but they also know the joy of the Lord who overcame it. Just as Jesus called forth Lazarus from the tomb so the day is coming when He will call all His disciples forth from the grave.

Resurrection day is as certain for us as it was for Jesus and Lazarus, and that means even death itself can not prevent God’s saints from being delivered. On that day we will certainly exclaim, Oh death where is your sting, where is your victory now?

Let’s pray today that we will find hope in knowing we serve a living Savior who conquered death.

April 26

Peace With God

“Or else let them come to me for refuge; let them make peace with me, yes, let them make peace with me.” Isaiah 27:5

The God of the Bible is seeking to save all who will allow Him to save, so go to Him and have peace. He does not reject or stiff arm anyone who seeks Him or comes to Him for redemption. Those who will ultimately die unsaved, will be those who repeatedly ignored and regularly rejected Jesus as Savior. Want peace with God? Go to Him and tell Him that, now, in prayer.

Eternity is only a split-second away, because we are only a heartbeat away from our eternal choice. Now is the time to be at peace with God, so when we need a refuge in the midst of Life’s storms, go to God.

Let’s pray today that we may find peace with God through His Son, the Lord Jesus.

April 27

Rest for Backsliders

“This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.” Isaiah 30:15

Backsliding may put us back in control of our life, but it is when the Spirit of God brings rest to our heart that we have life. When a person withdraws from practices of prayer and worship of God, they find themselves in spiritual distress. Peace and contentment will elude the one who has wandered away from fellowship with the Lord. There is rest for your soul in repentance and a renewed strength in trusting in the Lord.

If God is putting it on your mind to reconnect with a church you once were part of, or even a new one, do it. Don’t let your backsliding become outright resistance, because you will find spiritual and emotional rest in the Lord.

Let’s pray today that with the power of God’s Spirit we will trust and return to Him again and again.

April 28

The Spirit’s Voice

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21

Listen for the still small voice of the Spirit of God that leads you with His word and into His will. The Holy Spirit speaks to confirm the promises of Scripture as you contemplate the choices to make in life or debate your willingness to stand for truth. The Holy Spirit will bring conviction regarding your sin and your faith in trusting in Christ’s righteousness.

There is a calming assurance in following God’s leading, unlike the building crescendo of a fire-work display that clamors for the hearers continuous attentions. The Spirit’s voice does not lead us, except by calm convicting truth.

Let’s pray today that we may always listen to the convicting voice of the Spirit upon our heart.

April 29

The Reign of Christ

“See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice.” Isaiah 32:1

The King of Kings will come and we will reign with Him, for His just reign will have no end. The promises of Christ’s reign as King and His saints as His princes is contrasted with that of earth’s leaders who care less about their subjects then themselves. The Kingdom of Christ and His saints is marked by its reprieve from the storms of life, its refreshing encouragement, and its forever rest from a worrisome world of sin.

The promise assures us that rulers governed by malcontent and evil desires are not lasting in their earthly rule. We can take hope that their temporary authority will have its final end when the reign of Christ and His saints rule in justice.

Let’s pray today that we live worthy of our eternal home and reign with our Lord.

April 30

Peace in Righteousness

“The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.” Isaiah 32:17

Sinful men are quick to try to validate themselves by shaming those who disagree with them. There can be no agreement between evil and truth. We either stand for sin and perish or we uphold righteousness and live. There is unrest and discord for the one who clings to sin, but the one who clings to Jesus in His righteousness finds peace and lasting faith.

The unrest of the unjust give themselves away. The righteousness of Christ brings peace and quietness to the soul that finds confidence in salvation through faith by grace, rather than in one’s own works.

Let’s pray today that we may live our life trusting in God’s gift of righteousness in Jesus.

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