February 1

February 1

Psalm 18:29  

With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.

NLT:  In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall.

Psalm 91:11-12 (AMP)

For He will give His angels (especial) charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways (of obedience and service).  They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone.

NLT:  For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.  They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.

2 Corinthians 5:7

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

NLT:  For we live by believing and not by seeing.

January 31

Psalm 28:7 

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

NLT:  The Lord is my strength and shield.  I trust him with all my heart.  He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.  I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

Matthew 6:34 

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

NLT:  “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries.  Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

Psalm 56:3-4

When I am afraid, I will trust in you.  In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid.  What can mortal man do to me?

NLT:  But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.  I praise God for what he has promised.  I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?  What can mere mortals do to me?

Genesis 28:15

“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land.  I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

NLT:  “What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go.  One day I will bring you back to this land.  I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.”

January 30

Psalm 112:7 

He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

NLT:  They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.

1 Corinthians 13:11 

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.  When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.

NLT:  When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child.  But when I grew up, I put away childish things.

Psalm 139:23-24 (NASB)

Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.

NLT:  Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

January 29

Psalm 8:5 

You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

NLT:  Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor.

Genesis 1:26-27 

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

NLT:  Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us.  They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”  So God created human beings in his own image.  In the image of God he created them’ male and female he created them.

2 Corinthians 10:5 

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

NLT:  We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God.  We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

Isaiah 26:3 (AMP)

You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind (both its inclination and its character) is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.

NLT:   You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

January 28

Matthew 28:20 

“And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

NLT:  “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:  I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Psalm 139:1-4 

O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.  Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.

NLT:  O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.   You know when I sit down or stand up.  You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.  You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.  You know everything I do.  You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.

January 27

John 14:1-2 

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.”

NLT:  “Don’t let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, and trust also in me.  There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.  If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?”

2 Timothy 4:18 

The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.  To him be glory for ever and ever.  Amen

NLT:  Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom.  All glory to God forever and ever!  Amen

Proverbs 3:5-6 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

NLT:  Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

January 26

John 16:33 

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”

NLT: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.  Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Psalm 112:4, 7 

Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man … He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

NLT:  Light shines in the darkness for the godly.  They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.  They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.

January 25

Hebrews 13:15 

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.

NLT:  Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.

2 Corinthians 3:18 

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

NLT:  So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord.  And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

Psalm 73:23-24 

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.  You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.

NLT:  Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.  You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.

January 24

Matthew 13:46 (NKJV)

Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

NLT:  When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!

James 1:2-3 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

NLT:  Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

John 16:33 (ESV)

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

NLT:  I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.  Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” 

January 23

Deuteronomy 31:6 

Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

NLT:  “So be strong and courageous!  Do not be afraid and do not panic before them.  For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you.  He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

1 Peter 3:4  

Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

NLT:  You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

2 Corinthians 4:6-7 

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.  But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

NLT:  For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.  We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure.  This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (AMP)

But He said to me …My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in (your) weakness.

NLT:  Each time he said, “My grace is all you need.  My power works best in weakness.”  So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

January 22

Psalm 52:8 

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.

NLT:  But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God.  I will always trust in God.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (AMP)

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.  In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.

NLT:  Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

January 21

Deuteronomy 33:27

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.  He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, “Destroy him!”

NLT:  “The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you.  He drives out the enemy before you; he cries out, ‘Destroy them!’”

Proverbs 16:9 

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.

NLT:  We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.

Romans 8:38-39

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

NLT:  And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.  Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.  No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

January 20

Isaiah 55:9-11 

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.  As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth:  It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

NLT:  “For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.  The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth.  They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.  It is the same with my word.  I send it out, and it always produces fruit.  It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

NLT:   “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord.  “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

January 19

Psalm 27:8 (NKJV)

When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”

NLT:  My heart has heard You say “Come and talk with Me.”  And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”

Philippians 4:7 (The Message)

Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down.  It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

NLT:  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Jeremiah 29:13 

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

NLT:  “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”

January 18

John 21:19

Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God.  Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

NLT:  Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God.  Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”

2 Corinthians 4:17 

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

NLT:  For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long.  Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

Habakkuk 3:19 

The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.

NLT:  The Sovereign Lord is my strength!  He makes me as surefooted as a dear, able to tread upon the heights.

January 17

Psalm 118:24 

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

NLT:  This is the day the Lord has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Philippians 4:19 

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

NLT:  And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NASB)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

NLT:  Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.   Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus

January 16

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

NLT:  Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you.  Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  “For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Joshua 1:5 & 9

“No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life.  As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you … Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

NLT:  No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live, For I will be with you as I was with Moses.  I will not fail you or abandon you. “This is my command-be strong and courageous!  Do not be afraid or discouraged.  For the Lord you God is with you wherever you go.”

January 15

Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

NLT:  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 14:29-30

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

NLT:  “Yes, come.”  Jesus answered.  So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.  But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink.  “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him.  “You have so little faith.” Jesus said.  “Why did you doubt me?”

Hebrews 12:2

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

NLT:  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.  Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame.  Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

January 14

1 Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him.  The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.  Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

NLT:  But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him.  The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them.  People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Romans 8:38-39

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

NLT:  And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.  Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.  No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

January 13

Psalm 118:24 (NKJV)

This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

NLT:  This is the day the Lord has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Isaiah 41:10

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

NLT:  Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.  Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

1 Peter 2:21

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

NLT:  For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you.  He is your example and you must follow in His steps.

January 12

Exodus 33:14 

The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

NLT:  The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest – everything will be fine for you.”

John 15:4-7 

“Remain in me, and I will remain in you.  No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.  Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.  I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.  If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.”

NLT:  Remain in me, and I will remain in you.  For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.   Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches,.  Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.  For apart from me you can do nothing.  Anyone who does not remain in Me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers.  Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.   But if you remain in me and My words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want and it will be granted.”

January 11

Psalm 46:10 (AMP)

Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations!  I will be exalted in the earth!

NLT:  “Be still, and know that I am God!  I will be honored by every nation.  I will be honored throughout the world.”

Colossians 4:2 

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

NLT:  Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

2 Peter 1:3-4 

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

NLT:  By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.  We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the One who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence.   And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises.  These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

January 10

Psalm 33:20-21 

We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.  In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.

NLT:  In Him our hearts rejoice for we trust in His Holy Name. 

Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.

Psalm 56:3-4 

When I am afraid, I will trust in you.  In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid.  What can mortal man do to me?

NLT:  But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.   I praise God for what He has promised.  I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?  What can mere mortals do to me?

Matthew 6:20-21 

“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

NLT:  Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.   Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

January 9

Romans 8:31 

What, then, shall we say in response to this!  If God is for us, who can be against us?

NLT:  What shall we say about such wonderful things as these?  If God is for us, who can ever be against us?

Psalm 46:1-3 (NKJV)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling.

NLT:  God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.  So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.  Let the oceans roar and foam.  Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!

Luke 1:37

For nothing is impossible with God.

NLT:  “For nothing is impossible with God.”

January 8

Psalm 46:1 

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

NLT:  God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

Romans 12:12 

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

NLT:  Rejoice in our confident hope.  Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

Romans 15:13 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

NLT:  I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him.  Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

January 7

Psalm 22:3 (NKJV)

But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

NLT:  Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.

Psalm 146:1-2 

Praise the Lord.  Praise the Lord, O my soul.  I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

NLT:  Praise the Lord!  Let all that I am praise the Lord.  I will praise the Lord as long as I live.  I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

NLT:  Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

January 6

Ephesians 3:20  

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen.

NLT:  Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

Romans 8:6 

The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.

NLT:  So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death.  But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

Isaiah 40:30-31 (NKJV)

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

NLT:  Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.  But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.  They will soar high on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary.  They will walk and not faint.

Revelation 5:13 

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:  “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”

NLT:  And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea.  They sang:  “Blessings and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”

January 5

Psalm 34:17-18

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.  The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

NLT:  The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.  He rescues them from all their troubles.  The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

NLT:  For we live by believing and not by seeing.

January 4

Psalm 63:2 

I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.

NLT:  I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory.

Isaiah 40:10-11 

See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and his arm rules for him.  See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.  He tends his flock like a shepherd:  he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

NLT:  Yes, the Sovereign Lord is coming in power.  He will rule with a powerful arm.  See he brings his reward with him as he comes. 

He will feed his flock like a shepherd.  He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart.  He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.

Psalm 139:7-10

Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence?  If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

NLT:  I can never escape from your Spirit!  I can never get away from your presence!  If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there.  If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.

January 3

Psalm 31:19-20 (NASB)

How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You, which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You, before the sons of men!  You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues.

NLT:  How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you.  You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world.  You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them.  You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues.

John 16:33 (AMP)

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have (perfect) peace and confidence.  In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer (take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted)!  For I have overcome the world.  (I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.)”

NLT:  “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.  Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

January 2

Psalm 89:15 

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.

NLT:  Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, Lord.

Psalm 105:4 

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

NLT:  Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him. 

Luke 10:39-42 

She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.  But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.  She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?  Tell her to help me!”  “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

NLT:  Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught.   But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing.  She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”  But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!  There is only one thing worth being concerned about.  Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”