December 1

 Jeremiah 31:3

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:  “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”

NLT:  Long ago the Lord said to Israel:  “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.  With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.”

Lamentations 3:22-26

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”  The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

NLT:  The faithful love of the Lord never ends!  His mercies never cease.  Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.  I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”   The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.  So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.

November 30

Psalm 32:8

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

NLT:  The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.  I will advise you and watch over you.”

Luke 10:41-42

“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:  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.”

Philippians 3:20-21

But our citizenship is in heaven.  And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

NLT:  But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives.  And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.  He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

November 29

John 14:27 (NKJV)

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

NLT:  “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.  So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

Isaiah 58:11

“The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.  You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”

NLT:  “The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength.  You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.”

Isaiah 40:11

He tends his flock like a shepherd:  He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his hear; he gently leads those that have young.

NLT:  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.

November 28

1 Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

NLT:  Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Ephesians 3:16-19

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

NLT:  NLT:  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.  Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him.  Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.  Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Psalm 107:21-22

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.  Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.

NLT:  Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them.  Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and sing joyfully about his glorious acts.

November 27

Colossians 3:15

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…And be thankful.

NLT:  And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.  For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.  And always be thankful.

Acts 9:18

Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again.  He got up and was baptized.

NLT:  Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight.  Then he got up and was baptized.

Revelation 19:3-6

And again they shouted:  “Hallelujah! . . .”  The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne.  And they cried:  “Amen, Hallelujah!”  Then a voice came from the throne, saying:   “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!”  Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:  “Hallelujah!  For our Lord God Almighty reigns.”

NLT:  And again their voices rang out:  “Praise the Lord!  The smoke from that city ascends forever and ever!”  Then the twenty-four elders and the four living beings fell down and worshiped God, who was sitting on the throne.  They cried out, “Amen!  Praise the Lord!”  And from the throne came a voice that said, “Praise our God, all his servants, all who fear him, from the least to the greatest.”  Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder:  “Praise the Lord!  For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. 

Psalm 100:4

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

NLT:  Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise.  Give thanks to him and praise his name.

November 26

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.

Psalm 116:17

I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord.

NLT:  I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord.

Psalm 118:28

You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you.

NLT:  You are my God, and I will praise you!  You are my God, and I will exalt you!

November 25

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV)

Rejoice evermore.  Pray without ceasing.  In every thing give thanks:  for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

NLT:  Always be joyful.  Never stop praying.  Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

James 4:8

Come near to God and he will come near to you.  Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

NLT:  Come close to God, and God will come close to you.  Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

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.

November 24

Ephesians 5:20

Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

NLT:  And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalm 118:1

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

NLT:  Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!  His faithful love endures forever.

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.

November 23

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.

1 Corinthians 3:11

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

NLT:  For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.

Psalm 4:7-8

You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.  I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

NLT:  You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.  In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.

November 22

Ephesians 1:3

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

NLT:  All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

Habakkuk 3:17-18

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no good, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

NLT:  Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord!  I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

Psalm 46:1 (AMP)

God is our Refuge and Strength (mighty and impenetrable to temptation), a very present and well-proved help in trouble.

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

November 21

Luke 24:36

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

NLT:  And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them.  “Peace be with you,” he said.

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.

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 9:15 (NKJV)

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

NLT:  Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!

November 20

Ephesians 2:8-9

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.

NLT:  God saved you by his grace when you believed.  And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Ephesians 3:16-19

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

NLT:  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.  Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him.  Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.  Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Psalm 62:8

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

NLT:  O my people, trust in him at all times.  Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.

November 19

John 10:4

“When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.”

NLT:  “After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.”

Psalm 27:13-14

I am still confident of this:  I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

NLT:  Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.  Wait patiently for the Lord.  Be brave and courageous.  Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Exodus 15:13

In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed.  In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.

NLT:  “With your unfailing love you lead the people you have redeemed.  In your might, you guide them to your sacred home.”

November 18

Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, 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.

John 7:38

“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”

NLT:  “Anyone who believes in me may come and drink!  For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’”

Ephesians 5:18-20

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.  Instead, be filled with the Spirit.  Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.  Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

NLT:  Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life.  Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.  And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

November 17

Romans 8:1-2

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

NLT:  So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.  And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.

Isaiah 30:21

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.”

NLT:  Your own ears will hear him.  Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.

John 10:27

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

NLT:  “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

Psalm 23:1-3

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.  He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

NLT:  The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.  He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.  He renews my strength.

November 16

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.

Psalm 25:4-5

Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

NLT:  Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.  Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me.  All day long I put my hope in you.

1 Corinthians 13:12

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

NTL:  Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.  All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

November 15

Luke 12:25 (ESV)

“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”

NLT:  “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”

Psalm 89:15

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

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

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.”

November 14

Psalm 34:5
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

NLT:  Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

2 Corinthians 5:21

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

NLT:  For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NJKV)

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

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.

Galatians 5:25

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

NLT:  Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

November 13

Colossians 1:27

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

NLT: For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too.  And this is the secret:  Christ lives in you.  This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.

Isaiah 42:6

“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand.  I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles.”

NLT:  “I, the Lord, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness.  I will take you by the hand and guard you, and I will give you to my people, Israel, as a symbol of my covenant with them.  And you will be a light to guide the nations.”

Nehemiah 8:10

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared.  This day is sacred to our Lord.  Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

NLT:  And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared.  This is a sacred day before our Lord.  Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Romans 15:13 (AMP)

May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing (through the experience of your faith) that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope.

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.

November 12

Psalm 23:5 (KJV)

Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:  thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

NLT:  You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.  You honor me by anointing my head with oil.  My cup overflows with blessings.

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

NLT:  “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

Luke 11:9-10

“So I say to you:  Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”

NLT:  “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for.  Keep on seeking, and you will find.  Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives.  Everyone who seeks, finds.  And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Romans 8:32

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

NLT:  Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?

November 11

Ephesians 1:18-20

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.  That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at the right hand in the heavenly realms.

NLT:  I pray that our hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.  I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him.  This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

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.

Deuteronomy 33:25 (NKJV)

Your sandals shall be iron and bronze; as your days, so shall your strength be.

NLT:   “May the bolts of your gates be of iron and bronze; may you be secure all your days.”

November 10

Psalm 89:15-16

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.  They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness.

NLT:  Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, Lord.  They rejoice all day long in your wonderful reputation.  They exult in your righteousness.

1 John 3:19-20

This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us.  For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

NLT:  Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God.  Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.

Jude vv.24-25

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!  Amen.

NLT:  Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.  All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord.  All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time!  Amen.

Psalm 41:12

In my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever.

NLT:  You have preserved my life because I am innocent; you have brought me into your presence forever.

November 9

Luke 12:22-25

Then Jesus said to his disciples:  “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.  Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.  Consider the ravens:  They do not sow or reap they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them.  And how much more valuable you are than birds!  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”

NLT:  Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear.  For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing.  Look at the ravens.  They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them.  And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! 

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.”

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.

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

November 8

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.”

Psalm 102:27

But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

NLT:  But you are always the same; you will live forever.

Acts 17:27-28

God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.  “For in him we live and move and have our being.”  As some of your own poets have said, “We are his offspring.”

NLT:  “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us.  For in him we live and move and exist.  As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’”

November 7

Psalm 29:2 (NKJV)

Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

NLT:  Honor the Lord for the glory of his name.  Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

Psalm 27:4

One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek:  that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

NLT:  The one thing I ask of the Lord—the thing I seek most—is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.

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’s unfailing love.

November 6

John 8:29

“The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.”

NLT:  “And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me.  For I always do what pleases him.”

Hebrews 11:5-6

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away.  For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.  And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

NLT:  It is by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.”  For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God.  And it is impossible to please God without faith.  Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.

NLT:  Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.

November 5

Philippians 4:12

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.

NLT:  I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything.  I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.

Genesis 28:15

“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land.”

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.”

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.

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 angles 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.

November 4

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.”

Deuteronomy 33:25

The bolts of your gates will be iron and bronze, and your strength will equal your days.

NLT:  “May the bolts of your gates be of iron and bronze; may you be secure all your days.”

Hebrews 13:20-21

May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.

NLT:  Now may the God of peace—who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—may he equip you with all you need for doing his will.  May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him.  All glory to him forever and ever!  Amen.

Psalm 29:11

The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.

NLT:  The Lord gives his people strength.  The Lord blesses them with peace.

November 3

Proverbs 19:21

Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

NLT:  You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.

Colossians 4:2

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

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

Philippians 3:7-8

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.  I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.

NLT:  I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.  Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.  For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.