One thought-One Scripture passage-One minute-Each day

One Minute With God

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Imagine God draping His arm around your shoulders every morning, and then telling you one thing. What if He told you one thing, every day, that is true; one thing that could transform your outlook on life? And what if it only took Him one minute? That’s what "One Minute With God" is all about. Every verse in the Bible comes straight from the heart of God. Every passage contains God-breathed words meant to encourage His children (Romans 15:4). God promises that the time we spend in His Word will be worth our while: "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" (Isaiah 55:10-11). How exciting! Let’s spend one minute with God together.

Friday, December 30, 2011

anger vs. love


Anger is easy.
Love is always worth the effort.

"Love is...
not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs."

1 Corinthians 13:4a,5b

Thursday, December 29, 2011

possibilities


Is anything too difficult for God?
No. Not one thing.

Jesus looked at them and said,
"With man this is impossible,
but with God all things are possible."

Jesus looked at them and said,
"With man this is impossible, but not with God;
all things are possible with God."

"For nothing is impossible with God."

Matthew 19:26, Mark 10:27, Luke 1:37 NIV


Wednesday, December 28, 2011

steps


We are most content,
when we keep in step with God,
rather than trying to keep up
with someone else.

"The steps of a man
are established by the Lord,
when he delights in his way."
Psalm 37:23 ESV

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

voices


Out of all the people in the world,
God recognizes your voice.

"In my distress I called to the Lord;
I cried to my God for help.
From His temple He heard my voice;
my cry came before Him, into His ears."
Psalm 18:6 NIV

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Merry Christmas


May our celebrations begin, middle, and end
with Jesus our Savior.

"And the angel said to them,
'Fear not, for behold,
I bring you good news of great joy
that will be for all people.
For unto you is born this day
in the city of David a Savior,
who is Christ the Lord.'"
Luke 2:10-11 ESV

Friday, December 23, 2011

searching for happiness


After all our searching elsewhere, we will find,
no happiness compares with the joy
that is ours in Christ.

"Rejoice in the Lord always.
I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Philippians 4:4 NIV

Thursday, December 22, 2011

can't sleep?


Sleepless nights can be very beneficial.

"I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me."
Psalm 16:7 NIV

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

on value


The value of an item is determined
by the price a person will pay for it.
Imagine how much God values you.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave
His only Son, that whoever believes in Him
should not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16 ESV

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Christmas joy


Jesus...
the joy of Christmas.

"Though you have not seen Him, you love Him;
and even though you do not see Him now,
you believe in Him and are filled with
an inexpressible and glorious joy,
for you are receiving the goal of your faith,
the salvation of your souls."
1 Peter 1:8-9 NIV

Monday, December 19, 2011

don't give up


There are times when we don't know
if the thing we desire and are praying for
is part of God's plan--
so we keep on praying until we do.

"Then Jesus told His disciples a parable
to show them that they should always pray
and not give up."
Luke 18:1 NIV

Saturday, December 17, 2011

God with us


Courage happens when we realize,
not only are we with God,
but God is with us!

"When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
when you walk through fire
you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior...
Fear not, for I am with you."
Isaiah 43:2-3a, 5a ESV

Friday, December 16, 2011

no fear


Fearlessness has always been a requirement
for the followers of Christ.

"Be strong and courageous.
Do not fear or be in dread of them,
for it is the Lord your God who goes with you.
He will not leave you or forsake you.
It is the Lord who goes before you.
He will be with you,
He will not leave you or forsake you.
Do not fear or be dismayed."
Deuteronomy 31:6, 8 ESV

Thursday, December 15, 2011

prayer work


When someone asks us to pray,
God is already at work,
and for some wonderful mysterious reason
He is letting us in on His labors.

"Continue steadfastly in prayer,
being watchful in it with thanksgiving."
Colossians 4:2 ESV

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

darkness & dawn


No matter how dark the day,
God promises a brighter tomorrow.

"The path of the righteous
is like the first gleam of dawn,
shining ever brighter
till the full light of day."
Proverbs 4:18 NIV

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

still watching


God still watches over His children--
every moment of every day.

"The Lord your God has blessed you
in all the work of your hands.
He has watched over your journey
through this vast desert.
These forty years the Lord your God
has been with you,
and you have not lacked anything."
Deuteronomy 2:7 NIV

Monday, December 12, 2011

the path


God has a unique path marked out
for each one of us;
comparisons are not beneficial.

When Peter saw (John), he asked,
"Lord, what about him?"
Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive
until I return, what is that to you? You follow me."
John 21:21-22 NIV

Saturday, December 10, 2011

see?


Faith sees God.

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for
and certain of what we do not see.
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."
Hebrews 11:1, 6 NIV

Friday, December 9, 2011

pavement


Thankfulness paves the way
to everything that matters.

"He who sacrifices thank offerings honors Me,
and he prepares the way
so that I may show him
the salvation of God."
Psalm 50:23 NIV

Thursday, December 8, 2011

longings & Jesus


Every Christmas longing
is met in the One whose birth we celebrate--
Jesus our Savior!

"And the angel said to them,
'Fear not, for behold,
I bring you good news of great joy
that will be for all people.
For unto you is born this day
in the city of David a Savior,
who is Christ the Lord.'"
Luke 2:10-11 ESV

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

wisdom of thankfulness


Wise people are thankful people.

"Be careful, then, how you live--
not as unwise but as wise,
making the most of every opportunity...
always giving thanks
to God the Father for everything,
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 5:15-16, 20 NIV

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

on our value


We can trust the One
who ordains every detail,
and determines every step.

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?
And not one of them will fall to the ground
apart from your Father.
But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.
Fear not, therefore; you are of more value
than many sparrows."
Matthew 10:29-31 ESV

Monday, December 5, 2011

new mercy


God doesn't expect us to survive
on yesterday's blessings;
He showers us with new mercies
every single day.

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
His mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV

Friday, December 2, 2011

satisfaction guaranteed


It's not our responsibility
to help people find fulfillment apart from God;
the best we can do
is point them to the source of ours.

"Because Your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify You.
My soul will be satisfied
as with the richest of foods."
Psalm 63:3, 5a NIV

Thursday, December 1, 2011

bye-bye blues


One day depression will vanish;
sadness will be unheard of
in the hearts of the children of God.

"But only the redeemed will walk there,
and the ransomed of the Lord will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;
everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away."
Isaiah 35:9b-10 NIV

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

God leads


God is so sovereign and loving and good
that even when His children
aren't consciously following Him,
He is leading them.

"In Your unfailing love you will lead
the people You have redeemed.
In Your strength You will guide them
to Your holy dwelling."
Exodus 15:13 NIV

Monday, November 28, 2011

talk to yourself


The most effective sermons
may be the ones
we preach to ourselves.

"Praise the Lord, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise His holy name.
Praise the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all His benefits."
Psalm 103:1-2 NIV

Friday, November 25, 2011

on losing and earning


We will never have a bad enough day
to lose our salvation;
we will never have a good enough day
to earn it.

"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."
Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

not allowed


If God knew of one thing
we ought to be anxious about,
being anxious would be allowed.

"Do not fret--it leads only to evil.
Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God."
Psalm 37:8, Philippians 4:8 NIV

Monday, November 21, 2011

where to go


Feelings of guilt and shame
tend to lead us away from God--
the exact opposite of where
we should be going.

"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence
to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus...
let us draw near to God with a sincere heart
in full assurance of faith,
having our hearts sprinkled
to cleanse us from a guilty conscience
and having our bodies washed with pure water."
Hebrews 20:19, 22 NIV

Friday, November 18, 2011

avoidance tactic


We avoid many struggles
when we go to God first.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make straight your paths."
Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Attention!


We stand before a loving God
who will not condemn His own,
but graciously leads those who want to follow.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!"
Psalm 139:23-24 ESV


Wednesday, November 16, 2011

God does


Prayer doesn't work. God does!
Praise Him.

"And call upon Me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you and you will honor Me."
Psalm 50:15 NIV

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

pleasing prayers


May God inspire the prayers
He is pleased to answer.

"This is the confidence we have
in approaching God:
that if we ask anything according to His will,
He hears us.
And if we know that He hears us--
whatever we ask--
we know that we have what we asked of Him."
1 John 5:14-15 NIV

Monday, November 14, 2011

good things


Children ask for things.
Parents give them only the good things.
Prayer is like that.

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does He withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
O Lord Almighty,
blessed is the man who trusts in You."
Psalm 84:11-12 NIV


Friday, November 11, 2011

good medicine


Your smile just might be
the dose of encouragement
someone needs today.

"A cheerful heart is good medicine."
Proverbs 17:22 NIV

Thursday, November 10, 2011

God helps


When our words and actions
demonstrate a lack of faith,
as they so often do,
God will be there to help.

"Surely God is my help;
the Lord is the one who sustains me."
Psalm 54:4 NIV

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

who's following


When we follow Jesus,
we can be certain His goodness and mercy
will be following us.

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life;
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."
Psalm 23:6 KJV

not just neighbors


God doesn't want to be our next-door neighbor;
He'd rather we pack our things
and move right into His house.

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
If you make the Most High your dwelling--
even the Lord, who is my refuge--
then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent."
Psalm 91:1, 9-10 NIV

Monday, November 7, 2011

wait for it


We wait. God works.

"Since ancient times no one has heard,
no ear has perceived,
no eye has seen any God besides you,
who acts on behalf of those who wait for him."
Isaiah 64:4 NIV

Friday, November 4, 2011

immense


It's difficult to understand
the immensity of God's love for us
because no one has ever loved us
the way He does.

"But because of His great love for us,
God, who is rich in mercy,
made us alive with Christ
even when we were dead in transgressions--
it is by grace you have been saved."
Ephesians 2:4-5 NIV

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

God pays attention


If we could see all that God does
every time we pray,
we would pray a lot more.

"For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and His ears are attentive to their prayer."
1 Peter 3:12a NIV

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

just one thing


If one thing could happen
that's not part of God's plan for our lives,
God would not be sovereign,
there would have to be a force greater than He.

"No, in all these things
we are more than conquerors
through Him who loved us."
Romans 8:37 NIV

Monday, October 31, 2011

on greatness


The greater the God,
the more confident His people can be.

"With Your help I can advance against a troop;
with my God I can scale a wall.
For who is God besides the Lord?
And who is the Rock except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength
and makes my way perfect."
2 Samuel 22:30, 31-32 NIV

Friday, October 28, 2011

believe


Great news for believers!
There is only one sin God will not forgive--
unbelief.

"See to it, brothers, that none of you
has a sinful, unbelieving heart
that turns away from the living God."
"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved."
Hebrews 3:12, Acts 16:31 NIV

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Micah 6:8


Every struggle, every heartache,
everything we hope for or dream of,
every ambition and all of our efforts,
lead to the same end--
an awareness that we need more
than this world has to offer.

"He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God."
Micah 6:8 NIV

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

happiest


The happiest people are those who know
they can stand before God--
forgiven.

"Blessed are they
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man whose sin
the Lord will never count against him."
Romans 4:7-8 NIV

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

moving day


We can trust God to keep us moving
in the right direction.

"In your unfailing love you will lead
the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them
to your holy dwelling."
Exodus 15:13 NIV

Monday, October 24, 2011

be thrilled


We are not as thrilled with God
as He is thrilling.

"Great is the Lord
and most worthy of praise;
His greatness no one can fathom.
For from Him
and through Him
and to Him
are all things.
To Him be glory forever!"
Psalm 145:3, Romans 11:36 NIV

Friday, October 21, 2011

Abba, Daddy


When we pray,
we are speaking to
our loving Father,
not a distant Being
who cares nothing about us.

"And because you are sons,
God has sent the Spirit of his Son
into our hearts,
crying, 'Abba! Father!'"
Galatians 4:6 ESV

Thursday, October 20, 2011

family


Acquaintances come and go,
friends are forgotten,
but family--
is forever!

"[Jesus] replied to him, 'Who is my mother,
and who are my brothers?'
Pointing to his disciples, he said,
'Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven
is my brother and sister and mother.'"

"For those God foreknew he also predestined
to be conformed to the likeness of his Son,
that he might be the firstborn among many brothers."

Matthew 12:48-49, Romans 8:29 NIV

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

even sin


God is so absolutely sovereign
that even sin
provides fuel for the fire
of our passion for Him.

"But where sin increased,
grace increased all the more,
so that, just as sin reigned in death,
so also grace might reign through righteousness
to bring eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Romans 5:20-21 NIV

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

watching and listening


Our prayers get God's attention, every time,
because He always listens for them.

"The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and His ears are attentive to their cry."
Psalm 34:15 NIV

Monday, October 17, 2011

He's mine


We can claim God as our own--
our very own God.

"The Lord is my Shepherd."
Psalm 23:1