Category: Encouragement

Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭7‬:‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Are you spending too much time wishing for the past instead of asking God what He wants you to do today?

Context
Ecclesiastes is a book of wisdom that teaches us to see life from God’s perspective. In this verse, Solomon warns against constantly looking backward and assuming that the past was better than the present. Nostalgia can cause us to overlook what God is doing today.

Application
It is easy to say, “Things were better back then.” We remember the good moments and often forget the difficulties that came with them. But God has placed us in this season for a reason. Instead of wishing for yesterday, we should ask, “Lord, what are You teaching me today? How can I honor You with the opportunities You have given me now?”

The past can teach us, but it was never meant to hold us captive. We cannot go back and relive yesterday, but we can faithfully live today.

Truth For The Day
God wants us to trust Him with today instead of longing for yesterday.

Pray
Lord, thank You for every season of my life. Help me not to live in the past or constantly wish for yesterday. Give me wisdom to recognize what You are doing in my life today and faith to trust You with tomorrow. Help me use this day for Your glory and faithfully follow You wherever You lead. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

From the rising of the sun to its going down the LORD’s name is to be praised.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭113‬:‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What is one thing you can praise God for today?

Context
Psalm 113 begins and ends with a call to praise the Lord. The psalmist reminds us that God is worthy of praise at all times and in every place. From the moment the sun rises until it sets, His name deserves to be lifted up. This is not simply a command for Sunday worship, it is a call to make praise a way of life.

Application
It is easy to praise God when everything is going your way. But Psalm 113:3 challenges us to praise Him throughout the entire day, regardless of our circumstances. When you wake up, praise Him for another day. When you face difficulty, praise Him for His faithfulness. When you experience blessing, praise Him for His goodness. When the day comes to an end, look back and recognize His hand at work.

Praise changes our focus. Instead of allowing our circumstances to become bigger than God, we remind ourselves that God is greater than our circumstances.

Truth For The Day
God is worthy of our praise from sunrise to sunset because He is always faithful.

Pray
Lord, help me to praise You throughout this entire day. When life is good, keep me grateful. When life is difficult, keep me trusting. Don’t let my circumstances determine my worship. Remind me that You are always worthy of praise because You are always faithful. May my words, thoughts, and actions bring glory to Your name from sunrise to sunset. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Are you taking advantage of the access Christ has given you or are you trying to handle life on your own?

Context
Paul is explaining what Jesus accomplished through His death on the cross. Sin had separated humanity from God, but Christ broke down that barrier. Those who were far from God have been brought near through Jesus. Now, both Jew and Gentile can come into the presence of God, not because of their background, goodness, or religious works, but because of Christ.

Application
Ephesians 2:18 reminds us that prayer is not approaching a distant or reluctant God. Through Jesus, we have access to the Father.

Think about that: the God who created everything invites you to come to Him. You don’t need to earn your way into His presence. You don’t have to clean yourself up first. Because of Jesus, you can come boldly, honestly, and confidently.

When you’re afraid, you can come to Him. When you’re confused, you can come to Him. When you’ve failed, you can come to Him. When you don’t know what to do, you can come to Him.

Truth For The Day
Because of Jesus, I a never without access to my Father.

Pray
Lord, thank You for making a way for me to come into Your presence through Jesus. Thank You that I don’t have to earn Your attention or approach You in fear. Help me to come to You honestly and confidently in every situation. When I am weak, remind me that You are near. When I am uncertain, help me trust You. Teach me to make prayer more than a last resort and to live every day aware of Your presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.