Anchor for My Soul (eBook)

JANUARY 1

WONDERFUL GIFT

The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

ROMANS 6:23 NLT

God does not condemn us in our sin; he liberates us in his love. Where sin has a hold of us, we can offer it to Jesus and humbly submit to his leadership in our lives. He takes the heavy yoke of our burdens and lifts the weight of our circumstances as we come to him.

Don’t hesitate a moment longer to come to Christ. Come with all your questions and disappointments. He wants to lighten your burden, and he can handle any weight. He won’t let you down. His love reaches out to cover you no matter how you feel today. Receive the gift of his presence, his grace, and the gift of eternal life he offers you.

Jesus, you are the Son of God and my Savior. I surrender to your love, for it is better than life. Lift the heavy weight of my worries from my mind and body as I come to you.

JANUARY 2

TRUSTWORTHY HELP

They called to you for help and were rescued.

They trusted you and were not disappointed.

PSALM 22:5 NCV

No matter the situation you are in today, God can help you through it. He is more powerful than the fear you feel; his love is stronger than the threats you face. He is faithful to see you through. You can rely on him to help you in your time of trouble. Call on him, and he will answer. Seek him, and you will find he is closer than you imagined.

Whether or not you have reliable help in the people around you, God is faithful. Look to the testimony of those who have gone before you. Remember what God has already done. He is the same loyal and powerful God. He does not change.

Jesus, I trust you to come to my aid. I call on you as many times as it takes. I won’t stop turning to you, for you are my Savior and trustworthy help in time of trouble.

JANUARY 3

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

Beloved, let’s love one another; for love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

1 JOHN 4:7 NASB

We can give the love we receive. Love without conditions, regret, or manipulation pours over and into us through the presence of God’s mercy in our lives. His love always reaches toward us and never recedes. Best of all, we don’t have to do a thing to earn it.

Jesus said to his disciples in John 13:35: “By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.” We love because he first loved us. The love of Christ transforms us and fuels our love for one another. Even when our love runs dry, we can choose to act in kindness to one another and fill up on the kindness God ceaselessly offers us.

Loving Lord, there is no one like you. You never ask us to do anything you haven’t done first. Fill me with your love and transform my relationships in your powerful mercy as I partner with you.

JANUARY 4

EMPOWERING PRESENCE

Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.

2 CORINTHIANS 3:5 ESV

“Our true competence flows from God’s empowering presence” (2 Corinthians 3:5 TPT). We don’t have to rely on our limited resources of strength as our measure of competency. The powerful presence of God is both our source and sufficiency. We need never do a thing without him.

No matter how ill-equipped you feel today, God has limitless grace to offer you. His strength empowers you as you lean on his presence. You can turn your attention to him no matter how busy you are. All it takes is a subtle reorienting of your thoughts, and he comes rushing to meet you. Look to him for all you need; he has more than enough to share.

Faithful Father, thank you for the promise of your graceful strength and persistent presence in my life. I lean on your wisdom, leadership, and help today. Every time I turn my attention to you, reveal yourself to me. I need you.

JANUARY 5

OF ONE MIND

Brethren, farewell. Become complete.

Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace;

and the God of love and peace will be with you.

2 CORINTHIANS 13:11 CSB

Unity doesn’t happen by accident. We can’t outsource it to someone else. It’s the work of relationship. When we seek to repair damaged trust, we build bridges instead of walls by being vulnerable and taking responsibility for our imperfections.

As you think about your relationships, perhaps there is one you know needs repair work. Maybe you owe them an overdue apology. Perhaps you need to offer forgiveness even if only in your heart. It takes intentionality, humility, and lived-out love to truly be unified and at peace with others. This is the work we are called to as Christ’s followers.

Merciful God, thank you for the example of Christ. He set the standard for what your love looks like. I humble myself before you, and I ask for your help to choose love over judgment in my relationships. Give me courage to be vulnerable and humble. I trust you will.

JANUARY 6

IN GOD ALONE

There is only one strong, safe, and secure place for me; it’s in God alone who gives me strength for the battle.

PSALM 144:1 TPT

The Bible describes God as a place of shelter, security, and strength. He is a firm foundation as described by Jesus in the parable of the builders. The psalmists declare him a rock of refuge. He upholds us and gives us strength as Isaiah 41:10 clearly states.

Life is not easy, nor is it without its battles. In hard times, God is both our refuge and source of strength. We run into his presence and find rest. Best of all, Jesus invited us. “Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis…you will find refreshment and rest in me” (Matthew 11:28-29). As Moses and the Israelites sang in Exodus 15:2, God is our strength and song. What a glorious promise for our weary hearts.

Rock of Refuge, you are my strong, safe, and secure place of rest in a crazy world that never stops. You are my oasis. You offer me the strength of your presence and powerful love, and I am undone by your mercy. Thank you.

JANUARY 7

SIGNS AND WONDERS

God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

HEBREWS 2:4 NIV

God added his witness and power to the ministry of those Jesus sent out in his name. Today, we know God is at work in the ministry of others by the outpouring of his Spirit upon and through them. He does not confirm people through power and privilege but through surrendered hearts and the power of his Spirit.

The fruit of God’s work is clearly laid out for us in Galatians 5. The work of the Spirit is an inner work in our hearts, divine love in all its expressions, and mysterious signs and wonders that can’t be explained. His powerful miracles are merciful acts of kindness that align with his character. He is wonderful, and he has not stopped working in and through his people.

Jesus, you are the same today as you were when you walked this earth. Your nature has not changed and neither has the Father’s. I surrender to your love.

JANUARY 8

RAISED UP

He lifts the needy out of their suffering and makes their families multiply like flocks.

PSALM 107:41 CSB

God is a faithful and good provider. The same God who owns “the cattle on a thousand hills” (Psalm 30:10) watches over and supplies the needs of those who call on him. It doesn’t matter how little we have; God has more than enough to provide. He blesses those who rely on him. We, in turn, get to partner with his heart and bless others with the overflow of our resources.

God raises up the lowly. He lifts the poverty-stricken out of despair. He calls us to represent his love through sacrifices and generosity instead of ignoring the needy around us. Think of how God has helped you and provided for you; commit to showing that same help in the name of his love.

Lord, you are good to all. Your love knows no bounds, and it is not weak. Thank you for continuing to provide for me. As I partner with you, I choose to be generous like you.

JANUARY 9

BLESSINGS COVER US

Jesus turned to his disciples and said, “God blesses you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours. God blesses you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied. God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh.”

LUKE 6:19-21 NLT

When we talk about God’s blessings, we often picture the material: finances, relationships, and increase. However, when Jesus spoke of blessing, he spoke of what we can’t put our fingertips on: the kingdom of God, satisfaction, and laughter. The experience of his grace meeting us where we are is the blessing of his presence.

Take a look at your life at the moment. Where there are challenges, blessings also wait for you. Where there is...