Encouragement Verses for Fathers

Verse Blog

The Lord has called fathers to be the head of the family and to lead like Christ would. Although it’s a great honor from God, fatherhood is not without its struggles. Very few are anointed to make sacrifices and have the strength, stability, and compassion to be a father and a good man of God, but to those who have answered that call — to lead with love, to serve with humility, and to protect with wisdom — know this: you are walking in holy footsteps.

Jesus didn’t lead with pride or power but with servanthood. He washed feet. He wept. He sacrificed. Ephesians 5:25 commands you, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” Christ is the perfect example of that spirit that God calls fathers to embody — not of perfection but of surrender, not of dominance but of discipleship. When you guide your family with patience, speak life into your children, forgive, and choose faith over fear, you reflect Christ Himself!

It’s easy to feel unqualified. The weight of responsibility, the demands of life, and the pressure to provide can be overwhelming. But the Lord says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). You don’t lead your family alone. The Holy Spirit empowers you, grace sustains you, and your obedience — day in and day out — is seen by Heaven.

Your role matters eternally. The prayers you pray over your children in the quiet, the example you set, even when no one is watching, and the way you love their mother are all seeds sown into generations. This is kingdom work. “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

So, to every father striving to walk in God’s will: be encouraged. Your efforts are not in vain. Your Father in Heaven sees you, equips you, and is proud of the man you are becoming.

This Father’s Day, may you rest in His love, be renewed in His strength, and be reminded that your leadership, rooted in Christ, is one of the greatest gifts you can give your family.

Leadership and Love

Servant Leadership

Strength and Grace

Instruction and Discipline

Legacy and Generational Impact

God the Father as the Model

Hebrews 12:7-10
“If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?… For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.”

Treating Others Well

Verse Blog

Dear Friend,

Today, I want to bring your mind to a time in your life when you felt misjudged or underestimated. Recall how it felt. You knew that you were capable or that you deserved better, and it likely hurt your feelings or made you angry that no one else acknowledged that. Hold on to that feeling for a moment and try to remember a time when you possibly made someone feel that way. You see, prejudice, whether it’s over skin color, clothing choices, financial status, or intelligence, is incredibly damaging to the body of Christ. The Bible says in Galatians 3:28 that we are all one in Christ. The Bible has many wonderful verses to meditate on about this. Here are a few for you:

Galatians 3:28: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 7:1-2: “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

James 4:11-12: Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?

Ephesians 4:29: Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Proverbs 31:8-9: Open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

Galatians 5:14: For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Leviticus 19:15: “You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor.”

1 Peter 4:8-9: And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

Matthew 12:36-37: But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

1 Samuel 16:7: But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

After you meditate on these verses, I would like to guide you two separate prayers:

Lord, renew my heart and my mind to see and love others the way You love them. Forgive me for casting judgement on them, and bring restoration where I have brought strife. Thank You for Your love, grace, and mercy. Amen

Heavenly Father, give me Your supernatural grace and ability to forgive those that have wronged me with prejudice. Give me the strength to turn the other cheek and return love for hatred. Heal and renew my heart and mind. Thank You for Your mercies that are new every morning. Amen

In Christ’s love,
Rick Renner

God’s Word vs. Anxiety

Verse Blog

We have been given the mind of Christ! We don’t have to fear our circumstances because the Lord will take care of us. He is always with us, guiding us and providing everything we need to grow in His love and peace. It’s important to keep the Word of God close to our hearts and minds so that we can remain steady through the ups and downs of life.

John 14:27 ESV
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Psalm 55:22 ESV
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
Do not be anxious about anything, 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 understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Isaiah 40:31 ESV
But they who wait for 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.

Joy and Reflection

Christmas Verse Blog

We, as Christians, are called to be a light of the world and represent the love of Christ.This Christmas season, what is something you could do to be a blessing for others and share the light of the Gospel? As you think about it, take a moment to look at the verses below and really receive the gift of what the Lord has done. 

Psalm 72:11 Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Luke 1:76-79 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; to give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 2:7-9 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

Matthew 2:1-2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Matthew 2:11 And when they (the Magi) were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Luke 2:20  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

1 John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

II Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

John 1:4-5: In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

The Lord is a loving and merciful God! He saw you and me in all of our sin and shame and sent His only begotten Son into the world for our redemption! Our Heavenly Father wanted to have a relationship with us and for us to spend eternity in His presence. Even though our fate was dire, the Lord had a plan! Isn’t that just like our God? He is an on time, ever present, loving Father. Friend, I encourage you this Christmas season to really acknowledge the gift that is our Savior and the weight of Jesus’ sacrifice. Give the Lord the thanks and praise that is due! We were dead to sin but are now made alive in Christ Jesus!

Study Questions: 

  1. When Matthew recalled the story of Jesus’ birth years after it took place, he was still shocked, amazed, and bewildered by its retelling. What experience have you had with Jesus that still leaves you astonished and in awe of who He is? 
  2. The Magi were exceedingly rich and powerful people who influenced the masses by a single word of wisdom that fell from their lips. Knowing their weighty position and the fact that they sought out Jesus to worship Him, what does it say to you about their character? How does their example motivate you in your worship of Jesus? 
  3. Without question, the wise men traveled many miles for many days and spent a great deal of money to search out and to find Jesus. To what lengths are you willing to go and search out and experience the presence of Jesus? As you answer, consider the stories of a blind man named Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52) and a woman with a deathly bleeding issue (Mark 5:24-34).
  4. Has the Holy Spirit given you any specific revelations about things to come — regarding either personal situations or for believers as a whole? If so, what are they?

Thankfulness and Gratitude

Verse Blog

A truth few realize is that your attitude determines your quality of life. Did you know that you can be experiencing the worst of circumstances but still maintain a positive, faith-filled attitude? We have so much to be thankful for and should be expressing our gratitude to God every opportunity we get — in the good times and the bad. And the truth is that an attitude of thanksgiving and gratitude is the way out of any terrible situation or trial. Recorded throughout the book of Psalms, David continually demonstrated the power of a heart full of thanksgiving. He decided to praise God even when it seemed as if the world around him was falling apart and his life was over. Even when surrounded by his enemies and overwhelmed with grief and distress, He was thankful to God. He knew that his problems were not greater than his God, and time and again, David received the intervention of God on his behalf! So, when the trials of life confront you, instead of focusing on what is negative, put your trust in the Lord and remember His faithfulness. Like David, make a choice from this day forward to adopt an attitude of thankfulness and gratitude. Meditate on the following verses and let thanksgiving, praise and rejoicing flow from your heart and out of your mouth. Then, expect to see God’s goodness show up in your life!

•  Psalm 9: 1,2: I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou Most High.

•  Psalm 95: 1-3: O come, let us sing unto the Lord: Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

•  Psalm 106:1: Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

•  Colossians 2: 6,7: As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

•  Colossians 3:17: And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

•  Philippians 4:6,7: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

•  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

•  Hebrews 12:28,29: Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: for God is a consuming fire.

Finish Strong

Verse Blog

At the end of each year, as the Christmas season ends and January comes around, many people set out to make decisive life changes, endeavoring to accomplish certain goals to help them capture the dreams they believe in and desire the most.

At some point in our lives, we have all made a resolution to lose weight, get out of debt, spend more time with God, give up a bad habit, or anything else that forces us to make the sacrifices needed to shake up our daily routines to achieve what we know in our hearts is possible.

Change is never easy, and it requires dedicated consistency. Yet more often than not, these well-intentioned plans for the new year go unrealized as the discipline it requires to implement those changes dissipates and life goes back to normal. Before we know it, a brand-new year is on the horizon and it’s time to repeat the same cycle that will most likely end up as unsuccessful and unfruitful as the previous years before. 

This week, be encouraged that God cares more about the ending than He cares about the beginning. If this year didn’t begin well and wasn’t what you expected, there’s still plenty of time to see the promises of God for 2024 come to pass in your life! The Lord is interested in you finishing strong, so allow Him to help you get back on track if you have deviated from the path He laid out for you this year. 

Remember that as long as you have life in your body, it’s never too late with God! If you suffered setbacks, heartaches, or tragedies, God can turn those things around and make something beautiful out of what was meant to derail and harm you. 

This is still your year — make 2024 the best year of your life!

The verses below will activate your faith in the Lord and help you finish strong in 2024. Read them, think about them, and speak them into your life every day to keep your faith stirred and your expectations strong!

The Answer to Halloween

By Rick Renner

One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World was the Temple of Artemis, located in the city of Ephesus. In that great temple, 6,000 priests and priestesses served, and people came from all over the world to worship this idolatrous deity. Artemis — also known as Diana, the Latin name for Artemis — was worshipped throughout the Roman and Greek-speaking worlds. 

When the Church was established in Ephesus and people began surrendering their lives to the lordship of Christ, many were delivered from demonic influences, including the pagan worship of Artemis. The Early Christians knew that the devil and his demons were a serious force to be reckoned with. In the same way, we need to take the devil seriously, which includes disconnecting from the evil practices of this world that expose us to dangerous demonic activity. 

Before surrendering their lives to Christ, many of those believers in Ephesus participated in the pagan practices that took place in the Temple of Artemis. Once they became saved, they shunned places like these because they were filled with demonic activity. They knew the devil and his demons were real, and they wanted nothing to do with them. 

As believers, we are called to follow this example and flee from all forms of idolatry and pagan festivities, including participating in Halloween. The reality is that Halloween is no laughing matter — it is a celebration that glorifies death and invites demonic activity. When the rest of the world is trick-or-treating and being scared out of their wits, Christians should refrain from engaging in such pagan practices. 

Toward the end of the First Century, the apostle John was imprisoned on the Isle of Patmos for his faith in Christ. It was in a cave on this island that Jesus appeared to John and spoke to him about the seven major churches on the continent of Asia. He depressed great concern because many believers in these churches were flirting with the world and compromising their convictions by taking part in pagan practices and idolatry. 

For example, Christ rebuked the churches in Ephesus and Pergamum for their tolerance of the Nicolatians — a group who advocated worldly compromise in order to avoid being persecuted by pagans. Likewise, Christ also rebuked the congregation at Thyatira for a flirtatious attitude with idolatry. They were allowing a woman named Jezebel to teach believers to mix and mingle with the unsaved people in this community and pagan practices in hopes of being accepted. 

Jesus was against any willingness to compromise and assimilate with pagan culture. The situation had progressed to such a degree that believers were even willing to embrace idolatry alongside their worship of Christ. When John was released from Patmos, he returned to the city of Ephesus and wrote the gospel of John as well as First, Second, and Third John. Clearly, the words of Jesus had penetrated deeply into John’s heart, which promoted him to write the powerful charge recorded in First John 5:21:

Little children, keep yourself from idols. Amen.

There is much we can gain from understanding the original Greek used in First John 5:21. The word “keep” is the Greek word phulasso, which means to save, protect, preserve, or guard oneself from something. It depicts a military guard who exercised unbroken vigilance. Moreover, it pictures the uninterrupted vigilance shepherds showed in keeping their flocks. It also means to guard, protect, secure, shield, or watch over in order to protect one from some outside foul force. 

The word phulasso occurs at least 400 times in the Old Testament Septuagint and 31 times in the New Testament. Because of its frequent use, there is no doubt about its meaning. It describes the guarding and protection of a thing, such as the guarding of a house, property, possession, or grave, and it denotes the alertness and sleeplessness of the person who is on guard. 

When John commanded his readers to “…keep yourself from idols,” he was urging them to stay on alert regarding the dangers of idolatry. The word “from” here is the Greek word apo, meaning from or away from, and it implies intentional distance. So “…keep yourself from idols” could be translated, as “Be very intentional about putting space between yourself and idols.” The word “idols” in the Greek language is the word eidolon, which is plural and refers to idols of false gods. 

Clearly, idolatry and its insidious effects were so detrimental that believers needed to stay continuously alert in order to remain free from its contaminating influences. It was absolutely essential that they stood firm and refused to compromise. The same holds true for believers today. It is impossible to exaggerate the role that pagan temples and idols played in the ancient world. Most cities were built around temples and embraced the multitudes of pagan cults. Magic, incantations, amulets, charms, sacrifices, rituals, pagan festivals — all of these practices played a part in the life of all pagans. So for believers, living in close quarters with the demonic realm was a daily reality in the First Century. 

With this in mind, there is no record in the book of Acts that tells of preachers, apostles, or believers attending pagan temples and activities to meet people, advertise their messages, help them identify with local populations, or become more “seeker-friendly” to the unchurched. First Peter 2:9 says that God called people out of those dark environments and into His marvelous light. 

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

There was never an option to remain in both worlds. God knew that skirting around the edges of darkness was not the way for His children to truly flourish in His light. The very same is true for us today. Christ demands complete separation. 

During the month of October, people all over the world celebrate Halloween — including Christians. Many will say, “There’s no harm in participating in Halloween! Trick-or-treating is really no big deal.” But that’s not true. The fact is that their involvement in the holiday is placing them in close proximity to demonic forces — just as First Century believers were exposed to demonic activity by entering pagan temples and engaging in pagan practices. 

Friend, there is nothing beneficial about celebrating a day dedicated to death, the devil, and demonic spirits. We need to stay away from evil influences, and the spirits associated with Halloween are one of them.

Keep the Door to the Enemy Shut

by Rick Renner

Have you ever felt like you were under spiritual attack or that the devil was trying to wage vicious warfare against your very existence? Today I’m going to reveal what you can do to keep every door shut to the enemy so he cannot find easy access to your life. 

I can personally testify to a number of attacks that have come against our family and ministry as we pressed forward to claim new territory for the Kingdom of God over the years. I have learned that the enemy is always looking for ways to sabotage anything that is of significance to the plan of God. Therefore, we must stand our ground and continue fighting to ensure that we don’t give the devil a single inroad into our lives. 

…Neither give place to the devil.
— Ephesians 4:27

One of the most important ways to protect yourself from the attacks of the devil is to ensure that no doors are left open for him to find access into your life. Believe me when I tell you that the devil is always trying to find ways to sabotage every good thing, so we certainly don’t need to help him by leaving a door open for him!

When Paul wrote, “…Neither give place to the devil,” in Ephesians 4:27, it was not a suggestion — it was a command. If you have ever come under spiritual assault and found the devil in the middle of your affairs, you know it’s much easier to stop the enemy at the doorway than to try to extract him once he has found an access point to worm his way into your life. 

That is why Paul so urgently warned in his writings to give the devil no place. In other words, you should always be on alert so the enemy can’t freely access you because the devil will linger for a long time to see if you’re truly serious about keeping him out of your life. 

The word “place” is the Greek word topos, which describes a specific, marked-off location. When Paul told us to give the devil no place, rather than a physical location that can be identified with a map, this “place” may refer to a rough spot in our relationships, finances, thoughts, personal habits, or lingering areas of disobedience. Wherever it is, it’s an identified location the devil uses as an open door into our lives. 

If the door is closed, you’re already in good condition. And if it’s locked because you’re living a life of holiness and obedience to God, you’re in an even better condition. But if you are living loosely, you need to be aware that the door isn’t only unlocked — but it’s likely standing wide open, literally inviting the enemy to come in and wreak havoc in your life! This is why you must be honest with yourself and answer the question, Are there any open doors I need to close that allow the enemy access to my life? 

We need to be serious about how we live our lives because the devil is always lurking around, trying to find an entry point through which he can access and influence us. It’s vital that we look at our lives and assess if there are any areas we have left vulnerable, open, or unguarded that could allow the devil to attack us. These places are the open doors he seeks in our lives. 

The devil is more committed to attacking us than many believers are committed to withstanding him. That’s why he is often successful in the warfare he wages against us — and that’s why the apostle Paul commanded us to give him no place. 

Since we know the devil is going to try to find ways to gain entry into our lives, we must utilize the weapons of warfare God has given us to resist him (see Ephesians 6:10-18). Likewise, it is essential that we diligently keep watch over our lives, looking continuously for any open doors we may have left open that would enable the enemy to find an entrance. 

One thing is certain: Living a life of obedience shuts every door and makes it extremely difficult if not impossible for the devil to find entry into your life. On the other hand, you must also acknowledge that if you are living in disobedience — in any area of your life — those areas may become the very entry point by which the devil can gain access to try to disturb your peace and stop your forward momentum. 

 

It’s true that many attacks we experience can be attributed to the devil acting in accordance with his own evil nature. But many times, it’s a door that we have left open that allows the enemy to find his way within our lives to launch his fiery darts from an inside position. It’s up to us to do all we can to shut every door and make sure they stay shut. 

 

If you find yourself under attack, call out to the Greater One living inside you. Ask Him to help you identify the areas in your life you may have left open and vulnerable, allowing the enemy to intrude into your life. Before you take authority over the devil in the name of Jesus, it’s important to do all you can do to find the access point and STOP him at the door!

When the devil tries to infiltrate your life, you can stand strong in the Lord, confident that the weapons of warfare given to you will enable you to successfully repel the enemy in the name of Jesus Christ. But if you have knowingly, negligently, or ignorantly left a door open that allows the enemy access, there is always the possibility of a successful attack against your life. So I urge you to spiritually close the door and keep it locked so that no demonic attack will find its way into your affairs!

One of the most inspiring thoughts you can meditate on is God’s immeasurable love for His people. He can defeat whatever you experience in this life, and through His love, you can overcome your circumstances victoriously! The Lord is eagerly waiting for you to cry out to Him for help — and He will respond!

Your prayer life is a central aspect of your relationship with the Lord, and you can’t afford to neglect it. Unfortunately, prayer is often an area many believers struggle with, but the Lord has an intense desire to fellowship with you and has extended a personal invitation to you to know Him intimately. Because of this, you have the right to come before the Lord with your requests with boldness and faith. He is your Heavenly Father and nothing is beyond His reach. 

Even if you feel you’re in the midst of the most difficult test or trial, the Lord wants to intervene and take action on your behalf! This is why prayer is key to receiving all the blessings He so graciously wants to give you and others through your surrendered life. 

You may sometimes feel you are limited or at a disadvantage because you’re unsure how you should pray. Considering everything going on in your personal life and happening in the world around you, how can you know how to pray the perfect prayer that will release the blessings of the Lord and bring about the answer you so desperately need or want? 

The answer is simple and living on the inside of you right now! The secret to a powerful prayer life can only be revealed through a revelation from the Holy Spirit. Jesus gave us the magnificent gift of the Holy Spirit to guide us through the pathways of our lives, and when we don’t know how to pray, He does! 

If you are carrying fear, anxiety, or worry about your future, erase them by casting your cares onto the Lord! Partner with the Holy Spirit in prayer and allow Him to work freely in your life, revealing the Father’s heart and showing just how much He cares for you, what’s important to you, and what troubles you. As you become more attuned to the voice of the Holy Spirit, you will discover a kind of peace that the world could never give you, and therefore, can’t take away. This peace is the peace of God. Even if whatever you’re dealing with seems insurmountable, His peace will fall on you, passing all understanding and keeping your heart and mind according to Philippians 4:7. 

Read and meditate on the following verses and act on them with intention until they take root deep within your heart. Take some time every day to recite these verses aloud, and as you do, watch as your prayer life blooms and produces fruit you never knew was possible!

Verses — 

Psalm 34:4-6 NKJV): “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.”

John 14:15-18 (NKJV): “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever — the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him: but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” 

Romans 8:26,27 (NKJV): “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” 

Romans 8:37-39 (NKJV): “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Matthew 6:25 (AMPC): “Therefore I tell you, stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink; or about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life greater [in quality] than food, and the body [far above and more excellent] than clothing?”

1 Peter 5:6,7 (NKJV): “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

Philippians 4:6,7 (NKJV): “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 understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

— 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV)

As many students — both young and old — begin preparing to return to school all across the globe, the feeling of “first-day jitters” is starting to creep into many student’s minds. Whether you’re starting middle school, high school, your first year of college, or graduating, the pressures of making good first impressions in a new environment are something that students from every kind of background, ethnicity, or country can relate to on some level. 

First impressions are something we all find important — it’s natural for us to want to fit in, interact with, and make friends with our peers. And as we take the time to choose how to present ourselves, our personalities, and our unique traits, it’s important that we also take the time to choose the right friends and invest our time and energy into the right relationships. But how do we know what kind of people or friendships we should pursue?

First Corinthians 15:33 (NIV) says, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” It’s crucial to remember during the Back-to-School season that the type of friends and relationships you create can have an affect on your identity in Christ! How? Friendships — the people you spend time with — shape your character and who you are. 

In His Word, God warns that we should choose our friends wisely because the people we spend the most time with so often influence and define our worldviews, philosophies, habits, self-image, environments, biases, preferences, etc. This is why it’s so vital that our friendships and those we hold nearest and dearest should live lives that are centered around Christ Jesus and include things like love, honesty, respect, encouragement, and accountability. 

As you transition back into attending classes, studying, and socializing with your peers and classmates, be encouraged to evaluate your relationships and friendships — both old and new. Friendships that are centered around the Lord do not promote hate, destruction, or carelessness, or stifle your spiritual and emotional growth. Loving and supportive friendships will never tempt you to engage in sinful acts and behaviors or lead you down self-centered, destructive, or jealous paths. True, godly friends won’t distort your view of the truth or distract you from your God-given purpose but will inspire, motivate, and encourage you to stay on God’s path — never straying from what you know in your heart and by faith to be true. 

Remember this wise advice from the Scripture as you rejoin your friends and begin forming new relationships this school year: 

The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

— Proverbs 12:26 (NIV)

Hebrews 10:24 (NKJV) — And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works. 

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV) — Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

Proverbs 12:26 (NIV) — The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. 

Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) — As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.