With so many people suffering during these tough economic times, I wanted to create a daily devotional that would promote faith in God as a solution to overcoming anger and fear.
Given that there are 40 days until Election Day, November 2, 2010, and many voters are angry, this devotional is ideal to address their fears as well. I also like the fact that the time period of “40 days” plays such an important role in the Bible.
Each devotional will provide a daily passage of Scripture for you to reflect on throughout the day.
In addition, an “Action Item” will assign a daily, simple task to address your fears with faith.
Thank you and God bless you for reading this devotional!
Steve Kendall
Faith, Not Fear: A 40 Day Devotional
Day 1: Seek first His Kingdom
Today’s Scripture for Reflection:
Matthew 6:25-34 (New International Version)
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Today’s Action Item:
Get a blank piece of paper. Draw a line down the middle. At the top of the left side, write, “I’m worried about…” At the top of the right column, write, “My blessings…”
Number and list all of your fears and worries on the left side of the paper. On the right, list all of the blessings in your life, this can include things you’re thankful for. Just write whatever comes to mind for both categories. Don’t dwell on it too much. I want you to capture the thoughts that are dominating your thinking.
Put the paper aside for tomorrow’s Action Item.
Closing Prayer:
End today’s devotional by praying. Pray about whatever you like, but please include a request for God to help you overcome your fears. Ask for everything in your prayers in Jesus’ name.
If you haven’t prayed before, or if you’re a little rusty, here’s a prayer Jesus recommended in the Bible to get you started:
"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.
From Matthew 6: 9-13 (King James Version)
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Until tomorrow, have a blessed day!
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
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