Daily Devotionals

  • Crossing the Threshold

    “You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance.” ~ Psalm 65:11 (NKJV)

    New Year’s Eve is a threshold—a doorway between what has been and what will be. It’s a moment when the past and the future stand side by side. This invites us to pause and think. We look ahead with faith.

    As we stand on this threshold, we carry memories from the year behind us. Some are joyful. Some are painful. Some are still unresolved. Yet through every high and low, one truth remains unshaken: God has been faithful.
    Psalm 65:11 reminds us that God crowns the year—not just the good moments, but the entire year—with His goodness. Even in the places we didn’t recognize it at the time, His hand was there. His mercy was there. His sustaining grace was there.

    And the same God who carried us through this year is already waiting for us in the next.

    New Year’s Eve isn’t just about counting down the minutes. It’s about looking back with gratitude and looking ahead with trust. It’s about releasing what we can’t change and embracing what God is preparing. It’s about remembering that every new year is not simply a reset—it’s a continuation of God’s ongoing work in us.

    Tonight, as the clock moves toward midnight, take a moment to breathe deeply and acknowledge God’s presence. Let gratitude rise for the ways He has held you. Let hope rise for the ways He will lead you. And let surrender rise as you place the coming year into His hands.

    We don’t step into a new year alone. We step into it with the One who crowns our days with goodness. He leads us on paths that drip with His abundance.

    Prayer

    Father, thank You for Your faithfulness through this past year. You have carried us, sustained us, and shown us mercy in ways we didn’t always see. As we stand on the edge of a new year, we place our hopes, fears, and plans into Your hands. Crown the coming year with Your goodness. Lead us in Your paths. Shape our hearts to trust You more deeply. We step into the new year with gratitude and expectation, knowing You go before us. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!

  • God is Doing Something New: Prepare for the New Year

    “Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” ~ Isaiah 43:19 (NKJV)

    As the New Year approaches, something stirs in us. Even if we don’t make resolutions, we feel the pull of a fresh start. A turning of the page. A sense that God is inviting us into something deeper, something new.

    But here’s the truth: the power of a New Year isn’t found in the calendar changing. It’s found in our willingness to say yes to God again.

    Isaiah 43:19 reminds us that God is always doing something new. Not just once a year. Not just when life feels exciting. Even now—right here, in the in‑between days—He is working beneath the surface. He is preparing new paths. He is creating new mercies and new opportunities for growth.

    The question isn’t whether God is doing something new.

    The question is whether we’re paying attention.

    As we stand on the edge of a new year, this is a sacred moment to pause and ask:

    • Lord, what new thing are You wanting to grow in me?
    • What old thing are You inviting me to release?
    • Where do You want my next “yes”?

    Maybe it’s a deeper trust.

    Maybe it’s a step of obedience you’ve delayed.

    Maybe it’s healing you’ve avoided.

    Maybe it’s joy you’ve forgotten how to get.

    Whatever it is, God isn’t asking you to fix yourself before January 1. He’s simply asking for your heart—open, willing, surrendered.

    The New Year isn’t about becoming a new person.

    It’s about becoming the person God has been shaping all along.

    So as the countdown approaches, don’t rush past this moment. Let your heart grow quiet enough to perceive the new thing God is already bringing to life. And step into the coming year with a simple, powerful prayer: “Lord, my answer is yes.”

    Prayer

    Father, thank You for being the God who makes all things new. As we approach a fresh year, please quiet our hearts. We want to perceive the new work You are doing in us. Give us courage to release what no longer belongs and faith to embrace what You are calling us toward. Shape our desires, guide our steps, and fill us with expectancy for the year ahead. Our answer is yes to You. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!

  • Back to the Grind, But Not the Same

    “So, teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” ~ Psalm 90:13 (NKJV)

    Christmas has a way of slowing us down. For a moment, the world feels softer. We breathe a little deeper. We remember what matters. But then December 26 arrives, and life starts tugging us back into the grind—emails, errands, responsibilities, routines. The quiet glow of Christmas can fade faster than we’d like.

    But what if getting “back to the grind” didn’t mean going back to normal? What if the days after Christmas are actually one of the most spiritually strategic moments of the year?

    Psalm 90:12 reminds us that wisdom grows when we pay attention to our days. We should acknowledge not just the holy days, but the ordinary ones too. The days filled with laundry, work, conversations, and choices. These days shape us just as much as Christmas morning.

    As we move toward the New Year, we have a choice:

    We can slide back into old rhythms…

    Or we can carry the wonder of Christ’s coming into the everyday grind.

    The shepherds didn’t stay at the manger. They returned to their fields—but Scripture says they went back “glorifying and praising God.” Same fields. Same sheep. Same responsibilities. But not the same hearts.
    That’s our invitation today.

    Let the joy of Christ reshape how you step back into your routine.

    Let the peace of Christ steady you as you face unfinished tasks.

    Let the presence of Christ remind you that no day is “ordinary” when He walks with you.

    Before the New Year arrives, ask the Lord to help you number these last few days of 2025 with intention. Not rushing. Not drifting. But living awake—grateful, purposeful, and grounded in Him.

    Closing Prayer

    Lord Jesus, thank You for the beauty and wonder of Christmas. As we step back into our daily routines, help us not to lose what You stirred in our hearts. Teach us to number our days with wisdom. Help us carry Your peace into our work, Your joy into our responsibilities, and Your presence into every moment. Shape our steps as we move toward a new year. We return to our “fields” glorifying and praising You. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!

  • Meaningful Reflection: Day After Christmas

    “But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)

    (NKJV)

    The day after Christmas often feels like a strange pause. The wrapping paper is gone, the carols fade, and the excitement of gifts and gatherings gives way to quiet. For many, it’s a day of rest; for others, it’s a return to routine. Yet spiritually, the day after Christmas holds profound meaning.

    Think of Mary. After the shepherds left, after the angelic chorus had stilled, she sat in the quiet and pondered. The miracle had happened—Christ was born—but life didn’t suddenly become easy. There were still diapers to change, meals to prepare, and the looming reality of raising the Son of God. The glory of Christmas didn’t erase the ordinary; it infused it with eternal significance.

    The day after Christmas reminds us that the incarnation isn’t just a one-day celebration. It’s the beginning of a lifelong journey of treasuring Christ in the ordinary moments. The shepherds returned to their flocks, but they carried the memory of the Savior with them. Mary returned to daily life, but she carried the wonder in her heart.
    Christmas is not meant to be packed away with the decorations. The day after Christmas is a call to live with the same awe, gratitude, and joy we felt yesterday—only now woven into the fabric of everyday life.

    PRAYER

    Lord Jesus, thank You that You are not just the Savior of Christmas Day but of every day. Help me to treasure You in my heart like Mary and to carry the joy of Your presence into the ordinary rhythms of life. May I live as one who has seen Your glory, sharing Your love with others even when the celebrations fade. Teach me to abide in You, to walk with You, and to remember that the miracle of Your birth changes everything—not just yesterday, but today and forever. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!

  • Embracing the Light of Christmas

    “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government will be upon his shoulder: and his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” — Isaiah 9:6

    (NKJV)

    Christmas is more than lights, gifts, and traditions—it is the celebration of God stepping into our world. The birth of Jesus is the fulfillment of centuries of promises, the dawn of hope in the midst of darkness. Isaiah reminds us that this child is not ordinary. He is the Wonderful Counselor who guides us. He is the Mighty God who saves us. He is the Everlasting Father who loves us. He is the Prince of Peace who calms our restless hearts.

    On Christmas morning, we pause to remember. The manger was not the end of the story. It was the beginning of redemption.

    Imagine a candle in a dark room. At first, the darkness feels overwhelming, but when the candle is lit, the smallest flame pushes back the shadows. That’s what Christ’s birth did for the world. The light of Jesus pierced the darkness of sin and despair, and that light has never gone out.

    One candle can ignite another. Similarly, the light of Christ spreads through us when we share His love. We do this by extending kindness and peace to others.

    • Receive the gift: Christmas is about receiving Christ Himself, not just celebrating His birth.
    • Reflect His light: Ask yourself, “Where can I bring Christ’s peace today?” Maybe it’s in your family, workplace, or community.
    • Rest in His promises: The titles Isaiah gives remind us that Jesus is enough for every need. This includes guidance, strength, love, and peace.

    PRAYER

    Lord Jesus, on this Christmas Day we thank You for coming into our world as the Light in the darkness. You are our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Help us to receive You fully, reflect Your love to those around us, and rest in the hope You bring. May our lives shine with Your light today and always. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN!

  • Opening the Gift on Christmas Eve

    For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11)

    (NKJV)

    Christmas Eve is filled with anticipation–families gather, lights glow, and hearts wait for the joy of Christmas morning. But tonight reminds us of the greatest anticipation in history: the world waiting for a Savior. And that Savior came as a gift–Jesus Christ.

    Picture a beautifully wrapped gift under the tree. Everyone knows it’s there, but until it’s opened, its value isn’t experienced.

    God’s gift of Jesus was given over 2,000 years ago, but many still leave it unopened. Tonight, as we celebrate Christmas Eve, let’s make sure we’ve received the gift that changes everything.

    • The gift was promised: For centuries, people longed for he Messiah. Christmas Eve marks the night before the promise was fulfilled.
    • The gift was personal: “Born to you.” This isn’t just a historical event–it’s for you.
    • The gift brings peace: In a world of chaos, Jesus brings hope, forgiveness, and eternal life

    Unlike earthly gifts, this one never fades. It’s eternal, priceless, and offered freely.

    • Have I truly received the gift of Jesus?
    • How can I share this gift with someone tonight?

    PRAYER

    Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus. On this Christmas Eve, help me pause and remember that Your love is the reason we celebrate. Fill my heart with gratitude and peace, and let me share Your gift with others. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN!

  • The Greatest Gift of Christmas

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

    (NKJV)

    Christmas is full of gifts–wrapped boxes, surprises, and joy. But the greatest gift isn’t found under the tree. It is found in a manger: Jesus Christ.

    Imagine a child on Christmas morning. They tear open the wrapping paper, eyes wide open with excitement. But what if the gift was left unopened? It wouldn’t bring joy or fulfill its purpose.

    God’s gift of Jesus is like that–offered freely, but it must be received. Don’t leave the greatest gift unopened this Christmas.

    • God’s gift cost Him everything. He gave His Son.
    • It was given out of love. Not because we earned it, but because He loved us.
    • It meets our deepest need. Forgiveness, hope, eternal life.

    Unlike earthly gifts, God’s gift never fades or breaks. It’s eternal and personal–meant for you.

    • Am I more focused on presents than His presence?
    • How can I share this gift today?

    PRAYER:

    Lord, thank You for the gift of Jesus. Help me to treasure Him above all else and share His love with others. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN!

  • Peace

    “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

    (NKJV)

    Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of Christ. His peace surpasses understanding—it calms our hearts even when storms rage around us. Jesus promised His peace to His followers, a peace the world cannot give.

    Cultivate peace by surrendering worries to God in prayer. When anxiety rises, remember His promise to guard your heart. Be a peacemaker in your relationships, reflecting Christ’s peace to others.

    Prayer

    Lord, let Your peace rule in my heart. Guard my mind from fear and anxiety. Help me bring peace into my home, workplace, and community, pointing others to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN!

  • Happiness

    “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.” (Jeremiah 17:7)

    (NKJV)

    True happiness is not found in possessions or achievements but in trusting God. The world offers fleeting pleasures, but Scripture teaches that blessedness—deep happiness—comes from walking with the Lord. Happiness rooted in Him is steady, because it flows from His unchanging love.

    Instead of chasing temporary satisfaction, pursue God’s presence. Spend time in prayer, Scripture, and fellowship. Happiness grows when we align our desires with His will.

    Prayer

    Lord, thank You that true happiness is found in You. Teach me to trust You fully and to delight in Your ways. Let my life reflect the joy of being blessed in Your presence. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN!

  • JOY

    “. . . the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

    (NKJV)

    Joy is not the same as happiness. Happiness depends on circumstances, but joy flows from God’s presence. It is a deep, abiding gladness that sustains us even in trials. Joy is a gift of the Spirit, reminding us that God is with us and His grace is enough.

    Practice joy by focusing on God’s goodness rather than your problems. Sing, pray, or recall His faithfulness. Joy is contagious—share it with others through encouragement and gratitude.

    Prayer

    Father, fill me with Your joy. Let it be my strength in hard times and my song in good times. May others see Your joy shining through me. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN!

Strength for the Middle

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9 (NKJV) The middle of anything can be the hardest part. It is the middle of a project, a season, a challenge, or even a month. The excitement of the beginning has…

bobspen's avatar by bobspen

When God Sees the Small Things

“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” Matthew 25:21 (NKJV) We often imagine faithfulness as something big, dramatic, or public. Jesus reminds us that God notices the small things.…

bobspen's avatar by bobspen

Shining the Way

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (NKJV) When we see the way, choose the way, and walk the way—something beautiful happens. Our lives start to shine. Not with our own brilliance, but with the light of Christ reflected through…

bobspen's avatar by bobspen
Music
One-Time
Monthly
Yearly

Make a one-time donation

Make a monthly donation

Make a yearly donation

Choose an amount

¤5.00
¤15.00
¤100.00
¤5.00
¤15.00
¤100.00
¤5.00
¤15.00
¤100.00

Or enter a custom amount

¤

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearly
Blog Stats
  • 4,613 hits
Follow Bob Lankford on WordPress.com

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 123 other subscribers
Goodreads
Follow Bob Lankford on WordPress.com

Unknown's avatar

Christine Malkemes

Echoes of the Holy

Living the Life God Intended

shawnethomas

A devotional blog by Shawn Thomas

Inner Peace

True wealth is the wealth of the soul

MIRACLES EACH DAY

A Frequent Blog of Devotionals Inspired by A Course in Miracles, A Course of Love, The Way of Mastery, Choose Only Love--Plus More . . . with Celia Hales - https://www.amazon.com/author/celiahales

PRAYERS TO THE DIVINE COSMOS

Words to God Frequently Shared. . . with Celia Hales - https://www.amazon.com/author/celiahales

Larry Hurtado's Blog

Comments on the New Testament and Early Christianity (and related matters)

Connecting Dots...to God

Theology in Cultural Context

kenbraddy.com

Because Groups Matter

The Amateur Exegete

synchroblog

Diverse voices writing monthly articles about theological and spiritual topics.

Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament

This blog is a Christian perspective on the Old Testament and Current Events from Dr. Claude Mariottini, Professor of Old Testament at Northern Baptist Seminary.

Writer's Harvest

Harvest your writing skills

THE BLOGGING STATION

LIFESTYLE, BEAUTY AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN

SIMPLY SWANK

My Christian Life-Rhyme | Sharing the Love of God, One Inspiration at a Time

Shreya Vikram

jasmine k. eclipse

Eternity

From A Garden To A City, And Beyond - The Prophetic Journey. Isaiah 65:17.

Haden Clark

Philosophy. Theology. Everything else.

Life After 50

Life at any age can be amazing! We only need to grab hold & experience it!