Think on These Things

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the quiet call in Your Word to fix my thoughts on what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report.

In a world that so often pulls my mind toward worry, noise, and the things that drain the soul, help me choose instead the things that are virtuous and praiseworthy.

Guard my heart and renew my mind today. Let whatever is pure and lovely fill my thoughts, and let Your peace settle over me as I dwell on these good things.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

The Promise That Silences Fear

Heavenly Father,

You have said, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

Lord, I come before You today resting in this promise. Thank You that Your thoughts toward me are not random or harsh, but intentional—filled with peace and hope. You see the end from the beginning, and You are working all things for a good and expected end in my life.

When uncertainty rises, when plans feel delayed, or when fear tries to take root, remind me that Your plans for me are good. Help me trust that You are not thinking of harm but of peace. Settle my heart in the knowledge that You hold my future securely.

Guide my steps according to Your wisdom. Align my desires with Your will. Give me patience as Your purposes unfold, and fill me with quiet confidence that the end You have prepared is better than anything I could design for myself.

I surrender my worries, my timelines, and my expectations to You. Let Your peace guard my heart and mind. May I walk forward each day knowing I am held by a God who thinks thoughts of peace toward me.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

Taking Every Thought Captive

Heavenly Father,

I come before You today, asking for Your help to cast down every imagination and every high thing that lifts itself up against the knowledge of You.

Lord, take captive every thought of mine and bring it into the obedience of Christ.

When my mind wanders into fear, doubt, pride, or anything that opposes Your truth, I surrender it to You. Pull those thoughts down and replace them with Your wisdom, Your peace, and Your Word.

Help me to guard my mind diligently. Teach me to recognize what does not honor You and to refuse it.

I choose today to submit my thinking to Jesus. Let His obedience become the pattern for mine.

Thank You for the power You’ve given me through Christ to take every thought captive.

In Jesus’ Name I pray,

Amen.

 

Your Presence, My Rest

Lord God,

You have spoken these precious words: “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.”

I receive them now as Your personal promise to me.

Father, go with me today. Let Your presence be the atmosphere I walk in—not just beside me, but surrounding me, filling every room I enter, every conversation I have, every decision I face.

When I feel alone, remind me that You are near.

When the path feels uncertain, let me know You are already ahead.

When my heart is restless, speak peace over me and give me the rest that only You can give.

I do not ask merely for strength or answers—I ask for You. Your nearness is my good. Your presence is my rest.

Thank You that You do not send me out alone. You go with me. And in Your presence, I find rest for my soul.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Let the Lord have his way

Here's a great song to sing, especially when teaching the story of Esther but it's also great for adults and for any occasion.

Let the Lord have his way
in your life every day.
There’s no rest, there’s no peace,
until the Lord has his way.
Place your life in his Hand.
Rest secure in his plan.
Let the Lord, let the Lord have his way.

The illustrated songbook is no longer available. However, piano music for this song and 60 other children's songs can be found in Growing Songs for Children Book 1, which is available through Child Evangelism Fellowship: https://cefpress.com/kids-sing-the-good-news-2-cd.html

Explore more Children's Music

Also recommended:

Be Committed (Ruth & Esther): Doing God's Will Whatever the Cost - eBook By David C. Cook For both Ruth and Esther, God used stressful circumstances to bring about His eternal purposes. Ruth's committment to the God of Naomi affected every generation to come, as she became an ancestor of King David and more importantly, Jesus Christ. Esther's obedience led to the preservation of her people at a moment in history when all seemed lost. The stories of Ruth and Esther will make you contemplate: Would I trust God enough to do what they did? Go chapter by chapter through the books of Ruth and Esther to see how the lives of these two remarkable women epitomize the type of faith that glorifies God. Author Bio Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe is an internationally known Bible teacher and the former pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago. For ten years he was associated with the Back to the Bible radio broadcast, first as Bible teacher and then as general director. Dr. Wiersbe has written more than 160 books, including the popular "BE" series of Bible commentaries, which has sold more than four million copies. He and his wife, Betty, live in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Happy New Year!

Has this year been filled with more challenges than ever before? Then that must mean there have been more opportunities than ever before, because whenever we face a new challenge, we have yet one more opportunity to prove God faithful. It’s an opportunity to flex our spiritual muscles and become stronger in our faith. 

The key is where we place our focus—on our circumstances or on our God. “For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37). The fact is, God is greater than any problem we have. 

It’s not our job to try and figure out the why. It’s our job to trust God. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3). Let’s rest confidently in the peace of God as we face this new year.

How to Benefit from Worry

Have years of worry sapped your strength? There's a fierce battle going on where Satan would love nothing better than to gain control of your mind. Constant worry leaves a person vulnerable to the enemy. It saps your energy, leaving you feel completely drained.

Worrying is like a rocking chair: It gives you something to do but gets you nowhere. When I start to worry, I encourage myself with an old Sunday school song that reminds me what I really need to do—pray and trust!

Why worry when you can pray?
Trust Jesus. He'll be your stay.
Don't be a Doubting Thomas.
Rest fully in His promise.
Why worry, worry, worry, worry
When you can pray!

Instead of worrying, invest that energy in praying and trusting God. Sing! Put on some godly worship music that carries you into God's Presence.

There's no need to despise this weakness towards worry. What Satan means for evil, God can use for good. Use it as a tool to draw closer to God. Whenever Satan tempts you to worry, recognize his tactics and see it as your constant need to create an intimacy with God that is well worth the effort.

Each time you flex your spiritual muscles, grabbing the fiery dart of worry that Satan hurls at you, you have an opportunity to strengthen yourself spiritually, by hurling that fiery dart straight back at Satan in the form of prayer, praise, song, worship or quoting Scripture—a mighty arsenal of powerful weapons of spiritual warfare.

Ask God to control your mind. He will bless you with peace in place of worry.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee.
—Isaiah 26:3

Battlefield of the Mind Commemorative Edition
Weapons of Our Warfare