Encouragement for Our Daily Walk: (365 Quotes/Thoughts of the Day)

By Kristie Ratliff

How do we keep our steps from faltering?

Where can we find the endurance to keep going each day?

The moment the alarm clock goes off, our minds start rolling. As our feet hit the floor, the wheel of schedules and tasks begins the marathon of our day. With so many distractions, it is easy for all of us to get knocked off center. We can choose to add protection to our thoughts by aligning them upward with God's direction for our walk each day. This 365-day reading can help us set each day with inspiration as a motivation for our steps through this journey we all call life. Each day ends with an inspirational verse from the Bible.

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. (Psalm 37:23-24)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: May 15, 2024
• ISBN: 9798891308435

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Encouragement for Our Daily Walk

(365 Quotes/Thoughts of the Day)

Kristie Ratliff

ISBN 979-8-89130-842-8 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-89130-843-5 (digital)

Copyright © 2024 by Kristie Ratliff

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

All biblical citations were taken from the New International Version (NIV) of the Holy Bible unless stated otherwise.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

January 1

January 2

January 3

January 4

January 5

January 6

January 7

January 8

January 9

January 10

January 11

January 12

January 13

January 14

January 15

January 16

January 17

January 18

January 19

January 20

January 21

January 22

January 23

January 24

January 25

January 26

January 27

January 28

January 29

January 30

January 31

February 1

February 2

February 3

February 4

February 5

February 6

February 7

February 8

February 9

February 10

February 11

February 12

February 13

February 14

February 15

February 16

February 17

February 18

February 19

February 20

February 21

February 22

February 23

February 24

February 25

February 26

February 27

February 28

March 1

March 2

March 3

March 4

March 5

March 6

March 7

March 8

March 9

March 10

March 11

March 12

March 13

March 14

March 15

March 16

March 17

March 18

March 19

March 20

March 21

March 22

March 23

March 24

March 25

March 26

March 27

March 28

March 29

March 30

March 31

April 1

April 2

April 3

April 4

April 5

April 6

April 7

April 8

April 9

April 10

April 11

April 12

April 13

April 14

April 15

April 16

April 17

April 18

April 19

April 20

April 21

April 22

April 23

April 24

April 25

April 26

April 27

April 28

April 29

April 30

May 1

May 2

May 3

May 4

May 5

May 6

May 7

May 8

May 9

May 10

May 11

May 12

May 13

May 14

May 15

May 16

May 17

May 18

May 19

May 20

May 21

May 22

May 23

May 24

May 25

May 26

May 27

May 28

May 29

May 30

May 31

June 1

June 2

June 3

June 4

June 5

June 6

June 7

June 8

June 9

June 10

June 11

June 12

June 13

June 14

June 15

June 16

June 17

June 18

June 19

June 20

June 21

June 22

June 23

June 24

June 25

June 26

June 27

June 28

June 29

June 30

July 1

July 2

July 3

July 4

July 5

July 6

July 7

July 8

July 9

July 10

July 11

July 12

July 13

July 14

July 15

July 16

July 17

July 18

July 19

July 20

July 21

July 22

July 23

July 24

July 25

July 26

July 27

July 28

July 29

July 30

July 31

August 1

August 2

August 3

August 4

August 5

August 6

August 7

August 8

August 9

August 10

August 11

August 12

August 13

August 14

August 15

August 16

August 17

August 18

August 19

August 20

August 21

August 22

August 23

August 24

August 25

August 26

August 27

August 28

August 29

August 30

August 31

September 1

September 2

September 3

September 4

September 5

September 6

September 7

September 8

September 9

September 10

September 11

September 12

September 13

September 14

September 15

September 16

September 17

September 18

September 19

September 20

September 21

September 22

September 23

September 24

September 25

September 26

September 27

September 28

September 29

September 30

October 1

October 2

October 3

October 4

October 5

October 6

October 7

October 8

October 9

October 10

October 11

October 12

October 13

October 14

October 15

October 16

October 17

October 18

October 19

October 20

October 21

October 22

October 23

October 24

October 25

October 26

October 27

October 28

October 29

October 30

October 31

November 1

November 2

November 3

November 4

November 5

November 6

November 7

November 8

November 9

November 10

November 11

November 12

November 13

November 14

November 15

November 16

November 17

November 18

November 19

November 20

November 21

November 22

November 23

November 24

November 25

November 26

November 27

November 28

November 29

November 30

December 1

December 2

December 3

December 4

December 5

December 6

December 7

December 8

December 9

December 10

December 11

December 12

December 13

December 14

December 15

December 16

December 17

December 18

December 19

December 20

December 21

December 22

December 23

December 24

December 25

December 26

December 27

December 28

December 29

December 30

December 31

About the Author

January 1

Today is the start of a new year. It is a time for many to stop and put new resolutions and goals into place. As the year goes along, life gets in the way, and those who are strong on this day can fade unless we keep them active.

The best way to keep these at the front of our lives is to make them attainable and remember the why behind them. Once we know why we want to accomplish them, how to achieve them becomes easier. It helps to include others in our ideas and goals. Doing so creates an accountability system, and there is strength in opening ourselves to others. To become new, we have to be willing to move outside our comfort zone. It won't be easy at first, but every day, like baby steps, it gets you there. Today can be day 1 of the future or seen as maybe one day we will. It is our choice to take the step.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

January 2

God wants our futures to be bright and is just waiting for us to call on Him for His help. He has so many blessings waiting if we will just reach out and seek His will. Some things we try won't be easy at first, but we can't let the failures stop us. We must keep pushing forward, and then eventually, we will see the results of our efforts. Our power is not found in ourselves but in God.

We must trust in God's timing. He always knows what is best for our lives. He blesses us in ways we can't see or understand sometimes until a later moment. We need to appreciate what we have along the way and remember things can change and be totally different in one year from today. Our Lord sees the bigger picture and is in control at all times. His provisions are always the best for us.

You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. (Psalm 65:11)

January 3

The holidays are over, and now is when we start to clean up and clean out the old. We pack the holiday decorations and store them until another year has passed. Just like the decorations that we put away, our lives and past are times we put away. It is not bad to forget the past, but we can't allow ourselves to carry it with us into the future.

Leave the past in the past. It's time to start new and make new memories. The past made us into who we are, but that doesn't mean we have to stay that way forever. We must hold on to the uplifting memories and keep those at the forefront of our minds as we change and make new changes for our future. The past can be our guide as we step into a new future.

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13–14)

January 4

What does it mean to put off your old self? Not everything we are or do needs to change, but anything that is holding us back from the life God has for us needs to be taken off and put away. Going through life, we pick up habits, some really good but some not so good. Looking in a mirror can be either pleasant or resemble someone we don't know.

This is why some don't put many mirrors in their house. They don't want to look or be reminded of exactly who they are. There are times in our lives when it seems easier to look outward than focus on who we are inside. We must take note daily of who we are and who we are becoming. We need to love who we see in the mirror looking back at us first. If we don't love ourselves, then we can never really love or enjoy other people.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22–24)

January 5

Sometimes it is hard to speak up at times and say, I don't like it. It is in those moments we feel as if we would be letting someone down if we didn't feel the same way, especially if everyone else around us agrees. There is power in standing in your opinion and owning your thoughts. God made us each different with a variety of skills, talents, likes, and dislikes. No one's opinion outweighs how another truly feels. Standing on our own takes courage, but God blesses those who take a stand because He is the one who made us.

We are all created to do big things, but comparison gets in the way. God created us each unique, and He wants us to find what we were meant to do. That is where we find our blessings. By being who He made us to be, we will step into the life that He designed us to live.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

January 6

When we are young, we are invincible and live on the edge at times. As we grow up, we become more hesitant about risk and slowly, over time, can even become stagnant. Our bodies which were full of energy once now seem tired and drained by the end of the day with no desire for surprises. With age, our bodies wear away but our minds continue to grow. We store more knowledge and life experiences than we once did as a child.

We can't move to the next phase of our lives and obtain the new blessings God has for us unless we are willing to move to the edges and trust. We have to keep that childlike energy and confidence going throughout our life no matter how fragile our earthly bodies become. Don't be afraid, but trust in our Lord. He won't fail us. All we have to do is just call out to Him, and He will not let us fall.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:16)

January 7

Why does worry seem easier than faith? God has promised us to provide for us, but we live daily with concerns about things even outside of our control. When we worry, can we actually change anything? No, it only keeps us from seeing our blessings and the good around us.

There are situations in our lives that we can't avoid and must go through. We can either be worried or stop and pray for direction. God has promised that if we will call on Him, He will help us. Both flowers and thorns live on a rose bush and can be visibly seen. We can either enjoy the beauty of the flower or worry about getting pricked by the thorns. Our lives are the same. We can either see the blessings or focus on what is out of our control.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6–7)

January 8

When we watch a football game or entertainment event, do we ever stop and think about what sacrifices the ones playing went through to get to this day? We rarely see all the hours and time that went into making them who they are today. It seems we mostly just think they must be lucky or that everything was easy and worked out for them.

What we don't see is all the backstories of wins and losses that took place over time that refined them into who they are standing in front of us now. The valleys and times of perseverance of brushing off and getting back up are rarely noticed or celebrated. At times, when we feel we want to quit, we must stand back up and try again. God is faithful to walk beside us every step.

Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22–23)

January 9

Every step toward our resolutions and goals takes us closer to the new. There will be roadblocks and temptations that come along the way, so we must be ready and prepared to push through them. Day by day, week by week, we can keep taking a step or sit down. What we bring to life will eventually become our life.

The one thing we can't do is bring our former selves and ways into the future if we want to be new. The steps we take forward won't be easy if we are still fighting old battles. Our new life is on the other side of our comfort zone. Lord, help us to step into the life we designed for us.

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (Deuteronomy 31:8)

January 10

What does it mean to be fearlessly authentic? We see movie stars and people around us that we think we need or want to be like. What they have or do seems to be the secret to happiness. It is also something we strive to do so that we can be included or resemble the norm. Being different can feel like a burden or something we want to hide. We have to remember that no one's life is meant or should be copied. Like our fingerprints and snowflakes, we are all different.

We must embrace the unique person and take the risk, living who God made us to be. To be authentic takes courage and can be scary. That is the only way His will through us gets accomplished. When we live this way, our true joy can be found.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14)

January 11

The cool crisp air during winter can dry out our skin and trigger health issues at times. We turn to moisturizers and medicine for relief. It is during this time that we must remember it is a season of renewal. Even though we can't see it at times with our physical eyes, progress is going on.

When the earth is in hibernation, we can't see the growth that is happening in the future. This rest time is needed to bring forth the new life that will become visible in the spring. God is always at work even when we can't see and in our needed resting times. He is there to turn to when we are tired and can't see the future.

I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. (Jeremiah 31:25)

January 12

During the winter months, illnesses and germs seem to spread faster due to staying indoors and keeping areas overly warm. When these times come, we can't get discouraged but see them as a time our body is telling us it needs to rest. Every human body is different and reacts differently to triggers and sicknesses.

God's presence is always with us, but it can feel dark during these times. We need to help and encourage others when they are going through these times. As God loves and provides for us, we should also love and provide for those in the healing process. His love is shown and shared with others when we use our hands and service for others.

Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. (Jeremiah 33:6)

January 13

Life can get us down at times. Everything can be going well, and then out of nowhere, life can change. We can get stuck feeling paralyzed, not knowing where to turn. It is hard to be thankful for difficult times, but sometimes they come to grow us. As hard as they are, sometimes they are for our benefit in the end.

It is during these times that we need to lean on our Lord. He sees the bigger picture at all times, and if we will just trust in Him, He will lead us through and to the next steps. His plans are always the best. We can't always see the why, but we can rest in God's presence because He is always at work and making a way. Our job is to keep hope alive.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:30–31)

January 14

Have you ever stopped to look and take note of how much time you spend on social media? In today's world, it has taken up much of our attention and what we put our attention to while waiting for the world to turn. If we are not careful, we will miss special moments and memories.

We can't be so busy watching other people's lives or worrying about how many likes we have on our social media posts, that we miss our special moments and memories. We can't sit on the sidelines being a spectator. We must get out on the field and play. Lord, help us to step out of our comfort zone and live.

For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. (1 John 2:16)

January 15

The longer we live, the more scars we gain. People spend a lifetime trying to cover up or hide their wounded scars. These scars can be found on the inside of us or the outside. Our inner scars come from experiences. Emotions and baggage can remain hidden forever while our outer ones are visible to the human eye.

We need to be reminded that scars, whether inside or out, are the road maps of our lives and tell our individual stories. Even though some wounds may not be from our faults, we should still wear them proudly because they molded us into the person we are today. They made us strong and can be used to help others. Our Lord's scars saved us, and we will live for eternity in heaven because of them.

By his wounds, you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24)

January 16

The world depends on clocks to keep all on schedule and aware of the time. It is one of the most useful inventions over time. We all need it to stay on schedule for our lives. A clock cannot run correctly if it is not plugged into electricity or contains batteries. In the past, people would even wind up clocks to make them operate.

Just like a clock, we can't run our race or perform correctly if we are not wound up or plugged into a source. The power of our lives can come from worldly power sources or from our Lord and Savior. He created us and will provide all we need if we just call out to Him. This world pulls at us and drains us, and it is in those times that we must make sure our chargers are plugged in and strong with Him.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (Isaiah 40:29)

January 17

Life is full of pain. We can try but can't always avoid it. It could be sickness, disappointments, or accidents. No matter the reason, hurting is something none of us like in our lives. The pain can be physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual. We must remember that on the other side