21 Days

Day 13- The Secret Place

Entering the Secret Place

Author: Kristi Crocker

I love spending my quiet time in the mornings with God. Over the years, I’ve come to a place that I just cannot go without them. The reward far outweighs the challenge of waking up early. I am confident that even though I may not encounter Him as powerfully as another day’s experience,  giving Him the first fruits of my day enables me to be more in tune and more sensitive to His Presence.

I’ve always gone into my quiet time knowing that God speaks and I’ve been very intentional to hear what He has to say to me.

Recently though, as I began my early morning quiet time, I heard the Lord say to me,

 “Will you ask me what is on My heart today?”

Immediately, I felt great freedom and joy rising within my spirit. There was absolutely no condemnation to the question, but it was more like an invitation. It ignited within me a longing to be still, more still than I had previously been used to. It presented an invitation that was outside of myself and yet had everything to do with my participation. I sensed that by asking God what was on His heart that He was inviting me to partner with Him.

I never considered before asking this question. I’ve always experienced Him showing me His heart over matters involving my life, but this was different. It was as if He wanted me to know Him and to know His heart. It felt as though in that instant all of my concerns and cares that I brought with me simply faded, and a trusting confidence rose up knowing that He was all sufficient to meet those needs. My heart shifted as I knew something had changed and a great invitation was given to me.

I believe this is for the body of Christ as well. He wants us to know Him and to know His heart and to not be afraid to ask, “What is on Your Heart today, Lord?”

May 2020 be the year that you don’t focus so much on your shortcomings, or so much on your needs. Let it be the year that your heart posture changes, and you inquire of the Lord, “WHAT IS ON YOUR HEART TODAY LORD?” Be willing to ask the question and be just as willing to respond to the answer. This is relationship in its purest form.

PRAYER

Father, Enable me in this New Year to have a fresh hunger to seek You early in the mornings and to ask “What is on Your Heart Today Lord.”

James 4:8 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart”

Psalm 63:1 "O God, you are my God, earnestly will I seek You.”

Day 12- Marriage

Author: Deanna Fullerton

Are you prepared to have those difficult conversations in your marriage?  I’m not talking about what’s for dinner type of talks, you know, the ones that neither of you can make a decision of what you want to eat.  I’m talking more on the lines of “for better or for worse… in sickness and in health… till death do us part.” I've had the experience of being a military spouse for over 20 years. I learned early on that communication in our marriage is vitally important.  Not only was the lack of communicating regularly during both deployments difficult, but discussing end of life arrangements were also necessary and difficult.  However, these conversations prepared the way to have an unexpected discussion during my husband’s recent health scare.  This event reminded me of not only the importance of communication in marriage, but how we speak to each other in general.

A great scripture to meditate on and memorize for your marriage is Ephesians 4:30-32 (NKJV), “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.  And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as Christ also forgave you.” 

Communicating is more than figuring out what’s for dinner or which emoticon to send to each other throughout the day.  It’s heart to heart real conversations about real life events.  I want to encourage you to make 2020 the year to communicate well in your marriage.  God has outlined the principles in His word of how to talk to each other.  Lean on the Holy Spirit for guidance in communicating, even the difficult conversations.

PRAYER

Father God, we come to you today and ask that You give us wisdom, knowledge, and strength to communicate with our spouse this year.  Help us to stay kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving towards each other.  When we are faced with difficult seasons, give us grace to walk through them and help us to lean on the Holy Spirit for guidance.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!