21 Days

Day 5- Growth

Author: Kacey Randolph

At the start of a new year, I think it is safe to say we are inundated with all the “new” that there is to offer. What’s your “new” word for 2020? Try this “new” diet! Here’s a “new" way to organize your shirts into tiny origami swans!

While I like a fresh start to a new year like any of us, I can also feel the pressure of it. I’m not one to want to be dialed in to just one word (I might like three!), give up ice cream, or fold repetitiously. What I want to do with not only the start of every year, but every day, is ask God what the plan is and follow His lead. I know this is very foundational, however, it’s the easiest things we can sometimes forget especially in a world where there are so many voices, images, and opinions streamed right into our literal hands. 

I’ve found that if I want to continue to grow, draw closer to God, and be all that God is calling me to be, I need to cancel the noise of worldly busyness and expectation and hone in on The Father alone. Only He will take me to places I never thought I would go. Only He will nudge me to do things I never thought I could do. Only He will encourage and build me up in ways that I thought were hopeless. It’s up to me to create space for Him to speak and move in my life. 

Ephesians 3:29: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever! Amen.”

Romans 8:32: He who did not spare is own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”

I don’t know what you’re believing for in 2020, but what I do know is that God is FOR YOU. Actively create space and quiet to allow Him to speak and I’m convinced you will start to soar. 

PRAYER

Father God, we commit all of our ways and plans to you. You are our Rock and our firm foundation, we will not waiver in pursuing you and your plan for our day and our life. Help us to see you in every situation, make our ears and our spirit tender to your voice. Holy Spirit, make us bold to act upon your prompting! May we be diligent in seeking your Kingdom first. In Jesus Name, Amen. 

Day 4- Hope

Author: Melissa Pearcy

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. In Romans 12:12, God tells us to rejoice in hope, but that can be so hard when things don’t go as we planned or even the unexpected happens. But how do we find “joyful hope”? It takes a daily discipline to grow our “hope muscle”. In Matthew 6:33, we are told to, “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.”   When we put our hope in Christ, he will renew our strength. (Isaiah 40:31)

Today, is a new day. His mercies are new every morning! (Lamentations 3:23, CSB). Aren’t you thankful for that! We daily get a fresh start. I want to challenge each and every one of us to lay down our own agenda, empty ourselves of all that keeps us bound down and stop looking for answers to the questions that we don’t know and start looking at the things that we do know. Open our hearts to the Holy Spirits leading.

PRAYER

God, I pray that you would open our eyes to see you, open our ears to hear you and open our hearts to receive all that you have for us. (Ephesians 1:18, CSB). Give us a desire to know you more. Meet each one of us where we are and let your voice be louder than any other. We thank you that we can put our hope in you, and that you are more than able to complete the work that you started within us. (Philippians 1:6, CSB).

Romans 12:12 - Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Matthew 6:33 - But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

Isaiah 40:31- 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.

Lamentations 3:23- They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!

Ephesians 1:18 -I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called--his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance."

Philippians 1:6 - I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.