21 DAYS OF DAILY DEVOTIONS: JAN 1-21
DAY 1:
Talking: Jesus, You already know what 2024 has in store for me. You know what I will need in the days and months ahead. What word(s) of wisdom or encouragement would You have for me to bring into this new year?
Listening: James 1:5-7
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.”
Responding: What will it look like to act on what you hear?
DAY 2:
Talking: Father, it’s easy to forget that You, who has need of nothing, has desires. Even desires for me. Would You begin to show me some of Your desires for my life?
Listening: Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Responding: What will it look like to act on what you hear?
DAY 3:
Talking: Lord, there are a lot of things I want. You know this well. You also know what is underneath those longings. Would You reveal the deep desires that You’ve planted in my heart?
Listening: Psalm 37:4
“Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Responding: What will it look like to act on what you hear?
DAY 4:
Talking: God, you have given me this new day. How would you have me invest Your time today?
Listening: Psalm 90:12
“Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom.”
Responding: What will it look like to act on what you hear?
DAY 5:
Talking: Jesus, I know that I am safe in Your presence. Even so, would You show me where You are inviting me to be more vulnerable with You?
Listening: Psalm 91
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.””
Responding: What will it look like to act on what you hear?
DAY 6:
Talking: Holy Spirit, I do want to hear from You, more than anything. But I struggle to listen sometimes. Would You reveal if there is any barrier keeping me from hearing Your voice?
Listening: Psalm 139:23-24
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Responding: What will it look like to act on what you hear?
DAY 7:
Talking: I know it’s good to practice gratitude, Father. And I am thankful … mostly. Would You show me where gratitude has given way to entitlement in me?
Listening: Psalm 100:4
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
Responding: What will it look like to act on what you hear?
DAY 8:
Talking: God, I haven’t been spending time with You because of the busyness of life. Would You help me to find time alone with You?
Listening: Jeremiah 29:13
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Responding: What will it look like to act on what you hear?
DAY 9:
Talking: What are You asking of me today, Jesus?
Listening: John 10:27-28
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”
Responding: What will it look like to act on what you hear?
DAY 10:
Talking: Expectation is a tricky thing. Sometimes I have unrealistic expectations, I know. It may also be that my expectations are too low. Would You show me if this is true, Lord, and where I need to be live more expectantly of Your goodness?
Listening: Isaiah 30:18
“And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.”
Responding: What will it look like to act on what you hear?
DAY 11:
Talking: Heavenly Father, there are days when I feel so weighed down with concerns for the people in my life, I just want to walk away. Would You show me how to walk with You with these burdens?
Listening: Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Responding: What will it look like to act on what you hear?
DAY 12:
Talking: Holy Spirit, I know that scripture says Jesus dwells in me through the Holy Spirit. But I admit, it’s hard to wrap my mind around the reality of that! Would You give me a greater revelation of what that means for me, in my real life?
Listening: Colossians 1:27
“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Responding: What will it look like to act on what you hear?
DAY 13:
Talking: This world is a risky place. I admit that sometimes it’s easier to play it safe and stay comfortable. But would You show me where You would have me come out of hiding and trust You with the risks?
Listening: John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Responding: What will it look like to act on what you hear?
DAY 14:
Talking: Lord, I carry so much guilt and shame from my past. How can I know I am truly forgiven?
Listening: 1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Responding: What will it look like to act on what you hear?
DAY 15:
Talking: If I’m brutally honest with You, Lord God, sometimes I feel like my life is of no value. I’ve let others define who I am. Even myself. Would You remind me, how You really see me?
Listening: Psalm 139:13-14
“For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.”
Responding: What will it look like to act on what you hear?
DAY 16:
Talking: Father, instead of “why is this happening?”, today would You show me, “how can I draw close and glorify You” in my circumstances?
Listening: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“… you are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
Responding: What will it look like to act on what you hear?
DAY 17:
Talking: Sometimes, I don’t know what to say, God, as I come before You in prayer. I don’t have the words to express what I’m experiencing or thinking. Would You help me express my inexpressible thoughts and emotions?
Listening: Romans 8:26-27
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”
Responding: What will it look like to act on what you hear?
DAY 18:
Talking: Jesus, I see so much anger and fear all around me. How do I see these people in the way that You see them?
Listening: Matthew 9:36
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
Responding: What will it look like to act on what you hear?
DAY 19:
Talking: God, sometimes I’m afraid that I won’t have enough resources for myself, let alone Your Church. As a result, I feel anxious and discouraged. What would You say to me as I cast this care upon You?
Listening: Philippians 4:11-13
“…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Responding: What will it look like to act on what you hear?
DAY 20:
Talking: Holy Spirit, is there someone I need to make things right with, whether to forgive or seek their forgiveness?
Listening: Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Responding: What will it look like to act on what you hear?
DAY 21:
Talking: Jesus, just in case I missed it, what are You wanting me to take away from these 21 days?
Listening: Psalm 25: 4
“Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths.”
Responding: What will it look like to act on what you hear?