Make the Ordinary Extraordinary: A Year of Daily Devotions

By Terri Anderson

How do you feel about decisions you make?

Do you know how to manage anxiety?

Are you getting the results you want in life?

You have everything you need within your grasp to change and achieve whatever you set your mind to.

The verses in this book present the power of God’s word to unleash surprising and exciting results in your life. Use them as a guide to Make the Ordinary Extraordinary.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Mar 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9781982263935

Book preview

January 1

DIRECTION

God is our God forever and ever,

our guide even to the end.

Psalm 48:14

There aren’t many certainties in life.

One thing we can be sure of is the everlasting presence of God, both in the world and in our lives.

God knows and loves each one of us.

Let God be your navigator as you live the life you want.

Rely on God, and trust God to find the best path for you.

Action

I will tell God where I need the most help in my life right now and then be open to where God leads me.

January 2

DIRECTION

God shows us where to go and what to do.

Jeremiah 42:3

When in doubt, ask God.

Then let the peace, excitement or resolve you feel be the umpire for what you decide.

Sometimes we still aren’t sure and need to make a choice by taking a step and seeing what happens.

God will let us know if we need to change course.

Action

What decision do I currently want to make? I will ask God to show me the direction to take.

January 3

DIRECTION

Let me hear your loving kindness

in the morning, for in you I trust.

Let me know which way to go.

Psalm 143:8

Begin the day by acknowledging God’s presence in your life.

Thank God for all the blessings you’ve been given.

Ask God to direct your steps and actions as you plan your day.

Take comfort and courage in God’s love and guidance.

Venture out with faith.

Action

I will eliminate self-doubt by pausing and asking God which way to go, which choice to make. I will feel God’s gentle nudge and proceed with confidence.

January 4

DIRECTION

Show me your will and lead me

forward with confidence.

Psalm 143:10

Being faithful means wanting to do the right thing, even though we may not always know what that is.

The closer we are to God, the easier it will be to know which choice and decision to make.

Spend time every day talking to God and looking for answers and directions in whatever lies before you.

Determine the best course and confidently proceed.

Action

Where in my life do I currently want direction from God? I will ask and be open to hearing God’s response.

January 5

DIRECTION

You have circled this mountain

long enough; turn north.

Deuteronomy 2:3

Sometimes we get caught in indecisiveness.

We’re not sure which direction to go.

Rather than deciding and taking action, we get stuck spinning, circling, waiting and spending lots of time and energy wondering and wandering.

Making decisions takes courage because follow-up action is required in order to get the desired results.

Action

I will ask God to help me decide something that has been on my mind, and then I will move in the direction I feel summoned to go.

January 6

DIRECTION

God knows the plans for us: plans to

prosper and protect, plans for hope,

plans for our future.

Jeremiah 29:11

As we strive to live our best life, God knows our hopes and dreams even more than we do.

When we ask for God’s guidance and protection we can trust God to deliver.

Anticipate the blessings God wants to give you.

Live with the expectation you will receive what you need when the time is right.

Action

I will ask God to help me be open to the plans designed for me. I will ask for faith as I trust God’s timing in my life.

January 7

DIRECTION

I will show you the way to go.

I will counsel you and watch over you.

Psalm 32:8

Whether it’s how to live your best life every day or how to make a decision or complete an important project, let God be your guide.

Talking to God through prayer is like having your own private life coach.

God has your back and will help you get your desired results in life.

Action

I will prayerfully consider where I need God’s help today, and I will be confident that God will guide me.

January 8

DIRECTION

We may have plenty of plans in our hearts,

but it is God’s purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21

Making plans is an important productivity skill for getting things done.

Planning and action keep us moving forward in life.

When our desired results don’t materialize, we can trust God has a different plan for us.

Take comfort in trusting God knows best.

Action

I will consider a time I made a personal plan that didn’t work out. What do I know now that shows God had a better plan for me?

January 9

DIRECTION

God was not in the earthquake or in the fire.

After the fire was a still, small voice.

1 Kings 19:12

God’s answer to us may not come over the loudspeaker.

It may not come as an obvious sign.

Instead, God might give us a gentle nudge to go this way or that.

Be mindful of subtleties so you don’t miss the answer you seek and the direction to go.

Action

What is something I want God’s help in deciding? I will ask which choice to make and then listen for God’s answer.

January 10

DIRECTION

Trust God with all your heart and mind.

Don’t rely on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge God

to make your path clear.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Think of all the times and ways God has provided for you and protected you.

God is the one constant source in your life you can fully trust.

Thank God for all your blessings, and ask for guidance during your day.

You may have plans in place, but be ready for wherever God leads you.

Action

When I start to feel disappointed in a change of plans, I will trust that God is intercepting and redirecting in my best interest.

January 11

DIRECTION

We make our plans, but God directs our steps.

Proverbs 16:9

We make many decisions every day about what actions to take to accomplish our plans.

While in the process of making decisions, we sometimes discover God has a different plan for us—one we may not understand or appreciate at the moment.

Or one that may bless us much more than we ever imagined possible.

Action

I will give God the steering wheel and enjoy the journey designed for me.

January 12

DIRECTION

Look to God’s strength. Always seek God.

Psalm 105:4

Let God be your compass as you pass through a life full of trials and tribulations.

Ask God for wisdom and discernment as you grapple with choices.

When we include God in our plans we make better decisions.

Action

I will consider ways I may need God’s strength and accept the help I receive.

January 13

DIRECTION

Show me the right way to go

and which path to take.

Psalm 25:4

On our own, we are weak and selfish by nature.

As a result we may not make healthy choices for ourselves.

When we seek guidance from God the quality of our lives is enhanced immeasurably.

Action

I will build my relationship with God through prayer and by applying God’s word to my life.

January 14

DIRECTION

God may speak one way or in another way.

Job 33:14

Praying is just talking to God.

We can talk to God any time and anywhere.

God wants to hear from us and wants to respond to the petitions of our hearts.

How God talks to us can happen in a variety of ways.

Look and listen for God’s loving voice in your life.

Action

I will think about ways I hear from God and receive the messages given to me each day.

January 15

DIRECTION

All things are possible with God.

Mark 10:27

Let God be your superpower.

With God at the helm of your life, nothing is impossible.

We all get one glorious and precious life.

Live yours boldly.

Action

What is something I really want in life? What massive action will I take to make it happen? Or maybe a baby step is the better way for me to get started.

January 16

DIRECTION

I am not a people pleaser.

Instead, all I want is to do the will of God.

Galatians 1:10

While it’s important to care about other people, it is a waste of time and energy to dwell on what they think about us.

Trying to be what we think other people want lest we be negatively judged means giving up being who we really are.

And the truth is we can never control or really know what others are thinking.

Honor God by being honest about who you are and how you show up with other people.

Action

Who in my life do I try to please at my own expense by not being the person God created me to be? I will be honest about my wants and needs.

January 17

DIRECTION

Let God’s peace rule your hearts

and be thankful.

Colossians 3:15

Let God’s peace be the measure and meter for making decisions.

After prayer, trust your gut—the still, small voice inside you—to know which choice to make.

If you don’t feel peace, consider other options.

Creatively seek other choices, opportunities and possibilities until you settle on God’s peace in your heart.

Action

I will consider a recent decision I made with confidence and identify what made me feel it was the right thing to do.

January 18

DIRECTION

God is with me when I speak

and tells me what to say.

Exodus 4:12

Many people get nervous when speaking in public or even before a difficult conversation.

At those times ask God to give you the right words and the courage to use your voice.

Say, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

And then engage with confidence knowing you are not alone.

Action

Is there a presentation or conversation I need to make or have that I am nervous about? I will pray for God to give me the right words and delivery.

January 19

DIRECTION

Trust God with confidence

and you will be blessed.

Jeremiah 17:7

What worries you right now?

Share your worries with God and ask to be transformed with trust that God will help you manage whatever comes your way.

Believing ahead of time that God equips us with whatever we need, replaces our worry with confidence.

Knowing that God is with us, we have the wisdom to focus on thoughts about what we can control rather than worry about the things we cannot.

Action

What worrisome thought have I been having? I will replace or reframe the thought to show my confidence in God.

January 20

DIRECTION

And you will hear God say, "This is the way;

walk in it whether it turns to the right

or to the left."

Isaiah