God's Daily Bread for Your Life: A Devotion for Every Day

By Jonathan Srock

God's Daily Bread for Your Life is a yearly devotional giving you a daily passage, short commentary, action step to take, and starter prayer. It is the beginning of your devotions for the day. Meet with Jesus every day and grow in your faith and walk with Him through this devotional.

 

You get much more devotional for your year than with most devotionals. Along with a devotion for Leap Year on February 29, this book includes holiday devotionals for:

 

Forty Days to the Cross

7 Days of Resurrection Celebration

5 Mother's Day and 5 Father's Day Devotions

7 Days of Pentecost Week Celebration

7 Days of Thanksgiving Week Devotions

 

Enjoy diving into the Bible each day and gaining new insights into Scripture. Have an action to take after your devotion to put the Bible into practice. Spend the day in prayer and communication with Jesus to deepen your relationship with Him and grow your Christian character and faith.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jonathan Srock
• Release date: Dec 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9798892922197

Jonathan Srock

Rev. Jonathan Srock is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God for 10 years. He received two Bachelor’s degrees in Biblical Languages and Pastoral Ministries, as well as a Masters of Divinity from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. He was privileged to be the Lead Pastor of New Life Assembly in Shillington, PA for four years before suffering sudden paralysis. Jonathan has been a Christian for about 30 years. His passion is to help imprint the character of Christ through teaching and preaching God’s Word. Rev. Jonathan is part of the PennDel Ministry Network. He is a quadriplegic and lives in Central PA with his parents. He enjoys preaching in local churches, writing books, blogging, and answering questions about God and the Bible. He also enjoys reading, watching sports, and geeking out over computers in his “spare” time.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thank you to the many readers who have gone to my website every day to read my Daily Devos and liked or commented on them. They are the backbone of this book. You have helped me to refine them over the last several years.

I appreciate all the input that has gone into each of these devotionals. I hope you enjoy having them in book form. I’ve included around 70 extra devotions for the holidays you did not get to see.

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the God’s Daily Bread for Your Life devotional! My goal in writing this devotional is to give you a starter every day for a quick word from the Bible, followed by an explanation, and concluded by an action step and prayer. They should be the start of the devotions, not the end of the devotions for the day.

You will find there are more than just 366 devotions for a year (including leap years). In the back of the book are holiday devotions for holidays that don’t have the same calendar date each year.

I hope you enjoy these devotionals and they give you direction for following Christ each day of the year. Be blessed as you go through this book.

How to Use This Devotional

You will find five sections to each one-page devotion. First, the title of the devotion and the date and passage occur at the top of the page. Next, my translation of the passage, followed by the main section of the devotion elaborating the Scripture for that day.

On the bottom are the Action Step and Prayer. It should start your conversation with God. Take what is there and elaborate on it. Speak to God about your personal situation. Perhaps the Spirit points you to pray other Scriptures, read those and pray your unique, personal prayer.

Devotions on the Web

You have the added benefit of viewing these devotions online at my website (www,JonathanSrock.com) under the menu option Daily Devos. Most of them appeared there first.

However, the holiday devotions do not appear on my website. You get this benefit in the book because of some devotions that appear here and nowhere else.

I cannot guarantee the same devotion for each day will appear on the website as it does on the dates listed in this book. Sometimes you will see a different devotion online that you will hear in the book.

Holiday Devotions

The holiday devotions you will find at the back of the book give you devotions for days that are not the same date every year. The extra devotions in this book are:

Forty Days to the Cross – 40 devotions covering the time before Jesus went to the Cross that explore Jesus's road to the Cross and its significance in your life.

7 Days of Resurrection Celebration

5 Mother’s Day and Father’s Day devotions. They can last five years.

7 Days of Pentecost Celebration

7 Days of Thanksgiving Celebration

My Prayer for You

Gracious Father, I bow before You and ask You to speak Your words into Your child’s life. Minister to them as only You can. Pour Your Spirit into them and empower them. Precious Lord Jesus, use this devotional to do Your finest work and fill them with power to seize the day for Your purposes. In the name above all names, Jesus, let it be so. Amen.

JANUARY

MONTH OF BEGINNINGS

Take this month to enjoy the new beginnings of a fresh year. Set goals for the year, each quarter, and every month of the year.

More importantly, set the tone for your relationship with Jesus. In what ways do you want to grow in your knowledge of the Bible, deepen your relationship with Jesus, and seek Him in this fresh new year?

Starting Out Right

January 1 | Genesis 1:1; Hebrews 11:6

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1)

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one drawing near to God must believe that He exists and that He is a Rewarder of those who keep seeking Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

The beginning of the Bible starts out with a statement that smacks you in the face. The first several words demand to have faith in God. If you have faith in a supreme and powerful being, believing anything else He does only makes sense.

The writer of Hebrews affirms this core requirement, that we believe in a sovereign God who created the universe. But He includes that we must also believe He rewards those who seek Him. The best way to start a new year is to renew your desire to seek God with your whole being.

What rewards can you expect? Spiritual blessings beyond measure. The Holy Spirit guiding you every day. God's presence and power in your life.

This is just the beginning. First we seek God, and then we see His blessings become reality. What are you seeking God for? If you believe He exists, you can believe He can do whatever miracle you need in your life this year.

Action Step: Seek God for one miracle you need this year. Write it down and take note of every work God does to bring that miracle to pass.

Lord, I seek You first to begin this year. I want to start out right by glorifying You. Deepen my relationship with You. I dedicate this year to growing in You and being used by You. Please pour out Your blessing on me.

Order from Chaos

January 2 | Genesis 1:2

"Now it happened that the earth was formless and empty, and darkness was over the face of the primeval flood waters, but God’s Spirit was hovering over the waters." (Genesis 1:2)

Everyone’s tried New Year’s resolutions. If they last beyond a week, you’re doing great. A more laid-back approach is to try a yearly theme instead. We try so hard to transform ourselves, to change the parts we don’t like.

Psychologists say it’s nearly impossible to change our personality. It’s the concrete foundation of who we are, and once it dries, have fun trying to change it. We turn toward habits, which takes time and repetition.

As God created, the earth was formless and empty. In the first three days, He formed everything. In the last three days, He filled what He formed. God brought order to the chaos through the Holy Spirit’s power.

God takes our chaotic lives, the schedules, family, and Work, and orders it around Jesus. Make Jesus the center of your life now and commit yourself to more time with Him.  Jesus said, Seek first my kingdom and righteousness and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33).

What part of your life is chaotic this new year? You can try to fix habits on your own. Or you can rely on the Holy Spirit who hovers over the waters of your soul and conform you to Jesus’s image .

Action Step: Surrender your chaotic life to God. Ask Him for peace and order in His presence. Allow Him to change you with His will and Word. Place yourself on God’s alter and be altered to become like Him.

Jesus, change me to be like You. This world doesn’t compare to You. Search my heart and change me. I want to be more like You.

Onward in Christ

January 3 | Philippians 3:12-14

"For it’s not now that I received this or that I have been made perfect now, but I strive after it that I might acquire it, that which was acquired by Christ. Brothers and sisters, I don’t consider that I myself have acquired it, but one thing: on the one hand, I am forgetting what is behind, and on the other hand, straining toward what is ahead, I strive after the goal, the prize of God’s upward call in Christ Jesus."

(Philippians 3:12–14)

Paul had religious zeal like none other. And yet His zeal was misplaced. He played on the wrong team. But once He meets Jesus on the road to Damascus, His life and values changed forever.

Jesus deeply changes every Christian when we meet Him. That change works its way into reality by the Holy Spirit’s guidance. He changes our character to become like Him. Paul would settle for nothing less than a life-changing encounter with God every day.

He set this high goal and aimed to achieve it. And it was infectious. Everyone around Him wanted to know this Jesus He always talked about.

Paul had a bad past, but He focused on the future. He ran toward the next encounter with God. His lofty goals weren’t about Him, but working for God. God calls every Christian to do something great for Him. Find out what it is for you and do it with your whole being.

Action Step: Do you know what God has called you to do? If so, put everything you have into achieving that goal for God’s kingdom. Do it out of love. If not, seek the Lord for His you His mission for you until He returns.

Jesus, thank You for giving me a mission to accomplish for You. I want to do it with everything in me. Show me the open doors and I will walk through them. As Isaiah said, Here I am. Send me.

God’s Agenda

January 4 | Romans 8:28-30

Now we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His plan. Because those He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to His Son’s image, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers, and those whom He predestined, these He also called, and those whom He called, these He also justified, and those whom He justified, these He also glorified. (Romans 8:28-30)

Productivity gurus tout the year’s beginning as the best time to reset our agenda, goals, hopes, and dreams. But have you ever thought of God’s agenda for this year? The Bible says God has set you up for success in your walk with Him.

In the middle of explaining how the Spirit, Son, and Father are for you, Paul tells you God’s plan for your life. God makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him. When you were a kid, did your parents give you everything you wanted? God’s the same way.

He works things together for good, even if they hurt for a while. His agenda is your holiness. That involves growing pains. But it’s going to be good because God is good. His program gets you from called to glorified according to His purpose, not yours.

God calls you to Himself, conforms you to Christ, justifies you by faith, and glorifies you for Himself. It’s all about Him. What an amazing ride!

Action Step: Ask God His agenda for you this year. Is there something for you to do for Him? Will you be in His presence more? You get the blessings of His agenda working in you.

Lord, You’re in charge of the changes You make in me this year. I will follow Your lead and obey Your Spirit. Guide me into Your presence and make me holy like You.

God Time

January 5 | James 4:13-17

Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow, we will go to this city or that city and we will do this for a year and we will go and we will profit. No one knows what your life will be like tomorrow; for it is a vapor that appears for a little while, but thereafter it disappears. Instead, you should say, If the Lord wills, we will do this or that. But do not boast in your arrogance— all such boasting is evil. Therefore, the one who has known what is good and does not do it, to Him it is sin. (James 4:13-17)

We are so used to planning and scheduling that we don’t think about the frailty of life. Who knows when your time to go home to heaven will be? Yet we plan like immortals. There’s nothing wrong with schedules and plans.

Beyond immortality, we don’t know what will happen tomorrow. In September 2013, I became paralyzed from the neck down in less than 30 minutes. I didn’t see that coming. But I look forward to God’s healing.

That drastically changed the way I live my life for God. I still serve Him, but in different capacities. When we plan for the future, we need to leave room for God in our plans. James tells His congregation to consider God’s will in their planning.

Action Step: When you plan your days, consider divine appointments and other ways God wants to use you. Think of how you can enter God’s presence every day. Leave time for devotions, prayer, Bible reading, and spiritual disciplines.

Jesus, I want to leave room for You to do incredible things in my life. As I plan my days, I make You the focus and center of each one. I refuse to ignore Your presence in my life. Grab my attention and don’t pass me by.

Holy Spirit Empowerment

January 6 | Acts 1:8

But you will receive power after the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power. This power is to live for the kingdom of God, to live for Christ. It comes with gifts to serve God’s people. The Holy Spirit helps you become more like Jesus.

His power is available to you and He helps you to witness to others about Jesus, share your story of faith in Him and what He’s done for you. The Holy Spirit gives you the words to speak when you testify about Jesus.

As He fills you and empowers you this year, how can you use your gifts to glorify God and help others? In your corner of the world, people are hurting. They need to see Jesus through you. Only the Holy Spirit can give you that kind of power.

Action Step: Ask the Holy Spirit to fill and and power you to serve Jesus this year. If you don’t know your giftings, ask the Spirit to show them to you. Keep seeking Him throughout the year.

Holy Spirit, thank You for Your empowering presence in my life. Help me grow closer to Jesus and conform me to His image. Guide me in holiness and Your power to witness to others about Jesus.

Open My Eyes

January 7 | 2 Kings 6:17-18

Then Elisha prayed and said, Lord, please open His eyes that He may see. So the Lord opened the young man’s eyes and He saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha. And when they went down against Him, Elisha prayed to the Lord and said, Please strike this people with blindness. So He struck them with blindness according to Elisha’s word. (2 Kings 6:17-18)

Have you ever been in a battle? No matter where you start, it’s hard to get the upper hand. In a fight with your children, fighting for your job in a sluggish economy, and many other battles face you throughout the year.

Jesus commissioned you to fight spiritual battles. If you’re not prepared, you can be overwhelmed. Elisha lived in the middle of the battle between Israel and the Syrians. He told Israel’s king where the Syrians would be.

In response, the Syrians sent a large army to get rid of Him. His servant could only see in the natural. He saw defeat in front of them. But Elisha asked God to open His eyes to see the supernatural army in their defense.

The Syrians were no match for God’s angelic army. In spiritual battles, arm yourself with the Armor of God and the knowledge that you are not alone. God has come to your aid, and evil forces of darkness are no match for Him.

Action Step: Arm yourself with the full Armor of God. Be prepared in prayer and your knowledge of God’s Word to face wickedness in this world. Stand firm in the authority and power of Christ.

Lord Jesus, prepare me for battle, my hands for war in the spiritual realm. Thank You for Your authority and power to defeat the forces of darkness in this world. Help me protect myself, my family, and my world in the spiritual realm.

The Source

January 8 | John 15:4-5

Abide in me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it keeps abiding in the Vine, neither you unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. One who continually abides in me and I in Him, this one keeps on bearing much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. (John 15:4-5)

So many people in this world rely on themselves and their own resources. But what happens when we come to the end of ourselves? The American ideal is to be independent, yourself up by your own bootstraps. But what if somebody took your boots?

You don’t have to rely on yourself alone. Jesus is the powerful source through whom you do all things. He is your connection. But He’s much more than that. Jesus is your Friend and Vine. He gives you life, power to live and please God.

When you are overwhelmed, you can turn to Jesus. He understands you more than anyone. You are never alone because Jesus is with you.

You must be in Him by abiding in Him. To abide means to live, to remain, to stay in Him. Your relationship with Jesus comes first. If you don’t grow deeper in Jesus, you won’t have success in doing anything for Him.

Action Step: If you want to do great things for God, you must deepen your walk with Christ. Devote time to developing your relationship with Jesus this year. Spending more time with Jesus is never a waste of time.

Jesus, I want to know You more. I want to seek You more this year. Interrupt my schedule and destroy my planner. If I don’t have You, I don’t have anything. Nothing I do is worth anything to me if I don’t spend time with You.

Bread of Life

January 9 | John 6:35

Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life. The one who keeps coming to me will never go hungry, and the one who keeps believing in me will never thirst." (John 6:35)

The rat race is a dangerous game. It starts with wanting to merely survive in this world. But once you are surviving, you start wanting more – and more, and more, and more. It becomes an endless cycle.

We think we’re alone in this life and our culture tells us that’s how it is. Atheists say there’s nothing after this life. The American dream demands you get more and more so you can do whatever you want.

But Jesus’s statement flies in the face of those philosophies. He tells you to rely on Him. He tells you to seek Him. He tells you He’s everything you need, your Sustenance, your Life. He’s your Provider and He gives you everything you need.

You can keep trying to earn these things on your own, and surviving by your wits and resources. Or you can turn to the Bread of Life who supplies all your needs, even eternal life. How has struggling to provide for yourself worked out? It’s time to turn to Him.

Action Step: In this new year, stop striving to provide for yourself. Turn everything over to Jesus in complete surrender. It’s the scariest move you’ll make. But your trust is founded on Jesus the Rock and your Provider.

Jesus, everything I have and have gained I place in Your hands. I empty myself of the desire to take care of myself. You are my Provider and my life is in Your hands. I know You will never let me down. I am content only in You.

Content in Jesus

January 10 | Philippians 4:11-13

Not that I am speaking according to need, for I have learned in these situations I am in to be content, I know both how to be humbled and I know how to abound, in any and every situation, I have learned the secret, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need, I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11-13)

We are saturated with unbiblical ideas like greed, ambition, and desire. It’s rare for people to put themselves out for others. This idea of unselfishness is at the heart of the new creature Jesus has made you to be.

Paul considered everything gained on His own as trash. When He met Jesus, nothing else mattered. He learned to be content in Jesus.

Jesus teaches you to be content in your situation. You face many trials, but the Lord makes you stronger through them. He is your Provider. He shows you that you are precious to Him.

Paul didn’t receive the spiritual gift of contentment. He learned contentment. It’s a journey. It doesn’t happen overnight. The goal is to do all things (be content in every situation) through Christ who strengthens you. Jesus makes you strong enough to face every situation.

It’s not a superpower. The strength to be content in trials and blessings may take your lifetime to learn. So now is a good time to start.

Action Step: Ask Jesus for His strength to be content in trials and blessings. No matter what you face this year, trust in Jesus. He’ll see you through. He gives you strength to be content in struggles and success.

Lord Jesus, last year brought me a host of trials. I can’t do it in my strength. I need Your strength to be content in trials and blessings. Give me the wisdom and ability to grow wherever You plant me this year.

Start with Praise

January 11 | Matthew 6:9

Pray, then, like this, Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name." (Matthew 6:9)

Throughout the centuries of Christian practice, many pray the Lord’s Prayer word for word. While there is nothing wrong with this, Jesus intended it as a template, a model for prayer.

The opening calls us to praise God and lift Him on high. Many people start their prayers with requests. But Jesus starts with praise. Why? When we praise God first, we realize His greatness.

We put God above our requests. We make Him greater than our concerns. Our problems aren’t impossible for Him. Even more than that, praising God shows us He is greater than us. It gives us proper perspective.

God relates to us as our Father. He cares for us. Our cares matter to Him. He is in heaven, above everything that happens on earth. He can handle anything we bring to Him.

It’s all about Him and His name, His reputation. Our prayers aren’t about us. They’re about aligning ourselves with our Father.

Action Step: Start your prayers with praise to align yourself with God. It’s not about you. Glorify God and see Him as He rightfully is. Requests and petitions can wait. Soak in God’s presence.

Heavenly Father, You are worthy of my praise. You are greater than my problems. I come to enjoy Your presence, not to ask You for stuff. Everything else can wait as I bow at Your feet.

Heaven on Earth

January 12 | Matthew 6:10

Your Kingdom come, Your will be done as in heaven, so also on earth.

(Matthew 6:10)

Everyone is trying to build their own kingdom. It’s all about what they can get out of life. They calculate everything they do for their benefit. But we don’t live that way. We build a greater kingdom.

In the Model Prayer, we begin by praising God and realizing He is greater then us and our concerns. We turn to His concerns. After praising Him, we pray for His kingdom to come to earth.

God’s kingdom rests in people’s hearts. It overcomes this world not through war or attrition, but through Christ’s love imparted person-to-person. We ask God to bring His kingdom through us as we spread His good news to everyone we meet.

This world is ruled by our enemy. But it won’t always be so. Jesus is coming back, and we pray He comes soon. As we pray His will on earth, we ask Him to become Lord of this world through our witness.

God blesses our testimony of Jesus. His kingdom is spiritual for now. But the power of transforming a heart changes the world. So while His kingdom is not of this world, it is breaking into the kingdom of darkness.

Action Step: What has Jesus done for you? Write down your story of what He’s done for you. Share it with everyone you meet. Listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and take advantage of every divine appointment.

Lord Jesus, let Your kingdom come and Your will be done through me. As I share how You have changed me forever, let others know You. May You take back territory from the devil as I declare Your name to others.

Daily Bread

January 13 | Matthew 6:11

Our daily bread give us for this day (Matthew 6:11)

You’re stranded on a desert island. What do you find first? Food? Water? Shelter? You must meet your needs if you want to survive. All those pictures of beautiful island beaches don’t seem so inviting now.

We can be driven by our needs. But our cares are important to God too. Just because we begin prayer by focusing on Him first, that He is greater than us and our problems, His kingdom and will being done on earth, we still talk to God about our concerns.

Jesus tells us to boldly ask God for our needs, our provision. When we ask for our daily bread, we bring the things we need to live every day to Him. God knows we need them. And He is our Provider.

So we pray for our physical needs when we ask for our daily bread. But we also ask for Jesus and His presence with us today. Jesus is the Bread of Life, our Sustenance and Source. We live because He sustains us.

Our daily needs are not only physical. Our souls and spirits cry out to Jesus and He comes and dwells in us through His Spirit. God’s Word is also our daily bread. So we seek Him for physical and spiritual needs.

Action Step: Seek Jesus and all He has for you today. God is your Provider. Don’t be afraid to ask anything. He wants to provide for and bless you. Ask for food, money, and everything you need. Ask for healing. He supplies above and beyond your needs.

Lord, you are all I need. You take care of every little thing in my life. You even conquer the big things. You bless me beyond measure and I am forever grateful for Your provision. (Bring specific needs before the Father.)

Total Forgiveness

January 14 | Matthew 6:12

And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors. (Matthew 6:12)

Hanging on the Cross while His enemies mocked Him, Jesus taught us His greatest lesson. He forgave everyone. In the midst of His anguish and suffering, Jesus freed His enemies from His judgment on them.

Forgiving others is the hardest thing you’ll do. They’ve wronged you, offended you, and not even batted an eyelash. But the Bible teaches us to forgive others and wait for God’s vengeance upon them.

Forgiveness follows the practice of our Lord and Master. Some of Jesus’s teachings are easier than others. But forgiving our enemies and letting their offense slide seems wrong to us. It goes against our former nature.

Every time you forgive your offender, you live like the new creature Jesus created you to be. And since it’s so hard, praying about it brings your desire to be like Jesus into reality. We forgive others because Jesus commands it. He’ll deal with them in His judgment.

Will you feel better after you forgive others? Sometimes. But much of Jesus’s teaching isn’t meant for us to feel better. It’s meant to please Him. It assures that you will live at peace as much as it is possible for you.

Action Step: Has someone offended you? Forgive them and let them know. Take it to God in prayer. Ask the Lord for the strength to forgive your enemies. You can only pray for your enemies if you have forgiven them.

Jesus, I struggle with the strength to forgive others for what they’ve done to me. But nothing they’ve done is worse than what Your enemies did to you. Give me Your strength today to forgive those who have offended me.

Deliverance

January 15 | Matthew 6:13

And don’t lead us into tests, but rescue us from the evil one. (Matthew 6:13)

There’s a whole plane of existence people don’t consider. God made us flesh and spirit. Everyone recognizes the physical realm, but many people miss the spiritual realm. Things happen all around you that only a person with an awakened spirit can perceive.

Call it the fifth to mention, or something like that, but people become aware of the spiritual realm especially after knowing Christ. This is where all the battles happen. Battles for the souls of your family, friends, coworkers, and everyone around you are taking place.

Praying for God to not lead us into temptation seems to go against other passages. James tells us God doesn’t operate in temptation. So why ask Him to not lead us into temptation? The word for temptation can also mean trial or test.

It may be better to understand us asking God to not lead us into tests or trials. But He uses them to strengthen our character and faith. We also pray for Him to deliver us from evil and the evil one.

We are in spiritual battles against evil in this world. God delivers us from the power of evil one. He wants to take you down and see you defeated. He can’t stand against God’s power in you.

Action Step: Ask God for the strength to face trials and tests in your life. Arm yourself with the Armor of God for spiritual battles. God wants to deliver you from the evil in this world, and everyone around you.

Jesus, prepare me with Your armor to face the evil spiritual forces in this world. Thank You for Your Spirit’s power in me. I walk victoriously in the authority in Your name against evil, temptation, and trials.

God’s Plans

January 16 | Jeremiah 29:11

For I Myself am revealing the plans I am weaving for you, declares the Lord, plans for peace and not evil, to give to you a future and hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

At the beginning of the year many people make resolutions and plans. They have ideas of how to make themselves better, set goals, and plan for their future. Being future minded isn’t a crime. But God has plans for your life too.

We spend so much time planning for our future, but we don’t always reach our goals. I fall short of my goals almost every year, but I’m closer to meeting them in the next year. God’s goals for our lives become reality. He doesn’t miss the mark.

Many people use Jeremiah 29:11 as God blessing their plans. But that’s not what it’s about. God had plans for Israel. It’s not about the blessing Israel receives from God’s plans, although He outlines them.

God is glorified in His plans for you. You receive the blessings and benefits, but He is glorified in His vision for you. God is not vindictive. His plans bring prosperity, goodness, hope, and a future. Our plans may not work out, but God wants a bright future for us.

Action Step: Seek God and find out His plans for this year. What is the Holy Spirit putting on the docket for you? How will He change your character? You are becoming more like Jesus every day as you obey the Spirit.

Lord, thank You for the bright future You are planning for me. Thank You for the hope You bring me. I want my future to be what You are making it to be. I praise You because You love and prosper me. May You be glorified in everything I do this year.

Seek and Find

January 17 | Jeremiah 29:12-13

Then you will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will hear you, Then you will seek Me and you, will find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:12-13)

One of my favorite games when I was a kid was hide and seek. There’s nothing like that moment you find someone. I could barely keep my excitement inside. And then there was the thrill of the chase. I was a pretty fast runner, so most people didn’t make it back to base.

How would your life be different this year if you sought God with more zeal and excitement? God doesn’t play hard to get. He wants you to find Him. He hears every word and sees everything that happens in your life.

So what’s keeping you from seeking Him more diligently this year? Schedules, hobbies, entertainment, work, and side projects keep us from spending time with God.

God wants you to seek and find Him this year more than ever before. The only way to do that is to commit to seeking Him with devotion and diligence.

Action Step: Set a goal to spend more time with God this year. Try fasting if you’ve never done it before, or more than you did last year. Go on a retreat. Do whatever it takes for more face time with God. Schedule time with Him. Prioritize devotions, attending church, and time at the altar.

Jesus, I want to know You more. I want to spend more time in Your presence. Keep me from putting other things above time with You. Put a check in my spirit when I don’t get enough face time with You each day.

Ceaseless Praise

January 18 | Psalm 103:1

Bless the Lord, O my soul and everything within me, bless His holy name.

(Psalm 103:1)

Whether you are having the best day of your week or the worst, your circumstances don’t change who God is. He is always deserving of high praise. He is worthy of everything we can offer Him at all times. Perhaps praise in the midst of trial may be sweeter to Him.

Praise in the storm comes from the depths of our souls. It’s easy to praise God when everything’s going right. When the blessings are pouring down from heaven, we remember the God who lavishes His blessings upon us. But in the hard times of trial, pain, and suffering, praise doesn’t come so readily from our lips.

But trial presses us unlike any other time. That’s when we must remember Psalm 103. The blessings of our relationship with God ring truer when we need Him the most. God’s not finished. This trial isn’t the end.

Last year may have been the pressing that squeezed you the most. But in the deepest suffering, God is our Forgiver, Healer, Redeemer, Crowner with steadfast love and mercy, and Sustainer who satisfies us..

Action Step: Praise God despite your circumstances. Praise Him in advance for what you know He will do in your life. In the hard times, through the pain and suffering, raise a hallelujah to the King and Lord of your heart who deserves praise.

Jesus, I praise You in the midst of my storm. I lift up Your name as I go down to the depths. I know You are with me in the good times and the bad. No matter my situation, I exalt and extol You because You are worthy.

Lead Me, Good Shepherd

January 19 | Psalm 23:1-2; John 10:2-3

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shellacked nothing. He makes me lie down in luscious green pastures; He leads me beside restful waters. (Psalm 23:1-2)

For the one who enters through the gate is the sheep’s shepherd. To this One, the gatekeeper opens, and the sheep hear His voice, and His own sheep He both calls by name and leads them. (John 10:2-3)

The GPS is the modern shepherd. It leads its lost sheep through crowded city streets and unknown country roads. Even men who refuse to ask directions find comfort in its leading. It makes them look good.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who leads His sheep. He knows all the great hangout spots, taking care of our every need. Jesus tells us God takes care of sparrows, so He definitely takes care of us, because we matter to Him.

We must listen to Jesus’s voice if we’re going to get anywhere with Him. We can’t reap the blessings of listening and obedience if we don’t listen. The GPS does no good on our dashboard if we don’t listen to its voice.

Listening to our Good Shepherd brings peace and stillness, sustenance and provision. We benefit from listening to His voice. Don’t neglect your Shepherd and Lord. Learn to rely on Him alone, to hear His voice above the thunder, lightning, and roaring waves.

Action Step: Listen to Jesus’s voice every day. He is always speaking to you. If you can’t hear Him, you are not tuned in to His voice. Spend extra time in prayer without talking. Give Jesus a chance to speak to you.

Lord Jesus, I want to hear from You. Open my heart to receive Your message. I am waiting on You, to hear Your voice above all the other voices. Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening.

Restoration

January 20 | Psalm 23:3

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. (Psalm 23:3)

When things get hectic, I need an out. I don’t do well in crowds. I create deadlines before deadlines so I get less stressed when they approach. I love Sundays because God has instituted the Sabbath rest. It’s a good time to forget about my problems and worship the Lord.

Everybody needs rest and restoration. Restoration is about following the paths of righteousness God leads us in. When we live a righteous life, we have less stress. We haven’t done things that lead down the wrong paths.

The Lord leads you into righteousness. His Spirit directs your steps. The Bible outlines God’s desires for you. When you follow them, you find God’s rest. He restores your soul from the craziness of life.

Don’t think God does this only for your benefit. He does it for His name’s sake. God gets the glory when we live righteous lives. There are benefits for us, but we show God’s righteousness to others.

When you do what God expects from you, you bring Him honor. So that must be your goal. Strive to please God by living a righteous life before others. They look at you, but they see Jesus. They see the justice of God in a world full of injustices.

Action Step: Study the Bible to discover God’s expectations for righteous living. Show others God’s justice and righteousness in your life. Be a witness of Jesus and the difference He makes.

Father, I want to live a righteous life before others and You. I want to glorify You with my obedience to Your commands and teaching. Help me to live before others and find the righteous path in each situation.

Fear No Evil

January 21 | Psalm 23:4; 1 John 4:18

"Even though I walk through the valley of the deep shadow of gloom and death, I will not fear evil because You are with me, Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4)

There is no fear in love, rather perfect love casts out fear because fear has to do with punishment, but the one who fears has not been matured in love. (1 John 4:18)

Fear runs rampant in our culture. Some people feed oln people’s fears. Everything from heights to spiders. And one I don’t understand, water. It’s a real thing. It seems we create fears, and some of them are completely unreasonable.

What are you afraid of? You don’t have to be afraid. David said even though He walked through the valley of the shadow of death He wasn’t afraid of the evils that lingered there.

The reason? God’s presence went with Him everywhere He traveled. He knew the Shepherd’s tools of the rod and staff were His comfort. The rod keeps the sheep in line and headed in the direction the shepherd wishes. The staff with its rounded end pulls them away from harm.

God’s presence and protection goes with you. You don’t fear the evil that lurks around the corner. There’s no punishment for God’s children. You live free of God’s wrath. Even in the shadow of death God comforts you.

Action Step: Live free in God’s comfort and protection. When you feel fear,