Day 21: What am I going to believe about God’s church?
Genesis 28:17 - And he was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of Heaven!”
In Genesis 28:17 Jacob has an encounter with God that is incredibly powerful. In that encounter he names the place "the house of God" and "the gate of heaven." 20 years later Jacob makes a long journey with his wife and all of his twelve sons back to this place so that they can encounter the presence of God in the same way he did! How inspiring is it that the Bible records in Genesis 35 that they also worshipped the Lord there?
If you knew there was a physical gate to Heaven in the world, what sacrifices would you make to get there? Is there anything that you would not do to make it to that place? Even cross the Atlantic Ocean in a canoe if it meant that you could find the gate of Heaven? Even more so, would you make as many trips as you could to get all the people you know to that place?
God's house, His Church, is that place. It is the place where we meet with God! Each week we have an opportunity to bring as many people as we can to this gateway to Heaven, so that they too can encounter the same presence that changed our lives! What if we saw the House of God like Jacob? What if we did everything possible to make sure all of our friends and family got to church so they could also have a life changing encounter with God that can determine their eternity in Heaven? Our world would be a much different place with that type of tenacity!
Who are some people you are believing to come to church with you this year?
Declare: I am thankful for the House of God, it is the Gateway to Heaven for me and the people I love.
Day 20: What Am I Going To Believe About God's Faithfulness?
1 Corinthians 4:2 NKJV - Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
People frequently ask, "How does God choose who He uses?" This is an important question, and one often asked by those who desire to be used by the Lord. The word for faithful here isn't describing someone's spiritual strength. Faithful describes someone who God has found as reliable, dependable, true, and unfailing.
How does God know if someone is faithful, reliable, dependable, true, and unfailing? 1 Corinthians 4:2 says they are "found" meaning that God watches us over a long period of time and in many different circumstances to see if we will conduct ourselves as people who are faithful, reliable, dependable, true, and unfailing.
Today, God is watching your actions and reactions. He is observing how you treat people and how you respond to pressure. He is looking at how you handle people who are unkind toward you. He is watching to see how you respond in the face of opposition. God wants us to be faithful in our giving, faithful in loving people, and faithful in our pursuit of Him.
The great news is that today is a new day! Even if you feel like you haven't been found faithful so far, you can decide that today you are going to be a faithful, reliable, dependable, true, and unfailing follower of Christ.
What area of your life do you feel challenged to be more faithful in?
I Corinthians 6:19 NKJV – Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
According to this verse, what does God call you?
Declare: I belong to the Lord. He chose me and loves me so much that He calls me His own.
Day 19: What Am I Going To Believe About Who God Says I Am?
John 10:3 NKJV - ... He calls his own sheep by name...
Our identity often changes based on our location. Who we are among friends, co-workers, family, at the gym, your ministry team or your Connect Group. The Bible says that He knows the number of hairs on our heads (Luke 12:7). This means He knows every minute detail about you, He knows your bank balance and what you ate for dinner. He knows exactly what you are going through and where you are hurting. He sees you and cares for you.
God's Word Says:
Romans 8:37 - Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us.
According to Romans 8:37, what does God call you?
John 15:15 NKJV - No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
According to this verse, what does God call you?
Romans 8:16 NKJV - The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.
According to Rom. 8:16, what does God call you?
Day 18: What Am I Going To Believe About My Purpose?
Mark 16:15 NKJV -And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature"
All through the Bible you see God using people in amazing ways. God used people that were judges, kings, soldiers, fishermen, tent makers, fathers, sheepherders, among many other vocations. When people ask what God's purpose is for their life, they are usually asking what vocation God wants them to be in. They are curious, "Does God want me to be a firefighter or a nurse? Does God want me to be a school teacher, or does He want me to live on the mission field?"
Perhaps God is less concerned with what career we choose, and much more concerned with the difference we are making in the world. Throughout the New Testament we see God showing up powerfully in the lives of so many people, but He never talks to them about what career to choose! We always see Him talking to people about making a difference in the lives of other people.
God's commission for our lives is to make a difference. His commission for us hasn't changed since He spoke in Mark 16:15. His desire is still that we tell people about Jesus, pray for people that need prayer, encourage the distraught, and become a bright light to the dark world we live in! Declare over your children every morning when they go to school that they are the pastors of their school and a leader to their generation! What impact would you make if you went to work each day with that same mindset? How fast would the world change if you went to Walmart as the pastor of Walmart?
What would it look like if you were to be the pastor? In your work place/school? In your family? In your neighborhood?
Declare: God I thank you that I am making a difference everywhere I go.
Day 17: What Am I Going To Believe About God's Grace?
Romans 3:23 AMPC - Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives.
It is easy to think we are the only ones who sin, but this verse assures us that every man, woman, and child who was ever born, has a problem with sin.
All have sinned, but through the sacrifice of Jesus, all have been made righteous. The moment we become a believer, we receive "rightness" instead of "wrongness.” The enemy wants us to live our lives feeling wrong, worthless, and guilty. These negative feelings keep us from living the life Christ paid for and actually pulls us into wrong living, instead of right living.
Galatians 5:13 AMPC - For you, brethren were [indeed] called to freedom; only [do not let your] freedom be an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or excuse [for selfishness], but through love you should serve oneanother.
In 1885 the Statue of Liberty arrived in New York and serves as a symbol of freedom for people arriving in America. Victor Frankl said, "I recommend that the Statue of Liberty on the East Coast be supplemented by a Statue of Responsibility on the West Coast."
Often when we think of God's grace, we think of the freedom that is given, but with that freedom comes responsibility. Christ's forgiveness does not give us permission to live our lives in any way that we wish. In fact, it brings with it a higher responsibility and accountability. Grace is continually calling us higher, while also empowering us to live the life God has called us to live. When we think about living a holy life, it can feel overwhelming, and without the empowerment of grace, it is impossible. '
What does it mean to live both free and responsible?
Declare: God's grace allows me to live free and responsible.
Day 16: What Am I Going To Believe About Fear?
Proverbs 3:5 AMPC - Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
Fear has no benefit and impacts our lives in negative ways. An acronym for fear is: False Expectations Appearing Real.
The cause for fear is simple. Fear is the failure to trust God to take care of our needs. Most of us have spent our lives trying to take care of ourselves rather than allowing God to take care of us. When we trust our own abilities, we will always come up short-handed. However, God always has the perfect solution for the things that are making us fearful and worried.
1 Peter 5:7 NKJV - Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
We are unable to cast our cares on God unless we believe that He loves us completely. The deeper my revelation of God's love, the easier it is to release my fears to Him. When we have problems, we have to learn not to worry about the things we are unable to change in our own power. Fearful thoughts only leave us feeling trapped and hopeless. When we let feelings of fear and anxiety drive us, we often do irrational things that only make the problems worse. God assures us that He will always provide a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13). Even though there may not seem like a solution right now, one does exist, and rest assured God is working on your behalf!
What situation are you facing right now that you can choose to trust God instead of being fearful?
Declare: I trust God completely; there is no need to be fearful!
Day 15: What Am I Going To Believe About My Family?
Joshua 24:15 NKJV - But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
In this verse, Joshua makes a bold declaration about his family. God is honored when we speak in faith over our families. In fact, the greatest gift you can give your family is declaring God's Word over them. You can personalize scripture by inserting your family's names and declaring the Word of God over every aspect of their lives.
If you have a spouse that isn't serving God, speak the Word of God over them. If you are believing for breakthrough in a certain area with your children, speak the Word of God over them. If you are believing God for a family member to come back to God, speak the Word of God over their lives. Something powerful happens when we begin to say what God says over the people in our lives!
Below are some verses for you to personalize with the names of people in your life. God's Word tells us that He watches over His Word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12). The more we declare God's Word, the more it gets settled into our hearts and all of Heaven goes into action to perform it!
Psalm 105:4 – Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His face evermore!
I Kings 3:9 - Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil.
Romans 4:20-21 - He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.
Colossians 3:15 – And let the peace of God rule in your hearts...
Declare: My family walks in peace with each other and serves God with all of their heart.
Day 14: What Am I Going To Believe About God’s Promises?
Romans 4:18, 21 NKJV - who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that He became the Father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be. Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His Word and do what He had promised.
If we are ever going to see God's promises fulfilled in our lives, we must believe that God's Word is true. This verse is about Abraham being told by God that he would be the father of many nations. We see three actions modeled in these verses: he hoped, he believed, and he became.
God has made it simple for you to receive your breakthrough.
We must have our hope anchored in His word. When His hope settles into our hearts, it changes how we see our future. We stop seeing our situation as an obstacle, and instead see an opportunity for a miracle. Abraham had no earthly reason to hope, but he believed that God's word was proof enough.
Believing is revealed in our saying. If you are curious what you believe, listen to the words you are speaking! After God changed Abraham's name to "father of many nations," it was only a matter of time before his wife became pregnant. Why? There is power in our declaration. Begin to declare what God says more than what the situation is saying.
2 Corinthians 1:20 - For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us
God's Word is full of promises for us to believe. Take a moment to read these promises in your Bible. (Isaiah 26:3, Exodus 14:14, Joshua 24:15, Psalm 103:2-5)
Which of the above promises are you believing for?
How can you begin to talk differently about that situation?
Declare: All of God's promises are coming to pass in my life.
Day 13: What Am I Going To Believe About Healing?
Acts 10:38 NIV - how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
3 Things We Believe About Healing:
1. Jesus' plan is always to do good in our lives. Often times we view God as being Dr. Jackal and Mr. Hyde, meaning that sometimes He wants to do good things to us and other times, He is out to destroy us, but this couldn't be further from the truth! Jesus came so that we could see the heart of God for humanity (John 14:9). Even the disciples struggled with believing that Jesus' desire was only to do good things. In Luke 9:54-55 the disciples asked Him if they should call down lightning from Heaven to destroy a group of people and Jesus assured them that isn't the reason why He came to the earth. Jesus had to remind them of His mission.
2. God's will is always to heal. You may have heard people pray in this manner, "God, if it is your will, please heal (say the person's name)." This prayer sounds sweet, but it isn't biblical. Jesus never asked if it was God's will to heal someone. Furthermore, there isn't a single prayer in the New Testament where people questioned if it was God's will to heal someone. On the contrary, we see the people of God throughout the New Testament boldly declaring that a person will be healed in faith! Then, the man in Matthew 8:1-3 came to Jesus asking if it was His will to hea lhim, and Jesus quickly responded, "I am willing!"
3. Sickness is never from God. In Acts 10:38 we see that sickness is oppression sent from the devil. Additionally, John 10:10 tells us that the enemy comes only to steal, kill and destroy. God never sends sickness or disease into our lives for our benefit. When Adam and Eve were in the garden they lived without sickness or disease, and the only reason why those things exist in the earth today is because of the fall of man. However, because of the death and resurrection of Jesus we have access to healing (Isaiah 53:5). Everywhere Jesus went became a perfect health zone! He ruined every funeral He attended by bringing the dead to life.
Which of these three things have been an obstacle for you to fully believe in the availability of God's healing?
Declare: Everywhere I go becomes a perfect health zone because of the sacrifice of Jesus.
Day 12: What Am I Going To Believe About My Finances?
Philippians 4:19 -All of my needs are met according to God's riches in Christ Jesus
In the Old Testament, one of the Hebrew names of God is "Jehovah-Jireh", which means, "The Lord our Provider." God owns everything (Psalm 24:1, 50:10-12). All of the resources of Heaven and earth are at His disposal, and there is no need that He cannot provide for. He loves you and wants to care for all your needs!
The Great Depression in the 1930's produced an entire generation of people who were terribly fearful of lack. When better times came, many people failed to renew the mindsets they had formed through the Depression. Satan wants us to live in fear that we will not have what we need. We open the door to the enemy through fear, but we can just as easily open the door to God through faith. We receive from God through faith so we must believe God for His provision in our lives. In difficult financial times we have to remind ourselves that God meets all our needs in abundance.
If you are having doubts about God's desire to provide for you, look to God's Word for proof of His faithfulness. God's Word is anointed to bring transformation to your heart and life. Here is a list of scriptures that will remind you of God's provision: Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-3; Psalm 23:1, Psalm 35:27, Psalm 115:13; John 10:10, 2 Corinthians 9:10.
Which of these scriptures spoke to your heart?
Perhaps you should memorize Philippians 4:19 and meditate on it.
Declare: I trust God with my finances and know He will be faithful to provide for me!
Day 11: What Am I Going To Believe About Overcoming Difficulties?
Revelation 12:11 - And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
It’s so easy to want to quit when things get difficult. We can quickly forget all about how big God is and all He has done in our lives.
In Revelation it tells us that there are two things that help us overcome:
1. The Blood of The Lamb - Whatever we focus on becomes bigger in our minds. What we exalt is enlarged! For that reason, David told the people to magnify the Lord (Psalm 34:3). It is impossible to actually make God any bigger than He already is, but it is possible for our view of Him to change! When difficult times arise, our perspective of our problems can easily crowd out our view of how great God is.
2. Word of Our testimony - The story we are telling about our lives is even more important than what's actually happening. When the A/C goes out in your house, do you respond, "everything in my life is falling apart, and we don't have what we need" or is it, "I'm so thankful that God has provided all we need to be able to repair and maintain what He's given us"? You see, our lives are shaped by what we say and what we declare. If you don't like how things are going, you must first change what you are saying about the situation.
When difficult times arise, what is your usual first response?
If you saw tomorrow everything that you declared today, what would your life look like?
Declare: God is bigger than any problem I could possibly face today.
Day 10: What Am I Going To Believe About Forgiveness?
Psalm 34:14 AMPC – Seek, inquire for, and crave peace and pursue (go after) it!
Our relationships are a vital part of our lives because they affect all that we do. Friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family members are all part of our daily lives. Because of that, the Bible has a lot to say about how we relate to the people God has put into our lives. We can’t live a peaceful life if we have bitterness and unforgiveness towards others. Through studying God’s Word we become equipped to handle the unigue challenges we face when dealing with people.
Romans 12:18 NIV – If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
There are parts of my Bible we may wish we weren’t personally accountable to. Romans 12:18 iseasily said, but hard to live.
Being quick to forgive is the easiest way to live a life of peace. Forgiving others is more about what itdoes for our hearts than theirs. So, do yourself a favor and forgive! When we forgive someone, we are taking their future out of our hands and giving them to God. Forgiving others means we trust God to defend us and vindicate us, rather than defending ourselves.
Ephesians 4:26 AMPC - When angry, do not sin, do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your furry or indignation) last until the sun goes down.
Paul never told us to not be angry with people. The initial emotion of anger isn't the issue, but what we do with that emotion is everything. Paul lets us know that when we become angry, we are not to sin and that we must deal with it as quickly as possible. The longer we allow negative feelings to reside in our hearts, the harder they are to get rid of. The opposite is also true, the quicker we release the negative emotions, the easier it will be.
Are you walking in forgiveness with others?
Declare: I am quick to forgive and pursue peace with others.
Day 9: What Am I Going To Believe About My Failures?
1 Corinthians 2:2 NKJV - For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
God's desire is that our minds be set on the cross of Jesus. He wants us to be cross-conscious. But what does it mean to be cross-conscious?
To be cross-conscious is to fix our eyes on Jesus, who provided payment for all our sins past, present, and future on the cross. At the cross, all our enemies were defeated, and we were freed from all the punishment of our failures.
Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV - "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. "
Our relationships are a vital part of our lives because they affect all that we do. Friends, neighbors ,coworkers, and family members are all part of our daily lives. Because of that, the Bible has a lot to say about how we relate to the people God has put into our lives. We cannot live a peaceful life if we have bitterness and unforgiveness toward others. Through studying God's Word, we become equipped to handle the unique challenges we face when dealing with people.
Romans 12:18 NIV - If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Our past is too heavy to carry it into our present. We are able to let go of our past when we set our minds on the cross rather than our failures. Satan reminds us of our past in hopes that he can keep us from living the redemptive future God has paid for. God constantly reminds us of the future because our destiny is held up in what's to come, not what has been. We are not defined by our past mistakes,failures, or short comings! We are defined by the finished work of the cross!
When you read Philippians 3:13-14, "forgetting what's behind," what situation comes to mind for you?
Declare: I am forgiven of my sins, and my past no longer defines me
Day 8: What Am I Going To Believe About God’s Favor?
Luke 4:19 AMPC - To proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound]
When you think about good years and bad years you've had, what stands out? If you are like me, I can't say anything about 2020 without first letting out a large sigh. There are some years that are just, well, hard. Jesus makes a bold statement in Luke 4:19 that His arrival on the earth means that we are in a time of the free favor of God profusely abounding.
This makes you pause and ask, "What would it look like to have an entire year in which the favor of God profusely abounds?"
The Bible describes God's favor in this way:
HIS FAVOR SURROUNDS US
Psalm 5:12 NKJ - Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
Finding favor with the Lord means you have the protection of God Himself. His favor serves as a boundary between you and the world around you. No matter the obstacles we face, the favor of God is there protecting us!
This makes you pause and ask, "What would it look like to have an entire year in which the favor of God profusely abounds?"
WE ARE FOUND IN FAVOR
Luke 1:30 NKJV Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”
One definition of favor is “demonstrated delight.” In life, there are times where it’s easy to believe that God is delighted in us, but there are also days that it’s hard to believe He could be proud. However, favor is found and not earned, meaning it can’t be achieved. How different would we live our lives if we sensed the delight of God over us?
Declare: The favor of God profusely abounds in my life.
Day 7: What Am I Going To Believe About Putting God First?
Matthew 6:33 NKJV - Seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness and all of these things will be added.
What is first in your life? What do you think about, talk about, and spend the most time doing? If we are honest with ourselves, it doesn't take long to locate what or who is number one in our lives.
There are two types of promises in God's word: some aren't dependent on our actions, and others are dependent on our actions. Matthew 6:33 lets us know that when we seek His kingdom first, God abundantly supplies all we need. The opposite is also true. When we neglect to put God first, we may find we are not having enough.
Here are three ways we can practically put God first:
1. PUT GOD FIRST IN YOUR DAY:
Psalm 63:1 NKJV - 0 God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.
Most of us have found ourselves guilty of not seeking God first in my day. We can easily fall into the trap of checking our email, social media, and text messages before seeking God. The Psalmist in Psalm 63:1 is letting us know that we are all thirsty and only God can satisfy the thirst within us. One of the best ways to seek God first is the 5-5-5 principal. It looks like 5 minutes of reading scripture, 5 minutes of prayer and 5 minutes of worship. It only takes 15 minutes to put God first in our day!
2. PUT GOD FIRST IN YOUR WEEK
Acts 20:7 NKJV – On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them.
The New Testament church gathered each week on Sundays. If we aren’t traveling or on vacation, we should intentionally put God first in our week by attending church. There is something that God releases to His people when we gather together.
PUT GOD FIRST IN YOUR FINANCES
Proverbs 3:9-10 NKJV - Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
There is an abundance from God that can only be released when we give the first part to Him. Don’t give from what is left over at the end of the week, there is little faith required to do that. We exercise our faith when we give to Him first. ,
Of the three areas above, which do you need to start being better at putting God first: your day, your week, or your finances?
Declare: When I put God first, He takes care of my every need.
Day 6: What Am I Going To Believe About God’s Provision?
Philippians 4:19 NKJV - And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
If we were to be honest, this verse would read much differently if we would have written it. It might sound more like this:
And my God will supply every need of yours according to the economy. And my God will supply every need of yours according to my bank account. And my God will supply every need of yours according to a pay raise at work.
How would you fill in that verse?
And my God will supply every need of yours according to ________________________.
Philippians 4:19 encourages us that His provision for our lives is not based upon what we have done, could do, or the shifting circumstances in the world that we live in. Our provision is anchored in a source that is sure, steadfast, and cannot be cancelled because of our performance.
In Matthew 6:32 Jesus assures His followers that our Heavenly Father knows what we need. God knows what you need, and no need of yours could ever exceed His ability to supply them. He knows the financial situation you are in. He knows how much is in your retirement. He knows how much your kids' college is, and He knew all of that when He promised to provide for your every need.
Psalm 84:11 NKJV - No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
You can be assured of this, if it is a good thing, God wants it for you! Not only does He want it for you, but He will not withhold it from you!
What are some needs that you have? Take a moment to tell God what you need and trust that He is going to provide for you.
Declare: God knows my every need and is able to meet them abundantly.
Day 5: What Am I Going to Believe About God’s Power?
Genesis 18:13-14 NKJV - And the Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, saying, 'Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old? Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
God appears to Sarah when she is 90 years old and announces that she is about to be pregnant. There are a lot of things a 90-year-old woman is planning, but giving birth doesn't even come close to the top 100 things on her list. Would your response have been even more outrageous than laughter if God had been speaking to you? God's response is so simple, "Is there anything too hard for the Lord?" There are many seasons in our lives where our responses to God's promises may have been like Sarah's. Perhaps you have felt like you are behind, and the opportunities to accomplish the dreams inside of you have passed. In those times, remind yourself that God's power is much bigger than the timeline you have created for your life!
God's response is the same for any situation you are facing today. There is no problem that God cannot solve. His power is never limited by your situational circumstances. If you need financial provision, God is not limited by your lack of resources. If you feel trapped in the same cycle, God is strong enough to set you free!
Look up these scriptures and take time to reflect on what God is able to do for you.
Genesis 18:10-14
Are there things you feel like haven't happened according to your timeline? How can you trust God's timeline above your own?
Matthew 14:13-21
What does it look like to give Jesus your "loaves" and "fish" so that He can multiply it?
Acts 16:24-26
What is a situation that has you feeling trapped? What would it look like to praise God in faith that God's power will free you?
Declare: There is nothing too hard for my God
Day 4: What Do I Believe About God’s Plans For My Future?
It all begins with an idea.
Jeremiah 31:7(a) - There is hope in your future, says the Lord
Every person who belongs to the family of God has a great future ahead of them. We can be filled with hope because we know He has a wonderful plan for our lives.
It is common for people to place their trust in external and temporary things, believing that a job, an investment, or a relationship is the key to their future. While God can certainly use those things to bring blessings into our lives, He alone should be the foundation of our hope and trust.
Hope means "a confident expectation that something good will happen." In light of that definition, Jeremiah 31:7 is saying that there is a confident expectation that something good will happen in your future! The negative emotions you have about your future are not from God. Thoughts of dread and hopelessness are sourced from the enemy, and we have to choose not to believe them. God is speaking hope over your future, while the enemy is declaring destruction! Choose which voice you will believe over your own life - one results in hope, and the other depression.
As you think about what’s ahead, believe what God says about your future. Stand firm on what He has promised. Know his plans are good for you, and His way always prevails.
Read the following verses and reflect on how to apply them to your life:
Psalm 31:23-24
Isaiah 58:11
What are some things that you need God to give you strength and courage to believe for?
Proverbs 16:9
Psalm 31:3
What are some decisions that you need God to give you guidance on?
Declare: I choose to think and speak good things about my future! I have a confident expectation that God has good things in store for me and my family.
Day 3: What Do I Believe About God’s Love?
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NKJV - Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffedup; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
When we try to define love, our responses are extremely varied based on the lives we have lived and the love we have been shown. Our personal definitions of love are shaped by our experience over our lifetime. For some of us, love has been defined as short-lived, performance-based, manipulative, or self-serving. Others of us might have experienced a 1 Corinthians 13 type of love that is kind, humble, and others focused. It's easy to read this passage of the Bible and use it as a checklist for how we should behave in order to please God, but before love becomes a behavior in a Christian's life, it must be an experience of the Christian. Our encounter with the God of Love is what initially made us Christians. Paul could have encouraged us to be more patient and less envious, instead, he urges us to encounter a love that captures us and empowers us.
Jesus knew that on this earth we have no reference for what perfect love is without Him. Consequently, He has Paul pen the definition of what love is.
LOVE:
Bears all things. The original translation of "bears" is that it always covers an offense. Forgiveness is always available, no matter the transgression. No matter how many times someone fails, love forgives again and again.
Believes all things. Paul lets us know that real love is always committed and never disengages, no matter how costly.
Hopes all things. Hope speaks to our future. Every time hope is found throughout the New Testament, joy coincides with it. I often think about it in this way - hope looks to our future with joy!
Endures all things. There is nothing that could make love quit on us or walk away. Heaven paid the highest price, Jesus, to have a relationship with you. We consistently place our confidence in Jesus' sacrifice and know that God will never quit on us.
As you read through the Biblical definition of love, what stands out to you?
Declare: God has forever settled His love towards me.
Day 2: Who Do I Believe God Is?
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.
There are two things about God that we learn from this verse. First, we must believe that God is, simply, that He exists. Second, we must know that He is a rewarder. All Christians believe that God exists, but few believe that He is a rewarder. Having the right beliefs about God will benefit every area of your life. When you know who He is, and you understand that He has good intentions towards you, you will be able to trust Him in ways you haven't ever been able to before.
Ephesians 1:17 NKJV - That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom andrevelation in the knowledge of Him.
Paul's prayer was that you would have a deep and personal understanding of the true knowledge of Christ because through that we begin to know God. Knowing God may sound incomprehensible to you, but knowing Him means weobserve His character, how He responds to situations, and how He treats people. As we come to know and experience God's love for ourselves, we receive revelation on how to love others in the same way. More than anything else, God desires to have a relationship with you!
What have you learned about God's character from observing Jesus' life?
Declare: God has good intentions towards me!