Table of Contents

Introduction

Day 1: Oceans

Day 2: Run To The Father

Day 3: Rest On Us

Day 4: Names

Day 5: House Of The Lord

Day 6: Gratitude

Day 7: Touch Of Heaven

Day 8: Might Get Loud

Day 9: Just Be Held

Day 10: Available

Day 11: Word Of God Speak

Day 12: Anchor

Day 13: Be Alright

Day 14: I Am Not Alone

Day 15: Who You Say I Am

Day 16: Rooftops

Day 17: Cornerstone

Day 18: Perfectly Loved

Day 19: Fear Is Not My Future

Day 20: Way Maker

Day 21: Brother

Day 22: Do It Again

Day 23: Yes I will

Day 24: This Is A Move

Day 25: Same God

Day 26: My Jesus

Day 27: Wait On You

Day 28: Another In The Fire

Day 29: Set A Fire

Day 30: You Will Be Saved

Worship Where You Are: A 30 Day Devotional to Worship Through Every Situation

Introduction:

Worship, per the dictionary, means a feeling or expression of reverence or adoration for God. The origin of the word worship, in Old English, is “weorthscipe,” meaning an acknowledgment of worth. When we think about acknowledging worth in our worship, what is there that we can give God to tell Him He is worthy? He is worthy of everything we could ever give Him.

Revelation 4:11 says “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being.”

Because God created everything and everything works together for the Glory of God, we are called to worship Him in everything! In the middle of whatever situation we are going through, whether it be the hills or the valleys, we are to worship God with all that we have. He alone is the author of our story. Everything that He has seen you through is proof to His power and plan for your life. In these next 30 days, we will look at one worship song each day. We will listen to the song and then we will dive deeper into it with some scripture and a bit of my testimony and in turn we will begin to Worship Where We Are because The Bible says in Jeremiah 29:11 “ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” No matter what it is you are going through, know that God has a plan, and we should worship Him through the storm and when everything seems to be running smoothly.

Thank you!

First and foremost, thank you for choosing to do this devotional.

Courtney, Ag, and Avery. Thank you for pushing me to be a better husband and father every day of the year. I cannot imagine my life without you three.

My Mission Arlington group. Thank you for pushing me to write this study. This was placed on my heart nearly 9 years ago and I never got around to it but you all pushed me and told me that there were people that needed this.

God! Thank you for well… EVERYTHING. Thank you for giving me the words to put in this devotional. Thank you for sending your son to die on the cross for my sins. Thank you for your mercies and your grace which is made new every morning!

Day 1: Oceans by Hillsong UNITED

Listen to the song and read Mathew 14:22-36

In the passage in Mathew, we see where the disciples had just been witnesses to Jesus feeding the 5000 and then they loaded into the boat to sail to the other side. In the middle of the sea, and with the wind howling, the disciples see Jesus and claim He is a ghost out in the water. Jesus informs them it is He and tells them to take courage. Peter then tells Jesus that if it is He, then to call him onto the water and he will come.

Often, in the middle of a situation, we ask God to move in the situation or to tell us what to do. Sometimes we find ourselves not really ready for the request God has made, but we still step out of our boat because He has called us to. Then this is where we find ourselves connecting with Peter. We took the step of faith and then we realized everything else that is going on around us. We take our eyes off of what God has called us to do; to trust and follow Him. When we take our eyes off of Him, we begin to sink because we are now focused on the waves and the wind instead of resting in the safety and peace that God provides when we trust He will see us through the situation.

He has called you out upon the water and is 100% “the great unknown” because only God knows His plan for us. When we seek Him, we will find Him, and if we keep our eyes on Him, He will see us through the storm and the unknown. Stay strong in your faith and trust in Him to be your guide. If we knew exactly how everything was going to play out, we would never really strengthen our faith and our reliance on God to show up would falter.

Questions:

Has God ever called you to take a step into the unknown that required you to place all of your faith and trust in Him?

What in your life can cause you to take your eyes off of Jesus?

What happens when you find yourself focusing on everything else going on around you?

Prayer:

God, I ask that you give me the strength to step out of the comfort and safety of my boat and to walk into what You have called me to. Give me the vision to see You work in the middle of the storms I find myself in and the ability to tune out the distractions happening around me that may try to pull my focus from You. It is this in your name I pray, Amen.

Day 2: Run to the Father by Cody Carnes

Listen to the song then read Luke 15:11-32

The story of the Prodigal Son. We have heard it a million times but yet every time I read it something else stands out to me. It was very much frowned upon for men back then to be seen running. To be seen running meant that there was something very important he was heading to. And for this Father to see his son off in the distance and he started running to him is such a parallel to parent and God as our Father.

When my daughters fall and hurt themselves or I see or hear that they are sad, my first instinct is to run to them. I don’t have to always see it because they will cry out and I know their voice and I will find them and be there for them. In the same sense, when God sees us running to Him, he runs even faster to us. He is in constant pursuit of us.

There are also a couple other places you can find yourself in this story. You can find yourself as the brother. He found out his brother had returned and he was struck with jealousy because his father was celebrating and offering this giant feast and killing a cow for the celebration. We can sometimes find ourselves comparing our walk with Christ to others. We see their blessings and we become instantly jealous with thoughts of “God why do they get to win T Swift tickets and not me?” “God they were just going to parties and drinking and cussing two weeks ago and now you are doing this for them?” Instead of celebrating the return of the brother, we find ourselves upset because we feel that we have been living for Christ yet are still experiencing hardships or just not seeing the material rewards that we feel others are getting. But we don’t grasp that all along God has been providing for us. While our brother was out struggling with the world and not getting to experience unconditional love of a father we were sheltered, loved and protected. We cannot compare our blessings to other peoples’ blessings nor should we compare our relationship with Christ to anyone else’s.

The last person I want to look at in this story is the Prodigal Son. Because I feel like we are all the Prodigal son at some point in our lives. We are welcomed into this home and have this amazing Father yet we find ourselves wanting to go do things our way and we find ourselves distant from God and wandering with no direction and searching for answers and trying to fill voids in our lives in a materialistic fashion when instead we should be putting our trust in our Father and humble ourselves to say God I need you!

While we run to the Father, He is running to us as well! I love so much about this song. There are so many pieces to this song that show just how amazing and un-replicable God’s love is! There is a constant invitation from God for you to lay down your hurts and struggles and to fall to His feet and invite Him into your life. In the second verse, we are reminded that before we were born, God knew us. He knew every sim we would commit and yet he still gave His son! This is whereas a parent, I see just how much God loves us. I know I have done things that were against God, yet still he sent Jesus for me. I don’t know if I could ever find myself in a place I would be like “you know what I know they wronged me, but I am going to sacrifice my child to make it all ok.” When, in the song, he says “I don’t have a context for that kind of love.” I completely am 100 percent in that boat with him.

Questions:

Which character from the parable do you feel you connect with more? Why?

Is there a burden you find yourself carrying that you need to lay down at the feet of God?

Do you know someone that you know is struggling? Can we pray for this person to Run to the Father?

Prayer:

Father God thank you for always running after me. Even though I have fallen short and found myself removing myself from your kingdom with my actions, you still are in constant pursuit of me. I thank you every day for sending Your son Jesus to die in my place for my sins. I pray that those that are struggling or are tired of running just make the decision they are done running and hiding and that they return to Your perfect home where you welcome them with open arms. I pray that we are not of the brother’s mind struck with jealousy, but of the mindset where we are joyful that a brother or sister have returned to Your home, and we will be with them together in Heaven with You! Thank you for knowing our flaws yet still accepting us and drawing us close to you. In Your mighty name we pray… Amen

Day 3: Rest on Us by Brandon Lake

Listen to the song then read verses Romans 8:26-27

Where the Holy Spirit dwells, amazing things happen. In Genesis there was creation, in prayer there is healing, in baptism there is new life, and a pleasing of God as the Holy Spirit fills you.

Experiencing the Holy Spirit enacts different reactions for everyone. Some may cry, some may become energetic, but for me, I am overtaken by goosebumps and soak up how the Holy Spirit is moving and stand in awe of it.

While the Spirit can show up in any and every setting and situation, for me, I feel the presence of the Holy Spirit most in worship. I used to lead worship when I lived in Texas and then a bit when I moved back to Tennessee before I got involved in student ministry. I remember my first worship revival. It was the first time I had a true moment where I was just overtaken by the Spirit. Being from Tennessee and living in Texas we had a revival, and the guest was a worship leader from Nashville. Worshiping in that room when he led Cornerstone, I was so drawn into the presence of the Holy Spirit I was in tears. Then he prayed at the end of the song, and it felt as though everything I was going through the Holy Spirit was just taking my hurts and pains and struggles and telling Calvin everything I was going through. He and I had about an hour-long conversation after because he said God told him to seek me out. That was my first encounter and now I seek to put myself in those positions as often as I can.

When we went to Arlington for a mission trip, there was always a time of worship before each session of service. This song was sung on the last day of the mission trip. After a week of seeing students serve God and go out and spread the gospel to people that, if it weren’t for their obedience, would never get a chance to hear it. I remembered hearing God tell me this is something special and to go record it. Not that I couldn’t go back and find the song and listen to it myself, but I had to record it because I was in midst of the Holy Spirit moving in a group of High School students. They were worshiping and inviting the Holy Spirit to move. It was truly their hearts cry to have His spirit fill the room and rest on them. I went back and watched that video multiple times after and every time I got goosebumps knowing the feeling of that room and seeing those students’ hearts cry out for The Holy Spirit to fill them.

Too often we treat worship as something that we stand through and once the 3-4 songs are over, we just get right into the word, or we spend the whole worship set thinking about how do I sound? Is the person in front of me judging how I sound? Did my voice just crack? But how often when we are in worship do, we just plead with God to let the Holy Spirit fall on us and move? Every moment of worship should have that desire attached to it. If you are worshiping in the car invite the Holy Spirit into the moment with you. The Holy Spirit is not like us. Often, we hear of something that is going on and we will show up because we want to be a part of it. The Holy Spirit wants to be wanted and wants to be invited. When you are invited, it means so much more. Today when you worship, invite the Holy Spirit in and invite the Holy Spirit to move in your situation, in your life, in your day. When you invite the Spirit in, the Spirit will show up and the Spirit will move!

Questions:

How have you treated worship in the corporate setting and in the private setting?

When you worship do you do so in a way that you are truly inviting the Holy Spirit into the room to move?

What does it feel like to you when you feel you are in the presence of the Holy Spirit?

Prayer:

God thank you for showing up when we invite you into our situations. We know you always show up. I ask that you help us all have an intentionality that is on a different level with our worship. That we invite you into our hearts and our lives in our worship to see how you are moving in our situations and to be overcome by a sense of comfort and love because we feel your presence. Just allow the Holy Spirit to fill us and to move in our lives God! It is in You name we pray! Amen!

Day 4: Names by Maverick City and Elevation Worship

Listen to the song then read the verse Isaiah 9:6

When I listened to this song, I was filled with so much emotion. There are so many names we associate with God. Prince of Peace, Healer, Provider, and so many more but He is ultimately the Name above all names. Every name used for God means just as much today as it did then. Just like the song says, “Your names say it all.”

While the verse specifically is a prophecy to Jesus, I wanted to dig even deeper with the names given to God. These names echo everything about God. Names like Jehovah Jireh, Rapha, Shalom, and Rohi. Each of these echoes something God is for each and every one of us.

Jireh. He is my Provider. Often times we lose sight of everything God has given us as soon as a new need arises. We focus so much on what we are going through currently and forget momentarily that He is our provider. He has done it before and He will do it again.

Rapha. He is my Healer. There is no pain that God cannot take from us. No diagnosis we cannot overcome with Him. For some, that is cancer, an addiction, a heart problem, depression, and so many other things. This one really hits home for me. Growing up, I had multiple skin cancer issues and one that was caught a bit later causing me to get a big chunk taken out of my side needing about 30 stitches to ensure they got it all out. And my senior year in high school I was having as chest pains during football practice and ended up going to Vanderbilt for tests. My doctor told me that I had an overactive heart and if I wanted to be able to wrestle my senior year that I had to give my heart a break. For someone like me who held their identity in sports it was a huge struggle. But I had so many people praying for me and my Healer showed up.

Shalom. My Peace. A lot of times we are so caught up in anxiety worrying about today or next week, a test, a meeting, results, and audition, a multitude of things really but forgetting that God has a plan! He has a plan for everything and allowing His plan to play out with a peace that He has it in his hands. No matter how it plays out the results will ultimately be for His glory and that should fill us with Peace.

Rohi. My Shepherd. Knowing that I mean so much to Him is so reassuring in my life. He sent His son for ME. I am far from perfect, but He did so for ME. He is always seeking me out. He will always show up when I feel lost. He leaves the 99 to find the 1. This is so crazy to me, but the one is just as important in His eyes as the 99. He can leave the 99 because he knows they are safe together in the fellowship and community knowing that He is watching over them and He will bring that 1 back and make them whole. I was and sometimes am the 1 and I am forever thankful that He comes and meets me where I am to guide me back to the 99 where I can do life with other believers!

Questions:

God has many names. Which one do you feel He has been the most for you in your life?

How does it make you feel knowing that he is the Name above all Names knowing that no matter what we gave in life he has overcome it?

What name do you find yourself calling God to be currently with where you are in life right now?

Prayer:

Father God. We know that you are our everything. You are our healer, our provider, our peace, the mighty one, the holy one, our master, our redeemer. We are so grateful for everything you do in our lives and how you constantly show up in our situations because You are present in everything we experience. No matter what we are facing you have a plan to see us through it because Your names say it all. Be with us God as we continue to live life for you and be with us in every situation. All of this in your name we pray! Amen!

Day 5: House of The Lord by Phil Wickham

Listen to the song then read Psalm 23

This song is the heart cry of a believer who is acknowledging everything God has done for them and will do for them.

We worship the God who was, is, and evermore will be. God works miracles on a second-by-second basis, and everything He does has a purpose. No matter the circumstance, He holds the victory.

If we know that God is in control, and we know He has the victory, then why would we not have Joy? It is common practice for us to mistake joy for happiness. Happiness is present in seasons, but we know there will be times when we hurt or are scared or feel defeated or unworthy of love, but we take joy knowing that God has overcome it all. Our joy comes from knowing God and knowing His unconditional love for us.

Look at all God has done for you. He has healed you, saved you, and no matter the circumstances, He makes a way for you. He is the author of our story. He has the power to flip our script. He takes us from beggars to royalty, from prisoners of our circumstances and thoughts to being free. His Grace knows no bounds. He has a never-ending supply of forgiveness.

We are the church. When I hear “there’s joy in the house of the Lord” I don’t just take it as we are full of joy in this service. I take it as me, myself, I am full of Joy because I know who God is. I know who I was. I know where God brought me from. And I know He will always make a way.

Psalm 100:3 says “He made us, and we are His. We are his people, the sheep of His pasture.” He will always make a way for us and for that, happiness may come and go, but I am filled with Joy!

Questions:

What does it mean to be filled with Joy?

Have you mistaken Happiness for Joy?

Take a moment to reflect on your journey with God. What feeling comes to mind when you think about everything God has been with you through and seen you through?

Prayer:

God thank you! Thank you for being you. For being my savior. My shelter from the storms. For being the one that overcame everything. I am sorry for letting my current circumstances dictate my level of Joy when I know my source of Joy comes from you. I pray that I am constantly aware of everything you have done for me and do for me and will do for me and that I do not base my Joy on my circumstances but rather in knowing You and knowing the love and Grace you give me every day! God just allow me to be overflowing with Joy at all times and to always sing your praise. These things in your name I pray! Amen!

Day 6: Gratitude by Brandon Lake

Listen to the song and read Psalm 86:12-13

In Luke 4:8 Jesus is speaking and He says, “It is written, worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.” We have two calls here: worship God and serve God.

When we serve, we serve out of obedience. God calls us to action and we deliver. We spread His word to others and we sow the seeds of faith. Following God’s will for our lives is the greatest gift we give God, but often times it doesn’t feel like much.

So why do you give the person that has everything? Literally the toughest question ever. Imagine having to buy a Christmas gift for someone like Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk. That has to be difficult. But I imagine, for them, the best gifts they can get from their loved ones is not necessarily something materialistic, but yet something that comes from the heart and has true meaning.

This is how God views our worship. It comes from the heart and it is a gift that He will never grow tired of receiving. While He can do anything, He has given you the free will to choose to worship Him and that is pleading to Him that you choose to. We may be critical about our gift to Him but He loves it all the same!

It is kind of like when you wrap a gift for someone yet you are no good at wrapping. They do not care because it is what is inside that matters. It comes from the heart. This is how God sees our worship. Sure we may miss a note or not sound like Danny Gokey, Brandon Lake, or CeCe Winans, but those things do not matter because it is the heart behind the worship that matters.

Gratitude is all about realizing we have nothing to give God our King. He has it all, but the one thing we can give Him is our worship.

I love in the bridge where it says, “come on my soul, don’t you get shy on me. Lift up your song because you’ve got a lion inside of those lungs. Get up and praise the Lord.”

Often, we may feel down and out or in a place where we don’t know how to say thank you to God. In those moments we dig deep and we praise Him with all that we are. A lion’s roar can be heard up to 5 miles away. When you think that you have a lion inside of you, how can you not stir up a shout of praise?

While your song may come to an end, find yourself throughout your day finding moments of worship. It is a gift He will never grow tired of.

Questions:

Do you ever feel as though you have nothing to offer God?

How do you show gratitude to God for everything He has done for you?

What makes worship special to you?

Prayer:

God. Thank you. I thank you for being everything I need. I thank you for always providing and showing up when I need you the most. I thank you for turning my life around and saving me. Thank you for giving me the ultimate gift by sending Your son down to die for my sins. That is a gift that I can never repay you for because I do not deserve it yet still you made sure I received it. I do not have anything more to give you than my obedience and my worship, and while it doesn’t seem like much, you said it is what you want. I will sing praise to you forever God because it is all I have to give you because you gave me everything! So thank you God for being my God. It is your name I pray. Amen.

Day 7: Touch of Heaven by Hillsong

Listen to the song the read Psalm 51

If you’re anything like me, there are times where your spiritual walk becomes a daily checkbox instead of a full relationship seeking walk. We find ourselves just going through the motions because it is what we are supposed to do. We show up at church, we listen but often check out. We have our quiet time but we are thinking about all the other stuff going on in our lives. We worship and we are thinking about other things.

Then, if you’re still like me, you hit this moment where you find yourself in a desperation of an encounter with God. There is just this longing where you need Him to show up and move in your life. You realize you haven’t been fully committed to living for Christ or you find yourself struggling with something and you come into this moment where you just say God come down and take this from me. I need you to move here I need to be in your presence. I need you to wreck me.

You just pour it all out to him. Every hurt, hang up and habit, you pour it out to him. You invite him in to work and to do what only He can do in your situations! You release everything onto him in a desperate search for him to move in your life! It’s this moment where we are overcome with such peace and love because all He wants is you to desire that and lift it up to him and lay it at His feet. We cannot do this life without Him.

I pray that I can find myself in the mindset of being desperate for that touch of heaven every-time I am in his presence and seeking his presence at all times. He loves us unconditionally. There is no need to be scared to bring anything to him. Throw your fears into the wind and let Him work! Become DESPERATE!

Questions:

Do you ever feel like your walk with Christ becomes a checkbox?

What is something you need God to work in in your life that you are desperate for Him to move on?

When was the last time you desperately sought out a touch of heaven?

Prayer:

God. I’m sorry. I’m sorry I have treated you with a checklist mentality and not giving you my all and seeking your presence in all that I do. I want you to move in me God. Take everything that I am going through and work it for your glory. I long for that deeper relationship with You God. I have reached a place of desperation in being close to you and I want to feel your presence in everything I do. Father God please be present and move in every area of my life. It is in your name I pray! Amen!

Day 8: Might Get Loud by Elevation Worship & Brandon Lake

May want some headphones for this one…Or not and let the world hear it!

Listen to the song then read Psalms 66

When something awesome happens in your life that you are excited about, what is the first thing you want to do? TELL EVERYONE! We have so much excitement and enthusiasm for the thing that happened, and you can sense it in our tone and see it written all over us.

We are all sinners. We all have this past life that we lived, but we have a savior that brought us from that life. I have a testimony that is a mile long about where I was, where I could have been, where I should have been, but I have a savior that brought me from that place and made me a Child of God!

When you think about your testimony and where God brought you from, how can you not want to share it? When you share it, share it with all the excitement and enthusiasm as you would if you were telling your friends you just won the lottery. Because, in all actuality, you won a spiritual lottery! You owed something, yet that debt was paid for you!

So when I think about my testimony, I get fired up. I do not deserve a thing He has done for me. So, when I share, trust me when I tell you that there is no “might”… it’s going to get LOUD!

Questions:

When you think about where God brought you from or what He has done in your life, what makes you the most excited?

Have you shared your testimony with someone?

What feeling do you experience when sharing your testimony?

Take time to write out your testimony.

Prayer:

God thank you! Thank you for bringing me out of the darkness and into your light. I don’t deserve a single thing you have done for me yet still you love me and sent your son knowing I would hurt you. I have no words in me but to say thank you. I know that if you can do it for me then you can do it for everyone. Give me the courage to spread your word and to share where you brought me from and where you are working in my life right now! It is all of this in your amazing name I pray! Amen!

Day 9: Just Be Held by Casting Crowns

Listen to the song then read Mathew 11:28-30 and Mark 15:22-23

We all go through struggles in life. It could be struggles that come from our own choices or things that are completely out of our control. I have had my fair share of both in my life as I am sure you probably have as well. I have struggled with different addictions, I have felt alone because my world was turned upside down when my mom told me I was footed when I was 18, and when I was 26, my mother chose to commit suicide two days before my birthday. Then a week later I got a birthday card from her saying she wished I had given her more of my time. These are just a snip of my testimony.

The beginning of Just Be Held describes my mentality in a season of struggle completely. “Hold it all together, everybody needs you strong.” I will allow myself a 10-minute cry, then life has to go on. I then continue to hold that hurt and pain in and just never release it. That is until I reach a moment of full surrender to God and it all get poured out to Him.

Once I got out of the Army, I started going to school again and eventually became a teacher. At first, I thought I really had become crazy because I really hated school growing up. I failed 8th and 10th grade as well as flunked out of college at 18 years old. Then I got into a school and I was being shown all the hurt that the youth are going through and the feelings of hopelessness and making choices that no child should be making. I deal with middle school debating suicide, doing drugs, and even having sex. My heart absolutely breaks for them.

When they ultimately break down, it is the moment that I ask them if they need a hug. Something so simple as being held and feeling safe and loved brings a sense of peace to them at least in the moment.

This is exactly what God has done for us. He offered us a way to cast it all on Jesus. When Jesus was on the cross and the Roman soldiers offered him wine mixed with myrrh, he refused it. He turned down something that would numb the pain. He chose to feel all of the pain because he was taking the pain for you and me. He was about to feel all of my pain and your pain. He did that so we don’t have to. Everything you are experiencing has a divine plan. “Your worlds not falling apart, it’s falling into place.” It’s such a hard truth to grasp, but God works everything out for His Glory.

Fall to your knees and take it all to His feet. That is where peace lies. That is where answers lie. And that is where He will be waiting to hold you.

Questions:

Do you ever feel like you have to be the strong one for everyone else?

What are you going through currently that maybe feels like your world is falling apart?

When was the last time someone you knew was going through something and you offered to hold them and then share God with them?

Prayer:

God, I know you are always there for me. I know that everything I go through has a plan that has been orchestrated by you. Thank you for always being there to give me peace in moments of hurt and pain and a sense of understanding when I don’t know why something is happening. I pray that you continue to hold me whenever I begin to go through any struggle. And I thank you for your Som who shouldered all of my hurt and pain for me and gave His life to redeem mine. Thank you can never be enough for what you have done for me God but I will continue to thank you and praise you even in the storms. In your mighty name I pray. Amen.

Day 10: Available by Elevation Worship

Listen to the song then read 1 Peter 4:9-11

We all want to be utilized by God for His glory. However, there are times where we think about the inconvenience that comes with that and we don’t respond to the call. I know for me, there have been plenty of times where I have felt God telling me to do something, whether it be to pray for a stranger in public, say something specific to someone, pay for something for someone, or even write this worship devotional.

When I lived in Texas while I was in the Army, God told me during a worship rehearsal that He wanted me to write a worship devotional and show people that no matter where you are or what you are going through, there is a reason to worship. Even though it was heavy on my heart at the time, life happened. I got busy with work, my mom died, we moved back to Tennessee, and I started school again. The calling never left, but I never made the choice to answer the call and make myself available. Then one day, I got a late invite to be a part of a high school mission trip. I led a couple of devotionals there for the group and had some long conversations with some students. Then, one afternoon, on the way to our mission location, two students said, “if you wrote a book, I would read it.” Instantly I felt the Holy Spirit come over me and it felt as if God threw an elbow at me and said “see, I told you what you are to do.”

That was my kick to get the ball rolling on this devotional. Problem was, I had no idea what I was going to write or what songs to choose. I sat and I prayed and asked God to give me the words to write and the songs to use. He told me to share my story and connect it to worship. I asked the people on the mission trip for their favorite worship songs and that is how the songs were picked.

So often we hear the call but how often do we actually say, “yes Lord, I am available”? We all have our own plans and sometimes we hate tossing our plans to the side to allow God to move. But God said, “I know the plans I have for you.” His way is better than ours ever could be.

I say this to people all the time at work. There is a difference between being used and being utilized. God wants to utilize you. He has placed a calling on your heart and He has equity you with the tools, strengths, and gifts needed to do what He has called you to do.

The question is, will you make yourself available for God to utilize you for His glory?

Questions:

Have you ever felt God call you to action and you chose not to act on the call? What feeling accompanied that refusal to act?

What is a calling God has placed on your heart?

Have you made yourself fully available for God to utilize you? Will you?

Prayer:

God. I want you to utilize me. I want you to place a calling on my heart. A call to action. I want you to move in my heart and stir in me a desire to go out and do what you have called me to do. I am sorry for all the times I have not answered the call, but here I am. You can have all of me and use me how you need to. I want to be a tool to advance your kingdom. I am available God. Show me your will for my life and call me to action. It is you name I ask this! Amen!

Day 11: Word of God Speak by MercyMe

Listen to the song then read Psalms 29

There have been times in my life where I have gone through stretches where I felt as if I couldn’t hear God’s voice. It’s not that I wasn’t going to church or wasn’t having my quiet time or spending time in the word, I was just not hearing God’s voice.

Then I started reading one day and started to look up verses that described the voice of God and there were countless verses that described the power and authority of God’s voice. So, I sat and I thought to myself, for God to have such a mighty voice, why am I struggling to hear him?

So, I sat and I thought about all sorts of things (as I normally do because I can’t stop my mind from wandering half the time) and I realized, when I am in my classroom and my kids are talking or not paying attention, I don’t yell louder to get their attention. I am teaching. If they want to listen, they will focus on what I am trying to say. So, what do I do when they decide to not pay attention? I talk softer. It is very easy for me to yell, but I don’t want my students to just listen because I say they have to. I want them to want to listen.

God wants us to want to listen. He is longing to talk to us, but often times we get so distracted with the outside world, with our problems, with our notifications on our phone, with the score of the game, or a multitude of other distractions that we sometimes just find ourselves going through the motions and not really listening to what God is saying. We are present, but we are just not attentive.

What is even crazier is that sometimes what we are allowing to distract us is often something so simple or even something that is completely outside of our control. Have you ever had a cricket make its way into your house or your room and you couldn’t find it? That little cricket takes all of your attention away from whatever you’re trying to focus on. We get so focused on trying to find it and handle that problem that everything else we had going on can take a backseat to the cricket. Or we let the cricket keep chirping but we allow our attention to be distracted by it while we continue doing what we need to but our task doesn’t get all of us that it needs. That is our life. All of our distractions in life are our crickets. We focus so much on them and allow them to take our attention and focus away from God.

Crickets never go away. Just like in nature, they have their seasons. Can you find the beauty in the chaos and say it is ok that this is happening. I know God has this situation under control. But right now I need to hear from him. I don’t care what is going on around me. I am going to be still and listen for what God is telling me right now. I am not going to talk; I am just going to listen.

Questions:

Have you ever found yourself struggling to hear what God is trying to tell you?

What are some things in your life that you would classify as a “cricket?”

When you are listening and hearing what God is telling you, how does it change your view on your current situations and circumstances in life?

Prayer:

God, I need to hear your voice. Often times I get so distracted by everything else going on around me that I tend to just be present but not fully engaged in our relationship. I am so quick to bring you my problems but then so quick to get distracted by everything else that I don’t focus on what you are trying to tell me. Help me tune out the distractions and to not focus on my crickets but to be still and focus on You. I need to hear Your voice God. It is in your name I pray! Amen!

Day 12: Anchor by Hillsong

Listen to the song & read Hebrews 6:19-20

There are a couple of definitions for the word anchor that I like. The first being: “to secure firmly in place.” The second being: “to provide a firm basis or foundation.” Firm was key in both of those definitions for me. However, I like to mix both of those definitions when I think about God being my anchor: To secure firmly in place to my foundation.”

When you go on a boat, you drop the anchor for a few reasons, maybe you found a spot you want to fish, a spot you want to swim, or maybe you just really like the scenery of the location you are at and want to stay there. But why anchor? Because if you don’t anchor, the tide will pull your boat from where you want or need to be.

This is a lot like life. We find ourselves in this good spot. We are active in our faith, we attend church regularly, we have our quiet time, yet the tides of life are still happening around us. We are still around our peers that may not have the same relationship with God we do. People at school or work may say something about you that really tugs at an insecurity you may struggle with. If we aren’t anchored properly, we can allow all of these things to let us drift with the “tides.” We know what God says about us. Lies of the enemy have no place if we are anchored properly.

When boats are in port, they anchor as well. This is to prevent the boat from sinking if and when a storm arises. God said that there will be trials of many kinds, so we would be foolish to think storms won’t happen to us. But, if we are anchored in God, we know we won’t sink when the storms do come.

Being anchored in God means our fears can be swept away, we can have hope, His promises are always kept, His word is unfailing, and that He will see you through the storm. He is unshakable and He will not let go of you.

That anchor is believing God. Believing He sent His son for us because He loves us so much. If He didn’t love you or want what is best for you or want the relationship with you then why would He send His Son for you? Make God your anchor and know He will never leave you in the midst of a storm and He will never forsake you!

Questions:

What does your world look like when you are anchored in God?

Do you ever find it difficult to stay anchored when life is happening around you?

Would you say your anchor is God? Why or why not?

Prayer:

God. All my Hope is in you. Life happens and hurt comes from all angles, but I know you will see me through them today just as you did yesterday and as you will tomorrow! I want you as my anchor! I trust that no matter what storms may come, that you will keep me from sinking. Give me the strength to stay anchored and keep you as my anchor! It is this in your name I pray. Amen.

Day 13: Be Alright by Evan Craft

Listen to the song and read Psalms 24

If you’re anything like me, people tend to feel comfortable opening up to you about their problems. They bring you their hurts, hang ups, and struggles and then you talk with them about it and you give them advice that is backed up by what God says about the situation and how no matter what it is, God already has the victory over it you just have to trust in Him.

For me, giving that advice comes pretty easy. I feel as though God gave me gifts of being able to speak to people without worry and being fairly good with my words. I want God to use me to speak to people and I feel that I went through the things that I went to in order to use them to show people this is where I was or what I went through and God saw me through it so He can do the same for you.

Sometimes, that is where that stops. See, it is pretty easy for me to speak those truths to people because I know they are truths! I know what He did for me. If He can do it for me then He can do it for you as well. The struggle for me though is that life is still happening. I still go through rough seasons where things aren’t going the way that I feel they should be. I find myself struggling with things that I shouldn’t struggle with and find myself filled with shame and guilt. I find it so easy to pour into people with the truths, but yet find it so hard to take my own advice.

We know what we are going through and dealing with and we begin to feel this shame that says we aren’t worthy of God to move in whatever we are going through. Maybe we feel He has forgotten us. But all we have to do is remember where we were and where God brought us to. We were far from perfect then and we are still far from perfect now. He loved us then and He loves us now. He has not forgotten you; you just need to trust Him. He has the whole world in His hands because He created it. Every situation you are going through, He has it in His hands. Accepting Jesus made you worthy of His grace and He will see you through everything. Like the song says “todo va a esta bien” … everything will be alright!

Questions:

Do you ever find it easy to share God’s truths to your friends but then find it difficult to believe them for your situation?

What truths do you remind yourself of when you are going through struggles?

Do you ever find it difficult to see God working in a situation? Look back on a tough time you went through where you struggled to see how God was working, do you see how He was working now?

Prayer:

God, I know you have my situation in Your hands. You have everything in Your hands because you are the author, the creator, the Alpha and the Omega. I know what You say about me. I know the love you have for me. I ask that you help me keep Your word and Your promises in my heart and my head while I experience my struggles. I know You said there will be trials but give me the vision to see Your hand working in all of them! It is in Your name I pray. Amen

Day 14: I am Not Alone by Kari Jobe

Listen to the song & read Psalms 23… again.

Last time we read Psalms 23 we talked about Joy. But I wonder, do you ever feel alone? Now, you may call yourself a “loner,” that is one thing, but do you ever feel truly alone? Whether you are going through a struggle, a hurt, a bad medical report, or even feel like you’re struggling with community, I want you to take heart because you are not alone. No matter what you are going through, God has already gone through it and is walking with you through it.

Allowing God to be your shepherd and your Lord of your life means you are giving him control to lead you where He needs you. He has a plan for whatever you are going through.

What you are going through may seem horrible, but do not fear, He is with you. There is never a moment God is not with you. When you need Him, He is there. Even when you feel like “I got this” He is there. He is waiting for you to call to Him.

Take comfort in the fact that He is with you. God hears your prayers. When we pray, how often do we truly ask for His will to be done? How often do we say, “God I trust that you are going to work this out for Your good.”? When we feel alone, lacking a sense of belonging and friends, we ask God to give us friends, but do we ask God to give us the right friends? Really, a step further, do we say, “God, You are enough.”?

No matter what you are going through, you are not going through it alone. He is there. He is there to comfort you, to guide you, to make a way for you, to give you peace, and to listen to you. No matter what, you can always talk to God and He wants you to talk to Him. God wants your conversations with Him to look like that text message you sent to your friend where you hit send after every thought. But, maybe unlike that friend, God will not leave you on “Read.” He always answers our prayers. It just may not be on our time, but on His. It also may not be the answer we want, but it is His will for your life. Just trust the One that is always there and that never leaves you alone.

Questions:

Do you ever feel alone?

What are you situation are you struggling with currently that you feel God isn’t moving in right now?

Think back on a time you felt alone, why did you feel that way and so you see now how you weren’t?

Prayer:

God, I know you are with me. I know you never leave me alone. In fact, when I am struggling to walk you often carry me. I know that you have a plan for my life. I just ask that whatever I may be dealing with that You work it for Your good and You give me peace knowing You are right there with me. I know I will never be alone because I know you leave the 99 to find the 1 and when I am feeling lost and alone you are there with me. Give me comfort in knowing and believing that truth. It is in your name I pray this. Amen!

Day 15: Who You Say I Am by Hillsong Worship

Listen to the song then read Psalm 139

The dreaded Rumor Mill. It is the worst. So many of us can say that we don’t care what other people think about us, but the truth is that we sometimes care too much about what others think of us. Unfortunately, this is not something that we can control because we aren’t meant to do life alone so we want people to like us. We can live as well as we can, yet somehow a new rumor can circulate about us to our peers from our peers.

There very well may be those moments where we say, “oh well, it isn’t true so who cares?” But really, we then start to worry about our reputation and how others see us. We want people to like us and when something is spread about us that can cause strain on our current relationships or prevent new ones from forming, we get very hurt or down.

Sometimes, it feels as though there are just constantly new rumors being spread about us, or even people constantly bringing up our past as a way to remind us of our past mistakes or the person we used to be. That person we are trying to grow away from being. We really try to hold onto the old is dead and is now a new creation, but the enemy uses our past to try to make us forget that truth.

Who the son sets free, is free indeed. You are a child if God. He has chosen you! He has made you new and will use everything you have been through or done as a piece of your testimony. You can say, “yes, that was me, but that is not who I am now because it is not who God says I am.” Love holds no record of wrongdoing and God loves us so much. Just as He has forgiven me, I need to forgive myself and not live in those lies.

It is hard to not care what rumors go around about us, but ultimately what we have to care about is what does God say about me? Let how you live be the way you combat the rumor mill. The more the rumors fly, the more you need to remember who God says you are and not what your peers say you are.

Questions:

Have you ever found yourself struggling with the rumor mill?

What pieces of your past does the enemy keep trying to make you live in that you struggle to forgive and forget for yourself?

How does the rumor mill impact your relationship with God?

Prayer:

God, I know that I am who you say I am. You have forgiven me and made me new, but sometimes I struggle with forgiving myself of my past. Please give me the strength and the correct affirmations to say to myself to help me combat the rumor mill when the enemy wants to remind me of where I was and who I was before you. Let my actions show that the old me is dead and I am a new creation. It is in your name I pray. Amen.

Day 16: Rooftops by Jesus Culture

Listen to the song and read Psalms 63

We become so infatuated with things and people in today’s society, and we throw around the word LOVE so freely. We meet a new person and we “love” them or we “love” that new burrito at Taco Bell, or we “love” that new movie we just saw. We throw around the word love and we want to tell everyone about that person, that thing, that movie, that song. We will swear by it to other people that it is the best thing ever.

What I find crazy is that we do not have that same enthusiasm when it comes to God. We know good and well where God brought us from. How He showed up in our lives when we were really struggling. We know how much he truly loves us. We honestly can say that we love God, but we do not carry the same enthusiasm with that love as we do with the “love” we have for the other things in this world that we use that word on.

Shouting from the rooftops is a great metaphor. When you shout from the rooftops, you want everyone to know what you are saying. You have the high ground, everyone hears you, and they stop what they are doing to hear about it. People are drawn to enthusiasm. That enthusiasm triggers intrigue. When was the last time someone told you about something they “loved” and they painted this amazing picture for you and you wanted to either see the movie, taste the food, or meet the person they were talking about? All because of the enthusiasm they showed while telling you about it.

We find ourselves in prime position to introduce people to Christ and share how He has changed our lives yet we let the moment pass by. We sit in service and we don’t raise our hands because we are thinking about what other people may think about us, and while we are thinking about that, our voices become softer because we start thinking of someone is judging how we sound.

We love God and we know that. We know what he has done for us. We know how great He is. He has set us free. We should be shouting from the rooftops the love we have for God so everyone can know Him, what He has done for us, and what he can do for them.

Questions:

How freely do you throw out the word love? Would you say you use “love” more in conversations regarding earthly things than when talking about God?

If you were to shout from the rooftops, what truths would you shout?

When was the last time you allowed yourself to worship freely without the thought of what others around you are thinking?

How do you show your love for God?

Prayer:

God, You are amazing! Everything you have done for me deserves to be shouted from the rooftops. I want everyone to know how you have turned my life around. I want everyone to know that You gave Your Son for me. I want everyone to know that You gave Your Son for them! I want everyone to experience Your love. Give me the voice to share my love for You with the word. It is in your name I pray! Amen!

Day 17: Cornerstone by Hillsong

Listen to the song and read Mathew 7:24-27

When building a house or a wall or really anything that needs to withstand time and elements, it all starts with the cornerstone. This first piece is crucial to the stability of the wall. If the cornerstone is weak, the foundation is bound to crumble.

This is much like our life. The stability of our lives and our salvation is determined by what we have built our foundation on. Making Christ our cornerstone gives us many things; it gives us peace in times or anxiety, He gives us healing in times of hurt, He gives us clarity in times of uncertainty, and He makes us worthy in God’s eyes by accepting him.

Storms, they will come. We will face trials of many kinds, but when Christ is our cornerstone to the foundation of our life, those trials can come and we stand firm knowing that we have God on our side and He has seen the outcome and He has his finger on the situation. Sometimes it may seem as though the storm we are going through God may be absent or the storm is so big that it prevents us from seeing God work, but He is there because He will never leave you.

When we start building our lives on thing that cannot sustain us eternally, we are bound to crumble at some point. Our jobs, our friends, our significant others, money, popularity, success all of those things are temporary. Placing those things above our relationship and acceptance of Christ does not make for a firm foundation. When we make Christ our cornerstone, all of those other things will fall into place. He is our provider. He will place friends in your life that support you in making Him your cornerstone. Those friends will be at church with you as well, they will want to do life with you, they will want to be in the word with you. He will provide a job that He can use you in. He will make you successful, but He sees your success by your faithfulness and leading people to Him.

Have you made Christ your cornerstone? Have you built your life on Him? Have you placed your Hope in Him? Do so and He will be your anchor in all of life’s storms. He will take your weaknesses and make them strengths. He is Lord so we should make Him our Lord. We don’t deserve it, but He loves us yesterday, today and forever.

Questions:

What do you feel you have built your life around?

What do you notice about your life when you find yourself not making Christ your cornerstone?

How do you feel you respond to life’s storms when you are making Christ your cornerstone versus other things?

Prayer:

Christ you are my cornerstone. I want to build my life on you. I know that your ways are better than mine. I know that you are my provider and my healer. You are good. You are my strength. I know that I cannot face life alone but with you I am never alone. Give me the strength to go through the storms and trials of life knowing I will not crumble because I have you as my cornerstone of my foundation. It is your name I pray amen!

Day 18: Perfectly Loved by Rachael Lampa

Listen to the song and read Romans 8:38-39

The world can be a rude and hateful place at times, especially when it’s things like social media, people gain a new level of confidence to say things to people or about people that they would normally not say. We want so badly to be accepted and loved by others. It is who we are. We long for those relationships because we aren’t meant to do life alone.

We find ourselves in this place of listening to all the hurtful things said about us or said to us and we start to believe them and start to really feel isolated and alone. But those things are not what God has said about us.

In our search for acceptance, we start to do things for people to obtain that love. We are doing things for love and not from a place of love. If there is nothing we can do to make us worthy of God’s love yet He gives it to us anyways, then why should we feel the need to perform for the love of others?

Even when we find ourselves at moments where we are not being what God has called us to, He still loves us. God continues to see you through your hurts, through your struggles. He continues to open doors for you and work miracles, not because of what you’re doing for Him, but because He loves you! You cannot outrun the Love of God.

We know what the Bible says about love. It is patient, kind, doesn’t boast, not easily angered, doesn’t keep records of wrongdoing. All things that God shows us even though we do not deserve it. What we don’t realize is the love we are trying to obtain from others does not always fit this. People bring up our past as a way to hurt us. When we are dating, that person isn’t always patient. People aren’t always kind and tend to get angry fairly easy.

Yet here we are, doing all of these things for the acceptance and the love of others instead of from a place of love because we already have the Love of our Father. So, when you’re feeling used up, like a problem or a mistake, remember that though you may feel that way, God loves you for who you are. You are His creation. Accepting Jesus was all He wanted from you and to follow him with obedience. Do everything IN love, not for love.

Questions:

Do you find yourself in people pleasing mode because you want their acceptance?

Have you ever found yourself feeling drained or used in your relationships with your friends or significant other?

What does it mean to “Do everything in love.” As stated in 1 Cor. 16:14?

Do you ever find yourself trying to or feeling like you need to perform for God’s love?

Prayer:

God thank you for loving me. Sometimes I find myself feeling alone and constantly seeking the approval of those around me instead of living in the truths of who you say I am and the Love You have for me. Give me a heart of servitude that I may serve people from a place of love and not for their love. Your love is enough for me. Allow me to rest on that truth! In your name I pray. Amen!

Day 19: Fear Is Not My Future by Maverick City

Listen to the song and read Joshua 1:9

We all go through seasons of trials, pain, heartbreak, and moments of defeat. Sometimes it may feel like that is every season of our life and then we find ourselves thinking: “what’s next?!” It feels like we are just taking one “L” after another in life.

I know for me, I felt as though I was destined for a life of defeat. I come from a broken home, a broken family, disappointments riddle my story. Shame, sickness and pain have been ever present in my life and in the lives of those I care about. I found myself thinking what else could possibly happen? Then, God told me this is not my story, it is a part of my story. He is not done with me and is going to use everything for His glory and to reach those many find it difficult to reach. Once I accepted that, it was easier to accept peace and joy in the middle of every situation.

There are plenty of times in life where we live in this place of anticipation. What will the results from the test be? What is the doctor report going to be? Did I get the job? What will come of this? Often times, we find ourselves living in this sense of fear of the future. But fear is not our future, He is! Sickness, hurt, hunger, heartache, depression, anxiety, none of it is our future, He is! Even in death, He is the future. The passing of a loved one hurts, but He made a way and is the key to eternal life.

Take heart. Know that God has a plan for everything and know that God has the situation under control. He will use this for His glory. We do not need to fear the future or the unknown because He goes before us and He knows the plans He has for us! All you have to do is welcome the breakthrough and accept His will in your life and watch miracles, healing and hope pour through!

Questions:

Do you ever find yourself living in fear of the future?

How do you remind yourself that God is in control of the situation?

Do you ever struggle giving God control of your situations?

What do you need to give over to God that you are going through that fills you with fear or worry or anxiety?

Prayer:

God, I know that you are constantly working in my life. I know that you have a plan for everything that I go through. I know that you will see me through every storm, hurt, heartache, sickness and struggle. I ask that you give me the peace, comfort, and strength to bring everything to you and hand over control to every situation so that You may work in them. I know you have a plan for me, you are still writing my story, and everything has a purpose. I cannot have a testimony without tests. I just ask that You give me clarity to see and know how you are working in everything I come against. It is in Your name I pray! Amen!

Day 20: Way Maker by Leeland

Listen to the song and read Isaiah 43

Have you ever gone through something and thought “God, how am I going to get through this?” Or “God, why am I going through this?” Instead of “God, how are You going to see me through this?” When it comes to everything God has done for us and everything He has done period, we tend to have a short- and long-term memory problem. We forget that he saw us through the last struggle we went through. That He saw us through that bad medical report. That He worked that situation out for our good. That He provided for us when we needed it.

We find ourselves going through a situation or faced with a giant and we forget all God has done for us and done in scripture. God is the God of Miracles. He parted the Red Sea. He was with Jacob in the Lion’s den. He was with David when he defeated Goliath. We forget that he turns peoples’ lives around. He took fishermen and made them fishers of men. he took a tax collector, a thief, and a zealot and used them to spread His word to go and make disciples. Yet here we are thinking that God can’t use us because of where we are and what we are going through.

You are not your situation or your circumstances. God calls you His child. He does not call you divorced, drug addict, liar, thief, adulterer, or user. He calls you His. He finds a way to take your circumstances and situations and make a way to use them for His glory. So often we discredit ourselves when God wants to use us just like Moses did. God calls us to do something and we have a laundry list of excuses as to why someone else is better for the task than we are. God does not call the equipped, he equips the called. There are so many times we will say God I cannot talk to someone about this because I struggle with this other thing, and God is saying that is exactly why I want you to speak to this person. He will make a way for the right words to come from you and in turn use your “weakness”. Because the Bible says in our weakness, He makes us strong.

So when we are going through a trial, we don’t need to ask God anything, instead we should say, “God, I know you are going to see me through this so you can get the Glory. Because you will make a way.” He will never leave you. He has a plan for everything you go through. When you face opposition know that no one can close a door that God opens. When He has called you to something and everything starts to tell you that you can’t do it, know that He is a way maker and He will see you through it because He has called you to it!

Questions:

Do you ever find yourself disqualifying yourself from what God has called you to do?

God is a way maker, what are you facing right now that you need Him to make a way in?

Is there a label you have found yourself living with that you need God to take from you so you can walk in knowing He calls you, His child?

Prayer:

God, I know you are a way maker. I have seen countless examples of you moving in my life and in the lives of other people. I have seen Your miracles in my life, I have read of your miracles in The Word. I know that if You have done it once You can do it again! Give me the clarity to remember at all times how You always come through! I know that I am not defined by my situations and circumstances and that You find a way to work them for my good and for Your glory. I just ask that you give me peace while I go through them to know that You have a plan! It is all of this in You name I pray! Amen!

Day 21: Brother by NeedtoBreathe

Listen to the song and read Galatians 6

We are not meant to do life alone. We need one another to walk through life together. But the hardest part about doing life with people is the fear of being vulnerable. Admitting our flaws to one another and exposing our weaknesses is very difficult.

I know for me, what makes that so hard is the fear that I may make a person mad and then they will go and tell other people things that I shared with them.

That is not how we are to live though. When someone opens up to us and we are walking with them, we are to build them up. We should be an ear for our friends and a shoulder when they need it. Using another person’s weakness for your gain is not what we are called to do. We need each other.

The word repent means to turn away from. I can repent from my sins and confess those to God, but if I don’t share those with those close to me, who can I rely on to hold me accountable?

Prior to smart phones, directions were on maps, or you printed them from MapQuest before you hit the road. If you took a road trip alone and you read the map wrong, well, you were lost. I’ll tell you this now, road trips alone are horrible! Besides being boring, it is easy to get lost or turned around. Life is like a road trip. I need to have people with me. When we invite people on this trip called life with us, and we tell them our hurts, hang ups, and struggles, then when we come to those moments where we are about to take a wrong turn, they are there to correct our actions and keep us on the right path.

While we rely on Jesus, even He did have 12 disciples. He knew this life would be difficult to walk alone. Proverbs 27:17 says, “as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” We need one another! We need a brother…. or sister.

Questions:

Have you ever had someone share a struggle with you then you used it against them?

Do you have a group of people that you do life with? A group that can keep you on track and hold you accountable when you start to slip?

Do you hold others accountable when you notice them slipping?

Prayer:

God, I know that you are always with me. I also know we are not called to do life alone. I just pray that you put the right people in my life that will hold me accountable and that I can do life with. People that I can confide in that I know will give me biblically based advice to my hang ups. I ask that you give me a community of people that keep me on the path to you. Send me brothers. It is in your name I pray! Amen!

Day 22: Do It Again by Elevation Worship

Listen to the song then read Hebrews 13:8

Have you ever struggled with something for so long that you started to doubt your encounter with God? Your thoughts were “God why am I still doing this thing if I truly believe in you?” Or maybe you felt as though whatever that thing was is just something you are destined to struggle with forever. It is in some ways like a giant or like the Walls of Jericho. It is seemingly something that is insurmountable and you begin to doubt that you will ever defeat it. It could be drugs, lustful thoughts about people you shouldn’t be having, habits you can’t seem to kick, addictions that you struggle with, or lies from the enemy that you can’t seem to escape. Whatever it is, God has already overcome it.

So many times, we find ourselves falling back into old habits that aren’t good for us, friends groups that impact our lives negatively, or just not living the life we know God has called us to live. It becomes an obedience struggle and a struggle with our faith. We find ourselves slipping up then being overran with shame and guilt that we forget God has already forgiven us. Good loves us and love keeps no record of wrongdoing.

Sometimes, it is something we are going through in life, could be a rift in the family, divorce, financial hardship, or a multitude of other things that you can find yourself battling for an extended period of time where you may begin to doubt if God is ever going to move in the situation. But Hod is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

I have talked about our short-term memory when it comes to miracles God has worked in our lives before. God has been working miracles since before time when He spoke the universe into existence. If He has been working miracles as grand as creation, do you really think what you are going through He cannot conquer?

While it may seem like we are walking around the walls of Jericho just waiting for them to fall, God requires our obedience. He is faithful in every situation so we should be obedient in every circumstance. When God commanded the Israelites to walk around Jericho, He said to not make a sound the first 6 days then on the 7th to make 7 laps then have the priests blow the trumpets and the people let out a yell. Their obedience was rewarded by the walls of Jericho crumbling down.

We have seen God work miracles, we will see God works miracles again in our lives and in the world. Your situation you are facing is not too big for God to conquer. He will not fail you. He will show up and He will show out! He has done it before, and He will Do It Again! You just need to stay obedient and trust He will!

Questions:

Have you ever found yourself wondering if God was going to move in a situation?

How would you describe your obedience level in your relationship with God?

What wall are you currently waking around believing God will make crumble?

What has God done in your past that gives you more hope that He will do it again?

Prayer:

God, You always show up! No matter what it is that I am going through You make a way and You see us through it. I know that what I am going through is nothing in the presence of Your power and glory. You have shown up in every situation. I know that You will continue to show up. I just ask that you give me the strength and patience to continue to be obedient to what You are calling me to do in this season! You have shown up before and You will show up again! It is in Your name I pray! Amen!

Day 23: Yes I Will by Vertical worship

Listen to the song then read 2 Peter 3:9 and Romans 8:35-39

Here is something I have noticed, when I am doing something I feel called to do, opposition and struggle are never far behind. Honestly, sometimes they come before I even get rolling with what I feel I am supposed to be doing. There are even times where it seems like I am going through speed bump after speed bump followed by a flat tire. If I am being really honest, sometimes I even run out of gas and feel like I just can’t do whatever it is I was supposed to be doing.

This song is one of my go-to songs when I find myself in a time of struggle or discouragement. It is just a blatant reminder to me that God has never failed me, and He will never fail me. His ways are greater than my ways. His plan is greater than my plan.

There are also times we find ourselves falling back into old habits and we begging to feel shame and frustration with ourselves but we must not forget that there is nothing that can stand against God. Nothing that we go through can separate us from the love of Christ.

I spoke about how I feel opposition always comes for me when I feel I am doing what God has called me to do. I committed to go on this mission trip to Arlington, Texas and 2 days before we were set to leave, a pipe burst under our house and flooded the crawlspace. We couldn’t get a plumber out to the house for 2 days and my wife said to me that if the water didn’t get fixed then I could go leaving them without water (to which I agreed). Of course, like always, God provided! A plumber came out and fixed the water 3 hours before I was scheduled to leave.

I felt a huge weight lifted off of me heading into this trip. Then day 2 of the trip, my wife had someone out to quote us on getting the water out of the crawl space. That quote turned into more than we bargained for. While they were out assessing the damage, they found mold and informed us that our crawl space floods every time it rains. So the solution for this was to drain it and encapsulate it and a few other things like new piping. All in all, the final quote would be close to $25,000!!!! Finding this out when I was on this trip when I could have been home working was a real struggle for me and I will say I checked out for a bit.

This song was on repeat that night while I went to bed with my headphones in my ears. It was a looping reminder that I needed to continue to praise God because He hasn’t failed me and he won’t. He is working all things out! We have continued to deal with this house issue while I have been writing this devotional. Last week I was contacted by my job (I am a Special Education Teacher) to be on a team to create a training for our district on connecting with students and building report with them to improve class behavior and minimize discipline issues in the class. This would also prove to be a nice sized payday in the midst of us trying to figure out how we would make ends meet for this crawlspace! He works all things out!

While my circumstances and situations are different from yours, two things are constant. One, we will always go through moments in the valleys of life where we experience struggles and opposition. Two, God is working all things out. One thing I struggle with is the timing aspect! The waiting is the toughest. But God’s timing is perfect. A day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day to Him. For someone who is in control of time in that manner who am I to conform him to my seconds, hours, and days timeline. I just need to be patient and obedient and praise Him in the waiting because nothing can stand against Him.

Questions:

Can you think of a time you struggled to be in a mindset of praise while going through a valley?

Has there been a time you tried to place a timeline on God only to see him show up in His time that was outside of yours?

What valley are you finding yourself in currently that you need to reassure yourself that God is working all things out?

Prayer:

God, I know you are always working! Though I find myself going through trials, struggles, and opposition, I know that you have a plan and a purpose for the situation. Give me the patience to wait and allow you to move in my situation. You are the God that never fails. I will continue to trust you and praise you God. It is in your name I pray. Amen!

Day 24: This Is a Move by Brandon Lake

Listen to the song and read Psalms 107

This song is one that I hope meets someone where they are at. Have you ever been utterly desperate for a move of God? One where you just felt stuck, where everything was closing in around you, and nothing was going your way? I have been there, and believe it or not, everyone you know has had a moment in life like that.

For me though, it wasn’t a moment in terms of a few days or a couple weeks. It was a span of a few years. Once I graduated High School, my life flipped on its head. I was no longer the two-sport athlete that was friends with everyone and people enjoyed being around.

I remember my mom taking me to a Home Depot parking lot where she began to bring up my life story and things that I had been through. She spoke about her attempts at suicide and even asked me why I had never tried myself. Then she continued on and told me that I was adopted. I left that conversation shook.

It was a few months later when my best friend’s mom passed away. She was like a second mom to me. You know that family that invites you on their family vacations and you spend more time at their house than your own usually. She was that parent for me.

Not long after that, the girl I was dating at the time didn’t show up for church one Sunday morning. Shortly after church began, she sent me a text message saying, “I’m sorry.” I left church as fast as I could to meet up with her family at the hospital. She too had tried to commit suicide. I started thinking that maybe I am just easy to quit on and my self-worth was falling to nearly nothing.

I started getting mixed up in the party scene, drinking a lot, and making other poor life choices. In the midst of all of this, I met the woman that would eventually become my wife (who I have been married to for 11 years with 2 beautiful little girls). I wasn’t the best boyfriend, however. We took a break then got back together right before I left for the Army. When I was in the Army, I went through a few injuries that saw my begin to abuse my pain medicine.

When my wife and I got stationed in Texas, I remember a fight we had one night. I remember my wife crying on the bathroom floor saying we have to do something. That either we find a church or we have to end this. We found a church the next morning. I showed up to this service with a mentality of “God, I need you now! Only You can turn all of this around. I need You to move in this!” Wouldn’t you know it, He showed up! We got plugged in. Started serving together. Found a small group. Went to the marriage events. Even became part of the marriage ministry leadership team. God Moved!

We are all humans. We have our flaws and sometimes those flaws can place us in circumstances that find us in a place where we have become that one sheep. We show up and we pour it all out to God. We allow Him to move. The God that can part seas, move mountains, make the blind see, make the lane leap, restore families, and raise the dead. If He can do all of that, then He can and will move in your situation.

We are going through things on a daily basis. It is ok to come to God expecting and needing a move. We may not see it at that very moment, but He hears your cries, He sees and feels your pain, and He knows you are hurting. He will overcome anything you find yourself up against. This is not the end because He has great plans for you. Wonders are still what He does!

Questions:

What situation are you facing that you are desperate for God to move in?

Do you honestly believe in your heart He will move in it?

What signs have you seen of God moving in a situation that you weren’t clear of at first but looking back at you see His hand on it the whole time?

What is your prayer for God to move?

Prayer:

God, every one of us are going through different situations. You know the struggle and the hurt we are feeling right now. I just ask that You hear our heart’s cry and You show up and move in our situations. Give us peace. We know You break chains and You write our story. Our failures and hang ups do not define us, but You do! Move in our lives God. It is in your name we pray! Amen!

Day 25: Same God by Elevation Worship

Listen to the song and read Psalms 55:16-23

Have you ever found yourself wondering if God hears your prayers? You find yourself in a situation and you feel you have been praying about it for a while yet you don’t feel you see anything changing in moment.

What happens is in the waiting, we get God’s timing mixed up with God listening to our prayers. He will never fail us or abandon us. God heard the prayers of the Israelites in Egypt, God heard the prayer of Samson, of David, and He hears your prayers. We have been made righteous by the blood of Jesus and the Bible says the age hears the prayers of the righteous in Proverbs.

There are also times where, what we call an unanswered prayer, is God’s answer. If we take our request to God and we truly pray for His will to be done, then you shouldn’t view it as an unanswered prayer, but as God fulfilling His plan for your life.

So often we ask God to show up in our situations, but we don’t open our eyes or our hearts enough to see He has been here the whole time. Moses got to the Red Sea with the Egyptians on his tail. He didn’t wait around for God to show up. He knew God was already there and watched God work. David didn’t wait around for God to make him strong enough to face Goliath, He knew God would make a way because He fulfills His promises.

How bold would you be in life and in your prayer life if you believed He was already there working in the situation while He was listening to your prayers. Our prayers are like music to His ears. God is always listening and working. I know myself; I like to work out or do chores listening to music. It makes me push harder. What if God worked that way? What if your prayers got Him working harder in your situation? Would you pray harder? Would you pray more intentional?

He is the same God yesterday, today and forever. He stands up to our giants for us. He is our healer. He is the author of our story. He hears our cries. We just have to have the faith that even when we don’t see it, He is working and listening to us! HE HEARS YOU!

Questions:

Has there been a time when you felt God wasn’t hearing your prayers?

What is a time in your life where you prayed for something that turned out to be an “unanswered prayer” but you see how it was for the best?

When you pray, how often do you truly ask the His will be done in the situation?

Prayer:

God, I know you hear me. I am sorry for ever thinking otherwise. I know you have a plan for me and I often times want to impose my wants on that plan instead of letting your will be done. I mistake your timing for you not listening and I am sorry. Please give me the clarity and peace of mind to see you already working in every situation! It is in your name I pray. Amen!

Day 26: My Jesus by Anne Wilson

Listen to the song and read 1 Peter 3:15-22

Sharing the gospel with those we interact with daily can be a daunting experience. You’ll never hear me say do not share the gospel with those around you. I will say that that conversation starts long before it actually happens.

Accepting Christ is an inward change that happens before anything. He comes into your life and then starts to change you from the inside. When we are around the same people every day, they begin to notice the change that is happening on the inside of us because it starts to become an outward change also in the way we speak, act, and love those around us.

We are not who we are called to be until we accept Christ. There was a study with plants done that had people say rude mean things to one set of plants then say nice things to a different set of plants. The plants that were having good things said to them grew and flourished while the ones surrounded with negativity began to wither and were not growing as they should. This is just like with our surroundings. Before we have the truths God says about us on the inside, we are surrounded by negativity and rumors. But once we have that truth on the inside, we begin to flourish, and we start to see that outward change.

Once that outward change starts happening people notice it. That conversation and opportunity to share Christ with those in your life will happen. But in order for it to take root in someone else, there has to be evidence in your life. Nobody takes financial advice from a poor person but yet they are all ears when a wealthy person gives it to them. In the same way, if you are trying to share the gospel yet there is no evidence in your life that Christ is in you then why would someone listen.

Those closest to you, know the things you have gone through. If you are vulnerable with those around you, then they know things you have struggled with and the hurts you have experienced. When they know your story and they know where you were and where you are now, then they want to know what is different in your life.

Sometimes we feel prompted to share Christ with those around us, but we disqualify ourselves because maybe we are scared that they will judge us or that we won’t know the right words to say or how to answer a question they may have. God will give you the correct words to say if you rely on Him. The thoughts and opinions of others shouldn’t matter because all you should care about is what God thinks of you.

Find the right opportunity. Everyone around us is going through something that either they share with you, or they don’t. Everyone has hurts, hangups, and struggles. Those that don’t know Christ are the same as we were before we found Him, lost. I don’t have to know your story front to back, but I can tell you where I was and what I was going through and where He brought me out of and where He brought me to.

So, how do we share Christ with those we are around on a daily basis? It starts with our actions and showing love to everyone. That person that people make jokes about, don’t participate. Find a way to build that person up. You never know what the power of just showing love can do. Once you show that love to people it allows that conversation to share Jesus with anyone to happen. People are hurting and they need to know about Christ. So don’t shy away from that conversation and go tell someone about your Jesus.

Questions:

What would you say is your biggest hangup when it comes to sharing Christ with those you interact with daily?

Would you say you do a good job showing love to everyone you encounter on a daily basis?

Is there an outward change from your inward acceptance of Christ that those around you can notice?

Do you mirror Christ in your interactions with your peers?

Prayer:

God, I ask that you open my eyes to be able to see the openings in my day to share You with those around me. Give me the strength and obedience to show Your love to everyone I come across every day. Let me do things that are pleasing to you and not things that are a result of me searching for acceptance of those around me. Give me the words to say when I enter into those conversations when sharing You with people. It is in your name I pray! Amen!

Day 27: Wait on You by Maverick City

Listen to the song and read Psalms 27:13-14

Patience… It is one of the hardest things in this world to practice. In a world where everything is instant, we often struggle with the perfectness of God’s timing. We are praying about a situation or a circumstance and the period of waiting is such a challenging thing for us. I once heard someone say that when we pray for patience, God does not give us patience, but He gives us the opportunity to be patient.

There are times when God moves very fast in a situation, but that was God’s plan all along. It was His timing. Then, there are times, His timing doesn’t really line up with ours. When we feel like it isn’t happening, we try to take matters into our own hands or we just give up on the prayer or the situation all together. His ways are better than our ways, yet we still try to place Him in this box with these expectations for Him to move when we want him to instead of moving how He needs to in the situation.

If I decide I want to lose weight, and I start eating right and going to the gym, I do not give up on it after three days because I don’t see what I want I want the final results to be. Same thing if I were investing money. If I set a goal to grow my account to a certain value, I don’t stop after a week because I haven’t earned my goal yet. If we can have patience in those things that we know take time, then why do we struggle with patience on things that happen on God’s time?

God has answered our prayers time and time again. We just need to trust His promise to us. He gives us the desires of our hearts, make that desire that His will for your life be done. If we are truly waiting on God and trusting Him in the process, He will give us the strength to make it through and the clarity to see Him working. Believers do not follow signs. Signs follow the believer. God will show up and show you He is working. You just have to be patient, trust his timing, and stay obedient.

Questions:

Have you ever given up on a prayer because you grew impatient in God’s timing?

When have you prayed for something and tried to place a time constraint on God only for Him to show up and answer your prayer on His own time?

What would you say is the hardest part of patience in your everyday life and in your spiritual life?

Prayer:

God, I am sorry there are times when I grow impatient. I know that your ways are better than my ways and you have a divine plan for everything. I ask that you give me the strength and the peace of mind to be able to accept your timing in every aspect of my life. I am so thankful that you are the author of my story and that you answer prayers and you have a plan for me. Give me the clarity to see you working in every situation in my life that unanswered prayers are not unanswered but are you moving to your will. It is in your name I pray. Amen.

Day 28: Another in the Fire By Hillsong UNITED

Listen to the song and read Daniel 3:8-30

There is a comforting sense of peace that comes over you when you truly believe that whatever you are facing, God has His hand on your situation. When you have crazy faith that says, “yeah this may suck right now, but I know this is only temporary because God has a plan for this.” This is not the easiest type of faith to have because life gets really hard sometimes and we are met with choices and circumstances that really stretch our ability to have this type of faith. Let’s face it, we are all still growing and nobody has it all together.

When we take the God has this approach to our problems, we fully understand that pain is temporary because He is our provider and our protector. When we trust in God, Isaiah 40, says, “we will find new strength and soar on wings like eagles.”

The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is on one of crazy faith. They were threatened with death. Nebuchadnezzar gave them a choice and they chose to place all of their faith in God even when it seemed unfeasible. The fact that the men that carried those three to the furnace died from the heat and yet still Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were still trusting in God to protect them is the kind of faith I want in every moment of life.

We all face many of the same battles in life. Some will face a broken family, addiction, isolation, death of a loved one, gossip, and even depression. What is different about how one person faces it from another is where their faith lies. For me, when I faced a lot of these, God saw me through them. When an outside would hear my story and say how many people might have called it quits, that is proof that there was another in the fire with me.

Having the faith that no matter what you face, God will be with you is how we should all live. He has a plan for us and He works all things for His glory. You can’t have a testimony without tests. “The Lord is my light and my salvation. Why should I be afraid?” He is with us in everything. We face nothing alone, so take heart knowing He is in the fire with you.

Questions:

Can you recall a time where it was very clear to you that God was with you in the fire that you were standing in?

Has there ever been a time in your life where someone on the outside pointed out to you how they saw God working in your situation?

How does your mindset change when you fully believe that God is with you in every trial and that He will never leave you to face anything alone?

Prayer:

God, I know that you are always with me. There is nothing in this world that I face alone. Give me the strength and the courage to live my life absent of fear because I know you are with me in whatever I face. I know that I do not deserve your love or protection, but still, you give it to me anyways. I just ask that you continue to be with me in the middle of my situations and as I continue on through life. Thank you for standing in the fire with me and covering me. It is to you I pray and give thanks. Amen.

Day 29: Set a Fire by Jesus Culture

Listen to the song and read 2 Timothy‬ 1‬:6‬-9‬ ‬‬‬‬

When you start a fire the real way and not with a starter log, the first few minutes of that fire are the most important. If I start the fire and I don’t continue to feed it and I don’t give it air and do the things needed to ensure the fire builds and fully catches, then within a few minutes the fire will suffocate and go out. Everything that is deep down in that pit needs to smolder and catch to maintain. In life it can be to keep warm or to cook dinner or to boil water. But spiritually having that fire burn gives us the passion to want to stay connected and want to go out and spread love and to spread the gospel. Our relationship with God is just like this fire. This doesn’t mean that after the fire has caught, we just stop feeding it. Fire has a purpose. We want to take our fire from a match or a spark and grow it into something that is burning heavily. Just like how our light draws people in, being on fire for the Lord pushes us to want to draw people in.

Everything you have gone through in life leading up to your God moment is what helps fuel that fire. Our life before Christ is our wood. We find ourselves in a place and we realize we want this relationship and we see everything God has done for us and how he has brought us to where we are and bam our fire is ignited. And just like a fire needs air to get started, God breathes new life into us and just like that our flame is rolling! Then as we walk and we continue to feed that fire, everything God brings us through and does for us is God throwing another log on the fire.

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We are going to go through challenges. We are going to find ourselves in moments where we feel extremely attacked by the enemy but that is where you start to welcome it! The enemy is attacking you that is because he knows you are about to do something great for the Glory of God’s kingdom. I want the enemy to see me with a big sign that says Caution: Flammable! Because that means that even the littlest thing, he is about to attack me with is going to ignite this fire even more. Flammable substances have a flash point of around 100 degrees. And for reference paper burns at 451 degrees. So even the slightest raise in heat or pressure I want the enemy to know he is liable to get this fire really moving because I know I am doing what God called me to do and the enemy wants nothing to do with it.

God’s fingerprint is all over your testimony and he wants you to use it to keep your fire going and to say hey this is where I was and look at where I am now! And what is even more awesome is while his fingerprint is on your testimony it is a divinely unique one. Because just like how your fingerprints are unique to you, and nobody in this world has them, nobody in this world has the same relationship with God that you do. Nobody has the same testimony as you do and that is extremely unique and God wants to use you and your testimony to reach the world!

But YOU have to continue to feed the fire!

Questions:

What was the ignition point for you where you would say you became on fire for God?

What things since becoming on fire for God has he brought you through that you have used to keep your fire going?

Have you shared your testimony with others?

Prayer:

God, Thank you. It is all I can say. You have seen me through my lowest points and have brought me out of them. You make a way when it seems like there is no way. You give me hope when all my hope is lost. I am so grateful that you chose me. You sent your Son here to die for my sins and that is a type of love that I could never fathom. I am so thankful for you. You are my provider, my healer, my strength, my peace. Please keep me as on fire forever as I am today. It is in your name I pray! Amen.

DAY 30

Call to action: You Will Be Saved by Elevation Rhythm

Listen to the song and read Romans 10:8-13

There is one thing in this world that I know you and I have in common. You and I are different people, however, we both needed saving.

All of our journeys to our encounter with Christ are different, but no matter how different our lives have been, the end result is the same. We both deserve to be separated from God. But luckily for you and me, we have been given a savior. God gave us Jesus! He has done it all. He has conquered it all. He went to that cross knowing our hearts and who we were to become and what we would do in our lives yet he still went to that cross to save you and me! He overcame the grave to show us there was nothing He cannot overcome!

Taking that step of accepting Christ can be met with so much hesitation on our part. We know who we are and we struggle with everything God says we are. We hurt, we have hurt people, we have not lived the way we feel is worthy of the love that He has given us, and we feel loads of shame from our past mistakes and shortcomings. We make this check list like when I stop this, I will accept it, or we feel like we won’t be accepted. But He loves you and me.

All you have to do is just receive Him! We do not have to make this decision difficult by placing stipulations on ourselves. All we have to do is believe it in our hearts and we are saved! Believe He is who He claimed to be and that He died and rose again for you and me. There is no checklist or shame or hurt that we cannot lay down at His feet. Because He just wants us to receive this gift he has given us!

While I do not know you personally, we are connected in one very special way. We both have a savior that knew our hearts before we were born. He knew the hurt we would cause other and cause God by our sin. But He came here for you and me because everybody needs saving! And all we have to do is accept it.

Question:

Are you ready to receive Him?

Prayer:

Father God, I receive it. I need saving! I am far from perfect, but you sent your son to pay for my sins. I believe this with all that I am! I am not perfect, but your Grace is sufficient for me. I am taking my shame and throwing it at your feet for you to take and make me new. I receive your gift God. I needed a Savior, and you gave me the perfect one! Please come into my life and be the Lord of my life. Surround me with people that I need to be surrounded with that pour into me and help me strengthen my relationship with you! I give my life to you to use how you see fit! Thank you for my salvation, God even though I am far from unworthy! It is in your name I pray! Amen!