WALKING WITH JESUS By Jesse Anaya
WRITTEN BY THE CREATOR OF ANGELIC MAGAZINE
Walking With Jesus A 28 DAY DEVOTIONAL WRITTEN TO POINT YOU TO JESUS.
Introduction I want you to know that I care about you. I wrote this book for you and it means a lot to me that you're reading it. You might not realize it, but you and I are forever linked now. Jesus is our link and I want you to know I've prayed over this book you are about to read and I will always be praying for you. In your walk with Jesus, I've asked Him if He can use this devotional to encourage you and grow you closer to Him. The devotional has 28 entries and it's designed for you to read an entry per day, for 4 straight weeks. Each entry is written and inspired from a lesson Jesus has taught me in my own personal journey as I am walking with Him. In mine and your time together, I hope the writings on each page create a new beating in your heart. Not in my might or wisdom, but in our Lord’s. After reading my last entry, I ask that you don’t keep this book but that you pass it along to someone you care about. I ask that you pray over this book and give it to someone who needs Jesus like you and me, so that our link will never fade.
Contents Day 1: A new beginning Day 2: Trusting God Day 3: Get out of the boat Day 4: Keep the faith Day 5: Does God love me? Day 6: To be holy in His love Day 7: Lust and temptation Day 8: Image projection and righteousness Day 9: Investigating your heart Day 10: Spirit of comparison Day 11: Integrity Day 12: Courageous Day 13: Be very bold Day 14: Dream big Day 15: Get in the fight Day 16: To be still or walk by faith Day 17: Waiting on God Day 18: Even if He does not Day 19: Unanswered prayers Day 20: Standing strong in the storm Day 21: Respond to the call Day 22: Experience His joy Day 23: Jesus took my cross Day 24: Forgiving people Day 25: Loving people Day 26: Servant Day 27: God’s will, not mine Day 28: Walking with Jesus
DAY 1 A new beginning Are you ready for your journey? A journey and walk through peaks and valleys. Deserts and wildernesses may be on the horizon but so will harvests and seasons of rivers in dry wasteland. Maybe you’re not ready for this journey, maybe you’re having second thoughts about going on it and maybe you’re ready to turn around, but I’m asking you to believe in yourself enough to do it because He who has called you on this journey believes in you. He believes in you and loves you, and loves you so much that He’ll walk with you step for step. His name is Jesus and He desires to know you, all of you. He accepts you and isn’t asking you to be fully ready for this journey, He’s just asking that you’re willing to do it because He’ll take care of the rest. He’ll quiet your fears and hush your doubts. He’ll create in you a new heart. A heart that is bold, filled with faith, fearless and full of love. His hand is extended to yours, will you accept it? Will you walk with Him through life and never let go? The Lord of the Heavens is excited to walk on this journey of life with you. He’ll never leave your side. Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Prayer Lord, I'm ready. I don't know everything about walking with you, but I'm asking you to teach me. I'm asking you to reveal yourself to me in ways I've never experienced or imagined. I'm asking for you to never let me go. When I get weak, give me strength. When I get discouraged, remind me why I began. Today, I'm starting a new journey with you Jesus. Today, I'm ready.
DAY 2 Trusting God If I have faith that you’ll come through for me, I’ll trust you. If I have faith that you won’t let me down, I’ll trust you with not just the small, but the big and important things too. Take a moment and think to yourself, who do you trust in life? What are their names? Is Jesus’ name on your list? Part of trusting God is having faith in Him. Having faith that no matter what, He has your best interest at heart. Do you believe that He does? Romans 8:28 “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Trust and faith are two separate entities, but two things that work in congruence in our walk with Jesus. In order to trust Jesus more, you have to grow your faith in Him more. So, how can you build upon your faith in Him? Romans 10:17 “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” If you want to build your faith in Him, your faith will come from hearing the very words He spoke. Perhaps this means reading your Bible more or listening to music where His word flows through it. Or maybe it’s finding a group of friends where the conversation has Christ as the center. To trust God more is to increase your faith in Him, and our faith in Him increases the more we seek Him and His word. Prayer Lord, help me to trust you more. Increase my trust in you. Increase my faith in you. When I am confused, give me clarity. Keep me in your love. Keep me in your sight. When I feel lost, pull me closer to you. Help me to seek you more. Remind me throughout my day that you are there. When I'm faithless, remind me you are faithful.
DAY 3 Get out of the boat Comfort zones are safe, but a life of walking with Jesus is a life where you’ll have to leave your comfort zone in order to experience the abundant life He has in store for you. Are you prepared to leave your comfort zone behind? In Matthew 14 Jesus’ disciples saw Him walking on water. In their fright, Jesus’ disciple Peter called out to Him, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Matthew 14:28 “Come,” Jesus said. Peter had two choices: Stay in the boat where it’s safe or walk on water to Jesus. Put yourself in that moment. Visualize it. You see Jesus standing on water and He tells you to come to Him. Not swim or float to Him, but walk to Him on the water. Do you have enough faith to get out of the boat and trust what Jesus has asked you to do? The impossible is possible with Jesus. Peter got out of the boat, walked on water towards Jesus but when he saw the wind he became afraid, lost his focus and began to sink. It was when he took his eyes off of Jesus that he became afraid. When you get out of the boat and take that walk of faith, keep your eyes on Jesus. Stay focused on Him. Fear will try to shake you. Fear will try to distract you. Fear will tell you stay in the boat. But Jesus is waiting for you to come. Prayer Lord, give me bold faith to get out of the boat when you call me. Help me to keep my eyes on you as I take my walk of faith to you. I don't want to stay in my comfort zone, I want to come to you. Jesus, I pray that everytime you call, that my spirit is ignited and infused by faith to run after you. I am gracious and thankful that you are giving me a walking on water type of faith.
DAY 4 Keep the faith 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” The Apostle Paul wrote 13 of the 26 books that are in the New Testament of the Bible. That was a part of His duty and calling given to him by Jesus and the very scriptures he wrote are trickled throughout this devotional you are reading. In 2 Timothy 4:7 he writes that he fought the good fight of faith, he finished his race (the calling Jesus gave him) and he kept the faith. The Apostle Paul was imprisoned, whipped, flogged, beaten and constantly having to defend himself to kings and governors; the people who had authority to take his life. But even in his trials, he fought the good fight, he finished his race and he kept his faith. Had it not been for the Apostle Paul, the very Bible we read today would be incomplete. It was through the Apostle Paul that Jesus worked through Him so that the entire Roman Empire and western world came to know the Messiah that is Jesus Christ. In the same way that Jesus worked through the Apostle Paul, Jesus is working through you. He’s given you a calling, a purpose, a task so that He may be glorified through you. In your discouragement, your days of wanting to give up, keep the faith. Because when we are faithless, He is faithful, and will strengthen you. Be with you. Walk with you. Lead you, and love you. Keep the faith. Prayer Lord, thank you for giving me a calliing. Help me to understand and fulfill that calling. I'm asking you to work through me so that you will be glorified. In any talent that you have given me, I pray that you use it all, every ounce of it for your purpose. I love you Jesus. Thank you for calling me.
DAY 5 Does God love me? How can you feel God’s love when you can’t actually hug Him? How do you know He loves you when you can’t physically hear Him mouth the words “I love you”? 1 John 4:16 “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.” Do you trust anyone or do you trust only people you know you can confide in? Do you trust people you know you can depend on? Do you trust people you know will be there for you no matter what? Have you put your trust in His love? I had a friend in college who was an atheist and he asked me one day why I believe in a Jesus I can’t see? And my response was, “I can feel His presence in my life as real as I’m sitting here talking to you.” You see, something amazing happens when we seek God. We find Him. Because His love is already there, but when we seek His love we allow ourselves to feel His love. So, how do you know if God loves you? Seek Him. Jeremiah 29:12-14 “you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD” Prayer Lord, help me to feel your love. Help me to put my trust in your love. When I start to question if you love me, soften my heart so that I can feel the beat of yours. Help me to seek you more. Help me to find you more. I don't want to give you a divided heart, so show me how to seek you with all my heart. In your name I pray to trust your love more, Jesus.
DAY 6 To be holy in His love People will walk away from you. They will ignore you. They will be unkind to you. They will fail you. But love them anyway. When we stand before God, will we tell Him, "I treated people the way they treated me" or will we say, "I chose to love them as you loved me.” Despite people's actions, our behavior shouldn't mirror theirs. It should reflect that of Christ. Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit refining your soul to be like Christ’s. The more we walk with Jesus, seek His heart and seek His Holiness; our soul will be sanctified with His. To become holy in His love is to immerse yourself into who He is. Spend time with Him. Talk to Him. Confide in Him and build a relationship with Him. His love will transform you. So when people walk away, ignore, treat you unkindly and fail you, your behavior towards them won’t mirror theirs, but that of Jesus. Holiness is the state of being sacred and sacredness is to be set a part for God. You are created to be holy. You are created to be set a part. You are created to reflect His love. Prayer Lord, I want to be loving like the way you are. I need your strength to help me to love people unconditionally. I need your guidance throughout my day Jesus. I want to spend time with you so I can know you more and so I can become more like you. I want to be holy. I want to be transformed. I want my heart to change so that I can love like you love.
DAY 7 Lust and temptation Lust is a desire and we’re tempted by our own desires. Lust and temptation are usually desires that distract you from your walk with God. How do you handle lust and temptation? What lusts and temptations are affecting your walk with God today? God is aware of the power lust and temptation has. Jesus told His disciples, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41 Our spirits want to be in harmony with God, but our flesh desires what is contrary to our spirit. 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” When lust and temptation try to captivate you and pull you into sin, God will never fall into sin with you, but He will provide a way out for you. Jesus said to watch and pray so that you won’t fall into temptation. Pray your temptation away. Pray for holiness. Pray for righteousness. Do you believe the power of prayer is more powerful than lusts and temptations of your flesh? Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Jesus is promising in your pursuit of His righteousness, you will be filled. Hunger and thirst for Him. Prayer Lord, I pray to have a hunger and thirst for your righteousness. Fill my spirit with all of you and fill my heart with only you Jesus. Remind me to pray when lust and temptation try to distract me. I only want my eyes on you Jesus. When my spirit is willing but my flesh is weak, give me your strength so I can walk in your righteousness.
DAY 8 Image projection and righteousness Matthew 23:28 “on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” Jesus spoke of the religious people in His day who were more concerned with having a religious appearance to their peers than actually living and being faithfully connected to God. What is more important to you, your image and how people think of you or your soul and how God sees you? Matthew 7:22-23 “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me” Religious acts are empty to God if we don’t know Him and to know Him is to know true righteousness comes from repentance in the name ofThe Father. Mark 2:17 “I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” In Romans 12:2 the Apostle Paul spoke about being transformed by Jesus rather than conforming to society. Conforming to Christian culture is looking the part, transformation is actually being the part and to walk with Christ is to be transparent for the condition of your heart and soul. More than perceptions and images, God desires for transformation and transformation happens when you are ready to admit that you’re a sinner who needs Jesus every day. Prayer Lord, I want you to know me. All of me. I need you Jesus. I am sinner and I need you. I need your love. I need your grace and I need your forgiveness. Thank you for forgiving me Jesus. Thank you for loving me Jesus. Thank you for walking with me Jesus.
DAY 9 Investigating your heart Psalm 26:2 “Examine me, O LORD, and try me; Test my mind and my heart.” As you’re walking with Jesus, without realizing it He’s working on your heart. He's transforming your heart and shaping it to beat with His. How do you know when your heart is being transformed? You’ll know because its painful and you’ll feel it. Heart surgery from The Father exposes the darkness from the depths of your heart and pulls you into His light. Heart transformation makes you acknowledge your sin. Heart transformation reveals to you your wickedness. Heart transformation breaks your heart to what breaks His. Heart transformation gives you a bleeding heart only He can heal. And it’s a healing unlike any other. In Mark 7:21-23 Jesus said, “it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” When you investigate your heart, what does it tell you? What does it ask you to lay before Jesus? What does it convict you to do or no longer do? What does it tell you to seek Him with? Heart transformation is purification. Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Prayer Lord, cleanse my heart. I want a pure heart and I want to see you. I don't want a hardened or an ashamed heart, or a heart that is wicked. I need a heart that is healed by your love. Heal me Jesus. I need your healing. I need your gentlessness. I need your purification. Father, please cleanse me.
DAY 10 Spirit of comparison Today’s going to be different. There’s only one of you. And there’s no one else is like you. You’re not average and you’re not destined for an average life. What you have to offer to the world, no one else can duplicate it. You’re extraordinary. The hand of God is on you. The life He breathed into you is a life of blessing, a life of talent, a life of faith and a life of love. You are talented. You are equipped. And you are one of a kind. You are created as an extraordinary child of God and you are created to live an extraordinary life. Jesus has invited you into a journey of walking with Him and there’s no need to compare who you are or compare your walk with Jesus to that of someone else. You’re extraordinary. Your calling is unique. Your gifting is unique. And your relationship with God is rare. There’s no need to have a spirit of comparison to what that person is doing or what God is doing in their life. Say this out loud: I am an extraordinary child of God and I am walking in my own unique walk with an extraordinary God. Isaiah 43:4 “Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.” Prayer Lord, thank you for making me your child. And thank you for making me unique and rare. I am one of a kind because of you and I will not compare myself to others. I rebuke a spirit of comparison from my life. Help me to realize the talents you've given me. Help me to realize that I am handcrafted by you and you've made me just the way you want me to be. Thank you for creating a unique walk for you and I, and thank you for loving me Jesus.
DAY 11 Integrity In Genesis 39 a man named Joseph was a slave to his master Potiphar. The scriptures tell us Joseph was well-built and handsome. Although Joseph was a slave, Potiphar gave control to Joseph of everything in his home because Joseph found favor in the eyes of his master. Enticed by his appearance and looks, Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph and told him “Come to bed with me.” Joseph refused. Genesis 39:8-10 “My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her” Notice that Joseph’s focus was to remain faithful to God. Potiphar’s wife falsely accused Joseph as her plot for revenge and Joseph was vanished into prison. Joseph did the right thing, he chose to be faithful to God, and because of that he went from being a house slave to a prisoner of Egypt. But there’s a bright light at the end of the tunnel. It was while in prison Joseph found favor with Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and Pharaoh soon appointed Joseph in charge of all of Egypt. God had a plan for Joseph’s integrity and in doing what was right, God blessed Joseph. Prayer Lord, give me a spirit of integrity. Help me to always do the right thing and remain faithful to you. Grow my conscience. Grow my faithfulness to who you've made me to be. I pray to do the right thing even when no one is watching, not for my glory but yours.
DAY 12 Courageous Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." I am commanded to be strong and courageous. You are commanded to be strong and courageous. God’s telling us not to be afraid or discouraged because wherever we go, He’s with us. The context of Joshua 1:9 is that God told Joshua it’s his time now. Moses was to lead the people into the promise land that God had waiting for them but now instead of Moses, the task was handed to Joshua. God has given you a task for Him. And perhaps that may seem intimidating but God’s telling not to be afraid because He’s with you. Courage is defined as the ability to face danger, difficulty and pain without fear. You are commanded to be courageous. You are commanded to be fearless. Romans 8:31 “If God is for us, who can be against us?” God is for you and nothing or no one can come against you. In your calling for God, in the task He’s given you, it’s going to require courage. God isn’t telling you there won’t be danger or difficulty or pain, but He is telling you He is with you through it. Be courageous. Prayer Lord, I pray for courage. Give me the courage I need to face danger, difficulty and pain. Reassure me that wherever I go, you are with me. Calm my mind to know that my courage isn't a result of myself but a manifestation of who you are in me. When I start to feel discouraged, infuse my soul with your courage. Live in me. Work in me. Encourage me, Jesus.
DAY 13 Be very bold 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity” The opposite of boldness is timidness and God’s word clearly states He has not given us a spirit of fear or timidity. Being bold for Jesus can be thought of as something we do on our own, but boldness is actually a surrendering to Him. Boldness in His name is less about us and who we are, but about Him and who He is. When we lay down before Him our fears, timidity and insecurities, we allow His Spirit to come alive in us. To be bold for Jesus is to lay your life down so that He can live through you. What holds you back from being bold? It’s usually our own fear, our own self-doubt and our own insecurities of feeling illequipped. You have to let all of that go. Hillsong United has a great lyric that says, “I found my life when I layed it down.” Luke 9:23 "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” In Jesus’ day the cross was a symbol of death and Jesus is saying we must die to ourselves daily to be His disciple. You have what it takes to be bold because He who is in you is greater than anything in the world. Surrender to Him and let His boldness live out through you. You are created to be very bold in His name. Prayer Lord, you have created me to be bold. Make me bold. Make me fearless. Remove my fears. Remove my insecurities. Remove my self-doubt. And replace it with you. Only you. I am called to be bold in your name. I have not been given a spirit of fear. I have not been given a spirit of timidity. Fill my heart and spirit with your boldness. Work through me and help me to deny myself.
DAY 14 Dream big If God has put it a dream on your heart, what’s holding you back from running after it? If God has put it on your heart, not only has He called you to do it, He’s equipped you to fulfill it. What is your dream? What is stirring in you as you read this? Know that your dream isn’t crazy, your dream is God’s prompting inside of you to fulfill it in His name for His glory. Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” You’re handcrafted by God. Your interests, your passions and your dreams are created as well as given to you by God. And you are created in Him to do good works, which He’s already prepared for you to do. Respond to the call He’s given you. Go after your dream. And when self-doubt tries to hold you back. When fear tells you to stay in your comfort zone. When you think of every reason your dream is impossible, remember, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20 You are designed, equipped and called to dream big for God. He is at work within you. Prayer Lord, I'm handing my dreams over to you. My dreams will come true in your might. Remind me that my dream isn't only mine but your dream for me. Remind me that you can do immeasurably more than I can ask or imagine. Remind me that you are working behind the scenes on my behalf so that our dreams will come true. When I want to dream small, remind me to always dream big.
DAY 15 Get in the fight What is your spiritual gift? 1 Corinthians 12:8-11 “To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” Is your spiritual gift wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, discernment or speaking in tongues? Each one of us has a spiritual gift appointed to us by God. Perhaps you know your gift or maybe you’re unsure, but know that your spiritual gift is given to you to glorify God. And that gift is given to get in the fight. 1 Peter 5:8 “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” We are in spiritual war. We are at war. What are you doing with your gift to get in the good fight of faith? 1 Timothy 6:12 “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called” When you’ve been called by God there is no avoiding His calling. There’s no avoiding the prompting He’s stirring inside of you right now. Get in the fight. Prayer Lord, you've given me spiritual gifts to proclaim you. Help me to understand and grow in my spiritual giftings as I walk with you. I'm ready to get in the fight. I'm ready to fight the good fight of faith. Work through me. In your boldness, prompt me to be bold. Prompt me to be resolute in my faith. I know that you are with me as I walk by faith to proclaim your name.
DAY 16 To be still or walk by faith? “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." Exodus 14:14 “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 How do you know when to be still or to walk by faith? To be still requires nothing of you and to walk by faith requires you to take the first step even when you don’t know where the path may lead. To walk by faith requires something very important of you; to have faith and trust the promptings given to you by God. You become prepared to walk by faith by first being still and listening to God. In Exodus 14:14, God tells Moses He will fight for Him, just be still. In essence, He’s telling Moses, I’m going to do what you can’t and I’m going to come through for you. While Moses was still, God gave him instructions in Exodus 14:16 to stretch out his hand so that the sea will part, and it was only after Moses was still, received his instructions from God and raised out his hand that his sea was parted. To be still is to connect with God. Listen to Him. Hear His voice. Seek His face. And it’s in our stillness that He prompts us to walk by faith. Prayer Lord, give me the clarity when you want me to be still and give me your instructions so I can walk by faith. In my stillness with you, reveal yourself to me. In my walking of faith with you, reveal yourself to me. Help me to focus in my stillness and remind me that you are fighting for me. Remind me that when I walk by faith you are leading the way. Part my sea so I can find my way.
DAY 17 Waiting on God There’s a desire in your heart. Something you’re praying for. Something you’re waiting on God for. Maybe you’re in a season of waiting and maybe that season has turned into years. But God is faithful, do you believe this to be true? Psalm 130:5 “I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope” Sometimes the hardest test in life is the test of waiting. Waiting is silence. Waiting is not knowing. Waiting is trusting. Trusting that what you hope for will find you. So, while you’re waiting, if His word is where you put your hope, do what His word says. God’s word never says wait and wallow. God’s word tells us to walk by faith. God’s word tells us to proclaim the gospel. God’s word tells us to be holy. While you wait, God is working. And while you wait, grow in your faith. While you wait, seek Jesus more. While you wait, glorify God. Because it’s in waiting where you grow. The desire in your heart you’re praying for, waiting and trusting in God for, it will find you in God’s time. God won’t bring you something too soon or too late, His timing is perfect. While you wait, become the person God has called you to be for Him. In your waiting know that God has not forgotten you. Romans 8:25 “if we look forward to something we don't yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently” Prayer Lord, in my waiting, stretch me. Grow me so I can grow in who you've called me to be and so I can grow in my faith. Help me to understand in my waiting that you are preparing me. Help me to remember in my waiting you are working. I pray and ask that you calm my heart and remind me that while I wait, you're shaping me so I can be fully prepared for when my time of waiting is over.
DAY 18 Even if He does not Daniel 3:18 “But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods” In the book of Daniel in the Old Testament, 3 men were commanded to renounce their faith in God and if they didn’t they would be thrown into a furnace filled with fire. Staring in the eyes of death, the 3 men told the king even if God doesn’t save them from burning in the fire, they will not renounce their faith in Him. Put yourself in their place. Renounce God and live. Stand boldly for Him and die. How resolute are you in your faith? What will shake you? Are you prepared to die for your faith in Jesus? The scriptures tell us the men stood steadfast and were thrown into the furnace of fire but while in the fire they were untouched, unharmed and not burned. God didn’t prevent them from experiencing the fire, but He was with them through it. In your life you will experience trials and you will experience standing in the fire. Your faith will be tested but know that God is with you in your trial. You will be untouched, unharmed and not burned. Stand boldly for Him. Let your faith not be shaken. 1 Corinthians 16:13 “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” Prayer Lord, I thank you for growing my faith and standing with me in the fire. I thank you for giving me the fearlessness to fearlessly proclaim my faith in you. I thank you Jesus for never leaving me and for being with me in my darkest hours.
DAY 19 Unanswered prayers In John 5:17 Jesus said, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working." There can be a hope that God is our genie and when we pray He’ll make our prayer instantly come true, but that’s just not who God is. Isaiah 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. God’s way is that He hears our prayer and in His love He answers it, but maybe not in the way we expect. No prayer ever goes unheard. 1 John 5:14 “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” We might pray for a financial blessing or for the healing of ourselves or the healing of someone we love, and when that prayer seems to go unanswered, frustration and anger with God may manifest inside you. But you know that God is always working for you. You know His ways are not your ways and you know that He loves you. God’s desire is for you is to be in synch with Him and meet Him in heaven one day. Trust His love for you to know that He has a plan for every prayer you pray. Jeremiah 29:11 “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.” Prayer Lord, help me to trust that you hear every prayer I pray to you. And help me to understand your ways are not my ways. Help me to know that in a prayer I feel you haven't answered, that you actually have but you've answered it in your own way for my greater good. When I feel you haven't answered my prayer, warm my heart with your love so I won't grow cold to you.
DAY 20 Standing strong in the storm Matthew 7:24-27 “everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” In the scriptures above, notice that there’s a comparing of the wise man and the foolish man. The wise man put God’s word into practice and his foundation was built on the rock. The foolish man did not put God’s word into practice and his house was built on sand. When the storm came the foolish man's house fell with a great crash. Notice though, the wise man who’s foundation was rooted in God’s word wasn’t exempt from feeling the storm. He suffered and experienced the storm just as the foolish man did, but the wise man did not fall because his foundation was rooted in God. When a storm enters your life, what is your foundation? A foundation rooted in God’s word will keep you standing strong in the storm. Prayer Lord, I want my foundation to be you. Give me the guidance to understand your word so I can make it my foundation. When the storm comes, help me to stand strong through it. Give me your strength so I can stand strong in who you are. Give me more of your wisdom Jesus. Thank you for being my rock.
DAY 21 Respond to the call What if Noah didn’t build the ark? What if Moses didn’t lead the people towards the promise land? What if the Apostle Paul didn’t proclaim the gospel across the Roman Empire? For every Noah, Moses and Apostle Paul who responded to their call, how many people haven’t? How many people didn’t do what God has asked of them? Will you respond to the call? What’s God asked you to do for Him? If He’s called you to it, know that He will be with you through it. After Noah built the ark and the earth was flooded, scripture tells us God “remembered Noah ”and in Genesis 9:1 “God blessed Noah and his sons” for their obedience. When Moses felt ill-equipped to lead the people, God told Moses, “I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone.” Numbers 11:17 The Apostle Paul was stripped, beaten and thrown into jail, but the Holy Spirit was with Paul. Scripture tells us the Apostle Paul was praying and singing hymns to The Lord from his cell when the jailer in charge fell before him asking “what must I do to be saved?” Acts 16:30 In every calling, God has a purpose and is always there. Respond to your call, God is with you. Prayer Lord, you've given me a call to proclaim you. Give me the boldness to respond to the call. Give me the faith in you and in myself to respond to the call. Remind me that in my calling you are there with me and working through me. Remind me that you are helping me. Remind me that you have a purpose for me. Remind me of who you are daily. Remind me I am walking in your love. And remind me I exist to proclaim your love.
DAY 22 Experience His joy Brokenness. Struggle. Anguish. Depression. Addiction. Broken hearts. Nahum 1:7 “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him” God is with you in the struggle. Do you trust that He is? In your journey with Jesus there will be an opposition. There will be discouragement. There will be setbacks and there will be Jesus with you through it. John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” The devil will try to steal your joy but you have to remember he’s already been defeated. You have to remember that Jesus didn’t come so depression will infect spirits; He came so that an abundant life may be lived through Him. In John 16:33 Jesus told His disciples, “in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." You are an overcomer because of The Lord. You have a safe haven, a refuge to run to in the time of trouble. You have a hope and peace found in Jesus. You rise with The Lord. You have victory with The Lord. You have joy, peace and hope in the Lord. Know that you are walking with Jesus in freedom and love. You are walking in the steps of His joy. Romans 8:37 “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Prayer Lord, I pray to live the abundant life you've come to give me. Help me to experience your joy. Fill my body with the joy that flows out from you so I can let my joy flow out onto others. I have not been called to live a life of brokenness but a full life lived through you. Live through me Father so I can experience your glory.
DAY 23 Jesus took my cross Matthew 27:26 “Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.” Pontius Pilate had the authority to free Jesus or have Him crucified. He asked the mob of people who they wanted released, Barabbas or Jesus of Nazareth? The mob chose Barabbas, a notorious prisoner and criminal. Jesus knew He was innocent of the accusations made against Him but without a fight He took the place on the cross for a known criminal. In many ways you and I are Barabbas. We sin. We are imperfect. We are not innocent. But we have someone who took our place on the cross so we don’t have to. Barabbas deserved the punishment that was coming his way. He deserved the violent death that awaited Him, but instead, the Son of God took His place on the cross without a fight. Our God reigns. 1 Peter 2:24 "He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by his wounds you have been healed." Prayer Lord, thank you for taking my place on the cross. I am grateful for you and pray to live a life that acknowledges your sacrifiice. You died for me so that I can live in freedom. Thank you for everything you've done and are doing for me. In your name I praise you Jesus.
DAY 24 Forgiving people The people we care about aren’t supposed to hurt us, right? But so often, it’s the people we love who do hurt us because our hurt is a manifestation that they mattered to us. If they didn’t matter, we wouldn’t care. The barrier which prevents us from forgiving them is our own pride. Pride says I’m too proud to forgive you. Pride says you hurt me and rather than forgiving you I’m going to hold the hurt and pain inside. The wall you’ve made me put up, I’m not putting it down for you again. Our unforgiveness is the hurt we’re trying to mask. But what if you let all that hurt go? What if you handed it over to Jesus and freed yourself from the pain? And what if you chose to replace the pride that says they hurt you and switch it with praying for that person? Because to pray for someone is to love them, and to love them is to unburden yourself from the pain. The interesting aspect about praying for the person who hurt you is that indirectly that person is connecting you to Jesus. And to connect with Jesus is to become more like Him, and to be like Jesus is to unconditionally forgive, pray and love those who hurt you. Luke 23:33-34 “When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them” Prayer Lord, give me a heart of forgiveness and give me a mind that lives in peace with people. I want to love like you love. Help me to love when I don't feel like loving. And help me to pray for people when I don't feel like praying. Work in my heart every time I decide not to love or forget to. I ask you Jesus to give me your heart.
DAY 25 Loving people We are nothing without love for others because to love others is to love God. The Apostle Paul puts it this way: 1 Corinthians 13:2 “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” You can never love too much but you can love too less. 1 John 3:18 “let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” In your own life what can you do to love people more? Maybe it’s taking time out of your schedule to spend quality time with them. Maybe it’s being more patient and kind to them. Maybe it’s cooking dinner for them. And maybe it’s doing all of those things for them, and reminding them with a handwritten note that you love them. Love can be expressed in many ways but the one consistency of love is that it gives. Love does things for people. Love builds relationships. And love heals. As you take in the last moments of your life one day and reflect on your legacy, will it be a legacy filled with love or a legacy filled with personal selfishness? Love people. How we treat and love others is a direct reflection for how we treat and love God. Romans 13:8 “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love” Prayer Lord, work through me so people can feel loved. I want to love people deeply. Show me how to love and inspire me to love not through mere words but through my actions. Jesus, I pray for a kind heart, a loving heart and a heart that isn't afraid of loving. Remove any fear I have of love so I can love with reckless abandon. Help me write a legacy of loving people and loving you.
DAY 26 Servant In Luke 17 Jesus told a parable of a servant and his master. After the servant had completed the tasks given for the day, does the master then invite the servant to sit down and eat, or does the master say, “Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink.” Luke 17:8 Jesus asks, “Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do?” Luke 17:9 And Jesus says no. “When you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.” Luke 17:10 When you respond to the call God has given you, He’s not going to congratulate you for it. It is your duty. It is your calling. You are His servant. Are you okay with being a servant? Are you okay with giving Him the spotlight? Mark 10:45 “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” In John 13:12 Jesus washed His disciples feet as an act of service to them. Jesus led people by serving them. In your service for God, you are called to serve people. In your service for God, the glory is not yours. Jesus said, “The greatest among you will be your servant.” Matthew 23:11 Society’s idea of being great is to be the one in the spotlight who receives all the praise and glory. Jesus’ idea of being great is to be a servant for God. Prayer Lord, I pray for a servant's mindset so I can give you all the glory. When I get tempted to glorify myself, humble me so I can glorify you. The calling you've given me is to glorify you. Remind me of that each day. As I walk with you Jesus, teach me what it means to be a servant. Work through me so I can fulfill my duty for you.
DAY 27 God's will, not mine In the hours before Jesus was to be arrested, publicly beaten, mocked, given a crown of thorns and nailed to a cross to die, He prayed a prayer. He asked God if there was another way for people to be saved through Him instead of death on a cross. Scripture tells us Jesus was in anguish and prayed earnestly. The scriptures tell us His sweat looked like drops of blood falling from Him as He prayed. But something really important was prayed in Jesus’ prayer. He told God, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42 He prayed for God’s will to prevail, not His own. Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior wanted His own will to come to pass but He asked for God’s will to be lived out instead. Are you prepared to pray that prayer? A prayer of surrendering your wants and desires to God so that His wants and desires for you will come to life? The author A.W. Tozer has a great quote that reads, "Outside the will of God, there's nothing I want. Inside the will of God, there's nothing I fear." Through God’s will on our life we get to experience the richness and live out the full purpose of who He’s called us to be for Him. Outside of His will there is nothing that I want, and inside it there is nothing I will ever fear. Prayer Lord, let your will be done in my life. I pray for your will to live through every aspect of who I am. I'm asking for your wants and desires to become my wants and desires so that you and I can become one. I pray for your spirit to lead me as I walk by faith with you. I give my life to you Jesus.
DAY 28 Walking With Jesus Today is our last day together. But it’s not your last day of walking with Jesus. As you continue to walk with Him, know that He’s with you. And that He loves you. Our walk with Jesus is the greatest walk we’ll ever take because in our journey through peaks and valleys, deserts and wildernesses, and seasons of harvests and rivers in dry wasteland, we have a Father and Friend who is always there guiding us step for step through the journey. Be excited for the rest of your walk with Him. I never imagined I would write a book or a devotional but writing this is me responding to the call that’s He’s given me. Respond to your call. He will have you glorify Him in ways you never imagined you would. His will is on your life and you don’t have to worry about missing anything that He has in store for you. Write a legacy of loving people and remember to talk and call out to Him in your walk together. He’s just a prayer away when you need Him. In mine and your last prayer together, I pray for you to always remember to dream big. In discouragement, I pray for you to feel His courage from the depths of who you are. I pray for boldness to flow out from you and I pray for fearless faith to rest in your soul. I pray for your heart to be transformed and for you to always know that you are loved .
Numbers 6:24-26 “May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.”
This book is dedicated to our brothers and sisters around the world who are in the fight.