Daily Devotions for January 2023

316Judith

New Year Devotional for 2023

A Prayer to Keep God First This Coming New Year -

By Debbie McDaniel

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away;
behold, the new has come.” - 2 Cor. 5:17

Dear God,

Thank you that you make all things new. Thank you for all that you've allowed into our lives this past year, the good along with the hard things, which have reminded us how much we need you and rely on your presence filling us every single day.

We pray for your Spirit to lead us each step of this New Year.

We ask that you will guide our decisions and turn our hearts to deeply desire you above all else.

We ask that you will open doors needing to be opened and close the ones needing to be shut tight.

We ask that you would help us release our grip on the things to which you’ve said “no,” “not yet,” or “wait.”

We ask for help to pursue you first, above every dream and desire you’ve put within our hearts.

We ask for your wisdom, for your strength and power to be constantly present within us.

We pray you would make us strong and courageous for the road ahead.

Give us ability beyond what we feel able, let your gifts flow freely through us, so that you would be honored by our lives, and others would be drawn to you.

We pray that you’d keep us far from the snares and traps of temptations. That you would whisper in our ear when we need to run, and whisper in our heart when we need to stand our ground.

We pray for your protection over our families and friends. We ask for your hand to cover us and keep us distanced from the evil intent of the enemy; that you would be a barrier to surround us, that we’d be safe in your hands.

We pray that you would give us discernment and insight beyond our years, to understand your will, hear your voice, and know your ways.

We ask that you would keep our footsteps firm, on solid ground, helping us to be consistent and faithful.

Give us supernatural endurance to stay the course, not swerving to the right or to the left, or being too easily distracted by other things that would seek to call us away from a close walk with you.

Forgive us for the times we have worked so hard to be self-sufficient, forgetting our need for you, living independent of your spirit.

Forgive us for letting fear and worry control our minds, and for allowing pride and selfishness wreak havoc over our lives.

Forgive us for not following your ways and for living distant from your presence.

We confess our need for you… fresh… new… again. We ask that you make all things new, in our hearts, in our minds, in our lives, for this coming year. We pray for your refreshing over us.

Keep your words of truth planted firm within us, help us to keep focused on what is pure and right, give us the power to be obedient to your word.

And when the enemy reminds us where we have been, hissing his lies and attacks our way, we trust that your voice speaks louder and stronger, as you remind us we are safe with you and your purposes and plans will not fail.

We ask that you will be our defense and rear guard, keeping our way clear, removing the obstacles, and covering the pitfalls. Lord, lead us on your level ground.

We ask that you would provide for our needs, we ask for your grace and favor.

We pray for your blessings to cover us, we pray that you would help us to prosper and make every plan that you have birthed in our heart to succeed.

We pray that others would take notice of your goodness and could not help but to say, “These are the ones that the Lord has blessed.”

Help us to be known as great givers, help us to be generous and kind, help us to look to the needs of others and not be consumed by only our own.

May we be lovers of truth, may the fruits of your spirit be evident in our lives - your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Shine your light in us, through us, over us. May we make a difference in this world, for your glory and purposes.

Set you way before us. May all your plans succeed. We may reflect your peace and hope to a world that so desperately needs your presence and healing.

To you be glory and honor, in this New Year, and forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

316Judith

Ere Another Year Begins, Believe in Jesus - New Year Devotional - December 31

Jeremiah 8:20
The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.

Not saved! Dear reader, is this your mournful plight?

Warned of the judgment to come, bidden to escape for your life, and yet at this moment not saved! You know the way of salvation, you read it in the Bible, you hear it from the pulpit, it is explained to you by friends, and yet you neglect it, and therefore you are not saved. You will be without excuse when the Lord shall judge the quick and dead.

The Holy Spirit has given more or less of blessing upon the word which has been preached in your hearing, and times of refreshing have come from the divine presence, and yet you are without Christ.

All these hopeful seasons have come and gone - your summer and your harvest have passed - and yet you are not saved. Years have followed one another into eternity, and your last year will soon be here: youth has gone, manhood is going, and yet you are not saved.

Let me ask you - will you ever be saved? Is there any likelihood of it?

Already the most propitious seasons have left you unsaved; will other occasions alter your condition?

Means have failed with you - the best of means, used perseveringly and with the utmost affection - what more can be done for you?

Affliction and prosperity have alike failed to impress you; tears and prayers and sermons have been wasted on your barren heart.

Are not the probabilities dead against your ever being saved? Is it not more than likely that you will abide as you are till death for ever bars the door of hope?

Do you recoil from the supposition? Yet it is a most reasonable one: he who is not washed in so many waters will in all probability go filthy to his end.

The convenient time never has come, why should it ever come? It is logical to fear that it never will arrive, and that Felix like, you will find no convenient season till you are in hell. O bethink you of what that hell is, and of the dread probability that you will soon be cast into it!

Reader, suppose you should die unsaved, your doom no words can picture. Write out your dread estate in tears and blood, talk of it with groans and gnashing of teeth: you will be punished with everlasting destruction from the glory of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.

A brother's voice would fain startle you into earnestness. O be wise, be wise in time, and ere another year begins, believe in Jesus, who is able to save to the uttermost.

Consecrate these last hours to lonely thought, and if deep repentance be bred in you, it will be well; and if it lead to a humble faith in Jesus, it will be best of all. O see to it that this year pass not away, and you an unforgiven spirit.

Let not the new year's midnight peals sound upon a joyless spirit! Now, NOW, NOW believe, and live.

"ESCAPE FOR THY LIFE;
LOOK NOT BEHIND THEE,
NEITHER STAY THOU IN ALL THE PLAIN;
ESCAPE TO THE MOUNTAIN, LEST THOU BE CONSUMED."

Devotion by Spurgeon: Morning and Evening

316Judith

The Key to a Happy New Year - New Year Devotional - January 2

For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him?
Ecclesiastes 2:25

Let me be the first to wish you a Happy New Year!  

Happy New Year is an often-heard, post-Christmas statement of encouragement and well-wishing. To be sure, everyone desires a happy new year … but how does a person actually experience a happy new year? What is the key to having 2019 really be a happy one for you?

THE HAPPINESS CONFUSION

Many people equate happiness with money and materialism. To them, happiness is a million dollars. Others equate happiness with good physical health. To them, happiness is an in-shape body hitting on all eight cylinders. Still others equate happiness with personal achievement. To them, happiness is a big promotion, or graduation, or a milestone achievement.

Years ago, I read a true story about tennis star, Boris Becker. He was the youngest man to ever win Wimbledon, achieving victory in 1985 at the tender age of seventeen. In the late 1980s, Becker was on the mountain top of fame, fortune, and personal achievement. Yet, he was so unhappy and on the brink of suicide.

Becker was quoted as saying, “I had won Wimbledon twice before, once as the youngest player. I was rich. I had all the material possessions I needed. It’s the old song of movie stars and pop stars who commit suicide. They have everything, and yet they are so unhappy. I had no inner peace. I was a puppet on a string.”

Isn’t that amazing? Becker had all the things the world says will make for happiness, yet he was so incredibly unhappy. Could it be that true happiness is not found in health, wealth, and achievement?

TRUE HAPPINESS

The Bible makes it clear that true happiness comes when you and I are right with God.

When we are yielded to Christ and His will, then we can experience true happiness—inner peace and unspeakable joy.

Are you right with God today?

Are your sins confessed to Him?

Are you living surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ?

Blaise Pascal, the seventeenth century mathematician, physicist, inventor, writer, and philosopher astutely said, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.”

Let me encourage you to take sober inventory of your life today. Are you trying to fill the inner vacuum with health, wealth, achievement, or the like? Those things will never make you truly happy; they will never satisfy the deep longings of your soul. The only One who can do that is Jesus.

Start your year off right by bowing your knee and your life to King Jesus. Give Him first place in everything … for that is the key to true happiness.

Devotion by
Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries

316Judith

Reflect, and Prepare - New Year Devotional - January 3

Weekly Overview:

As a year comes to a close, it’s vital that we take time to both reflect on what God has done and allow him to prepare us for what’s to come. A new year marks a fresh opportunity to center our lives around the goodness of God. I pray that as you begin looking toward what is to come you will make space to gain God’s perspective, ground your hopes and pursuits on his grace, and celebrate all that God has done and is doing. May your time with God this week be filled with the loving presence of your heavenly Father.

Scripture:

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’” Lamentations 3:22-24

Devotional:
A new year marks a new beginning: a time for the children of God to reground themselves in the love of the Father. God loves to use new seasons to remind us of his desire to continually make us new. From winter to spring we see that which appeared dead burst forth into beautiful arrays of God’s glorious work.

And God longs for the same fresh start in our lives as he does for his creation. He longs to make things new as the new year begins.

Lamentations 3:22-24 says, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’” We have hope in the steadfast love of God. His powerful love can make new all that needs restoration. God’s heart is to free you from that which weighs you down and robs you of the abundant life Jesus came to bring you.

With this year coming to a close and a new year fast approaching, it’s time for us to gain perspective on that which needs rebirth. Whatever sin has entangled you this year does not have to gain victory over you in the next.

Whatever lie you’ve believed that’s wrecked your emotions, thoughts, and actions does not have to win the battle over your mind next year. Whatever wound or disappointment that has hurt you can be healed and reborn to empower you for that which is to come.

God’s heart is to meet you where you are today. He longs to meet you at your greatest point of weakness and pain and wrap you up in his love. He longs for you to know he is with you, for you, and will walk with you into newness of life. “His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

God has limitless, powerful grace for you today. Run to him with your sin. Run to him with your failures and struggles. Run to him with the pain of others’ words that he might speak his healing truth over you.

Your heavenly Father loves you and is for you. He has new beginnings in store for you. But just as a tree needs fresh sunlight, warmth, and rain to bear fruit again, you need the refreshing rain of God’s grace and the warmth of his steadfast love to be made new.

You can’t do it on your own. You weren't made to do it on your own.

All you need for a new beginning is wholly available in the arms of your loving Father.

Open up your heart to him today and receive the newness of life he paid the highest price to give.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on God’s desire and ability to lead you to a new beginning. Reflect on his power over sin, his heart to comfort, and his ability to shepherd.

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

“For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17

2. Where do you need a new beginning? What sin do you need freedom from? What wound do you need healed? Where do you need new life?

3. Run to God with your sin, pain, failures, and frustrations and open your heart to receive his powerful presence. Ask him to show you the path to victory over sin. Ask him to reveal his plan for healing your wounds. Rest in his loving arms today and allow his presence to be enough.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12
“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

Oftentimes the road to a new beginning is wrought with a host of mistakes and defeats.

But know that to continue on the path side by side with the Holy Spirit is a victory in itself.

Don’t give up on new life. Seek the fullness of God’s goodness with all your might.

Allow him to help you, forgive you, and strengthen you along the way. He will be faithful to shepherd you into all his wonderful plans.

All you have to do is follow his leadership and enjoy his nearness. May you find comfort and hope in the powerful presence of your loving Father today

Further Reading: Psalm 23

316Judith

New Beginnings - New Year Devotional - January 5, 2023

New Beginnings

"Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel."
Joshua 1:2

Joshua was a faithful servant to Moses and God for years. Moses had died and Joshua watched as all his contemporaries, except for Caleb, die in the wilderness over a period of forty years. It was a new generation and there was a changing of the guard! Joshua was to take up the mantle of Moses and move God’s people forward into the promised land.

The old was fading in the distance and there before him was the door to the future. No doubt fear was present, and questions arose by doubters as to his ability to fill the shoes of Moses.

After all, Moses had been used by God to do incredible things; things never seen before such as the plagues of deliverance from bondage, the parting of the Red Sea, healing from the deadly snake bites, manna from the sky, water from a rock, taking a tree and making the bitter waters sweet, constructing the tabernacle, the tent of meeting where God would speak to him face to face, the battles fought and the giving of the Ten Commandments.

Who could fill such shoes? What lay in store for him by following God? What new battles lay ahead? Moses had buried his wife during his leadership; along with countless others and he lost the privilege of taking the people into the promised land after wandering with them for forty years.

If Moses had paid such a great price just to lead them to the desert, what cost would Joshua pay in the future leading them into battle for the land that God had promised?

As the old comes to a close and the new begins to emerge upon us, waves of doubts filled with fear can overwhelm the heart as it contemplates the unknown of what lies ahead. We look back, often with regret, from the days that have now slipped by at the blink of an eye and pray that the next year will be a better one. We often restrict our decisions based upon our limitations rather than on God’s limitless power. I’m sure Joshua’s first thought could have been; "Where do I begin?"

But God made it very simple for Joshua, as He does for us. He told him two things to do, yes only two: arise and cross.

Joshua could not remain where he was and fulfill the purpose God had for his life. He could not wallow in self-pity, grief or fear, recite a list of excuses, or wait for a more opportune time to emerge. He had to choose to get up, to stir his heart, to act upon the commands of the Lord going forth to obey all that He had told him to do. Refusing to arise and move forward will defeat the child of God who desires to answer the call of God upon their lives.

Courage is not the friend of hesitation.

The second thing Joshua had to do was to cross the Jordan River. This river was the only thing standing between God’s people and the land of Canaan. Stepping out into the waters of faith allowed Joshua and the people of Israel to cross over into their calling of God.

He could not allow the Jordan to keep him from obeying God, no matter how impossible it seemed to overcome. He had to leave the "how to" to God

When they stepped out into that water, God dried it up before them. After all, He parted an entire sea for them; surely He could part a river.

God takes our Jordan’s and dries them up before us when we move forward in faith with Him.

It was the first step of obedience that cleared a path to walk across. If we cannot face the waters of difficulties in the land of comfort, how will we ever face the enemies in the land of war? God will always meet you at your place of obedience.

There are new battles ahead of us, new enemies to face, fears to conquer, new land to tread upon, and walls to bring down. With this New Year before us, beloved, let us say with the apostle Paul, "…One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead" (Philippians 3:13).

Arise, beloved one of God, step out into the waters of faith and behold the power of God to bring you into the land!

Take me to the regions beyond the Jordan.

Devotion by Pam Jenkins and Jabbok Ministries

316Judith

Setting Sail for a New Year - New Year Devotional - January 6, 2023

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”
Proverbs 29:18

Helen Keller was born with sight, but became blind as a young child. Yet she had vision. A reporter asked Miss Keller, “Is there anything worse than losing your sight?” “Yes,” she said, “It is to have sight but no vision.”

Do you have a vision for your life at the threshold of a new year?

On New Year’s Day, I review the goals for my life.

These are spiritual, relational, intellectual, physical, and financial goals.

I pray over these and ask for God’s will to be done in each one. I hold them in an open hand and ask that God would give me wisdom as to the direction He wants for my life. I don’t want to be a man without vision. I don’t want you to be one, either.

Begin to think about some goals you would like for your life. Pray and seek the Lord’s face as you
ponder the future.

Devotion by Adrian Rogers

316Judith

When God Is Doing Something New, and We're Still Stuck in the Old - New Year Devotional - January 8, 2023

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Is. 43:18-19

Sometimes... God is wanting to do something "new" and yet we're still stuck in the "old." It's hard at times. To let go. Of what's familiar, and what we know. It seems easier to stay "comfortable," to just keep going with the flow, not to mess anything up. But then "new" happens, and often sends us spiraling, on one big, long loop.

For those who like change - "new" is mostly exciting.

For those who don't like change - "new" is mostly stressful.

Your family, if you're like most, is probably a mix of those two traits.

But here's what I love about God. He thinks and works outside our own box of thinking. He doesn't always work in the ways that we would have chosen for our "new." If we had to have a "new."

He sees the big picture. He knows what He's doing. He works behind the scenes of life that unfold our every day, in the places where we can't always see or understand all the “why's.”

So we can trust...that He has our best in mind.

That He's got our back. He’s with us right now. And He's secured our future too.

Sometimes our "new" comes out of great blessing, new opportunities. And sometimes it comes through great pain, huge loss.

People move, life happens, decisions are made, many change jobs, kids grow up, and there are times we might go through some really tough struggles. We may even start to feel cheated. Like life is unfair.

But it still breathes this truth: God is not finished with our lives yet. You're still here. And He has great purpose in all that you walk through, even in every life change and season.

Whether we recognize it or not, we’re rubbing shoulders everyday with people that we needed to meet in our "new," however hard that new thing may be.

We can rest in His care for us. He knows. He sees. He works in ways we don't always "get," but there's peace in knowing we don't have to try to control it all. We can let go - of the need to figure it all out, and the striving to make things happen.

We can trust Him.

Our future awaits, and there's still good around the bend. God has more in store.
Peace.

Intersecting Faith & Life: 

If you find yourself in a new season right now, or you’re struggling to find the good in changing times, be assured that God has the best in store. Choose to trust that He’s working on your behalf today, even in ways you
may not fully see or understand.

Further Reading: 


Isaiah 55:8-9

Jeremiah 29:11

Revelation 21:5

Devotion by Debbie McDaniel

316Judith

Setting Goals for Fruitful Living - New Year Devotional - January 9, 2023

2 Samuel 7:18-22

In the 70s, I experienced a turning point in my walk with Christ. It started with 2 Samuel 7, which inspired me to follow in King David’s footsteps.

He spent time alone with God, offering praise and thanksgiving. He would also listen as the Lord revealed truth and offered insight about the future. Because of what he learned, David was able to set goals and stay aligned with them.

Desiring that kind of solitude, I spent several days alone in a camper at Georgia’s Stone Mountain.

Most of the time, I was silent, listening intently for God’s voice. I asked Him to speak to me regarding my future, and He answered.

Using a journal, I recorded the goals He inspired.

The things He communicated so impacted my choices and so greatly blessed me that I continued the discipline every couple of months.

Let’s discuss how to establish aims in this manner.

First, come before the throne of Almighty God with a repentant heart, praise, and thanksgiving.

Then, ask Him for direction in areas such as spiritual life, career, and family.

In silence, wait patiently and attentively—as you read and meditate upon God’s Word, He will speak.

Most often, His guidance is experienced as a prodding or conviction in the heart.

When that happens, be sure to write down what you’re “hearing” so you can review it later.

In order to stay on the path God intends for our lives, we should plan times to stop, ask, and
listen for guidance.

The world throws confusing
messages at us all day long, and we need to check our course frequently.

These conversations with the Lord are vital for a
thriving life of godly impact.

Devotion by In Touch Ministries

316Judith

Resolutions and Redemption - New Year Devotional - January 10, 2023

“For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Why are New Year’s resolutions so hard to keep? I don’t know, but it’s a lot like another area of life. Let me explain.

Before I became a Christian at the age of 17, I approached my life the same way I often approach New Year’s resolutions. I would try so hard to do the right things but I always ended up falling flat.

I convinced myself that as long as I was the “good girl,” I’d be fine, so I tried really hard to live up to certain standards to please everyone, and hopefully God too.

The problem, though, is that there’s nothing anyone can do in his or her own power to “earn” God’s favor.

As Ephesians 2:8 says, it’s by God’s grace that we are saved, not because of anything we could ever hope to attain or accomplish.

God’s gift of His son Jesus Christ to save us from our sins through His death and resurrection is just that – a gift.

Doing all the good, noble things in the world will never earn salvation, and like verse 9 says, nobody could ever think of boasting about such an undeserved gift.

Of course, the desire to do the right things is one result of making Jesus the Lord of your life, but we all continue to mess up because, after all, we are just sinners saved by grace.

I still lose sight of it all sometimes and get caught up in the cycle of trying to “out-good” myself and others.

This new year, however, in light of any New Year’s resolutions you may have made (or already broken), join me in remembering the assurance of one thing we never have to work to attain: God’s grace.

Intersecting Faith & Life: 

It’s hard to live up to New Year’s resolutions, but it’s impossible to earn God’s favor through good works or noble aspirations.

This year, realize and thank God anew for the gift of His grace and salvation through Jesus.

Further Reading
Titus 3:4-7
2 Timothy 1:8-10

Devotion by Anna Kuta

316Judith

The Verge of the Unknown - New Year Devotional - January 11, 2023

The land whither ye go to possess it is a land of hills and valleys and drinketh water of the rain of heaven; a land which the Lord thy God careth for: the eyes of the Lord are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even to the end of the year. (Deuteronomy 11:11-12)

Today, dear friends, we stand upon the verge of the unknown. There lies before us the new year and we are going forth to possess it. Who can tell what we shall find? What new experiences, what changes shall come, what new needs shall arise?

But here is the cheering, comforting, gladdening message from our Heavenly Father, "The Lord thy God careth for it."

All our supply is to come from the Lord. Here are springs that shall never dry; here are fountains and streams that shall never be cut off. Here anxious one, is the gracious pledge of the Heavenly Father.

If He be the Source of our mercies they can never fail us. No heat, no drought can parch that river, "the streams whereof make glad the city of God."

The land is a land of hills and valleys. It is not all smooth nor all down hill. If life were all one dead level the dull sameness would oppress us; we want the hills and the valleys. The hills collect the rain for a hundred fruitful valleys.

Ah, so it is grace and brings down the shower of blessing; the hills, the bleak hills of life that we wonder at and perhaps grumble at, bring down showers.

How many have perished in the wilderness, buried under its golden sands, who would have lived and thriven in the hill-country; how many would have been killed by the frost, blighted with winds, swept desolate of tree and fruit but for the hill- stern, hard, rugged, so steep to climb.

God's hills are a gracious protection for His people against their foes!

We cannot tell what loss and sorrow and trial are doing. Trust only. The Father comes near to take our hand and lead us on our way today.

It shall be a good, a blessed new year!

He leads us on by paths we did not know;

Upward He leads us, though our steps be slow,

Though oft we faint and falter on the way,

Though storms and darkness oft obscure the day;

Yet when the clouds are gone,
We know He leads us on.

He leads us on through all the unquiet years;

Past all our dreamland hopes, and doubts and fears,

He guides our steps, through all the tangled maze

Of losses, sorrows, and o’er clouded days;
We know His will is done;
And still He leads us on.

--Nicholaus Ludwig Zinzendorf

Devotional by LB Cowman; Streams in the Desert

316Judith

Get the Power to Go after Your Goals - New Year Devotional - January 12, 2023

“We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it” (Proverbs 16:9 The Message)

Proverbs 16:9 says, “We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it” (The Message).

You get to plan the way you want to live, but only God gives you the power and energy to actually experience transformation. Why? Because God provides the three things you must have to reach your goal and change your life.

1. You need God’s Spirit to empower you.
You need God’s help to make changes you can’t make on your own. It’s not based on willpower. It’s based on God’s power. It’s not based on trying. It’s based on trusting.

Zechariah 4:6 says, “‘You will not succeed by your own strength or by your own power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord All-Powerful” (NCV).

2. You need God’s Word to guide you.
The Bible is the owner’s manual for life. The more you read it, study it, memorize it, and meditate on it, the more successful and fulfilled you’re going to be in life.

When Joshua was given the great dream of taking over the Promised Land—a goal that would take him the rest of his life—God spoke these words to him: “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success” (Joshua 1:8 NASB).

3. You need God’s people to support you.
You will not be able to reach your goals on your own. It takes a team to fulfill a dream!

A crowd can’t support you, but a small group can. The people in your small group know when you’re sick, when you’re having a tough time, when you need a break. You can share your goals and successes and failures, and they will rejoice with you and encourage you to keep going. You’re going to need that when you make the right kind of goals and pursue them wholeheartedly.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, “By yourself you’re unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped” (The Message).

Devotion by Rick Warren

316Judith

The Simple Secret to a Great New Year - New Year Devotional - January 13, 2023

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.
Matthew 6:33

I have never been good at being a handyman.  Things that are a piece of cake to a handyman are like climbing Mt. Everest to me.

One time Debbie asked me to put in a doggie door.  She said, "You can do it, Jeff.  The box says, "Simple installation."  "Simple is good," I responded as I opened the box with gusto.

The very first instruction was to get out my electric drill.  That is when I knew their definition of "simple" and mine were quite different.  With "simple" instructions, I would have been told to get out my hammer. Now that is simple!  (Note: the doggie door installation was so NOT simple that I had to call my friend Gene over to help me before I completely lost my salvation).

DO YOU LIKE SIMPLE?

If you like simple, you are going to love my simple secret to a great new year.  First, get out your electric drill (just kidding).

The simple secret is this: To experience a great year, just do what Jesus said, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things [the things you and I worry about] shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).  If you will seek Him first, He promises to meet all your needs.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SEEK HIM FIRST?

1.  It means that you spend time with Him at the first of each day, praying and reading His Word, asking Him for direction, guidance, help and insight ... confessing your sins when you blow it, and seeking His grace to help in your time of need.

2.  It means you put His agenda above your agenda.  You pray, “Not my will, but Thine be done” (Luke 22:42).  You live your life to please Jesus, not to please yourself.

3.  It means you obey Him and do what He says in the power He supplies.  You don't let your fleshly desires control you; you let Jesus control you.

4.  It means you invest your time, talent and resources in the kingdom of God, not the kingdom of self.

5.  It means you recognize that He is everything, and in Christ “are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge”( Colossians 2:3).  

The true treasures of life—love, joy, peace, fulfillment, true success—are only found in Jesus ... so you spend your time seeking Him.

SIMPLE STARTS NOW!

Don't wait for the ball to drop in Times Square before seeking first the kingdom of God.  Start now!  Put Jesus first every day you are blessed to live... and He will bless your life abundantly in return.

One of my favorite Scriptures says, “For those who honor Me, I will honor” (1 Samuel 2:30).

 If you want God to honor you, honor Him in all you do.  The best is yet to be... and the ball is in your court.

Devotion by Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries

316Judith

Listen Up - New Year Devotional - January 14, 2023

A New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one Year and out the other. — Anonymous

Researchers have determined that advertisers bombard us with approximately 2,000,000,007 messages a day telling us to buy, buy, buy. Then, there’s the news channels telling us to worry, worry, worry. And there’s all the other things we hear from teachers, bosses, spouses, kids…

Wow! No wonder we have a hard time with New Year’s resolutions. We have so many people telling us what to do, we barely have time to think for ourselves… let alone think about what God thinks.

So if there is one resolution that I might offer as a valid one for someone who is in Christ, it would be this:

This year, just listen up.

Ask Christ to create a quiet spot in your soul where just the two of you can meet, and talk, and rest as you go about your days. Sure, reach for the stars and plan for the future if you wish, but ask Him to make His presence a deeper reality as you go about life.

You can claim the same promise that the prophet Isaiah gave Israel during some very difficult and noisy days of their own:

Your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. Then you will defile your carved idols overlaid with silver and your gold-plated metal images. You will scatter them as unclean things. You will say to them, “Be gone!” (Isaiah 30:20-22, ESV)

Where might this lead? I have no idea. But God does. If you are aware of who He is in you, and if you reflect on the truth of His Word and listen to the Spirit, all the details will work themselves out step-by-step.

Lord Jesus, I thank You that You are with me, that
You are in me. Resolutions might come in one year and go out the other. Open my ears this year, so that I can hear You and enjoy You at every junction, when You tell me to turn right or left. Amen.

Devotion by Stuart and Jill Briscoe

316Judith

Getting in Shape for the New Year - New Year Devotional - January 15, 2023

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. —1 Corinthians 9:24

Well, it’s that time of the year again for people to begin their New Year’s diets and exercise plans. If you’ve ever made a resolution to get in shape and haven’t been able to stick with it, you understand how difficult it is and just how diligent you need to be to make progress. Well, growing as a Christian is something that is a lot like working out. We are training to become more and more like Jesus. It doesn’t just happen. It takes persistence. From the earliest centuries, Christians have identified certain practices that have been helpful to the "disciple in training.” Here are some that you might want to work on as we begin a New Year:

PRAY- Try always to remember that God is not out there someplace. As a Christ-follower, we have the assurance of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives. Prayer is not just talking to God but living and breathing with an awareness of His presence. For years, some Christians have formed the habit of praying, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me" throughout the day. Not difficult or complex, this prayer manages to capture the humility that is to mark Christ-followers everywhere.

FASTING– Everybody eats. Restricting foods by simply declining favorites for a time of prayer or spiritual focus is a way to physically demonstrate your humility and devotion. As an additional benefit, fasting can strengthen your "willpower muscle" – and who among us wouldn’t benefit from that? An athlete doesn't lift weights just so he can lift more weights.

Those healthy muscles are ready for any situation. Turn down a doughnut today and tomorrow you might be able to resist calling the person who cut you off on the freeway an idiot.

BITE YOUR TONGUE- Yes, not calling someone a fool, jerk or idiot is a frequent theme in Scripture and early Christian writings. Both place great emphasis on controlling anger. “Sticks and stones” may not break their bones but they do affect our hearts. Sometimes it is best just to keep our mouths shut.

MIND YOUR THOUGHTS- Jesus said that to lust in the imagination is the equivalent of actually committing adultery. I find that extremely challenging! Nearly all sins begin with thinking about sin. Control the thoughts and you’ll have a better handle on your behavior. You may not be able to keep thoughts from popping into your brain but you can decline to entertain them.

When the Apostle Paul wrote that we should be “working out our salvation with fear and trembling,” he was not trying to discourage us but to motivate us. This year, as we exercise our faith and trust in Jesus our faith will grow stronger.

GOING DEEPER:

1. In the spiritual disciplines mentioned above, which area do you need to work on most? What steps will you take today to begin focusing on that area?

2. Pray, asking God to give you wisdom and persistence as you seek to stretch your ‘faith muscles.’

FURTHER READING:
Philippians 1:3-11, Philippians 2:12-18, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Devotion by Robin Dugall

316Judith

The 3 Things We Can Give to God This Year - New Year Devotional - January 16

As we enter into a new year, here is something to remember: When it’s all said and done, we have three things we can offer God—our treasure, our talent, and our time. Each of these is given to us by God, and each of them should be given back in generous portions.

First, there is our treasure. I urge you to commit yourself to give faithfully and generously to the Lord in this coming year. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21 NKJV). Whenever we put our money into something, we develop a vested interest in it. It makes sense to us that we would place our treasures where our hearts are. If we love reading books, or being entertained, or the latest technology, we spend our treasure on those things. And if our heart’s desires change, that changes where we put our treasure.

But it works the other way too: Where we put our treasures, our heart will follow. Do you want your heart to be in the things of God? Then put your treasures in the things of God! Develop a vested interest in God’s kingdom.

The second thing we can give to God is our talent. God has gifted each believer in different ways. Everyone has something to offer for the work of the kingdom.

Romans 12 says, “Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us different work to do” (NLT).

Finally, there is our time. Let’s say that one day your phone rang and it was the president of the bank that you use. He told you that an anonymous donor who loved you very much had decided to deposit 86,400 pennies into your bank account each and every morning. At first, maybe that didn’t seem like a lot.

But then you figured out that it was $864 a day. At seven days a week and 52 weeks a year, those pennies add up to almost $315,000 each year!

But the bank president added one thing:

“The anonymous giver said you must spend all of the money on the day you receive it!

No balance will be carried over to the next day. Each evening the bank must cancel whatever sum you failed to use!

Remember, what you don’t spend is lost.”

That may sound like fantasy, but here’s the reality: Every morning, Someone who loves you very much deposits into your “bank of time” 86,400 seconds, which represent 1,440 minutes, which of course equals 24 hours each and every day.

God gives you that much to use each day. Nothing is ever carried over on credit to the next day. There is no such thing as a 27-hour day. It’s called time, and you can’t escape it.

Time is ticking away right now. The Bible tells us to “redeem the time”—to make sacred and wise use of every opportunity.

Offer God your treasure, your talent, and your time. Live this next year as if it were your last, because it could be. Make those minutes count!

Devotion by Greg Laurie

316Judith

Courage for the Days Ahead - New Year Devotional - January 18, 2023

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. --Joshua 1:9

Each year at this time, thousands of people stand in the cold in Times Square, New York. No big event beckons them. No ballgame is being played. No rock concert is getting underway. It's simply a huge, lighted ball that drops from a tall building. And within a few seconds, hardly worth fighting traffic and crowd pushing for, it descends marking a new year.

Why has this nonevent turned into a huge, money-making holiday? Most other holidays celebrate a reputable person, famous birthdays, document signings, or a noted event.

But New Year's Eve only celebrates the passage of time—something that most of us would rather not recognize. We make a huge deal out of it because it signals the end of an old era and the start of a new one.

The old year's problems, heartaches, and struggles seem to vanish and become a faded memory when we think of getting the chance of a new year and a new start. It must have been the same way for the Israelites when they stood with Joshua looking forward to a new era ahead of them.

They had wandered for 40 years in the desert, and finally they could see land flowing with milk and honey ahead. Better yet, they had God's promise that He would never leave or forsake them.

As you stand with your back to the old year and look forward to the new one, you can have hope in the promises of God. You will certainly face both trying and joyful times ahead, but you can rest assured that He "will never leave you nor forsake you" (Joshua 1:5).

That promise is enough to celebrate the new year ahead!

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you courage, strength, and faith in Him to face the days ahead. Thank Him for being faithful and for never leaving your side.

Devotional by Senior Living Ministries!

316Judith

Choose to Trust God in This New Year - New Year Devotional - January 18, 2023

It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before” (Hebrews 11:7 NLT).

Faith is obedience when you don’t understand it. In just the New Testament alone, there are 1,050 commands, and they’re all there for your benefit. God says things like, “Love your enemies” and “Forgive the people who hurt you.” That’s not easy! There are a lot of commands in the Bible that seem difficult, unreasonable, unrealistic, unachievable, or even impossible.

But when God says things like, “You should save sex for marriage,” he’s not being mean. He says it because he knows best and knows what will make you happy more than you do.

Every time God tells you to do something, it’s a test of your faith. The question is this: Do you trust God, or do you trust your gut? Do you trust the Word, or do you trust the world?

We’re starting a new year, and these are important question to ask. How will we answer them this year?

Will we trust God, or will we do what we think we should do, regardless of God’s direction?

Will we trust the Word of God, or will we trust what the world says we should do?

As a kid, did your parents ever ask you to do something that seemed unreasonable? When you asked them, “Why should I do this?” they would say, “Because I said so!"

Looking back at some of the things your parents told you to do “because they said so,” was it the right thing? Yes. Can you see in hindsight now how they were wise? God will say the same thing the rest of your life, not just when you’re a kid.

When you’re 80 years old, God is going to be saying, “I want you to do this.” And you’re going to go, “Why? That doesn’t make sense.” And God will say, “Because I said so.”

It is a test. Faith is believing when you don’t see it, but it’s also obeying when you don’t understand it. If you do not learn to obey, you’ll miss so many blessings in life that God has in store for you.

But if you learn to do what God tells you to do without question, even when it seems absurd and the exact opposite of your natural tendency, then you’re going to grow in faith, and you’re going to get blessed.

Let’s make responding in faith our focus for this New Year!

Why do you think God asks us to do things that are not possible in our own strength?

What steps of faith can you take this year in obedience to God?

Devotional by Rick Warren

316Judith

5 Ways to Engage More Deeply with God's Word This Year - New Year Devotional - January 19

Today's Bible Verse: “Keep my commandments and live, And my teaching as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart.” – Proverbs 7:2-3

The wonderful thing about God’s word is that it is so powerful in changing everything about our lives! It aligns us more closely with the heart of God because He and His word are one!

I’ve created a list of 5 ways we can engage more deeply with God’s word this year so that our lives can look, feel, and be more like Christ’s. I hope this lists helps you in your personal pursuit of God’s word and that you are encouraged to engage with it more deeply this year than ever before!

1. Prioritize Quiet Time

We can’t sustain a Christian lifestyle on the scraps of a Sunday sermon, or a bible study. Being quiet before the Lord every day deepens our relationship with Him, and in turn, it strengthens our ear to hear Him speak to us.

Engaging the Word of God is no good if we don’t prioritize engaging the actual person of God, and doing so on a daily basis.

2. Choose a Scripture a Day to Meditate On

After we’ve had our quiet time with the Lord, it’s very easy to go on about our day without truly meditating on what we’ve studied.

To meditate means to think deeply or carefully on, or to rehearse, something for a period of time. The more we surround ourselves with God’s Word, the more it will become embedded in our hearts and the more deeply we will engage it.

3. Talk About the Word in Your Day to Day

This is probably one of my favorite ways to engage the Word of God. Incorporating it into the rhythms of our lives is, essentially, what makes us more like Christ! I love weaving Scripture into my normal routine like cooking dinner, or watching TV.

There is no part of our lives that there isn’t a scripture for! We don’t have to be super deep about this either.

It can be as simple as asking ourselves, “Am I cooking food that is going to help build my temple (body) and strengthen it, or is this meal going to hurt it or tear it down?”

It is so easy to live by the word when we actually apply it to the regularities of our lives.

4. Flip Moments of Frustration or Anger Into Teachable Moments

Our emotions are given to us by God. And most of the time, not all, but most, we are justified in feeling the emotions we feel. What matters is how we interact with those emotions!

So, when we feel frustrated or angry, we can take the emotion itself as a sign that we need to bring God’s word into the situation.

This is part of being on guard, which Scripture reminds us about, but it also serves as a way to engage Scripture in the hard moments.

The hard moments are some of the best times to use Scripture because it strengthens our ability to not submit to our emotions, but to submit to Christ’s lordship over our lives!

5. Invite the Holy Spirit Into Your Prayer

Prayer is our direct communication to our Heavenly Father. It’s through and by prayer that we understand who we are and what God wants us to do. It’s also through prayer that we build a beautiful relationship with Him. Sometimes, our prayers can be convoluted with our own desires for ourselves vs God’s desires for us. There’s nothing wrong with us asking for things in prayer!

However, that shouldn’t be the reason we pray. We pray to know God’s will and understand what he desires, so that we can walk in that.

One thing that I’ve been working to implement in my prayer life is asking the Holy Spirit to come and be an active participant. To speak to Him, and then to still my heart and mind and allow Him to speak back to me.

The Holy Spirit knows all the secrets of Heaven and he reveals all things to us as he is led by the Father (1 Cor 2:10-12). He (the Holy Spirit) knows the mind of God and will help us to pray effectual prayers!

How are you engaging more deeply with God’s Word this year?

Devotion By Britnee Bradshaw

316Judith

**Correction was made in above Devotion I posted last night, I posted the date as January 20 instead of the 19th**

New Beginnings - New Year Devotional - January 20

"Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel."
Joshua 1:2

Joshua was a faithful servant to Moses and God for years. Moses had died and Joshua watched as all his contemporaries, except for Caleb, die in the wilderness over a period of forty years. It was a new generation and there was a changing of the guard!

Joshua was to take up the mantle of Moses and move God’s people forward into the promised land.

The old was fading in the distance and there before him was the door to the future. No doubt fear was present, and questions arose by doubters as to his ability to fill the shoes of Moses.

After all, Moses had been used by God to do incredible things; things never seen before such as the plagues of deliverance from bondage, the parting of the Red Sea, healing from the deadly snake bites, manna from the sky, water from a rock, taking a tree and making the bitter waters sweet, constructing the tabernacle, the tent of meeting where God would speak to him face to face, the battles fought and the giving of the Ten Commandments.

Who could fill such shoes? What lay in store for him by following God? What new battles lay ahead?

Moses had buried his wife during his leadership; along with countless others and he lost the privilege of taking the people into the promised land after wandering with them for forty years.

If Moses had paid such a great price just to lead them to the desert, what cost would Joshua pay in the future leading them into battle for the land that God had promised?

As the old comes to a close and the new begins to emerge upon us, waves of doubts filled with fear can overwhelm the heart as it contemplates the unknown of what lies ahead.

We look back, often with regret, from the days that have now slipped by at the blink of an eye and pray that the next year will be a better one.

We often restrict our decisions based upon our limitations rather than on God’s limitless power. I’m sure Joshua’s first thought could have been; "Where do I begin?"

But God made it very simple for Joshua, as He does for us. He told him two things to do, yes only two: arise and cross.

Joshua could not remain where he was and fulfill the purpose God had for his life. He could not wallow in self-pity, grief or fear, recite a list of excuses, or wait for a more opportune time to emerge.

He had to choose to get up, to stir his heart, to act upon the commands of the Lord going forth to obey all that He had told him to do.

Refusing to arise and move forward will defeat the child of God who desires to answer the call of God upon their lives. Courage is not the friend of hesitation.

The second thing Joshua had to do was to cross the Jordan River. This river was the only thing standing between God’s people and the land of Canaan. Stepping out into the waters of faith allowed Joshua and the people of Israel to cross over into their calling of God.

He could not allow the Jordan to keep him from obeying God, no matter how impossible it seemed to overcome. He had to leave the "how to" to God.

When they stepped out into that water, God dried it up before them. After all, He parted an entire sea for them; surely He could part a river.

God takes our Jordan’s and dries them up before us when we move forward in faith with Him. It was the first step of obedience that cleared a path to walk across.

If we cannot face the waters of difficulties in the land of comfort, how will we ever face the enemies in the land of war? God will always meet you at your place of obedience.

There are new battles ahead of us, new enemies to face, fears to conquer, new land to tread upon, and walls to bring down. With this New Year before us, beloved, let us say with the apostle Paul, "…

One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead" (Philippians 3:13).

Arise, beloved one of God, step out into the waters of faith and behold the power of God to bring you into the land!

Take me to the regions beyond the Jordan.

Devotion by Pam Jenkins and Jabbok Ministries

316Judith

A Prayer to Keep God First This New Year - New Year Devotional - January 22, 2023

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” - 2 Cor. 5:17
Dear God,

Thank you that you make all things new. Thank you for all that you've allowed into our lives this past year, the good along with the hard things, which have reminded us how much we need you and rely on your presence filling us every single day.

We pray for your Spirit to lead us each step of this New Year. We ask that you will guide our decisions and turn our hearts to deeply desire you above all else. We ask that you will open doors needing to be opened and close the ones needing to be shut tight. We ask that you would help us release our grip on the things to which you’ve said “no,” “not yet,” or “wait.” We ask for help to pursue you first, above every dream and desire you’ve put within our hearts.

We ask for your wisdom, for your strength and power to be constantly present within us. We pray you would make us strong and courageous for the road ahead. Give us ability beyond what we feel able, let your gifts flow freely through us, so that you would be honored by our lives, and others would be drawn to you.

We pray that you’d keep us far from the snares and traps of temptations. That you would whisper in our ear when we need to run, and whisper in our heart when we need to stand our ground.

We pray for your protection over our families and friends. We ask for your hand to cover us and keep us distanced from the evil intent of the enemy; that you would be a barrier to surround us, that we’d be safe in your hands. We pray that you would give us discernment and insight beyond our years, to understand your will, hear your voice, and know your ways.

We ask that you would keep our footsteps firm, on solid ground, helping us to be consistent and faithful. Give us supernatural endurance to stay the course, not swerving to the right or to the left, or being too easily distracted by other things that would seek to call us away from a close walk with you.

Forgive us for the times we have worked so hard to be self-sufficient, forgetting our need for you, living independent of your spirit. Forgive us for letting fear and worry control our minds, and for allowing pride and selfishness wreak havoc over our lives. Forgive us for not following your ways and for living distant from your presence.

We confess our need for you… fresh… new… again. We ask that you make all things new, in our hearts, in our minds, in our lives, for this coming year. We pray for your refreshing over us.

Keep your words of truth planted firm within us, help us to keep focused on what is pure and right, give us the power to be obedient to your word. And when the enemy reminds us where we have been, hissing his lies and attacks our way, we trust that your voice speaks louder and stronger, as you remind us we are safe with you and your purposes and plans will not fail. We ask that you will be our defense and rear guard, keeping our way clear, removing the obstacles, and covering the pitfalls. Lord, lead us on your level ground.

We ask that you would provide for our needs, we ask for your grace and favor. We pray for your blessings to cover us, we pray that you would help us to prosper and make every plan that you have birthed in our heart to succeed. We pray that others would take notice of your goodness and could not help but to say, “These are the ones that the Lord has blessed.”

Help us to be known as great givers, help us to be generous and kind, help us to look to the needs of others and not be consumed by only our own. May we be lovers of truth, may the fruits of your spirit be evident in our lives - your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Shine your light in us, through us, over us. May we make a difference in this world, for your glory and purposes. Set you way before us. May all your plans succeed. We may reflect your peace and hope to a world that so desperately needs
your presence and healing.

To you be glory and honor, in this New Year, and forever.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Devotion By Debbie McDaniel

316Judith

Decisive Moments - Greg Laurie Devotion - January 23, 2023

But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62 NKJV)

As we are looking forward in life, it is so important to put our hand to the plow and serve the Lord.

You might say, “I’m going to wait until I get a little bit older before I really start serving Jesus. Maybe when I’m around 95, I’ll really get serious. I want to have a little fun first. I still want to do some things that interest me personally. I believe in Jesus and want to follow Him, but I will get serious later.”

No, you need to do it now.

Jesus said, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62 NKJV).

To appreciate the point Jesus was making, we have to understand the land in Israel.

Putting your hand to the plow meant moving at the decisive moment. It meant moving when it rains.

Between May and October there is hardly any rain in Israel. The ground is dry and hard, and everyone would wait for the first rain. First-century farmers didn’t have the advanced irrigation systems that we have now.

So when the rain came, it was a decisive moment. Whether it was 3:00 PM or 3:00 AM, once it started raining, farmers had to go out with their plows and seed while the ground was still moist. And with their eyes on the furrow, they went forward.

In the same way, we must be aware of the danger and tragedy of the unseized moment. God will bring opportunities into our lives to go out and make a difference, and we have to seize them. If we wait or if we’re not paying attention, we might miss them.

And we might become so set in our ways that we’ll have no interest whatsoever in the things of God.

Put your hand to the plow now—and don’t look back.

316Judith

Take the Next Step - Greg Laurie Devotion - January 24, 2023

As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby. (1 Peter 2:2 NKJV)

It’s always amazing to watch a baby grow. Babies start with milk for nourishment, then move to baby food, and then are fed digestible adult food. And eventually they graduate to feeding themselves.

Growing up is a process, and we must nurture babies to maturity.

In the same way, when we come to Christ, we’re spiritual babies. The apostle Peter wrote, “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2 NKJV).

At first, we need spiritual milk. Then we move to baby food, and then we consume food served in bite-sized pieces, which is called a sermon.

But the goal is to learn how to feed ourselves and prepare our own spiritual food, which means that we learn to study the Bible for ourselves.

However, some Christians have never taken the next step. They haven’t grown up spiritually.

Although they’ve been Christians for quite some time, they never have really matured.

The writer of Hebrews said, “Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God” (6:1 NKJV).

It’s called growing up spiritually.

Paul wrote that God gave us leaders in the church to help us mature and to equip us for the work of ministry.

But he also said, “We should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ” (Ephesians 4:14-15 NKJV).

There is more to living the Christian life than
receiving forgiveness for our sins and the assurance of Heaven.

Are you growing up spiritually?

316Judith

This World is Not My Home - Girlfriends in God - January 25, 2023

Today’s Truth

…rejoice that your names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20b NIV).

Friend to Friend

Heaven is on my mind these days. The holidays have a way of bringing to mind the family and friends waiting for me there.

Christmas vividly reminds me that this world is not my home. Heaven is. When I came to Christ in a personal relationship, my citizenship was changed from Earth to Heaven.

And what a sweet exchange it was for me!
Heaven is where Jesus is.

“LORD, look down from the heavens and see; look at us from your wonderful and holy home in heaven” (Isaiah 63:15a NCV).

Heaven is a real place, a beautiful city of light.

“The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God is its light, and the Lamb is the city's lamp” (Revelation 21:23 ICB).

Heaven is my eternal home.

“You have this faith and love because of your hope, and what you hope for is kept safe for you in heaven” (Colossians 1:5 ICB).

When our son started high school, I was concerned. The new high school was much larger than the middle school he had attended. I could watch Jered from our front door until he walked through the front door of the middle school.

The high school was farther away which meant we had to drive him. It was a good high school … but it was a high school where everything seemed much bigger, more complicated, and well, more dangerous.

The first day of school had my stomach tied in knots. Jered seemed fine, but I wondered if he was just trying to hide his nervousness from me. I kept myself busy after dropping him off at school where he disappeared into a crowd of what seemed like thousands of other high school students.

I ran all my errands and cleaned house – twice. I had agreed to let Jered walk home with several of his friends who lived in our neighborhood.

What was I thinking? I watched for him out his bedroom window for an hour. Just before panic set in, I spotted him walking down the sidewalk with two other boys. Jered looked fine, and he was even laughing! Whew!

When Jered walked in the front door, I was in the kitchen nonchalantly making sugar cookies – his favorite.

“Hi, Mom!” he said with a grin.
“Hi, Son! How was your day?” I replied.
“It was great!” Jered answered.
“Were you nervous at all?” I asked.
He thought for a moment and then said, “Nope.

Well, a little one time when I couldn’t find my class, but I just asked one of the teachers, and then I found it.”

Amazing! I had been nervous enough for both of us. I asked him if they had done anything interesting in any of the classes.

Being a teacher, I knew the first day of school is often a day of simply getting settled in a classroom.

Jered grinned and said, “In one class, my teacher asked us “Where is home?”

What a great question for the first day of school!
“What did you say, Jered?” I asked.
Jered said, “Wherever I am.”

Jered’s response stopped me in my tracks as I realized the profound truth behind it. Because I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I am always at home ... no matter where I am.

Heaven is my certain hope … and the backdrop against which I live each day.

“…rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20 NIV).

Jesus was a carpenter. He announced that He was going away to prepare for us a beautiful home in heaven. We know what kind of work He does. He created the universe in six days. He’s been working on heaven over 2,000 years. What a place it must be!

When the trials and troubles of daily life threaten to knock you off your feet, remember that this world is not your home. You are only passing through on your way to Heaven!

Let’s Pray

Father, thank You for the promise of heaven. Help me remember that this world is not my home.
When the hard days come, give me the strength to stand firm, knowing You are with me. My hope is in You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

When you think about Heaven, what thoughts come to mind? Do you look forward to and think
of Heaven as your true home?

316Judith

Losing Yourself and Finding God’s Best - Greg Laurie Devotion - January 27, 2023

So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:33 NKJV)

When Jesus said, “Whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple,” did He mean that Christians must take a vow of poverty and give away every possession?

No. Jesus was saying that we need to surrender our claim to our possessions.

It simply means that we understand the ID tags on all that we have are not ours; they’re God’s.

It means that you recognize it is the Lord’s family that He has given you. It is the Lord’s life that you are the steward of. They are the Lord’s resources that you are spending. It is the Lord’s house that He has given to you.

The Bible says, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NKJV).

We surrender our claim and say, “Lord, it belongs to You. What do You want me to do?” Then we pursue the path that He has for us.

The apostle Paul summed it up well when he said, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20 NKJV).

The crucified life really means one thing: dying to self. It means losing yourself and, in the process, finding yourself. Through death you find life.

What it doesn’t mean is that we will be miserable and unable to live life to its fullest. It means the opposite. When we discover God’s plan for us, life becomes what it was meant to be.

316Judith

The Throne of Glory - January 28, 2023

1 John 1:1-4

When you pray, how do you approach God?

Numerous Christians visualize a holy, righteous being and approach Him with feelings of fear, unworthiness, and reluctance. On the other hand, many believers picture the Lord as a pal and talk to Him with little reverence.

Neither approach is healthy. Our finite minds cannot fully grasp that God is both loving and holy. Let’s first explore the holy, fear-provoking side of the Lord. As you read today’s passage, visualize the incredible power around heaven’s throne. It fills my heart with awe and wonder.

Before Jesus walked on earth, the temple contained an area called the Holy of Holies, where God’s presence resided. Only the priest could enter—and just on specified days, after ritual cleansing and preparation. If he did not get himself ready exactly according to scriptural rules, he would be struck dead.

To be in God’s presence requires obedience.

In fact, because of the Almighty’s absolute holiness and perfection, He is unable to commune with sinfulness, which is the condition of all mankind (Rom. 3:9).

Therefore, every one of us is guilty and deserving of condemnation. Thankfully, though, God did not leave us helpless, but out of His grace and love, sent His Son to be our Redeemer.

Every page of Scripture can deepen our understanding of God’s greatness. Are you amazed at His presence and deeds?

To understand more about His character, discipline yourself to read and meditate on the Word.

Then take time to praise Him, for He alone is
worthy of our adoration.

Devotion by In Touch Ministries

316Judith

Worship God in Every Season of Life - Love Worth Finding - January 29

Season of Life

John 4:21-22

Worshiping Church

Pray Over This

“Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.’”

John 4:21-22

Ponder This

What is the highest good?

What is the ultimate privilege?

Here Jesus said it so clearly: we’re to love God.

We are to love Him thoughtfully with all our hearts.

A full heart is no excuse for an empty head.

Serve the Lord with knowledge and wisdom.

Love Him in spirit and in truth.

Then we love Him practically with all our strength—everything we do.

Whatever we do in word or deed, we do to the glory of God. (See Colossians 3:17.)

What is worship? It’s giving God glory. The Bible says to serve your masters, according to the flesh, as if they were Jesus, for you serve the Lord God. (See Ephesians 6:5.)

Your workplace can be your temple of devotion, your lampstand of witness, as you worship God with all your strength.

That’s what Jesus was telling this woman. She said, “Do we worship here, or do we worship there?” Jesus said, “Woman, you worship in spirit and in truth.”

There is no place that is not a holy place. There is no ground that is not sacred ground. There is no
time that should not be a time of worship.

Where in your life is it hardest for you to worship God?

What would it look like to worship God as you work throughout your day?

Practice This

Write down one way you can commit to
worshiping God as you work in your home, at your job, or in any other place He has called you for this season.

Devotion by Adrian Rogers

316Judith

Wisdom from the Psalms January 31, 2023

Psalms 13:3

Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death.

Bill was beginning to doubt his faith. He had been confirmed into a church almost twenty years ago, he had once read the Bible regularly, and he still prayed occasionally, always at meals. Still, he felt like he was just stumbling through life like a sleepwalker. Nothing seemed to matter, and Bill felt that his life lacked purpose. There had to be something more, but Bill was wondering what it was.

If the Lord is not a real and vital part of our lives, then we are only half living. God renews us and puts purpose into our being.

We are spiritual batteries which constantly need to be recharged. We cannot be recharged apart from the power source: Jesus Christ. The Bible, the church, fellowship with other believers, prayer; these and many other activities draw us close to God and therefore energize our spiritual lives.

Draw close to God and feel the power. It's waiting right now, and it is given freely.

Prayer: Energize my life with the power of Your Holy Spirit, Lord. Grant that I might live life fully, not halfway. Open my eyes to the glorious life I have been given. Amen.