Episode 155

TODAY’S READING:

7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid but gives us power, love, and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or me, his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

2 Timothy 1:7-10

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR to the best community in the world! If today is your first day ever listening to this devotional, welcome! Today’s devotional will bless you; I am hoping it does, but before we dive into it, I have some big news for this community! I wrote a book for you! It’s a 21-day prayer workbook for you and your thoughts. I wrote passages that will prompt you to dig deep, and I am so excited I can barely contain myself. We will have a private Facebook account to work through the 21 days together at the launch of the book! Pre-sale will begin in a few weeks, and we will all have it in our hands come March. I am so thankful for you all and the hunger you have to get in the word daily. This one came straight from the heart; it was as if God was talking to me with every word I wrote. I hope you are as excited as I am—the title of the book, CALLED:21 Prayers for THIS season.

 

These verses are some of my absolute favorites in the Bible, and it was only fitting for this week. We are called; we are called to a holy life. A life filled with joy and wonder. He gives us everything we need to live that life. He gives us power, love, and self-discipline! God saved us from ourselves. Pastors say that all of the time, and for a long time, that went straight over my head.

 

But think about it, He died on a cross, went to hell, and took the keys back from the enemy himself. He resurrected, and he called us to live a life with Him, in freedom! We’ve been given His spirit, full of power.

 

Resolutions are always hard. I find that a lot of the time, I start something, and halfway through January, things are right back down to normal. A lot of you will pray every day for 3 weeks, and you may slowly start to slip away from prayer time; I get it it’s nothing personal that happened to me; that’s why I started this devotional.

 

God gives us everything we need to become who we were called to be. But first and foremost, we were called to be Holy. We were called to live a life after His heart, but He knows that life gets in the way.

 

I hope this verse gives you the courage that your days don’t have to “go back to normal” but that the resolutions you’ve written are now your new normal.  You can do this; You can make this your year, with Him by your side.

 

PRAYER

Jesus, thank you for this year!! Thank you for safely getting us to a new year; we are asking that you bless this year, father. Bless us as we prepare for new chapters. Bless us as you continue to grow and mold us. Bless us as we fight to make new habits stick. Bless us as we prepare a way for you every single day. Help us pray with you daily. We want our life to mimic yours, we have been called for this season, and we thank you for it. We ask this all in your mighty name, AMEN!