MONDAY: PRACTICING GOD’S PRESENCE
KEY PASSAGE
”’So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.’” Matthew 6:31-34
DEVOTIONAL
Have you ever heard the phrase, “Practice makes perfect,” or even, “Practice until you can’t get it wrong”? I’d like to offer another perspective: practice makes progress.
When we think about being with God, this idea helps us establish habits that allow us to practice God’s presence in our everyday lives.
In our Christian walk, it can sometimes feel unclear how to do this. Yet we already practice presence daily with the people we love. When we talk with our parents, our kids, or our significant others, we practice presence by asking questions, listening carefully, and sharing part of ourselves.
Practicing God’s presence doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as talking with Him - sharing our struggles, thoughts, and feelings. It can also be more structured, such as reading our Bible, praying, and listening for His voice. As Psalm 37:7a reminds us, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.”
The goal is not perfection, but progress - aiming to be just 1% better today than we were yesterday. If you read one verse of Scripture yesterday, read two today. If you prayed when you woke up and before your meals yesterday, take time today to pray before walking into work or school, or even before entering the grocery store. Ask God to reveal Himself to you throughout your day.
In this walk of life, perfection is unattainable, but progress is always within reach.
CHALLENGE
What can you practice today to make progress in your relationship with God?
TUESDAY: WORSHIP IS A WAY OF LIFE
KEY PASSAGE
'Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God
Or riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?”
“Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?”
For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.'
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. '
Romans 11:33 - Romans 12:2
DEVOTIONAL
We hear the word worship used in many different ways— in church, in the Bible, and often in regard to music. But what does this word worship actually mean, and what does it have to do with you?
At its core, worship means to sacrifice, show submission, or lower yourself in reverence or respect. Throughout the Bible, we see worship expressed in many forms: offering sacrifices, singing, dancing, declaring God’s Word, speaking truth, bowing down, lying facedown, and more. Yet all of these expressions share one common purpose: To acknowledge God for who He is and what He has done, so that our lives respond in obedience to Him.
Notice Romans 12:1 starts with the word “therefore.” This indicates that we need to look at what the writer says right before it. At the end of Romans 11, Paul acknowledges who God is by describing His character and giving Him honor and praise.
The “therefore” in Romans 12:1 calls for a response to who God is and what He has done: “In view of God’s mercy… this is your spiritual act (or natural response) of worship.” Worship, then, is not just something we say or sing - it is a response to God’s mercy.
Romans 12:2 goes on to say, “Do not conform… but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This describes the life-changing obedience that comes with a true understanding of who God is and how He has forever changed our lives.
CHALLENGE
Take five minutes today to practice the discipline of worship:
Tell God who He is and what He has done for you
Notice your natural response to this. Is it gratitude? Reverence? Joy? Peace? Admiration?
Ask God how He wants you to respond to Him today, then go do it.
WEDNESDAY: WORSHIP THROUGH MUSIC
KEY PASSAGE
2 Chronicles 20:5-30
DEVOTIONAL
Have you ever wondered why we sing as a church? In His infinite wisdom, God chose something as abstract as music and singing to be a powerful weapon for His kingdom. One of the clearest examples of this is found in 2 Chronicles 20, where a battle is won - quite literally - through worship.
God’s people once again found themselves up against multiple enemies who sought to wage war against them. When King Jehoshaphat was notified of the approaching threat, he did not respond by preparing for battle. Instead, he stood in front of God’s people and cried out to God saying, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You” (v.12).
As he prayed, the Spirit of the Lord spoke through the prophet Jahaziel, saying, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s… You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you” (v.15, 17).
Rather than picking up weapons of war, the people chose weapons of worship. They fell face down before God, worshiped, praised, and sang, saying, “Give thanks to the Lord for His love endures forever.”
As they sang with a heart of worship— acknowledging God for who He is, what He has done and responding in obedience to Him— the armies that were against them turned on one another, defeating themselves. When the singing was over and God’s people marched to the battlefield, they discovered that God Himself had already fought the battle on their behalf. They chose praise over panic and faith over fear - and God moved powerfully.
CHALLENGE
What battle are you facing today? What situation causes you to say, “God, I do not know what to do, but my eyes are on You”? Bring that situation to God, pick your favorite worship song and sing it to Him. As you worship, watch and listen - pay attention to how God meets you and ministers to your heart as you give Him the praise He deserves.
THURSDAY: BEING IN COMMUNITY
KEY PASSAGE
”Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.” Proverbs 13:20
Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33
DEVOTIONAL
There is an old saying: “Birds of a feather flock together.” The Bible echoes this with two verses:
1 Corinthians 15:33: ”Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.”
Proverbs 13:20: “Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.”
Now, imagine holding up your hand and counting your fingers - each finger represents one person in your life who has the biggest influence on who you are becoming. If three of those people are making a particular decision - whether good or bad - you are more likely to follow their lead. In other words, who you associate with is who you become.
As we aim to live in a way that glorifies Jesus, a question to consider is this: Who are you allowing to influence who you are becoming?
Our community is crucial because the people around us are the ones who build us up, encourage us, and challenge us to reach higher. They refuse to let us stay stuck when all we want to do is settle.
The people we surround ourselves with should constantly point us back to Jesus, not pull us away from Him. Our community should help us become who God has created us to be.
CHALLENGE
Do you have five people who speak life into you? If not, consider checking out our small groups to get connected with others who can encourage and support you on your journey.
FRIDAY: RULE OF LIFE
KEY PASSAGE
Matthew 7:24-27
“Therefore 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.”
DEVOTIONAL
Do you realize you’ve been building something in your life? I’m not referring to the number of zeros in your bank account or even the Lego sets that may litter your house. Instead, you have been building a rhythm for your life. Jesus speaks to this idea in Matthew 7:24-27. When we practice the teachings of Jesus in our lives, we are building a solid foundation. Jesus calls His followers to more than just belief. He invites us to active obedience, to develop a new rhythm, and to build our lives on Him.
Over the past few weeks, we have been exploring what it means to be with God. Will we heed Jesus’ words and become mindful of what we are building in our lives? What can we take from these recent devotionals, and what rhythms can we intentionally build into our daily lives?
You already have a rhythm shaping your life, but does it align with Jesus’ words and teachings? In our being, God is calling us to become more like Him and to establish rhythms that help us look more like Jesus.
CHALLENGE
As you reflect, consider which rhythms you want to build into your life:
Time with God
Studying Scripture
Slowing down
Taking a Sabbath
Silence and solitude
Reflection
Self-denial
Practicing God’s presence
Worship with our life
Worship with music
Community
Choose two or three rhythms that you want to intentionally build into your own life.