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21 Days of Spiritual Renewal

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
34 views27 pages

21 Days of Spiritual Renewal

Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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DIG

DEEP
21 DAYS OF PRAYER & FASTING
“It has been said that we become what
we behold. I believe there’s nothing more
transformative to our lives than beholding God
in His word. After all, how can we conform
to the image of a God we have not beheld?
On the other side of of the mountain of my
biblical ignorance was a vision of God high
and lifted up, a vision stretching from Genesis
to Revelation that I desperately needed to
see. I have by no means removed that whole
mountain from my line of sight, but I intend to
go to my grave with dirt beneath my nails and
a spoon clutched in my fist. I am determined
that no mountain of biblical ignorance will keep
me from seeing Him as clearly as my seventy or
eighty years on this earth will allow. This... is for
those of you who are ready to start digging.”

-Jen Wilkin
Happy New Year and welcome to 2021! I think I speak for a lot of people when
I say that it is good to put 2020 behind us and press on into the future! I surely
understand that desire but… not so fast!

Wouldn’t you agree that the greatest seasons of spiritual growth in your life
often occur during some of the most challenging times? Perhaps it was a tran-
sitional season of life, or perhaps a time when the circumstances surrounding
you required you to pursue the Lord Jesus for all He has. Those seasons in life
require us to dig deep into the person and ways of God so that we can stand firm
through the storms of life!

Before we fully leave 2020 behind us, can we take the time to reflect on what
God has taught us during this past year? Can we look at an area of our lives that
exposed stress and anxiety by the challenges the year brought us? Can we take
some time and consider those areas of our lives that we need to strengthen so
that we can be better prepared for any challenge the future may bring us?

Let’s “dig deep” into the knowledge of God and His ways. Psalm 1 uses a met-
aphor to describe a person who focuses on God and His ways as a tree planted
by a stream of water. A tree so planted and rooted always has a source of nour-
ishment and always produces fruit. That is the life that God has for us as we dig
deep into all that He is and all of His ways. Fasting is one of the most powerful
spiritual disciplines and a great way to “dig deep!” I am not completely sure how
or why it works, but I sure know that it does. Make no mistake about it, fasting is
hard, and it requires commitment and focus. But I know it is worth it.

Biblically speaking, fasting is the setting aside of food for the purpose of seeking
the Lord. You can decide for yourself how you will do that. Perhaps you’ll fast
specific foods, or specific meals, or one day each week, or even all solid foods
for the 21 days. That decision is between you, the Lord, and those closest to you.
For more information on fasting, go to the ECC website at ephratacommunity-
church.com and click on the “Take one step” tab. During this season of fasting,
we are also encouraging you to set aside all unnecessary forms of media for the
purpose of clearing your mind from distractions. We’ve produced this prayer
guide as a tool to serve you on this journey. Let’s enter this season of fasting with
the expectation that we will all see Him better!

In Christ,
FI RS T 1 5 / D AY 1
READ: Ephesians 1:3–14

Perhaps you are familiar with the statement, “Begin with the end in
mind.” As you begin your fast, I imagine the end is clearly in mind which
means you’re probably planning your victory meal! Jesus was able to
endure the cross by setting His mind on the joy He would have on the
other side. It’s obviously wise to follow His lead. Aside from your victory
meal, there is another reality to keep in mind, which we read in today’s
scripture. Through Christ, every spiritual blessing is promised to you!
Every blessing that was available to Jesus Himself is available to you as
well. This end is especially important to bear in mind at the beginning
of an extended fast. We aren’t fasting to earn God’s blessing, but rather
to have our hearts prepared to receive His blessings. I encourage you
today to posture your heart before God through fasting. Give thanks for
all the blessings available to you in Christ, and invite Him to prepare you
to receive His blessing.

FI N AL 1 5 / D AY 1
REFLECTION
QUOTE: “God saw in the cross of His Son the only door by which
he could enter to give blessing to sinners.” -G.V. Wigram

Today I express my thanks for: _____________________________________


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Today I saw the activity of God in: _________________________________


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FI RS T 1 5 / D AY 2
READ: Ephesians 1:3–14

Every person wants to be loved, to be accepted, and to be chosen. As


children, we want to be picked first for a team, and as adults, we want
to be selected among peers. Being chosen is key to establishing our
self-worth. It’s mind-blowing to consider that before God created the
universe, He chose you! That’s an amazing thought that even before He
chose to create the sun and moon and stars, God knew you and chose
to love you. That is the foundation of our identity. Nobody wants to be
chosen last. But you have never been last in God’s thoughts. You have al-
ways been first on His mind. He chose you, He loves you, and He accepts
you. What a freedom we experience as we receive this truth.

FI N AL 1 5 / D AY 2
REFLECTION
QUOTE: “Your destiny is chosen by God, your future is certain, wheth-
er you arrive there is up to you.” -Myles Munroe

Today I express my thanks for: _____________________________________


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Today I saw the activity of God in: _________________________________


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FI RS T 1 5 / D AY 3
READ: Ephesians 1:3–14

Where do I belong? Who truly loves me? Perhaps these are common
questions you frequently ask yourself. To be seen, heard, accepted, and
loved is a deep craving of every human heart. Regardless of background
or status, we all desire to be brought into a family where we can truly
be ourselves—a place where we can breathe, rest, and belong. In Ephe-
sians 1:5, Paul is bearing witness to the eternal family we have been
grafted into as followers of Jesus. Motivated by love for His children,
our gracious, Heavenly Father adopted us into a family through His only
Son Jesus. Our faith in Jesus secures our legal standing before God as
beloved children with a rich inheritance. What great news! This is too
good to keep to ourselves. Invite the Holy Spirit to overwhelm you with
this truth today so that it may flow out to others in speech and action.

FI N AL 1 5 / D AY 3
REFLECTION
QUOTE: “Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at
things in life that don’t really matter.” -Francis Chan

Today I express my thanks for: _____________________________________


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Today I saw the activity of God in: _________________________________


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FI RS T 1 5 / D AY 4
READ: Ephesians 1:3–14

God is not lenient with sin. Jesus warns a crowd of God-fearing religious
people that ”everyone who sins [even once] is a slave to sin.” Slaves
are helpless to release themselves, and sin is a cruel master. The act of
redemption is the payment of a ransom price to secure the release of a
prisoner or slave. In the Old Testament, the blood of the Passover Lamb
meant Israel’s release from slavery in Egypt. Today, the blood of Christ
releases us from slavery to sin. Redemption is the cause that makes for-
giveness possible. The supreme sacrifice of Christ, the only Son of God,
is a clear reminder of the high price paid for our redemption.

FI N AL 1 5 / D AY 4
REFLECTION
QUOTE: “The cost of redemption cannot be overstated. The wonders of
grace cannot be overemphasized. Christ took the hell He didn’t deserve
so we could have the heaven we don’t deserve.” -Randy Alcorn

Today I express my thanks for: _____________________________________


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Today I saw the activity of God in: _________________________________


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FI RS T 1 5 / D AY 5
READ: Ephesians 1:3–14

Here we find another of the many ways to focus our attention upward
and praise our God. We praise Him because He provided an eternal in-
heritance for us. God paid the highest price, His Son, to purchase for us
the spiritual blessings of forgiveness, reconciliation, and the Holy Spirit
living within us. That alone would be worthy of praising and worshiping
our God. But He is a generous God, and He didn’t stop there. We have
the promise of heaven with Christ when we die. And there is more!
When He returns to the earth to establish His Kingdom and rule over
creation, we will reign with Him! Therefore, there is no way that we can
see ourselves as insignificant, nobodies, or useless. God gave His Son
for our redemption and inheritance because in Christ we are significant
to God and joint heirs with Christ.

FI N AL 1 5 / D AY 5
REFLECTION
QUOTE: This is all the inheritance I give to my dear family. The religion
of Christ will give them one which will make them rich indeed.”
-Patrick Henry

Today I express my thanks for: _____________________________________


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Today I saw the activity of God in: _________________________________


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FI RS T 1 5 / D AY 6
READ: Ephesians 1:3–14

Hope in Christ. Paul was talking about the Jews being the first to hope
in Christ. As Christians we “trust in” or “hope in” Christ, and now we
should “be to the praise of His glory.” Not because of what we have
done but because of who Christ is. We’ve been adopted, forgiven,
redeemed, and blessed with every spiritual blessing. Now we reflect the
very nature of who Christ is as we hope in Him. The praises from our lips,
the life spoken with our words, and the kindness and care for others can
flow from us naturally because of Christ in us. Lord, we thank you today
that we don’t need to strive to be like Christ but instead we can let you
transform us in every area of our life so we are a true reflection of you!

FI N AL 1 5 / D AY 6
REFLECTION
QUOTE: “Every blessing You pour out I’ll turn back to praise… “
-Matt Redman

Today I express my thanks for: _____________________________________


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Today I saw the activity of God in: _________________________________


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FI RS T 1 5 / D AY 7
READ: Ephesians 1:3–14

I hope that you enjoyed these scriptural reflections from our first seven
days of prayer and fasting. On the final day of this week, I want to fo-
cus on the word “sealed.” In Ephesians 1:13, God reveals to us that He
has “sealed” us with the Holy Spirit. The word “sealed” means that we
belong to Him. In Disney’s animated movie Toy Story, Woody confronts
Buzz Lightyear with the fact that he is only an action figure and not re-
ally a space hero. After failing to fly, Buzz realizes the truth of Woody’s
statement. Grief-stricken, Buzz hangs his head in resignation, “I’m just a
stupid, insignificant toy.” Woody later seeks to comfort his friend by un-
derscoring the love of the boy who owns them both. “There’s a kid who
thinks you’re the greatest, and it’s not because you’re a space ranger;
it’s because you’re his.” Buzz lifts his foot and there in black permanent
ink is the name of the little boy to whom he belongs. Buzz breaks into
a smile and takes on a new determination. As Christians, our value is
determined not by who we are or what we’ve accomplished, but by the
price that was paid for us on the cross. We’re His, and that’s all that
matters. Know whose you are today and every day!

F I N AL 1 5 / D AY 7
REFLECTION
QUOTE: “God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.”
-St. Augustine

Today I express my thanks for: _____________________________________


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Today I saw the activity of God in: _________________________________


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FI RS T 1 5 / D AY 8
READ: Psalm 1:1–6

As Jesus is teaching in Matthew 5, He declares, “Blessed are the pure


in heart, for they will see God.” The unknown author of Psalm 1 had a
similar revelation, but describes an important action step to receiving
and keeping the blessing. Pause to reread the opening in verse 1. Do
you see the progression? Sometimes it’s not what we do, but what we
don’t do, that preserves the blessing the Lord has given. In this case, we
see a sequential and growing caution to remain free from the counterfeit
spirit the world would want us to walk, stand, and sit with. Today, let us
invite Holy Spirit to reveal any places in our life where we are no longer
in alignment with His perfect will, and ask Jesus to give us courage to
resist anything void of His presence and truth.

FI N AL 1 5 / D AY 8
REFLECTION
QUOTE: “Rescue me from the one who tells me of life and omits
Christ, who is wise in the ways of the world and ignores the movement
of the Spirit.” -Eugene Peterson

Today I express my thanks for: _____________________________________


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Today I saw the activity of God in: _________________________________


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FI RS T 1 5 / D AY 9
READ: Psalm 1:1–6

I love to eat! I know that is a horrible thing to say on day 9 of a 21-day


fast, but it’s true. If you are like me, you might already be planning your
first “post-fast meal!” I love the satisfaction and contentment that can
come with a great meal after a long and hard day! In Psalm 1, the author
reflects in his “delight” in the law of the Lord, or as we would say, the
Word of God. The word “delight” speaks of that satisfaction that we can
have at the conclusion of a good meal. Did you know that the scripture
refers to God’s Word as something we should eat? God told Ezekiel to
“eat the scroll” containing the Word of God (Ezekiel 2:8–3:3), the same
for Jeremiah (Jeremiah 15:16) and to John (Revelation 10:8–11). Even
Jesus said that the Word of God is more important than the nourishment
that comes from eating bread (Matthew 4:4). Naturally, we want to eat
in a consistently healthy way so that we can be physically strong and
healthy because our bodies need that nourishment. But we often forget
that our souls and spirits need a good healthy and consistent diet of
God’s Word to remain healthy and strong. Do you have a plan to ingest
a healthy diet of God’s Word this year? If your answer is “no,” I want to
encourage you to begin to build a plan for this year to listen to, read,
memorize, and otherwise consume His Word. It is health for your soul!

FI N AL 1 5 / D AY 9
REFLECTION
QUOTE: “God and His Word are the reality we need—the Rock under
our feet.” -John Piper
Today I express my thanks for: _____________________________________
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Today I saw the activity of God in: _________________________________
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FI RS T 1 5 / D AY 10
READ: Psalm 1:1–6

Meditation, most simply defined as the act of thinking deeply about


something, could be the single most transformative activity we can en-
gage in. It may seem too simple an exercise, but the scriptures are clear
throughout the Bible underscoring this compelling reality: you are what
you think. In the busyness of today’s culture, I’m not sure that there is
another discipline we are more starved for. The ability to fix your mind
and hold your attention on Christ and His word is more of a learned skill
than we may realize. Staving off distraction takes diligence and effort.
The transformational power of meditation begins with a simple turning
of your attention to the Lord. Even if only for a few seconds, you can
simply pray, “Jesus I give you my attention.” If you find yourself thinking
about other things, simply pray the same prayer, and bring your atten-
tion back to Him.

FI N AL 1 5 / D AY 10
REFLECTION
QUOTE: “The reason we come away so cold from reading the word is
because we do not warm ourselves at the fire of meditation.” -Thomas
Watson

Today I express my thanks for: _____________________________________


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Today I saw the activity of God in: _________________________________


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FI RS T 1 5 / D AY 11
READ: Psalm 1:1–6

The importance of this tree is that it is planted or rooted by streams of


water. The roots of the tree are connected to the source of life. If we
learned anything last year it is that it isn’t enough just being a tree. We
need to be connected to the streams of water, to the source of life! You
might have heard it said that God doesn’t give us more then we can
handle. I don’t think that is exactly true. At the very least, it’s a half truth.
Without Christ in the equation, we can’t handle what comes our way. But
with Christ we have the source of life, the firm foundation, the strength,
the healing, etc. Jeremiah 17:8 tells us to trust and hope in the Lord, not
in the things we see and do. Sometime we find ourselves trying to fix
things without the Lord. Thank God today that His streams are always
available for us.

FI N AL 1 5 / D AY 11
REFLECTION
QUOTE: “Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous
conversion—it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and
more like Christ. -Billy Graham

Today I express my thanks for: _____________________________________


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Today I saw the activity of God in: _________________________________


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FI RS T 1 5 / D AY 12
READ: Psalm 1:1–6

A tree supplied by water will absorb it and in time or season will bear de-
licious fruit. The same is true with us. As we soak up God’s Word, it will
produce fruit of righteousness in our responses and attitudes that honor
God. What could this fruit “in its season” be? It may be a wise word
when a word of wisdom is needed for a critical situation or decision. It
may be endurance during this time of life, living with a pandemic, when
we are weary. When the world around us seems to be in turmoil, we have
patience. As life throws unexpected curves, we can stand firm because
we have a never-failing supply of nourishment and provision because our
roots are deeply embedded in the truth of God’s Word. The more we
delight in obeying God’s Word, the more fruitful we will become through
the power of the Holy Spirit working within us.

FI N AL 1 5 / D AY 12
REFLECTION
QUOTE: “I never saw a fruit-bearing Christian who was not a student
of the Bible.” -D.L. Moody

Today I express my thanks for: _____________________________________


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Today I saw the activity of God in: _________________________________


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FI RS T 1 5 / D AY 13
READ: Psalm 1:1–6

Have you ever neglected to water a houseplant? You look and see the
leaves have drooped and are beginning to look lifeless. Without atten-
tion, they will turn brown and fall off, dried and brittle. Without wa-
ter, the plant will die. Much like that plant, we need life-giving water to
live and thrive, not only physically, but also spiritually. Thankfully, the
streams of God never run dry. When you meditate on the Word of God,
you are drinking from the life-giving waters that flow from the heart of
God. When you make His word your life source, you will never run out
of resources. When you worship, you open the floodgates of God’s pres-
ence and find all you need. When you believe in Jesus, rivers of living
water will flow out of your innermost being to bless all those around you!
Take some time every day to read and meditate on God’s Word. It does
not have to be a whole chapter. It can be one scripture that speaks to
you that day. Read it. Meditate on it. Start your day with the life-giving
water of God’s Word.

FI N AL 1 5 / D AY 13
REFLECTION
QUOTE: “(Jesus) was able to satisfy thirst, and moreover, that those
who received satisfaction from Him should become channels through
whom the overflowing rivers should pass.” -G. Campbell Morgan

Today I express my thanks for: _____________________________________


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Today I saw the activity of God in: _________________________________


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FI RS T 1 5 / D AY 14
READ: Psalm 1:1–6

“…all he does prospers!” Can you imagine such a scenario, where


everything you do prospers? Can you imagine how you would approach
life if you knew that God’s grace was on ALL that you do? Romans
8:28 says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work
together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
No matter what happens in life, God will be at work bringing something
good out of it all. He will use every experience to shape us into the
person He desires us to be and to enable us to fulfill His purpose for our
lives. President Ronald Reagan loved to tell the story of a 12-year-old
who relentlessly begged her parents for a pony. On the morning of her
special day, she ran to the barn and opened the doors hoping to see the
special gift, but all she found was manure. Being the eternal optimist, the
little girl declared, “If there is manure, there must be a pony somewhere.
In those moments when life begins to feel and smell like manure,
remember there is a pony somewhere.” He will make all things work
together for good! As you delight yourself in Him, all you do prospers.

FI N AL 1 5 / D AY 14
REFLECTION
QUOTE: “God is so powerful that He can direct any evil to a good end.”
-Thomas Aquinas

Today I express my thanks for: _____________________________________


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Today I saw the activity of God in: _________________________________


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FI RS T 1 5 / D AY 15
READ: Isaiah 61:1–4

Today we are beginning the final seven days of our season of prayer
and fasting. It is a week of mixed emotions. On the one hand I am
glad that the fast is coming to a close, but I am enjoying the special
fellowship with my Savior that this season brings. This week we will be
contemplating the truth from Isaiah 61:1–4. In these four short verses
(which Jesus himself quotes in Luke 4:18–19), we will carefully consider
direct assignments from God to us as we are in Christ. The significance
of this responsibility can leave us with a deep sense of inadequacy. I want
to see any inadequacy in us replaced with confidence! I can do that with
one word from Isaiah 61:1, “anointed!” The biblical concept of the Spirit
of the Lord resting on someone indicates the work of the Holy Spirit in
divine empowerment, capacity, and wisdom to do all that God is asking
to be done. Through this final week, as we consider God’s assignment
for us as we are sent into the world around us, please know that you will
not be doing any of these things in your own strength or abilities, but
you are divinely empowered by the Spirit of God to do that which you
could never do on your own. Move forward in confidence into what He is
sending us and watch God do amazing things in and through you!

FI N AL 1 5 / D AY 15
REFLECTION
QUOTE: “Will God ever ask you to do something you are not able to
do? The answer is yes—all the time!” - Henry Blackaby

Today I express my thanks for: _____________________________________


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Today I saw the activity of God in: _________________________________


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FI RS T 1 5 / D AY 16
READ: Isaiah 61:1–4

In Matthew 9 Jesus seems to be overwhelmed by the needs that He


sees around Him; the faith of a centurion who desires His servant to be
healed, a man who is paralyzed, people oppressed by the adversary, and
much more. It seems that it is out of the desperation of the need that He
sees around Himself that He cries out in verse 38, “pray earnestly to the
Lord of the harvest to send out workers into the harvest.” The answer to
that request in verse 38 comes just a few verses later when Jesus pulls
together His followers and sends them out to share the Good News.
Jesus multiplies His effectiveness by multiplying those who are sent to
share the good news! His strategy remains the same 2,000 years later!
You are one who is SENT by God to reflect the nature and character of
God to the very place where you are right now! God does have answers
to the needs that surround us—and it is Christ in us the hope of glory!
He is sending us with the very same assignment that He Himself carried.
As Jesus said in John 20:21, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am
sending you!”

FI N AL 1 5 / D AY 16
REFLECTION
QUOTE: ”He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he
cannot lose.” - Jim Elliot

Today I express my thanks for: _____________________________________


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Today I saw the activity of God in: _________________________________


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FI RS T 1 5 / D AY 17
READ: Isaiah 61:1–4

We live in a culture that forcefully proclaims freedom while at the same


time encourages people to think, speak, and act in whatever way pleas-
es them, largely without restraint. Yet the scriptural image of freedom is
not an endless desert expanse where travel is unrestricted but rather a
well-defined mountain valley that is abundant in every way. Jesus is that
well-defined mountain valley; He is our way. The freedom we proclaim is
not the absence of hardships or hindrances; it is the presence of some-
one.

FI N AL 1 5 / D AY 17
REFLECTION
QUOTE: “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free…
I am the way the truth and the life”-Jesus

Today I express my thanks for: _____________________________________


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Today I saw the activity of God in: _________________________________


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FI RS T 1 5 / D AY 18
READ: Isaiah 61:1-–4

Quite often, as we go through difficult and uncertain seasons, we focus


more on the problems that challenge us rather than on the promises
God makes available to all who believe. God’s promises will bring life
to any situation you find yourself going through. The best way to acti-
vate God’s promises in your life is to proclaim them over the challenges
and the problems you encounter. To proclaim simply means to speak
them out loud. It is one thing to read His promises but quite another
to believe and declare them out of your mouth. Hearing God’s Word
coming from your own mouth will activate your faith to overcome life’s
adversities (Romans 10:1). Today take the promise of God’s blessing and
favor found in Psalm 5:12 and proclaim it over your life. It is His will to
bless you and surround you with His favor, pleasure, and good will like
a shield.

FI N AL 1 5 / D AY 18
REFLECTION
QUOTE: “There is power in God’s gospel beyond all description.”
-Charles Spurgeon

Today I express my thanks for: _____________________________________


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Today I saw the activity of God in: _________________________________


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FI RS T 1 5 / D AY 19
READ: Isaiah 61:1–4

The great exchange! There are people that will trade you something
good in exchange for something good. I have even met a few people
who will give you something good and not demand anything in return.
But I have never met anyone in the world that will give beauty in ex-
change for gross, filthy ashes. However, I do know someone not of this
world who invites us to trade our sorrow, shame, and shortcomings for
beauty, joy, and praise. This, my friends, is the great exchange! This is
the goodness of our God. In Luke 4, Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah,
thus fulfilling this long-awaited prophetic promise. Jesus is knocking on
the door of your heart today, inviting you to exchange your mourning,
depression, and sorrow for a life of beauty and joy. What are you wait-
ing for? Invite God to reveal the deep places in your heart that are in
need of revival and resurrection. He is willing and able to meet you right
where you are.

FI N AL 1 5 / D AY 19
REFLECTION
QUOTE: “God is able to take the mess of our past and turn it
into a message. He takes the trials and tests and turns them into a
testimony.” -Christine Caine

Today I express my thanks for: _____________________________________


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Today I saw the activity of God in: _________________________________


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FI RS T 1 5 / D AY 20
READ: Isaiah 61:1–4

The glory of God plays a central theme throughout the Bible. In Exodus,
the glory of the Lord filled the temple. Romans says that all have fallen
short of the glory of God. And I Corinthians reminds us to do all things
to His glory. Giving glory to God is not the easiest concept to grasp. Yet
from the very beginning, God created us for the very purpose of giving
Him Glory. He gave us His very best—His Son Jesus—and we honor Him
by giving our best to Him each today. Today, as we focus on Jesus and
ask the Holy Spirit to lead us, know that by using our skills and talents
and gifts, the Lord will be glorified. Out of love for Him, we pray: in my
life Lord, be glorified, be glorified today!

FI N AL 1 5 / D AY 20
REFLECTION
QUOTE: “Our voices, our service, and our abilities are to be employed
for the glory of God.” -Billy Graham

Today I express my thanks for: _____________________________________


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Today I saw the activity of God in: _________________________________


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FI RS T 1 5 / D AY 21
READ: Isaiah 61:1–4

Playing “Hide & Seek” with my children has always been a happy, gig-
gle-filled activity. If I desired, I could always find a location where they’d
never find me—I could “win” the game if I wanted to. But that’s not
really the goal, or the joy, of playing. The culmination of gladness comes
at that surprising moment when you become “found”—when the child
discovers the hidden. Did you know that seeking is the rule of the King-
dom of God? Although the Lord could hide Himself in ways preventing
us from ever discovering Him, He actually promises to reward us for
continuing the search (see Hebrews 11:6). David’s reminder from Psalm
27:8 is clear: “When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ My heart said to You, ‘Your
face, LORD, I will seek.’” We pray that these 21 days would serve as fuel
for the daily digging, the faithful pursuit, the “long obedience in the
same direction” as Eugene Peterson says.

FI N AL 1 5 / D AY 21
REFLECTION
QUOTE: “The “deeper life” is deeper only because the average Chris-
tian life is tragically shallow.” -A. W. Tozer

Today I express my thanks for: _____________________________________


________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Today I saw the activity of God in: _________________________________


________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
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THE LORD’S
PRAYER

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He


finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to
pray…” (Luke 11:1).

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom


come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us
today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have
forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from the evil one, for yours is the kingdom and the
power and the glory forever” (Matthew 6:9–13).

“OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN...”

1. CONNECT WITH GOD RELATIONALLY

You have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves.
Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his
own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15
NLT).

God loves for us to call Him our Father. Establish your intimate relationship
with Him and thank Him for the relationship you have with Him.
“…HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME…”

2. WORSHIP HIS NAME

God’s name is a place of protection—the righteous can run


there and be safe (Proverbs 18:10 MSG).

What are His Names?


Righteousness – He makes me clean.
Sanctifier – He has called me and set me apart.
Healer – He heals all my diseases.
Banner of Victory – He has defeated my enemy.
Shepherd – He speaks to me and leads me.
Peace – He is my peace in every storm.
Provider – He supplies all of my needs.

“…YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL BE DONE ON


EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN…”

3. PRAY HIS AGENDA FIRST

He will always give you all you need from day to day if you will
make the Kingdom of God your primary concern (Luke 12:31
TLB).

God’s Priorities:
Saving the lost
Guiding those in authority—parents, spiritual, governmental, and
workplace leaders
His will in us

“…GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD…”

4. DEPEND ON HIM FOR EVERYTHING

I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there?


My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!
(Psalm 121:1–2 NLT).

Ask God for what you want and need, and then trust Him for the answer.
“…FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS AS WE FORGIVE OUR
DEBTORS…”

5. GET YOUR HEART RIGHT WITH GOD AND PEOPLE

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us


our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

Ask God to check your heart and motives. Receive His forgiveness for
any area that He brings to mind. Forgive anyone who has offended you
in any way. You can even forgive people in advance.

“…AND DO NOT LEAD US INTO TEMPTATION BUT


DELIVER US FROM THE EVIL ONE…”

6. ENGAGE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the
rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark
world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly
realms (Ephesians 6:12).

Take your stand against the enemy, and fight the good fight of faith.
Every lie that the enemy has told you should be replaced with the truth
of God’s Word.

“…FOR YOURS IS THE KINGDOM AND THE POWER


AND THE GLORY FOREVER.”

7. EXPRESS FAITH IN GOD’S ABILITY

“Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the
earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is
too hard for you” (Jeremiah 32:17).

End your prayer time by reminding yourself of God’s ability. Return to


praise and make your faith declarations.

“Yours is the Kingdom” – All rule belongs to You.


“Yours is the Power” – All mightiness flows from You.
“Yours is the Glory” – Your victory shall be complete.

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