April 15th, 2024
by Tony Stephens
by Tony Stephens
Day 1: Sovereignty in Our Choices
Our daily choices serve as a testament to who we hold as sovereign in our lives. Each decision, whether it's a significant life change or a small daily habit, is a reflection of our allegiance. When we choose paths that honor God, we demonstrate that His reign is paramount in our lives. It's not just about avoiding wrongdoing; it's about actively seeking to do what is right and good in the eyes of the Lord. This requires constant self-examination and a commitment to align our will with God's will, acknowledging that every choice we make is an opportunity to glorify Him.
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." - Romans 12:2
Reflection: What choice can you make today that will clearly reflect God's sovereignty in your life?
Day 2: Transformed by Mercy
Understanding and embracing God's mercy is a transformative experience that reshapes our entire outlook on life. When we view our lives through the lens of His mercy, our decisions, worship, and interpretation of Scripture are all affected. This new perspective allows us to appreciate the intricacies of His work within us and compels us to live in a manner that pleases Him. It's about recognizing the vastness of His grace and allowing that recognition to guide us in every aspect of our lives, leading to a deeper, more meaningful relationship with our Creator.
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved." - Ephesians 2:4-5
Reflection: How can you apply the understanding of God's mercy to a current situation in your life?
Day 3: Breaking and Making Patterns
Our life patterns can either lead us to brokenness or to a life that is in harmony with God's will. It's crucial to identify the patterns that cause harm and to work diligently to replace them with ones that foster growth and health. This process of change is not easy; it requires intentionality and the willingness to step out of our comfort zones. However, the reward is a life that is increasingly aligned with God's will, filled with the peace and joy that comes from living according to His design.
"Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." - Ephesians 4:22-24
Reflection: What is one unhealthy pattern in your life that you can begin to change this week?
Day 4: Surrendering to God's Will
The journey of faith involves the crucial step of trading our will for God's will. This surrender is not a one-time event but a daily practice of seeking His direction and submitting to His guidance. It's about trusting that God's plans for us are better than our own and that His understanding surpasses ours. When we let go of our desires and embrace His will, we open ourselves to a life that is rich with purpose and direction, one that leads us to the fullness of what God has in store for us.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:8-9
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to surrender more fully to God's will, and what practical step can you take to do so?
Day 5: Trusting in God's Love
Living under God's reign is fundamentally rooted in trust—trust that His love for us is unwavering and that He desires the best for us. Like a parent who wants only good things for their child, God's intentions for us are pure and filled with hope. Trusting in His love means obeying Him not out of fear or obligation but out of a deep-seated belief that He is good and that His plans for us are for our ultimate benefit. This trust allows us to live confidently and joyfully under His reign, secure in the knowledge that we are loved and cared for by the Almighty.
"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you." - Isaiah 54:10
Reflection: How can you demonstrate trust in God's love in a practical way in a challenging circumstance you're facing? [
Our daily choices serve as a testament to who we hold as sovereign in our lives. Each decision, whether it's a significant life change or a small daily habit, is a reflection of our allegiance. When we choose paths that honor God, we demonstrate that His reign is paramount in our lives. It's not just about avoiding wrongdoing; it's about actively seeking to do what is right and good in the eyes of the Lord. This requires constant self-examination and a commitment to align our will with God's will, acknowledging that every choice we make is an opportunity to glorify Him.
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." - Romans 12:2
Reflection: What choice can you make today that will clearly reflect God's sovereignty in your life?
Day 2: Transformed by Mercy
Understanding and embracing God's mercy is a transformative experience that reshapes our entire outlook on life. When we view our lives through the lens of His mercy, our decisions, worship, and interpretation of Scripture are all affected. This new perspective allows us to appreciate the intricacies of His work within us and compels us to live in a manner that pleases Him. It's about recognizing the vastness of His grace and allowing that recognition to guide us in every aspect of our lives, leading to a deeper, more meaningful relationship with our Creator.
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved." - Ephesians 2:4-5
Reflection: How can you apply the understanding of God's mercy to a current situation in your life?
Day 3: Breaking and Making Patterns
Our life patterns can either lead us to brokenness or to a life that is in harmony with God's will. It's crucial to identify the patterns that cause harm and to work diligently to replace them with ones that foster growth and health. This process of change is not easy; it requires intentionality and the willingness to step out of our comfort zones. However, the reward is a life that is increasingly aligned with God's will, filled with the peace and joy that comes from living according to His design.
"Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." - Ephesians 4:22-24
Reflection: What is one unhealthy pattern in your life that you can begin to change this week?
Day 4: Surrendering to God's Will
The journey of faith involves the crucial step of trading our will for God's will. This surrender is not a one-time event but a daily practice of seeking His direction and submitting to His guidance. It's about trusting that God's plans for us are better than our own and that His understanding surpasses ours. When we let go of our desires and embrace His will, we open ourselves to a life that is rich with purpose and direction, one that leads us to the fullness of what God has in store for us.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:8-9
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to surrender more fully to God's will, and what practical step can you take to do so?
Day 5: Trusting in God's Love
Living under God's reign is fundamentally rooted in trust—trust that His love for us is unwavering and that He desires the best for us. Like a parent who wants only good things for their child, God's intentions for us are pure and filled with hope. Trusting in His love means obeying Him not out of fear or obligation but out of a deep-seated belief that He is good and that His plans for us are for our ultimate benefit. This trust allows us to live confidently and joyfully under His reign, secure in the knowledge that we are loved and cared for by the Almighty.
"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you." - Isaiah 54:10
Reflection: How can you demonstrate trust in God's love in a practical way in a challenging circumstance you're facing? [
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