I absloutely love things like this to help me grow and really learn about God and most of all learn who I am!
Hopefully this will help you to go deeper!
God Bless.
21 Days with the Holy Spirit
Developing a relationship with the Holy Spirit is crucial for those who desire to discover and fulfill God's will for their lives. Yet the truth is that many Christians are on fire for God and love Jesus with all their hearts, minds souls and strength, but they remain less familiar with the Holy Spirit. Some long to fellowship with the Spirit of God and hear His still, small voice but don't know how or don't believe they can.
The following is a 21-day devotional guide to start you on a journey to knowing the Holy Spirit more intimately. Each devotional contains prophetic words the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart day to day as I spent time with Him. I pray that they also speak to your heart, stir your faith and cause you to press in to hear the Spirit of God for yourself.
Day 1
Determine to Follow Your Desires
Determine to follow your desires, for I have placed those desires in your heart as you have delighted yourself in Father. As you continue to seek first the kingdom and Our righteousness, I will direct your steps on a lighted path that will take you where We both want you to go. Apart from Christ you can do nothing, but you are not apart from Christ. You are in Christ, and He is in you. If you determine to reach His high calling for you and lean and depend on Me to guide you, nothing shall by any means stop you.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 37:4; Matthew 6:33; Proverbs 3:5
PRAYER: Thank You for Your faithfulness to the dreams You have put in my heart. Give me a determined heart that will not turn to the right or to the left. Help me to stay focused on Your perfect will for me this day and every day.
Day 2
I Love to Hear You Pray
I love to hear your voice in prayer every morning when you awake. It's one of My favorite parts of the day. When you awake and begin declaring your love for Us, it moves Our heart. When you inquire of Me, it is My pleasure to answer. When you speak to My heart, it is My joy to speak back to yours. I hear your voice even when the hectic pace of life makes it difficult for you to hear Mine. So keep lifting your voice to Father in prayer. Keep telling Me about your struggles, fears, dreams and victories. I'm listening.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 63:1; Psalm 27:4; Psalm 34:15
PRAYER: Remind me to begin each day praising Your name and lifting up my petitions to Father's throne—and help me, because I do not know how to pray as I ought. I trust in You to help me touch Father's heart in prayer.
Day 3
Who Do You Say That I Am?
Jesus once asked His disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" Many people knew He was a great prophet, but only Peter received the revelation that He was the Christ, the Son of the living God. Now, I ask you, who do you say that I am? Many people disregard My work in their lives because they don't understand who I am. And even those who know Me don't always have a continual awareness of My presence and a deep revelation of My love for them. Who do you say that I am? Search My heart, and I will show you a new realm of My faithfulness, My kindness and so much more. Search My heart.
SCRIPTURE: Luke 9:18-21; Isaiah 11:2; Galatians 5:22-23
PRAYER: Holy Spirit, I know what Jesus said about You, and I've read about You in Scripture, but I want to know You more and more—experientially. I want to experience who You are in a fresh way. Help me to search Your heart, and show me more about Yourself.
Day 4
Look Ahead to Your Destiny
Don't look back. I know your hurts. I know your wounds. I know your disappointments. I saw the betrayals. I saw the tears. I was with you through the pain, and I am here to make it right. I will work it all—the hurt, the disappointment, the betrayals—together for your good because you love Me and I love you. I will give you beauty for ashes. But you have to leave those ashes behind so I can resurrect with newness of life those things the enemy tried to steal, kill and destroy. Remember Lot's wife. Don't look back. Your destiny is ahead, and I am leading you toward your dreams.
SCRIPTURE: Philippians 3:12-14; Isaiah 61:3; Romans 8:28
PRAYER: Thank You for Your healing power in my soul. Give me the strength to press beyond the past and toward my high calling in Christ. Show me how to make the divine exchange that will give me beauty for ashes, and I will glorify Your name.
Day 5
I Can Do More Than You Can Imagine
Take the limits off. Do you realize that the power that raised Christ Jesus from the dead dwells in you? Do you know that I am able to do more—much, much more—for you than you can ever imagine? Do you know that I want to? Will you believe in Me the way I believe in you? Take the limits off! Dream with Me! Let your eyes see, your ears hear and your heart dwell on what I have prepared for the one I love. Your best is yet to come. Only believe.
SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 1:19-20; Ephesians 3:20; 1 Corinthians 2:9
PRAYER: Your promises are glorious, and I want to walk in every one of them. I want to see things the way You see them. Reveal to me the things You have prepared for me in love. Stir my heart to follow You toward Your perfect will.
Day 6
Your Weakness Does Not Disappoint Me
I know you feel weak on some days. Rejoice! My strength is made perfect in your weakness. Your weakness does not surprise Me or disappoint Me. I knew that you would not always win your inner battles with temptation when I wooed you into this relationship. You are a work in progress, but I see you as a masterpiece despite your failures. I see you as a winner! I see you through the eyes of love. I see you through the blood of Jesus. So call upon Me to strengthen you, and I will help you overcome your weaknesses.
SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 12:9; Ephesians 2:10; Ephesians 3:16
PRAYER: I'm so glad that nothing can separate me from Your love. Strengthen me in my inner man so I can resist all the temptations of the evil one. And help me see myself the way You see me—complete in Christ.
Day 7
I Love You Just the Way You Are
You don't have to try to be someone you are not. I love you just the way you were created. Don't compare yourself to anyone else. I have given you unique gifts and talents, and I have called you for such a time as this. If you allow frustration to flood your heart, you only hinder My grace. So reject comparisons. Reject frustrations. Reject striving. Embrace who you are now. Move forward as the person I've called you to be, and your unique gifts will make room for you.
SCRIPTURE: 1 John 4:8; 2 Corinthians 10:12; 1 Corinthians 12
PRAYER: You see into my heart in ways that I don't see myself. Help me not to compare myself to others or give in to the frustrations of daily life. Help me to rest in You instead of striving. Show me how to do things Your way instead of my way.
Day 8
Don't Doubt!
Doubt is the doorway to unbelief. Doubt is a cousin of fear and suspicion, and it blocks discernment. The enemy wants you to walk in the curse of doubt. He wants you to worry day and night. But Jesus came to redeem you from the curse. Father has given you the measure of faith that opens the doorway to His promises. Resist doubt as you would resist the devil, and let your faith rise as you meditate on the blessings I've promised you.
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 3:13; Romans 12:3; Joshua 1:8
PRAYER: Show me when doubt is trying to enter my soul. Give me a discerning spirit so I can recognize the enemy's attempts to muddy my faith with his lies. I submit myself to You. Give me the strength to resist the devil so that he will flee.
Day 9
It's Never Too Late to Start Over
No matter what destruction the enemy has brought to your life, you can start over again. Father started over with Noah after the destruction of the Flood. He made a covenant with man never to flood the earth again. And He has made a covenant with you through His Son. So be at peace, knowing that when the enemy comes in like a flood, Father will raise up a standard against him. And what the enemy meant for harm, Father means for good. You can start again in My grace. It's never too late to start over in Christ.
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 9:17; Isaiah 59:19; Genesis 50:20
PRAYER: Thank You for Your covenant with me. Thank You for protecting me from the wiles of the enemy. Thank You for giving me a fresh start in Christ. Anoint me to walk out of the old season and into what You have planned for me.
Day 10
I Want to Help You
I know it's too hard for you, but it's not too hard for Me. I want to help you. I am your Helper, and I find joy in coming alongside you, sharing My strength, showing you things to come and giving you the right words to say. I know sometimes things look impossible and you can't see the way out or the way through. But I know the Way: His name is Jesus. I'm here to lead you and guide you, so follow Me, and the confusion and stress will give way to clarity and peace.
SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 32:27; John 14:26; John 16:13
PRAYER: Holy Spirit, I need Your peace. I need Your strength. I need Your guidance. Please help me become more sensitive to Your leading at every turn, and flood my soul with confidence in Christ and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. I am willing to follow You.
Day 11
I Am Your Devoted One
Even those little moments when you think of Me ravish My heart. You are My devoted one, and I am your Devoted One. I have eyes only for you, and when you so much as look My way, it thrills My heart. Our fellowship is My delight. Your voice is like a sweet melody in My ears. I am always in your presence, and you are always in Mine. Together, we can do anything. I am your Grace. You are Our beloved.
PRAYER: I've never known anyone as beautiful as You. Will You keep me as the apple of Your eye? Will You hide me in the shadow of Your wings? Protect me and keep me, and I will lavish my love upon You. You are worthy of my all.
Day 12
I Will Reveal Jesus to You
It's My joy to reveal Jesus to your heart. He loves you with a passionate love. He is always interceding for you to Father. And He always has a word of comfort and strength to share with you. I want you to know Him the way I know Him. Will you allow Me to make more of Him known to you through His Word? Open the gospels in faith, and I will pour out a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus. As we gaze upon His beauty together, you will be transformed into His image.
SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 1:17; Psalm 27:4; 2 Corinthians 3:18
PRAYER: Your promises overwhelm me, and I say yes! Give me revelation and wisdom in the knowledge of Jesus. Show me Your glory. Show me Your beauty. Fix my eyes on Your heart. Help me to focus on You and You alone.
Day 13
You Can Tell Me Anything
You can trust Me. I am your Confidant. I am your Counselor. You can tell Me anything. Share your God-given dreams with Me, and I will help you bring them to pass. Share your fears with Me, and I will help you overcome them. Share your prayers with Me, and I will help you lift them to Father. You can trust Me. Seeing you walk in everything Jesus has for you—helping you reach your destiny in Christ—is part of My mission. I am on your side! I am for you, not against you.
SCRIPTURE: John 14:26; Romans 8:26; Romans 8:31
PRAYER: I need Your help more than I realized. Please hear my heart and help me to lean and depend on You as the Lover of my soul. Deliver me from evil, and help me become all Jesus died and rose again for me to be. Help me to trust You more.
Day 14
I Will Give You Wisdom and Strategies for Victory
Just as I was with Moses, Joshua and David, empowering them with wisdom and revelation and delivering them from the hand of the enemy, so I am with you. I am the power that defeats all your enemies. Speak against your spiritual foes in the name of Jesus, and I will enforce His will against your enemies—they will fall in defeat. I will give you wisdom for every battle and reveal strategies for victory. Just as I was with Moses, Joshua and David, so I am with you.
SCRIPTURE: Zechariah 4:6; Psalm 31:8; Psalm 24:8
PRAYER: Give me a revelation of Your presence and an understanding of the power of the name of Jesus, that I may stand confidently—fearlessly—against the wiles of the enemy and see Your victory in my life. Thank You for the authority to use Christ's name!
Day 15
I Am Waiting to Reveal Truth
I am nearer than you think. I am closer than you know. I am always with you—waiting. I am waiting for you to engage in a conversation with Me. I want to show you things to come. I desire to reveal more of Jesus and Father to you. I love it when you ask Me questions because it is My joy to lead you into all truth. I am right here. I have all knowledge. What do you want to know? Ask Me in faith. I will lead you and guide you to the information and revelation you desire.
SCRIPTURE: John 16:13; James 1:5; Matthew 7:7
PRAYER: You are the Revealer of Truth and the Giver of Wisdom. Will You give me the wisdom to ask You what I really need to know? Show me what to ask, and I will grow in Your wisdom and joy. I am open to receiving Your wise counsel in every area of my life.
Day 16
Prepare for a New Season
I've given you a gift, and I expect you to use it. You've wondered many times why your gift has not made room for you. But, My friend, you must take the first step and make room for the gift. You must put away from you and lay aside those things that are distracting you from My higher purpose for your life. I want to take you into deep waters. Prepare yourself now for a new season in which My gifts will manifest through you for the glory of Christ.
SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 18:16; 1 Corinthians 13:11; Hebrews 12:1
PRAYER: I want to glorify Christ with the gifts You've given me. I will yield to You, Holy Spirit, if You make Your way known to me. Help me to turn away from anything and everything that's distracting me from Your love, Your presence and Your will.
Day 17
Don't Allow People to Distract You
Evaluate your life. When you take time to reflect on your relationships, it becomes easy to see who is supporting you and who is distracting you from Father's will. Know this: The enemy of your soul is on assignment to hinder your destiny. He often works through people—sometimes even people you like. The enemy uses people you don't know as well as people who are close to you to pull your attention away from Our will. Love the people. They don't know the enemy is using them. But don't be deceived. Stay focused on what Father has called you to do.
SCRIPTURE: John 10:10; Ephesians 5:2; James 1:22
PRAYER: Help me stay focused on You and Your will for my life and not on what people think I should do. Please give me discernment to recognize when the enemy is using the voices of people around me to distract me from Your true direction.
Day 18
Forget What Lies Behind
It's a new day. Forget what lies behind, and press on to what Jesus has for you. Don't let your mind wander to the people and places of the past, no matter how good or how bad. If you try to move forward while looking back, you will stumble. You will stumble over frustration, either because things didn't go the way you hoped or because your current circumstances do not live up to those of your past. Don't look back. Stay focused on your mission in Christ. He will take care of the past, present and future if you keep your mind stayed on Him.
SCRIPTURE: Philippians 3:13-14; Isaiah 43:19; Ephesians 2:10
PRAYER: Holy Spirit, when my mind wanders away from Your truth, please speak to my heart and remind me that the past is the past and the future is bright. Please give me a glimpse of what lies ahead so I can press on toward that higher calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Day 19
Keep Crying Out
Sometimes when you stand up for what is right, people around you will call you a fanatic and say you are overreacting. But truth is truth, and you are called to proclaim it. Sometimes when you pursue Jesus with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul and all your strength, people will say you are too fervent. But fire is fire. Remember blind Bartimaeus! He needed a touch from Jesus, so instead of remaining silent when the Messiah went by, he cried out to Him. The people around him told him to quiet his mouth, but he cried out all the more. Don't stop crying out for truth. Don't stop crying out for a touch from Jesus. Don't let anyone put out your fire. We love it!
SCRIPTURE: Luke 10:27; John 14:6; Mark 10:46-52
PRAYER: I want to burn and shine for You even when people don't understand my love for You. Help me to share Your heart with the people around me so they can know You the way I do and burn and shine with me.
Day 20
Set Your Mind and Heart on Jesus
Always remember this: You are in the world but not of the world. Set your mind and your heart on Jesus, and He will refresh your soul. Don't look to the right or to the left because that's where the enemy lies in wait. Look for Jesus along the narrow way. Wait on Jesus. Trust in Jesus. Father gave you the dreams, visions and desires of your heart, and He will bring them to pass in His way, in His time and in His season. Don't give up now. The enemy is no match for the one who loves Jesus. Take hold of My heart afresh. I won't let you down.
SCRIPTURE: John 17:16-26; Hebrews 12:2; Psalm 37:4
PRAYER: Give me laser-like focus on Your will so that I will not be moved by the distractions that come from the world and from the enemy of my soul. Teach me to trust You and Your timing for the good things You have planned for me.
Day 21
Ask Me for the Wisdom to Set Boundaries
People will push you to the point of absolute exhaustion if you let them. They don't mean to, and you don't have to let them. Some people always want more, more, more and more, and they don't realize you don't have more to give unless you tell them. You need to give out only what We give you to share. If you don't set boundaries in your life, you will become stressed out and worn out and will eventually burn out. But seclude yourself in My presence, and you will find refreshing and restoration for your weary soul. I have the wisdom you need to set the proper boundaries in your life. Just ask Me.
SCRIPTURE: Luke 5:15-16; Matthew 5:37; Matthew 11:28
PRAYER: My heart is to help people, but I sometimes wear myself out by not asking You first. Remind me to acknowledge You before making a commitment so I don't burn out and end up resenting the people I have a heart to help. Teach me to say no graciously. With the Holy Spirit, which releases this month and from which this article was adapted.
Jennifer LeClaire is the news editor of Charisma. She is also the author of several books, including Satan's Deadly Trio and Mornings With the Holy Spirit, which releases this month and from which this article was adapted.
Watch Jennifer LeClaire offer tips on how we can know the Holy Spirit better at holyspirit.charismamag.com
If you liked THE article, you'll love the book
Charisma News editor and author Jennifer LeClaire provides intimate and inspiring daily devotionals in her latest book, Mornings With the Holy Spirit (Charisma House). Each day brings a new, encouraging prophetic word and several passages for further study. You can purchase this book wherever Christian books are sold or at christianbook.com or amazon.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment