Engaging Heaven Today for Women E-Book

James Levesque

• Herausgeber: BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Seitenzahl: 399

Beschreibung

 Are you engaged with heaven? Culture has plenty to say about a woman's value and what she should be doing with her life, but women were made for more than this world. In Engaging Heaven Today for Women, author James Levesque urges you to pursue biblical truth and world-changing action. Discussing many topics, including careers, relationships, social media, and boundaries, these 365 devotions will - bring you out of your comfort zone, - ground your identity as a secure daughter of God, - inspire self-evaluation and renewal, - remind you of the glorious truths of Scripture, and - encourage you to follow God daily.Embark on a year of actively partnering with heaven every day and watch your faith flourish.

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BroadStreet Publishing® Group, LLC

Savage, Minnesota, USA

BroadStreetPublishing.com

Engaging Heaven Today for Women: 365 Daily Devotions

Copyright © 2022 James Levesque

978-1-4245-6274-9 (faux leather)

978-1-4245-6275-6 (ebook)

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Scripture quotations marked TPT are from The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017, 2018, 2020 by Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ThePassionTranslation.com. Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture marked KJV is taken from the King James Version of the Bible, public domain.

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Cover and interior by Garborg Design Works | garborgdesign.com

Printed in China

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Dedication

I want to dedicate this devotional to the greatest woman of God I know: my bride, Debbie. Thank you for loving Jesus and our family and for living out the devotions in this book. We created this together.

Contents

January

January 1: Knowing God’s Faithfulness

January 2: Things of Old

January 3: Blind Leading the Blind

January 4: Peace and Wisdom

January 5: Daily Bread

January 6: Find Your Jericho

January 7: In His Image

January 8: No Means No

January 9: On-the-Job Training

January 10: Pray for Your Authority

January 11: Preparing for Storms

January 12: Salvation Swap

January 13: She Shall Not Be Moved

January 14: Take the Baby

January 15: When Life Goes Wrong

January 16: A Future of Hope

January 17: Implantation of Faith

January 18: Power of Integrity

January 19: Social Media Mayhem

January 20: Training Wheels

January 21: Who Are You?

January 22: Defining the Difficult

January 23: Let Your Light Shine

January 24: Perilous Times

January 25: Sarah Considered

January 26: The Beauty of Vulnerability

January 27: True Beauty

January 28: Viper Eggs

January 29: Christian Rollercoaster

January 30: Mystery

January 31: Delight

February

February 1: One Day

February 2: Secret Place

February 3: The Rosetta Stone

February 4: Rooted in Love

February 5: There Is Always a Cost

February 6: Single for a Reason

February 7: When the Sun Sets

February 8: The Storm between Your Ears

February 9: Unholy Matrimony

February 10: Daughter of the King

February 11: Rosebush Lessons

February 12: Opportunity

February 13: Power with a Purpose

February 14: The Price of Sacrifice

February 15: What’s in Your Heart?

February 16: Tongue Trap

February 17: Overcoming Offense

February 18: The Best You

February 19: When God Answers

February 20: True Treasure

February 21: Wrong Choices

February 22: Unchanging Truth

February 23: Glorious Treasure Within

February 24: Protecting Sweet

February 25: False Finish Lines

February 26: Original Recipe

February 27: Rat Race

February 28: Unending Hope

March

March 1: Seek God, Not Goodies

March 2: Fully Preaching

March 3: Power of Distraction

March 4: You Are a Debtor

March 5: Stand on the Word

March 6: Give Me the Mountain

March 7: Reset Button

March 8: Where Are You?

March 9: Healthy Decisions

March 10: Still the Pearl

March 11: Women of Faith

March 12: Power Source

March 13: Trending Topics

March 14: Don’t Quit

March 15: Pruning

March 16: Unsocial Media

March 17: Open Your Eyes

March 18: Be Holy

March 19: Things That Matter

March 20: Place of Protection

March 21: Living in Boxes

March 22: Trust God, Not Feelings

March 23: You Eat

March 24: Jump over the Bush

March 25: Soaking the Pot

March 26: Clean Your Well

March 27: Harvest

March 28: Tend Your Garden

March 29: Our Response to God

March 30: What Do You See?

March 31: Because He’s God

April

April 1: Separated unto God

April 2: Godly Wisdom

April 3: Thankful

April 4: Vessels of Honor

April 5: Growing in Favor

April 6: Just Enough

April 7: Awareness Only

April 8: Reputation

April 9: Two Types of Glasses

April 10: Miraculous Proof

April 11: Spiritual Olympics

April 12: Uncertain Times

April 13: God Is Your Provider

April 14: Create Your Space

April 15: Discount Christianity

April 16: Not Settling

April 17: Learning to Trust

April 18: Acknowledge God

April 19: Little Foxes

April 20: Creating Mountains

April 21: The Valley of Indecision

April 22: Encountering God

April 23: Learning to Walk

April 24: Finding Your Voice

April 25: Anna

April 26: Uncharted Paths

April 27: Boundaries

April 28: DIY Faith

April 29: Run the Race

April 30: He Is Here

May

May 1: Finishing Strong

May 2: He Lifts Your Head

May 3: Touch of Faith

May 4: Thoughts Matter

May 5: Beauty

May 6: Legacy

May 7: Increase

May 8: Live on Purpose

May 9: Counselors

May 10: Waiting for Rachel

May 11: Lasting Influence

May 12: Bold as Lionesses

May 13: Experience and Sight

May 14: Life Is a Blink

May 15: Attachments

May 16: Jesus Requires Relationship

May 17: Mary Surrendered

May 18: Faith like a Child

May 19: Hannah Contended

May 20: Lessons from a Tree

May 21: Framing Your World

May 22: Cranky Christians

May 23: God’s Original Recipe

May 24: Isolation versus Accountability

May 25: Cracked Windshield

May 26: Much Ado about Nothing

May 27: Dad’s Approval

May 28: Love Is Everything

May 29: Handling Your Blessing

May 30: New Thing

May 31: Feed Your Faith

June

June 1: Just Say No

June 2: Learning to Receive

June 3: Start Acting Childish

June 4: Finding Your Assignment

June 5: Desolate Woman

June 6: Being Available

June 7: False Expectations

June 8: Complaining Corrupts

June 9: Moderation

June 10: White Hot Fire

June 11: Ignoring Waves

June 12: Culture of Wisdom

June 13: Four Spirits

June 14: Living Empty

June 15: Faith Reps

June 16: Poverty Mindset

June 17: Created for Praise

June 18: Heartsick

June 19: Birthing Air

June 20: Last Words

June 21: Drawing Wisdom

June 22: Lack of Revelation

June 23: Embrace Breaking

June 24: Useless Polished Rocks

June 25: Double Trouble

June 26: It’s Written on Your Face

June 27: Different Seasons

June 28: Fruit

June 29: Roots

June 30: Choosing Wisely

July

July 1: Lifestyle of Peace

July 2: Apart from Me

July 3: Faith over Fear

July 4: Pitfalls of Pride

July 5: Joy in the Morning

July 6: A Martyr’s Message

July 7: God Doesn’t Change

July 8: The Kingdom

July 9: Breaking the Agreement

July 10: Highly Offended

July 11: Make Preparations

July 12: Forgive and Move On

July 13: Positivity

July 14: Dead Bones

July 15: Nudge from the Nest

July 16: Bound by Principles

July 17: Inspiration

July 18: Light of the World

July 19: Believe

July 20: Expecting Too Much

July 21: Invitations

July 22: Aim High

July 23: Your Hair Matters

July 24: Integrity Matters

July 25: Building Your Legacy

July 26: Attention

July 27: Burn the Record

July 28: Rejoicing and Weeping

July 29: Heartbreak Hill

July 30: Low Living

July 31: Balanced Christian Diet

August

August 1: Faith Rest Life

August 2: No Substitute

August 3: Go after Peace

August 4: Pharisee Faith

August 5: Abide

August 6: Fragrance

August 7: Promotion through Pain

August 8: Be the Light

August 9: Mortify the Members

August 10: Changing Roles

August 11: How Will They Hear?

August 12: Resistance

August 13: A Different Form

August 14: Without Distraction

August 15: Break Free

August 16: Loving Storms

August 17: Celebrate

August 18: Know What You Have

August 19: Attitude of Faith

August 20: The Road to Repentance

August 21: Perfect Patience

August 22: Battle Tested

August 23: It Will Find You

August 24: Calling Him Faithful

August 25: Hope

August 26: Acts 2

August 27: Pilgrimage

August 28: Unsinged

August 29: Two Trees

August 30: Deconstructing the Gospel

August 31: Identity

September

September 1: Exceeding the Need

September 2: Captive Thoughts

September 3: Grounded in Love

September 4: Love, Not Acceptance

September 5: Focus on You

September 6: A Better Way

September 7: Pride Is Ugly

September 8: Love Glasses

September 9: Acceptance

September 10: The Danger of Isolation

September 11: Give It Away

September 12: Posture Matters

September 13: Accomplishing So Little

September 14: Drowning Out the Noise

September 15: Faith Requires Relationship

September 16: Killing Comparison

September 17: The Battle Is His

September 18: Staying Beautiful

September 19: Many Turn Away

September 20: Anchored in God

September 21: Have Patience

September 22: And Then Some

September 23: God Provides

September 24: Covenant

September 25: Too Grateful to Complain

September 26: Proof Providers

September 27: I Will Remember

September 28: Angels on Assignment

September 29: Obedience

September 30: Healthy Fear

October

October 1: Lessons from the Desert

October 2: Engaged in Warfare

October 3: Sleeping Giant

October 4: He Is a Rewarder

October 5: Just Jesus

October 6: Dump Leah

October 7: Frontlines

October 8: Make a List

October 9: Grandma’s Cooking

October 10: Every Blessing

October 11: Influence

October 12: Heavenly Promotions

October 13: Feelings

October 14: Love Walk

October 15: Down the Mountain

October 16: The Rewarder

October 17: Grab a Towel

October 18: People Pleasing

October 19: Insta-Lonely

October 20: First Class Faith

October 21: Control

October 22: Marriage

October 23: God’s Purpose for Your Life

October 24: Those Who Obey

October 25: Hearing versus Doing

October 26: As for You

October 27: Distracted Life

October 28: No Reputation

October 29: Every Little Thing

October 30: Idle Talk

October 31: Guarding Your Deposit

November

November 1: Shine Bright

November 2: Looking Up

November 3: Healthy Boundaries

November 4: Cruise Control

November 5: Redeem the Time

November 6: Monday Isn’t the Problem

November 7: Forgetting Things

November 8: Don’t Neglect

November 9: The Radical Middle

November 10: High Heat

November 11: Easily Distracted

November 12: Cross Fighting

November 13: Mind of Christ

November 14: Eyes Opened

November 15: Prayer Life

November 16: Feed Growth

November 17: At the Break of Dawn

November 18: One Kingdom

November 19: God Is Moving

November 20: Disney Dreams

November 21: Birthing Promise

November 22: Expressing Thankfulness

November 23: Hallelujah Anyhow!

November 24: Divine Delay

November 25: Keep the Name

November 26: All In

November 27: Release It

November 28: Darkest Places

November 29: No Other Mind

November 30: Cultivating Promise

December

December 1: Revelation of Faith

December 2: Faith on Vacation

December 3: I Want

December 4: A Breakthrough Life

December 5: Flowing River

December 6: Be Fruitful, Not Busy

December 7: Greater Delay, Greater Glory

December 8: All Scripture

December 9: Stand Firm

December 10: Love Test

December 11: Dreaming Big

December 12: Give Thanks

December 13: Confidence

December 14: It Has Been Released

December 15: In the Dark

December 16: Declarations

December 17: Money and Purpose

December 18: Handling Life

December 19: Be Doers

December 20: Love the Church

December 21: Jesus Doesn’t Change

December 22: Christmas Tree Comparison

December 23: Overshadow

December 24: Glory to God

December 25: Peace Is a Person

December 26: Effective Prayers

December 27: Two Kingdoms

December 28: Lay Them Down

December 29: Maintenance of Love

December 30: Closed Minds

December 31: New Year’s Resolve

About James Levesque

January

JANUARY 1

Knowing God’s Faithfulness

Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

LAMENTATIONS 3:22–23 NKJV

People are unreliable. They break their promises, kick you when you’re down, and judge you if you’re struggling. But have you ever had a friend who was so faithful you knew you could count on them no matter what? They love you, point you back toward God, and are always there to help you. They go the extra mile. Friends like that are such a blessing, and nobody is more like that kind of friend than Jesus. Nobody is more faithful and loyal than he. He is willing to meet you wherever you are and go as far as is needed to help you. He is more reliable than the sun. So, whatever you’re believing for in this new year, maintain a framework of faithfulness by trusting that God is going to be there for you no matter what comes your way. You are not alone. You are never alone. He is your closest friend and will never let you down.

ENGAGING HEAVEN

As you make plans for this new year, have you invited Jesus on your journey?

JANUARY 2

Things of Old

“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old.”

ISAIAH 43:18 NKJV

Are you ready for this new year? Are you ready to forget the former things and press on toward the new things God is doing in your life? Are you ready to let go of your past hurts and failures and move on? There are people in your life who have hurt you. Do those offenses still hold you back, or are you willing to forgive them even if those who hurt you never ask you for forgiveness? Perhaps you are struggling to let go of damaging relationships. Consider that they may be holding you back from new relationships the Lord wants to bless you with. Are you willing to let go and trust God so you may find healing and blessing? We can’t be wise without the wisdom of God. As we become wise, it is pertinent that we embrace the new things God is bringing us to. He is always doing new things, and he gives us grace to receive what he is releasing; however, it’s often through the door of forgetting the things of old.

ENGAGING HEAVEN

What in your past is holding you back?

JANUARY 3

Blind Leading the Blind

He spoke a parable to them: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?”

LUKE 6:39 NKJV

When are you going to stop going to Negative Nancy’s home group? Or listening to Doubting Donna? You may not realize it right away, but people either pull you to greatness or reduce you to unbelief. Don’t ask directions from people who are not at the place you are trying to reach. Don’t take advice from the lost or the blind. You cannot allow people’s disapproval or approval to control you. You are not an orphan running around, trying to win approval from people. The approval you need is from your Father in heaven. It is from his approval alone that your heart will truly feel full. Stop worrying about being misunderstood and start desiring to please God alone. When you seek first God’s kingdom, people will no longer be able to tear you down because you’re standing on ground that cannot be moved.

ENGAGING HEAVEN

Who are the people in your life pushing you closer toward God and spurring you on to greatness?

JANUARY 4

Peace and Wisdom

Her teachings are filled with wisdom and kindness as loving instruction pours from her lips.

PROVERBS 31:26 TPT

Peace is an invaluable aid for decision-making. Peace guides our hearts in the right direction. If a decision doesn’t bring us peace, it’s a good indication that we probably shouldn’t follow through with it. A lack of peace is the Lord’s way of checking you, maybe giving you a nudge that something is not right. Colossians 3:15 takes peace one step further by instructing, “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful” (NKJV). We don’t make decisions by ourselves because we are part of a bigger body. People who isolate themselves have a broken decision maker, which inevitably leads to a lack of peace. We need prayer and we need people in order to find peace. So, let’s make sure we are on our knees in prayer regularly and that we surround ourselves with wise and reliable people. That way, when those defining moments in life come, we will be able to make good decisions and lead a peaceful life.

ENGAGING HEAVEN

Is there a decision you need to make today that is stealing your peace? Pray and ask God to give you peace in your situation.

JANUARY 5

Daily Bread

“Give us this day our daily bread.”

MATTHEW 6:11 NKJV

Jesus had just finished explaining how God provides for us so we don’t need to worry, and then he follows it by saying, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (v. 33). What things? Everything. Everything we worry about, everything we strive for, everything we need. He continues by instructing us to “not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (v. 34). Every day God offers us spiritual manna from heaven, food for our souls. He’s a loving God who is always there for us, but if we don’t live according to his principles, we won’t acquire our desired results. He’s number one, and there is no number two. He is our everything. Everything we do, everything we are, everything we have is given to us through the filter of serving God.

ENGAGING HEAVEN

What are you focusing on today that is stealing your joy for tomorrow? What can you focus on today that will give you peace for tomorrow?

JANUARY 6

Find Your Jericho

“Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden?

Come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis.”

MATTHEW 11:28 TPT

David had a friend named Nahash, who was king of the Ammonites. When Nahash died, David sent two men as dignitaries to pay condolences. The Ammonites doubted David’s intentions and thought the men had come to spy, so instead of receiving the two men, they cut off their beards and the back of their pants so their backsides were exposed. Humiliated, the men returned to David discouraged, upset, and afraid. David stopped them before they entered the city. Instead of bringing them back to be embarrassed in front of their own people, he sent them to Jericho where they could stay, regain their strength, grow their beards back, and find rest. Then David went and overthrew the Ammonites (2 Samuel 10). Has life treated you unfairly? Have you been humiliated and brought low? God says that vengeance is his and that he is the one who will repay (Romans 12:19). And, honestly, he will do a much better job of it than you. So, go find your Jericho, regain your strength, and trust your King to defend you.

ENGAGING HEAVEN

Are you weary and discouraged? Go to the Lord for strength and encouragement. Trust him to fight your battles.

JANUARY 7

In His Image

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.”

GENESIS 1:26 NKJV

God’s plan from the beginning was to create us in his image. The greatest tragedy today is that we are spending all our time trying to recreate God in our image. We need to stop attempting to pull the Lord down to our level. When Romans 12:2 (NKJV) tells us, “Do not be conformed to this world,” the word used for “world” is ion, which means “a period of time.” In our modern age, we could say, “Stop trying to fit in with today’s dead church culture.” Why is the measuring stick for our future the lack we’ve seen in the past? Today, dream again. today, separate yourself to God. Stop trying so hard. Stop everything you’re planning on doing and just spend time with the Lord today. Don’t waste all your energy trying to please other people when the only one whose opinion of you really matters is your Father. Seek to please him.

ENGAGING HEAVEN

You were created to bear God’s image. Are you being true and faithful to that in the way you live your life?

JANUARY 8

No Means No

We must be so full of integrity that our “Yes” or “No” is convincing enough and we do not stumble into hypocrisy.

JAMES 5:12 TPT

Some people really struggle to say no to requests from others. Because of this, they have a myriad of relationship issues and boundary issues. The word no is one of the most powerful words because it can save relationships by establishing healthy boundaries. We need to learn how to use it; otherwise, we will end up as frustrated, overworked doormats. “No” is powerful. It is equipping. It is empowering both for us and for others because by setting personal parameters, we allow and encourage other people to do what we really can’t do right now. Refusing to set those parameters by agreeing to every request asked of us will cost us our relationships and leave us burned out. In our effort to please everyone, we’re losing our ability to have relationships. Real relationships will, in time, require conflicting and confronting conversations. These aren’t a bad thing. They’re a healthy part of life. It’s so important to learn how to say, “I can’t do this. I’m sorry. The answer is no.”

ENGAGING HEAVEN

Are you prepared to protect yourself, your time with God, your family, and your relationships by occasionally disappointing people?

JANUARY 9

On-the-Job Training

He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

MARK 4:39–40 NKJV

The disciples got into a boat, and the Bible says, regarding Jesus, “They took Him along in the boat as He was” (v. 36, emphasis added). Whoever Jesus was in your life three weeks ago is who he is today. Circumstances may change, the weather certainly will change, but he won’t change. If you did not believe that he was your provider, you didn’t trust him with your finances, then how are you going to trust him now in the middle of a storm? This is not on-the-job training; you’ve been on the job this entire time. When it comes to faith, the worst time to learn is in crisis. Is it possible? Yes. Is God with you? Absolutely. Is grace available? There’s no doubt about it. But the best time to learn isn’t during a storm, because if you had doubts when everything was calm, why would you trust him now that the waves are crashing down?

ENGAGING HEAVEN

Today is the day to turn off the television and spend time with Jesus. Tomorrow may be a storm. How can you know?

You can only prepare.

JANUARY 10

Pray for Your Authority

Pray for every political leader and representative, so that we would be able to live tranquil, undisturbed lives, as we worship the awe-inspiring God with pure hearts.

1 TIMOTHY 2:2 TPT

What Paul said about praying for authority is fascinating because, at this time, Nero was king. He was known for burning and killing thousands of Christians. And yet, in this era when people were terrified of the emperor and hated him, Paul said to pray for him. See, something happens in our hearts when we pray for those who are in authority. Something releases in us when we choose to respect and love those in authority instead of fearing and hating them. For starters, we cannot live in peace if we’re not praying for those in authority over us. So, it doesn’t matter who the president is and whether it’s the candidate you voted for or not, we need to pray for the president. Whoever your boss or teacher or governor is, pray. It’s time we put down our flesh, get outside of how we feel, and pray for them.

ENGAGING HEAVEN

Who in authority will you pray for today?

JANUARY 11

Preparing for Storms

The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.

NAHUM 1:7 NKJV

Fear is not the issue. Every person on the planet will feel fearful from time to time. What matters is what we do in the face of fear. Does faith or fear dictate our decisions? The enemy uses fear to try to manipulate us and steal away our destiny. For some people, when a storm is brewing, it’s terrifying because fear controls them. For others, it’s exhilarating because they are filled with faith, and they know God is up to something. There is no condemnation if we don’t feel ready for the storm. However, God equips us. Those who have prepared, live ready, and already have faith in their hearts will undoubtedly fare better amid life’s storms.

ENGAGING HEAVEN

Do you see the storms of life as frightening or as opportunities?

JANUARY 12

Salvation Swap

“O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

MATTHEW 26:39 NKJV

The Old Testament points to the New Testament in a perfectly symbiotic way. In the Old Testament, salvation was often referred to as a “cup.” David poetically depicted that his “cup runs over” (Psalm 23:5 NKJV). But then in the New Testament, Jesus came along and said to the woman at the well, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:13–14 NKJV). Jesus took a cup and made it into a well; not just any well but a well springing up inside us! A cup of salvation in the Old Testament, a well of salvation in the New Testament. The difference was Jesus. In the Old Testament, our suffering was a well, and we were constantly digging and drawing. Our salvation was a cup. But because Jesus came, our trials are now nothing more than a cup, but we have his well of blessing always inside us.

ENGAGING HEAVEN

Do you want a cup or a well? It’s time to throw your cup down and prepare to receive the full well of salvation and blessing.

JANUARY 13

She Shall Not Be Moved

God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.

PSALM 46:5 NKJV

Think about the things you’re frustrated with today. Think about the things you haven’t received answers for. Maybe you’re praying for more finances, peace in your marriage, or joy in your home. Maybe you need a miracle in your body. Do you have unending hope over it? Are you confessing the Scriptures? Are you believing for the best? Romans 4:18 tells us that Abraham, “contrary to hope, in hope believed” (NKJV). In other words, even though there was no possible way, he trusted God. He wasn’t earthly wishing…he was heavenly hoping. He had absolute anticipation that God was going to move on his behalf, and we can have that confidence too. As Christians, we have to start believing in miracles again. We have to be a people with contagious hope. We don’t need doomsday prophets. What we need are prophets of hope and deliverance, rising up, declaring the Word of the Lord, and believing that God can do anything.

ENGAGING HEAVEN

If Christians do nothing or look like the world, how will the world get any better? How are you living differently than the world? In what ways do you look like Jesus?

JANUARY 14

Take the Baby

“So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”

LUKE 14:33 NKJV

First Kings 3 tells the story of two harlots who both gave birth to sons. One of the babies died, and both mothers claimed the living baby was theirs. So, King Solomon ordered the living baby to be chopped in half and one half given to each mother. Of course, the true mother immediately insisted that the other woman could have the baby and just asked that he not be killed. Solomon immediately restored her son back to her because it was evident that she was the real mother. There will be times when you feel the need to defend what is yours and someone else will try to steal it or destroy it. In your life, that baby may symbolize your reputation, ministry, success, or even your heart. Maybe they want to tear down what you have created and love. Be willing to release it to God and watch him give it right back to you. If he established it and birthed it through you, then he’s the only one who can restore and preserve it.

ENGAGING HEAVEN

What is the “baby” in your life that you have worked so hard to create?

JANUARY 15

When Life Goes Wrong

Before you judge the wickedness of others, you had better remember this: you are also without excuse, for you too are guilty of the same kind of things!

ROMANS 2:1 TPT

Why does God receive all the blame when things go wrong? The darkness in this world has a lot to do with us failing to follow Jesus and do what he told us to do. We’re on this earth to point to Jesus, to offer this world light and hope and a better way. Instead, we’re constantly fighting our flesh, criticizing, and casting judgment. It takes zero anointing to sit at home and declare God’s judgment. When things go horribly in life, it may be because we’re doing something right and the devil is opposing us, or we’re doing something wrong and suffering the natural consequences of our own poor decisions. Why do we assume every storm was sent by an angry God? If that was God’s way of sending judgment, then when Jesus rebuked the storm (Mark 4:39), he was basically rebuking his own action. Jesus rebuked the storms and commanded the waves. That’s your job now.

ENGAGING HEAVEN

When things go wrong in your life, what is your first assumption?

JANUARY 16

A Future of Hope

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.

JEREMIAH 29:11 NKJV

When the Father came to Jeremiah assuring him of a future and a hope, Jeremiah was twenty years into a fifty-year exile. He still had thirty years to go. We love the Lord’s promises, but we don’t like waiting for them. In today’s culture, our patience is at an all-time low, and so is our hope. Lack of hope is leading to a lack of miracles, power, and belief. We allow the disappointments of life to overtake us. One man hurt you and now “all men are dogs.” Someone took advantage of your generosity and suddenly “everyone is out to get me.” The devil wants to shape your world through unbelief, anger, and hopelessness so that you never dream with God or see breakthrough. But it’s a lie. Your future isn’t bleak…it’s filled with promise and hope. It’s time to dream with God again because one of the most powerful realms of heaven is available for those willing to hope.

ENGAGING HEAVEN

Can you imagine being twenty years into a fifty-year prison sentence when the Lord promises that your future is filled with hope and peace?

JANUARY 17

Implantation of Faith

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

ROMANS 10:17 NKJV

The plan of God is pretty simple: he gives us the implantation of faith, and we cultivate the atmosphere to see it grow. The power is not in our efforts, but it’s in his Word. It’s not your abilities; it is God who creates the growth. But you will not birth the promises of God unless you follow Christ…actually follow him. We have to be moved to action by what the Word of God says and what the Lord has spoken to us. The power of God, his presence, and what he paid for on the cross are everything to us. But we have to stop looking at this crooked earth and corrupt Christian era for some kind of response. It may not be by your timeline, it may seem frustrating, you may have up and downs, but the bottom line is that God does not change.

ENGAGING HEAVEN

Start giving praise and glory and thanks to God and watch your life turn around.

JANUARY 18

Power of Integrity

He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known.

PROVERBS 10:9 NKJV

Integrity is important and is found in who we are when nobody else is there. If we always tell the truth, we’ll never have to cover up a lie. People are watching us, and they need examples. Compromisers don’t reach people. There’s power in conviction because conviction holds us accountable. Conviction leads to integrity and godliness and standing for what we believe in. Many times, we don’t think people are paying attention, but they are. They’re noticing, and this includes our children. If we think we’re hiding our sin and keeping it a secret, it’ll burn us from the inside out. Who are you in the dark at your core when there are no apparent consequences? Would you put everything you do online in front of the congregation to see on Sunday morning? Live so that who you are in the dark is the same person you are during the daylight. Allow God to transform your life and then be a true example of integrity.

ENGAGING HEAVEN

People want to know if you’re the real deal, if you’re truly a woman of integrity.

JANUARY 19

Social Media Mayhem

Be faithful to pray as intercessors who are fully alert and giving thanks to God.

Colossians 4:2 TPT

God deserves the glory. Whether it’s trendy or not, it’s not okay to glory in pain or broadcast our trials for the sake of drawing attention. God is at work, and the spotlight should be on him. It is far more beneficial to share our struggles with a few close friends for prayer instead of making new social media posts every time life gets difficult. Paul wrote at length about all the struggles he was constantly enduring, but he always concluded with assigning the glory where it was due: to God. He wrote, “So I’m not defeated by my weakness, but delighted! For when I feel my weakness and endure mistreatment—when I’m surrounded with troubles on every side and face persecution because of my love for Christ—I am made yet stronger. For my weakness becomes a portal to God’s power” (2 Corinthians 12:10 TPT). The devil wants us to fantasize and publicize the heartache, but in truth, our weaknesses invite God’s power to work, and that should be the focus of our attention.

ENGAGING HEAVEN

What is the purpose of your social media posts? Are they so you can garner pity and attention, or are they to celebrate God’s victory through the trials?

JANUARY 20

Training Wheels

O God, You have taught me from my youth; And to this day I declare Your wonderous works.

PSALM 71:17 NKJV

Have you ever noticed that when people become new believers, it seems like no matter what they do, it is blessed? They pray for somebody, and God touches that person. They tithe, and God multiplies it. Well, that is because God is teaching and training them for greatness. It’s like training wheels on a bike. In time, however, the training wheels come off, and we wipe out a little more often. This could come in the form of a good friend or someone you really counted on no longer being there. Maybe it came as a job change or loss. Whatever it was that got shaken in your life, it’s not all loss. Many times, God is just removing your training wheels so you can ride even faster and farther. He’s calling you to reach new heights. For a moment you feel out of control and scared, and perhaps you fall down a time or two, but before you know it, you’re soaring.

ENGAGING HEAVEN

You can’t do what God is calling you to do at your current level of comfort. You can’t do great things for heaven without being stretched.

JANUARY 21

Who Are You?

In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him.

COLOSSIANS 2:9–10 NKJV

Who are you? How you see yourself is indicative of who you’ll become. People who view themselves as not good enough or an inconvenience to others in time realize the self-fulfilling prophesy they cursed themselves with. That’s who they become, apologetically saying things like, “I don’t want to bother you” or “I know you’re busy.” They don’t want to inconvenience anyone in their life because they believe they are an inconvenience. Have you ever thought that perhaps you’re a blessing to be around? Has it occurred to you that maybe people like helping and look forward to when you come around? But if you live with this rejection mentality, you throw that on everybody else and assume they reject you, too, at least in their hearts. Evaluate who you are, where you are in life, and make it count.

ENGAGING HEAVEN

Who are you when you’re not defining yourself by your responsibilities?

JANUARY 22

Defining the Difficult

All discipline seems to be painful at the time, yet later it will produce a transformation of character, bringing a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who yield to it.

HEBREWS 12:11 TPT

Yes, God disciplines those he loves, but discipline is not judgment. There’s a difference between discipline, persecution, suffering, and judgment. God could do anything he wants to do. His nature is to overcome and to heal, to set free and to save. But there is also a devil on the loose in this world. Persecution is something every believer will face because we have an enemy who hates the one we serve. That’s persecution for righteousness’ sake, like what Job underwent. The problem is that whenever anything hard happens, everybody thinks they’re just like Job. However, sometimes we’re just suffering because of the broken state of the world. Suffering happens to everyone. When we lay hands on the sick, why would we assume it was God who put that sickness in them? It might not have been God who caused that mom to miscarry…it could have been the devil or the terrible condition of the world we live in. Judgment will come one day, and it will be much stronger in the house of God. But that is not what we’re witnessing today.

ENGAGING HEAVEN

How can you tell if you’re being disciplined because the Father loves you or if you’re being persecuted because the devil hates you?

JANUARY 23

Let Your Light Shine

“I have destined you to become a beacon light for the nations and release salvation to the ends of the earth!”

Acts 13:47 TPT

When a light is plugged in, it shines. Similarly, we are only going to be effective if we are plugged into God and his Word. If we’re running around on low battery, our light is not going to shine bright. We live in a day of fabrication, but we can’t fake light. You can grow in favor, and you can absolutely grow out of favor. There have been mighty people who let their lights go out and fell out of favor because they weren’t spending time with the Lord. If we want power publicly, it starts with being grounded privately because God is our source of power. Desire alone is not enough. Many people have built great lamp stands, but they have no light. If we’re not connected to the Holy Spirit, we’re not going to shine no matter how hard we try. The desire of God is that Jesus Christ would live inside of us and that the light of Christ would shine through. That is why we’re on this earth.

ENGAGING HEAVEN

Are you plugged in? Are you connected to the power source?

JANUARY 24

Perilous Times

Whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

ROMANS 15:4 NKJV

People are always looking for an escape. When the world around us reflects the end times, it’s time to get focused. The Bible tells us it will be a “great and dreadful day” (Malachi 4:5 NKJV). Do not believe for a second that we have no hope. This is neither the best nor the worst that it’s going to be. Habakkuk 2:14 says, “The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea” (NKJV). Perhaps these are perilous times, but God has put you where you are supposed to be for right now. How are you maximizing what God is giving you? We are going to see a mighty harvest come into the kingdom, but there is going to be a separation. You’re going to be given what you want. If you want Christ, he will come to you. If you want the things of the flesh, that’s what you’ll receive. Whom are you serving?

ENGAGING HEAVEN

We’re in perilous times. What are you going to do about it?

JANUARY 25

Sarah Considered

Consider the work of God; For who can make straight what He has made crooked?

ECCLESIASTES 7:13 NKJV

Abraham and Sarah have been given a promise that they will have a child, yet they’re both well into their senior years. Still, the Lord confirmed to Abraham, “Sarah your wife shall have a son” (Genesis 18:10 NKJV). Well, Sarah was listening and laughed at the Lord. When he confronted her on it, she denied it because she was scared. It’s never a good idea to mock God, right? Fast-forward to Hebrews 11:11, which says, “By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised” (NKJV). Wasn’t this the same Sarah who laughed at God? Now the verse is referring to her as “faithful”? See, God doesn’t hold you to your past confusion. The destiny that God has called you to is directly connected to you considering him faithful. It may take you some time to come to terms with the incredible way he does things, but he is patient. God works through surrendered individuals, even if it takes them a bit of time to catch up.

ENGAGING HEAVEN

You are pregnant with promises, and you have a major part to play in birthing them and fulfilling them in your life.

JANUARY 26

The Beauty of Vulnerability

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

MATTHEW 7:1–2 NKJV

Always consider the best in someone, not the worst. If you’re trying to shine light on other people’s weaknesses while your own life is in darkness, it isn’t going to end well for you. When you start looking critically at someone, there’s almost no hope left for you to learn and grow because everything you think and see will be through a critical lens. If you are harboring hurt and offense, that’s a problem that will steal your peace, joy, and love. Ultimately, it’s a lack of trust in God because that’s where you should be finding your worth, not in what other people say. When you focus on Jesus and choose to love, hurt and offense no longer hold any power over you. When you’re vulnerable before the Lord and allow him to clean out your heart of all the worldly nastiness that found its way in there, then you bring it all to light and no longer live in darkness. Suddenly, you live in freedom, and nothing can break you down.

ENGAGING HEAVEN

Have you embraced the beauty of vulnerability, or are you hiding things in your heart that don’t belong there?

JANUARY 27

True Beauty

Let your true beauty come from your inner personality, not a focus on the external. For lasting beauty comes from a gentle and peaceful spirit, which is precious in God’s sight and is much more important than the outward adornment of elaborate hair, jewelry, and fine clothes.

1 PETER 3:3–4 TPT

God does not want you to suffer. But we suffer through things for righteousness’ sake. If we are truly standing for Christ, then we will deal with persecution. It’s not bad; it’s actually natural. Not everything uncomfortable is an attack from the enemy. We’re sharing in the suffering of Christ just like we will one day share in his inheritance. If there’s nothing in your life worth persecuting, you may be stuck in a comfortable middle ground that doesn’t bear any fruit. God wants you filled with faith and boldness, which is true beauty. As long as Jesus is shining through you, you’ll be full of peace and love, bearing fruit, and leaving a lasting impact. Leave your mark on this world; don’t let this world leave its mark on you. You’re beautiful, truly, so let your light shine and stay that way.

ENGAGING HEAVEN

Many people lose their beauty when they allow life to discourage them and make them cynical. Are you holding on to your sweetness? Do you still forgive? Do you see the best in others? Are you truly beautiful?

JANUARY 28

Viper Eggs

They hatch vipers’ eggs and weave the spider’s web; He who eats of their eggs dies, And from that which is crushed a viper breaks out.

ISAIAH 59:5 NKJV

Isaiah warned that these snake eggs were hatching in their minds, and they were becoming entangled in spider webs. By succumbing to today’s “anything goes” watered-down version of Christianity and welcoming the world’s ways into our lives, our minds can easily become poisoned, and we can fall into snares. There’s a web of addiction. There’s a web of no rules. There are so many webs. We were not meant to live with patterns of sin or to live dishonestly. Sure, we can get away with a few hidden sins, but ultimately, it’s a sticky trap that will come back and bite us. We’ve got to be a little more on guard because sin starts small. We probably won’t wake up one morning with murderous thoughts, but we will be tempted to try to cover our last lie or act manipulatively. It may seem small and insignificant, but our iniquity will poison our minds and leave us ensnared.

ENGAGING HEAVEN

By your choices, you build habits of either faith or unbelief. Being close to the Lord matters, purity matters, and limiting the number of voices speaking into your life matters. Guard your heart so you don’t become ensnared.

JANUARY 29

Christian Rollercoaster

You were called to live this way, because Christ also suffered in your place, leaving you his example for you to follow.

1 PETER 2:21 TPT