Reading the story of Samson to my children inspired such a beautiful life lesson: It was said Samson killed more enemies in ONE single moment approaching death than he did in his ENTIRE life. Keep in mind, this ONE moment was AFTER he fell into temptation, felt like He disappointed the Lord, and thought the Lord had left him forever. The same strength He had before was the same strength he had after, but his feat was greatest near His end. This speaks so strongly to me! Many of us have had moments when we were “in our element,” ambitious and set afire. THEN we hit the darkest days of our personal struggles, saying, “If I could just experience THAT success again…If I could just have what I use to…” Let me tell you something, when your faith is restored as Samson’s, don’t use your past successes and happy moments as a measuring stick. Be assured your gifts are still present and be prepared for God to do something better! I don’t want the success I used to have. Although happy for those moments, I’m looking for God to do bigger and better and different (yes, different is okay!) And guess what? He will! For more, visit blog.

DAILY DEVOTIONS

Day 1

“Do not remember the former things, or ponder the things of the past. Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19 (Amplified)

Prayer Open our eyes, Lord! Let us feel the newness that is already available for us to grab. We believe it has come like the rain, refreshing us, reviving us, and washing away all residue of past mistakes.

Journal Write what you believe Isaiah 43 means when it says, “Remember not the former or ponder the things of the past…” Do you do this often- recall your past mistakes, past hiccups, or past struggles? Next, write down “He will do a NEW thing.” Recite it until you believe God has forgiven you and will help you walk in newness. No more living in the past!

Day 2

“…So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life.” Judges 16:30 (Amplified)

Prayer Lord, help us to know you have better for us…more for us…greater for us! Our eyes have yet to see the phenomenal things you have purposed for our lives.

Journal Take a trip down memory lane. List all the good things (successes and happy moments) you’ve experienced in your past. Don’t allow this to depress you, longing for those moments.  Let it encourage you, knowing God has even better planned for you!

Day 3

“Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20 (Amplified)

Prayer Is it really true? You love us so much that you want more for us than what we can even think possible?!? Wow! Thank you, Lord! Your love always believes in the best for us and wants the best for us. Your best is going to blow our minds!!!

Journal This scripture is so powerful! Replace “we” and “us” with “I” and “me.” He wants you to make this scripture personal. It’s about YOU. Write down your thoughts and what this scripture means to you.

Day 4

“Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].” Hebrews 4:16 (Amplified)

Prayer Lord, we will not come into your presence shy or ashamed, timid or feeble. We approach you with confidence and boldness, KNOWING we serve a mighty God who restores all things back to wholeness.

Exercise Can you just take a moment (as awkward as this may be) and pretend you are a superhero? Have you noticed Superman doesn’t back down from danger and Batman doesn’t scurry when his enemy approaches? Can we practice that same stance before our God (who is not our enemy, but fighter for all things good)? Pray today with expectation, excitement, and courage.

Day 5 

“Little children (believers, dear ones), you are of God and you belong to Him and have [already] overcome them [the agents of the antichrist]; because He who is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world [of sinful mankind].” 1 John 4:4 (Amplified)

Prayer We are overcomers. We will not allow any trick of the enemy to keep us from where we are meant to go.

Journal It is so important to start your day off on the right foot. Begin with a simple declaration every morning to help gear your thoughts in the right direction. Use today’s journal time to write a three to four sentences declaration to recite every morning when you wake up. Here an example:

Today will be a great day. I will walk in my purpose. I will not fear. I will not succumb to the devices of Satan. I will overcome and walk freely in all I am called to be.

Day 6

”Keep actively watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Matthew 26:41 (Amplified)

Prayer There is always a way to escape temptation. Help us to set proper boundaries and become fixated on Your goodness and fulfillment so we do not search for satisfaction in other things.

Journal When do you find yourself being most vulnerable to temptation? Does a certain atmosphere provoke you? Emotion provoke you? Person provoke you? Write down the boundaries you need to establish to keep that temptation far, far away.

Day 7

“Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].”  Philippians 4:8 (Amplified)

Prayer Allow my actions to always align with my thoughts. As long as my thoughts are pure, noble, and honorable, thus my life will go and flow.

Exercise Did you say your declaration that you wrote on Day 5 this morning? Say it multiple times throughout your day if you must to keep your mind on the right things.