Still Small Voice (eBook)

JANUARY 1

PERSONAL INVITATION

“Come, follow me.”

JOHN 1:43 NLT

Just as Jesus invited his disciples, so he says to you, “Come, follow me.” Have you taken him up on his offer? Have you left your comfort zone and old way of doing things? Have you let yourself be drawn to his wonders and kindness?

Following Jesus transforms your life. When you take in his wisdom and let his perspective challenge your preconceived notions, your old way of thinking will feel inadequate. There is much to discover in the journey of knowing him. Will you receive his kindness and move toward him? Though the details of your future are unknown, the character of Christ will never change as you travel with him as your friend, healer, teacher, and savior. There is both mystery and hope; there is peace and expectation. Your heart’s curiosity can lead you closer to the one who calls you.

Lord Jesus, I choose to follow you not knowing what that will look like in every circumstance or season. I trust your character. I want to know you more.

JANUARY 2

GENTLE STRENGTH

“What blessing comes to you when gentleness lives in you! For you will inherit the earth.”

MATTHEW 5:5 TPT

When we live with gentleness and humility, we leave room to grow in understanding and love. When we approach life with compassion, we make room to change our minds, alter course, and ask for forgiveness when we miss the mark.

Psalm 37:11 says, “The humble of heart will inherit every promise and enjoy abundant peace.” When you remain moldable and open to the teaching of Christ, your life is transformed as you yield to and partner with his ways. Psalm 149:4 says, “For he enjoys his faithful lovers. He adorns the humble with his beauty, and he loves to give them victory.” In Christ’s victory, you find your own. Abandon pursuits that lead you away from his love and pattern your life after Jesus who adorns you with his beautiful mercy.

Christ Jesus, I don’t want to protect my selfish tendencies, and I don’t want to wander away from your love. May love be a banner over my life in all I do, say, and how I treat others.

JANUARY 3

EVERY LITTLE THING

“Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”

MATTHEW 10:30 NIV

God knows not only our names and ages but every detail about us. He cares deeply about the smallest aspects of life. Jesus illustrated this by saying he knows the number of hairs on our heads. It’s such a specific, nearly impossible thing to know, yet he takes notice of things that seem absurd to us. There are no limits to his understanding.

Why worry with a detailed and loving God overlooking our lives? Let’s put our wholehearted trust in him and turn over our anxieties to his patient presence. He is enough to sustain us, and he will provide what we need. Every little thing is covered by him.

Lord Jesus, thank you for the revelation of the Father’s detailed attention and care for his children. I trust you with what I can’t control or anticipate. Nothing surprises you; I can rest in you today.

JANUARY 4

TIMING MATTERS

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

MARK 1:15 NASB

Today’s verse is the theme of Jesus’ ministry. He didn’t wait to share the news. Whom Jesus taught, his confidence in his identity, and the welcoming compassion he offered to those that society dismissed was both beautiful and radical.

Jesus fulfilled prophecies that had buoyed the hopes of the Jewish people for centuries. He was their promised Messiah, but he is also the Savior for everyone who believes. Have you experienced the kingdom of Christ in your life? Have you turned your life back to God and put your trust in his good news? Here is an invitation to turn to him and experience his fullness. Today is the day of salvation!

Jesus Christ, I believe you are the way, the truth, and the life. I want to know the power of your love not only in my heart but in my life. I come to you with an open heart ready to receive from the abundance you offer.

JANUARY 5

TRUSTWORTHY

“Whoever can be trusted with a little can also be trusted with a lot, and whoever is dishonest with a little is dishonest with a lot.”

LUKE 16:10 NCV

Jesus is talking about money here, but the principle applies to all areas of life. When we have resources that could benefit others instead of us, it takes integrity, self-discipline, and honor to do the right thing. Honesty paired with reliability is powerful. Whoever can be trusted with a little will earn trust with more.

Think of Joseph from the Old Testament. He was sold into slavery by his brothers, and everything was taken from him. However, that was only the beginning of his story. He was as trustworthy as they come. Proving himself a hard, reliable, and honest worker, he rose through the ranks to become trusted advisor to the king. He started with nothing, but he ended up being one of the most powerful men in Egypt.

Jesus, I want to live with integrity before your eyes and before others. It doesn’t matter how little or how much I have; I want to honor you and those who trust me. Teach me, Lord, to always choose the trustworthy and righteous way.

JANUARY 6

SENT IN PEACE

Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you!

As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

JOHN 20:21 NKJV

After the long, dark days of his crucifixion and burial, Jesus reappeared to his disciples. He encouraged them and commissioned them the way the Father had commissioned him. He gave them the authority to preach forgiveness of sins in the power of his name.

What he did for them, he does for us. He comes in peace, and he sends us out in the peace of his Spirit. What Christ experienced, he offers to share with us. He offers us the resurrection power that he walks in as well. We only yield to his leadership and remain obedient to his law of love. As we do, we will reflect his likeness to those around us.

Jesus, give me the peace of your presence. You are the one I follow, and I trust you to move in power through my surrendered life. May your grace, love, and peace overflow my life as I am continually filled and led by you.

JANUARY 7

NO DETAIL OVERLOOKED

Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.”

Then John allowed him to be baptized.

MATTHEW 3:15 CSB

Jesus sought out John the Baptist knowing that he needed to be baptized by him. This was before the start of his ministry. John resisted and questioned why he should baptize Jesus when he felt as if Jesus should baptize him. John wasn’t being falsely humble; he knew Jesus was anointed by God the Father.

Jesus pointed out that the fulfillment of the law was required, and this was part of it. Every prophecy needed to be satisfied. God didn’t overlook a single detail, and even though John did not recognize what was happening at the time, Jesus already saw. We can trust Jesus’ timing, wisdom, and offerings because he knows what we can’t comprehend.

Son of God, you are worthy of my trust. Thank you for being patient with me even when I question what you are doing. I look to you now.

JANUARY 8

FORGIVENESS

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

MARK 2:5 NIV

Before Jesus healed the paralyzed man, he did something even more powerful; he removed his guilt, shame, and fear. On behalf of the Father, he forgave the man’s sins. The Pharisees balked at this. They wanted to know what authority gave Jesus the right to do such a thing. In Jewish law, cleansing sacrifices needed to be offered in strict ways by specific people. Jesus broke the mold by releasing the man from guilt. Why and how did he do this? Because he is the Son of God, and he came to set captives free.

What God does not hold against us, may we refuse to hold against each other or ourselves. May we liberate others with our forgiveness. Only God can remove our guilt, and Jesus Christ has already done that. We can trust him and let his mercy empower our acts of forgiveness. What we let go of, we can leave to the Lord.

Savior, thank you for your forgiveness. Thank you for setting me free from the guilt and shame that comes with imperfection. I am alive and free in your mercy.

JANUARY 9

TRUST HIM

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”

LUKE 5:4 NLT

In return for letting him use his boat as a place to teach the crowds from, Jesus gave Simon Peter a gift. Though Simon had just returned from fishing all night without any luck, Jesus told him to row out into deeper water and cast his nets. Simon was skeptical, but he did as Jesus instructed.

When Simon pulled up the nets, they were ready to burst from the load of fish they held! Simon Peter’s response was remarkably humble. Knowing the state of his heart and life, he told Jesus to leave him. He...