JANUARY

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

DEUTERONOMY 31:6 NIV

JANUARY 1

THRIVE IN WINTER

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.

ECCLESIASTES 3:1 KJV

Winter can be a time of inactivity. For farmers, winter is their slow season. For others, just the snow, rain, and chill make it difficult to be outside. But stillness and slowness do not mean nothing is happening. In nature, things are always happening below the surface. Birds are still eating, animals are still sleeping, and trout are still swimming under the frozen ice.

Sometimes slowing down can be one of the most powerful acts in the life of a believer. It is a declaration of trust that the one who made us is still working and fighting for us. We allow the work and the seeds he has planted in us to grow and take even greater root in our hearts. Sometimes in our stillness, we have the greatest victories over our giants because we exhibit trust that God is still moving mightily.

God, teach me not to resist the slowness of winter. Give me the faith to see that you are still moving and working even if my physical eyes don’t perceive it.

JANUARY 2

GERMINATING

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”

JOHN 15:4 ESV

When winter comes, although things look quiet on the outside, there is much life and growth brewing under the surface. Just because we don’t see life budding up from the ground, it does not mean that no growth is happening. It is hidden from our eyes. Many trees and plants that pop up in the spring were able to do so because the seeds were germinating in the winter months. And scientists have found that some seeds do better with a layer of snow on top of the soil.

This is true of us as well. There are seasons we feel like we are dripping with the evidence of God’s activity in our lives. And other seasons where the work of God feels deeply internal, shifting our preferences and loyalties. Rest assured that any beautiful work you see externally in a child of God was first cultivated internally. God knows when to plant, water, and prune. The work is in his hands; we have only to abide.

God, give me the courage to believe you are at work even when I can’t see it. Help me to trust in your love. You will complete that which you began.

JANUARY 3

RESOLUTION TO ABIDE

I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus.

PHILIPPIANS 1:6 ESV

The start of a new year can bring about a lot of emotions. Culturally we are told to quickly come up with a resolution. Often, we look back at our previous year and reflect on what we want to change. This has the potential to cause regret for a lost year or shame for what we did or didn’t do.

With God, however, all things can be made new, regardless of if it is January first or mid-October. He is our good shepherd who promises to be our steady leader. It takes courage to trust him and not grow anxious as we abide in him. The thing that pleases his heart most is our trust in him. As we trust, our courage and bravery will increase.

Jesus, thank you that you will be my ever-faithful guide throughout this year. Thank you that I can rest assured you are always working on me, and because of that, I can simply abide in you and trust you to complete your work.

JANUARY 4

ROD AND STAFF

Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

PSALM 23:4 ESV

It takes courage to follow God where we sense him leading. Sometimes the path is clearly obvious: a well-worn trail blazed by the saints that have gone before us. However, there are other times that we sense him leading in a new direction, on a new path. In some ways, it’s not even a path; it’s an uncharted trail that has yet to be traversed.

In these times, we need the assurance from God that this is the direction we are to walk in. When we are told he is our shepherd, it means that he knows how to usher us in the right direction for our lives. While we might be afraid that our bravery may cause us to take the wrong path, his staff will keep us from doing so. The hook of the staff will curl around us and pull us back. As the Psalmist says, that staff will be a comfort to us. We never have to worry because our good shepherd is always on the watch.

Jesus, thank you that you are good at using your staff of comfort. Thank you that you’re quick to pull me back if I am wandering. I trust you to guide me.

JANUARY 5

THE SHEPHERD’S ROLE

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays his life down for the sheep.”

JOHN 10:11 ESV

For first century readers, a comparison to sheep was not lost on them. They knew sheep were vulnerable animals with no way to protect themselves. They knew that sheep responded well to leadership. And they knew that if sheep were to accomplish anything noteworthy, it was to the credit of their shepherd.

When Jesus announced that he was a good shepherd, it brought an incredible sense of security to his followers. It meant that they had a protector, defender, and leader. Shepherds care for their sheep and they are equipped to do what it takes to carry this out. The instinct to lead and protect sheep is so strong that they are willing to take on a predator, even unto death, so their sheep won’t die. The benefit of following our shepherd is that we don’t have to be brave and fight for ourselves; that is his job, and one he does quite well.

Father, thank you that you are my shepherd. When I am afraid, remind me that you fight my battles for me.

JANUARY 6

OWNER’S MANUAL

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:7 ESV

All new phones come with an owner’s manual. The manufacturer produces one specific to each phone they make. One phone might have GPS tracking installed while another has a great camera. If owners want to enjoy the phone to the fullest extent, they will read the manual. Our maker designed us even more intricately than a complex phone; we were fearfully and wonderfully made.

Without using our manual, the Bible, we will miss many of the unique features God put in us. Through his Spirit, he apportions each of us with giftings. May we take the time to draw near to him and inquire of him what special features he has put in us, for it will not only benefit us but also those around us.

Lord, thank you for gifting me with special abilities. Remind me to walk in my giftings so others can see you and your love.

JANUARY 7

THE RIGHT FUEL

It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning.

PSALM 92:2 NLT

There are many different fuel options at the pump. A driver can choose from regular, premium, and at some stations, ethanol-based fuel. All three options will work in most cars, but some vehicles were designed to run best with premium gasoline. The engine will not operate at its optimum on regular gas, and long term it has the propensity to break down sooner.

God designed us not to simply trudge through our days but to thrive. In Psalm 92, he admonishes us to begin our days reflecting on his unfailing love. His intent is that we would be strengthened in our spirits to know that no matter what comes our way, we have been loved with a love that is incapable of failure. Can we function without knowing this? Sure, just like a car on regular gasoline. But we were designed to run on premium, each day remembering that we are loved so we dwell in grace and peace instead of anxiety and fear.

God, thank you that your love will never fail me. Please write that truth on my heart that I might never forget it.

JANUARY 8

ALL THINGS NEW

You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.

2 CORINTHIANS 8:9 CSB

We can’t imagine a king in all of his splendor and richness, full of wealth and abounding in power as Christ was in heaven. We can try our best to picture the most majestic earthly kingdom, and then assume we would multiply that by one million. This is what Christ left when he came to dwell among us. He was born to parents on the move, not owning a home. When he ended his life, he didn’t even have any financial means to take care of his mother; he had to entrust her to John. He was the epitome of poor.

He did...