2022 – New Horizon of Favor

21 Days Prayer and Fasting January 10 to January 30, 2022

21 Days Devotional

The greatest power in the world is unified families and churches, unified cells and
networks. We must be washers of feet in seasons of conflict. When giants fight
against each other the city falls but when giants fight beside each other the gates of
hell cannot prevail. When you are confronted with difficult situations like this
erratic threat of covid19 virus or difficult people in a changing world, remember
this: God is in control. Every family, nation and every city (etc.) that is divided
against itself cannot stand. When an individual does not have unity with Christ and
His Body, it affects their whole family. Unity and division both start with the
individual.

This is the season wherein it calls for us as one family, one network, one body to
join together in this spiritual atmosphere. We will pray as one, fast as one, give as
one, and anoint as one for the glory of our One Audience- Our Father in Heaven.

Day 1: PRAYER CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE

“First of all…prayers.” 1Ti 2:1 NIV

 
Prayer is simply communicating with God. And communication can be spoken or
silent. It can even be expressed in song. Many of the Psalms are just prayers set to
music. Prayer is connecting with God. Whether it’s confessing a sin, praising His
name, pursuing His will, interceding for a friend, or petitioning for your own needs,
your prayer must be God-centered, never self-centered. Sincere prayer comes from a
heart that longs for God to reveal what He desires.
So you must allow adequate time for listening and waiting intently before your
heavenly Father. And prayer must be your first priority. Paul instructs Timothy: “I
urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be
made” (v. 1 NIV). Note the words, “First of all.” Before you slide out of bed, before
you take a shower, before you make your way to work, and before your first
appointment, pray, pray, pray! Every afternoon at three o’clock, Peter and John went
to the temple to pray. In the middle of the day, they interrupted their schedule to
gather for one purpose: prayer. So when your day is rolling along at its own pace
and in its own direction, interrupt it with prayer. As your day builds toward a crisis,
deliberately stop to pray. When your morning begins to go south, pull away for a
few moments of solitude to seek God’s mind and ask for His instruction. When your
attitude starts to sour, pause for an attitude adjustment prompted by prayer. Don’t
wait—pray immediately. Make prayer your first priority in all things and at all
times. If you do, you’ll find that prayer changes your life for the better. There are
four fundamental elements of prayer, think of the acrostic P-R-A-Y.
(1) P—praise the Lord. Before you petition God, spend time praising Him. There’s a
specific protocol involved when approaching a president or prime minister, and it’s
the same when you approach God. The Psalmist said, “Enter his gates with
thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him” (Ps 100:4 NIV).
(2) R—repent of your sins. Just like the heat from a furnace forces the impurities in
metal to surface so that the refiner can remove them, prayer brings to light attitudes
that must be changed, habits that need to be broken, and barriers to spiritual progress
that must be removed. And what if you forget some of your sins? Paul tells us, “The
Spirit helps us in our weakness…he who searches our hearts…intercedes for God’s
people in accordance with the will of God” (Ro 8:26-27 NIV).
(3) A—ask for yourself and for others. Your prayers invite God into the situation,
and your faith activates His power to change it. There’s no distance in prayer, and
no language barrier it can’t overcome. Like throwing a switch and getting power,
light and heat, things start to change when you pray. Jesus said, “I will give you the
keys of the Kingdom of Heaven…whatever doors you open on earth shall be open in
heaven!” (Mt 16:19 TLB).
(4) Y—yield to God’s will. If you don’t know what God’s will is, prayer is the
starting point. And if you already know and you’re not doing it, prayer will convict,
correct, and channel you in the right direction.
Day 2: PRAYING AND MEDITATING SCRIPTURE CAN IMPROVE
YOUR HEALTH

“Pray without ceasing.” 1Th 5:17

 
Gone are the days when gun-shy theologians bowed to the god of science. Reliable
scientists are now affirming how ingenious God is and how His principles hold up
under the piercing light of scientific scrutiny. Neuroscientist Andrew Newberg, MD,
who studies the relationship between spiritual phenomena and the brain, has
demonstrated that we were designed physically and mentally to interact with God
through prayer and Scripture. It’s a known fact that there are centers in the human
brain that respond positively to prayer, reading and meditating on God’s Word,
group worship, hymn singing, and empathy for other people. And Dr. Newberg
believes that practicing a personal religious faith is the most powerful way to
maintain a healthy brain. The brain’s frontal lobe is used in focusing attention,
rational thinking, and decision-making. It responds to prayer and meditation by
helping to reduce stress, strengthen our immune system, enhance memory, and
increase our capacity for compassion. It helps us ward off age-related brain
deterioration and live longer! Newberg’s research indicates that praying for at least
twelve minutes a day slows age-related brain decline. Prayer and reading Scripture
also deactivates areas in the brain associated with anger, guilt, anxiety, depression,
fear, resentment, and pessimism. It seems that finally twenty-first-century science
has joined ancient Scripture in echoing what the psalmist said: “Thank you for
making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous” (Ps 139:14
NLT). Can you think of a better reason to “let the word of Christ dwell in you
richly” (Col 3:16)?

Day 3: TRY PRAYING—AND FASTING!

“He said unto them, ‘This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer
and fasting.’” Mk 9:29

Are you facing a problem that prayer alone hasn’t yet solved? Do you have a loved
one who has been taken captive by drugs, or alcohol, or some other destructive
power? Try praying—and fasting. Sometimes the spiritual battle you’re in is so
intense that it calls for denying the legitimate needs of your body and building up
your faith through prayer and fasting so that you are able to prevail. Jesus had told
His disciples, “He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also” (Jn
14:12), yet when the disciples were confronted with a demon-possessed boy with
self-destructive tendencies, they were disappointed because they prayed and nothing
happened. And when they asked Jesus why, He said to them, “This kind can come
forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.” When the Jewish people were
threatened with annihilation, only the king could save them. So Esther said, “Gather
all the Jews…and fast for me…I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king” (Est
4:16 NKJV). As a result, Haman, who had plotted their destruction, was hanged on
his own gallows, and the entire Jewish nation was saved. There are times in life
when you must say no to your physical needs so that you can focus on your spiritual
ones. Fasting sharpens your focus in prayer, fortifies your faith, prepares you to
meet a challenge, and brings miraculous results. Fasting is about having single-
mindedness in your search for God’s help—and it brings great results.
Day 4: YOU MUST HEAR FROM GOD FOR YOURSELF

In the New Testament, God emphasized different things to each of the seven
churches in Revelation. Why? Because they each had a different assignment and
faced different challenges. It’s wise to read good books and listen to good mentors
and teachers, but don’t assume that what God told them is what He is telling you.
There are times when you need to hear from Him for yourself. You may adopt
certain principles, but you must get your plan from God. That’s why it’s sometimes
hard for God to get through to preachers. When He speaks to them personally, they
give it an introduction, three points, and a conclusion—and preach it to others! And
as a spiritual leader, there is another potential pitfall: trying to get “a word” for
others because they happen to be bothering you. Let God straighten them out and get
back to where you belong! Paul wrote, “We will boast only about what has happened
within the boundaries of the work God has given us” (2Co 10:13 NLT). Your
authority and anointing depend on being where God wants you to be, doing what He
wants you to do. When you’re driven by ego, or other people’s expectations, or a
goal God gave to someone else, you’re setting yourself up to fail. You must hear
from God for yourself. If you’re assigned—you’re confined! You can’t go where you
like and do as you please, so ask God to crown your efforts with success. If you’re
in the wrong place, doing the wrong thing, don’t let pride keep you there. Pray,
“What does my Lord say to His servant?” Then, do it!
Day 5: PREPARE THROUGH PRAYER

“Can’t…you stay awake with me for just one hour?” Mt 26:40 CEV

In Gethsemane, Jesus “came back and found his disciples sleeping. So he said to
Peter, ‘Can’t any of you stay awake with me for just one hour? Stay awake and pray
that you won’t be tested. You want to do what is right, but you are weak’” (vv. 40-
41 CEV). Jesus was just hours from the cross, and He asked His disciples to pray for
Him. Imagine His disappointment when He found them sleeping! Perhaps they didn’t
get enough rest the night before. Maybe they were worn out from a hard day’s work.
We have all been victims of drowsiness, so we shouldn’t be surprised that they fell
asleep, but we are! We’re shocked because it was such an important night. This
night, more than any other, required the discipline of prayer. But the disciples
missed a great opportunity to encourage and strengthen Jesus in His hour of need.
They missed an opportunity to strengthen themselves as well. Satan knows if he can
keep you from prayer, you will be powerless. He is the master of distraction. Think
how often he has robbed you of your quiet time with God by using things like TV,
the telephone, the internet, a messy house, your to-do list, your wandering mind,
your heavy eyelids. Your quiet time with God isn’t something you try to “fit into”
your schedule; it must be something you prioritize, or it won’t happen. The King
James Version says, “Pray, that ye enter not into temptation” (v. 41). You don’t
know what each day holds, but through prayer and spending time in God’s Word,
you can prepare your heart for whatever life throws at you.
Day 6: BELIEVE IN YOUR VISION

“I will pour out My Spirit.” Joel 2:29 NKJV

God spoke through the prophet Joel saying, “Your old men shall dream dreams, your
young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and…maidservants I will
pour out My Spirit in those days” (vv. 28-29 NKJV). Regardless of your age or
gender, God has a vision for you to fulfill. And sometimes it won’t make sense
because you don’t feel qualified. In the musical Man of La Mancha, there is a scene
where Don Quixote and his servant stand gazing at a dilapidated inn. When Quixote
describes his vision of turrets and magnificent gates, his servant tries hard to see the
same picture, but all he can see are ruins. And when he attempts to describe them,
Quixote says, “Stop! I will not allow your facts to interfere with my vision!” Most
great achievements begin as a vision in someone’s heart. And many times people try
to convince the person it can’t be done—or that he or she can’t do it. Often this
confirms the visionary’s deepest fears about his or her abilities. And that’s the
crucial point! If you can disregard your critics and rise above your fears, God will
enable you to fulfill the vision He has given you. But keep in mind that while your
vision may come to you in an instant, it can take a lifetime to fulfill. Habakkuk
writes, “The vision is…for an appointed time…Though it tarries, wait for it; because
it will surely come” (Hab 2:3 NKJV). A God-given dream often defies the facts, so
if you have a vision, look for supporters, not critics. And when someone shares his
or her vision with you, become a cheerleader.

Day 7: MIRACLE FOR YOUR LOVED ONES

“Four people came…carrying a crippled man.” Mk 2:3 CEV

 
“Jesus was still teaching when four people came up, carrying a crippled man on a
mat. But because of the crowd, they could not get him to Jesus. So they made a hole
in the roof above him and let the man down in front of everyone. When Jesus saw
how much faith they had, he said to the crippled man…‘Get up! Pick up your mat
and go on home’” (vv. 2-5, 11 CEV). If your loved one needs a miracle today: (1)
Use your faith. Even though you’re praying for someone who may have little or no
faith of their own, God will honor your faith on their behalf. “When Jesus saw how
much faith [the man’s friends] had, He said to the crippled man…‘Get up!’” (2)
Refuse to give up. Do what these four friends did. The crowd was a problem—so
they went around it. The roof was a problem—so they broke through it. They refused
to give up or get discouraged. Bottom line: if what you’ve tried so far hasn’t
worked, ask God and He will show you the way. Doctors can treat people, but only
God can heal them within and without, so bring your loved one to Him in prayer. (3)
Look for faith partners. It took four people to get this man to Jesus, so don’t do it
alone. Find someone who’ll agree with you in prayer. Jesus said, “I promise…when
any two of you on earth agree about something you are praying for, my Father in
heaven will do it for you” (Mt 18:19 CEV). So, keep praying and believing God for a
miracle!

Day 8: STRENGTHEN YOUR MARRIAGE

“Enjoy life with your wife.” Ecc 9:9 NIV

 
To strengthen your marriage you must realize three things: (1) Marriage is one of
Satan’s favorite targets. He was angry because Job’s family was a source of delight
to God. So when your home is harmonious and blessed, he’ll try to attack it. He
wants to be the third party in your relationship; to agitate and disappoint, using your
weaknesses. He inspires unrealistic expectations and diverts your focus from
servanthood to self-absorption. He fuels your imagination through unhealthy
relationships until God’s presence ceases to be the goal of your union and the
prevailing atmosphere in your home. Beware of his inroads and become protective
over your family. (2) Your mind-set determines your mood. Thoughts have presence.
The moment someone walks into a room, you can sense conflict or contentment,
jealousy or joy, etc. Attitudes are contagious; like a thermostat, they determine the
climate in your home. One man noticed that certain TV shows nurtured a sexual
restlessness within him, to the point where he found himself comparing his wife with
the sensuality of the performers. A woman identified the timing of unexplainable
jealousy toward her husband after watching her favorite soap opera. Every emotion
has a birthplace, so be sensitive to any changes in your home environment and inner
life. (3) Understanding comes by listening. Love is about listening more and talking
less. Listen long enough for hidden emotions to be expressed. Listen carefully
enough to gain understanding. Listen accurately so you can assess your mate’s true
needs. The questions you ask can reveal how much you care, so ask them softly and
repeatedly, and pray and process before you respond. That’s how to strengthen your
marriage.

Day 9: HARMONY AT HOME

“Patiently put up with each other and love each other.” Eph 4:2 CEV
 
Without harmony on the home front, all your career successes can feel empty.
Anytime you find it easier to talk to outsiders than to your own family, something’s
broken—and urgently needs fixing. God designed your family to be a support
system, and a safety net to catch you when you fall. And His Word gives us the
prescription for creating harmony at home: “Always be humble and gentle. Patiently
put up with each other and love each other. Try your best to let God’s Spirit keep
your hearts united. Do this by living at peace” (vv. 2-3 CEV). Note four important
words in this Scripture: “humble,” “gentle,” “patiently,” and “united.” Without those
essential ingredients, it won’t work! So start praying for your kids instead of just
laying down rules that create distance when you don’t see eye to eye. You won’t
always agree, but you can learn to value, love, and respect each other. Every family
has its ups and downs—and every family tree has a few nuts! But if you bail out
when things get tough, you’ll miss the harvest you could have reaped by hanging on.
For example, sometimes the child that ends up blessing you the most is the one who
didn’t necessarily agree with your ideas, or embrace your values, or marry the
person you thought they should have. Yes, it’s upsetting, but in the long run none of
that matters because family is a life-long investment. Some of those who opt for
divorce end up wishing they had hung in a little longer, and had loved a little bit
more. Make sure you’re not one of them!

Day 10: HARMONY AT HOME 2

“A house divided against itself will fall.” Lk 11:17 NIV

 
They say, “The apple never falls far from the tree,” and Jacob certainly proved that.
Nearing the end of his life when he should have been preparing to bless his sons
Simeon and Levi, he told them, “I…curse…you because of your…anger” (Ge 49:7
CEV). But their behavior should have come as no surprise. The fact is, Jacob had
already shaped them by his own example when he deceived his father (See Ge 27)
and his father-in-law (See Ge 30). And his mother facilitated the deception.
Behavioral patterns are passed from generation to generation. Your attitudes and
actions will either blight your children or bless them. The Word of God says, “Train
up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it”
(Pr 22:6). Your children inherit more than just your looks. They end up with the
values you taught and the emotional disposition you displayed. Don’t involve them
in your marital disputes. The Bible says, “Anger rests in the bosom of fools” (Ecc
7:9 NKJV), and kids are easy targets for misdirected rage. Even when your outbursts
aren’t aimed at them, they still suffer the effects. For example, your boss reprimands
you at work, and because you can’t retaliate, you come home like a bear with a
headache and make everybody around you walk on eggshells. Lower the decibel
level! Don’t let your anger run amok. King David shone on the battlefront but
struggled on the home front. Perhaps that’s why one of the last Psalms reads like
this: “Help me to guard my words whenever I say something” (Ps 141:3 CEV).
Day 11: HARMONY AT HOME 3

“It’s smart to be patient, but it’s stupid to lose your temper.” Pr 14:29
CEV
 
It’s never okay to explode at those God has entrusted to your care. The Bible says,
“Don’t get so angry that you sin. Don’t go to bed angry and don’t give the devil a
chance” (Eph 4:26-27 CEV). Satan would like nothing better than to gain entry to
your home and turn it into a living hell, and every time you fly into a rage, you lose
ground to him. That’s why the Scriptures say, “It’s smart to be patient, but it’s
stupid to lose your temper.” The key to managing your anger lies in finding healthy
ways to express it so that it doesn’t end up hurting more than helping. It’s important
to share your feelings, but you must always do it in the right way. Ultimately it’s not
about who’s right and who’s wrong, or who can yell the loudest. It’s about finding
the solution that’s best for everyone. Understand this: Nobody can be everything you
want them to be all the time. It’s impossible to have a long-term, loving relationship
without learning to accept human weakness. So instead of dwelling on one another’s
shortcomings, focus on your collective strengths as a family. Clinical
neuropsychologist Paul Pearsall says, “Most of us would give our own life for…a
family member, yet we lead our daily life too often as if we take our family for
granted.” Learn to control your temper; your family is worth it. After all, who else
loves you regardless of what you do? And where else can you go to find the comfort
and strength that comes from that kind of support system?
Day 12: WATCH YOUR CHILDREN’S CLOSE FRIENDS

“My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them!” Pr 1:10 NLT
 
If you have children you’ll never have a more important job in life than being a
parent. And as long as your children are under your roof, you are responsible to God
for them. With that in mind, do these: (1) See who influences your child most. Your
son or daughter will gravitate toward certain kids for a variety of reasons. These are
the ones they “hang with.” They text them, talk with them on the phone, invite them
to the house, sit with them in church, and so on. You can’t monitor every
relationship your child has, but you need to know the ones who influence them most.
(2) Get to know their close friends. Notice the way they talk, dress, show respect or
a lack of it, and how they play and interact with your family. Don’t be afraid to ask
them questions about their parents, the church they attend, and if they’re old enough,
their relationship with Christ. (3) Check your child’s overnight accommodations. If
your son or daughter is invited to a friend’s house, talk with the parents and become
aware of any activity that might be planned outside the home. Make sure they have
adequate supervision. Tell your children you expect them to show courtesy and
respect, and ask them to inform you if there’s a problem of any kind. (4) Look out
for warning signs. When your child is running with the wrong crowd, chances are
you’ll observe signs like indifference toward spiritual things, an openly defiant
spirit, and an attraction to music, dress, and entertainment you don’t necessarily
approve of. “Isn’t that very demanding?” you ask. Yes, and it’s also very loving and
protective!
Day 13: WORK ON YOUR MARRIAGE

“The two are united into one.” Mt 19:5 NLT

 
Dr. Joyce Brothers once joked, “My husband and I have never considered divorce…
sometimes murder, but never divorce!” Getting married is easy; living together
successfully is hard. So how do you do it? By identifying issues that must be
resolved, working on them, and learning to live with the rest! Snoring, endless hours
of watching TV sports, not communicating, dirty socks on the floor, unmade beds—
your partner’s habits can drive you crazy. And since Jesus said, “Let no one split
apart what God has joined together” (v. 6 NLT), how should you handle conflicts
when they arise? (1) Attack the problem instead of each other. (2) Keep your voice
low, stay calm, and your partner is more likely to pay attention. (3) Choose the best
time to address the issue, not when the kids are hungry or you’re both tired. (4)
Remember, men and women see things differently. So, when your spouse expresses
their viewpoint, don’t sigh and roll your eyes. What marriage therapists refer to as
“active listening,” calls for affirming your spouse through paraphrasing, validation,
and positive feedback. (5) There’ll be times when each of you will have to
compromise. (6) Choose your words carefully. “Do not let any unwholesome talk
come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up” (Eph 4:29
NIV). “Encourage one another” (1Th 5:11 NIV). “Forgiving one another” (Eph 4:32
NLT). “Pray for each other” (Jas 5:16 NIV). “Spur one another on toward love and
good deeds” (Heb 10:24 NIV). “Carry each other’s burdens” (Gal 6:2 NIV). “Giving
preference to one another” (Ro 12:10 NKJV). Now work on your marriage!

Day 14: HOW ARE THINGS AT HOME

“I’m doing the very best I can…at home, where it counts.” Ps 101:2 MSG
 
After King David’s affair with Bathsheba, the prophet Nathan told him, “The sword
shall never depart from your house” (2Sa 12:10 NKJV). And it happened. His son
Amnon raped his half-sister Tamar, and because David had lost his moral authority
at home, he did nothing about it. When his other son Adonijah staged a coup, “his
father…never crossed him at any time by asking, ‘Why have you done so?’” (1Ki 1:6
NAS 1995). If ever there was a time David needed to be a husband and father, this
was it. As a leader he unified Israel, won wars, and brought the ark of the covenant
back to Jerusalem. But with his own family, he blew it. No wonder he “went up by…
the Mount of Olives, and wept” (2Sa 15:30 NKJV). When he heard of his son
Absalom’s untimely death, he cried, “If only I had died in your place!” (2Sa 18:33
NKJV). And when he faced death himself, instead of sending for his wife and
children, his servants hired a “young woman…and she cared for the king” (1Ki 1:4
NKJV). The man who made strangers of his own family died in a stranger’s arms.
It’s too late to change David’s story—but not yours! If you succeed in your career
and fail at home, your achievements will be hollow. Apart from your relationship
with God, your first priority should be to love your spouse and dedicate yourself to
the children in your care. David wrote, “I’m doing the very best I can…at home,
where it counts.” Sadly, David’s best wasn’t good enough. But by God’s grace, your
story can be different!

Day 15: SPEAK POSITIVELY

“I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Php 4:13

NLT
 
When you can’t choose or control your circumstances, you can still decide how
you’ll respond to them. Paul was in prison when he wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord
always” (v. 4 NKJV). We’re addressing those who have a perpetually pessimistic
outlook on life and talk negatively most of the time. This is serious stuff! “Death
and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Pr
18:21 NKJV). That means you can talk yourself to death or talk yourself to life. This
is Scriptural truth! The trouble is we don’t always recognize when we’re engaging in
negative self-talk, because it’s habit forming. We unconsciously develop a
compromised view of ourselves when we constantly think and say things like, “I’m
such a loser,” or “This is too hard; why even try?” We settle for defeat when with a
few minor attitude adjustments, we could open the door to amazing possibilities. The
worst part of negative self-talk is that we don’t just limit ourselves; we limit God
(See Ps 78:41). As His redeemed child, there resides within you the power to think
better, talk better, and do better. “Does the Bible say that?” you ask. Yes, Paul says,
“To Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think,
according to the power that works in us…be glory…forever (Eph 3:20-21 NKJV).
It’s time to draw a line in the sand and declare, “Whatever God says about me, I will
say too!” And here’s a great verse to get you started: “I can do everything through
Christ, who gives me strength.”

Day 16: SPEAK POSITIVELY 2

“I decided to forget my complaints…put away my sad face and be

cheerful.” Job 9:27 NLT
 
Let’s begin by acknowledging that sometimes life is hard. And some of us have it
harder than others. That’s why the Bible says there is “a time to cry and a time to
laugh” (Ecc 3:4 NLT). But what if you just keep “crying” about life? How can you
reduce the strain and drain produced by negative self-talk? Here are three ways: (1)
Cut and paste. Train yourself to recognize negative inner chatter the minute it starts
and delete it immediately. If you have to, take a chain saw to it. If it helps, make a
“time out” signal with your hands as a physical reminder to yourself. But don’t stop
there. Replace those negative thoughts with Scriptural self-talk. “Whoever guards
his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles” (Pr 21:23 NKJV). (2) Tweak
your tone. You know how the doctor says, “This may pinch a little,” as he jabs a
needle into your arm? Borrow his technique and reduce big ugly blackhead wordage
to smaller, unintimidating blemish terms. “Impossible” is a brick wall compared to
“this may take some work.” Wouldn’t you rather tackle a project that’s
“challenging” rather than “unmanageable?” (3) Be your own BFF (Blessed Friend
Forever). Using your BFF voice, intentionally over-dub that negative droning voice
inside you. Speak to yourself like you would to your very best friend. The Bible
says, “David encouraged himself in the Lord his God” (1Sa 30:6). Reboot your mind.
Reprogram your thoughts. There’s power in God’s Word. So, whatever He says
about you, start saying the same thing and watch your life change for the better.

Day 17: SPEAK POSITIVELY 3

“Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Php 4:8
NLT
 
Positive self-talk isn’t a new concept; it’s a Scriptural one. Paul writes, “Fix your
thoughts on what is true…honorable…right…pure…lovely, and admirable…things
that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
Here are three ways you can do that:
(1) Avoid comparisons. Each of us has a different skill set. You’re unique. The way
you do things may differ from the techniques of others, but that doesn’t make it
wrong. As the old saying goes, “There’s more than one way to skin a cat.” (Try not
to imagine how that adage originated!) Comparison is unwise, unfair, and fosters
negativity. Unless you’re the reigning world champion, there’ll always be somebody
better than you at a specific skill. So what? You don’t need another tiara!
(2) Tack on hope. The Bible says, “Even when there was no reason for hope,
Abraham kept on…believing that he would become the father of many nations. For
God had said to him, ‘That’s how many descendants you will have!’” (Ro 4:18
NLT). And the Psalmist said, “I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Ps
42:5 NIV). There’s power in the word “yet.” It can miraculously transform your “I
can’t” perspective, into “I can with a little more time.” The difference is subtle but
profound.
(3) Act positively to actually become positive. In Winning the Stress Challenge Dr.
Nick Hall cites a study confirming that signals transmitted to a person’s brain when
they’re behaving a certain way, provoke similar physical and mental changes to
those elicited by real emotional responses. In other words, putting on a happy face
can truly make you feel happier. Try it!

Day 18: SPEAK POSITIVELY 4

“If our minds are ruled by the Spirit, we will have life and peace.” Ro
8:6 CEV
 
Pessimism affects you spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Negativity
is directly related to heart disease, immune system deficits, and the ability to cope
with physical pain. The famous Mayo Clinic conducted a thirty-year study of eight-
hundred patients—and the results are telling. The pessimists’ risk of early death was
19 percent higher than that of the optimists in the group. In Learned Optimism: How
to Change Your Mind and Your Life, Dr. Martin Seligman of the University of
Pennsylvania concluded that optimism and pessimism affect your health almost as
clearly as physical factors. Have you ever said, “I’m sick to death of this”? Then do
something about it—quickly! If you hold onto that thought for too long—it may
come true. One of the great findings of modern medical science is that the words we
speak don’t just affect others, they affect us too. Indeed, sometimes they affect us
even more! Words are powerful. You believe and internalize what you repeatedly
say. That means you have the God-given ability to change your perception of your
own abilities from limited to limitless. Let’s be clear about what that does and
doesn’t mean. It doesn’t mean you can play the guitar like Eric Clapton or paint like
Van Gogh just because you decide to and want to. But it does mean you can do
whatever God has told you to do in His Word. Whatever He calls you to do, He will
enable you to do. And that’ll happen when you line up what comes out of your
mouth with what’s written in His Word.
Day 19: KEEP ON IMPROVING

“From everyone who has been given much, much more will be asked.” Lk
12:48 NIV
 
Author H. Jackson Brown Jr. quipped, “Talent without discipline is like an octopus
on roller skates. There’s plenty of movement, but you never know if it’s going to be
forward, backwards, or sideways.” If you know you have talent and you’ve seen a lot
of motion but little concrete results, you may lack self-discipline. Look at last
week’s schedule. How much of your time did you devote to regular, disciplined
activities? Did you do anything to grow and improve yourself? If you have been
putting these things off and telling yourself that you’ll do them later, you need to
work on your self-discipline. A nursery in Canada displays this sign on its wall:
“The best time to plant a tree is twenty five years ago…The second best time is
today.” So starting today—discipline yourself using the following steps: (1) Be
willing to pay the price to reach the next level. American playwright Sidney Howard
remarked: “One half of knowing what you want, is knowing what you must give up
before you get it.” (2) Be willing to start with small things. At first your gains will
be small, but they will grow. The difference between the gold medal winner and the
other contestants, is often just hundredths of a second. (3) Get into the right
environment. Since improvement always requires some degree of risk and failure,
pick a place where growth and experimentation are encouraged. (4) Believe that you
can always do it better. Anything you’ve done in a particular way for a given amount
of time, can always be done better. So with God’s help, you can keep improving.
Day 20: GIVING TO YOUR SUPPLIER

“All things come from You, and of Your own we have given You.” 1Ch
29:14 NKJV
 
Generous people are always comfortable talking about money, and they are even
more comfortable giving it. Self-centered people obsess over keeping what they
have, and how to get even more. That’s why Jesus, who was the most generous
person in history, spoke so much about money. He understood its source, its use, and
who owns it all. Sixteen of his thirty-eight parables deal with how to handle money
and possessions. In the four Gospels, one out of every ten verses deals with the
subject. The Bible has five hundred verses on prayer, roughly the same amount on
faith, but over two thousand on money and possessions. Is God trying to tell you
something? If so, what? It’s this: Everything you have, came from God! So you’re
not an owner, but an administrator of His estate. That means when He taps you on
the shoulder and says, “Give to this person or to that cause,” you don’t argue or
rationalize but say, “Yes, Lord!” After raising the money to build the temple, David
prayed: “Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your
hand is power and might; in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.
Now therefore, our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name. But who am
I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all
things come from You, and of Your own we have given You” (vv. 12-14 NKJV).
When you give to God, you are just giving back to your supplier.

Day 21: GROWTH IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN GOALS

“The ways of right-living people glow with light.” Ps 4:18 TM

 
Phil Cooke writes: “Growth is what we do with knowledge. Growth is where we take
our knowledge, how we apply it, and how we use it in our everyday lives.
Leadership expert John Maxwell taught me long ago to change my orientation from
goals to growth. When he said those words, it was a revelation. I’d always learned
that goals were important, and I tried and tried to use a system of reaching goals, but
I’d always struggled with it. I could see that goals motivated lots of people…but
reaching goals always left me empty and unsatisfied. But when John showed me how
to focus my attention on growth, everything suddenly fell into place. The process
taught me that goals are great, but when we reach a goal, we’re finished. But with
growth, it’s a never-ending process—always learning, always moving forward,
always achieving. I hope when I reach the end of my life, there will be a couple of
good books on my nightstand. I want to learn and grow until my last breath…Look at
the people in your circle of friends. Why do some succeed and others seem to
stagnate? Why do some move to higher levels of achievement while others stay at
the same place for years at a time? Many people blame the system, the company, or
their boss. They blame society, their upbringing, or their past. But a lifetime plan for
growth can break through barriers and overcome nearly any obstacle.” The Bible
puts it like this: “The ways of right-living people glow with light; the longer they
live, the brighter they shine.” And the more they grow!