January Devotions: Training Your Mind to Look to Jesus
Photo by Sean Kong
MONDAY
Filling Your Thoughts with the Hope of Jesus
Romans 12:2 ESV
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
The world is filled with opportunities to take our eyes off Jesus. Our hope starts to wobble, and we wonder where our faith went.
Bill Johnson says, “Any area of our lives for which we have no hope is under the influence of a lie.”
To have the greatest amount of hope, we need to train our thoughts to look like Heaven’s thoughts—to be Kingdomly, filled with the rhythms and patterns of the Holy Spirit. As we begin to think as He thinks and believe what He believes, hopelessness is defeated.
Are there any “caves” of hopelessness in your thoughts? Ask God to fill you with His truth.
Today’s prayer: Father God, please help me to see any areas in my thinking that don’t line up with Your truth. I want to know what’s real, and I want my thoughts to mirror Yours. You are my ultimate hope! In the name of Jesus, amen.
May your Monday be blessed!
TUESDAY
Teaching Yourself to Expect the Miraculous
Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
You and I were made for a realm that is bigger than what we can see around us.
We are not natural, fleshly beings stuck in a natural, fleshly world with no hope of anything greater. We are the children of the Creator—the God who made everything, and thought of everything, and is surprised by nothing.
Don’t allow the world to tell you what God is like. Use Scripture as your reference book, and expect the Lord to do impossible things—like make beauty from what you thought was lost and turn your despair into joy.
Miracles are coming. Because that’s who God is.
Today’s prayer: Father God, forgive me for putting You in a box and thinking You can’t or won’t act on my behalf. My eyes are on You, and I wait for You to move in this impossible situation: __________. I give that situation to You in the name of Jesus.
May your Tuesday be blessed!
WEDNESDAY
Thinking According to God’s Truth
2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Are you allowing fear to talk to you?
In 2 Corinthians 10 the apostle Paul talks about tearing down arguments and everything that sets itself up against God and the knowledge of Him—who He really is and how He works.
When something doesn’t line up with the truth of God, don’t let it keep talking! Boldly plant your feet on God’s Word and speak out loud your intention to follow Him.
“I don’t have to listen to this fear! I don’t have to allow this insecurity to drive me. I have Jesus, and He’s the One who tells me what’s true. Today I’m going to believe His Word.”
Today’s prayer: Father God, please reveal to me any spots in my thinking where I’m listening to an argument against You. I want to see You more and more clearly. I want to be completely free, and I know You’re my freedom. In the name of Jesus, amen.
May your Wednesday be blessed!
THURSDAY
Experiencing the Peace Found in Trusting Jesus
Proverbs 3:5–6 TPT
Trust in the Lord completely,
and do not rely on your own opinions.
With all your heart rely on him to guide you,
and he will lead you in every decision you make.
Become intimate with him in whatever you do,
and he will lead you wherever you go.
Being led by Jesus is a sweet experience. He’s the Prince of Peace, so when He guides you, telling you which way to go and what to expect, the worries of the world get pushed aside for peace that passes all understanding (Phil. 4:7).
Where do you need to trust Jesus today?
Maybe it’s a work thing, a relationship, your health, or a situation with a friend. Think of a specific area, and ask the Lord to give you the grace to trust Him the next time fear starts creeping in.
Today’s prayer: Father God, I give You the situations in my life that are hard for me. I want to trust You in those areas to such a degree that fear has no place in my heart anymore. Please give me the grace to trust You in this season, and help me to hear Your voice. In the name of Jesus, amen.
May your Thursday be blessed!
FRIDAY
Filling Your Thoughts with the Reality of God
Colossians 3:2–3 TPT
Yes, feast on all the treasures of the heavenly realm and fill your thoughts with heavenly realities, and not with the distractions of the natural realm. Your crucifixion with Christ has severed the tie to this life, and now your true life is hidden away in God in Christ.
Your mind is a lot like a cup—it will hold whatever you pour into it.
If you want your mind to “hold” the thoughts of God, His wisdom, His mercy for others, His love for you and the people around you, peaceable thoughts, pleasant things, an abundance of hope—then immerse yourself in who He is. Spend time with Him and cling to His Word.
Fill up your brain with good things as Philippians 4:8 talks about:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (ESV)
If something is NOT on that list, take it to God and ask Him what you should do with it.
Today’s prayer: Father, would You help me to fill my thoughts with You? I invite You into my thinking, and I want all my thoughts to be built on Your truth. In the name of Jesus, amen.
May your Friday be blessed!
SATURDAY
Training Your Mind to Expect God’s Help
1 Peter 5:7 NLT
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
The God who made the world loves you dearly, and He wants to help you with every little thing, in every little way. Nothing is beyond His notice—nothing is too small, too insignificant, or an embarrassment when you pray about it. This God treasures you. The Bible calls His Spirit the Helper, and that’s what He wants to be in your life.
Where do you need God’s help? Take that matter to Him and fully expect Him to show up for you—to do what’s best for you.
Today’s prayer: Father, I need help in this area today: __________. Please come and meet me here. Show me what to do and give me wisdom. In the name of Jesus, amen.
May your Saturday be blessed!
SUNDAY
Making Requests of God and Seeing His Provision
1 John 5:14–15 NIV
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
Do you know someone who loves giving gifts?
“I feel affection for you so I’m going to give you a tangible sign of that affection. Here’s a present! I have more joy giving it than you have in receiving it!”
God is a Giver of gifts too. He LOVES gift giving and revealing His heart in ways that surprise and amaze His kids. When you ask Him what He wants to give you, this delights His heart.
Sit down with God and ask what’s on His heart for you. Write His answer down in your journal, and then ask Him to give you whatever it is He talked about.
Today’s prayer: Father, please open my eyes to see Your heart for me and the beautiful gifts You have for me! Increase my faith so I can say, “Yes and amen,” to Your plans. In the name of Jesus, amen.
May your Sunday be blessed!
Interested in reading more about dating, relationships, and your walk with God? Here are a few articles on related topics:
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