Next Steps Devotional

Next Steps is all about you moving closer to God during the next 30 days and being completely transformed by the journey.

Welcome to the Next Steps Devotional, a 30-day journey that will take you on a walk toward deeper spiritual growth. As we lace up our shoes and hit the trail, there are a few things you need to know to get the most out of this journey. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

We’ll introduce you to six spiritual practices that will put you on a fast track toward God, and each day of the journey, we’ll give you simple action steps that will help you take the next steps in your spiritual journey. These steps will only take a few minutes, but they’ll help you get closer to God.

And here’s the best part: It doesn’t matter where you’re starting from. Whether you’re taking your first steps toward God or you’ve been walking with Him for years, the Next Steps Devotional is for you. So get ready for a journey that changes everything. Put on your walking shoes and expect God to do incredible things in your life during the next 30 days!

IMPORTANT FOR ALL DAILY READINGS:

As you take the next steps in your spiritual journey, it’s important to reflect on what God is saying to you. That’s why we encourage you to use a journal, notebook, or note-taking app to write down one thought each day: one thing you think God may be communicating to you as you read.

This daily practice will help you stay focused on what’s important and will deepen your spiritual growth. And remember, there are no right or wrong answers here. Just write down whatever comes to mind and see where it takes you.

So whether you prefer pen and paper or the convenience of a digital note-taking app, find a method that works for you and make it a daily habit. You never know what insights and revelations God may have in store for you during this journey!

Have you ever wanted to be closer to God, but just weren’t sure how to get there? Maybe you’ve felt like someone as flawed as you could never actually get close to God, or you’ve wondered if getting close to God in a real and authentic way is even possible. The good news is, God knew we would have all sorts of questions and concerns.

In Jeremiah 29:13-14, He promises that when we come looking for Him, we’ll find Him. He says, “When you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed. I’ll turn things around for you.”

The Next Steps Devotional is all about understanding how to move closer to God and actually doing it. God is everywhere at the same time, so moving closer to Him is a spiritual journey, not a physical one. When you “find” God, you’re moving into a closer, more intimate relationship with Him. And when you do, everything about your life will change.

The key to finding God is getting serious about it. When we truly want to be close to Him, He wants to be close to us even more. And that’s what the Next Steps Devotional is all about. No matter what your past looks like, no matter how close or how far from God you may feel today, He wants to be close to you. He wants to turn things around for you today. So let’s take the next steps in our spiritual journey and get serious about finding God. The journey starts now!

Next Steps Day 1

TO DO:

TO READ:

TO REMEMBER:

Take a few moments to complete these action steps and reflect on what you’ve read. Remember, each small step brings you closer to God and deeper in your faith journey.

Have you ever reached a point in your life where you knew that change was necessary? Perhaps you realized that you needed to make significant changes in your career, relationships, or your life in general. The decisions we make during these moments of opportunity are crucial.

You might be reading the Next Steps Devotional because you recently realized that your spiritual life needed to go in a new direction. If that’s the case, then know that’s precisely what getting close to God is all about! God wants to connect with you in a life-altering way. He won’t only change your “here and now,” but He will also change your eternity.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV)

John 3:16 speaks of God’s love for us. Despite our flaws, doubts, and problems, He loves us so much that He allowed His Son to die for us. When we put our trust in Him, He forgives all our sins and gives us the ability to enter heaven forever when we die. In other words, we are “saved” from eternal separation from God, and our eternal destination is forever transformed!

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13 (NIV)

If you haven’t committed your life to Christ, do it today! Simply call out to God right now, ask Him to forgive you of your sins, and tell Him that you are putting your faith in Him from this day forward.

Next Steps Day 2

TO DO

TO READ

TO REMEMBER

It’s easy to get stuck in the past, and when you’re starting a new journey with God, it’s natural to think about past mistakes and failures. However, focusing too much on the past can prevent you from moving forward. What’s most important is what lies ahead of you and your relationship with God.

God wants to cleanse your past so that you can move forward and be guilt-free. The good news is that God has provided us with exactly what we need, which is complete forgiveness of sin. As 1 John 1:9 (NIV) tells us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

It’s important to understand that we’ve all made mistakes and have regrets about our pasts. God promises to purify us from all unrighteousness if we simply ask for forgiveness. He removes our sins as far from us as the east is from the west, as Psalm 103:12 (NLT) reminds us.

When we repent, our sins are no longer a part of who we are, and in God’s eyes, the rearview mirror is completely clean. Even if we don’t feel forgiven, we are. The Word of God trumps our feelings. Allow yourself to be forgiven today and let the fact that you are forgiven bring you peace.

Next Steps Day 3

TO DO

TO READ

TO REMEMBER

As believers, we often struggle with feelings of inadequacy and guilt. It’s easy to get stuck in a cycle of looking back at past mistakes and failures, which can make it difficult to move forward in our relationship with God.

While it’s important to acknowledge our past, we must not let it consume us. Instead, we need to focus on what lies ahead, and trust in God’s grace to help us move forward. God desires for us to be free from guilt and has provided complete forgiveness of sin.

As 1 John 1:9 (NIV) tells us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” When we ask God for forgiveness, He purifies us from all unrighteousness, making us perfect in His sight. He not only forgives us, but He forgets our sins and does not hold them against us.

As Psalm 103:12 (NLT) says, “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” When we repent, our sins no longer define us. We must allow ourselves to be forgiven, and trust that we are indeed forgiven. It’s important to remember that our feelings do not change the fact that we have been forgiven.

In order to move forward, we must leave our past mistakes behind and focus on the present and future. Take some time to talk to God about your past and ask for forgiveness if necessary. Give yourself permission to move on and trust that you are forgiven. Today, remind yourself often that God loves you just the way you are, and He is proud of the progress you are making.

TO DO:

TO READ

TO REMEMBER

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