“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10

Hosea 14:1-9

We tend to think of repentance primarily in terms of what we need to stop doing. Stop the sin. Break the habit. Walk away from what is wrong. While all of that is certainly necessary, biblical repentance is about more than what we turn away from. It is about Who we are turning toward.

The book of Hosea is the story of God's unfailing love toward an unfaithful people. Israel had wandered from God and given its affection to other things. Yet after exposing their sin and warning of its consequences, Hosea ends with an incredible invitation: “O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God.”

That's the heart of repentance. God isn't simply calling His people to leave their sin; He is calling them to come home to Him. Their sin had created distance, but His mercy invited their return. Hosea even tells them what to bring: “Take with you words, and return to the LORD.” The same is true for us. Sometimes we know something isn't right in our relationship with God. Our hearts have grown cold, our attention has wandered, or something else has taken a place that belongs to Him.

As we continue to seek the Lord during these 21 days, don't ask only, what do I need to turn away from? Ask also, what is keeping me from drawing closer to the Lord? Today, turn away— but make sure you are turning toward Him.

- Pastor Micah

In the movie “Catch Me If You Can,” Leonardo DiCaprio portrays a real-life story of a man, Frank Abagnale, who was a master of disguise. For years, he was successful at disguising himself as a pilot, doctor, and lawyer. While some things can be disguised, the inward condition of the heart cannot. In the Bible, the Lord told Samuel, “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

Humility is one thing that can be easily disguised or misunderstood. We must recognize that it is not low self-worth, saying, “woe is me,” or being a pushover. The posture of humility can only be realized by being intently aware of our dependency on God, our surrender of pride to serve others, and looking to Him only.

Some measures of humility; how teachable we are, how we help others without expectation of return, how quickly we admit our mistakes, and how quickly we forgive the mistakes of others. For the Christian, humility is a discipline that requires effort. Thanking God, confessing sin, swallowing our pride, listening and helping others are daily exercises. We have clear instruction in Philippians 2:3: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”

- Faith Brooks

"Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him." - Proverbs 30:5

David spent a good portion of his life hiding from his enemies. He hid in caves, forests, rock gorges, and even enemy strongholds. David also understood that his best defense against his greatest enemy, the devil, was in being hidden in the truths of God’s Word. Jesus also employed this strategy when being tempted by the devil during his 40 days and nights in the wilderness (Matt 4).

David’s familiarity with the Word gave him an intimate knowledge of who God was, how He operated in the present, His faithfulness in the past, and what He promised to do in the future. (Psalm 143;5; Psalm 119:140) David gave himself wholeheartedly to the disciplines of seeking and waiting upon the guidance of God through prayer.

In the midst of life’s greatest challenges, God’s Word supplied the refreshment, wisdom, and hope that he needed to persevere. (Psalm 19:7) Meditating on God’s Word moved his anxious thoughts from earthly fear to heavenly security and worship. (Psalm 32:7) It also was the convicting and purifying agent that kept him from sins that would hinder his prayer life and get him into trouble. (Psalm 119:9; 119:98-99)

Knowing and aptly applying God’s Word helps to align our hearts with His will. It provides us with insight to help us to avoid the traps of our enemy and to prompt intimate communion with our Heavenly Father.

- Amy Bush

Joel 2:12-13

Most of us don't like going without anything. We live in a world where nearly anything we want can be available within minutes. We get hungry, we eat. We want something, we order it. When we feel uncomfortable, we look for relief. Maybe that's one reason the spiritual discipline of fasting feels so foreign to us.

In Joel 2, God calls His people to “turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.” But the next verse makes clear that God isn't primarily interested in an outward religious exercise: “Rend your heart, and not your garments.”

The people were accustomed to outward demonstrations of sorrow, including tearing their clothing. But God wanted something deeper. He wanted their hearts. True repentance had to be more than an outward display; it required an inward work of grace. That's important when we fast. Fasting isn't about proving how spiritual we are, nor is it a way of convincing God to give us what we want. We willingly set something aside so that our attention and appetite can be redirected toward Him. Every hunger becomes a reminder: I need God more than I need this.

During these 21 days, don't fast simply to say you fasted. Let the absence create a greater awareness of your need for God. We willingly go without something temporary so that our hunger might be redirected toward something greater... the fullness found in Him.

- Pastor Micah

"The Steadfast Love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness." - Lamentations 3:22-23

The greatest joy in being a child of God is being able to look back and see His enduring faithfulness. In a world where everything is constantly changing, the promises we receive from God our Father and our Savior Jesus Christ never change. This unchanging nature is precisely what teaches us to trust and obey Him.

It was His steadfast love and mercy that placed our sins upon Jesus on the cross. Because of that ultimate sacrifice, we are forgiven, made new, and claimed as God's own. Our past sins will never be held against us because the righteousness of Jesus has been credited to our account. That is the definition of never-ending mercy.

He promises that He has a plan for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11) and that He is working all things together for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28). He says, "I will never leave you" (Hebrews 13:5), "My grace is sufficient" (2 Corinthians 12:9), and tells us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart" (Proverbs 3:5-6). Great is His faithfulness.

- Janet Shanks

Micah 6:6-8

It is possible to spend a great deal of time seeking God without allowing that seeking to change the way we live. We can read our Bible, spend time in prayer, attend church, and participate in something like these 21 Days of Prayer and still resist what God is asking us to do.

Micah spoke to people who had fallen into that trap. God had redeemed them, but their relationship with Him had become little more than going through the motions of religion. They wondered what God wanted from them. More sacrifices? Thousands of rams? Rivers of oil? What could they possibly bring that would satisfy Him?

God's answer was remarkably practical: Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God. In other words, there comes a point when seeking God requires us to get up from where we have been praying and obey what He has already shown us. Micah's emphasis wasn't merely talking about the right things, but actually walking them out.

Prayer isn't meant merely to give us information from God; it should transform us. If He exposes sin, confess it. If He tells you to forgive, forgive. If He puts someone on your heart, reach out. If He shows you something that needs to change, change it.

Perhaps today's prayer should be very simple: Lord, what have You already shown me that I still need to obey?

- Pastor Micah

• Revelation 22:13
• Psalm 16

In Psalm 16, David reflects on finding refuge and safety in the Lord alone. He comes to God as his Master, understanding that all good things come from Him (vs. 2). While troubles seem to multiply for those who chase after other gods, David will take no part in offering sacrifices to them or even uttering their names (vs. 4). There is a sense of unhindered allegiance to God.

He says God is his inheritance, his ‘cup of blessing’ (vs. 5). The Lord guides him and counsels him. Even at night, his heart is instructed. He knows the Lord is always with him; therefore, he will not be shaken. The whole psalm crescendos in verse 11: “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

I have found in my own life that it’s through resting, reflecting, stillness and worship that I can see the reality that all I have is because of the Lord. What joy can be found apart from Him? Colossians 1 tells us that all things are held together by Him. May we find joy in the presence of our Creator, Sustainer, Comforter, and Savior.

- Lexi Reinig

“Like the woman at the well, I was seeking For things that could not satisfy.

And then I heard my Savior speaking—"Draw from My well that never shall run dry."

Fill my cup, Lord; I lift it up, Lord;

Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.

Bread Of Heaven, feed mc till I want no more.

Fill my Cup, fill it up and make whole.”

This Old hymn on the story of the Samaritan woman’s encounter with Jesus (John 4:1-42) After that meeting, her life was never the same. Her new life overflowed with the message of Christ, and many were saved.

Similarly, the people of Thessalonica responded to the Good News. Paul commended them for their "work of faith, and labor of love, and patience " (l Thess. 1:2-8), The abundant life Jesus saved us for (John 10:10) should overflow with the Good News of the Gospel and love for everyone. Especially our brothers and sisters in Christ, as we anticipate Jesus’ soon return.

Prayer: “…May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, ..so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all the His  saints." I Thess. 3:12

- Robin Bell

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on...” — Philippians 3:12

After years of knowing and serving Christ, Paul made a remarkable admission: “I have not arrived.”

Paul had preached the gospel, planted churches, suffered for Christ, and experienced God in extraordinary ways. Yet his desire remained: “I want to know Christ” (Philippians 3:10). Seeking Him was not merely how Paul began the Christian life. Seeking Him was the pursuit of his entire life.

The same should be true of us. No matter how long we have walked with Jesus, there is still more of Him to know. Yesterday’s encounters with Christ cannot substitute for seeking Him today. Nor should past failures keep us from pursuing Him now. Paul said, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal.”

I recently heard this thought: “Heaven is not a destination; itis a motivation.” Perhaps we could say it this way: Heaven is the motivation for a lifelong pursuit of Christ. We never graduate from seeking Him.

So don’t coast on yesterday’s faith. Press on. Seek Him today. Tomorrow, seek Him again—until the day faith becomes sight.

- Mark Burritt