21 Days with the Holy Spirit

Day 18

Forget What Lies Behind

It’s a new day. Forget what lies behind, and press on to what Jesus has for you. Don’t let your mind wander to the people and places of the past, no matter how good or how bad. If you try to move forward while looking back, you will stumble. You will stumble over frustration, either because things didn’t go the way you hoped or because your current circumstances do not live up to those of your past. Don’t look back. Stay focused on your mission in Christ. He will take care of the past, present and future if you keep your mind stayed on Him.

SCRIPTURE: Philippians 3:13-14; Isaiah 43:19; Ephesians 2:10

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, when my mind wanders away from Your truth, please speak to my heart and remind me that the past is the past and the future is bright. Please give me a glimpse of what lies ahead so I can press on toward that higher calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Day 19

Keep Crying Out

Sometimes when you stand up for what is right, people around you will call you a fanatic and say you are overreacting. But truth is truth, and you are called to proclaim it. Sometimes when you pursue Jesus with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul and all your strength, people will say you are too fervent. But fire is fire. Remember blind Bartimaeus! He needed a touch from Jesus, so instead of remaining silent when the Messiah went by, he cried out to Him. The people around him told him to quiet his mouth, but he cried out all the more. Don’t stop crying out for truth. Don’t stop crying out for a touch from Jesus. Don’t let anyone put out your fire. We love it!

SCRIPTURE: Luke 10:27; John 14:6; Mark 10:46-52

PRAYER: I want to burn and shine for You even when people don’t understand my love for You. Help me to share Your heart with the people around me so they can know You the way I do and burn and shine with me.

Day 20

Set Your Mind and Heart on Jesus

Always remember this: You are in the world but not of the world. Set your mind and your heart on Jesus, and He will refresh your soul. Don’t look to the right or to the left because that’s where the enemy lies in wait. Look for Jesus along the narrow way. Wait on Jesus. Trust in Jesus. Father gave you the dreams, visions and desires of your heart, and He will bring them to pass in His way, in His time and in His season. Don’t give up now. The enemy is no match for the one who loves Jesus. Take hold of My heart afresh. I won’t let you down.

SCRIPTURE: John 17:16-26; Hebrews 12:2; Psalm 37:4

PRAYER: Give me laser-like focus on Your will so that I will not be moved by the distractions that come from the world and from the enemy of my soul. Teach me to trust You and Your timing for the good things You have planned for me.

Day 21

Ask Me for the Wisdom to Set Boundaries

People will push you to the point of absolute exhaustion if you let them. They don’t mean to, and you don’t have to let them. Some people always want more, more, more and more, and they don’t realize you don’t have more to give unless you tell them. You need to give out only what We give you to share. If you don’t set boundaries in your life, you will become stressed out and worn out and will eventually burn out. But seclude yourself in My presence, and you will find refreshing and restoration for your weary soul. I have the wisdom you need to set the proper boundaries in your life. Just ask Me.

SCRIPTURE: Luke 5:15-16; Matthew 5:37; Matthew 11:28

PRAYER: My heart is to help people, but I sometimes wear myself out by not asking You first. Remind me to acknowledge You before making a commitment so I don’t burn out and end up resenting the people I have a heart to help. Teach me to say no graciously. With the Holy Spirit, which releases this month and from which this article was adapted.

Jennifer LeClaire is the news editor of Charisma. She is also the author of several books, including Satan’s Deadly Trio and Mornings With the Holy Spirit, which releases this month and from which this article was adapted.

Watch Jennifer LeClaire offer tips on how we can know the Holy Spirit better at holyspirit.charismamag.com

If you liked these entries, you’ll love the book, Mornings With the Holy Spirit. Click here to order it.

Charisma News editor and author Jennifer LeClaire provides intimate and inspiring daily devotionals in her latest book, Mornings With the Holy Spirit (Charisma House). Each day brings a new, encouraging prophetic word and several passages for further study. You can purchase this book wherever Christian books are sold or at christianbook.com or amazon.com.