Day 14 – Living Boldly: Where To Go From Here

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Let’s reflect on God’s grace and its power to guide you through life’s challenges. Here is how I want to frame God’s grace for this devotion: No matter what you’re facing, God’s grace is sufficient, offering answers to your questions and untangling the messiest problems. The question then becomes: Where will you go from here—wherever you may be at this juncture in your journey with the Lord?

Rick’s 31-Day Devotions

• 31-Day Marriage Devotion
• 31-Day Parenting Devotion
• 31-Day Young Adult Devotion

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Trust God’s Grace

Despair, discouragement, or depression over your disappointments are not the solutions to what is happening in your life. God calls you to trust Him, even when the obstacles seem overwhelming. As you think about the next steps, consider these six tips to help you apply God’s transforming grace.

Six Tips for Moving Forward

1. Break Free from Unhelpful Influences: Genetic, familial, or cultural influences don’t control your life. Even your bad choices do not exert perpetual power over your life. You can break free from what binds you and build a satisfying life rooted in God’s truth. Ask yourself: What is the primary control shaping my life?
2. Start with the Gospel: Real and lasting change begins with the gospel—the person and work of Christ in your life. When the gospel is your starting point, it will also be your pathway and destination. Is your life grounded in the good news of Jesus Christ
3. Examine Your Worship: Everyone, everywhere worships something; God wired us to worship. Thus, we ask, “Who or what are we worshiping?” Take time to evaluate the primary object of your worship. Are you bowing to God or something less worthy?
4. Focus on the Heart, Not Just Behavior: All change begins in the heart. There is wisdom in amputating things from your life (Matthew 5:29), but the source of our attitudes and thoughts that lead to actions is in our hearts (Luke 6:45). Ask yourself: What heart change can you make to alter your behaviors?
5. Let Transformation Be about God: A lack of growth isn’t just about your parents, your circumstances, or even yourself—it’s about God, the Author and Finisher of your faith. Let Him be the starting point for all you do. What does your attitude toward your parents (or others in authority) reveal about your relationship with God? If you are angry at someone, you must recognize that God is permitting these circumstances.
6. Salvation Is Just the Beginning: Salvation isn’t the finish line but the beginning of a lifelong journey to glorify God. After regeneration, you begin a life of progressive, incremental sanctification. How have you been changing since the day God saved you? What fruit is evident in your life?

Time to Reflect

1. Choose one of these six tips for reflection. Write out a specific plan to apply it to your life. For example:
   1. If you choose to focus on the gospel, consider spending time each day meditating on a key verse, such as Romans 1:16 or John 3:16.
   2. If you choose to examine your worship, list the things that compete for your attention and ask God to help you re-center your heart on Him.
2. Share what the Lord is teaching you with a trusted mentor or friend. Let them encourage and hold you accountable as you grow.

Let’s live boldly, embracing God’s grace and allowing it to transform our lives for His glory.

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Rick Thomas

Rick launched the Life Over Coffee global training network in 2008 to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. His primary responsibilities are resource creation and leadership development, which he does through speaking, writing, podcasting, and educating.

In 1990 he earned a BA in Theology and, in 1991, a BS in Education. In 1993, he received his ordination into Christian ministry, and in 2000 he graduated with an MA in Counseling from The Master’s University. In 2006 he was recognized as a Fellow of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).