1. Ask God to help you find a new “verse of the month” and a new “word of the month.” Post it where you can see it. And ask Him to help you apply it. (And/or ask Him if there is any task/challenge He wants to give you this month.)
2. Pick two or three new people to pray for this
month. Write their names down, pray for
them daily, and ask God if there is anything specific you should pray for about
them.
3. What are five things you are thankful for in
your own backyard (or whatever’s outside your door)?
4. Pick another item from your “nice things to
do for others” list and find time to do it this month.
5. “Do nothing out
of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better
than yourselves. Each of you should look
not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)
Ask God: “What do You want to learn from this passage? How do You want me to apply it?”
6. What five things are you thankful for about
the part of the world you live in?
7. Spend at least 30 minutes away from all
technology at least three times this week and do something peaceful and
relaxing instead. Protect your “alone
time” and your time with your family.
8. Ask God:
“What (or who) am I pursuing, relying on, or finding satisfaction in
when I should be pursuing, relying on, or finding satisfaction in You?”
9. What are five things in your living room you
are thankful for?
10. Pick a verse you’ve always wanted to
memorize. Now memorize it.
11. Ask God:
“Is there any part of the Lord’s Prayer that You want me to meditate on
or be convicted about?”
[Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be
your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in
heaven. Give us today our daily
bread. Forgive us our debts (trespasses), as we also have forgiven
our debtors (those who trespass against
us).
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil
one. (And something we often add . . .
For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, now and forever.) Amen]
12. What are five things related to light that
you are thankful for?
13. Make a “bucket list,” things you’d like to do
or need to do before you leave this world.
Are there any you are willing to try soon?
14. Ask God: “How can I live this verse more?”
Matthew 6:33: “But seek first
his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as
well.”
15. What are five things related to love or
relationships that you are thankful for?
16. Pick a new recipe or food to try soon.
17. Ask God:
“Is there an area of my life where I need to live with more integrity or
walk more righteously? Am I ‘luke-warm’
in any area? What do You want me to do
about it?”
18. What are five “near-misses” or tragedies that
could have happened to you but that didn’t, and you are thankful they didn’t
happen?
19. Choose from your “nice things to do for
yourself” list. And do it soon.
20. Ask God:
“Like rainbows reminding us of God’s promise, what other things should remind
me of You and Your love whenever I encounter them?” (For me, it’s hummingbirds. They’re little whispers of God’s
presence.)
21. What are five things related to
vacation/weekends/down-time that you are thankful for?
22. Make a pleasant change in your home. Move some furniture, buy a new picture,
display something you had put away, or whatever. Just try something new, pleasing to the eye,
or meaningful.
23. Ask God:
“Is there a time in my past when I didn’t think You were with me . . .
but You really were?”
24. What are five black things you are thankful
for?
25. The next time you are talking with someone,
really listen to them. Resist the urge
to interrupt and to finish their sentences.
(Bad habit of mine. Yet I do it
to let them know that I am really listening, that I understand them, and that I
am engaged in the conversation. But it
ends up giving the opposite impression.)
And listen to what they are saying instead of just using the time they
are talking to figure out what you want to say next. Let them lead the conversation and see where
it goes. (And notice how tempting it is
to jump in and turn the conversation back to you or to sound intelligent or to
“one up” the other person. It’s
eye-opening when you begin to see this tendency in yourself.)
[And if you are always the listener
because you don’t feel like you are worth being listened to, then speak up in a
conversation and reveal something about yourself. Let others get to know you a little more.]
26. Ask God:
“Who do I need to begin seeing through Your eyes? Is there anything You want me to do for this
person?”
27. What five natural wonders are you thankful
for?
28. Next time you stand in line somewhere, pick a
person around you to pray for. And ask
God what He wants you to pray.
29. Ask God:
“Is there anything I am afraid of?
What do You say about that?”
30. What five things about the human body are you
thankful for?
31. Take a different path today (or really soon)
than the way you normally go. And just
enjoy the sights. (And if you are
driving, roll your window down and enjoy the breeze, if it’s good weather.)
