A New & Better Normal
To say we are living in uncertain times is a massive understatement. Our world is shaken, and we are stranded in stillness and uncertainty. So what do we do when everything we thought was certain no longer is? When everything around us changes, we have a chance to make changes as well. In every crisis lies opportunity.
Right now, we have the opportunity to create massive change and live with purpose – mend broken family relationships, experience joy, and personally connect with God in a new way. We have the space to establish a new normal and finally live an extraordinary life.
It starts with a focus on our relationships with God and with people. Let's build transformational habits in these relationships together!
Small Steps, Massive Change
Spending Daily Time with God
Faith is what fuels us through times of fear and uncertainty. Seize this moment to build this transformational habit of spending daily time with God. Many of us struggle to find the space to connect with Him on a on consistent basis. If that's you, there's an easy and effective way to start – and it only takes 7 minutes! Read the guide below and dive in. If you're not sure where in the Bible to read, we recommend you start with the book of James.
Making Your Meals Meaningful
We’ve been moved out of our status-quo stasis by crisis. What if after this time your relationships were more fulfilling than ever before? It's possible, and you can start today by simply having purposeful conversations over a meal. We're calling them Meals with Meaning. Each day, have a meal with your family or friends and engage in meaningful conversation. To help you get started, we've created some questions that you can use as a resource.
HOW TO HAVE A DAILY QUIET TIME
Want a deeper relationship with God? Start with seven minutes a day and see what happens!
Most Christians firmly believe in the importance of spending daily regular time in God’s Word and in prayer. Yet, so many of us struggle to do this consistently. Perhaps that’s because we think this time with God has to be a monumental, mystical experience. In fact, you can begin developing this spiritual discipline in as little as seven minutes a day.
In fact, very soon you will discover that it is impossible to spend only seven minutes with the Lord. An amazing thing happens—seven minutes become 20, and it’s not long before you’re spending 30 precious minutes with Him.
Do it for the right reason. Do not become devoted to the habit, but to the Savior. Do it not because other people are doing it—not as a spiritless duty every morning, not merely as an end in itself, but because God has granted the priceless privilege of fellowship with Himself.
Preparing Your Heart (½ minute)
Invest the first 30 seconds preparing your heart. You might pray, “Lord, cleanse my heart so You can speak to me through the Scriptures. Make my mind alert, my soul active, and my heart responsive. Surround me with Your presence during this time.”
Listening to God – Scripture Reading (4 minutes)
Take the next four minutes to read the Bible. Your greatest need is to hear a word from God. Allow the Word to strike fire in your heart. Meet the Author!
Talking to God – Prayer (2½ minutes)
After God has spoken through His Book, then speak to Him in prayer. One method is to incorporate four areas of prayer that you can remember with the word ACTS.
- ADORATION. This is the purest kind of prayer because it’s all for God. Tell the Lord that you love Him. Reflect on His greatness.
- CONFESSION. Having seen Him, you now want to be sure every sin is cleansed and forsaken. “Confession” comes from a root word meaning “to agree together with.” When we apply this to prayer, it means we agree with God’s estimation of what we’ve done.
- THANKSGIVING. Think of several specific things to thank Him for: your family, your business, your church—even thank Him for hardships.
- SUPPLICATION. This means to “ask for, earnestly and humbly.” Ask for others, then ask for yourself. Include people around the world, missionaries, friends, and those who have yet to hear about Jesus.
Adapted from Seven Minutes with God, 2012. Created by The Navigators. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce and distribute this material provided that you do not alter the wording and do not charge a fee.
