Day 19: Unified in Power

Unified in Power

There is power in gathering together under the name of Jesus. We see this in the early church in Acts. When they gathered the presence of God and the power of His Spirit was evident as they began to speak in tongues, prophesy and preach the Gospel with a Godly confidence.

When the church gathers and experiences a time of awakening and refreshing, it has an overflow effect into homes, workplaces, communities, cities and even nations. Never underestimate the power in gathering and how far reaching what we can achieve together is.

The British preacher Charles H. Spurgeon once said, “A true revival is to be looked for in the church of God. Only in the river of gracious life can the pearl of revival be found. It has been said that a revival must begin with God’s people; this is very true, but it is not all the truth, for the revival itself must end as well as begin there.”

WHEN THE DAY OF PENTECOST CAME, THEY WERE ALL TOGETHER IN ONE PLACE. SUDDENLY A SOUND LIKE THE BLOWING OF A VIOLENT WIND CAME FROM HEAVEN AND FILLED THE WHOLE HOUSE WHERE THEY WERE SITTING. THEY SAW WHAT SEEMED TO BE TONGUES OF FIRE THAT SEPARATED AND CAME TO REST ON EACH OF THEM. ALL OF THEM WERE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND BEGAN TO SPEAK IN OTHER TONGUES AS THE SPIRIT ENABLED THEM.

Acts 2:1-4 (NIV)

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GT Worship Conference is on August 21st-23rd w/ worship guests William McDowell, Josh Baldwin of Bethel Music, Gabriel Wilson, Chase Wagner, Tyler Howell & more! Tickets are $10 and are available at www.gtworship.com.

Day 18: Praise Him in Your Secret Place

Praise Him in Your Secret Place

Acts 16 is an incredible story of the power of praise and worship. Paul and Silas are in prison for doing the work of the Lord. In the midst of their bleak circumstance, their choice to praise not only brought about their freedom, but salvation to the jailer and his family.

God does not need our praise and worship. We worship Him more for our benefit than His. Bringing praise and worship to God reminds us of His power and authority, and positions us in a place of submission and awe. It diminishes the power of sin and darkness over our lives, and brings attention to who God is and not only to what He can do.

Whatever your circumstance – praise! Praise in our ‘midnight’ hour magnifies God for who He is, and not just what He can do. God dwells in the praises of His people, so we can be sure that as we lift His name in worship, He is here! The style and how you express your praise and worship is not as important as the response of the heart behind it.

ABOUT MIDNIGHT PAUL AND SILAS WERE PRAYING AND SINGING HYMNS TO GOD, AND THE OTHER PRISONERS WERE LISTENING TO THEM. SUDDENLY THERE WAS SUCH A VIOLENT EARTHQUAKE THAT THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE PRISON WERE SHAKEN. AT ONCE ALL THE PRISON DOORS FLEW OPEN, AND EVERYONE’S CHAINS CAME LOOSE.

Acts 16:25-27 (NIV)

Use the hashtag #40daystoCONF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. to share what God is speaking to you through this devotional. 

GT Worship Conference is on August 21st-23rd w/ worship guests William McDowell, Josh Baldwin of Bethel Music, Gabriel Wilson, Chase Wagner, Tyler Howell & more! Tickets are $10 and are available at www.gtworship.com.

Day 17: Enabled

ENABLED

It is not enough to know that we are ‘empowered by the Holy Spirit,’ we need also need to know what we are enabled to do.

When Peter addressed the people in Acts 4:8, filled with the Holy Spirit, he was fearless in the face of scepticism. Likewise, in verse 33 we read ‘With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus’.

It is the Holy Spirit’s power that enables us to be witnesses for Christ, both in word and in action.

With the Holy Spirit’s empowering we can to go into all the world and tell people that they have a Saviour who loves them and literally died for them! This Spirit who draws, convicts and saves people, is a gift to those who are prone to timidity and pride alike, as we cannot boast in our works at all, but only in the Spirit’s!

As the British Evangelist Smith Wigglesworth said, “We may be nothing but in God we can be mighty.” In what ways do you need the Holy Spirit to enable you to share Christ? Ask Him!

WITH GREAT POWER THE APOSTLES CONTINUED TO TESTIFY TO THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD JESUS. AND GOD’S GRACE WAS SO POWERFULLY AT WORK IN THEM ALL.

Acts 4:33 (NIV)

Use the hashtag #40daystoCONF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. to share what God is speaking to you through this devotional. 

GT Worship Conference is on August 21st-23rd w/ worship guests William McDowell, Josh Baldwin of Bethel Music, Gabriel Wilson, Chase Wagner, Tyler Howell & more! Tickets are $10 and are available at www.gtworship.com.

Day 16: Obedience

OBEDIENCE

What exactly does it mean to obey God? Ticking the boxes next to the 10 commandments? Loving my neighbour? Turning the other cheek when someone hurts me? In essence, yes! But also, no! Obeying God with a ‘tick-box’ mindset is not only doomed to failure, but simply not what God asks of us.

God’s love for us is not based on our actions or effort but on His goodness. 1 John 4 explains that love is not about us loving God, but about Him loving us and sending Jesus. When we realise and understand God’s grace, we respond out of a love for Him and all He has done for us, beginning to do things as He directs us through His Word, preferring His ways over our own until they become our ways.

Obedience to God, through the Holy Spirit, therefore brings its own reward of purity. Obedience to His Word, under grace, provides us with the opportunity to be more Christ-like. In this way, obedience is also an act of worship, for when we live a life devoted to God we demonstrate our love for Him.

Have you ever thought about obeying God being an act of worship? How can you worship God specifically through your obedience today?

AS OBEDIENT CHILDREN, DO NOT CONFORM TO THE EVIL DESIRES YOU HAD WHEN YOU LIVED IN IGNORANCE. BUT JUST AS HE WHO CALLED YOU IS HOLY, SO BE HOLY IN ALL YOU DO; FOR IT IS WRITTEN: “BE HOLY, BECAUSE I AM HOLY.”

1 Peter 1:14-16 (NIV)

Use the hashtag #40daystoCONF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. to share what God is speaking to you through this devotional. 

GT Worship Conference is on August 21st-23rd w/ worship guests William McDowell, Josh Baldwin of Bethel Music, Gabriel Wilson, Chase Wagner, Tyler Howell & more! Tickets are $10 and are available at www.gtworship.com. 

Day 28: Scripture

The Process of PURITY

SCRIPTURE

One of the best ways for us to grow in purity is by reading the scriptures. His Word is alive and a guide for us to learn how to live a life that is not only pleasing to Him but also best for us.

The great preacher Charles H. Spurgeon explained Psalm 119 and his Treasury of David saying, “God’s Word is His witness or testimony to grand and important truths which concern Himself and our relation to Him. If we keep God’s testimonies they will keep us right in opinion, comfortable in spirit, holy in conversation and hopeful in expectation.”

Spending time reading God’s Word - allowing it to flood our hearts with a revelation of His character and His love - will affect the way we speak, think, and live. It will produce in us a life that reflects who He is... One of purity.

The honest truth is that it’s a challenge to find time and motivation to read the Bible every day but let’s not allow the challenge to beat us down. Make a plan today to set aside time every day to be in the Word, whether that be starting a reading plan or listening to an audio reading of the Bible.

FOR THE WORD OF GOD IS ALIVE AND ACTIVE. SHARPER THAN ANY DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD, IT PENETRATES EVEN TO DIVIDING SOUL AND SPIRIT, JOINTS AND MARROW; IT JUDGES THE THOUGHTS AND ATTITUDES OF THE HEART.

Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

BUT IF ANYONE OBEYS HIS WORD, LOVE FOR GOD IS TRULY MADE COMPLETE IN THEM.

1 John 2:5 (NIV)


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*Daily devotions are taken from www.hillsongcollected.com.

Day 14: Consecration

The Process of PURITY

CONSECRATION

The Word says that if we seek the Lord, we will find Him.

This is no small promise! The all-powerful, all-knowing God of the universe would allow us to find Him simply because we choose to seek Him out. More astounding - His commitment to our free will is such that, though He desires greater intimacy with us, He leaves this decision in our hands.

As we seek God, we allow ourselves to be known by God, bringing each area of our lives in line with His will. This is the process of consecration. Though we will always face the temptation of impurity as a consequence of sin and our own flesh, by directing our effort to seeking God and consecrating our lives to Him, rather than striving through our own willpower, we gradually develop a resilient purity of character that is the result of true change.

The great revivalist, John Wesley, said, “In using all means, seek God alone. In and through every outward thing, look only to the power of His Spirit and the merits of His son.”

Heart Check: Is ‘Seek God’ at the top of my priority list?

What specific parts of my life have I consecrated to Him?

How can I keep my focus on seeking Him rather than striving?

YOU WILL SEEK ME AND FIND ME WHEN YOU SEEK ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART.

Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)

Day 13: The Heart, Not the Art

The Heart, Not the Art
Judah Howell 

When you grow up in the church you see All these amazing things that God does through the people around you and you get stuck many times wondering, 'When is God gonna use me?' I lived this reality for years, always worried that I wasn't good at things. I couldn't play an instrument, I couldn't sing and I felt as though I couldn't do anything to really affect the worship or the experience of worship for others during a service.

Then God opened my eyes to John 4:21:

"Jesus declared, 'Believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.'"

This simple verse wrecked my whole view on worship. My worship wasn't found in my ability. My worship  isn't found in the church I'm worshiping in. No, my worship is found in my heart! And every breath is an extension of my worship.

 I'm given the honor of attending GT Worship songwriters retreats. When I go on these trips I have one job: serve. I don't write the songs, I don't help with arrangements. I clean, I cook, I care for every need that arises. That is my worship because the greatest honor God can give me is the ability to serve his servants and that is my worship!

Use the hashtag #40daystoCONF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. to share what God is speaking to you through this devotional. 

GT Worship Conference is on August 21st-23rd w/ worship guests William McDowell, Josh Baldwin of Bethel Music, Gabriel Wilson, Chase Wagner, Tyler Howell & more! Tickets are $10 and are available at www.gtworship.com. 

Day 12: In Every Season

In Every Season

Amber Hastings

Life is composed of many different seasons. Any one person reading this may be in a season where life is great and everything is on the up and up. Someone else, however may be in a season of great difficulty, loss and trials. In what season would you say you were in?

As we go through this life, I would say that one of the most difficult things can be to not let our circumstance dictate our praise. In the moments when the doctor calls with another bad report and our problems don’t seem to be panning out quite the way we hope and the peace seems to evade every aspect of our lives, are you able to allow your worship to remain unpolluted by your circumstance?

“At this Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said:

‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and The Lord has taken away; may the name of The Lord be praised.’” -Job 1:20-21

In this verse we see Job, a man who has lost everything. If there was one person who might have good reason to allow his pain to interfere with his worship, it was this guy. Yet in the midst of trial and the news that his children are now dead, the words that leave his mouth are ‘may the name of The Lord be praised.’

We are such a long way from Eden, this world is not our home and depravity and brokenness seem to scream this reality at every corner, but we are still have reason to worship. In the midst of chaos, our God is still so great. The God we serve is still good and his goodness is not dependent on the resolution of our present circumstance. His goodness stands outside of our trial. As we hold to this truth and look to Jesus, we will be able to worship not out of what is going on around us, but out of truth.

Use the hashtag #40daystoCONF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. to share what God is speaking to you through this devotional. 

GT Worship Conference is on August 21st-23rd w/ worship guests William McDowell, Josh Baldwin of Bethel Music, Gabriel Wilson, Chase Wagner, Tyler Howell & more! Tickets are $10 and are available at www.gtworship.com. 

Day 11: It Will Be Alright

It Will Be Alright
Pastor Gabe Asif

2 Kings 4:20-23

"20 So the servant took him home, and his mother held him on her lap. But around noontime he died. 21 She carried him up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, then shut the door and left him there. 22 She sent a message to her husband: 'Send one of the servants and a donkey so that I can hurry to the man of God and come right back.' 23 'Why go today?' he asked. 'It is neither a new moon festival nor a Sabbath.'

But she said, 'It will be all right.'"

Perhaps one of my favorite lessons to be learned from God are found in these verses. When it seems the promise of God over your life has been stripped, stolen or just dead; God is indeed preparing for His greatest miracle in your life.

There are times in life whether with family, your career, school and even ministry that you may feel like there is no promise, no hope left. It’s very easy to feel at times that God isn’t listening to your prayers or He’s forgotten about you. Which is why I love this story about this woman who was promised a son by Elisha and after receiving this blessing he dies in the field. Like most of us, who at this point would lose our composure, hope and for some would bring to question their own faith and belief. This woman calls for her servant and donkey and says I’m going to see the man of God, curiously enough there isn’t even a mention that she tells her husband that their son had died, her only response... “It will be alright”.

If we can respond to life and to our situations with this attitude I believe that every forgotten and “broken promise” will be restored to life. Let’s be clear God doesn’t brake promises nor does He change His mind on what he promised you.

"No word returns void from God. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to,and it will prosper everywhere I send it." -Isaiah 55:11

If we can have this mindset that no matter what happens that we can look to God and know that “Everything will be alright”. Your finances, family, ministry; everything that we have we place at His feet and allow God to breath life in it.

Let’s respond to this season knowing that no matter the circumstance or situation that “It will be alright”. 

Use the hashtag #40daystoCONF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. to share what God is speaking to you through this devotional. 

GT Worship Conference is on August 21st-23rd w/ worship guests William McDowell, Josh Baldwin of Bethel Music, Gabriel Wilson, Chase Wagner, Tyler Howell & more! Tickets are $10 and are available at www.gtworship.com. 

Day 10: Promise Keeper

Promise Keeper
Pastor Megan Scott

When you hear the phrase “Promise Keeper”, what goes through your head? What are your thoughts?

We can all remember that one time, or for some of us, two or three or four times where someone has broken a promise they made to us. That feeling of that promise being broken is quite disappointing and causes our trust to be even more guarded. #weareonguard

We have all been there, but I think its important that we don’t stay there.

God is our promise keeper. Nothing He says is false and He always fulfills.

I started doing this “fear of dying” devotional. If anyone knows me, you know I’m kind of on edge like 99% of the time. I'm constantly looking at my surroundings and wondering about all the possibilities of something going down. I started to have this fear of dying that started back in 2010, and the reason this was because I was in a really bad car accident my car flipped and rolled down a hill. Ever since then I’ve just been on edge, and I'm slowly but surely getting better at not being so terrified of life.

I finished my devotional and had to start a new one, and as I was scrolling down to see which one I could start, I came across, “Fear of Dying.” I read the content and what it was based around and thought, “Megan, you need to read this. Overcome this fear.” So I started it just yesterday BUT I think it’s so cool that no matter how much time you spend in the Fathers presence, you ARE changed. #GodisBOSS

Day 2 of my devotional and I’m like, “Lord take me now!” This won’t happen because I know Gods not done with me yet, but it’s great to feel a different way about dying. Not to be morbid or anything. We know this isn’t our home, our home is Heaven.

“In my Fathers house there are many rooms, if were not so I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you also may be where I am.”-John 14:2-3

As I began to read this, all I could say was “Promise Keeper.” Death isn’t supposed to fill you with fear, its supposed to fulfill a promise that Christ has made to us by coming back and taking us with Him to the place He has prepared in advance for us. It’s a promise that yes, we are living here now, but He is coming back for us.

One of my favorite verses in the bible is found in Numbers and talks about God and His promises.

“God is not a man that He should lie nor a son of man that He should change His mind, Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?”-Number 23:19

God is our Promise Keeper. Yes,people fail us but Christ never does.

Use the hashtag #40daystoCONF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. to share what God is speaking to you through this devotional. 

GT Worship Conference is on August 21st-23rd w/ worship guests William McDowell, Josh Baldwin of Bethel Music, Gabriel Wilson, Chase Wagner, Tyler Howell & more! Tickets are $10 and are available at www.gtworship.com. 

Day 9: Jesus Gives Life

Jesus Gives Life
Robby & Cathy Clay

"And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many."-Matthew 27:51-53

Jesus is the ultimate life giving spirit. His words healed the sick. In the transfiguration, his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as the light. His creative wisdom in the beginning of the world spoke the earth into being. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. Jesus has so much life in him, that when he was raised in Glory back to life, the earth literally shook, opened tombs, and rose people from the dead.

Jesus lived his earthly life in the closest possible fellowship with the Heavenly Father, and the Holy Spirit. He was always one with them, and as he was in his earthly body, he read the word and prayed to stay in constant communion with them. As we live our lives daily, we should strive to keep in tune with the Holy Spirit who lives in us. We should spend time reading the Bible. The Word was with God in the beginning, and was God as the Word became flesh in Jesus.

Jesus's power has raised us from spiritual death to life. And that same power that raised us to life called the world into being. This power has been given to us through the Holy Spirit that lives in us.

Spend time in the Word.
Spend time before the face of God.
Spend time with the Holy Spirit.
Spend time with Jesus.

I can't help but think that the more we live our lives like this every day, the more we will become like Jesus. The more his life giving spirit will shine through us.

Imagine what it would be like to have your face shine like Moses's face after he spent time with God on the mountain top.

Imagine Jesus's Glory shining through us like he showed his disciples on the mount of transfiguration.

Imagine if the life and power given to us through the Holy Spirit could heal the sick, comfort those who are broken, and give life to the spiritually dead.

We have been given the same life giving spirit that Jesus has when we became Christians and were given the gift of the Holy Spirit. Let's live our lives "Corem Deo"- Before the Face of God, and be life givers to others. Cut out the things in your life that dim that light. Be thankful today for the life and light that Jesus has given to you.

"Thus it is written, The first man Adam became a living being, the last Adam became a life giving spirit."-1 Corinthians 15:45

Use the hashtag #40daystoCONF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. to share what God is speaking to you through this devotional. 

GT Worship Conference is on August 21st-23rd w/ worship guests William McDowell, Josh Baldwin of Bethel Music, Gabriel Wilson, Chase Wagner, Tyler Howell & more! Tickets are $10 and are available at www.gtworship.com. 

Day 8: Jesus, You Give the Order

Jesus, You Give the Order
Ralph Seegobin

When discussing the topic of great men and women of faith, the Roman Captain of Capernaum from Matthew 8:5-13 is probably an afterthought. Perhaps he should be much more recognized as his great faith evoked this response from Jesus: "I've yet to come across this kind of simple trust in Israel..."


As we read this passage, we are introduced to the panicked Captain who immediately tells Jesus about his sick servant. Jesus says that He will come and heal the servant, to which the Captain replies, "Oh, no, I don't want to put you to all that trouble. Just give the order and my servant will be fine."


Wow, that is some faith! This Roman Captain - a man probably hated by Jews given both his citizenship and his position, a man likely not even a follower of Christ - believed in Christ's power so much that he was certain that Jesus didn't even need to be present with the servant in order for the servant to be healed. He was convinced that Christ's mere words had the power to heal!


Now, let's evaluate this Captain. As a military leader, he understood very well the concept of authority. In fact, the Captain himself explained: "I'm a man who takes orders and gives orders. I tell one soldier, 'Go', and he goes; to another, 'Come', and he comes; to my slave, 'Do this', and he does it." Naturally, the Captain recognized the authority that Jesus possessed - the authority over sickness and disease. It only made sense to him that just as he could give an order and have it carried out, that Jesus similarly could give an order that the servant be healed and it would be done. It was, as Jesus commented, a "simple trust". One would note that this simple faith is analogous to the childlike faith that Jesus behooves us to have in order to enter the kingdom of God.


The Captain's simple faith was rewarded when Jesus said, "Go. What you believed could happen has happened", and the passage ends by indicating that at that very moment the servant became well.


In sum, we make several observations:
1) The Captain urgently came to Jesus in a time of need
2) The Captain had faith that Jesus was the solution to his problem
3) Jesus was willing to follow the Captain and heal the servant
4) The Captain recognized Jesus' authority over sickness and believed that Jesus' mere words alone had the power to heal
5) Jesus is taken aback by the Captain's faith, compliments the Captain on his simple trust, and the servant is healed


May we take notice of these points and exhibit this kind of simple faith. When trouble arises, may we run urgently to Jesus with the simple trust that he has the authority to do the miraculous. We see from this passage that not only is Jesus obviously able to touch from afar, but he is willing to come with us to tackle our troubles alongside us. What a reassuring feeling. We also see that our faith can be so great that even Jesus is taken aback and offers compliments!


Hebrews 11:6 says that without faith it is impossible to please God. Clearly, the Roman Captain of Capernaum greatly pleased Jesus. May we not only please Jesus with our faith, but surprise Him by it!

Use the hashtag #40daystoCONF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. to share what God is speaking to you through this devotional. 

GT Worship Conference is on August 21st-23rd w/ worship guests William McDowell, Josh Baldwin of Bethel Music, Gabriel Wilson, Chase Wagner, Tyler Howell & more! Tickets are $10 and are available at www.gtworship.com.

Day 7: Our Constant in the Storm

Our Constant in the Storm
Pastor Megan Scott

Do things just not make sense to you sometimes? Do you ever wonder why some things just don’t add up. Yeah, you and me both.

God is such a mysterious God and sometimes it kills me that He is but at the same time, I respect Him for that. Our minds can’t even begin to comprehend His works. Do you ever get upset because where you’re at just doesn’t make sense? I think its normal not to cover up how you feel. I don’t think God is afraid of the feelings you feel. Look at the psalms, and look what David wrote in Psalm 13:1-6

1″O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?
How long will you look the other way?
2 How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul,
with sorrow in my heart every day?
How long will my enemy have the upper hand?
3 Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!
Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.
4 Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!”
Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love.
I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
6 I will sing to the Lord
because he is good to me.”

There was such a raw moment between David and God. David was comfortable feeling the way he felt. He didn’t cover it up, but he boldly expressed to God how he felt. I don’t know about you but I see a lot of myself in David the more I grow in my walk with Christ.

It’s okay to not be okay, because God is still with you in the midst of your current circumstance, EVEN if you can’t notice Him, Feel Him, or hear His voice.

You’re not the only person who feels the way you do at times, and you’re not wrong for that. God created us. He created our emotions and He knows what makes us hit our breaking points. Getting to those points doesn’t determine that our relationship with Christ is lower than any particular person, it helps us draw closer to see Him more intently.

David wrote, this and this is happening, BUT.

I love how at the end of the psalm David knew God was God, and that no matter what, David was going to trust and pursue God because Gods unfailing love was more than his situation. David still felt the way he felt and he made that known to God, but He still knew the God who was in control of his life.

Use the hashtag #40daystoCONF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. to share what God is speaking to you through this devotional. 

GT Worship Conference is on August 21st-23rd w/ worship guests William McDowell, Josh Baldwin of Bethel Music, Gabriel Wilson, Chase Wagner, Tyler Howell & more! Tickets are $10 and are available at www.gtworship.com.

Day 6: Peace in His Presence

Peace in His Presence
Sarah Hudson

"Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did." (1 John 2:6 NV)

What does it mean to truly walk in the presence of God? I never knew how much peace, joy and purpose I could feel by pursuing a constant audience with the Creator of heaven and earth. In 1 John 2:6, we learn that it takes more than just saying we are abiding in Christ, but that the evidence of a true relationship in Him is us walking in the same way He did. 

Within this last year, by simply pursuing God, walking with Him and following His lead, I have seen the evidence of His presence in every aspect of my life. He has pushed, stretched and grown me into a leader and visionary for His Kingdom. Our journey on earth doesn't come without it's hardships or seasons of feeling a drought, but through each season I’ve always come out with a sense of overwhelming peace. We should always be reminded that all we need to do is give it all to God because there is no thing that He has not already overcome. 

After learning to let go and hand over all my worries, troubles, doubts and fears to God, I have experienced such a sweet, spine-tingling peace that I never want to be without. And the most beautiful news is that we don't have to! 

As we continue to walk in His presence, with the knowledge that His love is enough, we will begin to see and understand that He will pull us through even the darkest of days. If we commit to a continual pursuit after the Heart of God and wholeheartedly seek His presence in all that we do, He will prepare our hearts for seasons of growth and stretching.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 NIV)

Use the hashtag #40daystoCONF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. to share what God is speaking to you through this devotional. 

GT Worship Conference is on August 21st-23rd w/ worship guests William McDowell, Josh Baldwin of Bethel Music, Gabriel Wilson, Chase Wagner, Tyler Howell & more! Tickets are $10 and are available at www.gtworship.com.

Day 5: God is in Pursuit

God is in Pursuit
Amber Hastings

I believe that we serve a God who is passionately and intentionally in pursuit of our hearts and desires for us to encounter Him. In John 3:16, we read:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV)

This verse is a foundational scripture when citing the love our Creator has for His creation. This love is radical and game changing. This love is sacrificial and relentless; reckless even. This verse gives us a look into the heart of our Father who so longingly wishes to be with us. Within this verse, we can catch a glimpse of how God initiates and anticipates relationship with us before we even begin to come to Him.

When we worship, we are not calling out to God for him to answer, we are responding to Him. As we approach conference with anticipation, let us not forget that God desires to meet with us in every aspect of life every day before conference has started and even after it has ended. Our access to Him is not restricted to these three days, He invites us and desires for us to seek His presence every day, in every moment. As we seek God’s presence, He promises that we will find Him.

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13 NIV)

Use the hashtag #40daystoCONF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. to share what God is speaking to you through this devotional. 

GT Worship Conference is on August 21st-23rd w/ worship guests William McDowell, Josh Baldwin of Bethel Music, Gabriel Wilson, Chase Wagner, Tyler Howell & more! Tickets are $10 and are available at www.gtworship.com.

Day 4: Through Your Faith

Through Your Faith
Pastor Tyler Howell

As we are approaching Worship Conference '15 my heart has been stirring to see an outpouring of more of the Lord. These next 40 days; I encourage you to allow the Lord to create a deeper hunger in your heart for Him. I believe our hunger grows as our faith grows. I was reading in Hebrews 11 recently and this verse popped out to me:

"Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation." -Hebrews 11:2 (NLT)

Surprisingly, it wasn't through their great morality, charisma or character that they had a great reputation; but THROUGH THEIR FAITH. We can focus on building life foundations on many things but may we build our lives on the foundation of FAITH.

What you keep your eyes on will increase in your life. Keep your eyes on the PROMISES of God & your faith will increase. Faith is believing in God's promises. Through my faith in God; He will build my reputation. The great people of faith in the Bible weren't concerned with their newest followers on Twitter, how many 'likes' they got on Instagram or who favorited this photo or that photo...they were concerned with their faith in God. When our faith is in God; He will take care of everything else. Allow God to build your reputation instead of trying to build your own.

Worship Conference is a time for our complete focus to be on what the Lord wants...in preparation turn your heart to the Lord and let Him build your faith; your reputation can wait.

Be blessed,
Pastor Tyler Howell

Use the hashtag #40daystoCONF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. to share what God is speaking to you through this devotional.

GT Worship Conference is on August 21st-23rd w/ worship guests William McDowell, Josh Baldwin of Bethel Music, Gabriel Wilson, Chase Wagner, Tyler Howell & more! Tickets are $10 and are available at www.gtworship.com.

Day 3: God is a God of Application

God is a God of Application
Lisa Matthews

Conference is almost here and as with any event, it has taken much planning and preparation. An outline was made, phone calls were sent out, money was raised, speakers were contacted,equipment was purchased and the list goes on. Imagine if all of this preparation started and ended on paper. All of the plans neatly written down and bullet pointed with action plans at the bottom. Ok now let us say it came to August 20th and everything was still written down and everyone had been praying over the paperwork and declaring for God to do awesome things at Conference. Sounds silly right? Something planned out with great thought plus prayer doesn't automatically equal an awesome, successful conference. It takes work.

James 1:22-24


But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.

The same principles that apply to everyday life apply to God's Word, as His word is the foundation for operating successfully in this world. His Word is the blueprint for our lives, however we must take action and do what it tells us to do. If we see what it says but do not make action to implement it in our lives, the scripture tells us that it is as like looking in the mirror, walking away, and then forgetting what you look like. That means that every time we looked in that mirror, it would be like we were seeing ourselves for the first time! If we felt like we were seeing ourselves for the first time every time, it would surely set us back in not only how we relate to others,but how we develop. Bottom line, not putting action to the plan makes planning redundant. Then why plan? Faith without works is dead. (James 2:26)

James 1:25

But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

Fulfilling what God has declared will reap benefits in the natural as well as in the spiritual. This goes with His written word as well as His spoken word. Encounter is not just happening because a group of great people had a plan from God, it is also happening because they took action under the grace of God to do the work. As we come to Conference, whatever we bring to God, and whatever we are seeking Him for, let us remember that the overwhelming abundance of spiritual blessing waiting for us is tied to us making movements in faith towards the desires God has placed in our hearts.

Use the hashtag #40daystoCONF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. to share what God is speaking to you through this devotional. 

GT Worship Conference is on August 21st-23rd w/ worship guests William McDowell, Josh Baldwin of Bethel Music, Gabriel Wilson, Chase Wagner, Tyler Howell & more! Tickets are $10 and are available at www.gtworship.com.

Day 2: Having The Right Heart

Having The Right Heart
Pastor Gabe Asif

Proverbs 21:21 - "Pursue righteousness and love..."

Proverbs 20:5 - "The purpose of a mans heart are deep waters, but a man with understanding draws them out."


Taking time  out and identifying what God is wanting to do in your life is a key element to our walk with the lord. If we’re too busy rushing through work, our families, ministries and all the other details of life then when will we be able to take a minute and find guidance from God.

Usually we’re too busy moving and it’s not until we end up at a dead end that we ask God what He’s wanting to do in our lives. Thankfully we may take a few detours but God will never lead us to a dead end, though it might be cheesy but I think about God as the best GPS (God Positioning System). If a GPS told you where to turn after you made the wrong turn you would probably toss it out the window. I believe that God has a desire for us to seek him before we make the turn, before we even embark in our journey that we would look to Him to gain perspective of the journey ahead.

It’s important for us to navigate the deep waters of our heart with a knowledge that surpasses earthly understanding and that only comes from God. Allow God to break you and mold you, be patient and know that God is planning for you success even if you aren’t.


Scripture- Proverbs 21:5 "The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty!"

Observation- Nothing rushed leads to success. Be easy & patient, seek understanding and be diligent with the things of God.

Application- Don’t be rushed. Be early. Plan & Think. If i’m always rushed then there won’t be time for success!

Prayer- God work in my heart that I may be early to life and diligent with managing the time you’ve given me.

Use the hashtag #40daystoCONF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. to share what God is speaking to you through this devotional. 

GT Worship Conference is on August 21st-23rd w/ worship guests William McDowell, Josh Baldwin of Bethel Music, Gabriel Wilson, Chase Wagner, Tyler Howell & more! Tickets are $10 and are available at www.gtworship.com.

Day 1: Wide Awake

WIDE AWAKE

If we are honest, most of us will admit that we have experienced seasons when the moments, days and weeks seemed to slip away without us noticing. Perhaps we were absorbed by the busyness of everyday routines, or by a difficult season when mere survival was challenge enough. Regardless, we often look back on these seasons with a sense of regret and the feeling that moments were ‘wasted’.

The book of Psalms (always a great place to start when facing the shortfalls of our humanity and refocusing on God) gives expression to this tendency in a prayer by Moses. He asks God to arrest his impulse to drift through the days, saying: 

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

Psalm 90:12 (NIV)

Easy to learn, this verse has been the prayer of countless Christians wanting to awaken to each moment they have been graced with. Perhaps today, it can become your prayer, too.

As we begin this study of revival, let’s resolve to be aware of what God is doing. From the outset, let us number the days, tune our ear heavenward and determine that this season will not slip away. That we might have our eyes wide open to see that the Lord is present and active.

Use the hashtag #40daystoCONF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. to share what God is speaking to you through this devotional. 

GT Worship Conference is on August 21st-23rd w/ worship guests William McDowell, Josh Baldwin of Bethel Music, Gabriel Wilson, Chase Wagner, Tyler Howell & more! Tickets are $10 and are available at www.gtworship.com.