Great news! A 5-day devotional called Getting God’s Perspective On Your Life, taken from Nancy’s latest book Ditch the Baggage, is now available on the YouVersion Bible app!

The following is just a sampling of each day, so we encourage you to visit www.Bible.com to download the full devotional “Getting God’s Perspective On Your Life.” Or download the YouVersion app to read it on your smart phone!

Day 1: Higher Thoughts

The Word of God tells us that when we renew our minds, our lives will be changed (Rom. 12:2). Renewing your mind means to do away with lies and replace them with truth from God’s Word. It is impossible to do without God’s help. The world can help you change a behavior, but God helps you change your beliefs and actions, which begins with a change inside the human heart.

When we meditate on the Word and choose what we think, we are empowered to take a much more active role in changing our perspective. God never promised that no weapon will be formed against us but that no weapon formed against us will prosper (Isa. 54:17). When we latch on to His perspective on life, the weapons—the lies, fears, and hurts—will not prosper… Read More!

Romans 12:2 | Isaiah 54:17 | Philippians 2:12 | Proverbs 4:23 | Romans 8:6

Day 2: You Can Choose What You Think

Some people think that whatever pops into their head is what they have to think about. That’s a recipe for disaster. Thinking is a choice. Just as you exercise control over your body and how you behave, so God expects you to exercise control over your mind and what you think. You choose your thoughts the same way you choose to forgive or choose to say yes to Christ. It takes your will to say yes, and then your actions must support that choice. The Holy Spirit gives you divine encouragement and empowerment to think the thoughts you have chosen to think—His thoughts, not ours… Read More!

Colossians 3:2 | 2 Corinthians 10:5 | James 1:21-23 | Ephesians 4:22-24 | John 8:44

Day 3: Meditating on the Truth

Do you trust God to direct your paths? Do you meditate day and night on His Word?

As the light of God’s Word goes into your mind, it pushes the darkness out. Then the freedom of Christ begins to connect to your heart in a deeper way. The key is to immerse ourselves in the Word. It says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). We need to hear God’s Word over and over again to remind ourselves who we are in Christ. We need to speak it to ourselves with our mouths so our own ears hear our voice saying the truth. We need to stir ourselves up to remember… Read More!

Joshua 1:8 | John 8:31–32 | Psalm 1:1–3

Day 4: Securing Our Weapons

One practical way to renew your mind with the Word of God is by writing out scriptures and “truth statements” on index cards and reading them both silently and aloud. We need to hear ourselves speak the truth to counter the lies that are inside of us! When the Word of God is spoken, it always has the final authority. The enemy has to shut his lying mouth (Matt. 4: 10-11)!

For example, if you are struggling with feelings of anxiety, you could write a card that said, “I have the mind of Christ, and He gives me peace” and speak that truth over yourself. Pronouncing this truth pushes out the lie of anxiety and enables you to step into the peace Jesus makes available… Read More!

Psalm 119 | Refer to “Who I Am In Christ” Scriptures

Day 5: Steps to Getting God’s Perspective

Now armed with God’s Truth, you can take three practical steps to fully get God’s perspective on your life: summarize, personalize, and vocalize the Word of God.

Example:
Verse: John 10:10 — The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Summarize It: The devil is a thief who wants to take everything from me, decimate my life, and murder me, if he can. Jesus came so that I can live and have everything I need, including life at its fullest and most satisfying.
Personalize It: God, I know the devil wants to take from me, put an end to my life, and render my work ineffective, but thank You that You came to give me life, and not just life but life at its very best! Please show me how to have that life and how to resist the thief in areas where he is working to destroy me.
Vocalize It: (Say it all out loud!)… Read More!

Proverbs 18:21