30/30 Challenge Reading PlanSample

The Bible gives us the road map we need to walk out God’s plans and purposes for us. And when we study His Word, we discover His best for our lives. Romans 12:1 encourages us not to settle for less than God’s best. Here the apostle Paul is saying, “I’m begging you to make a decision that you’re not going to live a mediocre, half-baked, sloppy life.” Notice that he also said doing this is “reasonable (rational, intelligent).”

It’s so easy to settle for less than God’s best for us because we don’t always feel like taking responsibility for our behavior or putting forth the effort to do what we need to do. You may be thinking, “It’s so hard to do the right thing all the time! It’s hard to forgive the people who have hurt me. And it’s hard to keep a good attitude at work when my boss is unfair. It’s hard to be nice when people aren’t nice to me. It’s so hard to overcome the temptations I face every day...”

The truth is, it’s harder to live with no hope, peace, joy or the righteousness of God. It’s hard to be angry all the time and live with bitterness and unforgiveness. It’s hard to be miserable and deal with the consequences of ungodly behaviors, like damaging relationships, the effects of unhealthy habits, and addictions to things that are just killing us anyway.

Everything God tells us to do is for our good. Whether it’s direction you get in His Word or something He’s specifically put in your heart for your situation in life, the absolute best thing you can ever do is obey Him promptly and completely. Following God’s ways is the pathway to the life you really want to live!

Walk It Out

As you’re striving to obey God’s Word, remember that He’s not expecting you to do it in your own strength. He’s given you His Holy Spirit to empower you to do the right thing in every situation. Study scriptures that teach you who the Holy Spirit is and how He is with you to help you. John 14 is a good place to start.