This year's Bible reading plans are based on my word of the Year, New Beginning.
To Embrace your New Beginning, you must Step Forward. Begin Again. Live Fully..
Here is the plan for November. (Link goes to a PDF.)
Here are the Bible Verse Writing Sheets for this year.
Get the Pilgrim's Backpack for the Journey.
Step Forward. Begin Again. Live Fully. Embrace Your New Beginning. You were made for more—because God is not done.
Theme: Starting Fresh
Scripture Anchor: Isaiah 43:18–19 — “Do not
think about what happened a long time ago… I am doing something new!”
.png)
Focus: Praise for renewal
This month invites you to embrace fresh starts and give
thanks for the way God renews your heart.
There are seasons when God calls you not just to read about faith but to live it—to let His truth move from understanding to expression. The devotionals “Shine to Be Seen: Living Inspiration as a Lifestyle of Light” and “Love That Leaves a Glow: Living a Life That Brightens Others” both center on the same divine call: to reflect Christ’s heart in a world that desperately needs His light and His love.
These journal prompts are meant to help you sit quietly with God, ask honest questions, and listen deeply. They are not about perfect answers but about transformation through reflection. As you write, let Scripture and the Holy Spirit guide your thoughts toward renewal and obedience.
Journal Prompts — Living Inspiration as a Lifestyle of Light
What does it mean for you personally to “shine” in this season of life? How can your light reflect God’s goodness more clearly where you are?
When do you feel most aware of God’s presence within you, and how does that awareness shape your words and actions?
Think of a moment when someone else’s faith inspired you. What specific qualities or attitudes stood out, and how might you reflect those in your own walk?
Are there areas of your life where you have hidden your light out of fear, insecurity, or fatigue? What truth from Scripture speaks to that place of hesitation?
How do you tend to your own spiritual flame? What rhythms of rest, prayer, or Scripture reading help you stay lit for God’s glory?
In what ways can you use your gifts and daily routines to bring light into dark or discouraging spaces around you?
Reflect on the phrase “You are the light of the world.” How does this truth reshape your view of identity, purpose, and influence?
Who might need to see the quiet consistency of your faith this week? How will you intentionally show the light of Christ to that person?
When life feels overwhelming or dim, how can you remind yourself that the Source of your light has never left?
Write a prayer asking God to renew your radiance—to make your presence a reflection of His peace and truth wherever you go.
Journal Prompts — Living a Life That Brightens Others
Reflect on someone who has left you feeling genuinely loved after spending time together. What did their actions teach you about Christlike love?
How has God’s unconditional love changed the way you see yourself and others?
Are there relationships where you find it hard to express love right now? Ask God what obedience looks like in those places.
What does it mean for you to “spread love everywhere you go”? What might that look like in small, consistent acts this week?
When you give love freely, what fears or hesitations tend to surface? How can you surrender those to God?
Consider a recent opportunity you had to show kindness or compassion. How did you respond, and how might you respond differently next time?
What spiritual practices help you keep your heart soft and responsive to others instead of guarded or weary?
Think about your daily environment—home, work, or ministry. How can you create an atmosphere where people feel seen, safe, and uplifted?
What has God been teaching you about joy as a companion to love? How can you cultivate joy while serving others?
Write a closing reflection or prayer thanking God for the chance to be His vessel of love and asking Him to help you leave every person a little happier, a little lighter, and a little closer to Him.
Every reflection you write becomes a seed of renewal—one that will grow into spiritual fruit over time. Do not rush through the pages. Sit in stillness with the Lord, and let His Word illuminate the next step in your journey of living inspired and loving well.
There are few things as powerful as a heart that chooses love again and again. Not the easy kind—the kind that shows up in quiet ways, that listens when no one else has time, that forgives even when it hurts.
Mother Teresa once said, “Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come without leaving happier.”
It sounds simple, but this is the calling of a lifetime.
Every believer is meant to be a vessel of divine love. Jesus said that the world would know we belong to Him by our love (John 13:35). Love is not an accessory of faith—it is the evidence of it. To live inspired by love is to carry the fragrance of Christ into every place you go so that others leave lighter, not heavier; seen, not ignored; hopeful, not forgotten.
Love That Begins in the Heart of God
The ability to love others deeply begins with knowing how deeply you are loved. First John 4:19 (CEB) reminds us, “We love because God first loved us.” This is the root of it all. You cannot pour out what you have not received. God’s love fills, heals, and frees you so that you can love without fear of rejection or depletion.
Many people struggle to love because they are running on empty. But when you rest in God’s affection—when you remember that He delights in you—you start to love differently. You stop measuring your kindness by how others respond. You stop keeping score. You love because it reflects Him, not because it benefits you.
This kind of love is not weak; it is powerful. It endures betrayal, disappointment, and misunderstanding without losing heart. It does not excuse wrong, but it extends grace while standing firm in truth. Every act of love becomes a living echo of the One who gave everything to redeem you.
Becoming the Hands and Heart of Compassion
To spread love is to take God’s compassion off the pages of Scripture and put it into motion. It is the simple but sacred work of showing mercy in a world hungry for it. The Good Samaritan did not plan a sermon—he stopped, knelt, and cared (Luke 10:33–34). That is what love looks like when it walks.
Ask yourself what it would mean to be a living expression of God’s tenderness. It might mean writing the text you have delayed, forgiving someone who has not apologized, or choosing patience with a person who tests your grace. These are not small gestures. They are the invisible revolutions of the heart that God uses to heal communities and renew souls.
When love becomes your lifestyle, you stop moving through the world as a consumer and start moving through it as a contributor. You see needs instead of annoyances, opportunities instead of interruptions. Every encounter becomes a chance to leave a trace of Heaven behind.
The Overflow That Brings Joy
Mother Teresa’s words do not promise that you will make everyone happy—but that no one should encounter you and leave untouched by goodness. Joy and love are siblings. Where love is genuine, joy follows closely. Philippians 4:4 (CEV) says, “Always be glad because of the Lord! I will say it again: Be glad.”
Joy is not mere emotion; it is the by-product of abiding in love. When you love with pure motives, joy rises naturally because you are aligning with God’s heart. This is the secret of people who seem radiant even in trials—they have learned that pouring out love multiplies, not drains, their strength.
A loving presence can shift atmospheres. A single smile can interrupt despair. A word of encouragement can re-ignite courage. Let the joy of the Lord be the tone of your presence—the invisible warmth people feel after crossing your path.
Love That Costs Something
Real love will stretch you. It will ask for patience when you would rather respond sharply, for generosity when you would rather hold back. It is not about convenience; it is about covenant—your covenant with God to represent Him faithfully.
Romans 12:9–10 (ESV) says, “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” To live this way requires surrender. You must let the Holy Spirit refine your motives, heal your wounds, and teach you to love without conditions.
When you give love freely, you risk being misunderstood—but you also reveal the character of Christ more clearly than any sermon ever could. Your love becomes light in dark spaces, hope in tired souls, and proof that God is still near.
Sustaining a Lifestyle of Love
Even the kindest hearts need renewal. You cannot keep spreading love if you never pause to receive it. Jesus Himself withdrew to lonely places to pray (Luke 5:16). He refilled His cup so He could keep pouring.
Sustain your lifestyle of love through spiritual rhythms that anchor you: worship, Scripture reading, stillness, gratitude. These moments recalibrate your heart to God’s pace. When you stay close to the Source, your love does not run dry—it overflows.
Let your morning prayer be simple: “Lord, let me be a reflection of Your heart today. May every person I meet leave a little lighter because of You in me.”
Reflection Questions to think about
Who has left you feeling seen and encouraged lately, and how can you extend that same love to someone else?
In what ways might God be inviting you to love someone who is difficult to love right now?
How can you make kindness a daily discipline rather than an occasional act?
What spiritual practices help you refill when your ability to love feels drained?
Affirmations to say to yourself
“The love of God flows through me, leaving peace wherever I go.”
“I will not wait to feel love—I will choose to give it.”
“Every encounter is an opportunity to make someone’s day lighter and brighter.”
“God’s joy renews me as I pour His love into the world.”
Love is the language Heaven speaks fluently. Every time you choose to love, you are translating God’s heart into words and actions people can understand. Some may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.
Let your legacy be simple yet eternal—that you lived in such a way that no one ever came near you without leaving a little happier, a little stronger, and a little closer to the heart of God.
Mindfulness in the Christian walk is more than staying “present” in the moment—it’s about being present with God in every moment. Philippians 4:8 gives us a spiritual filter for our thought life, teaching us to focus on what builds faith and reflects God’s character. These journaling prompts are designed to help you slow down, notice your thoughts, and redirect them toward the things God calls excellent and praiseworthy. Use them to deepen your faith, guard your peace, and make space for the Holy Spirit to renew your mind daily.
Guarding the Gates of Your Mind
What thought patterns do I notice most often, and do they align with Philippians 4:8?
How have I experienced God’s peace when I’ve guarded my thoughts well?
What “mental intruders” tend to slip past my spiritual filter?
How can I create more space in my day for God’s truth to speak louder than distractions?
What verse from Scripture can I memorize to help me guard my mind?
When I let negative thoughts in, what fruit do they produce in my actions or words?
How can I recognize the difference between a passing thought and a thought I should dwell on?
What role does prayer play in protecting my thought life?
When was the last time I noticed God changing my perspective on something?
How does guarding my thoughts strengthen my faith?
Practicing God-Centered Presence
What does “mindfulness” look like when I practice it with God at the center?
Which distractions most often pull my attention away from the Lord?
How can I pause and reset my mind when I notice it drifting?
What “present moment” today can I savor as a gift from God?
How do I know when my mind is truly fixed on Christ?
How can I incorporate Scripture meditation into my regular routine?
Which of the eight Philippians 4:8 qualities do I want to focus on this week?
How can my body language, breathing, and posture help me refocus on God’s presence?
How can I use silence as a tool for biblical mindfulness?
How has God met me in the stillness before?
Choosing Hope and Gratitude
How do I define “positive thinking” through a biblical lens?
Which Scriptures help me replace negative thoughts with truth?
How can I spot the difference between God-honoring optimism and denial of reality?
When have I experienced joy in the middle of difficult circumstances?
How can gratitude reshape my perspective this week?
Which of God’s promises most encourages me when my thoughts spiral?
How does hope in Christ help me think differently about the future?
What have I been speaking over myself that God’s Word says is untrue?
Who in my life models biblical positivity, and what can I learn from them?
How can I make my words reflect the positivity of my thoughts?
The Grace of Returning
What distracts me most when I try to focus on God?
How does God respond when I come back to Him after my thoughts wander?
What small, simple practices help me return to the Lord quickly?
How can I give myself grace in the process of returning?
Which Scripture brings me the most peace when I’m overwhelmed?
How can I keep my faith steady when my thoughts feel scattered?
What’s one area of my thought life I need to surrender to God?
How can I make space in my schedule for mental stillness?
What do I believe God wants me to remember in moments of distraction?
How does returning to God strengthen my relationship with Him?
Living in the Philippians 4:8 Space
How would my life change if I applied Philippians 4:8 to every thought?
What daily reminders can I set to keep these eight qualities in mind?
Which quality from Philippians 4:8 is most natural for me to think about?
Which quality is most challenging for me to dwell on?
How can I see all eight qualities working together, like parts of one whole?
What situations test my commitment to “think on these things”?
How can I encourage others to use the Philippians 4:8 framework?
How might my relationships change if I filtered my thoughts before speaking?
How can I make my home a reflection of the Philippians 4:8 mindset?
How does dwelling on these qualities draw me closer to the heart of God?
