5 Day Reading plan | The Courageous Life
5-Day Devotional: Preparing Your Heart for God's Mission
Day 1: The Power of Consecration
Reading: Joshua 3:1-6
Devotional: Before Israel could step into God's promise, they had to consecrate themselves. Consecration isn't about earning God's favor—it's about aligning your heart with His presence. Like Israel standing at the Jordan River, you may see God's promise ahead but feel unprepared for the crossing. Today, ask yourself: What needs to be cleaned, removed, or realigned in my life? Perhaps it's bitterness, hidden sin, or self-reliance that's blocking your spiritual progress. Consecration positions you for the miracles God wants to perform. Don't rush into your calling carrying wilderness ways. Take time to prepare your heart, surrender what God highlights, and make room for His leadership.
Reflection Question: What one area of my life needs consecration before I step into what God is calling me to do?
Day 2: Between Excitement and Fear
Reading: Exodus 3:1-12
Devotional: Moses stood before the burning bush, receiving a God-sized mission—and experiencing both excitement and fear. When God calls us to something bigger than ourselves, we naturally feel this tension. Excitement sees the purpose; fear sees the cost. Like Moses, you might think, "What if I fail? What if I'm not ready?" But God's mission for you is always bigger than your ambition. The key isn't eliminating fear—it's choosing faith over fear. When excitement makes you want to rush ahead saying "I got this," or when fear makes you freeze thinking "God doesn't have this," pause and consecrate. Preparation through prayer and surrender positions you to move forward with God, not without Him.
Reflection Question: Am I letting excitement push God aside, or is fear keeping me stuck?
Day 3: Old Habits, New Seasons
Reading: Colossians 3:5-10
Devotional: Everywhere you go, there you are—and so are your habits. Israel wandered forty years in the wilderness, developing patterns of complaining, doubting, and controlling. When they reached the Promised Land, God knew these old habits would sabotage the new promise. The same is true for us. You can start a new job, relationship, or ministry, but if you bring the same procrastination, insecurity, or self-doubt, you'll struggle. New missions require new mindsets. Paul urges us to "put to death" what belongs to our earthly nature and "put on the new self." What wilderness ways are you carrying into your new season? Identify one habit—bitterness, compromise, distraction—and surrender it today. God can't bless what hasn't been consecrated.
Reflection Question: What old pattern is sabotaging the new season God wants to bring me into?
Day 4: Step Into the Water
Reading: Joshua 3:14-17
Devotional: The Jordan River was at flood stage—the worst possible time to cross. Yet God commanded the priests to step into the water first, carrying the Ark of the Covenant. Only when their feet touched the water did God stop the flow. This is the pattern of faith: obedience before the miracle. You may be standing at your own Jordan moment—the calling is clear, but the waters look overwhelming. God isn't asking you to see the path cleared before you move; He's asking you to step in. But here's the key: don't step in dirty, distracted, or divided. Consecrate first, then step. When you align your heart with God's presence and take that step of faith, He moves. The miracle follows obedience, not the other way around.
Reflection Question: What is my "Jordan River," and am I prepared to step into it with a consecrated heart?
Day 5: Your Collective and Personal Calling
Reading: Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 2:10
Devotional: Every believer shares a collective calling: make disciples, love God, love others. But within that mission, God gives each person a unique, personal calling—family ministry, hospitality, teaching, serving. Both callings matter. Your personal calling brings fulfillment and purpose, but it must align with the greater mission of advancing God's kingdom. Today, reflect on both. Are you clear on your personal calling? Are you actively participating in the collective mission? Remember, God prepared good works in advance for you to walk in. Consecration ensures you're ready to fulfill both callings with excellence. As you prepare your heart this week, ask God to reveal where He's calling you specifically, and commit to stepping forward—clean, focused, and fully surrendered.
Reflection Question: How is my personal calling contributing to the collective mission of making disciples?
Weekly Challenge: Choose one way to consecrate your heart this week—one step of surrender, one act of obedience. Write it down, pray over it daily, and prepare yourself to step into the water when God says it's time.
Day 1: The Power of Consecration
Reading: Joshua 3:1-6
Devotional: Before Israel could step into God's promise, they had to consecrate themselves. Consecration isn't about earning God's favor—it's about aligning your heart with His presence. Like Israel standing at the Jordan River, you may see God's promise ahead but feel unprepared for the crossing. Today, ask yourself: What needs to be cleaned, removed, or realigned in my life? Perhaps it's bitterness, hidden sin, or self-reliance that's blocking your spiritual progress. Consecration positions you for the miracles God wants to perform. Don't rush into your calling carrying wilderness ways. Take time to prepare your heart, surrender what God highlights, and make room for His leadership.
Reflection Question: What one area of my life needs consecration before I step into what God is calling me to do?
Day 2: Between Excitement and Fear
Reading: Exodus 3:1-12
Devotional: Moses stood before the burning bush, receiving a God-sized mission—and experiencing both excitement and fear. When God calls us to something bigger than ourselves, we naturally feel this tension. Excitement sees the purpose; fear sees the cost. Like Moses, you might think, "What if I fail? What if I'm not ready?" But God's mission for you is always bigger than your ambition. The key isn't eliminating fear—it's choosing faith over fear. When excitement makes you want to rush ahead saying "I got this," or when fear makes you freeze thinking "God doesn't have this," pause and consecrate. Preparation through prayer and surrender positions you to move forward with God, not without Him.
Reflection Question: Am I letting excitement push God aside, or is fear keeping me stuck?
Day 3: Old Habits, New Seasons
Reading: Colossians 3:5-10
Devotional: Everywhere you go, there you are—and so are your habits. Israel wandered forty years in the wilderness, developing patterns of complaining, doubting, and controlling. When they reached the Promised Land, God knew these old habits would sabotage the new promise. The same is true for us. You can start a new job, relationship, or ministry, but if you bring the same procrastination, insecurity, or self-doubt, you'll struggle. New missions require new mindsets. Paul urges us to "put to death" what belongs to our earthly nature and "put on the new self." What wilderness ways are you carrying into your new season? Identify one habit—bitterness, compromise, distraction—and surrender it today. God can't bless what hasn't been consecrated.
Reflection Question: What old pattern is sabotaging the new season God wants to bring me into?
Day 4: Step Into the Water
Reading: Joshua 3:14-17
Devotional: The Jordan River was at flood stage—the worst possible time to cross. Yet God commanded the priests to step into the water first, carrying the Ark of the Covenant. Only when their feet touched the water did God stop the flow. This is the pattern of faith: obedience before the miracle. You may be standing at your own Jordan moment—the calling is clear, but the waters look overwhelming. God isn't asking you to see the path cleared before you move; He's asking you to step in. But here's the key: don't step in dirty, distracted, or divided. Consecrate first, then step. When you align your heart with God's presence and take that step of faith, He moves. The miracle follows obedience, not the other way around.
Reflection Question: What is my "Jordan River," and am I prepared to step into it with a consecrated heart?
Day 5: Your Collective and Personal Calling
Reading: Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 2:10
Devotional: Every believer shares a collective calling: make disciples, love God, love others. But within that mission, God gives each person a unique, personal calling—family ministry, hospitality, teaching, serving. Both callings matter. Your personal calling brings fulfillment and purpose, but it must align with the greater mission of advancing God's kingdom. Today, reflect on both. Are you clear on your personal calling? Are you actively participating in the collective mission? Remember, God prepared good works in advance for you to walk in. Consecration ensures you're ready to fulfill both callings with excellence. As you prepare your heart this week, ask God to reveal where He's calling you specifically, and commit to stepping forward—clean, focused, and fully surrendered.
Reflection Question: How is my personal calling contributing to the collective mission of making disciples?
Weekly Challenge: Choose one way to consecrate your heart this week—one step of surrender, one act of obedience. Write it down, pray over it daily, and prepare yourself to step into the water when God says it's time.