Transform Your Day: Start with God Daily

Devotional

Day 1: Commit Your Plans to God

Committing your plans and decisions to God each day opens the door for Him to align your thoughts with His will, bringing clarity and direction that you could never achieve on your own. When you intentionally invite God into the details of your life, He promises to guide your thinking, often giving you insights and ideas that seem to come from nowhere—thoughts you did not think yourself. This daily habit of surrendering your agenda to God is not just about avoiding mistakes, but about experiencing the best that He has for you, as your life becomes ordered according to His wisdom and purpose. [08:58]

Proverbs 16:3 (ESV)
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

Reflection: What is one specific plan or decision you are facing today that you can intentionally commit to God, asking Him to align your thoughts with His will before you take action?

Day 2: Approach God with Childlike Faith

God invites you to come to Him with the openness, humility, and trust of a child, setting aside pride and self-sufficiency. When you approach God in this way, you become teachable and ready to receive the wisdom, peace, and joy that He longs to give. The ways of the kingdom are not reserved for the self-assured, but for those who are willing to admit their need and depend on God’s guidance, just as a child depends on a loving parent. [10:31]

Mark 10:14 (ESV)
But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to let go of self-reliance and approach God today with the simple trust and humility of a child?

Day 3: Ask, Seek, and Engage with God

God promises to respond when you actively seek Him, ask questions, and engage with Him in honest conversation. He delights in your curiosity and your desire to know His heart, and He stands ready to answer, guide, and open doors as you pursue Him. This is not a passive relationship; it is an ongoing, dynamic dialogue where your questions and needs are welcomed, and God’s wisdom is generously given. [11:14]

Matthew 7:7 (ESV)
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Reflection: What is one question or concern you have been holding back from bringing to God? Take a moment today to ask Him directly and listen for His response.

Day 4: Make God’s Word and Instruction Your Priority

Prioritizing God’s instruction and continually putting Him first in your life leads to lasting hope and reward. When you commit yourself to learning from God’s Word and seeking His guidance, you build a foundation that will not disappoint, even when circumstances are uncertain. This daily discipline shapes your character, strengthens your faith, and ensures that your hope is anchored in something unshakeable. [11:56]

Proverbs 23:12 (ESV)
Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can prioritize God’s instruction today—perhaps by setting aside time to read Scripture, journal, or reflect on a verse that speaks to your current situation?

Day 5: Surrender Your Future and Plans to God’s Will

Recognizing the uncertainty of life, you are called to surrender your future and your plans to God, seeking His will above your own ambitions. Instead of boasting about what you will do, you are invited to lay your plans before God, asking for His direction and trusting Him with the outcome. This posture of humility not only honors God but also protects you from disappointment and aligns your life with His greater purpose. [12:14]

James 4:13-16 (ESV)
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

Reflection: Before making plans for the week ahead, take a moment to ask God, “Is this your will for me?” How might your plans change if you truly surrendered them to Him first?

Sermon Summary

Habits shape the direction of our lives, and among all the habits we can form, there is one that has the power to truly transform us: intentionally starting each day with God. This simple practice—what I call “pulling up two chairs”—is about making space, both physically and spiritually, to meet with the Lord. It’s not about ritual or routine for its own sake, but about cultivating a living, daily relationship with God that sets the tone for everything else. When we begin our day by inviting God into our plans, our questions, and our concerns, we open ourselves to His wisdom, guidance, and love.

The act of pulling up two chairs is a tangible way to remind ourselves that God is present and wants to be involved in every detail of our lives. Whether at home, in a hotel, or at a coffee shop, making room for God and committing even a short time to Him can bring order and clarity not just to our day, but to our entire life. This is rooted in the promise of Proverbs 16:3: when we commit our plans to the Lord, He aligns our thoughts with His will. It’s a habit that requires intentionality—preparing a place, inviting the Holy Spirit, and coming with a teachable, childlike heart.

During this time, it’s important to engage with God honestly. Bring your questions, your plans, your worries, and your gratitude. Open the Bible, listen for His voice, and write down what He shows you. The Holy Spirit is our helper, bringing God’s thoughts to us and teaching us how to walk in His ways. This daily meeting is not just about getting answers, but about learning to depend on God, to be corrected, and to find joy in following His direction.

Scripture encourages us to approach God as children—curious, humble, and trusting. We are invited to ask, to seek, and to knock, knowing that God responds to those who earnestly seek Him. Life is unpredictable, but when we make it a habit to consult God first, we find ourselves walking in His peace, wisdom, and strength. This is the path to a life that is not just better, but truly blessed.

Key Takeaways

1. The Power of Intentional Habits: The habits we form determine the trajectory of our lives. By intentionally starting each day with God, we invite His presence and guidance into every aspect of our day. This simple act of “pulling up two chairs” is a declaration that we value God’s input above our own understanding. [00:31]
2. Making Room for God Changes Everything: Physically preparing a space for God, even if it seems symbolic, has a profound spiritual impact. It signals to our hearts and minds that we are making room for the divine, and it sets the expectation that God will meet us there. This act of preparation cultivates a sense of reverence and anticipation for what God will do. [02:09]
3. Honest Engagement Invites Divine Wisdom: God desires honest conversation—He wants us to bring our real questions, plans, and struggles to Him. When we ask, “What do you think?” and genuinely seek His perspective, we open ourselves to receive thoughts and guidance that are higher than our own. This posture of inquiry keeps us from stagnation and draws us into deeper relationship. [05:31]
4. The Holy Spirit Aligns Our Thoughts with God’s Will: Proverbs 16:3 promises that when we commit our plans to the Lord, He will cause our thoughts to become agreeable to His will. The Holy Spirit acts as our teacher and helper, bringing God’s wisdom into our daily decisions. This alignment is often experienced as a “thought we did not think”—a gentle nudge or clarity that comes from God alone. [08:58]
5. Childlike Faith Unlocks the Kingdom: Jesus teaches that the kingdom of God belongs to those who approach Him like children—humble, teachable, and trusting. When we lay aside our pretensions and self-reliance, and instead ask, seek, and knock with childlike faith, we position ourselves to receive God’s best. This is the way to peace, contentment, and true success in life. [10:31]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:15] - The Power of Habits
[00:31] - A Life-Changing Promise
[01:12] - The Potential of Daily Commitment
[01:32] - Introducing “Pull Up Two Chairs”
[02:09] - Making Room for God
[02:58] - Meeting God Wherever You Are
[03:36] - How Daily Meetings Shape Your Life
[03:52] - Inviting God In: The 30-Second Prayer
[05:00] - Thankfulness and Honest Conversation
[06:09] - Engaging with Scripture and Journaling
[07:00] - The Holy Spirit as Our Teacher
[08:58] - Proverbs 16:3 and Aligning Our Thoughts
[10:31] - Becoming Like Children
[11:14] - Five Power-Packed Scriptures
[12:42] - Laying Plans Before God
[13:29] - Leaning on God Throughout the Day
[14:37] - Going for God’s Best

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Pull Up Two Chairs – Starting Your Day with God”

Bible Reading

Proverbs 16:3 (ESV)
> Commit your work to the Lord,
> and your plans will be established.

Mark 10:14-15 (ESV)
> But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Matthew 7:7-8 (ESV)
> “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”

Observation Questions

According to Proverbs 16:3, what is the result of committing our plans to the Lord?
In Mark 10:14-15, what does Jesus say about children and the kingdom of God?
What are the three actions Jesus encourages in Matthew 7:7-8, and what does He promise will happen when we do them?
In the sermon, what is the practical meaning of “pulling up two chairs” and how does it help us start our day? [[01:32]]

Interpretation Questions

Why might God want us to physically and intentionally make space for Him each day, as described in the “pull up two chairs” habit? [[02:09]]
What does it mean to approach God with a “childlike” heart, and how could this change the way we pray or listen for God’s guidance? [[10:31]]
The sermon mentions that the Holy Spirit can give us a “thought we did not think.” What might this look like in real life, and how can we recognize when it’s God’s guidance? [[08:58]]
Why is honest engagement with God—bringing our real questions, plans, and worries—so important for a growing relationship with Him? [[05:31]]

Application Questions

The sermon suggests physically preparing a space for God, even if it feels symbolic. Is there a place in your home or daily routine where you could “pull up two chairs” and meet with God? What would it look like for you to do this intentionally this week? [[02:09]]
When you think about your current morning routine, what is one small change you could make to invite God into the start of your day? What might be a barrier to doing this, and how could you overcome it? [[01:32]]
The speaker encourages us to ask God honest questions about our plans, worries, and relationships. What is one area of your life where you need God’s wisdom right now? How could you bring this to Him in your next “two chairs” time? [[05:31]]
The sermon talks about journaling and writing down scriptures or thoughts God gives you. Have you ever tried this? If not, what might be helpful about writing down what you sense God is saying? [[06:25]]
Jesus says we should come to Him like children—curious, humble, and trusting. Is there an area where you find it hard to trust God or to be “teachable”? What would it look like to approach God with childlike faith in that area? [[10:31]]
The Holy Spirit is described as our helper who aligns our thoughts with God’s will. Can you think of a time when you sensed a “thought you did not think” that helped you make a decision? How did you respond? [[08:58]]
The sermon says that making a habit of meeting with God can bring order and clarity to our whole life. What is one specific way you hope this habit could impact your week ahead? [[03:17]]