This plan is designed to strengthen your faith and is the second part of a larger journey. We suggest you start with the first part, entitled “The Call.” While not strictly necessary, this step will be helpful, whether you are new to the faith or a long-time believer. Through this journey, you will discover new challenges and opportunities to deepen your relationship with God, making your journey even more meaningful. We are excited to accompany you on this journey of growth and transformation!
Carmelo Orlando
Day 1
Scriptures: John 3:16, Romans 5:8, Romans 8:39, 1 John 4:7-8
God is Love
There is something in the heart of man that drives him to seek God and his favor. This search often manifests itself in religion, in the worship of a god perceived as distant and unattainable. Man struggles to chase a god who seems distant, distracted, and indifferent.
But Christianity is completely different: here it is God who seeks man. He does so because he loves him, and this love is so great that he was willing to give his life to demonstrate it.
It is such a simple concept that many misunderstand or reject it, but the Bible reveals to us that this truth is the heart of divine revelation.
From the beginning to the end of the Bible we see how God’s love is unlimited and perfect, with the greatest expression of this love on the cross: “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.”
If we stop to think about it, it is extraordinary to think that someone could sacrifice a child to save innocent people. Yet, God gave his only Son to save us, who were anything but innocent, but guilty, and deserving of punishment.
The answer to such a great love can only be love—loving God with all our being and loving others, seeing in them the reflection of God.
Day 2
Scriptures: Deuteronomy 4:7, Jeremiah 31:3
He Is Not Far Away…
“I am near you” are the sweet words that a father or mother say to their children, even when they are far away. In the same way, it is what God repeats to us every day, in every moment of our life.
God is never too far away, in fact, he is not far at all. His nature allows him to be present everywhere and at every moment, even in the most hidden places of our mind.
Of course, his presence in our life can be more or less abundant, but it is extraordinary to know that he has chosen to always be near you. Your response to this divine love should be just as simple: stay close to him.
But often, we misunderstand his way of acting, seeing him as a severe judge ready to point the finger at our mistakes, rather than as a loving Father. We ask ourselves: why would someone want to be close to those who irritate him? But God is not like that. He wants to be close to us, to share with us, to walk beside us.
In the book of Jeremiah we read that God wants to be close to us because “He loves us with an everlasting love.” His love is the key, and his closeness is how he shows it to us every day.
Day 3
Scriptures: 2 Timothy 4:17, Psalms 145:18, Psalms 75:1
…He Is Near
Sometimes in our lives, we may feel that God is far away, almost unreachable. Moments of loneliness and doubt can make us feel like there is no way to get close to him. Yet the truth is that God is not far away. He is closer than we imagine, ready to hear us, and answer our calls.
In fact, his presence is constant and available to all who sincerely seek him. Every time we turn to him, we can feel his closeness. It is comforting to know that God is always present, even when we don’t feel it. He hears our every prayer and never turns away from those who call upon him with all their heart.
Remember that even when the difficulties seem insurmountable, God is there with us. We are not alone in our struggles. We can trust that he will sustain us and guide us in times of need. Even in the darkest days, we can call upon him and find the strength and hope we need.
So, don’t hesitate to call on him. His answer is always ready, and his presence is a beacon of light in the darkness. God is close to everyone who calls upon him, and every time we turn to him, we experience his love and grace. Have faith, because he is always with us, ready to embrace us.
Day 4
Scriptures: Luke 16:19, Jeremiah 31:33, 1 John 1:9, Romans 12:2
The Barriers
God loves you deeply and wants to be as close to you as possible, establishing an intimate and peaceful relationship, like that of a father and son. However, there are barriers that stand between us and him, hindering this wonderful encounter.
You may think that sin is the main barrier, but in reality it is only a consequence of what we think and how we act. The closer we get to God, the lower these barriers become; the further we move away from Him, the higher they become. The real obstacle is represented by attitudes such as selfishness, rebellion, envy, gossip, and ignorance, which distance us from the heart of God.
A clear example is the story of the rich man and the poor Lazarus. The rich man’s problem was not his riches, but what they had generated in his heart: selfishness, pride, and self-sufficiency. It was not his material prosperity that separated him from God, but the indifference and arrogance that came from it.
The good news is that God is faithful. He is ready to forgive sin immediately the moment we confess it to him. However, he invites us to renew our mind daily, to transform our way of thinking, so that we can live a full and intimate life with him.
The more we allow God to draw closer, the more we will experience an authentic relationship, free from barriers, guided by love and grace.
Day 5
Scriptures: Ezekiel 34:15-16, Luke 15:4, John 10:11, John 10:14
He Cares for You
The image of God as the good shepherd speaks to us of his infinite tenderness and love for each of us. Jesus himself calls himself the good shepherd, ready to give his life to protect his sheep. This thought invites us to reflect deeply: if Jesus is willing to sacrifice his life for us, then we can be sure that he will care for us in a genuine and selfless way.
Don’t feel lost or bewildered. Take some time, sit down, and open your heart to listen to his voice. Even when life seems confusing and noisy, you can be sure that God’s voice will be heard. He will guide you with love and patience, caring for you and leading you to the peace that only he can give.
Hold on to these promises: the world will try to distract you, to make you feel confused or far from the truth. However, the voice of the good shepherd will always be a safe guide, ready to show you the right path, to protect you from dangers and to fill your heart with peace and serenity.
His care for you is continuous, and his love will never waver. All you have to do is listen, and his voice will always lead you towards good.
Trust in the good shepherd, and you will discover that you are never alone.
Day 6
Scriptures: Jeremiah 33:3, Jeremiah 29:12-13, John 14:13-14
Return to Him
In times of uncertainty and difficulty, the encouragement to return to God becomes essential. He invites us to do so with sincerity, assuring us that he will not only listen to us, but also reveal great and inaccessible things to us. It is essential to remember that, despite the challenges of life, God is always ready to welcome us, ready to offer us guidance and light in dark times.
Our return to God must be authentic. When we turn to him with an open and sincere heart, we can expect answers that profoundly transform our being. A superficial return is not enough; it requires an approach that involves every part of us, an acknowledgement of our vulnerability, and a sincere desire to change.
God is not distant; he is always present and desires a deep relationship with us. By taking the time to seek him sincerely, we discover not only the comfort of his presence, but also the strength to face life’s challenges.
Furthermore, the knowledge that every time we ask in his name, he is willing to listen to us, should push us to actively seek him. This return is not just a physical step, but a conscious choice to draw closer to an authentic and deep relationship. When we draw closer to him with faith and humility, his presence transforms our lives.
So, do not hesitate to return to God sincerely. His doors are always open, and his love is ready to welcome us. In this sincere return, you will find not only answers, but also a new strength and a peace that transcends all understanding.
Day 7
Scripture: John 13:1
The Greatest Gift
Jesus, the Son of God, chose to become incarnate for us, an act that expresses the depth of his love. Taking on our humanity, he immersed himself in the experiences and challenges we face daily. Every step he took on earth was motivated by sincere and unconditional love.
The pinnacle of this love is manifested in his death on the cross. With his sacrifice, he took upon himself the weight of our sins, offering us a new opportunity for life and redemption.
It is difficult to comprehend the extent of a love that is willing to give everything, even life, for the good of others. Yet, Jesus did it, demonstrating how much he cares for each of us.
This total dedication is not just a story of the past; it is a living and present reality. What makes Jesus’ love even more remarkable is that it is not limited to a moment in time. He continues to be with us, ready to offer us his support and guidance.
Every day, we are invited to reflect on this truth: he loved us to the end. This knowledge should inspire us to respond with gratitude and love to him and to others.
In a world that often lacks compassion, we can find strength and motivation in the love of Jesus, who encourages us to live with an open heart, ready to give unconditional love to those around us.
I hope this plan has helped you reconsider yourself as a loved and sought-after person, with a purpose in life. God bless you. Pastor Carmelo Orlando