Category: Devotionals

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.”
-Matthew 13:44 NLT

When the goal is something as great as Heaven, no sacrifice can seem large.

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He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8 ESV

Humility means surrending the ego. You must choose what to surrender it to. God represents the highest ideal I can imagine, a good home for my ego when I can release it.

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The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
-Micah 6:8  NLT

This is interesting. This devotional uses this Scripture three times in a row, each with a different translation. I’m not sure what to make of that after an intensely active few days of soccer, jiu-jitsu, theater planning, unschool club, non-stop action.

I’ll just walk humbly with Jesus for now. I doubt I’d lack mercy if I was walking by his side. I doubt I’d be lacking for anything.

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He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
-Micah 6:8 NKJV

The commentary on this devotional reads, “We act justly when we behave as Jesus did.”

That’s a high goal to set, but a loving and compassionate one that is worth reaching for.

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Daniel said: “Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and mysterious things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. To thee, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for thou hast given me wisdom and strength, and hast now made known to me what we asked of thee, for thou hast made known to us the king’s matter.”
-Daniel 2:20-23 RSV

God had just given Daniel a vision in the night of the king’s recurring dreams and the insight to interpret them.

The king was at the brink of killing all his advisors for not knowing and understanding these dreams. Daniel had bought just enough time to receive this vision. It was a miracle that would save many lives.

The movie would play out with Daniel bursting out of his quarters, charging through the halls of the palace, and demanding to see the king, even as he was lying sleepless in his evening gown.

But Daniel responds to this life-saving vision with a prayer of gratitude.

Even when we have a healthy practice of gratitude, we can discover new opportunities to thank God. I am often blessed with answers to my questions and signposts on my journey. I resolve to be more like Daniel and pause in those moments to show appreciate to my Lord.

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Jesus then said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
-John 8:31-32 RSV

There’s no promise of truth in the present. The promise is of future truth and future freedom.

I find humility in these verses. I find myself listening to my neighbor instead of preaching to him.

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A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
-Proverbs 15:1 NIV

I don’t think I need to add to the wisdom of these words, but I do need to take them to heart.

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I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
Your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
-Psalm 139:14 NIV

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
-Psalm 139:23-24 RSV

I had my first psychedelic experience today. It revealed a world both fearful and wonderful. With a heart set in God’s love, I kept my intention aimed toward His wonderful works.

The experience was more intense than I expected and the temptation to fall into fearful thinking was great. Self-conciousness weighs heavily as I know this is a controversial subject. Yet, I only have to answer to God. He will judge if there is a wicked way in me. He will lead me in the way everlasting.

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Then Moses summoned Joshua, and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage; for you shall go with this people into the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them; and you shall put them in possession of it.
-Deuteronomy 31:7 RSV

I find the most strength in love. To listen carefully is to love deeply. If I have any leadership strength in this world, it is tied directly to my ability to love.

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Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
-Deuteronomy 6:9 NLT

My wife used to cut prayers and verses out of church bulletins and tape them to the inside of our kitchen cabinets. The funny thing is that she did most of that before we accepted Christ as our Savior. We only had a few months together as Christians before she passed away, but when I reflect back on her life, I see her consistently modeling the spirit of Christ.

It takes a lot more work from me. I try to actively write and talk about my faith every day, but it’s not always natural. I pray that through disciplined intention I can create a life more in line with Jesus Christ.

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