Monday, January 19 – “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 10:12) This verse spurs many emotions. For some, it’s a sign of what your life is to look like, in response to the love, grace and forgiveness of God. To others it’s a verse of oppression and manipulation, by the male personhood of God. Which one is you? Or do you have a third emotion about this verse?
Tuesday, January 20 – “Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” (John 7:24) Okay. So, what does judging correctly look like? It looks like seeing others as God sees them: Dearly loved, sacred, children of God. Beautiful, ugly, tall, short, male, female, rich, poor, none of it matters as much to God, as it matters to you. You’ll never be able to stop practicing judgment, in your life. But, with a new perspective, you can stop judging others by mere appearance.
Wednesday, January 21 – “Let everyone give according to the purposes in their heart, not grudgingly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7) Don’t do what you do, because you have to or should. Do what you do, because you want to. The move from have to, to want to, is called transformation. But maybe you want to continue to do things just as you’ve always done them? Well, how then will you ever even dream of learning and growing in any aspect of your life?
Thursday, January 22 – “With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?” (Micah 6:6) Pre-Jesus, animal sacrifice was how we re-established our relationship with God. Innocent blood had to be spilled, in order to get right with God. We have the blood of Jesus. Yet, even way back then, Micah was struggling with religious practices - what we do. He sensed that, to God, what we do isn’t as vital as being real about who we are.
Friday, January 23 – “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) If perfect means that you have to get everything right, all the time, then you’re in trouble. If perfect means that you want to be the best version of you, right here, right now, then you’re not. Which definition do you think God desires for you and your life? No judgment. No condemnation. Just being real. Your answer will help you to better understand how you see yourself, God and the world around you.
Saturday, January 24 – “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36) To be full of mercy means that you show compassionate or kindly forbearance to an offender, an enemy, or other person in one’s power. God is mercy-full toward us. Now, in response to this mercy, you’re invited to be mercy-full to others. Not because they deserve it. But because God still gave it, when you didn’t deserve it.
Tuesday, January 20 – “Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” (John 7:24) Okay. So, what does judging correctly look like? It looks like seeing others as God sees them: Dearly loved, sacred, children of God. Beautiful, ugly, tall, short, male, female, rich, poor, none of it matters as much to God, as it matters to you. You’ll never be able to stop practicing judgment, in your life. But, with a new perspective, you can stop judging others by mere appearance.
Wednesday, January 21 – “Let everyone give according to the purposes in their heart, not grudgingly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7) Don’t do what you do, because you have to or should. Do what you do, because you want to. The move from have to, to want to, is called transformation. But maybe you want to continue to do things just as you’ve always done them? Well, how then will you ever even dream of learning and growing in any aspect of your life?
Thursday, January 22 – “With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?” (Micah 6:6) Pre-Jesus, animal sacrifice was how we re-established our relationship with God. Innocent blood had to be spilled, in order to get right with God. We have the blood of Jesus. Yet, even way back then, Micah was struggling with religious practices - what we do. He sensed that, to God, what we do isn’t as vital as being real about who we are.
Friday, January 23 – “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) If perfect means that you have to get everything right, all the time, then you’re in trouble. If perfect means that you want to be the best version of you, right here, right now, then you’re not. Which definition do you think God desires for you and your life? No judgment. No condemnation. Just being real. Your answer will help you to better understand how you see yourself, God and the world around you.
Saturday, January 24 – “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36) To be full of mercy means that you show compassionate or kindly forbearance to an offender, an enemy, or other person in one’s power. God is mercy-full toward us. Now, in response to this mercy, you’re invited to be mercy-full to others. Not because they deserve it. But because God still gave it, when you didn’t deserve it.
You try to eat right. You drink plenty of water. you exercise. don't forget your spirit - feed it!
daily devotions
