God’s Correction Is for Your Good

“Happy is the person whom God corrects! Do not resent it when he rebukes you.” Job 5:17 (GNT)

If I'm running from what God has called me to do, there is something I should know: God is calling me back to him.

He knows that the longer I run, the worse life will get for me. And he wants to get my attention before it’s too late.

Even though God is patient, he won’t let me ignore his call forever. God loves me just the way I am, but he loves me far too much to let me stay that way.

One day he’s going to get my attention.

The prophet Jonah found this out the hard way when he ran from God by boarding a boat headed in the opposite direction from where God had called him. While on the boat, a storm came up—and “it was getting worse all the time” (Jonah 1:11 GNT).

The more Jonah ran, the worse the storm got. Jonah’s running had consequences.

It’s the same way for me. When I run from God, eventually I’ll find myself surrounded by storms. Sometimes those are the storms of God’s correction. But when God corrects me, it’s not negative. It’s because he loves me!

Loving parents discipline their children because they love them and want to see their children change their behavior for their own good. God is the same way. The Bible says: “Happy is the person whom God corrects! Do not resent it when he rebukes you” (Job 5:17 GNT).

As the storm got more intense, Jonah’s shipmates asked a question many people ask when troubles build: “What should we do . . . to stop the storm?” (Jonah 1:11 GNT). The answer is always the same. I must completely surrender my life to God. When I surrender, peace comes.

Jonah did this. He responded, “Throw me into the sea, and it will calm down. I know it is my fault that you are caught in this violent storm” (Jonah 1:12 GNT).

It was Jonah’s first unselfish act—and his first step toward a fresh start. He admitted he was the cause of the storm, and he surrendered to God’s will.

If I'm running from God’s plan for my life and now I'm facing a storm, surrender to him. It might not be a literal storm—or one where I'm tossed overboard like Jonah—but it feels just as overwhelming. The good news is, I can confidently surrender to God because he is for me, and he’s calling me back to him.

In summary:

When I run from God’s calling, life only grows harder, but God uses correction—like a loving parent—to bring me back to Him. Jonah learned this when he fled from God, only to face a worsening storm until he surrendered and admitted his fault, which became the first step toward a fresh start. In the same way, when I face storms in life, they may be God’s way of getting my attention and calling me to surrender. His correction isn’t punishment but love, reminding me that true peace comes when I stop resisting and fully submit to His will.

Bottom line:

Running from God only leads to storms, but His correction is an act of love that calls you back to Him.  So the next step is to stop resisting and fully surrender to God—acknowledge where I’ve been running, turn back to Him, and trust that His plan will bring peace and a fresh start.

Purpose is Written, Not Imagined

“Always remember what is written in the Book of the Teachings. Study it day and night to be sure to obey everything that is written there. If you do this, you will be wise and successful in everything.” Joshua 1:8 (NCV)

Everyone wants something to live for—but many of us look for it in the wrong places. You can’t find your mission in a billboard, on social media, or by watching TV. You can’t just guess what it is either.

You can only find God’s mission for your life in one place: God’s Word.

Studies show that each of us has 600 to 700 talents, but we never use most of them. When you embrace God’s mission for your life, though, you’ll find that he can use many more of the gifts and talents he’s given you.

Jonah, one of God’s prophets in the Bible, received his life mission from God. The Bible says, “The LORD spoke his word to Jonah son of Amittai: ‘Get up, go to the great city of Nineveh, and preach against it, because I see the evil things they do’” (Jonah 1:1-2 NCV).

God gave Jonah his mission. He’ll give you one too as you read his Word. The more you dig into the Bible, the more you'll understand your mission for life.

God uses many different ways to get his Word into your life. Sometimes you sit down to read it. Other times, you may hear someone preach it. And on other days you’ll read a devotional like this one. If the only time you open your Bible is when you’re in church, you likely will never discover God’s mission for your life.

Instead, make the Bible a regular part of your life. Spend time with God every day, even if it’s just a few minutes. Put it in your schedule—write it on your calendar, or set a daily alert on your phone.

Joshua 1:8 says, “Always remember what is written in the Book of the Teachings. Study it day and night to be sure to obey everything that is written there. If you do this, you will be wise and successful in everything” (NCV).

If you want to successfully accomplish God’s mission for your life, stop looking for a vision and start looking for a verse. God won’t write your mission in the sky. He has already written it in his Word.

In summary:

True success and purpose come from discovering God’s mission for life through His Word, not from social media, entertainment, or guesswork. The Bible teaches in Joshua 1:8 (“Always remember what is written in the Book of the Teachings. Study it day and night to be sure to obey everything that is written there. If you do this, you will be wise and successful in everything.”NCV)) that studying and obeying Scripture daily leads to wisdom and success. Just as Jonah received his mission directly from God, we too will find ours as we consistently engage with the Bible—whether by reading, hearing it preached, or studying devotionals. God has given us many untapped gifts and talents, and when we align with His mission, He can use them fully. To discover and live out our purposes, make God’s Word a regular part of our daily routine and let it guide life.

Bottom Line: We will only discover God’s mission for our life by regularly reading, studying, and obeying His Word so make Bible reading a daily habit—schedule it, set a reminder, and commit to spending time in Scripture so you can understand and live out God’s purpose for your life.

Why Self-Reliance Will Always Runs Dry

“My people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me—the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!” Jeremiah 2:13 (NLT)

The sad reality is this: I live in a broken, fallen world—a world where sin and evil exist. And as a result, I live with unmet needs.

This is not a perfect place, so all my needs will not be met while I live on earth. I have unmet relational, physical, emotional, financial, and spiritual needs. I have a need to be known and understood and loved.

It’s understandable to want my needs to be met, but the last thing I should do is try to meet them my own way instead of trusting God. When I think I can meet my needs better than God can, it leads to broken hearts, broken dreams, broken bodies, and broken promises.

God said, “My people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me—the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!” (Jeremiah 2:13 NLT).  

A cistern is a hole dug into the ground to store water. In a well, you have water that’s coming up from the ground. But a cistern is not connected to a water source, so it has to be constantly filled with water. Over time the water leaks into the ground, and the cistern goes dry. It eventually runs out of water. It’s temporary. Also, because there’s no new water coming into the cistern, the water can become murky and polluted. 

God is saying that when I try to meet my needs in my own way, it’s like trying to keep fresh water in a cracked cistern. I will always run out of water in a cracked cistern—and I will always run out of power when I'm trying to meet my needs on my own.

In the book of John, Jesus refers to himself as Living Water. He said, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them” (John 7:38 NIV). God’s love and care for me and the power he gives me to live the Christian life are like a well that never runs dry. When I trust in him, he’ll take care of all my needs in the best way and at the right time. I will have everything I need.

So I shouldn't dig my own cistern that will always go dry. Instead, trust in the Living Water that never runs out!

In summary: 

This passage reminds me that in a broken world, I will always have unmet needs—relational, emotional, physical, or spiritual—but trying to meet them on my own only leaves me empty, like storing water in a cracked cistern that leaks dry. God warns that when I abandon Him, the true fountain of living water, and rely on my own ways, the results are temporary, polluted, and unsatisfying. Jesus, the Living Water, offers a never-ending source of love, strength, and provision. The wisest choice is to stop digging my own cisterns and instead trust fully in Him, who alone can meet my needs in the right way and at the right time.

Bottom line: 

Only God, the Living Water, can truly meet my needs—if I try to do it my own way, I’ll always end up empty.  My next wisest step is to pause and identify one “cracked cistern” in my life—one area where I've been trying to meet my own needs apart from God (maybe control, overworking, seeking approval, or numbing distractions). Write it down, and then intentionally surrender it in prayer, asking God to be my Living Water in that specific area.

Finding Hope in a Broken World

“The LORD is kind to everyone who trusts and obeys him.” Lamentations 3:25 (CEV)

We live on a broken planet, with natural disasters, physical decay, and death. There’s emotional distress and disappointment, distance and discord in relationships, and spiritual discontent and darkness. It’s no wonder why there is an epidemic of hopelessness in our world. I would feel hopeless too if I thought this broken place was the end of the story—but it’s not. There’s good news!

How can I be happy in a world full of pain and suffering and sorrow? How can I be happy when I deeply and personally feel the effects of broken bodies, broken relationships, and broken hope? 

Do what Jeremiah did. Jeremiah was a prophet who experienced plenty of suffering and disappointment. He wrote the book of Lamentations, where he gives his testimony:

“I cannot find peace or remember happiness. . . . Thinking of my troubles and my lonely wandering makes me miserable. That’s all I ever think about, and I am depressed. Then I remember something that fills me with hope. The LORD’s kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed. The LORD can always be trusted to show mercy each morning. Deep in my heart I say, ‘The LORD is all I need; I can depend on him!’ The LORD is kind to everyone who trusts and obeys him” (Lamentations 3:17, 19-25 CEV).

The key to happiness in a broken, messed up, damaged world is ultimately this: The Lord is all I need.

So I shouldn't put my trust in people, because they can let me down. I shouldn't put my trust in circumstances, because they can disappoint me. I shouldn't put my trust in the things of this world, because they won’t last.

Instead put your trust in God. Remember his promises to me in his Word and his faithfulness to me in the past. Then I'll be able to trust in his unfailing kindness for my future. I'll be able to obey him with joy and say with confidence, “The Lord is all I need. I can depend on him!”

In summary: 

In a broken world filled with pain, disappointment, and hopelessness, the key to true peace and joy is trusting in God’s unfailing kindness. Like Jeremiah, who poured out his struggles in Lamentations yet found hope in God’s mercy and faithfulness, we are reminded that people, circumstances, and things will fail us—but the Lord never does. His kindness and mercy are new every morning, and when I choose to trust and obey Him, we can confidently say, “The Lord is all I need; I can depend on Him.”

Bottom LIne: 

In a broken world, true hope and lasting peace come only from trusting in God’s unfailing kindness and depending on Him each day.

Based on this, my next wisest step is to pause and recall a specific moment when God has been faithful to you in the past—write it down, thank Him for it, and let that memory fuel my trust and obedience today. 

Hope in a Broken World

“The Lord isn’t slow to do what he promised, as some people think. Rather, he is patient for your sake. He doesn’t want to destroy anyone but wants all people to have an opportunity to turn to him and change the way they think and act.” 2 Peter 3:9 (GW)

When God looks down on the earth and sees so much sin in the world, why does he put up with it? He’s got the power to shut it all down. So why is he allowing a broken planet to continue to limp along?

Because although the world’s broken, God is still in control—and history is moving toward a climax. History is his story, and he’s not finished yet.

The Bible says in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord isn’t slow to do what he promised, as some people think. Rather, he is patient for your sake. He doesn’t want to destroy anyone but wants all people to have an opportunity to turn to him and change the way they think and act” (GW). 

God is patiently enduring all the grief that he sees on this planet. Why? Because he’s waiting for people to step across the line and follow Jesus as their Savior and Lord. He wants all people to become part of his family—that includes me!

And if I'm in his family, he wants me to tell everyone I know about the Good News of Jesus because he wants them in his family too. God is waiting so that more people have the opportunity to receive his grace.

Many people say, “I can’t believe in a God who would callously stand by, unmoved, and watch children suffer.” I don’t believe in that kind of God either!

I believe in a God who weeps when he sees the people he created hurting each other. And I believe in a God who is one day going to stop evil dead in its tracks and settle the score. The Bible says there’s going to be a day when God judges all sin and evil.

But here’s the good news: Since I’ve accepted Jesus as my Savior, I don’t need to fear that day. The Bible says, “There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1 NLT). That means when I stand before God, I won’t stand there alone or ashamed. I'll stand in his grace—totally forgiven, because of what Jesus has already done for me on the cross.

Yes, the world is broken, and yes, there’s evil—but God is in control. He’s still got the whole world in his hands. And he’s giving everyone a little more time to choose him and to tell others about his love for them.

What am I waiting for? 

In summary: 

God has not forgotten His promises, nor is He slow to act—He is patient, giving the world time to repent and turn to Him. Though the world is broken and filled with sin, God is still in control and history is moving toward His final plan. He endures the grief of evil because He desires everyone to have the opportunity to receive His grace and join His family through Jesus. For those who have accepted Christ, there is no condemnation, only forgiveness and hope. Until the day He sets all things right, God calls me to trust His timing, live in His grace, and share the Good News so that others may also find life in Him.

Bottom line: 

God delays judgment out of love, giving everyone more time to turn to Him—and if I already belong to Christ, my role is to share His grace and hope with others. 

I need to prayerfully identify one person in my life who needs encouragement, hope, or an introduction to God’s love—and then take a small, intentional action to reach out to them this week (a conversation, a note, a prayer, or an invitation).

From Harm to Hope: God’s Greater Purpose

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20 (NIV)

Every problem in life has a purpose; there’s meaning in the mess of it all.

When I'm in the middle of a difficulty, it’s hard to see its purpose. But hindsight is 20/20—so when I look back at a problem after I've gotten through it, I often can see what God was doing.

God can take everything in our lives—the good stuff, the bad stuff, the hurtful stuff, the bizarre stuff—and use it for good.

Remember, God doesn’t cause my problems. But he does allow them so he can use them for his own good intentions, even when other people have bad intentions.

A great example of this in the Bible is the story of Joseph. Joseph faced a whole string of terrible problems. He was sold into slavery by his own brothers. He was falsely accused of seducing his master’s wife. He was thrown into prison. 

But Joseph kept on being faithful. And eventually he was placed second in charge over all of Egypt. In this role, he was able to save entire nations from famine. He was even able to save his own family—including his brothers, who had sold him into slavery. 

He told his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20 NIV). Joseph knew that God’s good intentions had been working, even in the bad circumstances of his life.

I will be in bad situations at times. It may seem like everything has gone wrong. People with bad intentions may have hurt me. But God intends to bring good out of it. He wants me to bring him the broken pieces of my life. He can bring peace out of those pieces.

Remember, God’s purpose is greater than any problems I've been through. And he’ll bring good out of them if I'll trust him.

In Summary:

Life’s problems are never wasted—God can use even the hardest and most painful circumstances for good. Like Joseph, who was betrayed, falsely accused, and imprisoned before being raised to power and saving countless lives, I can trust that God’s purpose is greater than the intentions of others or the trials I face. Though God doesn’t cause my problems, he allows them and weaves them into his greater plan, turning brokenness into peace and setbacks into opportunities for growth. My role is to stay faithful, trust him with the pieces of my life, and believe that he is working for good even when I can’t yet see it.

Bottom Line:

No matter the harm or hardship, God can turn it into good and fulfill His greater purpose in our lives.  The next step is for me to Bring a difficult situation or painful memory to God in prayer, asking Him to show me how He can use it for good.

Wonderfully Made, Purposefully Placed

“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!” Psalm 139:13-14 (NLT)

What I'm learning is that God custom-designed me. In fact, he custom-designed each and every person who’s ever lived. Just stop and actually think about that truth, it’s amazing.

David says this in Psalm 139: “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born” (Psalm 139:13-16 NLT).

Few things are as complex as the human body. But all of the systems in my body work together in just the right way because God designed them. In fact, Psalm 139 says that God was watching as I was developing in my mother’s womb. He oversaw every detail of my creation—because even before I was born, he had a place, a purpose, and a plan for my life. If he didn’t, I wouldn’t be here.

I shouldn't ever let anyone tell me that I was an accident. I'm not an accident. 

There are no accidental babies. God planned me. My parents may not have planned me, but God did. I may have had good parents or bad parents or indifferent parents. Or maybe some may not even know their parents. Whoever my parents are, God chose them because they had just the right DNA to create me. And he wanted me.

Remember, there are no illegitimate children. God had a plan. If I'm here, it’s because he wanted me here. That’s amazing. 

The Message paraphrase says, “Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It’s way over our heads. We’ll never figure it out. Is there anyone around who can explain God?” (Romans 11:33-34).

The answer, of course, is no. No one can explain God. If you could explain God, they'd be God.  What God has done in custom-designing me is unbelievable, indescribable, unattainable.  It’s an amazing thing.

What should my response to this be? Thank him. Thank him for his wonderful grace and for his wonderful love. The Bible says this in 2 Corinthians 9:15: “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (NIV).

In summary:

As described in Psalm 139, every person is intentionally and intricately created by God. God personally oversaw every detail of my formation in the womb, crafting each me with a unique purpose, plan, and design—meaning there I was not an accident or an illegitimate life. Regardless of my family circumstances, God chose the exact DNA and situation needed to create me, because He wanted me here. My complexity and existence are the result of His unmatched wisdom and extravagant love, which cannot be fully explained or comprehended. The proper response to such a profound truth is gratitude—thanking God for the gift of life, His grace, and His indescribable love.

Bottom line: 

I was intentionally and wonderfully created by God with a unique purpose—there are no accidents in His design. My next step should be to spend time today thanking God for creating me with such care and purpose, and ask Him to guide me in living out the plan He’s designed for my life.

Stopping “Truth Decay”?

“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 (NIV)

We are experiencing a crisis of credibility in our culture. We can find corruption pretty much everywhere—in politics, business, sports, academics, entertainment—and even in churches. 

What is the cause of this decline in moral values? It can be said in two words: truth decay. 

Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32 NIV). Freedom comes from the truth. The more I know the truth, the freer I'll be in my spirit, in my life, in my family—in every way! The opposite is also true: The more I give up on the truth, the more I'll forfeit my freedom.

This phrase “truth decay” exemplifies what’s been happening in our society. Slowly, little by little, there has been an erosion of the value of truth. We don’t value truth like we used to—and it’s slowly eroding the world we live in.

It’s the same with your teeth. When tooth decay begins, you don’t even notice it. You can’t feel it; you can’t see it. But it’s happening—and if you don’t stop it, you’ll eventually lose your tooth.

In recent decades, there has been a shift away from truth as the foundation of our society. At one point, most people genuinely agreed on what was right and what was wrong. If people didn’t do right at least they knew right. But today many people claim they don’t even know the difference between right and wrong—or that there’s no such thing as right and wrong.

This idea that there is no such thing as truth is called postmodernism. It’s built on the idea that there are no absolutes. But that’s an unworkable, irrational philosophy. Everyone depends on absolutes.

When you go into a pharmacy, you trust that the pharmacist will absolutely give you the correct prescription. When you approach a stop sign, other drivers expect that you’ll absolutely stop. When a rocket heads into outer space, there are thousands of absolute calculations to keep it on course. The whole world, every single day of life, operates on absolutes.

In postmodernism, people value tolerance more than they value truth; all ideas are equally valid. But that’s nonsense. If I say, “The moon is made out of rock,” and you say, “The moon is made out of Swiss cheese,” those ideas are not equally valid. There are a lot of things in life that are absolutely and always true—and there are a lot of things in life that are absolutely and always false. 

In a world that values tolerance over truth, it’s easy to let truth decay into our hearts and life. In the coming days, I'm going to look at how I can know and hold on to what’s true so that I can live in the freedom Jesus promises.

In summary:

Our culture is facing a crisis of credibility rooted in “truth decay”—a gradual erosion of the value of truth that undermines moral standards and freedom. Just as tooth decay is slow and often unnoticed until serious damage occurs, truth decay quietly weakens society when people abandon absolute standards of right and wrong. Postmodern thinking, which rejects absolutes and elevates tolerance above truth, leads to confusion and instability, even though daily life depends on absolutes for safety, order, and progress. Jesus taught that knowing the truth sets us free, so holding firmly to God’s unchanging truth is essential for living in the freedom He promises.

Bottom Line:

When truth erodes, freedom is lost—so I need anchor my life in God’s unchanging truth to remain truly free. I need to commit to regularly reading and reflecting on God’s Word so that I can clearly recognize, hold onto, and live by the truth in every area of my life.

Building Your Life on God’s Truth

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2 (NIV)

We all have a worldview—a set of beliefs we build our lives on. And that worldview affects absolutely everything: relationships, work, how we spend money, and how we handle suffering. So how can I strengthen my worldview to live the life God has planned for me?

1. Learn the truth. Jesus told a story about two men who built themselves houses—one on a shaky foundation of sand and the other on a solid foundation of rock. When storms came, the house on the shaky foundation collapsed, but the house built on solid rock stood the test of time.

The point of the story is this: I'm going to build my life either on popular opinion or on God’s unchanging truth. If I build my life on eternal truth, I'll be able to stand up under the most difficult circumstances.

The Bible says, “Learn the truth and never reject it. Get wisdom, self-control, and understanding” (Proverbs 23:23 NCV). I can learn the truth by studying God’s Word, reading good Christian books, and being part of a church family.

2. Discern what is false. The Message paraphrase says, “Don’t believe everything you hear. Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you. Not everyone who talks about God comes from God. There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world” (1 John 4:1). Even people who claim to be speaking God’s truth sometimes aren’t. But when I know the truth of God’s Word, I'll be able to discern false teaching when I hear it.

3. Turn from the world to the Word. The Bible tells me to not be part of the world’s value system or, in other words, to not take on the world’s worldview: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2 NIV). I have a choice: Will I get my advice on life from God’s eternal Word or from a world that is filled with constantly changing opinions?

4. Concern yourself with God’s agenda. Jesus promised this in The Living Bible paraphrase: “[God] will always give you all you need from day to day if you will make the Kingdom of God your primary concern” (Luke 12:31). I can have only one “primary concern.” God wants to be number one—and for my other interests and goals to be secondary. He promises that if I put him and his agenda first, he’ll take care of everything else in my life.

All over the world, people are looking for meaning, significance, and purpose. If we build our lives on shifting sand—on things like power, pleasure, and wealth—we’ll never find what we’re looking for. Instead, we should build our life on the truth of God’s Word and concern ourselves with God’s agenda. We'll find ourselves with a clear worldview and a consistent, purposeful life that stands up to all of life’s storms.

In summary: 

A solid worldview built on God’s unchanging truth shapes every area of life and enables me to stand firm through challenges. Strengthening that worldview means learning truth through God’s Word, Christian teaching, and community; discerning falsehood by comparing all messages against Scripture; and choosing to turn from the world’s shifting values to God’s eternal principles. When I make God’s agenda my top priority, he promises to provide for my needs. Building life on the rock of truth—not the sand of popular opinion—leads to clarity, consistency, and a purpose that withstands life’s storms.

Bottom line: 

Build life on God’s unchanging truth, reject the world’s shifting values, and make His agenda the top priority. Commit to daily renewing my mind through God’s Word so my beliefs, decisions, and priorities align with His truth.

Why What You Believe Shapes Everything

“Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.” Proverbs 4:23 (GNT)

There are two common myths about what we believe. One of them is the sincerity myth; the other is the situational myth.

The sincerity myth says, “It doesn’t matter what I believe as long as I'm sincere.” But here’s the problem with that myth: I can be sincerely wrong. I’ve been sincerely wrong many, many times in my life. Sincerity is not enough. I can sincerely believe that the sun revolves around the earth. But it doesn’t matter how sincere I am about it—I’m sincerely wrong.  

The situational myth says it doesn’t really matter what I believe because everything depends on circumstances; I can believe one thing in one situation and believe another thing in another. That causes enormous amounts of stress in life because it doesn’t make sense. Truth is always true.

It does matter what I believe, and it matters that my beliefs are consistent. God's Word gives three clear reasons why my beliefs matter.

1. My beliefs shape my life. The Bible says, “Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts” (Proverbs 4:23 GNT). My beliefs determine my behavior. When I don’t know what I believe and why I believe it, my life ends up being shaped by beliefs I'm not even aware of. So if I want to change something in my life, start with thoughts—with beliefs. Change happens from the inside out. 

2. A faulty worldview causes all kinds of unnecessary problems in life. The Message paraphrase says, “If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed” (Proverbs 29:18). When we don’t know the purpose of life—when we're building life on the wrong set of beliefs—we just drift along, occasionally stumbling over ourselves. But when we build our lives on God’s truth—when we “attend to what he reveals”—we will experience God’s blessings.

3. God wants me to share what I believe with others. The Bible says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV). Our world needs people who know what they believe, know why they believe it, and know how to share those beliefs with others in love.

God made me in his own image—and for his purposes. And he wants me to build my life on beliefs that help me live those purposes to the fullest!

In summary:

Our beliefs shape our lives, influence our behavior, and determine the direction we take—so they must be grounded in truth, not myths. The sincerity myth says that as long as we’re sincere, what we believe doesn’t matter, but sincerity alone can still be wrong. The situational myth says beliefs can shift with circumstances, but that leads to confusion and stress since truth is unchanging. God’s Word teaches that our thoughts and beliefs directly shape our actions, that a faulty worldview leads to unnecessary problems, and that we’re called to share our hope with others in love. When we build our lives on God’s truth and stay consistent in our beliefs, we not only find clarity and purpose but also fulfill the reason God created us.

Bottom Line:

My beliefs shape my life, so they must be true, consistent, and grounded in God’s Word—then lived out and shared with others.

Why Your Worldview Matters

“For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible . . . everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him.” Colossians 1:16 (MSG)

What’s my worldview? In other words, what lens do I use to look at the world around me? I we looked at a few worldviews that are popular in today’s culture—materialism, individualism, hedonism, and pragmatism—and the counter worldviews that God offers. Today l'm going to look at a few more.

Naturalism. Another word for naturalism is atheism. Naturalism says God doesn’t exist—or, if he does exist, he doesn’t matter. Naturalists believe that everything in life is a result of random chance. The naturalist says, “We’re all accidents of nature. There is no grand Creator. There is no grand design. There is no God.”

However, If God doesn’t exist or doesn’t matter, then I don’t matter. That’s the logical, rational conclusion of that worldview. My value comes from the fact that God thought me up, created me, and loves me.

The Bible says, “There are things about [God] that people cannot see. . . . But since the beginning of the world those things have been easy to understand by what God has made” (Romans 1:20 NCV). In other words, when we look at nature—instead of seeing that God doesn’t exist—we learn what God is like. We learn he’s creative, powerful, and organized; we learn he likes variety. 

Humanism. Humanism says I'm in charge of my own life—that I'm the master of my own fate. And while most people wouldn’t say they worship themselves, when I believe I'm the center of it all, that’s basically what’s happening. For a humanist, I'm the center of my own universe.

The Bible says, “They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator” (Romans 1:25 NIV). That’s what the humanist does.

Theism. Theism says that there is a God and he made me for his purposes. This is the worldview the Bible teaches. “Theism” comes from Theo, the Greek word for “God.”

The Message paraphrase says, “For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible . . . everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him” (Colossians 1:16). Look at that verse again. Everything—absolutely everything—was created by God, for a purpose.

All day, every day, so many worldviews compete for my allegiance. But the truth is that I was made by God and for God. Embrace that fact—and soon I'll find that life makes sense.

In summary:

Today's devotional contrasts several competing worldviews—naturalism, which denies God’s existence and purpose; humanism, which centers life on self; and theism, which Tom Ln God as Creator and life’s purpose-giver. Naturalism reduces life to random chance, stripping it of inherent value, while humanism exalts human control but ultimately replaces God with self. Theism, taught in the Bible, declares that everything was made by God and for God, giving life meaning and direction. In a world full of conflicting beliefs, recognizing that I was created by and for God is the foundation for a purposeful and coherent life.

Bottom Line:

Understanding my worldview shapes how I see myself, my purpose, and the world around me.  Today, I'll take a few quiet minutes to honestly identify my current worldview, then compare it to what Scripture says — and choose one small step to align my thinking more closely with God’s perspective.

My Worldview and Perspective Matters

“There is a way that seems right to a person, but eventually it ends in death.” Proverbs 14:12 (GW)

There are countless worldviews—beliefs I built my life on. Those beliefs come to me from books, media, classrooms, the people around me, music, advertising, and more. Most of the time, I don’t even think about my worldview. But I need to—because my worldview influences how I see myself and others, how I make decisions, and just about every other aspect of how I live.

Some of the worldviews that are popular in today’s culture are: 

Materialism. This worldview can be summarized with the word more—more, more, more. Materialism says that the only thing that really matters in life is the acquisition of things. Materialists confuse values with valuables. They think, “If I have more, I’m worth more.” 

Jesus loved to challenge conventional wisdom, including the idea of materialism. He once said, “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15 ESV). In other words, I can’t judge my life by how much I’ve got because the greatest things in life aren’t actually things.

Individualism. We live in a serve-yourself world that says, “It’s all about you!” Advertising tells us things like, “Live your truth,” “Be your own hero,” and “You deserve it.” It’s a self-centered, individualistic, “me first” way of living.

But Jesus taught, “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it” (Matthew 16:25 NLT). Jesus says I only begin living my life when I start giving it away. Significance in life doesn’t come from individual status, salary, or success; it comes from serving God and serving others.

Hedonism. Hedonism urges, “Do whatever feels good!” Hedonism is simply the desire that says, “The most important thing in life is how I feel. If I feel good, then it’s good; if I feel bad, then it’s bad.” The hedonist lives for comfort, pleasure, fun, and good feelings.

“What’s wrong with pleasure?” After all, God is the one who created pleasure. But pleasure wasn’t made to be my ultimate goal. Instead, pleasure is a result of living the kind of life God wants me to live. The Message paraphrase says it like this: “You’re addicted to thrills? What an empty life! The pursuit of pleasure is never satisfied” (Proverbs 21:17).   

Pragmatism. “Whatever works for you”—that’s the theme of the pragmatist. Pragmatism says it doesn’t matter if it’s right or wrong; it doesn’t matter if it hurts someone; if it works for you, it’s fine.

But the Bible offers a different perspective: “There is a way that seems right to a person, but eventually it ends in death” (Proverbs 14:12 GW). Just because something seems to be working now doesn’t mean it’s right. Cheating on a spouse, stealing from your business, or relying on alcohol may all seem to work for you in the short-term, but eventually they’ll bring you down.

As I think about my own life. Am I caught up in some of these popular worldviews? Or am I choosing to follow the different path that Jesus offers?

In summary:

My worldview—the beliefs I live by—shape how I see myself, relate to others, and make decisions, yet much of it is influenced by cultural voices without me even realizing it. Popular worldviews like materialism, individualism, hedonism, and pragmatism may seem appealing, but each one focuses on self, possessions, pleasure, or short-term gain rather than God’s truth, and ultimately leads to emptiness or destruction, as Proverbs 14:12 warns. Jesus offers a different path, one that values people over possessions, service over self, purpose over pleasure, and truth over convenience. The question is whether I’m following the world’s way or choosing the life-giving way of Christ. 

Bottom Line:

Not everything that feels right or works in the moment leads to life—true purpose and direction come only from aligning my worldview with Jesus’ truth.

A Changed Life Starts with a Changed View

“Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

Ideas have consequences. In fact, every idea has a consequence, for good or for bad. All of my ideas—the thoughts that settle in my mind—come together to make up my worldview, the beliefs I build my life on.

My worldview includes my beliefs about life, death, the past, the present, and the future. It includes my perspective on time, money, relationships, pain and suffering, and good and evil. It’s how I view God, myself, and other people. Everything I believe about life is part of my worldview. 

My worldview determines my choices. It can be explained like this: God wired my brain in such a way that before I make a decision, I instantly access all the information in my mind and ask, “What do I believe about this?” And then I make a choice—often without even realizing it—based on what I believe to be true. 

For example, I decide to walk across the street because I’ve looked both ways and believe I can make it across without a car hitting me. I make decisions like this literally tens of thousands of times a day. Every time I make a choice, I access my worldview.

We all spend our lives developing our worldviews, but when I begin a relationship with Christ, he offers me a new worldview. The Bible says, “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT).

When I step across that line spiritually—turning from my sins and trusting in God’s grace—I get a new identity. God says everything I’ve ever done wrong is completely forgiven—wiped out and forgotten! His Word (Scripture/Bible) calls it being born again. I get a fresh start in life. I get a new identity. And with that new identity, God offers me a new way to look at the world. He offers me a new worldview.

But sometimes my mind keeps playing old tapes. I keep seeing myself and others the way the world taught me to, not the way God does. When that happens, I need to get my worldview in line with God’s truth. In other words, when my false beliefs—my faulty worldview—are making me miserable, I can change them.

In the coming days, I’ll look at what’s true and what’s not true. This will help me know how to get my life in line with God’s truth and have the kind of worldview that will allow me to live out God’s purposes every day.

In summary:

My worldview—the collection of beliefs I hold about life, people, and God—shapes every decision I make, often without me even realizing it. But when I begin a relationship with Christ, I am made new, and with that new identity comes a new way of seeing the world. According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, the old life is gone, and a new one begins. However, even after this transformation, it's easy to fall back into old thought patterns shaped by my past or culture. That’s why it’s essential to align my thinking with God’s truth, replacing false beliefs with the reality of who I am in Christ. By renewing my mind, I can live with clarity, purpose, and freedom in my new identity.

Bottom Line:

When I come to Christ, I receive a new identity and a new way of seeing the world—so I must continually renew my mind to align with God’s truth and live out His purpose for my life.

Give God Your Best and Live Your Calling

“Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:6-7 (NIV)

When Timothy joined Paul on his missionary journey, Timothy was still a very young man. Paul sent him to a city called Ephesus to help start and lead a church. Even though Timothy struggled with fear, God used him.

Three lessons I can learn from Timothy about how to fulfill God’s calling in my life. 

Develop the gifts God gave me.
The Bible says, “Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for the believers in your speech, your conduct, your love, faith, and purity. . . . Do not neglect the spiritual gift that is in you. . . . Practice these things and devote yourself to them, in order that your progress may be seen by all” (1 Timothy 4:12, 14-15 GNT).

Paul also told Timothy to “fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:6-7 NIV).

As a believer, I have a lifelong responsibility to develop the talents and gifts God has given me.

Refuse to be distracted.
Paul tells Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:16, “Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you” (NLT).

It’s easy to get sidetracked by a desire to build my business, family, career, or my bank account. And I often waste countless hours of my life on the internet and on my phone. As a follower of Jesus, I've got to keep the most important things in focus so I can fulfill my calling.

Give God my very best.
The Bible says, “Run your best in the race of faith, and win eternal life for yourself; for it was to this life that God called you” (1 Timothy 6:12 GNT). God has called me to a specific task, and it can only be accomplished when I give it the best of my time, effort, gifts, and focus.

Paul says about Timothy, “I have no one else like Timothy” (Philippians 2:20 NLT). Can you imagine a greater epitaph? There was no one else in the world like Timothy. He was focused. He was committed to the call of God on his life. Nobody could distract or discourage him, and he gave God his best.

As I give God my best and follow his calling, God will bring out the best in me as well. 

In summary:

Timothy’s story reminds me that fulfilling God’s calling requires intentional focus, courage, and commitment. Though young and timid, Timothy was called to lead and serve with boldness, and Paul urged him to develop his spiritual gifts, stay focused on what matters most, and give God his very best. Like Timothy, I’m responsible for growing the talents God has placed in me, refusing distractions that pull me away from my purpose, and pursuing my calling with excellence. God doesn’t give a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and self-discipline—and when I live from that truth, God brings out the best in me.

Bottom Line:

To fulfill God’s calling, I must grow my gifts, stay focused on what matters most, and give God my very best—trusting that He has equipped me with power, love, and self-discipline to live it out.

Purpose Doesn’t Retire

“Now here I am, eighty-five years old. I am still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out, and I am just as ready to fight now as I was then. So give me the mountain country the LORD promised me that day long ago.” Joshua 14:10-12 (NCV)

It’s never too late to follow God’s calling on your life.

After Moses sent 12 spies into the Promised Land, they returned and reported that the land was too hard a place for God’s people to settle. And because of their unbelief, the Israelites wandered around in the desert for another 40 years. An entire generation died because they did not believe in God’s promises. But Caleb and Joshua believed, so they got to live. 

When the Israelites returned to the Promised Land 40 years later, Caleb said, “Now here I am, eighty-five years old. I am still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out, and I am just as ready to fight now as I was then. So give me the mountain country the LORD promised me that day long ago” (Joshua 14:10-12 NCV).

“Give me the mountain country”—I love that! The land Caleb wanted was full of giants and cities fortified with great walls. He was essentially saying to God, “Give me the biggest assignment. Give me the hardest city. Give me the place with the biggest giants. Give me the mountain regions. I don’t want some easy place. I know I’m 85 years old, but I’ve still got it in me to do great things for you.”

In the greeting card section of a store, they have an entire section that offers birthday cards for the 80th, 85th, 90th, 95th, and even 100th birthdays! Growing up, I don't remember seeing those kinds of cards, because most people didn’t live that long. But now, life expectancy is much higher.

As an older adult, many may think it’s time to hang it up. But what I'm learning is that it’s time to get it down and dust it off! Do I think God is going to let me live 30 more years just to play golf?

Here’s a word that’s not in the Bible: retirement. While I may stop working I will keep serving the Lord. I have more wisdom and experience now than when I was younger, and God is not going to waste that.

At the age of 85, Caleb began the greatest mission of his life. Moses was 80 when God called him to set God’s people free. Abraham was 79 when he received God’s call.

With me getting closer to the the Caleb generation, I'm finding that it’s never too late to start on my life calling. The best is yet to come!

In summary:

Caleb’s story in Joshua 14:10–12 is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to step into God’s calling. At 85 years old, he boldly declared he was just as strong and ready as ever to take on the most difficult challenges—the mountain country filled with giants—because he believed in God’s promise. While others gave up or settled, Caleb pressed forward with faith, proving that age is not a barrier to purpose. Like Caleb, I’m realizing that growing older doesn’t mean slowing down spiritually—it means stepping into greater wisdom, strength, and impact. Retirement from a job may come, but there’s no retirement from serving God. The best is not behind me—it’s ahead.

Bottom Line:

It’s never too late to pursue God’s calling—no matter your age, your strength and purpose are still alive when your faith is strong.

Courage Over Comfort: Trusting God’s Path

“Why is the LORD taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?” Numbers 14:3 (NLT)

Any time I get serious about using my life the way God wants me to use it, some people will oppose me. Satan will throw everything he can at me to keep you from fulfilling my calling. 

One reason why so few people actually fulfill God’s calling is because they are unwilling to go against popular opinion. If I want to follow God’s calling on my life, I must be willing to reject negative advice—no matter who it comes from.

The Bible says in Numbers 14:2-3, “Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. ‘If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!’ they complained. ‘Why is the LORD taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?’” (NLT).

When faced with difficult circumstances, the Israelites decided they preferred captivity in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land. Rather than doing what God had called them to do, they wanted to go back to their old way of life.

But one of their leaders, Caleb, had uncommon courage. He decided he was going to face their challenges with God’s help, even if he was scared. He was willing to reject negative advice to follow God’s calling.

In fact, Caleb didn’t just receive negative advice; he was also physically threatened. Numbers 14:10 says, “The whole community began to talk about stoning Joshua and Caleb. Then the glorious presence of the LORD appeared to all the Israelites at the Tabernacle” (NLT).

God’s presence saved Caleb and Joshua. This will happen in my life too.

When I go after God’s calling for my life, I’ll always come across naysayers. So make the decision now to reject negative advice. And count on God’s presence to see you through.

In summary:

When I commit to living out God’s calling for my life, I will face opposition—sometimes even from those closest to me. Like the Israelites in Numbers 14:3, fear and discomfort can tempt me to retreat to familiar but limiting places, rather than trusting God’s promise. Many people miss their calling because they’re unwilling to go against popular opinion or reject negative advice. Caleb stands as an example of uncommon courage—choosing to move forward with faith, even in the face of fear and threats. His trust in God’s presence gave him strength, and the same is true for me: if I stay faithful and reject discouragement, God’s presence will guide and protect me as I walk in my purpose.

Bottom Line:

To fulfill God’s calling, I must reject fear and negative voices, stand with courage, and trust that God’s presence will lead and protect me—even when the path is unpopular or difficult.

Overcoming Discouragement: Rebuilding with Rest, Resolve, and Faith

“Then the people of Judah said, ‘The work crews are worn out, and there is too much rubble. We can’t continue to rebuild the wall.’” Nehemiah 4:10 (GW)

Discouragement is curable. When I get discouraged, I need to head straight to the book of Nehemiah. This great leader of ancient Israel understood there were four reasons for discouragement.

First, I get fatigued. I simply get tired as the laborers did in Nehemiah 4:10: “Then the people of Judah said, ‘The work crews are worn out, and there is too much rubble. We can’t continue to rebuild the wall’” (GW).

Human beings wear out. I can’t burn the candle at both ends. If I'm discouraged, I may not really need to change anything major in my life. I may just need rest! Sometimes the most spiritual thing I can do is take a nap.

Second, I get frustrated. Nehemiah says there was rubble all around, so much so that it was getting in the way of rebuilding the wall. I have “rubble” in my life. Anytime I start doing something new, the rubble (the frustrations that keep me from working toward my goal) starts piling up?

If I don’t clean it out periodically, it will stop my progress. I can’t avoid it, so I need to learn to recognize it and dispose of it quickly so that I don’t lose focus on my goals. 

Third, I think I've failed. Nehemiah’s people were unable to finish their task as quickly as originally planned, and, as a result, their confidence collapsed. They likely thought, “We were stupid to think we could ever rebuild this wall.”

So when I don’t reach a goal on time, I should just set a new goal and don’t give up. Everybody fails; everybody does foolish things.

The issue is not that I failed; it’s how I respond to my failure.

Don't give in to self-pity? Don't start blaming others? Don't start complaining that it’s impossible? Do refocus on God’s intentions and start moving again?

Finally, I give in to fear. Giving in to fear leads to discouragement. Nehemiah 4 suggests that the people most affected by fear are those who hang around negative people. One way to control the negative thoughts in life is to spend less time around negativity.

I may get so discouraged by my fear that I say, “I can’t handle this. It’s too much responsibility.” Maybe it’s the fear of criticism. Or you think you don’t deserve to succeed. But fear will destroy your life if you let it. Instead, you can choose to resist discouragement by saying, “God, help me get my eyes off the problem and the circumstances and keep my eyes on you.”

I don’t have to stay stuck in my discouragement. Ask God to help me figure out the reason for it, address it, and start moving forward in confidence.

In summary:

Discouragement, as illustrated in Nehemiah 4:10, is a common but curable struggle, and Nehemiah identifies four key causes: fatigue, frustration, failure, and fear. Just like the worn-out workers surrounded by rubble, we too can become tired and overwhelmed by life's clutter, making it hard to stay focused. Feelings of failure arise when progress stalls, but setbacks don’t define us—our response does. Fear, especially when fueled by negativity, can paralyze us, convincing us we’re not enough or can’t handle what’s ahead. Yet, by identifying the root cause of our discouragement, seeking God’s guidance, taking practical steps like rest, and shifting our focus from the problem to God’s purpose, we can regain clarity, courage, and momentum.

Bottom Line:

Discouragement is temporary and often rooted in fatigue, frustration, failure, or fear—but with rest, renewed focus, and trust in God, I can overcome it and keep moving forward.