The Motivation Behind Obeying God

“You are my friends if you do what I command.” John 15:14 (NLT)

Jesus said in John 15:14, “You are my friends if you do what I command” (NLT). 

I can’t say I love Jesus and then go live like the devil. I can’t say I'm a Christian and then keep living a self-centered life. I can’t say I'm a follower of Jesus and then pick and choose the verses that I want to listen to and ignore the ones I don’t. Jesus says I'm his friend if I obey him and his commandments.

Why do Christians obey God? Nonbelievers get this wrong all the time. They say, “I don’t want to be a Christian, because I don’t want to obey God. You believers obey him out of guilt or fear or obligation, and I don’t want that for my life.”

But why do I really obey God? Because he loves me! He wants the best for me. He loves me like nobody else will ever love me.

The Bible says the only reason there’s love in the world is because God is love. I don’t obey God out of fear or guilt or obligation. I obey God out of love—because he loved me and saved me.

The difference: Jesus changed my want to.”

Jesus said, “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. . . . When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” (John 15:9-11 NLT).

God doesn’t want me to obey him because I'm afraid of him. He doesn’t want me to obey him because I'm scared of punishment. God wants me to obey him because of love. It’s his love that leads to true joy.

In summary:

In John 15, Jesus redefines the relationship between the Creator and the believer from one of distant servitude to intimate friendship. This transition is not characterized by a lack of boundaries, but rather by a shared mission and a transformed will. True friendship with Christ is validated through obedience—not as a means to earn His affection, but as a natural response to having already received it. By abiding in His love and following His commands, I move away from a life of obligation and into a state of "overflowing joy," where the motivation for righteous living is rooted in a grateful heart rather than a fear of retribution.

Bottom Line:

Obedience is not a heavy burden of external compliance, but a joyful response to a relationship defined by God’s prior and perfect love.

Next Steps:

Identify one area of my life where I am currently resisting God's commands or following them out of begrudging obligation. Shift my focus from the "rule" to the "Ruler" by reflecting on how His love specifically addresses that area, and choose to take one step of obedience today as an intentional act of friendship rather than a chore of religion

When You Obey Jesus, You Become More like Him

“If you keep on obeying what I have said, you truly are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 (CEV)

If I want to be Jesus’ disciple, I have to do what he tells me to. Always.

Jesus taught, “If you keep on obeying what I have said, you truly are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32 CEV).

In that verse, Jesus highlights a few important things about spiritual growth, or discipleship.

First, discipleship is an ongoing process. I need to “keep on obeying.” It’s going to take the rest of my life for me to grow up spiritually. I don’t listen to a sermon or take a class and suddenly reach maturity. It’s a gradual, incremental, lifelong process.

Second, one of the ways spiritual growth is measured is by obedience. Jesus said, “If you keep on obeying . . . you truly are my disciples.” Spiritual growth isn’t based on how much I know. It’s based on how much I practice—how much I obey. 

A lot of people know the Bible but don’t live it. In fact, sometimes those who have the most Bible knowledge are the most cranky, cantankerous, judgmental Christians. As the Bible says, “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1 CSB). Knowledge without love leads to arrogance.

The truth is that I only believe the part of the Bible that I practice—that I do every day.

Third, spiritual growth is based on God’s Word. Jesus told his followers to obey what he told them—because it’s the truth of God’s Word that will feed my soul.

And, fourth, spiritual growth sets me free. As Jesus said, “The truth will set you free.”

The more I grow spiritually, the freer I'm going to be. I'm going to be set free from the expectations of others, from past memories that bother me, from guilt, from resentment, from bad habits, from shame, from the pressures that other people try to put on me.

The people who are the most fully alive in life are those who are growing in spiritual maturity—because the truth sets me free.

It won’t happen overnight. But as I obey God more and more, I'll find myself becoming more like Jesus. The Message paraphrase says, “Our lives [are] gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

In summary:

Jesus teaches in John 8:31–32 that true discipleship means continually obeying His Word, not just knowing it. Spiritual growth is a lifelong, ongoing process marked by consistent obedience rather than accumulated knowledge. It’s not about how much of the Bible I understand intellectually, but how much I live out daily with love and humility. As I root my life in God’s truth and actively practice it, that truth transforms me—setting me free from guilt, shame, fear, resentment, unhealthy habits, and the pressures of others. Over time, steady obedience leads to deeper freedom and a life that increasingly reflects Christ, growing brighter and more beautiful as I mature spiritually.

Bottom Line:

Spiritual maturity isn’t about what I know—it’s about consistently obeying God’s truth, and that obedience is what leads to real freedom.

Next Steps:

Deepen My own daily obedience before expanding my external influence. If freedom and transformation come through consistent obedience, then the most powerful thing I can do for those I lead is to model it. Not just teach truth. Not just inspire vision. Live it visibly.

Practically, this looks like:

Establishing (or strengthening) a non-negotiable daily rhythm of time in the Word and reflective prayer.

Identifying one specific area where obedience needs to become more intentional—not theoretical, but actionable.

Integrating what I'm learning into my leadership conversations, coaching frameworks, and content—not as information, but as lived conviction.

My influence will only rise as high as my integrity.

My authority will only be as deep as my obedience.

As I align my life more fully with truth, I won’t just speak about freedom—I'll embody it. And that embodiment is what gives others permission to step into theirs. know—it’s about consistently obeying God’s truth, and that obedience is what leads to real freedom.

Two Ways to Live with Faith, Not Fear

“Everything that does not come from faith is sin.” Romans 14:23 (NIV) Imagine how Joseph must have felt when his fiancée became pregnant before they were married. The gossip in their small town would have been intense. It would have affected his family, his business, and his plans for the future. And so he decided to quietly break off the engagement to save Mary from disgrace.    “But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit’” (Matthew 1:20 NIV). Joseph could have missed the greatest blessing of his life if he had worried about the disapproval of other people. Instead, he chose to obey God and listen to his voice instead of the voices around him. Joseph decided that God’s approval mattered more than the approval of anyone else. The world is a pretty negative place to live in today. It’s easy to feed our minds with fearful things from the media, other people’s opinions, and even the lies we tell ourselves. But the Bible says fear is the opposite of faith. Romans 14:23 says, “Everything that does not come from faith is sin” (NIV). To move out of fear and into faith, I need to change the ideas I allow into my mind. There are two things I need to do. First, limit the amount of negative talk I'm consuming through the news and social media. It’s one thing to be informed; it’s another to let it negatively affect the way I see other people, the world, and even myself. Second, I need to start hanging out with people of faith. This is one of the reasons why the church is so important. When I'm fearful, other believers can remind me of my purpose and God’s goodness. When I become part of a church family and commit to fellowship, the voices of encouragement are louder than the voices that cause fear. Like Joseph, I need to choose to listen to God’s voice. As I do, my faith in his promises will grow so there is no room for fear. In summary: Fear and faith cannot coexist, and that living by faith means choosing God’s approval over the opinions and negativity of the world. Like Joseph, who risked public disapproval by obeying God rather than listening to the voices around him, I am called to trust God even when fear, gossip, or uncertainty threaten to derail me. Romans 14:23 underscores that anything not rooted in faith leads me away from God’s best, which means I must be intentional about what I allow into my mind—limiting fear-driven input from media and surrounding myself with people of faith who encourage and remind me of God’s promises. When I consistently listen to God’s voice and stay connected to a faith-filled community, my trust in Him grows stronger and fear loses its grip. Bottom Line: When I choose God’s approval over people’s opinions and intentionally guard what influences my mind, faith replaces fear—and obedience opens the door to God’s best work in my life. Next Step: This means choosing one voice to amplify and one fear to silence—this week. Share one faith-forward insight publicly (LinkedIn is the right place for you right now) that names the tension between fear and faith and models what it looks like to listen to God’s voice instead of the crowd. Invite conversation, not validation—end the post with a reflective question that helps others identify where fear is influencing their decisions. Pay attention to obedience, not outcomes. Your win isn’t engagement; it’s faithfulness. “I’m learning that faith grows when God’s voice gets louder than the noise around me.” Then take one sentence to say how you’re practicing that, and one sentence to invite others to reflect. Why this matters: This step moves me from internal conviction to external leadership. I'm not just learning to live by faith—you’re helping others do the same by example. My next step isn’t bigger—it’s braver.

 

How to Care for People, Not Just About People

“I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” John 13:15 (NLT)

Jesus told his followers: “I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you” (John 13:15 NLT). If you’re a follower of Jesus, then that instruction is me as well!

Here are five ways Jesus cared for people. He wants me to do them also!

First, preach the Good News. More than anything else, God wants me to let people know that Jesus is the answer to each one of their problems. He wants me to tell people that he created them, Jesus died for them, and the Holy Spirit wants to live in them—to tell them that God offers forgiveness, purpose, and a future home in heaven. I can share this one-on-one, bring them to church, or invite them to a small group.

Second, comfort the brokenhearted. Hurting people are all around me. In fact, everyone carries around some kind of hurt, whether or not they let other people see it. Sometimes the best way to find a hurting person is to look for those who are causing hurt; hurt people hurt people. Then look for ways to show extra love and to lift them up in prayer.

Third, proclaim freedom for those who are imprisoned. While I may not know someone who is actually imprisoned, I do know people who are trapped in some way—trapped by a habit, by health problems, by tight finances, or by an old secret. God wants me to offer his truth, which will set them free: “The truth will set you free” (John 8:32 NLT).

Fourth, proclaim recovery of sight to the blind. Here Jesus was talking about people who are spiritually or relationally blind. When I see a loved one making a stupid mistake, I might think that it’s none of my business. But if I care, it is my business. I can share truth from the Bible or help them find resources that offer the truth they need to hear.

Fifth, release the oppressed. Who are the oppressed? They’re the people who are kicked around, picked on, and put down. We all know individuals like this, and there are whole groups of people that experience oppression too. Instead of turning my back on oppression, Jesus wants me to confront it and deal with it.

Remember, when I care for the people he cared for, Jesus says it’s like you’re caring for him!

“I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. . . . Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:35-36, 40 NLT). 

In Summary:

Jesus set the ultimate example of how to care for others and calls me to do the same. He wants me to share the Good News so people can know His love and salvation, comfort the brokenhearted with compassion and prayer, and help those trapped by sin, fear, or circumstances find freedom through His truth. I’m also called to guide those who are spiritually blind toward understanding and to stand up for the oppressed with courage and love. When I care for others as Jesus did—showing mercy, speaking truth, and meeting needs—I’m not just serving people; I’m serving Christ Himself.

Bottom line: 

Following Jesus means loving and serving others the way He did—sharing truth, showing compassion, and caring for those in need as if serving Him directly.  

Next step:

My next step is to intentionally model Christ’s example of service in my daily leadership and relationships. Look for one tangible opportunity each day to reflect His compassion—comfort someone who’s hurting, speak truth with grace, or stand up for someone overlooked. As I lead with a servant’s heart, my influence will deepen, and my actions will naturally point others toward the One I represent.

Who Will Be in Heaven Because of You?

“‘Come, follow me,’ he said, ‘and I’ll show you how to fish for people.’” Matthew 4:19 (CEB)

Have you heard and accepted the Good News of Jesus? Tell somebody else about it!

In Matthew 4:20, Jesus called out to some fisherman: “‘Come, follow me,’ he said, ‘and I’ll show you how to fish for people.’ Right away, they left their nets and followed him” (Matthew 4:19-20 CEB).

What did he mean by that? He was basically telling the men, “I’ll show you how to change lives. I’ll show you how to get people into heaven. I’ll show you how to bring people to me. I’ll show you how to share the Good News.”

What about me? Is anybody going to be in heaven because of me? If I'm not fishing, I'm not following. In other words, if I'm not telling the Good News to somebody else, I'm not being a disciple. God expects me to share his Good News.

Think of it this way: If I knew the cure for cancer and kept it a secret, that would be unthinkably wrong! But the truth is that I know something better than that. I know how you can have your past forgiven, a purpose for living, and a home in heaven. And God calls me to share that Good News.

I'm going to heaven because somebody told me about Jesus. And somebody told that person about Jesus and so on. I don’t want that chain to break with me.

Jesus told his followers, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20 NLT).

I know the Good News. Now it’s time to go tell someone else about it!

In summary:

Jesus calls every believer to follow Him by sharing the Good News with others. When He said, “Come, follow me, and I’ll show you how to fish for people,” He was inviting His followers to help change lives and lead others to God’s love and salvation. True disciples don’t just receive the message—they pass it on. Just as someone once shared Jesus with me, I’m now called to continue that chain by telling others how they can find forgiveness, purpose, and eternal life. Sharing the Good News isn’t optional—it’s part of what it means to follow Jesus.

Bottom line:

Following Jesus means sharing the Good News and helping others find the same hope and salvation I’ve received.

Next Step:

Intentionally share my faith story with someone this week—whether through a personal conversation, encouragement, or example—so that my life points them toward Jesus. Start with prayer: ask God to show me one person who needs hope, then trust Him to give me the words and opportunity to speak.

Finding Purpose Begins with Wanting God

“You will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him.” Deuteronomy 4:29 (NLT)

The first step to hearing from God is really wanting it. I don’t see it as optional or just a nice idea—rather I see it as a necessity!

God doesn’t want to tell me his dream and vision for my life so I can debate and discuss it. He doesn’t want to tell me what he put me on earth to do just so I can say, “Let me think about it.”

I need to see it as a necessity. I have to say, “I’ve got to know why I’m here. I’ve got to know what you want me to do with my life. I’ve got to hear your voice. I’ve got to have your vision.”

King David wrote in the book of Psalms, “My God, I want to do what you want” (Psalm 40:8 NCV), and “What I want most and at all times is to honor your laws” (Psalm 119:20 CEV). 

David passionately declared that what he wanted most of all was to honor God. Being obedient and following God were not options for him. In other parts of the Bible, David used phrases like, “I long for it,” “I crave it,” “I hunger for it,” and “I’m like a deer panting for water.”

When I get that desperate, I'm going to hear from God.

A lot of people talk to God but never hear from God. For them, prayer is a monologue. But no healthy relationship is a monologue—I need a dialogue. What if I always talked to my wife, but she never talked to me? That’s not a relationship. I’ve got to have a conversation.

Talking to God in prayer is important but so is listening to him and letting him talk to me. How does that happen? First, I’ve got to want it more than anything else.

Deuteronomy 4:29 says, “You will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him” (NLT). That’s a promise from God, so it’s guaranteed! 

In summary:

The first step to truly hearing from God is to deeply desire it—to see His voice and vision not as optional but essential. God reveals His purpose to those who earnestly seek Him, not for debate but for obedience. Like King David, whose heart longed and hungered to honor God above all else, we must reach a point of spiritual desperation where knowing God’s will becomes our greatest pursuit. Prayer isn’t meant to be a one-sided conversation; real relationship with God involves listening as much as speaking. When we seek Him wholeheartedly—with all our heart and soul—He promises we will find Him.

Bottom line:

If I truly want to hear from God, I must seek Him with my whole heart—desperately, obediently, and relationally—because when I do, He promises I will find Him.

Next Step:

My next wisest step is to intentionally create space to listen to God before moving forward in your plans.

Purpose Begins with Yes

“I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to do whatever he wants.” Luke 1:38 (TLB)

My destiny is largely determined by the questions I ask. The braver and more honest my questions, the further in life I'm going to go.

Just before the very first Christmas, Mary—who would become the mother of Jesus—had to ask herself a very brave, important question: Will I accept God’s destiny for me?

There are a lot of misconceptions about Mary. But what made Mary very special is that she was willing to accept her destiny. She was willing to trust God in the things he was calling her to do.

The Bible tells us Mary’s story: “God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you!’ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be” (Luke 1:26-29 NIV).

Mary was young—probably no older than 15. And an angel showed up and basically told her, “God’s about to send a Savior into the world, to be born just like everyone else. And you’re going to be that baby’s mom, even though you’re still a virgin.”

And Mary’s response? “Mary was greatly troubled . . .” Mary was terrified. She didn’t know what to do, what to say, or who to tell. She probably thought, “No one’s going to believe me. Not my mom, my friends, or even Joseph.” She was afraid.

The story continues: “The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:30-33 NIV).

This would be no ordinary birth because this was no ordinary baby. This child was going to be the Son of God—the Messiah, the Savior.

And how did Mary eventually respond? The Living Bible paraphrase records her response: “I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to do whatever he wants. May everything you said come true!” (Luke 1:38).

Why did God choose Mary over all the other women on the planet to be the Messiah’s mother?

It wasn’t because of her education. She had none. It wasn’t because of her wealth. She was a poor peasant girl. It wasn’t because of her maturity. She was barely a teenager. Why did God choose Mary?

Because she trusted God completely and she was willing to accept God’s destiny for her, even though it meant hardship, misunderstanding, and criticism.

What about me? Am I willing to say yes to God’s destiny for myself—even if I'm afraid or doubting or know the road will be tough? I can trust that God’s destiny for my life is best for my life, far better than anything I can think up for myself.

In summary:

Mary’s story in Luke 1:38 shows the power of trusting God’s plan, even when it’s unclear or frightening. Though young and unprepared for the extraordinary call placed on her life, Mary chose faith over fear, saying, “I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to do whatever he wants.” Her willingness to accept God’s destiny—despite uncertainty, potential judgment, and hardship—reveals that what qualifies us for God’s purposes is not status, education, or experience, but wholehearted trust and obedience. Like Mary, I must ask myself: am I willing to say yes to God’s direction for my life, believing that His destiny is far greater than any I could design for myself?

Bottom line:

Trust God’s direction—even when it feels uncertain or uncomfortable—because saying “yes” to His plan positions me to fulfill the greater purpose He designed specifically for my life.

Next step:

Pause and reaffirm my willingness to say “yes” to God’s direction in this season of my life—then take one concrete action that reflects that trust. In short: Say yes, write it down, and move forward in faith.

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.

When Pain Becomes a Teacher

“God teaches people through suffering and uses distress to open their eyes.” Job 36:15 (GNT)

There are some things we only learn through pain—and sometimes it’s through the pain of other people.

It's wise for me to learn from my own experiences, but it’s wiser to learn from the experiences of others—and to let others learn from my pain. I don't have time to make all the mistakes myself! That’s why it’s important to learn from each other’s mistakes—but only if I'm honest about how God uses pain to get my attention and teach me important lessons in life.

Job 36:15 says, "God teaches people through suffering and uses distress to open their eyes" (GNT).

What does God want me to understand about the distress I'm going through right now? What am I learning? Once I've learned it, he wants me to pass those lessons on to others.

We all go through different kinds of trouble. But no matter what my  specific pain is, God wants me to learn these three things from it:

First, I learn to depend more on God through my pain. God wants to teach me about himself—about his power through my weakness, his love when I feel unlovely, his grace when I feel unforgiven, and his wisdom when I don't know which way to turn.

Second, I learn to trust and obey God's Word when I'm in pain. It's easy to trust God when things are going great. It's not so easy when things are going bad.

King David said in Psalm 119:67, "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word" (NIV). Lessons learned through failure and painful mistakes will drive me to claim and trust in God’s promises. His Word provides hope that he is with me and has not stopped working for me and in me.

Third, I learn through pain that I need other people. If I never had any pain in my life, I wouldn't think I needed anybody. It's only in pain that some people admit that they need others to help them. Pain is one of the most powerful reminders that I'm not meant to go through life alone.

So when I go through pain, I need to trust that what God is teaching me will be helpful to others as I pass the lessons on to friends, family, and even future generations.

In summary:

Pain is one of God's most powerful teaching tools, often opening my eyes to deeper truths I might otherwise miss. According to Job 36:15, God uses suffering to instruct us, and through our distress, we learn vital lessons—not just about ourselves, but also about God’s power, grace, and presence. While it’s wise to learn from my own mistakes, it’s even wiser to learn from others' experiences—and to let others learn from ours. Pain teaches me to depend more on God, to trust and obey His Word more deeply, and to recognize my need for others. Ultimately, the lessons I learn in hardship are not just for me; they are meant to be shared to help others find hope and wisdom in their own struggles.

Bottom line: 

God uses pain to grow us, draw us closer to Him, and equip us to help others through what we’ve learned.

Where God Guides, He Provides, Obedience is the Key to Unlocking It

“My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Waiting for a miracle can be hard. Sometimes the road is cold, dark, and lonely; I may even find myself stuck in a rut. I might not know where I'm going or how long the journey will take.

No matter where I am on the way to my miracle, here are some things to keep in mind:

God is all I need.
I don’t need a big bank account, a full refrigerator, or even a job. If God wants to, he can have ravens drop food on me as his way of providing. That’s how he provided for the prophet Elijah, who was exhausted and burned-out in the desert; see 1 Kings 17. When God turns off one source of provision, he can turn on another just as easily. I can trust him for all my needs.

Where God guides, God provides.
After sending the ravens to feed Elijah, God told him to make a dangerous trip to Zarephath. There was a drought in Zarephath and very little food. Yet God provided for Elijah through a poor widow with a generous heart. When God tells me to go somewhere, go immediately. When God tells me to do something, do it right away. When God gives me direction, he will provide what I need to get there.

I must trust him one day at a time.
Why? Because some of your problems persist day after day. For instance, if I had financial problems, I'll have to deal with them every day. And so I must trust God one day at a time to provide. The Bible says, “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NIV).

God’s promises work when I'm obedient.
God often lays out his plan just one step at a time. He wants me to take the first step in obedience, and then he’ll show me the next step. Each step along the way may not seem logical, but I can obey in faith and confidence, knowing God’s way is always best. 

In summary:

Philippians 4:19 assures us that God will meet all my needs through His limitless riches in Christ. While waiting for a miracle can feel lonely, uncertain, and slow, I am reminded that God is my ultimate provider—He alone is enough. Just as He provided for Elijah through ravens and a widow during a drought, He can supply in unexpected ways. Where God leads, He also provides, but His provision often unfolds one day and one step at a time. Trusting Him requires daily faith and immediate obedience, even when the path doesn’t make sense. God's promises are activated through trust and faithful action.

Bottom Line:

God will always provide what I need—your job is to trust Him daily and obey Him step by step, even when the way forward isn’t clear.

Obedience Over Understanding

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

As a follower of Jesus, he calls me to a life of obedience—even if it appears foolish to other people, even if it doesn’t make sense financially, and even if I don’t understand it and scared to death.

Luke 5:4-5 says, “When [Jesus] had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets’” (NIV).

Jesus had stepped into Simon Peter’s boat. But he didn’t stop there. He also started giving this professional fisherman instructions on how to fish!

Notice Peter’s reaction. He didn’t argue with Jesus. He didn’t say, “Excuse me, Lord. You’re a carpenter. I’m a fisherman. And those fish aren’t biting! Who are you to tell me how to do my job?”

And he didn’t hesitate. When Jesus told him to launch the boat, he didn’t say, “Why don’t we think about this for a minute? Let’s form a committee and vote on it” or “We’re pretty dirty and tired here, Lord. How about we try again this afternoon?”

What did Peter do? He responded to Jesus with unquestioning obedience.

God has tells me to do things: Disobedience always hurts me because I miss out on God’s blessing in my life.

But when I say, “God, I don’t understand it all, but I choose to obey you no matter what,” I'll experience a life of purpose and peace. His instructions don’t have to make sense to me; I just need to follow them—trusting him in faith.

The Bible says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).

I can trust God because he always has my best interest in mind, even if I can’t see it right away.

In summary:

Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to fully trust in God, not relying on my own limited understanding, but submitting to Him in every area of life. This kind of trust often requires obedience even when it doesn’t make sense—just like Peter in Luke 5, who, despite exhaustion and doubt, obeyed Jesus’ unexpected instruction to fish again and witnessed a miracle. God calls me to follow Him with faith, not logic, because His ways are higher than mine. When I choose obedience over understanding, I open myself to His guidance, peace, and blessing—trusting that He always has my best in mind.

Bottom Line:

Even when it doesn’t make sense, obedience to God leads to blessing—trust Him fully, surrender my understanding, and follow His lead.

Faith Over Fear: Facing Giants with God's Power

“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty . . . This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands . . . and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.” 1 Samuel 17:45-46 (NIV)

If I want to be a person of great faith, with a great dream and a great life’s work, do the very things that David did to defeat the giants of delay, discouragement, disapproval, and doubt.

Remember how God has helped me in the past.
David said in 1 Samuel 17:37, “The LORD who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” (NLT).

When I remember the ways that God has helped me in the past, it gives me confidence for the future.

Use the tools that God has given me now.
David used the tools that God provided that utilized his strengths: “Then Saul gave David his own armor . . . ‘I can’t go in these,’ he protested to Saul. ‘I’m not used to them.’ So David took them off again. He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag” (1 Samuel 17:38-40 NLT).

Don’t wait for something I don’t have—money, education, or connections. Use the tools God has already given me to face my giants with confidence.

Ignore the dream busters.
Later in life, when others were speaking against him, David had to encourage himself in the Lord: “David was seriously worried, for in their bitter grief for their children, his men began talking of killing him. But David took strength from the Lord” (1 Samuel 30:6 TLB).

When I encourage myself in the Lord, it’s not just a positive mental attitude. There is a bedrock trust in God’s grace, provision, security, and power.

Expect God to help me for his glory.
David stormed the battlefield, shouting, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty. . . . This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands” (1 Samuel 17:45-46 NIV).

Make this decision, “God, I’m not the smartest guy, the best educated, or the most talented. But I’m going to trust you. And I will do anything, anytime, anywhere in faith, even when it doesn’t make sense to me.” And then let the adventure in life begin!

God will use anybody who will trust him and expect to be used by him—not because of who I am but because it brings him glory.

In summary:

To become a person of great faith and purpose like David, I must face the giants of delay, discouragement, disapproval, and doubt by remembering how God has helped me in the past, using the tools and strengths He’s already given me, ignoring those who try to crush my dreams, and stepping out in faith expecting God to act for His glory—not because of my ability, but because of His power.

Bottom Line:

Trust God fully, use what He’s already given me, and face life’s giants with bold faith—because the battle belongs to the Lord and brings glory to Him.

Winning the Battle in My Mind

“I have made up my mind to obey your laws forever, no matter what.” Psalm 119:112 (CEV)

The reason why most people are ineffective in life is that they’ve never learned how to fight the battle in their mind.

If I want to learn to manage my mind, I have to be free from destructive thoughts. That's not easy. God's Word says I have three enemies working against me to keep me from making lasting changes in life.

The first enemy is my old nature.
Paul says in Romans 7:23, “There is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me” (NLT).

I find myself doing things I don’t really want to do. That’s the battle in my mind between my old, sinful nature and my good intentions.

The second enemy is Satan.
Satan cannot force me to do anything, but he can make suggestions, and those suggestions are incredibly powerful. He can use other people, the media, or even just suggest negative thoughts directly into my mind.

The third enemy is the world’s value system.
Does anything in our society encourage self-discipline? Not much. Advertisements tell us, “You deserve a break today” and “Have it your way.”

The Bible says in 1 John 2:16, “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world” (NIV).

With enemies like that, no wonder we struggle with temptation, discouragement, despair, and failure!

So how do I fight and win this battle? Look at what 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 says: “Though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (NIV).

I have a choice when it comes to what I think about—and my mind has to listen to me! Perhaps adopt this verse as a life motto: “I have made up my mind to obey your laws forever, no matter what” (Psalm 119:112 CEV).

In summary:

Psalm 119:112, “I have made up my mind to obey your laws forever, no matter what”, declares a firm commitment to follow God's ways, and this kind of resolve is essential because the greatest battles I face often happen in my mind. To live effectively and experience lasting change, I must overcome three powerful enemies: my old sinful nature, which constantly pulls me back into bad habits; Satan, who fills my mind with tempting and destructive suggestions; and the world’s value system, which promotes self-indulgence and discourages self-discipline. Winning this mental and spiritual battle requires intentionally choosing what I think about and using the spiritual weapons God gives me—truth, prayer, and obedience—to take every thought captive in obedience to Christ. True transformation begins with deciding, like the psalmist, to obey God's Word no matter what.

Learning to Do Exactly What God Tells Me to Do

“Noah did all that the LORD commanded him.” Genesis 7:5 (NIV)

Noah didn’t just hear God’s Word; he acted on it. He lived life according to God’s will.

Am I doing that? Do I ask, “Lord, what do you want me to do today? What do you want me to do in this meeting? What do you want me to do with this opportunity?” Noah always sought God’s guidance in his actions.

If I lived in Noah’s time and God asked me to build an ark. I'm sure I'd have some big questions. Here are four:

What’s a flood? The Bible says it had never rained before Noah’s time. Genesis 2 explains that God watered the earth from below, like morning dew. When God told Noah about a flood, it was a completely unimaginable concept.

How do you build an ark? In those days, there were no hardware stores or home depots. Noah had to cut and prepare every single piece of timber himself. That’s why it took decades to build the ark.

How do you move a massive ark to water? Noah lived far from the ocean. The Bible says the flood came not just from rain but also from underground springs bursting forth. The waters rose long after the rain stopped, solving the problem of moving the ark.

How do you gather all the animals? If God created the universe, bringing animals to Noah wasn’t a challenge. The real miracle was Noah’s obedience. Genesis 7:5 says, “And Noah did all that the LORD commanded him” (NIV).

What can I learn from Noah? God blesses obedience, even when it doesn’t make sense. Faith means trusting God when I don’t fully understand his plan. In life, I’ll face tempting shortcuts, especially during long periods of waiting or discouragement. Noah waited 120 years to see God’s plan fulfilled. His persistence reminds us that God’s timing is perfect. Don’t take shortcuts—trust and obey him completely.

“[Noah] obeyed God and built a large boat to save his family” (Hebrews 11:7 NCV). God honors unwavering faith and total obedience. When I follow his commands without compromise, he will bless me beyond my imagination.

In summary:

For me, this passage encourages living with a heart of obedience to God, even when His plans don’t fully make sense or when the path ahead seems uncertain. It challenges me to ask, “Lord, what do you want me to do today?” and to seek His guidance in every decision, big or small.

Just like Noah, I will face situations where God’s instructions seem difficult or unclear. But the message here is that God honors unwavering faith and obedience. Even if I don’t understand the full picture, trusting in His timing and following His lead without taking shortcuts is key.

In my own life, it might mean persevering through challenges or long waits, trusting that God’s plan is bigger and better than what I can see in the moment. When I choose to obey, even when it’s tough or doesn’t make sense, God will bless me in ways I can’t imagine.

Finding God’s Best on the Other Side of Obedience

In Luke 5:5 it says, “‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.’” (NLT)

We all suffer setbacks at work from time to time. But sometimes the simplest step from setback to comeback is just two words: Obey God.

Imagine this scenario: God has told me to do something that seems illogical and foolish. It makes no sense financially, relationally, or emotionally. Worse yet, it scares me to death.

But God says to do it anyway. The next move is mine: Obey God or go my own way.

In Luke 5, Simon Peter had been fishing all night and caught nothing. For first-century fishermen, it would have been an awful setback.

But Jesus came by and used Simon Peter’s boat to preach. Then Jesus told him: “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish” (Luke 5:4 NLT).

Jesus told Simon Peter what to do—and then Simon Peter had to make the choice to obey.

Jesus’ instruction was completely illogical. On the surface it made no sense. After all, they had fished all night and caught nothing! So why did Jesus tell Simon Peter to go out again—and into the deeper water? It’s in the deep water where you find the most fish. But it’s also where you find the biggest risk. And there’s no faith without risk.

So did Simon Peter decide to obey? “‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again’” (Luke 5:5 NLT).

Simon Peter did what Jesus told him to do. He didn’t do it because it was a smart or popular idea. He did it because God said to do it. He didn’t argue or hesitate.

And, through his obedience, God gave Simon Peter and his companions a bigger business success than they could have dreamed. The Bible says God gave them so many fish that their nets tore and they had to enlist the help of other fishermen.

But none of that happened until Simon Peter obeyed Jesus—even when it was illogical to obey him.

So what has God told me to do that I’m not doing? Does it seem impossible? Does it make little sense financially? Is he telling me to go into the deep water? It doesn’t matter how foolish it seems. God wants me to take a risk and obey him.

The choice is mine: I can either stay in the shallow end where it’s safe or go into the deep water where the fish are. Once I obey, God will take care of the rest. My best days are on the other side of my obedience.

So will I obey? 

In summary, when I follow him and what he asks, I will find success. Obedience is key. Jesus will call me to go out further in faith and not where it is safe. Without my faith there is no risk. Nothing will happen until I obey. The choice is mine. Be safe or step out in faith. God promises that if I obey, he will do the rest.