Deuteronomy 7

Chosen, loved and set apart

The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the Lord loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. ~ Deuteronomy 7:7-8    

Have you ever questioned why God would choose you, work through you, or bless you when you feel insignificant or even unqualified? In today’s world where value is often measured by success, influence, or visibility, this chapter in Deuteronomy reminds us that God’s love is not based on performance or popularity. It is rooted in His faithfulness and His covenant heart toward His people.  The truth is that God chooses us because of what He did and Who He is not what we have done or who we are.

With that truth in mind, consider these three life-giving principles found in today’s scripture reading:

1. Remember that you are chosen because He loves you

God told Israel they were not chosen because they were the largest or strongest, but because He loved them. Your identity is not built on achievements or comparisons. It is built on being loved by God. When you understand that you are chosen by Him, insecurity begins to lose its grip.

When feelings of inadequacy come, speak God’s truth over yourself. Say out loud, I am chosen and loved by God. Let your decisions flow from confidence in His love rather than striving for approval.

2. Guard your heart from compromise

In Deuteronomy 7, God instructed His people not to mix with influences that would pull them away from Him. In today’s culture, compromise often comes subtly through media, relationships, and values that slowly shape your thinking. God calls you to be set apart, not isolated but intentional.

Evaluate what is influencing your thoughts and choices. If something consistently weakens your faith or convictions, take steps to limit its impact. Replace it with worship, Scripture, and messages that strengthen your walk with God. Small changes in daily habits create lasting spiritual strength.

3. Trust God to remove what stands in your way

God promised to drive out the nations before Israel little by little. He did not remove every obstacle at once, but He assured them of steady victory. In your life, challenges may not disappear overnight, but God is working faithfully and strategically on your behalf.

When progress feels slow, remind yourself that growth often happens step by step. Pray specifically about the obstacles you face and ask God for patience and perseverance. Celebrate small victories as evidence that He is moving.

Sometimes I still struggled with feeling of being overlooked and unqualified for what God was asking me to do. I try not to compare myself to others and questioned whether I am capable, but doubts still come now and then. When that happens, my heavenly Father gently reminds me that His calling on my life is not based on my strength but on His love and purpose. As I choose to trust Him and remove influences that distracted me from His voice, I always see steady progress. The obstacles do not always vanish instantly, but over time I can see God clear paths I cannot get to on my own.

Today I want to encourage you to rest in the truth that you are chosen and loved by God, to guard your heart from anything that weakens your devotion, and to trust that He is removing obstacles in His perfect timing. His love is faithful, His promises are sure, and His plans for you are unfolding even now.

Today’s scripture reading: Deuteronomy 7

1 “When the Lord your God brings you into the land which you go to possess, and has cast out many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than you, 

2 and when the Lord your God delivers them over to you, you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them. 

3 Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son. 

4 For they will turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods; so the anger of the Lord will be aroused against you and destroy you suddenly. 

5 But thus you shall deal with them: you shall destroy their altars, and break down their sacred pillars, and cut down their wooden images, and burn their carved images with fire.

6 “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. 

7 The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; 

8 but because the Lord loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

9 “Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; 

10 and He repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack with him who hates Him; He will repay him to his face. 

11 Therefore you shall keep the commandment, the statutes, and the judgments which I command you today, to observe them.

12 “Then it shall come to pass, because you listen to these judgments, and keep and do them, that the Lord your God will keep with you the covenant and the mercy which He swore to your fathers. 

13 And He will love you and bless you and multiply you; He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your land, your grain and your new wine and your oil, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flock, in the land of which He swore to your fathers to give you. 

14 You shall be blessed above all peoples; there shall not be a male or female barren among you or among your livestock. 

15 And the Lord will take away from you all sickness, and will afflict you with none of the terrible diseases of Egypt which you have known, but will lay them on all those who hate you. 

16 Also you shall destroy all the peoples whom the Lord your God delivers over to you; your eye shall have no pity on them; nor shall you serve their gods, for that will be a snare to you.

17 “If you should say in your heart, ‘These nations are greater than I; how can I dispossess them?’— 

18 you shall not be afraid of them, but you shall remember well what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt: 

19 the great trials which your eyes saw, the signs and the wonders, the mighty hand and the outstretched arm, by which the Lord your God brought you out. So shall the Lord your God do to all the peoples of whom you are afraid. 

20 Moreover the Lord your God will send the hornet among them until those who are left, who hide themselves from you, are destroyed. 

21 You shall not be terrified of them; for the Lord your God, the great and awesome God, is among you. 

22 And the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you little by little; you will be unable to destroy them at once, lest the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. 

23 But the Lord your God will deliver them over to you, and will inflict defeat upon them until they are destroyed. 

24 And He will deliver their kings into your hand, and you will destroy their name from under heaven; no one shall be able to stand against you until you have destroyed them. 

25 You shall burn the carved images of their gods with fire; you shall not covet the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, lest you be snared by it; for it is an abomination to the Lord your God. 

26 Nor shall you bring an abomination into your house, lest you be doomed to destruction like it. You shall utterly detest it and utterly abhor it, for it is an accursed thing.

Journal: 

  • Where have I been questioning my value or calling
  • What influences in my life need to be adjusted to strengthen my faith
  • What small victories can I thank God for as evidence that He is working on my behalf

Deuteronomy 6

Love God and pass it on

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. ~ Deuteronomy 6:4-5 

Have you ever wondered why faith can start strong but slowly drift into routine or distraction over time? In a fast-paced world filled with noise, demands, and constant movement, God leads His people back to a simple and powerful way of living, loving Him fully and letting that love shape every part of daily life. Deuteronomy 6 reminds us that faith is not meant to be compartmentalized, it is meant to be lived out, shared, and passed on to others intentionally.

Below are three points showing how to keep your love for your heavenly Father strong and active in every area of your life:

1. Love God First and With Your Whole Heart

God begins this chapter in Deuteronomy by calling His people to wholehearted love. This kind of love is not partial or when it is convenient, it is centered on commitment to your personal relationship with Him. Loving God with all your heart, soul, and strength means He is not just part of your life, He is the foundation of every aspect of your life.

Start each day by intentionally acknowledging God. Before checking your phone or stepping into responsibilities, take a moment to tell Him you love Him and invite Him into your day. This simple habit keeps your heart centered on Him and reminds you that every part of your life flows from your relationship with Him.

2. Keep God’s Word Close and Active in Your Life

Deuteronomy 6 emphasizes keeping God’s commands in your heart and talking about them throughout daily life. God’s Word was never meant to sit unused, it is meant to guide every decision, shape all your values, and bring wisdom in everyday moments.

Choose one verse or passage each week and keep it visible. Write it on a card, place it on your mirror, or save it on your phone. Read it often and ask God how it applies to your current circumstances. His Word becomes alive when it is practiced, not just read.

3. Pass Your Faith On Through Everyday Living

God instructs His people to teach His ways diligently to the next generation. Faith is most powerful when it is displayed consistently, not just spoken occasionally. The way you live, respond, and trust God in real life situations teaches others more than words ever could.

Share what God is doing in your life with those around you. Talk about answered prayers, lessons learned, and how God has helped you through challenges. Let your faith be visible through love, integrity, and trust in God during both good and difficult seasons.

There were times in my life when I realized my faith had become something I believed but did not always live out intentionally. I loved God, but I was distracted by responsibilities, ungodly influences and pressure to be popular. When I made the decision to bring God back into the center of my daily life, through His Word, prayer, and intentionally doing things the way He designed them to be successful, everything began to change. Peace replaced striving, clarity replaced confusion, and I saw how my obedience and trust impacted not only my life but also those who were watching my journey play out.

Today I want to encourage you to love God with your whole heart, keep His Word active in your daily life, and live your faith in a way that influences others. As you choose to walk closely with Him, you will experience His peace, guidance, and blessing, and you will leave a legacy of faith that reaches far beyond you.

Today’s scripture reading: Deuteronomy 6

1 “Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the Lord your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, 

2 that you may fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. 

3 Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the Lord God of your fathers has promised you—‘a land flowing with milk and honey.’

4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 

5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 

7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 

8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 

9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

10 “So it shall be, when the Lord your God brings you into the land of which He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build, 

11 houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant—when you have eaten and are full— 

12 then beware, lest you forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. 

13 You shall fear the Lord your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name. 

14 You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are all around you 

15 (for the Lord your God is a jealous God among you), lest the anger of the Lord your God be aroused against you and destroy you from the face of the earth.

16 “You shall not tempt the Lord your God as you tempted Him in Massah. 

17 You shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, His testimonies, and His statutes which He has commanded you. 

18 And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, that it may be well with you, and that you may go in and possess the good land of which the Lord swore to your fathers, 

19 to cast out all your enemies from before you, as the Lord has spoken.

20 “When your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is the meaning of the testimonies, the statutes, and the judgments which the Lord our God has commanded you?’ 

21 then you shall say to your son: ‘We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, and the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand; 

22 and the Lord showed signs and wonders before our eyes, great and severe, against Egypt, Pharaoh, and all his household. 

23 Then He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in, to give us the land of which He swore to our fathers. 

24 And the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day. 

25 Then it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to observe all these commandments before the Lord our God, as He has commanded us.’

Journal:

  • What does loving God with my whole heart look like in this season of my life
  • Where can I make more room for God’s Word in my daily routine
  • Who is watching my life and learning about God through the way I live

Deuteronomy 5

Following His ways

Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever! ~ Deuteronomy 5:29

Have you ever wondered why following God sometimes feels challenging, even when you know His ways are good? Today’s scripture reading reminds us that God’s commands were never meant to be burdensome rules, but loving boundaries designed to lead His people into life, freedom, and blessing. In today’s world, where truth often feels subjective and boundaries are resisted, this chapter shows us that following God’s ways is an act of love and trust.  When you realize that your heavenly Father always has your best interests at heart and has intentionally designed a life for you that is good and filled with His blessings, your desire shifts. You begin to want to follow His leading and order your life according to His ways, because you trust that He is guiding you toward the fullness and goodness He has prepared for you.

Below are three key points to take away from Deuteronomy 5:

1. God’s commands flow from your relationship with Him

God gave the commandments after rescuing Israel from slavery. Obedience was a response to relationship, not a requirement to earn His love. The same is true today. God wants His people to follow Him because He cares deeply about their lives and futures and wants to keep them away from the destructive ways of His enemy.

When reading Scripture or sensing God’s instruction, remind yourself that His guidance flows from love, not control. Start each day by thanking Him for Who He is before focusing on what He asks you to do.

2. Obedience Leads to Life and Peace

God repeatedly told His people that walking in His ways leads to life and blessing. His commands protect hearts, relationships, and purpose. When we as God’s people today choose obedience, even when it feels costly, they step into peace that the world cannot offer.

Identify one area where God’s Word speaks clearly, such as forgiveness, integrity, or rest. Choose to obey Him in that specific area and trust that His way will produce peace and freedom over time.

3. God Desires a Willing Heart

This chapter also reveals God’s desire for hearts that want to follow Him, not hearts driven by fear alone. He longs for willing obedience that flows from trust and reverence. A willing heart stays tender and open to His voice.

Ask God to soften your heart toward His instructions. When resistance or hesitation comes, bring it honestly to Him in prayer and invite Him to shape your desires so they line up with His purposes.

There was a time in my life when I did not move forward in obedience because I wanted to do things my own way. That way of thinking led to many wrong choices. Even when I knew God was asking me to trust Him more deeply, fear of not getting the results I wanted kept me from following Him. When I finally realized the mess I had made of my life, I surrendered it all to Him and asked for His help to get me off a path of destruction and onto the way of His purpose. As I chose to obey what I already knew from His Word, even when I did not have all the answers, peace began to replace fear. My Father showed me that following Him was not about forcing me to do something I did not want to do, but about trusting His deep love for me. On the other side of that step, I experienced blessings and clarity that I could never have produced on my own.

Today I want to encourage you to trust the heart behind God’s commands and choose obedience from a place of love and faith. His ways lead to life, peace, and a future filled with purpose, not only for you, but for those who come after you.

Today’s scripture reading: Deuteronomy 5

1 And Moses called all Israel, and said to them: “Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your hearing today, that you may learn them and be careful to observe them. 

2 The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. 

3 The Lord did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, those who are here today, all of us who are alive. 

4 The Lord talked with you face to face on the mountain from the midst of the fire. 

5 I stood between the Lord and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the Lord; for you were afraid because of the fire, and you did not go up the mountain. He said:

6 ‘I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

7 ‘You shall have no other gods before Me.

8 ‘You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 

9 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

10 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

11 ‘You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

12 ‘Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you.

13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work,

14 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates, that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you.

15 And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.

16 ‘Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

17 ‘You shall not murder.

18 ‘You shall not commit adultery.

19 ‘You shall not steal.

20 ‘You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

21 ‘You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife; and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.’

22 “These words the Lord spoke to all your assembly, in the mountain from the midst of the fire, the cloud, and the thick darkness, with a loud voice; and He added no more. And He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me.

23 “So it was, when you heard the voice from the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, that you came near to me, all the heads of your tribes and your elders. 

24 And you said: ‘Surely the Lord our God has shown us His glory and His greatness, and we have heard His voice from the midst of the fire. We have seen this day that God speaks with man; yet he still lives. 

25 Now therefore, why should we die? For this great fire will consume us; if we hear the voice of the Lord our God anymore, then we shall die. 

26 For who is there of all flesh who has heard the voice of the living God speaking from the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived? 

27 You go near and hear all that the Lord our God may say, and tell us all that the Lord our God says to you, and we will hear and do it.’

28 “Then the Lord heard the voice of your words when you spoke to me, and the Lord said to me: ‘I have heard the voice of the words of this people which they have spoken to you. They are right in all that they have spoken. 

29 Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever! 

30 Go and say to them, “Return to your tents.” 

31 But as for you, stand here by Me, and I will speak to you all the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments which you shall teach them, that they may observe them in the land which I am giving them to possess.’

32 “Therefore you shall be careful to do as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. 

33 You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.

Journal:

  • Where might God be inviting me to trust His instructions more fully
  • Is there an area of obedience I have been hesitant to walk out, and why
  • How can I remind myself that God’s commands flow from His love for me

Deuteronomy 4

Remember and live

But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. ~ Deuteronomy 4:29

Have you ever found yourself moving through life on autopilot, busy with responsibilities, decisions, and expectations, yet sensing something deeper calling for your attention? In today’s scripture reading, Moses reminded God’s people that faith is not just about where they were going, but about remembering who God is and how He has faithfully led them this far. This message is still relevant for God’s people today who are navigating a fast-paced world that constantly pulls our focus in every direction.

Below are three points to help you stay in faith each day:

1. Remember What God Has Done

Moses urges the people not to forget what their eyes have seen. Remembering God’s works keeps faith alive and prevents hearts from growing dull. When you intentionally recall how God has shown up in your life, it strengthens trust for what lies ahead.

Take time to write down moments when God answered prayers, opened doors, or carried you through hard seasons. When doubt or fear creeps in, revisit those reminders and let them renew your confidence in His faithfulness.

2.Guard Your Heart and Stay Close to God

Deuteronomy 4 warns against drifting into distractions that pull hearts away from God. Staying close to Him requires intentional choices, especially in a culture full of noise and competing voices. God desires a relationship with you that is close and intimate, not cold and distance.

Set aside daily time for God that is protected and consistent. Choose moments to turn off distractions, open His Word, and talk with Him honestly. Staying close to God helps you recognize when something is pulling you away from what matters most.

3. Seek God With Your Whole Heart

God promises that when His people seek Him with their whole heart, they will find Him. This is not a halfhearted pursuit, but a sincere desire to know Him and walk in His ways. Wholehearted seeking brings clarity, peace, and renewed purpose.  Remember that He is not trying to control your choices, but that He is actually trying to get you to His greatest blessings that He has already set in place for you.

Bring your real questions, struggles, and decisions to God instead of trying to figure them out alone. Pray honestly, invite Him into every area of your life, and trust that He will meet you with guidance and grace.

There was a time in my life when I felt stuck and unsure of my next steps. I knew God had been faithful in the past, but fear of making the wrong decision kept me from moving forward. As I intentionally remembered how He had directed my steps before as I chose to seek Him with my whole heart, peace began to replace fear. My heavenly Father gently reminded me that He is still near, still speaking, and still trustworthy. Taking that step toward Him changed everything, and I saw His faithfulness unfold in ways I could not have planned on my own.

Today I want to encourage you to remember what God has done in your life, stay close to Him, and seek Him with your whole heart. He is not distant or silent. He is faithful, present, and ready to guide you as you walk forward in obedience and trust.  Seek His direction today and He will lead you into the greatest life you never dreamed you could have.

Today’s scripture reading: Deuteronomy 4

1 “Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers is giving you. 

2 You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. 

3 Your eyes have seen what the Lord did at Baal Peor; for the Lord your God has destroyed from among you all the men who followed Baal of Peor. 

4 But you who held fast to the Lord your God are alive today, every one of you.

5 “Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. 

6 Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’

7 “For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the Lord our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him? 

8 And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day? 

9 Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren, 

10 especially concerning the day you stood before the Lord your God in Horeb, when the Lord said to me, ‘Gather the people to Me, and I will let them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.’

11 “Then you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, and the mountain burned with fire to the midst of heaven, with darkness, cloud, and thick darkness. 

12 And the Lord spoke to you out of the midst of the fire. You heard the sound of the words, but saw no form; you only heard a voice. 

13 So He declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone. 

14 And the Lord commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that you might observe them in the land which you cross over to possess.

Beware of Idolatry

15 “Take careful heed to yourselves, for you saw no form when the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire, 

16 lest you act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of any figure: the likeness of male or female, 

17 the likeness of any animal that is on the earth or the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air, 

18 the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground or the likeness of any fish that is in the water beneath the earth. 

19 And take heed, lest you lift your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them, which the Lord your God has given to all the peoples under the whole heaven as a heritage. 

20 But the Lord has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be His people, an inheritance, as you are this day. 

21 Furthermore the Lord was angry with me for your sakes, and swore that I would not cross over the Jordan, and that I would not enter the good land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance. 

22 But I must die in this land, I must not cross over the Jordan; but you shall cross over and possess that good land. 

23 Take heed to yourselves, lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God which He made with you, and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of anything which the Lord your God has forbidden you. 

24 For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

25 “When you beget children and grandchildren and have grown old in the land, and act corruptly and make a carved image in the form of anything, and do evil in the sight of the Lord your God to provoke Him to anger, 

26 I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that you will soon utterly perish from the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess; you will not prolong your days in it, but will be utterly destroyed. 

27 And the Lord will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the Lord will drive you. 

28 And there you will serve gods, the work of men’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell. 

29 But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. 

30 When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, when you turn to the Lord your God and obey His voice 

31 (for the Lord your God is a merciful God), He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them.

32 “For ask now concerning the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether any great thing like this has happened, or anything like it has been heard. 

33 Did any people ever hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and live? 

34 Or did God ever try to go and take for Himself a nation from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? 

35 To you it was shown, that you might know that the Lord Himself is God; there is none other besides Him. 

36 Out of heaven He let you hear His voice, that He might instruct you; on earth He showed you His great fire, and you heard His words out of the midst of the fire. 

37 And because He loved your fathers, therefore He chose their descendants after them; and He brought you out of Egypt with His Presence, with His mighty power, 

38 driving out from before you nations greater and mightier than you, to bring you in, to give you their land as an inheritance, as it is this day. 

39 Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart, that the Lord Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other. 

40 You shall therefore keep His statutes and His commandments which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which the Lord your God is giving you for all time.”

41 Then Moses set apart three cities on this side of the Jordan, toward the rising of the sun, 

42 that the manslayer might flee there, who kills his neighbor unintentionally, without having hated him in time past, and that by fleeing to one of these cities he might live: 

43 Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau for the Reubenites, Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadites, and Golan in Bashan for the Manassites.

Introduction to God’s Law

44 Now this is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel. 

45 These are the testimonies, the statutes, and the judgments which Moses spoke to the children of Israel after they came out of Egypt, 

46 on this side of the Jordan, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon, whom Moses and the children of Israel defeated after they came out of Egypt. 

47 And they took possession of his land and the land of Og king of Bashan, two kings of the Amorites, who were on this side of the Jordan, toward the rising of the sun, 

48 from Aroer, which is on the bank of the River Arnon, even to Mount Sion (that is, Hermon), 

49 and all the plain on the east side of the Jordan as far as the Sea of the Arabah, below the slopes of Pisgah.

Journal:

  • Where have I seen God’s faithfulness in my life that I need to remember today
  • What distractions may be pulling my heart away from staying close to God
  • What area of my life is God inviting me to seek Him more fully right now

From the Daily Dose Journal Series

New Wine

“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.” ~ Mark 2:22

In today’s passage, Jesus is questioned about fasting, and He explains that there will be a time for His disciples to fast, but that time has not yet come. He then uses the analogy of new wine and old wineskins to describe how to handle new things in life. The new wine, which represents the gospel message, must be poured into new wineskins, which are flexible and able to contain the expanding wine without bursting.

In our world today, we may not use wineskins, but the concept still applies. The message of the gospel has not changed, but the ways we share it have. We must pour the new wine into the new vessels of church today, whether that be social media, blogs, podcasts, or other modern platforms that can carry the message far and wide. Jesus’ comparison also extends to the next generation of leaders. We are called to invest in those who will continue the work we’ve started, passing on the gospel to them and empowering them to carry it forward.

This is also a reminder that the ministries of the next generation may look different from what we are used to, and that is okay. The message is timeless, but the carriers of the message will evolve with the times. Our part is to remain faithful in continuing the work of making disciples, adapting to new ways of reaching people, and always pointing others to the good news of salvation.

Here are some ways to get started:

  1. Seek out new ways to share the gospel, whether that be through social media, writing, or speaking. Be open to using tools and platforms that may not have existed in the past but are effective today.
  2. Invest in the next generation. Look for ways to mentor and disciple younger leaders who will carry the message of Jesus forward long after you’re gone.
  3. Be open to change. Recognize that the ministries and outreach methods may change with time, but the message remains the same. Embrace the new ways God is moving, and remain adaptable to His leading.

I’ve had to remind myself at times that the gospel message, while unchanged, requires me to be adaptable in how I share it. I’ve seen how new platforms have helped me reach others in ways I never could have imagined. Whether through writing or simply sending a text message with an encouraging word, I’ve witnessed how God can use modern tools to spread His love. This is a privilege and a responsibility. Each time I feel uncertain about stepping into new methods of sharing the good news, I remember that the power is not in the vessel, but in the “wine” that is being poured out.

Today I want to encourage you to pour the “wine” of the good news into the vessels that you are called to. Whether it is people of the next generation or new platforms of video, social media or even text messages, trust that God will lead you to the right places and the right people. Seek out the platform He has set before you, but also pray for those coming after you, that they may be equipped with the right vessels to carry the message even further.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 2:18-22

18 The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting. Then they came and said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?”

19 And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. 

20 But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days. 

21 No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; or else the new piece pulls away from the old, and the tear is made worse. 

22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.”

Journal:

  • What new methods or platforms is God calling you to use to share the gospel?
  • How can you invest in the next generation of leaders?
  • What changes in your ministry approach have you seen recently, and how can you embrace them while staying true to the message of Jesus?


From the Daily Dose Journal Series

He came for the hurting ones

Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him.  ~ Mark 2:15

Jesus intentionally went after the hurting and lost people of the world. Those were the ones who came to Him for help, even when others had rejected them. Many of these people were overlooked, judged, or pushed aside by religious leaders. Jesus did teach in synagogues, but His heart was always set on reaching people, not gaining position, approval, or recognition.

In today’s scripture reading, Jesus called Levi, also known as Matthew, a tax collector. On the surface, Levi did not appear to be hurting. Tax collectors were often wealthy because they worked for the Romans and collected money from their own people. They were disliked, mistrusted, and labeled as traitors. Yet Jesus saw something deeper. He saw the ache in Matthew’s heart, the loneliness that came with being rejected, and the emptiness that wealth could not fill. Jesus saw a man who needed love, purpose, and restoration.

When Jesus went to Matthew’s home and ate with him and others like him, the Pharisees were offended. They questioned why Jesus would associate with sinners. Jesus responded plainly and powerfully, saying He came for those who knew they needed help, not for those who believed they had everything figured out.

This truth still matters today. The reason Jesus came two thousand years ago is the same reason He still calls people today. He came to save the lost, heal the hurting, and restore broken lives. Maybe there is a place in your life where you feel weary, unseen, or in need of healing. Jesus meets you there. He does not wait for you to clean yourself up. He steps into your space and offers grace, hope, and a new beginning.

Here are practical ways to get started today:

  1. Acknowledge your need for Jesus, come to Him honestly with your pain, questions, and struggles.
  2. Spend time with Jesus daily through prayer and Scripture, even if it feels simple or quiet.
  3. Invite Jesus into the places you feel ashamed of, trusting that His grace brings healing, not condemnation.
  4. Look for opportunities to extend the same compassion Jesus showed, reach out to someone who feels overlooked or alone.
  5. Take one step away from an old pattern or habit that keeps you stuck, and replace it with obedience and trust.

Today I want to encourage you to answer the call Jesus is giving you right now. He sees your life, He knows your heart, and He understands your pain. Turn everything over to Him and begin walking in the plans He created you for. This is the best life, one filled with purpose, healing, and transformation. Come to Him today and leave your old ways behind, trusting that He came for you and will make your life count for eternity.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 2:13-17

13 Then He went out again by the sea; and all the multitude came to Him, and He taught them. 

14 As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him.

15 Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. 

16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?”

17 When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Journal:

  • Where do I see areas of hurt or emptiness in my life that I need to bring to Jesus
  • What might Jesus be inviting me to leave behind so I can follow Him more fully
  • Who in my life might need the same compassion and grace that Jesus has shown me

Deuteronomy 3

Do not be afraid of giants

And the Lord said to me, ‘Do not fear him, for I have delivered him and all his people and his land into your hand; you shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon.’ ~ Deuteronomy 3:2

Have you ever known God was leading you forward, yet felt intimidated by what stood in front of you? Sometimes the next step in obedience brings you face to face with obstacles that feel bigger than your faith, stronger than your experience, or beyond your ability. Today’s scripture reading reminds us that moving forward with God often includes confronting giants, but it also shows us that God never sends us into a battle He has not already planned to win with those who follow His directions.

The three truths below reveal how God strengthens His people to move forward courageously and how that same kingdom principle applies to your life today:

1. God goes before you into every battle.

The Israelites faced Og king of Bashan, a powerful enemy with a reputation that was greatly feared by all people. Yet God spoke before the battle ever began and declared the victory. The outcome was settled before the fight started.

This can be an inspiration to you when a challenge feels overwhelming. Start by listening for God’s truth instead of rehearsing your fears. Pray and ask God what He says about the situation you are facing. Write down His promises and choose to move forward based on His word rather than what looks intimidating.

2. Victory builds confidence for the next step.

Each battle the Israelites won strengthened their trust in God for what was still ahead. God used those victories to prepare them for future territory and responsibility.

Take time to remember what God has already brought you through. When fear rises about a new assignment, remind yourself that the same God who helped you before will help you again. Use past victories as fuel for present obedience.

3. God’s promises are meant to be possessed, not just admired.

The land was given to the Israelites, but they still had to step into it. God’s promise required action and courage. Standing still would have meant missing what God had already provided.

Ask God where He is calling you to move forward instead of staying safe. Take one obedient step even if it feels uncomfortable. Growth often happens on the other side of fear, not before it disappears.

I have just come through a victory after facing a giant in my life. God clearly showed opened up a door for me to take a next step, yet the obstacles in front of me felt far bigger than my confidence and experience for the opportunity. There were moments when fear whispered that I was not ready or capable. Each time I chose to trust God, rely on His empowering grace and move forward anyway, I saw Him show up with strength I did not have on my own. What once felt impossible became a testimony of His faithfulness. God used those moments to show me that courage grows through obedience and taking the next step, not before it.

Today I want to encourage you to trust God when He calls you to face what feels bigger than you. Do not let fear stop you from stepping into what He has already placed in your hands. The same God who defeated the giants before you is still fighting for you today. Move forward with confidence, knowing that obedience releases victory and prepares you for even greater things ahead.

Today’s scripture reading: Deuteronomy 3

1 “Then we turned and went up the road to Bashan; and Og king of Bashan came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei. 

2 And the Lord said to me, ‘Do not fear him, for I have delivered him and all his people and his land into your hand; you shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon.’

3 “So the Lord our God also delivered into our hands Og king of Bashan, with all his people, and we attacked him until he had no survivors remaining. 

4 And we took all his cities at that time; there was not a city which we did not take from them: sixty cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan. 

5 All these cities were fortified with high walls, gates, and bars, besides a great many rural towns. 

6 And we utterly destroyed them, as we did to Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children of every city. 

7 But all the livestock and the spoil of the cities we took as booty for ourselves.

8 “And at that time we took the land from the hand of the two kings of the Amorites who were on this side of the Jordan, from the River Arnon to Mount Hermon 

9 (the Sidonians call Hermon Sirion, and the Amorites call it Senir), 

10 all the cities of the plain, all Gilead, and all Bashan, as far as Salcah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan.

11 “For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of the giants. Indeed his bedstead was an iron bedstead. (Is it not in Rabbah of the people of Ammon?) Nine cubits is its length and four cubits its width, according to the standard cubit.

The Land East of the Jordan Divided

12 “And this land, which we possessed at that time, from Aroer, which is by the River Arnon, and half the mountains of Gilead and its cities, I gave to the Reubenites and the Gadites. 

13 The rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, the kingdom of Og, I gave to half the tribe of Manasseh. (All the region of Argob, with all Bashan, was called the land of the giants. 

14 Jair the son of Manasseh took all the region of Argob, as far as the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites, and called Bashan after his own name, Havoth Jair, to this day.)

15 “Also I gave Gilead to Machir. 

16 And to the Reubenites and the Gadites I gave from Gilead as far as the River Arnon, the middle of the river as the border, as far as the River Jabbok, the border of the people of Ammon; 

17 the plain also, with the Jordan as the border, from Chinnereth as far as the east side of the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea), below the slopes of Pisgah.

18 “Then I commanded you at that time, saying: ‘The Lord your God has given you this land to possess. All you men of valor shall cross over armed before your brethren, the children of Israel. 

19 But your wives, your little ones, and your livestock (I know that you have much livestock) shall stay in your cities which I have given you, 

20 until the Lord has given rest to your brethren as to you, and they also possess the land which the Lord your God is giving them beyond the Jordan. Then each of you may return to his possession which I have given you.’

21 “And I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, ‘Your eyes have seen all that the Lord your God has done to these two kings; so will the Lord do to all the kingdoms through which you pass. 

22 You must not fear them, for the Lord your God Himself fights for you.’

23 “Then I pleaded with the Lord at that time, saying: 

24 ‘O Lord God, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your mighty hand, for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do anything like Your works and Your mighty deeds? 

25 I pray, let me cross over and see the good land beyond the Jordan, those pleasant mountains, and Lebanon.’

26 “But the Lord was angry with me on your account, and would not listen to me. So the Lord said to me: ‘Enough of that! Speak no more to Me of this matter. 

27 Go up to the top of Pisgah, and lift your eyes toward the west, the north, the south, and the east; behold it with your eyes, for you shall not cross over this Jordan. 

28 But command Joshua, and encourage him and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you will see.’

29 “So we stayed in the valley opposite Beth Peor.

Journal:

  • What challenge in my life feels like a giant right now
  • Where might God be asking me to trust Him and move forward despite fear
  • How can I remind myself of God’s past faithfulness when I face new obstacles

Deuteronomy 2

Trusting God’s Timing and Direction

You have skirted this mountain long enough; turn northward. ~ Deuteronomy 2:3

Have you ever felt like you’re in a season where you’re just going around in circles, not really moving forward? It can feel frustrating when progress seems slow or when the next step isn’t clear. But what if God is asking you to trust His timing and direction, even in seasons where it feels like you’re stuck? In today’s passage from Deuteronomy, the Israelites were told to stop wandering and head in a new direction. This instruction came after a long period of waiting and uncertainty. God had a specific plan for them, and when it was time, He led them forward with a clear purpose.

Here are three lessons we can take from this passage:

1. Trust God’s Timing

God told the Israelites that they had been going around the same mountain long enough. Sometimes in our lives, it can feel like we’re stuck in a cycle, waiting for something to change. But God is faithful, and when His timing is right, He leads us into new opportunities. Trust that your waiting is not in vain and that God will open doors at just the right time.

If you find yourself feeling stuck, take a moment to pause and ask God for clarity about the next step. Be patient with the process, trusting that God is preparing you for what’s ahead, even if it doesn’t feel like it in the moment. Prayerfully consider the areas where you feel God might be calling you to move forward.

2. Follow God’s Clear Direction

The Israelites were given clear instructions to go north. Sometimes we are waiting for God’s direction but are unsure of where He wants us to go next. When God speaks, His direction is clear, even if it challenges us to step out of our comfort zones. Following God’s direction requires faith, even when we don’t fully understand the journey ahead.

Spend time in prayer asking God to guide you. If you feel like you’ve been going around in circles, be open to His voice, whether through Scripture, prayer, or wise counsel. When God gives you direction, take that first step in faith. It might feel daunting, but His plans for you are always good.

3. Remember God’s Faithfulness

As the Israelites made their way to the promised land, they had seen God’s faithfulness to them over and over again. Even when they faced challenges, God was with them, providing and leading them every step of the way. Remembering how God has been faithful in the past strengthens our faith and helps us trust Him for the future.

Look back on your own life and reflect on the ways God has been faithful to you. Write down moments where you’ve seen His provision, guidance, and love. This will remind you that, even in seasons of waiting or uncertainty, God is always working behind the scenes for your good.

I’ve had times in my life where I felt like I was going in circles, unsure of my next step. I knew I was supposed to be growing, but I didn’t know exactly how. It wasn’t until I slowed down, focused on God’s faithfulness, and waited for His direction that things began to shift. The moment I took that step of faith in response to His clear leading, things started to fall into place. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. God had been preparing me all along, even in seasons where I felt like nothing was happening. Looking back, I can see that God was guiding me with purpose all along, even when I couldn’t see it in the moment.

Today I want to encourage you to trust God’s timing and direction in your life. If you’re feeling like you’ve been wandering or stuck, remember that God is never wasting your time. Trust that He is preparing you for something greater and is always with you, leading you step by step. Don’t be afraid to take that next step, even if it feels uncertain. God has a clear direction for your life, and His faithfulness will see you through.

Today’s scripture reading: Deuteronomy 2

1 “Then we turned and journeyed into the wilderness of the Way of the Red Sea, as the Lord spoke to me, and we skirted Mount Seir for many days.

2 “And the Lord spoke to me, saying: 

3‘You have skirted this mountain long enough; turn northward. 

4 And command the people, saying, “You are about to pass through the territory of your brethren, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir; and they will be afraid of you. Therefore watch yourselves carefully. 

5 Do not meddle with them, for I will not give you any of their land, no, not so much as one footstep, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau as a possession. 

6 You shall buy food from them with money, that you may eat; and you shall also buy water from them with money, that you may drink.

7 “For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand. He knows your trudging through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing.” ’

8 “And when we passed beyond our brethren, the descendants of Esau who dwell in Seir, away from the road of the plain, away from Elath and Ezion Geber, we turned and passed by way of the Wilderness of Moab. 

9 Then the Lord said to me, ‘Do not harass Moab, nor contend with them in battle, for I will not give you any of their land as a possession, because I have given Ar to the descendants of Lot as a possession.’ ”

10 (The Emim had dwelt there in times past, a people as great and numerous and tall as the Anakim. 

11 They were also regarded as giants, like the Anakim, but the Moabites call them Emim. 

12 The Horites formerly dwelt in Seir, but the descendants of Esau dispossessed them and destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their place, just as Israel did to the land of their possession which the Lord gave them.)

13 “ ‘Now rise and cross over the Valley of the Zered.’ So we crossed over the Valley of the Zered. 

14 And the time we took to come from Kadesh Barnea until we crossed over the Valley of the Zered was thirty-eight years, until all the generation of the men of war was consumed from the midst of the camp, just as the Lord had sworn to them. 

15 For indeed the hand of the Lord was against them, to destroy them from the midst of the camp until they were consumed.

16 “So it was, when all the men of war had finally perished from among the people, 

17 that the Lord spoke to me, saying: 

18 ‘This day you are to cross over at Ar, the boundary of Moab. 

19 And when you come near the people of Ammon, do not harass them or meddle with them, for I will not give you any of the land of the people of Ammon as a possession, because I have given it to the descendants of Lot as a possession.’ ”

20 (That was also regarded as a land of giants; giants formerly dwelt there. But the Ammonites call them Zamzummim, 

21 a people as great and numerous and tall as the Anakim. But the Lord destroyed them before them, and they dispossessed them and dwelt in their place, 

22 just as He had done for the descendants of Esau, who dwelt in Seir, when He destroyed the Horites from before them. They dispossessed them and dwelt in their place, even to this day. 

23 And the Avim, who dwelt in villages as far as Gaza—the Caphtorim, who came from Caphtor, destroyed them and dwelt in their place.)

24 “ ‘Rise, take your journey, and cross over the River Arnon. Look, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land. Begin to possess it, and engage him in battle. 

25 This day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you upon the nations under the whole heaven, who shall hear the report of you, and shall tremble and be in anguish because of you.’

King Sihon Defeated

26 “And I sent messengers from the Wilderness of Kedemoth to Sihon king of Heshbon, with words of peace, saying, 

27 ‘Let me pass through your land; I will keep strictly to the road, and I will turn neither to the right nor to the left. 

28 You shall sell me food for money, that I may eat, and give me water for money, that I may drink; only let me pass through on foot, 

29 just as the descendants of Esau who dwell in Seir and the Moabites who dwell in Ar did for me, until I cross the Jordan to the land which the Lord our God is giving us.’

30 “But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass through, for the Lord your God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, that He might deliver him into your hand, as it is this day.

31 “And the Lord said to me, ‘See, I have begun to give Sihon and his land over to you. Begin to possess it, that you may inherit his land.’ 

32 Then Sihon and all his people came out against us to fight at Jahaz. 

33 And the Lord our God delivered him over to us; so we defeated him, his sons, and all his people. 

34 We took all his cities at that time, and we utterly destroyed the men, women, and little ones of every city; we left none remaining. 

35 We took only the livestock as plunder for ourselves, with the spoil of the cities which we took. 

36 From Aroer, which is on the bank of the River Arnon, and from the city that is in the ravine, as far as Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us; the Lord our God delivered all to us. 

37 Only you did not go near the land of the people of Ammon—anywhere along the River Jabbok, or to the cities of the mountains, or wherever the Lord our God had forbidden us.

Journal:

  • In what areas of my life do I feel like I am going around in circles?
  • How can I trust God’s timing in my current season?
  • When have I seen God’s faithfulness in my life before? How can I use that as encouragement to move forward?

Deuteronomy 1

Moving Forward with God’s promises

“The Lord our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: ‘You have dwelt long enough at this mountain. Turn and take your journey, and go to the mountains of the Amorites, to all the neighboring places in the plain, in the mountains and in the lowland, in the South and on the seacoast, to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great river, the River Euphrates. ~ Deuteronomy 1:6-7   

Have you ever found yourself stuck in one place for far too long, unsure if it’s time to move forward or take the next step? Sometimes, we grow comfortable with where we are and wonder if there’s more ahead, or if it’s just too hard to move past what feels safe. The Israelites found themselves at the foot of Mount Horeb for a long time, and God had to remind them that it was time to move forward, step into the next chapter, and claim the promises ahead.

In the same way, God calls us to step out of our comfort zones, to trust His timing, and to move forward into the promises He has for our lives. He doesn’t want us to stay stuck in one place forever. He wants to lead us into greater things and all that He designed our lives for.

Here are three powerful points to consider as you think about how to move forward in faith:

1. There’s a time to stay and a time to move forward.

God called the Israelites to move forward from Mount Horeb, but they had to be willing to hear His voice and obey His direction. Sometimes, we may feel stuck, but it is important to remember that God knows the right time for us to move. Whether it’s a career change, a relationship, or a new season of growth, we need to be sensitive to God’s timing.

When you feel uncertain about a decision, take time to pray and ask God for clarity. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a promise from His Word and seek counsel from wise and godly people in your life. Then, take a step of faith and trust that God will guide you as you move forward.

2. Moving forward requires courage.

The Israelites were hesitant to enter the land of Canaan because of the challenges they would face. It took courage to step out in faith and trust God’s promises. In your life, moving forward might mean facing fears, doubts, or unfamiliar situations.

Identify an area in your life where God is calling you to move forward. It might seem overwhelming, but remember that God is with you. Ask Him to show you just the next step so you can begin heading in that direction. Choose to step out of your comfort zone and face your fears with the courage He provides. Start small, but keep moving.

3. The promise is greater than the current comfort.

God had a promised land full of blessings for the Israelites, but they had to take that first step into the unknown. Sometimes, we resist moving forward because the unknown feels uncomfortable. However, God promises that what lies ahead is greater than where we are now.

Ask yourself if you’re holding back from something God is calling you to because it feels too risky or uncertain. Trust that God’s plans are always good, and His promises are worth the step of faith. Even if the road seems difficult, God’s provision is with you every step of the way.

There have been many times in my life when I felt stuck, like I wasn’t moving forward in my calling. I wasn’t necessarily comfortable where I was, but I was afraid to take the next step because I didn’t want to step out of God’s plan for my life. I had spent so many years making my own decisions and living with the weight of regret that I didn’t want to make another wrong choice. As a result, I became paralyzed with fear, afraid of making the wrong decision. I knew God was calling me to take a bold step of faith, but there was fear, doubt, and so much uncertainty about what would come after that step. Despite all of that, I chose to trust God. As I took that first step, He began to move in ways I couldn’t have imagined. The blessings on the other side were far greater than anything I had imagined when I hesitated to move forward. God’s promises were more than worth the risk.

Today I want to encourage you to trust that God is calling you to move forward. He has amazing promises ahead for you, and though the journey may not always be easy, it will always be worth it. Don’t let fear or comfort hold you back. Step into the unknown with faith and confidence, knowing that God has already gone before you. He is leading you to something far greater than what you have now.

Today’s scripture reading: Deuteronomy 1

1 These are the words which Moses spoke to all Israel on this side of the Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain opposite Suph, between Paran, Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab. 

2 It is eleven days’ journey from Horeb by way of Mount Seir to Kadesh Barnea. 

3 Now it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spoke to the children of Israel according to all that the Lord had given him as commandments to them, 

4 after he had killed Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who dwelt at Ashtaroth in Edrei.

5 On this side of the Jordan in the land of Moab, Moses began to explain this law, saying, 

6 “The Lord our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: ‘You have dwelt long enough at this mountain. 

7 Turn and take your journey, and go to the mountains of the Amorites, to all the neighboring places in the plain, in the mountains and in the lowland, in the South and on the seacoast, to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great river, the River Euphrates. 

8 See, I have set the land before you; go in and possess the land which the Lord swore to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—to give to them and their descendants after them.’

9 “And I spoke to you at that time, saying: ‘I alone am not able to bear you. 

10 The Lord your God has multiplied you, and here you are today, as the stars of heaven in multitude. 

11 May the Lord God of your fathers make you a thousand times more numerous than you are, and bless you as He has promised you! 

12 How can I alone bear your problems and your burdens and your complaints? 

13 Choose wise, understanding, and knowledgeable men from among your tribes, and I will make them heads over you.’ 

14 And you answered me and said, ‘The thing which you have told us to do is good.’ 

15 So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and knowledgeable men, and made them heads over you, leaders of thousands, leaders of hundreds, leaders of fifties, leaders of tens, and officers for your tribes.

16 “Then I commanded your judges at that time, saying, ‘Hear the cases between your brethren, and judge righteously between a man and his brother or the stranger who is with him. 

17 You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small as well as the great; you shall not be afraid in any man’s presence, for the judgment is God’s. The case that is too hard for you, bring to me, and I will hear it.’ 

18 And I commanded you at that time all the things which you should do.

19 “So we departed from Horeb, and went through all that great and terrible wilderness which you saw on the way to the mountains of the Amorites, as the Lord our God had commanded us. Then we came to Kadesh Barnea. 

20 And I said to you, ‘You have come to the mountains of the Amorites, which the Lord our God is giving us. 

21 Look, the Lord your God has set the land before you; go up and possess it, as the Lord God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be discouraged.’

22 “And every one of you came near to me and said, ‘Let us send men before us, and let them search out the land for us, and bring back word to us of the way by which we should go up, and of the cities into which we shall come.’

23 “The plan pleased me well; so I took twelve of your men, one man from each tribe. 

24 And they departed and went up into the mountains, and came to the Valley of Eshcol, and spied it out. 

25 They also took some of the fruit of the land in their hands and brought it down to us; and they brought back word to us, saying, ‘It is a good land which the Lord our God is giving us.’

26 “Nevertheless you would not go up, but rebelled against the command of the Lord your God; 

27 and you complained in your tents, and said, ‘Because the Lord hates us, He has brought us out of the land of Egypt to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us. 

28 Where can we go up? Our brethren have discouraged our hearts, saying, “The people are greater and taller than we; the cities are great and fortified up to heaven; moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakim there.” ’

29 “Then I said to you, ‘Do not be terrified, or afraid of them. 

30 The Lord your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, 

31 and in the wilderness where you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.’ 

32 Yet, for all that, you did not believe the Lord your God, 

33 who went in the way before you to search out a place for you to pitch your tents, to show you the way you should go, in the fire by night and in the cloud by day.

34 “And the Lord heard the sound of your words, and was angry, and took an oath, saying, 

35 ‘Surely not one of these men of this evil generation shall see that good land of which I swore to give to your fathers, 

36 except Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him and his children I am giving the land on which he walked, because he wholly followed the Lord.’ 

37 The Lord was also angry with me for your sakes, saying, ‘Even you shall not go in there. 

38 Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall go in there. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.

39 ‘Moreover your little ones and your children, who you say will be victims, who today have no knowledge of good and evil, they shall go in there; to them I will give it, and they shall possess it. 

40 But as for you, turn and take your journey into the wilderness by the Way of the Red Sea.’

41 “Then you answered and said to me, ‘We have sinned against the Lord; we will go up and fight, just as the Lord our God commanded us.’ And when everyone of you had girded on his weapons of war, you were ready to go up into the mountain.

42 “And the Lord said to me, ‘Tell them, “Do not go up nor fight, for I am not among you; lest you be defeated before your enemies.” 

43 So I spoke to you; yet you would not listen, but rebelled against the command of the Lord, and presumptuously went up into the mountain. 

44 And the Amorites who dwelt in that mountain came out against you and chased you as bees do, and drove you back from Seir to Hormah. 

45 Then you returned and wept before the Lord, but the Lord would not listen to your voice nor give ear to you.

46 “So you remained in Kadesh many days, according to the days that you spent there.

Journal:

  • Is there an area of your life where God is calling you to move forward?
  • What fears or doubts are holding you back from stepping into God’s promises?
  • How can you take a small step of faith today to move closer to where God is leading you?

Numbers 36

God honors order and faithful choices

This is what the Lord commands concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, ‘Let them marry whom they think best, but they may marry only within the family of their father’s tribe.’ ~ Numbers 36:6

Have you ever wondered if the choices you make today truly matter in the long run, or if God is really involved in the details of your decisions? Maybe you even think that what you do today only counts for today. Today’s scripture reading closes the book of Numbers with a powerful reminder that God cares deeply about order, legacy, and obedience, even in matters that may seem ordinary or personal. This chapter shows that God’s instructions were not meant to restrict His people, but to protect His promises. As believers today, this is still true today. God is watching over how you live, choose, and steward what He has placed in your hands.

The three truths below show how obedience, wisdom, and trust work together in God’s plan and how you can live them out in today’s world as a citizen of heaven:

1. God’s instructions protect what He has promised.

In this chapter the boundaries God set were designed to preserve the inheritance He had already given. His guidance was not about control, but about safeguarding what mattered most for future generations.

Ask God to show you where His instructions are meant to protect you rather than limit you. When making decisions about relationships, commitments, or direction, pause and seek His wisdom before moving forward. Trust that His boundaries are an act of care, not restriction.

2. Obedience today shapes blessing tomorrow.

The daughters of Zelophehad chose to honor God’s command, and their obedience ensured that the inheritance remained intact. Their willingness to follow God’s direction impacted more than just their own lives.

Choose to seek God’s wisdom in the small decisions you face right now. Whether it is integrity at work, faithfulness in relationships, or consistency in prayer, honor God in what feels ordinary, knowing He leads you through present obedience to shape future blessing.

3. God values order because He values people.

This chapter shows God’s concern for fairness, structure, and consistency. His order brought clarity and peace, not confusion. God’s heart was always for His people to thrive within His design.

Invite God into the details of your life instead of only the major decisions. Ask Him how to manage your time, responsibilities, and relationships in a way that honors Him and serves others well.

I have seen this truth lived out in my own life. There was a time in my life when I wanted to rush decisions or choose what felt like in the moment, trusting my instincts more than God’s direction. Each time I slowed down and chose obedience, even when it required patience or surrender, God protected me from outcomes I could not see coming. Looking back, I can clearly see how His guidance preserved relationships, opportunities, and peace that would have been lost if I had continued to go my own way. What felt like restraint in the moment was actually my loving heavenly Father guarding the future He had prepared for me.

Today I want to encourage you to trust that God cares about the details of your life and that His instructions are always rooted in love and purpose. Choose obedience even when it requires patience or humility, knowing that God is protecting what He has promised you. Honor Him in your decisions today, and trust that He is building a future filled with stability, blessing, and peace as you walk faithfully with Him.

Today’s scripture reading: Numbers 36

1 Now the chief fathers of the families of the children of Gilead the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph, came near and spoke before Moses and before the leaders, the chief fathers of the children of Israel. 

2 And they said: “The Lord commanded my lord Moses to give the land as an inheritance by lot to the children of Israel, and my lord was commanded by the Lord to give the inheritance of our brother Zelophehad to his daughters. 

3 Now if they are married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the children of Israel, then their inheritance will be taken from the inheritance of our fathers, and it will be added to the inheritance of the tribe into which they marry; so it will be taken from the lot of our inheritance. 

4 And when the Jubilee of the children of Israel comes, then their inheritance will be added to the inheritance of the tribe into which they marry; so their inheritance will be taken away from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers.”

5 Then Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the Lord, saying: “What the tribe of the sons of Joseph speaks is right. 

6 This is what the Lord commands concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, ‘Let them marry whom they think best, but they may marry only within the family of their father’s tribe.’ 

7 So the inheritance of the children of Israel shall not change hands from tribe to tribe, for every one of the children of Israel shall keep the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. 

8 And every daughter who possesses an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel shall be the wife of one of the family of her father’s tribe, so that the children of Israel each may possess the inheritance of his fathers. 

9 Thus no inheritance shall change hands from one tribe to another, but every tribe of the children of Israel shall keep its own inheritance.”

10 Just as the Lord commanded Moses, so did the daughters of Zelophehad; 

11 for Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married to the sons of their father’s brothers. 

12 They were married into the families of the children of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in the tribe of their father’s family.

13 These are the commandments and the judgments which the Lord commanded the children of Israel by the hand of Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho.

Journal:

  • What area of my life might God be asking me to trust His instruction more fully
  • Are there decisions I am rushing that need prayer and patience instead
  • How can I honor God in the small choices I make this week