The Daily Dose

Purpose of heart

When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. ~ Acts 11:23

If I could give just one message today, it would be that each person reading this Dose would decide, deep in your heart, to keep walking closely with the Lord. I write the Daily Dose for that very reason. I’ve lived far from God, and I can say with absolute certainty that life is the best it can be when it’s lived close Him, walking day by day in His plan and with His presence.  It’s more than Sunday services, more than occasional prayers, it’s pressing in to His love and purpose every day to follow His lead.

That’s exactly what Barnabas told the believers in Antioch. He saw God’s grace at work and urged them, “Keep going, don’t let go of Him.” They needed that encouragement during the constant pressure and persecution they faced each day. We need it, too. Our world today feels full of anger, envy, and  conflicts with attacks dominate the headlines. As God’s people, we’re called to step away from the sticky grips of the world such as debt, destructive habits, binges, addictions and fill those empty spaces with God’s Word, love, and Holy Spirit presence.

John writes, “Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:3). The hope of seeing Jesus should shape how we live now. We purify our hearts not to earn heaven but because heaven is our home, and we want His will on earth as it is in heaven. (see Matthew 6:10)

Below are some practical ways to live your life everyday with purpose:

1. Schedule daily time with God.
   Block out a non-negotiable slot each day.  You can start with just ten minutes. Read a Psalm, pray, and sit quietly before Him.
2. Replace, don’t just remove.
   Identify one unhealthy habit (excess scrolling, late-night junk TV, impulse shopping). Swap that time for worship music, a walk while praying, or reading a chapter of Scripture.
3. Use Scripture to steer your thoughts.
   Memorize a short verse that reminds you of your identity. Repeat it when frustration or temptation hits.
4. Find an accountability partner.
   Share your goal of pursuing God daily with a trusted friend who will pray and check in with you.

Use these suggestions to get started right now:

• Set tomorrow’s alarm ten minutes earlier and prepare your Bible or devotional tonight.
• Choose one “swap.” If evenings are your weak spot, replace 30 minutes of scrolling with a worship playlist.
• Text a friend and ask them to join you in a weekly check-in about your quiet time.

Today I want to encourage you to remember that Barnabas’ words still ring true: stay close to Jesus with purpose of heart. He sees every small step you take. As you lean into daily fellowship, His grace will root you, purify you, and empower you to live victoriously, even in unstable times. Remember, Jesus is coming back soon, and that hope inspires a life set apart for Him.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 11:19-26

19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only.

20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when  Jesus.

21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.

23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.

24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul.

26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Journal:

• Where do you feel the world’s pull most strongly—time, habits, attitudes?
• Write one step you’ll take this week to replace that pull with purposeful time in God’s presence.
• Invite Him to strengthen your heart as you keep walking with Him.

He’s got His eyes on you

“He does not take His eyes off the righteous; He enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever.” ~ Job 36:7

There’s something especially comforting about knowing that someone sees you, not just your presence in a room, but your heart, your effort, your faithfulness in everyday things. This verse in Job 36 reminds me that God never takes His eyes off the righteous. He watches over not in judgment, but with loving care and unwavering attention. That kind of nearness brings courage when I’m feeling small, overlooked, or weary.

There have been times when I felt overlooked.  Times when I was doing what I thought God had called me to do, but everything around me felt slow, unnoticed, and insignificant. There was no visible fruit, and it seemed like I was being passed over while others moved ahead. But one morning during prayer, I came across this very passage. “He does not take His eyes off the righteous…” It stopped me because it was like God was whispering, “I see you. I see your heart. I see your obedience. Keep going, I’m not done.” That reminder didn’t change my visibility, but it revived my strength to keep me going, even without any recognition.

Elihu, in Job 36, is speaking a deep truth about God’s justice and faithfulness. He exalts the humble. He restores the righteous. He teaches through hardship, not to punish but to grow us. God doesn’t look away when things are hard, instead He’s working in the process, setting us up for something greater than we can see in the moment.

Here are some practical ways to stay encouraged when you feel unseen:

1. Keep showing up in the small things.
   God sees what no one else sees. Faithfulness in the private places is still faithfulness.
   Choose one area where you’ve felt unnoticed and speak this truth over it: “God sees me here.” Then keep showing up with excellence and heart.
2. Let hardship be a teacher, not a discouragement.
   Job 36:15 says, “But those who suffer He delivers in their suffering; He speaks to them in their affliction.”
   Ask God, “What are You teaching me through this?” Write down one lesson or truth you’ve gained in your current season.
3. Fix your eyes on the One who has His eyes on you.
   It’s easy to look at everyone else’s progress and miss your own. But your path is handcrafted by God. Stay focused on your lane.
   Write Job 36:7 on a card or sticky note where you’ll see it daily. Let it remind you that you’re not forgotten.

Today I want to encourage you if you’re walking through a slow season, a quiet one, or even a painful one, know this: God has not taken His eyes off of you. Not for a moment. He sees every step of faith, every act of obedience, and every tear you’ve shed. He’s not just watching, He’s working. He exalts the righteous in His time. Hold fast to that truth, because His eyes are full of love, purpose, and plans for you that go beyond what you can imagine.

Today’s scripture reading: Job 36

1 Elihu continued speaking:

2 “Let me go on, and I will show you the truth. For I have not finished defending God!

3 I will present profound arguments for the righteousness of my Creator.

4 I am telling you nothing but the truth, for I am a man of great knowledge.

5 “God is mighty, but he does not despise anyone! He is mighty in both power and understanding.

6 He does not let the wicked live but gives justice to the afflicted.

7 He never takes his eyes off the innocent, but he sets them on thrones with kings and exalts them forever.

8 If they are bound in chains and caught up in a web of trouble,

9 he shows them the reason. He shows them their sins of pride.

10 He gets their attention and commands that they turn from evil.

11 “If they listen and obey God, they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives. All their years will be pleasant.

12 But if they refuse to listen to him, they will cross over the river of death, dying from lack of understanding.

13 For the godless are full of resentment. Even when he punishes them, they refuse to cry out to him for help.

14 They die when they are young, after wasting their lives in immoral living.

15 But by means of their suffering, he rescues those who suffer. For he gets their attention through adversity.

16 “God is leading you away from danger, Job, to a place free from distress. He is setting your table with the best food.

17 But you are obsessed with whether the godless will be judged. Don’t worry, judgment and justice will be upheld.

18 But watch out, or you may be seduced by wealth. Don’t let yourself be bribed into sin.

19 Could all your wealth or all your mighty efforts keep you from distress?

20 Do not long for the cover of night, for that is when people will be destroyed.

21 Be on guard! Turn back from evil, for God sent this suffering to keep you from a life of evil.

22 “Look, God is all-powerful. Who is a teacher like him?

23 No one can tell him what to do, or say to him, ‘You have done wrong.’

24 Instead, glorify his mighty works, singing songs of praise.

25 Everyone has seen these things, though only from a distance.

26 “Look, God is greater than we can understand. His years cannot be counted.

27 He draws up the water vapor and then distills it into rain.

28 The rain pours down from the clouds, and everyone benefits.

29 Who can understand the spreading of the clouds and the thunder that rolls forth from heaven?

30 See how he spreads the lightning around him and how it lights up the depths of the sea.

31 By these mighty acts he nourishes the people, giving them food in abundance.

32 He fills his hands with lightning bolts and hurls each at its target.

33 The thunder announces his presence; the storm announces his indignant anger.

Journal:

• Where do you feel unseen right now?
• In what area of your life do you need to be reminded that God has not taken His eyes off you?
• Write it down and invite Him into it today.

Does it even matter?

_{“If you are righteous, what do you give to Him, or what does He receive from your hand?” ~ Job 35:7}

There have been moments in my journey where I wondered, “Is any of this making a difference?” Times when I’ve served faithfully, prayed earnestly, and lived honestly and yet didn’t feel seen or rewarded. I wasn’t expecting applause, but I did long for assurance that God noticed.

In Job 35, Elihu reminds Job that God doesn’t need anything from us because He is completely self-sufficient. Yet our lives still matter profoundly, because God has chosen to work through His people to reach the world. Our righteousness in Christ Jesus doesn’t add something God lacks, but it does become part of how His purposes unfold on earth. He set it up so that you and I actually share in accomplishing His plan right where we are.

Now I know that when I obey God and follow His direction, it’s not just about pleasing Him, though it certainly delights His heart. It’s also about participating in a bigger story. Every unseen act of faithfulness is a God-ordained link in a chain that touches lives I may never meet.

Here are three ways to live confidently when it feels like your efforts aren’t making a difference:

1. Remember that your righteousness is a response, not a requirement.

We don’t serve God to make Him love us, we serve because He already does.
Each morning, ask, “How can I respond to God’s love today?”
Trying to earn His approval leads to frustration and exhaustion.

2. Live by faith, not by feelings.

Some days, doing what’s right feels unnoticed, but God doesn’t miss a thing.
Jot down one quiet act of obedience this week, something only God saw. Offer it to Him with gratitude.
Letting emotions drive your commitment causes your faith to waver.

3. Trust that God multiplies the unseen.

Obedience often grows underground before it’s visible.
Pray, “Lord, I trust that nothing I do for You is wasted. Please use it to reach others.”
Quitting because you can’t see results may cause you to miss the harvest God is preparing.

Today I want to encourage you because your life matters to God, not because He lacks anything, but because He lovingly chose to weave your obedience into His rescue plan for others. Job 35 reminds us that righteousness isn’t transactional; it’s transformational. Keep walking in faith. Your unseen steps are threads in a tapestry God is stitching together for His glory and the good of many.

Today’s scripture reading: Job 35

1 Then Elihu said:

2 “Do you think it is right for you to claim, ‘I am righteous before God’?

3 For you also ask, ‘What’s in it for me? What’s the use of living a righteous life?’

4 “I will answer you and all your friends, too.

5 Look up into the sky, and see the clouds high above you.

6 If you sin, how does that affect God? Even if you sin again and again, what effect will it have on him?

7 If you are good, is this some great gift to him? What could you possibly give him?

8 No, your sins affect only people like yourself, and your good deeds also affect only humans.

9 “People cry out when they are oppressed. They groan beneath the power of the mighty.

10 Yet they don’t ask, ‘Where is God my Creator, the one who gives songs in the night?

11 Where is the one who makes us smarter than the animals and wiser than the birds of the sky?’

12 And when they cry out, God does not answer because of their pride.

13 But it is wrong to say God doesn’t listen, to say the Almighty isn’t concerned.

14 You say you can’t see him, but he will bring justice if you will only wait.

15 You say he does not respond to sinners with anger and is not greatly concerned about wickedness.

16 But you are talking nonsense, Job. You have spoken like a fool.”

Journal:

• Where have you wondered if your faithfulness matters?
• Write it down, then pray: “Father, use my obedience as part of Your plan. Help me trust that every small step counts in reaching others for You.”

You can trust Him

“Truly, God will not do wrong. The Almighty will not twist justice.” ~ Job 34:12

There’s something deeply reassuring about knowing that no matter what happens around us or even to us, God never gets it wrong. He never makes a mistake, He never shows favoritism, and He never misjudges a situation. His justice is perfect, and His motives are pure.

I remember a time in my life when I felt like I was treated unfairly in a situation I had poured my heart into. I remember praying, “God, do you see what is going on here? Don’t You care?” I felt invisible and even started to wonder if I had done something wrong. But in that quiet wrestling, the Lord reminded me through His Word that He does see and more importantly, He judges rightly. My job wasn’t to fix the situation or defend myself. My job was to trust Him to do what only He can: make things right in His time and in His way.

In Job 34, Elihu responded to Job’s frustration and accusations against God. While Elihu might not have gotten everything right in his assumptions about Job, he did speak a powerful truth in verse 12 that says: God is just, and He does not twist what is fair. Even when we can’t see the full picture, we can rest in the character of the One who does.

Here are a few practical ways to trust in God’s justice and goodness:

1. Remember that God sees everything.

He sees every act of kindness, every injustice, every tear, and every silent sacrifice. Nothing escapes Him.
Instead of rehearsing the wrong in your mind, rehearse the truth: “God, I know You see this. I trust You to handle it.”
Trying to control or fix everything will leave you anxious and discouraged.

2. Let God be your defender.

When you’re misunderstood or mistreated, resist the urge to fight for your own justice. God is your righteous Judge.
Surrender the need to explain or prove yourself. Pray, “God, You know the truth. I leave it in Your hands.”
Defending yourself in your own strength can lead to bitterness and burnout.

3. Stay faithful even when it’s hard.

God honors integrity, especially when it’s not easy. Continue doing what’s right, even if no one notices.
Ask God to strengthen your heart to stay obedient, even when it’s hard or feels unrewarded.
Giving up when it gets hard will keep you from seeing the full reward of God’s justice and timing.

Today I want to encourage you to trust the God who never misses a detail. He doesn’t overlook your pain, ignore your prayers, or abandon His justice. Job 34 reminds us that even in the deepest confusion or disappointment, our heavenly Father remains perfectly just and completely good. You don’t have to carry the weight of righting every wrong. He is working behind the scenes and in your heart. Let Him handle the justice so you can walk freely in His peace.

Today’s scripture reading: Job 34

1 Then Elihu said:

2 “Listen to me, you wise men. Pay attention, you who have knowledge.

3 Job said, ‘The ear tests the words it hears just as the mouth distinguishes between foods.’

4 So let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.

5 For Job also said, ‘I am innocent, but God has taken away my rights.

6 I am innocent, but they call me a liar. My suffering is incurable, though I have not sinned.’

7 “Tell me, has there ever been a man like Job, with his thirst for irreverent talk?

8 He chooses evil people as companions. He spends his time with wicked men.

9 He has even said, ‘Why waste time trying to please God?’

10 “Listen to me, you who have understanding. Everyone knows that God doesn’t sin! The Almighty can do no wrong.

11 He repays people according to their deeds. He treats people as they deserve.

12 Truly, God will not do wrong. The Almighty will not twist justice.

13 Did someone else put the world in his care? Who set the whole world in place?

14 If God were to take back his spirit and withdraw his breath,

15 all life would cease, and humanity would turn again to dust.

16 “Now listen to me if you are wise. Pay attention to what I say.

17 Could God govern if he hated justice? Are you going to condemn the almighty judge?

18 For he says to kings, ‘You are wicked,’ and to nobles, ‘You are unjust.’

19 He doesn’t care how great a person may be, and he pays no more attention to the rich than to the poor. He made them all.

20 In a moment they die. In the middle of the night they pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.

21 “For God watches how people live; he sees everything they do.

22 No darkness is thick enough to hide the wicked from his eyes.

23 We don’t set the time when we will come before God in judgment.

24 He brings the mighty to ruin without asking anyone, and he sets up others in their place.

25 He knows what they do, and in the night he overturns and destroys them.

26 He strikes them down because they are wicked, doing it openly for all to see.

27 For they turned away from following him. They have no respect for any of his ways.

28 They cause the poor to cry out, catching God’s attention. He hears the cries of the needy.

29 But if he chooses to remain quiet, who can criticize him? When he hides his face, no one can find him, whether an individual or a nation.

30 He prevents the godless from ruling so they cannot be a snare to the people.

31 “Why don’t people say to God, ‘I have sinned, but I will sin no more’?

32 Or ‘I don’t know what evil I have done—tell me. If I have done wrong, I will stop at once’?

33 “Must God tailor his justice to your demands? But you have rejected him! The choice is yours, not mine. Go ahead, share your wisdom with us.

34 After all, bright people will tell me, and wise people will hear me say,

35 ‘Job speaks out of ignorance; his words lack insight.’

36 Job, you deserve the maximum penalty for the wicked way you have talked.

37 For you have added rebellion to your sin; you show no respect, and you speak many angry words against God.”

Journal:

• Is there an area in your life where you’ve been waiting for justice or understanding?
•  Write a prayer entrusting that situation to the God who always does what is right.

God Still Speaks

For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. ~ Job 33:14

One of the most comforting truths in all of Scripture is this: God still speaks. He doesn’t go silent when life gets hard. He doesn’t give up on us when we struggle to hear Him. He speaks to His people again and again because He loves us too much to leave us guessing.

This is a truth I wish I would have known much younger in my life. But, once I realized that I could hear His direction and began to follow His voice inside my heart, it made all the difference in my life. I remember a time in my life where everything felt quiet. I was praying, reading, serving… and yet I felt stuck. It wasn’t that I had walked away from God, but I couldn’t seem to hear what He wanted me to do next. One night, completely discouraged, I asked Him out loud, “Why can’t I hear your answer?” As soon as I did, a Scripture I hadn’t thought of in years dropped into my heart. That was it. It wasn’t dramatic, but it was direct. And I realized then that He had been speaking all along, I just didn’t recognize it because I expected something different.

Job 33 is Elihu’s turn to speak, and he pointed out something powerful: God isn’t silent. It is just that often people miss His voice. He speaks through His Word, through dreams, through people, through gentle nudges, and even through pain. He wants to rescue, correct, and lead us, not to punish us, but to protect and restore us.

Here are some practical ways to start tuning in to the voice of God:

1. Expect God to speak and ask Him to help you hear.

If you believe He is speaking, you’ll begin to pay more attention. Expectation positions your heart to receive.
Pray each morning: “Lord, help me recognize Your voice today in to keep me on purpose with You.”
Thinking God is silent leads to frustration and spiritual distance.

2. Write down the ways He’s spoken before.

Keep a journal of moments where you sensed God speaking through Scripture, a friend’s encouragement, a dream, or a deep inner knowing. This helps you identify His voice.
Reflect on the last time you knew it was God speaking. What did He say? How did it come?
Forgetting past moments can make us think God never speaks, when really, we’ve just stopped listening.

3. Be open to unexpected ways He might speak.

Elihu said God speaks in many ways, even though pain. That doesn’t mean God causes all pain, but He can use it to pull us closer to Him.
Ask: “Lord, what are You showing me through this situation?” Don’t rush the answer, wait and listen.
Dismissing difficult seasons as random or meaningless keeps you from hearing what God might be revealing to you at that time.

Today I want to encourage you to know God is always speaking. Sometimes it’s a whisper in the quiet, sometimes it’s a warning in the storm, and sometimes it’s a promise in the waiting. You don’t have to strain to hear Him, but you do have to be willing to pause, ask, and expect. His voice brings life, clarity, and restoration. If you’re feeling uncertain or distant today, don’t assume God is far. He’s near… and He’s still speaking.

Today’s scripture reading: Job 33

1 “Listen to my words, Job; pay attention to what I have to say.

2 Now that I have begun to speak, let me continue.

3 I speak with all sincerity; I speak the truth.

4 For the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

5 Answer me, if you can; make your case and take your stand.

6 Look, you and I both belong to God. I, too, was formed from clay.

7 So you don’t need to be afraid of me. I won’t come down hard on you.

8 “You have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard your very words.

9 You said, ‘I am pure; I am without sin; I am innocent; I have no guilt.

10 God is picking a quarrel with me, and he considers me his enemy.

11 He puts my feet in the stocks and watches my every move.’

12 “But you are wrong, and I will show you why. For God is greater than any human being.

13 So why are you bringing a charge against him? Why say he does not respond to people’s complaints?

14 For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it.

15 He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds.

16 He whispers in their ears and terrifies them with warnings.

17 He makes them turn from doing wrong; he keeps them from pride.

18 He protects them from the grave, from crossing over the river of death.

19 “Or God disciplines people with pain on their sickbeds, with ceaseless aching in their bones.

20 They lose their appetite for even the most delicious food.

21 Their flesh wastes away, and their bones stick out.

22 They are at death’s door; the angels of death wait for them.

23 “But if an angel from heaven appears— a special messenger to intercede for a person and declare that he is upright—

24 he will be gracious and say, ‘Rescue him from the grave, for I have found a ransom for his life.’

25 Then his body will become as healthy as a child’s, firm and youthful again.

26 When he prays to God, he will be accepted. And God will receive him with joy and restore him to good standing.

27 He will declare to his friends, ‘I sinned and twisted the truth, but it was not worth it.

28 God rescued me from the grave, and now my life is filled with light.’

29 “Yes, God does these things again and again for people.

30 He rescues them from the grave so they may enjoy the light of life.

31 Mark this well, Job. Listen to me, for I have more to say.

32 But if you have anything to say, go ahead. Speak, for I am anxious to see you justified.

33 But if not, then listen to me. Keep silent and I will teach you wisdom!”

 Journal:

• Where in your life do you need to hear God right now?
• Write it down, then sit quietly and ask Him to speak.
• What comes to mind?
• Write that down too and revisit it throughout the week.

Breathe in His Wisdom

‘But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding.’ ~ Job 32:8

 There are moments in life when you just don’t know what to say, or if you should say anything at all. Job’s friends had been talking for chapters, offering their opinions, advice, and assumptions, but none of them really had the wisdom of God behind their words. Then comes Elihu, the youngest of them all, and he makes a powerful statement in verse 8: it’s not age, experience, or position that gives understanding, it’s the breath of the Almighty. That verse stopped me in my tracks.

I’ve been in situations where I felt unqualified to speak, whether because of my age, my title, or because I didn’t have all the answers. I remember a specific moment in a group  meeting with the executive team where I sensed God stirring something inside me, but I hesitated because others in the room seemed more experienced and important. Eventually, I shared what I believed God was speaking, and afterward, someone came up to say it was exactly what they needed. That taught me that wisdom doesn’t come from me, it flows through me when I make space for His Spirit to speak.

Job 32 reminds us that godly understanding isn’t about being the loudest or the most seasoned. It comes from staying connected to the breath of God, the Holy Spirit. It’s His Spirit that gives us insight, discernment, and boldness to speak life, especially when others are speaking from opinion, not truth.

Here are three ways to stay connected to His breath and grow in understanding:

1. Pause and listen before you speak.

Ask God for insight before giving your opinion. Sometimes the wisest words are few, but Spirit-filled.
Begin your day with this prayer: “Holy Spirit, breathe through me today. Give me words that carry Your heart.”
Speaking quickly and often can cause you to miss what God truly wants to say through you.

2. Read God’s Word as your foundation for wisdom.

Elihu recognized that true understanding comes from God, not personal reasoning. Let Scripture shape how you view people and situations.
Choose one verse each morning and ask, “How can I live this out today?” Write it down and carry it with you.
Leaning on your own logic can lead to frustration and confusion, especially when facing complex issues.

3. Trust that the Spirit speaks through you.

You don’t have to be the most experienced person in the room to carry God’s voice. He speaks through yielded vessels, not perfect ones.
Say yes to moments when God prompts you to speak, even if it feels uncomfortable. Obedience is what He honors.
Staying silent out of fear robs others of the encouragement or direction God may want to deliver through you.

Today I want to encourage you because you don’t have to have it all figured out to be useful in God’s hands. His breath in you is your qualification. The world is full of noise and opinions, but the Spirit of God offers something more, truth, discernment, and life. If you’re willing to listen and be led by His breath, you’ll not only have understanding for yourself but wisdom to offer those around you.

Today’s scripture reading: Job 32

1 Job’s three friends refused to reply further to him because he kept insisting on his innocence.

2 Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the clan of Ram, became angry. He was angry because Job refused to admit that he had sinned and that God was right in punishing him.

3 He was also angry with Job’s three friends, for they made God appear to be wrong by their inability to answer Job’s arguments.

4 Elihu had waited for the others to speak to Job because they were older than he.

5 But when he saw that they had no further reply, he spoke out angrily.

6 Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said, “I am young and you are old, so I held back from telling you what I think.

7 I thought, ‘Those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with age.’

8 But there is a spirit within people, the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent.

9 Sometimes the elders are not wise. Sometimes the aged do not understand justice.

10 So listen to me, and let me tell you what I think.

11 “I have waited all this time, listening very carefully to your arguments, listening to you grope for words.

12 I have listened, but not one of you has refuted Job or answered his arguments.

13 And don’t tell me, ‘He is too wise for us. Only God can convince him.’

14 If Job had been arguing with me, I would not answer with your kind of logic!

15 You sit there baffled, with nothing more to say.

16 Should I continue to wait, now that you are silent? Must I also remain silent?

17 No, I will say my piece. I will speak my mind.

18 For I am full of pent-up words, and the spirit within me urges me on.

19 I am like a cask of wine without a vent, like a new wineskin ready to burst!

20 I must speak to find relief, so let me give my answers.

21 I won’t play favorites or try to flatter anyone.

22 For if I tried flattery, my Creator would soon destroy me.

Journal Prompt:

• Where in your life do you need the breath of God to give you understanding today?
• Write a short prayer asking Him to speak into that area and lead you in truth.
• Let Him breathe through you because you carry more than you think.

Don’t fight it

_{So I concluded that if God is pleased to give them the same gift of the Holy Spirit that he gave us after they believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who am I to stand in the way of God?” Acts 11:17}

I love this passage. It reminds me of what Gamaliel told the religious leaders in Acts 5 when they arrested Peter and John for preaching in Jesus’ name. He said, “But if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it, lest you even be found to fight against God.” What a powerful reminder: when the Holy Spirit is at work, it is crucial not to resist or criticize what we don’t understand. Who are we to stand in the way of God?

Peter had just witnessed something incredible, Gentiles receiving the Holy Spirit just like the Jewish believers had. When he returned to Jerusalem, he faced criticism from the other apostles. But after recounting all that had happened, how God had directed him, how the Holy Spirit had fallen, how hearts were changed and they understood it was truly the work of God.

It makes you think: how many times have we hesitated to accept something new because it didn’t come in the package we expected? How often have we questioned another ministry, a movement, or even someone else’s spiritual breakthrough because it didn’t look familiar?

So how do we know if something is truly of God or if it’s just human ambition or manipulation? First, ask. Go to your Heavenly Father and ask Him for clarity. If something is from Him, He will confirm it through His Word and peace in your spirit. If it’s not, He will give you wisdom to steer clear without becoming bitter or judgmental.

One thing I know for sure is that when I stay focused on the assignment God has given me, I don’t have the time or energy to nitpick what someone else is doing. God calls each of us uniquely, and if I stay faithful to what He’s asked of me, He will open the doors and work things together for good as needed to fulfill His purpose in my life and the lives of those around me. Sometimes that means connecting with others in ways I never expected.

Instead of letting suspicion or offense distract you, stay in step with what God is doing in and through you. Trust that if He wants to bring unity or collaboration, He will make it plain. Don’t let comparison or confusion rob you of the joy of your assignment.

Here is how you can get started today:

1. Pray for clarity.
   Ask God to show you where He is working, both in your life and around you. If something stirs questions in you, ask Him to confirm what’s from Him and what’s not.
2. Guard your focus.
   Don’t waste energy comparing or critiquing others. Pour your time and prayers into what He’s placed in your hands.
3. Invite fresh vision.
   Ask God to reignite your passion for what you’ve been called to. Pray: “Lord, open my eyes to the work You’re doing in me and through me today. Make my next steps clear.”
4. Stay humble and open.
   Be willing to learn from how God works in others. He might be using someone else’s story to grow your own.

Today I want to encourage you to remember that God is always moving, often in ways you don’t expect or even see with your natural eyes. When you keep your heart open and your ears tuned to His voice, He’ll show you exactly where to walk and who to walk with. Don’t fall into the trap of second-guessing what God is doing in someone else’s life. Stay faithful to your purpose, trust His leadership, and be ready for divine appointments you didn’t see coming. If it’s from God, it won’t be stopped. When He’s in it, He’ll bring you into it at just the right time.  If you do these things, you will never get in His way.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 11:1-18

1 Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him,

3 saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!”

4 But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me.

6 When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’

8 But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’

9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’

10 Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven.

11 At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea.

12 Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house.

13 And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter,

14 who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.’

15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning.

16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

17 If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?”

18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”

Journal:

• What is one area where you’ve been hesitant to accept how God might be working?
• Ask God to show you His heart in it and write down what you sense He is saying about your own next step.

Next step

“Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”  Acts 10:47

When you look at the example New Testament church, when a person received salvation, their first step of faith was baptism. Baptism followed belief. It was the immediate next step after someone received salvation. Even Jesus, before beginning His earthly ministry, was baptized by John the Baptist.

In the early church, baptism was a personal decision made when someone was old enough to choose to follow Jesus. It wasn’t something done to infants who had no understanding of their need for a Savior. Baptism is an outward expression of inward faith. It lets the world know that you’ve made a conscious decision to follow the Lord Jesus Christ and live your life through a relationship with your Heavenly Father and led by His Holy Spirit.

I was baptized at seven years old by my dad after my mom led me to the Lord at age five. But later, as an adult, I wrestled with doubts. I had wandered far from the Lord as a young adult, chasing selfish desires, and I began to wonder, was I truly saved at such a young age? Did I really understand it? Or was it just something I did because it was “time”?

Over the years, I wrestled with those questions. But one day, on a trip to the Holy Land, I had the opportunity to be baptized again, this time in the Jordan River where Jesus Himself was baptized. I was so excited. And as I came up out of the water, I sensed the Holy Spirit whispering deep within: That answers that question. No need to wonder any longer about being saved before you were baptized. You’re mine. This is your yes.

That moment became a turning point in my life. I didn’t just get wet, it marked my decision to follow Jesus with boldness and clarity. That point in time became my anchor in my relationship with Him.

In today’s passage, Peter preached the gospel to Cornelius and his household. They believed, the Holy Spirit fell on them and what happens next? Peter immediately commanded that they be baptized in the name of Jesus. No delay. No prerequisites. No class. Just faith followed by obedience. That’s the example they followed then and it still holds true today.

Salvation is just the beginning. As followers of Jesus, we never stop taking steps of obedience. Maybe baptism is your next step, or maybe it’s something else. It could be starting a daily time in God’s Word and prayer, growing closer on a personal level.  Seeking His direction in every area of your life. It might be getting planted in a local church and attending weekly. Maybe it’s joining a small group, serving in ministry, sharing your testimony with someone, giving generously, or going on a mission trip. The Christian life is a walk, not a standstill. Each step you take leads to deeper growth, stronger faith, and greater purpose.

Here are some ides to consider for your next step:

1. Have a conversation.
   If you’ve received Jesus but have never been baptized as a conscious decision, talk to your pastor or small group leader today. Ask how you can take that next step.
2. Get honest with God.
   Maybe you were baptized as a child and didn’t understand what it meant. That’s okay, but now that you do understand, it’s time to make it your own choice.
3. Go public with your faith.
   Baptism is a bold declaration that says: I belong to Jesus. It’s not about perfection, it’s about direction. When you say yes to baptism, you’re telling the world that you’re following Jesus, no matter what. Delaying obedience or staying stuck in doubt only prolongs the battle in your heart. Baptism doesn’t save you, but it strengthens your walk by sealing your “yes” with action.
4. Stay planted and growing.
   After baptism, it’s time to grow roots in your walk with God. This might look like joining a small group, serving in a ministry, getting discipled, or being mentored. You were never meant to do faith alone, being part of the body strengthens you for the journey ahead.

Start here: Ask God to show you your next spiritual step after baptism. Where can you grow? Who can you walk with? Take one intentional action this week to go deeper. Treating baptism like a finish line rather than a starting point leaves your faith underdeveloped and vulnerable.

Today I want to encourage you to take your next step.  It may feel simple, but it’s sacred. Baptism doesn’t mean you’ve arrived, it means you’re moving forward. Don’t let doubt or delay hold you back from the joy of obedience. If you’ve made Jesus Lord of your life, it’s time to go all in. Make the choice. Take the plunge. Mark your “yes” with action.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 10:44-48

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.

45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.

46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.

Then Peter answered,

47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”

48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

Journal:

• What has kept you from being baptized or recommitting that decision as your own?
• What would taking this step mean for your journey with Jesus today?

Under pressure

“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.” ~ Job 31:1

Have you ever known someone who seems super spiritual, calm, and steady until pressure hits? Everything seems fine on the surface, but the moment something doesn’t go their way, they’re offended or knocked off course. It’s in those moments you find out what’s really going on inside. What’s in the heart is revealed under pressure.

As we read through the book of Job, one thing is clear: God was at the center of his life. Chapter after chapter, we see that Job considered the Lord in every part of his life. So, when loss and grief crashed in, his thoughts and words still revolved around the Lord his God.

In Job 31, Job lays out his personal commitment to live uprightly before God.  Not for people’s approval, but because he was determined to live honestly before God. He had lost everything yet held tightly to what mattered most: his integrity. This wasn’t pride or performance it was because of his covenant and commitment to God. Job wasn’t bragging, he was saying, “I chose to live right, even when no one else was watching.”

I’ve been in seasons where it felt like doing the right thing didn’t matter. I was serving faithfully, making decisions to honor God, and still felt like others, who cut corners, were the ones being rewarded. That’s tough. But Job’s words reminded me that living with integrity is not about applause. It’s about honoring God even when no one sees. It’s about a covenant to stay faithful no matter what and doing the right thing because I love my Father in heaven, not for recognition in this world.

Here are three ways to live upright and honest before God, even under pressure:

1. Set personal boundaries before the test comes.

Job didn’t wait until temptation came knocking, he made a covenant with his eyes ahead of time. And that’s key. What we build in peace will determine how we stand in pressure. Like a sponge, when life squeezes you, whatever is inside is going to come out. If you’ve soaked up God’s Word, wisdom, and conviction, that’s what will flow. But if you’re full of compromise and excuses, that’s what you’ll spill out.

Start here: Choose one area of your life where you need to pre-decide your response, whether it’s your attitude, your relationships, or your media choices. Write it down along with a scripture promise that anchors your choice and bring it to God in prayer. If you wait until the storm is raging, it’s often too late to grab your lifeline. But if you pour in His wisdom now, you’ll be full when the waves crash in.

2. Take private obedience seriously.

Job didn’t just behave well in public, he examined his motives, how he treated his servants, the poor, and even his enemies. Integrity shows up in the quiet places where nobody’s watching.

Start here: Ask yourself, How am I treating people when there’s nothing to gain? Do one unseen act of obedience this week that you keep between you and God. Only doing what’s right when someone’s watching will leave your character hollow and your faith shallow.

3. Live with heaven’s reward in mind.

Job’s world was falling apart, yet he still clung to righteousness. Why? Because he feared and honored God more than he feared consequences or what others thought. He wasn’t living for applause, he was living for eternity.

Start here: Pray, “God, help me care more about Your approval than anyone else’s. Show me how to live with heaven in view.”
If you’re living for people’s praise, you’ll constantly feel like you’re falling short or have to prove something.

Today I want to encourage you to remember that integrity doesn’t always lead to immediate recognition, but it always holds eternal value. When you do what’s right even when no one notices, when you stay faithful in the middle of pain, when you choose honesty over shortcuts, you’re honoring God. Job’s life is proof that character matters, even in confusion, grief, or delay.

Hold tight to who God is forming you to be. Build a life that can withstand pressure. Because the weight of life doesn’t crush character, it reveals it.

Today’s scripture reading: Job 31

1 “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman.

2 For what has God above chosen for us? What is our inheritance from the Almighty on high?

3 Isn’t it calamity for the wicked and misfortune for those who do evil?

4 Doesn’t he see everything I do and every step I take?

5 “Have I lied to anyone or deceived anyone?

6 Let God weigh me on the scales of justice, for he knows my integrity.

7 If I have strayed from his pathway, or if my heart has lusted for what my eyes have seen, or if I am guilty of any other sin,

8 then let someone else eat the crops I have planted. Let all that I have planted be uprooted.

9 “If my heart has been seduced by a woman, or if I have lusted for my neighbor’s wife,

10 then let my wife serve another man; let other men sleep with her.

11 For lust is a shameful sin, a crime that should be punished.

12 It is a fire that burns all the way to hell. It would wipe out everything I own.

13 “If I have been unfair to my male or female servants when they brought their complaints to me,

14 how could I face God? What could I say when he questioned me?

15 For God created both me and my servants. He created us both in the womb.

16 “Have I refused to help the poor, or crushed the hopes of widows?

17 Have I been stingy with my food and refused to share it with orphans?

18 No, from childhood I have cared for orphans like a father, and all my life I have cared for widows.

19 Whenever I saw the homeless without clothes and the needy with nothing to wear,

20 did they not praise me for providing wool clothing to keep them warm?

21 “If I raised my hand against an orphan, knowing the judges would take my side,

22 then let my shoulder be wrenched out of place! Let my arm be torn from its socket!

23 That would be better than facing God’s judgment. For if the majesty of God opposes me, what hope is there?

24 “Have I put my trust in money or felt secure because of my gold?

25 Have I gloated about my wealth and all that I own?

26 “Have I looked at the sun shining in the skies, or the moon walking down its silver pathway,

27 and been secretly enticed in my heart to throw kisses at them in worship?

28 If so, I should be punished by the judges, for it would mean I had denied the God of heaven.

29 “Have I ever rejoiced when disaster struck my enemies, or become excited when harm came their way?

30 No, I have never sinned by cursing anyone or by asking for revenge.

31 “My servants have never said, ‘He let others go hungry.’

32 I have never turned away a stranger but have opened my doors to everyone.

33 “Have I tried to hide my sins like other people do, concealing my guilt in my heart?

34 Have I feared the crowd or the contempt of the masses, so that I kept quiet and stayed indoors?

35 “If only someone would listen to me! Look, I will sign my name to my defense. Let the Almighty answer me. Let my accuser write out the charges against me.

36 I would face the accusation proudly. I would wear it like a crown.

37 For I would tell him exactly what I have done. I would come before him like a prince.

38 “If my land accuses me and all its furrows cry out together,

39 or if I have stolen its crops or murdered its owners,

40 then let thistles grow on that land instead of wheat, and weeds instead of barley.” Job’s words are ended.

Journal:

• Where is God asking me to walk in integrity right now, even if no one sees?
• What decisions can I make today to guard my heart, my words, and my actions to be ready when the pressure is on?

In the unraveling

And now they mock me in song; I have become a byword among them. ~ Job 30:9

In today’s reading, Job is pouring out his heart in grief and shock over how drastically his life has changed. He was once respected and honored but now he’s mocked and dismissed. It wasn’t just the physical loss that crushed him, it was the emotional toll of being misunderstood, isolated, judged and looked down on by people who once admired him.

I remember walking through a season where my circumstances shifted so suddenly that I barely recognized my own life. People I thought would stand with me became silent. It felt like the rug had been pulled out from under me and I questioned how I ended up there. I wasn’t doing everything perfectly, but I also wasn’t prepared for how quickly things could unravel. That’s what Job felt in this chapter. He hadn’t abandoned his faith. He hadn’t turned away from God. And yet, everything he had formerly known had crumbled.

What’s powerful in this passage is that Job didn’t pretend. He didn’t say he was okay when he wasn’t. He brought the weight of his disappointment straight to God. That’s where our strength begins too, not in hiding the pain, but in pouring it out honestly before the One who sees all.

Here are some things you can do if you are walking in a season of unravel:

1. Tell God the truth.
Don’t hold back your frustration, disappointment, or sadness. You don’t have to clean it up to make it sound spiritual. Job didn’t and God didn’t rebuke him for his honesty.
Say out loud, “God, this hurts. I don’t understand, but I still believe You are with me.”
Pretending you’re fine when you’re broken leads to disconnection from God and others.

2. Let your pain press you closer, not farther.
It’s tempting to withdraw when life feels unjust. But even in Job’s pain, he never stopped talking to God. He stayed in the conversation.
Open your Bible and read one Psalm out loud, especially a psalm of lament (like Psalm 13 or 142). Borrow their words when yours feel stuck.
Shutting down your voice in prayer leaves you stuck in silence and bitterness.

3. Remind yourself that this is not the end of your story.
Job didn’t stay in chapter 30. The pain was real, but so was the restoration that followed. God had the final say.
Write down one thing you know is true about God even in this moment (He is faithful. He is present. He sees you.)
Believing that what you see now is all there will ever be drains your hope and makes it harder to move forward.

Today I want to encourage you if you’re walking through a Job 30 season to remember that you’re not alone, and this isn’t where your story ends. Just like Job, you can take your honest pain to God and still hold onto faith. Don’t let sorrow silence your prayers. Let it strengthen your connection to the One who hears you. He hasn’t left you. He’s still writing your story and it’s not over yet.

Today’s scripture reading: Job 30

1 “But now I am mocked by people younger than I, by young men whose fathers are not worthy to run with my sheepdogs.

2 A lot of good they are to me, those worn-out wretches!

3 They are gaunt from poverty and hunger. They claw the dry ground in desolate wastelands.

4 They pluck wild greens from among the bushes and eat from the roots of broom trees.

5 They are driven from human society, and people shout at them as if they were thieves.

6 So now they live in frightening ravines, in caves and among the rocks.

7 They sound like animals howling among the bushes, huddled together beneath the nettles.

8 They are nameless fools, outcasts from society.

9 “And now they mock me with vulgar songs! They taunt me!

10 They despise me and won’t come near me, except to spit in my face.

11 For God has cut my bowstring. He has humbled me, so they have thrown off all restraint.

12 These outcasts oppose me to my face. They send me sprawling and lay traps in my path.

13 They block my road and do everything they can to destroy me. They know I have no one to help me.

14 They come at me from all directions. They jump on me when I am down.

15 I live in terror now. My honor has blown away in the wind, and my prosperity has vanished like a cloud.

16 “And now my life seeps away. Depression haunts my days.

17 At night my bones are filled with pain, which gnaws at me relentlessly.

18 With a strong hand, God grabs my shirt. He grips me by the collar of my coat.

19 He has thrown me into the mud. I’m nothing more than dust and ashes.

20 “I cry to you, O God, but you don’t answer. I stand before you, but you don’t even look.

21 You have become cruel toward me. You use your power to persecute me.

22 You throw me into the whirlwind and destroy me in the storm.

23 And I know you are sending me to my death, the destination of all who live.

24 “Surely no one would turn against the needy when they cry for help in their trouble.

25 Did I not weep for those in trouble? Was I not deeply grieved for the needy?

26 So I looked for good, but evil came instead. I waited for the light, but darkness fell.

27 My heart is troubled and restless. Days of suffering torment me.

28 I walk in gloom, without sunlight. I stand in the public square and cry for help.

29 Instead, I am considered a brother to jackals and a companion to owls.

30 My skin has turned dark, and my bones burn with fever.

31 My harp plays sad music, and my flute accompanies those who weep.

Journal Prompt:

• What has felt broken or lost in this season?
• Write it down, then ask God: “What do You want to rebuild in me from here?”