Look Beneath the Surface

Today's Scripture

“Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly” (John 7:24).

Today's Word

We don’t realize how many times we look at someone, and in a split second, we decide if we’re going to like them or not. The scripture says that man looks at the outward appearance of others while God looks at the heart. Now, you might be thinking, “Of course, God looks at the heart, He’s God. How am I supposed to look at another person’s heart?”

You may not exactly know a person’s heart, but as Jesus said in this verse, you can look beneath the surface. You can take time to get to know someone who might look or act differently than you. Don’t just write them off because they don’t measure up to your standards. You never know how God will use the relationships in our lives.

Jesus said whatever you’ve done to the least of these, you’ve done to me. In other words, when we make quick judgments about people, it’s as if we are making quick judgments about God. Don’t let that be you. Look beneath the surface. Look for the good in others and find some common ground. Before you know it, you’ll be living to bless others the way Jesus commanded.

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, help me to look beneath the surface. Help me to see others the way You see them. Help me to make righteous decisions in every area of my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

One More Time

Today's Scripture

“When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, 'Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish' " (Luke 5:4).

Today's Word

Several times in Peter’s life, Jesus asked him to go the extra mile, to toss his fishing net over the other side of the boat—one more time. And these fishing nets weren’t small. They weren’t easy to move from side to side. They were very heavy. Peter was reluctant, but he did it anyway because Jesus asked him to, and the results were amazing.

It’s easy to get tired and discouraged when you’ve tried and tried and aren’t seeing the results you had hoped. But, when you hear the voice of the Master deep down inside saying, “Try it again,” know that things are about to change. It may be hard. It may not make sense. You may be tired, but that “one more time” can be the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for!

When everything and everyone else says it’s time to give up, that’s when it’s time to go with God. When you obey Him, He’ll take the impossible and turn it into a miracle. You can trust that God is ordering your steps. He’s taking you down a path of victory and increase. Just like Peter, you’ll be amazed at what will happen when you follow His commands, just one more time!

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, I choose today to follow Your commands, even when things seem difficult. I know that Your words bring strength, life, and blessing, and I will serve and honor You all the days of my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Set the Blessing in Motion

Today's Scripture

“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back” (Luke 6:38).


Today's Word

God is a god of abundance! He wants to pour out His abundance on you until you are so full that you are running over with His goodness. And notice how this verse starts. It says, “Give, and it will be given to you.” Your giving sets the blessing of God into motion in your life. Giving is like a seed. When you plant an apple seed, it doesn’t just grow a single fruit. That one seed grows into a tree that produces an abundance of apples!

That’s what happens when you obey God in your giving. You receive an abundant harvest in return. It’s overflowing, literally “running over”! And when the blessing is running over, it means you have so much that you want to give more. The cycle just keeps repeating itself! Is there something the Lord is telling you to give today? It could be financial, material, or even your talents and service to others.

What do you have in your hand that you can use to bless someone else? Take a step today and set the blessing of God into motion in your life. Open the door for His blessing to be running over in every area of your life today!

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, I choose to obey Your Word. I choose to be a tither and a giver. I choose to give to others knowing that You will use me in a greater capacity in return. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.