Better Words, Better Actions: PraiseLive's 30 Day DevotionalSample

When we have a personal encounter with God and then begin to understand who he is and who he has created us to be, we can trust him and serve him wholeheartedly. Often in our adolescence, we have negative experiences with people or through life circumstances, and we project those ideas on to God. We think that he must be like the people who hurt us or believe the lie that he wasn’t there for us. It’s one of the tactics the enemy uses to keep us far from God. 

I think of social media influencers, entertainers, or pastors who have charisma and how quick people are to follow them. People want to dress like them, speak like them, wear their hair like them, or shop at the same stores. What they say carries more clout than the average person because they are attracted to what they carry. 

Our perspective of Jesus should be similar. As we pursue a relationship with him, our hearts and minds will be transformed, and the world will be attracted to what we carry. The gratification that comes from the world is only temporary, Jesus is what our hearts honestly long for. When we taste and see how good God is, it spurs us on to know him more and serve Him all the days of our lives.

Reflection:

Is there any area of my life that is not fully surrendered to God? Are there idols in my life that I turn to when life is hard instead of God?

Praise + Prayer:

Father God,
Use me. Mold me. Transform my heart and mind, show me the areas of my life that are causing distance between you and I. You are my everything, I want to serve you all the days of my life. I surrender every area of my life to you. I love you, Father. Amen.

Action Idea:

Visit a relative, a friend, or an old neighbor at a nursing home. Bring them something to brighten their day--a homemade card, fresh flowers, or a sweet treat.