Gems of Knowledge

Today’s One Year Bible Verses: Jeremiah 35:1–36:32 | 1 Timothy 5:1–25 | Psalm 89:14–37 | Proverbs 25:25–27

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Aligning Your Heart with God’s

I remember a friend telling me once, “Dream big! God has great plans for you!” And I remember thinking, I don’t even know what to dream for!

So I began seeking God and asking Him, “Lord, what should I even dream for?”

And when He began showing me, it was bigger than anything I ever could have imagined! I’m still blown away by what He revealed. And now, as I continue seeking Him and following His instructions, I’m beginning to see those things unfold right before my eyes.

I didn’t come up with those dreams on my own. God gave me something to dream for!

In today’s Gem of Knowledge, the Holy Spirit whispered:

“Chasing your dreams can be good. But I promise you, if you chase after Me, I will make all your dreams come true.”

Now, I don’t believe this means God is promising to give us everything we want simply because we follow Him. I believe something far more beautiful happens when we genuinely pursue an intimate relationship with Him.

Our hearts begin to change. Our desires begin to change. And eventually, even our dreams begin to change!

I think about the dream board I made twenty years ago and have to laugh a little. It was filled with expensive cars, money, jewelry, and all those things the world tells us are valuable. But if I made a dream board today, it would look completely different!

It’s not that I’ve simply learned to dream bigger. I’ve learned to dream differently.

As we spend time with God, learning His character, listening for His voice, and surrendering our plans to Him, our hearts and minds become increasingly aligned with His. We begin wanting what He wants and dreaming about the very things He has purposed for our lives.

Psalm 37:4 tells us:

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” —Psalm 37:4 NLT

I think we sometimes read that verse backward. We focus on God giving us the desires of our hearts without considering what it means to truly delight ourselves in Him. When knowing God becomes our greatest desire, He begins shaping the other desires of our hearts.

In today’s reading from Jeremiah 35, we meet the descendants of Recab, a family who faithfully followed the instructions handed down by their ancestor for generations. God used their obedience to contrast the people of Judah, who repeatedly refused to listen to Him.

Then, in Jeremiah 36, King Jehoiakim cut up and burned the scroll containing God’s words spoken through Jeremiah. Rather than allowing God’s instruction to change his heart, he rejected what he didn’t want to hear.

What a contrast! One example demonstrates faithfulness and obedience, while the other reveals what happens when we refuse God’s direction.

And isn’t that something we need to guard against? Sometimes God’s plans don’t line up with what we’ve already decided we want. But surrendering our dreams to Him isn’t losing something wonderful. It’s trusting that His plans are better than our own.

Psalm 89:14 reminds us that righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s throne, with unfailing love and truth going before Him. What a beautiful assurance that the One we’re trusting with our future is perfectly faithful!

Imagine waking up each morning excited to discover what God has planned for you rather than struggling to make your own plans happen. Imagine pursuing Him so wholeheartedly that the dreams He places within your heart become the very things you long to accomplish.

That doesn’t mean the journey will always be easy or that everything will happen according to our timing. But as we continue seeking Him, trusting His guidance, and walking in obedience, we can watch His purposes unfold in ways we never could have imagined.

Don’t spend your life chasing your dreams while missing the One who gives them purpose. Chase after Jesus, and let Him teach your heart what to dream for! 💎

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Action (5 Minutes with God)

Take 5 minutes to be with the Lord today. Ask Him:

• “Lord, what do You want me to know about this personally?”
  • Journal what He gives you through His Holy Spirit.
• Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
  • Journal what He reveals – then do it!

Let today be the day you stop chasing your own dreams and start chasing the One who knows what’s best for you!

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Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me enough to have good plans and purposes for my life. Forgive me for the times I’ve pursued my own desires without first seeking Yours. I surrender my dreams, ambitions, and plans to You. Shape my heart to desire what You desire, and help me recognize the dreams You are placing within me. Give me the courage to release anything that isn’t part of Your will and the faith to follow wherever You lead. More than anything, Lord, I want to know You, love You, and walk closely with You. May my greatest dream always be to fulfill the purpose for which You created me. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.

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CONTINUE THE JOURNEY

Spend More Time with God

Just five minutes can make a difference in your day! Explore more daily devotionals filled with Scripture, encouragement, and precious Gems of Knowledge to help you hear God’s voice and grow closer to Him.