Gems of Knowledge

Today’s One Year Bible Verses: Ecclesiastes 4:1–6:12, 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:7, Psalm 47:1–9, Proverbs 22:16

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Yesterday, the Lord said to be content with Him and to shift our desires from worldly things to Kingdom things.

But that leaves us with an important question:

How do we do that? How do we change what we actually want?

We can tell ourselves we shouldn’t care so much about money, possessions, recognition, success, comfort, or whatever else has captured our attention. But changing our behavior is one thing. Changing the desires of our heart is something else.

Today, I believe the Lord is continuing yesterday’s conversation with this Gem of Knowledge by showing us how that change happens.

“Heaven is different than earth. It is where I am and where I operate. When you focus on Me you will begin to see and understand My ways and your desires will change. Amen.”

There it is.

Focus on Him.

Yesterday He told us to shift our desires. Today He’s showing us that the shift happens as we begin to know Him and understand His ways.

We’ve spent our entire lives learning how this world operates. From the time we’re little, we’re absorbing what the world values. We’re taught what success looks like, what we’re supposed to accomplish, what we’re supposed to own, and what supposedly makes a person important.

But Heaven operates differently.

The world teaches us to protect ourselves; Jesus teaches us to forgive. The world tells us to accumulate; Jesus teaches us to give. The world celebrates being served; Jesus knelt and washed feet. The world tells us to make a name for ourselves; Jesus teaches us to glorify the Father.

The more we focus on Jesus, the more our understanding of what’s truly valuable begins to change.

Today’s reading in Ecclesiastes gives us a pretty honest picture of what happens when we live according to the world’s values. Solomon talks about people working and striving because they’re comparing themselves with others. He talks about accumulating wealth and still not being satisfied. He even describes someone who works endlessly but never stops to ask who he’s doing all of it for.

It’s possible to spend our whole lives chasing things without ever stopping to ask:

Why do I want this?

Sometimes we don’t even realize how much the world has shaped our desires. We see what other people have, what they’re accomplishing, where they’re traveling, what their homes look like, or how successful they appear, and suddenly we want it too.

But something happens when we spend more time focusing on God.

His desires begin influencing ours.

Something we once desperately wanted may not seem quite so important anymore. We may begin wanting to give instead of accumulate. We become more interested in helping someone than impressing someone. We start desiring peace more than recognition, obedience more than popularity, and intimacy with God more than accomplishment.

Not because we’re forcing ourselves to want “Christian things.”

We’re becoming more like the One we’re spending time with.

Paul reminds us in today’s reading, “For we are the temple of the living God” (2 Corinthians 6:16 NLT).

God isn’t asking us to figure out the ways of Heaven from a distance. His Spirit lives within us. We can spend time with Him, ask Him questions, listen to Him, and allow Him to teach us.

Psalm 47 also reminds us that God is “the King over all the earth” (Psalm 47:7 NLT). We may live on earth, but we’re learning to live under the leadership of the King of Heaven.

Maybe that’s one of the greatest signs that we’re growing closer to God:

We begin wanting different things.

Things that once seemed incredibly important begin losing their grip on us, while things that matter to God begin mattering more to us.

Yesterday He told us to shift our desires toward Kingdom things.

Today He’s showing us how.

Focus on Him. Learn His ways. And let His heart change ours. 💎

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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!

Just humble yourself before Him and allow Him to move in you the way He sees is best for you and, if you let Him, He will adjust your heart and perspective.

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Prayer

Dear Father, teach me the ways of Heaven. This world has shaped many of my desires without me even realizing it. Help me focus on You so I can begin to see things the way You do. Change what needs to change in my heart. Let what matters to You matter to me, and teach me to live here on earth with my heart aligned with Heaven. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

To read more 5 Minutes with God devotionals click here.