Gems of Knowledge

Today’s One Year Bible Verses: Deuteronomy 23:1-25:19, Luke 10:13-37, Psalm 75:1-10, Proverbs 12:12-14

---

Stay With Your Guide

There is a kind of distraction that doesn’t look wrong – It looks productive and meaningful. It even looks like it’s for God…And that’s what makes it dangerous.

This morning the Holy Spirit whispered,

“Don’t get distracted by the work, even if it is good and for Me. Never let it replace our time together by distracting you. To stay the course, you must stay with your guide. Amen.”

In today’s reading, Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30–37). A priest and a Levite—men who were doing the work of God, yet they passed by someone in need. They weren’t evil. They were likely busy, focused, and on their way to something important.

But in the process… they missed the heart of God standing right in front of them.

They had the work.
But they missed the way.

It’s possible to be so focused on doing things for God that we stop walking with God. And when that happens, we begin to drift—even while staying busy.

Psalm 75 reminds us:

“We thank You, O God! We give thanks because You are near.” (Psalm 75:1, NLT)

His nearness is the point. Not just the assignment. Not just the outcome. The whole point of it all.

Even in Deuteronomy, God gives detailed instructions for how His people are to live. Not to burden them—but to keep them aligned, set apart, and close to Him. The structure wasn’t the goal… relationship was.

And Proverbs tells us:

“The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.” (Proverbs 12:5, NLT)

Direction doesn’t come from activity – It comes from alignment. Our busyness could be a load we aren’t meant to bear. We walk with a light load only when we are yoked with Him.

Here’s the truth:

You can be doing good work…and still be out of step. Because the goal is not just to stay active. The goal is to stay close. He is the reason for it all. He is the Way, the Truth, the Life. It all means nothing without Him.

“Your own ears will hear Him… ‘This is the way you should go…’” (Isaiah 30:21, NLT)

To stay the course, you must stay with your Guide.

Not ahead of Him.
Not running for Him.
But walking with Him.

Because when you stay with Him, you won’t miss what matters. 💎

---

Action (5 Minutes with God)

Pause and come back to Him. Take even just 5 minutes to be with Him today. Ask Him,

• “Lord, what do You want to tell me about this personally?”
  • Journal what He whispers by His Holy Spirit.
• Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
  • Journal what He whispers – then do it!

Let Him reset your pace, your direction, your focus. He wants to lead you in love with joy. We just have to choose to always stay close.

---

Prayer

Lord, forgive me for the times I’ve been so focused on doing things—even good things—that I’ve neglected time with You. I don’t want to run ahead or get distracted by work that pulls me away from Your presence. Teach me to stay close to You, to listen for Your voice, and to walk with You step by step. You are my Guide, and I trust You to lead me. Help me stay aligned with Your heart in all that I do. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

To read more 5 Minutes with God devotionals click here.