Daily Message from Pope Francis-Dream, Seek & Adore
“Let us not give apathy and resignation the power to drive us into a cheerless and banal existence. Let our restless hearts embrace the restlessness of the Spirit. The world expects from believers a new burst of enthusiasm for the things of heaven… As restless seekers, let us remain open to God’s surprises. Brothers and sisters, let us dream, let us seek and let us adore.”
Pope Francis
Daily Reflection – He Seeks Us Before We Dream of Seeking Him
Daily Message from Pope Francis – It is Not Enough to Seek God
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2021
“The Gospel teaches us that it is not enough to seek God; we must also ask why we are seeking him. Indeed, Jesus says: “You seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves” (Jn 6,26). The people, in fact, had witnessed the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves, but they had not grasped the meaning of that gesture: they stopped at the external miracle, they stopped at the material bread: there only, without going beyond, to the meaning of this.” Pope Francis
Verse of the Day – The Lord is Good to Those Who Wait for Him
Breaking the Habit – 5 Tips to Being Evil
Daily Devotion – Daily Time with God
“He shall burn it every morning … When Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense. There shall be perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations.” – Exodus 30:7-9 NASB
One of Aaron’s primary responsibilities as a priest was to take care of the lamps set before God. He was assigned to trim them not occasionally or often, but twice each day – every morning and evening. God wanted these lamps to burn constantly and as brightly as possible. Aaron had other duties that would keep him busy. He easily could have been distracted. But he never could forget the lamps.
While central to his ministry, this assignment also an important part of his personal life. This was a daily reminder to focus on God, to think about His Word, to evaluate his own heart and priorities, and to make sure He was serving Him faithfully.
These principles still apply to each believer. Every day, we each have many options about how we spend our time and what we do with our resources. How easily we can focus on our jobs or hobbies, our interests or families, world events or the news, even religious activities instead of on spiritual matters.
But the assignment given to Aaron reminds us why it is important to begin and end every day with God, to read His Word, to pray and spend time with Him, and to seek to be attuned to His Spirit.
Don’t ignore your “lamp,” but seek to make your testimony burn brightly. Spend quality time with God. Dedicate your life to Him. Seek to please Him and faithfully serve Him.
Prayer
Father, I seek to serve You. Purge anything that displeases You. Forgive my sins. Help me burn brightly for You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Extended Reading
Exodus 30
//Inspiration Ministries//
Daily Devotion – Our Plans vs. God’s Plans
“The plans of the heart belong to a person, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord … The mind of a person plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” – Proverbs 16:1, 9 NASB
The Bible encourages us to plan but also warns that the planning process has limits. In fact, in the space of a few verses, Proverbs provides two perspectives on planning, using two different Hebrew words.
First, the “plans of the heart” do belong to us. The Hebrew word here refers to making arrangements and preparing. It can be easy to try to arrange our plans based on our thoughts and desires to achieve the results we want.
But the Bible reveals that God wants us to realize that our understanding has limits. We can make plans without seeking Him or considering His insights. Ultimately, we must trust Him to guide us.
The second kind of plan involves weaving or fabricating, as we seek to weave events together to produce the outcome we desire. But in the end, we must realize that God directs our steps. We can be frustrated unless we depend upon Him. We must realize that all our efforts are futile without His blessing.
Today, remember that God gave you His Word to be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path (Psalm 119:105). He is with you, right now – ready to give you wisdom. Seek to be a good steward, wisely using the time and opportunities He provides. Always remember the limits of your plans. In the end, trust Him to direct your path.
Prayer
Father, I commit these projects to You: _______. I seek Your plans. I trust You. Give me Your peace. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Extended Reading
Proverbs 16
//Inspiration Ministries//
Daily Devotion – Deepest Longing
“O God, You are my God; with deepest longing I will seek You; My soul [my life, my very self] thirsts for You, my flesh longs and sighs for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” – Psalm 63:1 AMP
Considering his situation, David felt hopeless. He was outnumbered and overwhelmed with problems. Writing this psalm in the wilderness of Judah, he felt alone, without any sense that help was on the way. He was “in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”
It would have been easy to give up. Instead, he determined to seek God with intensity and a sense of desperation. His heart was full of emotion. He was so desperate that his soul thirsted for God. His flesh longed for Him, eager to see His power and glory. David realized that God’s lovingkindness was better than life itself. So, He praised God, lifting his hands in His name.
Looking at your life, you might face similar situations. Does it feel that you are in a dry and thirsty land? Does it appear that there are no solutions to your problems? Do you feel alone and hopeless? Discouraged? Frustrated? Uncertain of where to turn?
Following David’s example, these are times to focus on God with renewed determination. Thirst for His presence. Seek His presence with urgency. Pray with passion. Hunger for His Word as you would crave food if you had not eaten for days.
In your desperation, worship Him. Lift your hands in His name. His lovingkindness is better than life. Seek Him. Trust Him. Praise Him for what He will do in your life.
Prayer
Father, You are my only hope. I cry out for Your help. Thank You that I can trust in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Extended Reading
Psalm 63
//Inspiration Ministries//
In Every Moment…
