rely on God | Thoughts About God

God Gave What They Needed

Devotionals — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 08:03:59 +0000

“To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.” Daniel 1:17

Here he was, a young man taken captive, finding himself in a new country with a great many strange new customs, literature, language and more. Daniel and his three friends had an amazing attitude and a faith in God in the midst of this huge, hard change in their lives. Daniel resolved not to defile his body with the rich food and wine offered to them in this new strange place. He asked for permission for him and his friends to eat simply of only vegetables and water. After ten days they were healthier than all the rest. They were placed in positions of responsibility.

Daniel’s reliance on God gave him and his friends the edge in this new place they had been transplanted to in days of siege and turmoil.

To these four young men God gave exactly what they needed. They had knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning and they found favor. Deep challenges came and we know their stories of faith in their miraculous safety in the fiery furnace and the den of lions. Yet God positioned them, provided for them and protected them.

If you find yourself in a strange place today needing knowledge and understanding that you are short of, ask God to provide what you need. He has done it before, I’ve seen Him do it for me and He can do it for you. Trust His hand of care, trust His face of love and walk with Him through the challenges.

Father God, Thank you for the stories of old that remind us of who You are and all we have in You as we trust You. Please guide me today to the knowledge and understanding I need as I walk in this place You have placed me. I declare my trust in You to provide for me all I need as I face the challenges of the day. Thank you. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

by Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

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Why Don’t You Ask

Devotionals — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 09:01:39 +0000

“…. give us this day our daily bread.” Matthew 6:11

You know the saying, “You don’t ask, you don’t get?” God makes it clear in His Word that He wants us to ask Him for the things we need. When Jesus told His followers how they should pray, He included a request for “daily bread.” In other words, God wants us to come to Him for the daily necessities of life.

I think it is very easy for us to forget where our resources come from. Most of us are very independent when it comes to making a living. We work to earn an income so we can buy food, clothes, and a roof over our head. We may work long hours away to provide for our families. Sometimes we get so focused on our own efforts that we overlook the reality that God gives it all.

Jesus’ earthly brother James, wrote in his letter, “You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.” (James 4:2) Could our lives be less hectic and our emotions be more balanced if we asked God every day to provide what we needed? The children of Israel were commanded to only gather manna (their bread) for the day. When they tried to store it up, it rotted.

Relying on God takes practice. Seeking Him daily through prayer and asking for what we need for the day means we must trust Him to provide. As we learn to trust in His daily provision, the anxieties of our own efforts are lessened.

Lord, give me this day what I need to serve and work. I trust you to do what you have said you will do and give me what I need today. Amen.

By Debbie West
Used by Permission

Fight Like Jesus Fights

Thoughts_About_God — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 09:01:10 +0000

“Like a scarecrow in a melon patch, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good.” Jeremiah 10:5 (NIV)

Say this as a Prayer –

In faith, I know this to be true:

By God’s grace, I am able take control of my thoughts, weeding out the ones that don’t belong—those that might lead me away from God (2 Corinthians 10:5).

This is a choice I make; I am not helpless in controlling my mind. God has given me the mind of Christ to teach me how to think like Jesus thinks.

God has already given me powerful tools “for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5 MSG).

These God-tools are ready for me to use and they clear the ground for my growth toward maturity (2 Corinthians 10:6 MSG).

It is true that I am more than a conqueror through God, who loves me (Romans 8:37).

I know that my fight is not against flesh and blood; it is not against my brothers and sisters. They may be used by the rulers, authorities, and dark powers of this world, but people of flesh, blood, and bone are not the ones who fight against me (Ephesians 6:12).

Because this is true, God tells me to use his weapons, such as “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23 NIV).

God renews my spirit and calls me to a single-minded purpose, aligned with his heart and mind (Psalm 51:10; James 1:5–8; James 4:8).

Lord, I hold all this to be true, and my objective is to rely on your divine power to demolish any strongholds.

by Jon Walker
Used by Permission