Understanding God’s heart and mind, his will and ways, is among life’s most important lessons. Place a high value on those who can give the meaning of the Bible so that you can understand. Place a higher value on those who teach you how to understand the meaning for yourself and how to apply it to your life. 

Learning to feed yourself is a life lesson we dare not skip. Becoming independent in using utensils like forks and spoons is the kind of accomplishment parents and toddlers alike enjoy. Those first halting motions, the developing coordination, and the targets hit, and missed, produce laughter and delight. 

God delights in us as we learn to feed ourselves from his words of truth and life.  He enjoys watching us as we seek to know and experience him more deeply. He leans in to listen to our prayers as they move from simple to shaky to sublime. 

Self-discipline is a gift we give ourselves. The self-discipline of daily appointments with God to understand and apply his truth, and to pray for ourselves and others, enriches our walk with God and strengthens us for all life brings our way. 

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I will seek understanding, and I will apply the truths God has for me day by day.

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Our Father, please give me greater understanding of your heart and mind, your will and ways. Empower me to make the kinds of applications to my life that shape all that I think, do, and say. Make me more like Jesus as I continue along the way. Amen.