Daily Devotion - March 24, 2025

Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are like crimson, they shall become like wool. (Isaiah 1:18)

The call came from the airport. An unknown student had arrived from Africa, expecting to receive pastoral training. A kind teacher went to pick him up, and found an old man with decaying teeth, rotting shoes, and a beaming smile. 

Over time, we discovered he was the only pastor of a thriving congregation of a mere 4000 people. As his years were nearing their end, the people of his mud floor, thatch roof church combined meager resources to send their Pastor Augustin to seminary to receive training to prepare his successors. 

We learned to love this gentle, humble, humorous man. He nearly fell from my car in laughter the first time he gave his food order to a microphone in the life-size Jack-in-the-Box at a drive-through. 

The other time I remember him laughing to the point of tears was when this dear man from a tropical climate saw snow for the first time. He was standing without a jacket in the school parking lot, looking agape at the white flakes coating his shoulders. 

When he saw me, he pointed skyward and shouted for joy: “Look, look. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as this snow.” 

The power and comfort of the gospel come to our hearts, when we retain the wonder and the joy of such a simple, profound truth. The grace of God is greater than all our sins. Though they be as scarlet, through Christ’s pardon they shall be white as snow.”

Prayer: Lord, when grief and guilt for sin threaten to overwhelm my heart, renew my joy with the promise of grace: though my sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow.

Daily Devotion - March 21, 2025

Share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began. (2 Tim. 1:8-9)

The Nike slogan, “Just Do It,” can become a substitute for the gospel in hearts accustomed to exchanging performance for reward. 

We can even adopt the perspective that being a Christian simply means Just Do More to please God than other people. But how do you measure more? How much more will ever be enough to please a perfect God?

The answer, of course, is there will never be enough “more” in our performance to qualify us for an infinitely holy God’s approval. We simply cannot lift ourselves to heaven. 

Instead, the gospel assures us of that the infinitely holy and able God lifts us to himself “because of his own purpose and grace.” 

Such “lifting love” so lifts our hearts that we become zealous for our Savior. We want to please him. We are even willing to suffer for the One who gave us a holy calling before the ages began. 

He loved us before we could qualify for his care, called us to his work before we knew him, and empowers us by amazing grace for heaven’s purposes that will endure long after this world is done.   

Prayer: Lord, you saved me, not because of my works but through your grace. Help me to be gripped by an empowering love for the eternal purposes of this gospel, even if I must suffer for its truth on earth.

Daily Devotion - March 20, 2025

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. (Eph. 1:15-16)

In Ephesians, the Apostle Paul thanks God for people who are obviously flawed in many ways. They need his instruction for understanding God, worship, unity, forgiveness, family, and faith. They are people like you and me — broken, sinful, weak, and frayed. How can Paul give thanks for people like us?

 Paul put on his gospel glasses to see himself and others through the lens of grace. In doing so, he first reminds us all that our salvation and ongoing transformation are a gift of God, not a product of our works so that no one can boast. 

Then Paul reminds all such boast-less people that they have been loved eternally by God and will be the instruments of his eternal purposes. Through flawed people like us, God will bring all the world under the Lordship of Jesus. 

Paul gives thanks for people like you and me, knowing what God intends for all of us to be: transformed, transforming, and treasured witnesses of the necessity and power of God’s grace. 

Like any good pastor, parent, or boss, the apostle uses praise to help people see their potential not merely their problems. He empowers those who struggle by sharing a perspective of them provided by the lens of grace. They may not think much of themselves, but Paul sees all believers clothed in the glory of the grace of God and gives thanks for them. So should we.  

Prayer: Father, help me to put on gospel glasses, so that I can see myself and others as you intend. Help me to help others by this perspective of grace and the power of praise.

Daily Devotion - March 19, 2025

I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:12-13)

There is an old story about a son who was tasked with removing some stones from his father’s garden. Try as he might, the boy couldn’t remove the boulders. He returned to his father, saying, “I can’t do it.” 

The father told him to give it another try. Then, after a few more unsuccessful attempts, the boy said, “Father, I’ve tried with all I have, and I still don’t have the strength to do what you require.” At this, the boy’s father replied, “You haven’t tried with all your resources, because you haven’t asked me to help.”

That’s a good reminder for us all: We can do all that God requires of us through his strength! Apart from him we can do nothing (Jn. 15:5), but through him who strengthens us we can do all things.

When the task seems impossible – when your strength is clearly inadequate for accomplishing God’s will, do not forget to ask his help. We have not done all that we can for God, until we have sought to be strong in the power of his might (Eph. 6:10). 

Prayer: Father, when I feel weak or inadequate, please remind me that “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Do not let me neglect to ask your help.

Daily Devotion - March 18, 2025

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Pet. 1:14-16)

The Apostle Peter reminds us that God’s command is plain: “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” For the hot-tempered, rash-speaking, and thrice-denying-Jesus apostle those words could have been as scary to write as they are for us to read. 

Without Christ’s provision, those words should scare anyone! They should make us wonder, “How does God expect me to be holy? I know my weaknesses of temper, speech, and courage. How can I ever meet this standard?”

The answer lies in the identity of those that Peter addresses. Yes, they are called to obedience, but they are also called children. The only way that you can really be God’s child is if he is your Father. And, Jesus told us how we would really know our Heavenly Father: “No one knows … who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him” (Luke 10:22).

We know we are God’s children, when we believe him to be the One who sent Jesus to die for our sins. Jesus’ ministry reveals that Heavenly Father. If you believe Jesus revealed him, you are his child. 

When Peter calls us to be holy, he is not urging us to qualify for a relationship with our Heavenly Father; he is urging us to live for the Father who already provided Christ’s holiness to make us his children by faith.

Prayer: Father, I know that you have already made me your holy child by my trust in the work of your Son. Now help me each day to be more of what I am – a holy child, who loves and honors you in what I think, do, and say.

Daily Devotion - March 17, 2025

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. (2 Pet. 1:3)

My wife, Kathy, was helping our daughter with an algebra problem, and by the sound of it … things were not going well. Our straight-A student had burst into tears, claimed she couldn’t do it, and declared, “I’m just so stupid.”

Kathy rarely speaks with an edge, but her stern response was sharp enough to cut through our daughter’s tears. Said Kathy, “Don’t you dare say that. You are a smart and capable young woman, who has all the gifts to do this. Now do the work.” 

Kathy told my daughter what she needed to hear to do what was required. And what our daughter needed was a firm reminder of the knowledge and ability she had to handle her problems.

God may speak to us with a similar sternness from Scripture. When he hears our self-defeating cries, he lovingly but firmly corrects, saying, “My divine power has given you everything you need to deal with your problems and live for my glory and goodness. Do not give up. You can do this.” 

Even when we have reason to doubt our own abilities, we are called to faith in God. He promises to supply all that we need to accomplish all that he assigns for our witness and work. So, we trust his gracious supply and remain faithful to our calling.

Prayer: Lord, help me to remain faithful to you by trusting your promise to supply everything I need to live a godly life.

Daily Devotion - March 14, 2025

My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives. (Heb. 12:5-6)

When my children disobeyed, I would sometimes discipline or, other times, let consequences train them. I’m an imperfect parent, so I sometimes messed up by not doing these things selflessly — or making my children’s welfare my first priority. 

As a perfect parent, God always gets it right. He may discipline by direct means, or by allowing consequences to train us. But his gracious heart makes our good his priority in every divine action.

Without sacrificing one iota of his glory, God perfectly balances every measure of mercy and consequence. Though his approval may vary, his affection never does. Though his discipline may change, our relationship with him does not! 

Even when we are in the worst throes of discipline his parental sternness can issue, we are loved no less. Our need for discipline does not change his heart.

Prayer: Father, thank you for loving me enough to discipline me when my good demands it. Help me to believe your love is behind every consequence you allow, and that your purpose is always to turn me from my sin’s greater harm.

Daily Devotion - March 13, 2025

And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” (Rev. 5:13)

Dependence upon the grace of God does not make honoring Christ unnecessary or superfluous. Instead, our Lord’s great mercy should rouse love to honor him all the more, making his glory our heart’s desire and our life’s song. 

One day every created being will acknowledge his eternal glory, and the hearts of those saved by his blood already want to express that praise in what they say and how they live. 

Knowing what pleases God and how we may honor him provides much ability to satisfy that desire. That’s why studying God’s Word, learning from other believers, and listening to the prompting of the Holy Spirit in our hearts are important disciplines for expressing his glory with our lives. 

Explaining what blesses us and honors God is a sweet provision of his grace. So, today, take a moment to listen and learn about the grace and truth that God is speaking into your life so that you may bless his name in all you say and do – and sing!

Prayer: Dear Lord, as I study your Word, learn from other believers, and listen to the promptings of your Holy Spirit, please help me to join early in the praise that all creatures will one day give you by everything I do or say this day.

Daily Devotion - March 12, 2025

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain blessing. (1 Pet. 3:9)

As we live in this fallen world, so full of imperfect people, much can frustrate and even anger us. As we consider the progress of political opponents, the slights of family members, or the betrayals of friends, the human impulse is always to respond in kind. 

The grace that Jesus displayed toward his enemies and us who continue to betray him, sets a different pattern. To repay evil for evil is to become evil. Plotting how to revile those who have reviled us lets their sin control our words and thoughts. 

Treating others with mercy and forgiveness is not merely for their good, but for our own blessing. Ruminating on how to pay others back for their evil, or how to answer insults, can preoccupy our thoughts and invade our sleep. 

When we focus on our hurts more than our Help, we sour our joy by drinking from dregs of distilled rage. Every day tastes bitter because we lick our wounds until their poison fills our hearts. That’s why bitterness is the acid that eats its own container.  

It has been said that holding onto unforgiveness is like drinking poison to hurt someone else. Jesus provides different drink. As we bless those who curse us, we discover more of the heart of One who was cursed to bless us. 

When we forgive as we have been forgiven, we radiate Christ’s love and experience it. Forgiveness is not easy, but is blessed. It’s not possible, but by Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, you call me to forgiveness that is beyond me to teach me more of the Savior who loves me. Fill me with his grace to forgive as I have been forgiven. And when I struggle to do as Jesus did, forgive me and give me more of Jesus.

Daily Devotion - March 11, 2025

We have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. (2 Cor. 2:12)

Sometimes earthly things we consider solid and secure are anything but. C. S. Lewis expressed this idea in his book, The Great Divorce, where he writes of a fantasy bus ride that takes British tourists to heaven.  When these passengers step off the bus, they discover they’re hollow and transparent, but everyone living in heaven is solid and whole.

Lewis’s fantasy is meant to picture this life as a mist — a shadow of what is to come. In contrast – and counter to our ordinary thoughts – heaven is the more significant reality, the place where everything becomes solid, safe, and secure. 

So counter-intuitive are so many aspects of the gospel – being saved by God’s grace rather than our goodness, being secure in heaven even when the earth is shaking, being loved even when we were God’s enemies – that we require the work of the Holy Spirit to understand God’s grace. 

When by grace we are brought into God’s holy presence, then this reality will become perfectly clear. But while we remain on earth, we get brief glimpses of what heaven will be that comes with this assurance from the Holy Spirit: “No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor. 2:9)

Prayer: Lord, may your Holy Spirit make heaven’s blessings so real to my heart that I am made able to face the harsh realities of earth with the assurances of your grace.

Daily Devotion - March 10, 2025

This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (Heb. 8:10)

Today, many people speak about marriage like this: “We’ll wed for as long as we both shall love; we’ll stay together as long as we can keep each other happy.” 

Such sentiments suggest that marriage is a contract to be terminated if its terms are violated. Yet, contrary to common perception, Christian marriage is not a mere contract. A Christian bride and groom take vows to enter a marriage covenant. 

A covenant is prior commitment to love even when present conditions are not what we desire. We commit to one another “for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health.” 

The marriage covenant is meant to reflect God’s covenant with his people – his gracious promise to be their God, even when he knew they would fail and forsake him in many ways. 

Covenant love gives people security despite their sin, a foundation to start over again, and a willingness to forgive for the sake of another. 

A covenant relationship says: “Just because we struggle, doesn’t mean we’re done. I’m fully committed to you, and to working on what will heal us and make us better. My love is not based on your present performance but on my prior commitment.” 

That’s the love God’s covenant of grace establishes in our minds and hearts, and it is the grace he intends to secure the marriage of two sinners for their deepest joy and lasting love.

Prayer: Father, help me to reflect your covenant love for me in my marriage. Thank you for the security that comes from knowing love without conditions and beyond faults.

Daily Devotion - March 7, 2025

By grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Eph. 2:8-9)

It’s not possible for an imperfect person to become acceptable to a holy God by doing good – but not perfect – works. So what hope do we imperfect people have?

The apostle says that we are made holy by relying on God’s grace. That’s necessary because unholy people can’t make themselves righteous. Just as it’s impossible to clean a white shirt with muddy hands!

So how are we made holy? Paul says it’s not by our imperfect works, but by faith in the perfect work that Christ has done for us. We trust his sacrificial mercy to wash away our sin so that he will accept us and we can live for him.

Our good works do not make us right with a holy God, but because his grace makes us holy, we can do good works that honor him and bless others.

He doesn’t give grace because of our good works. We do good works because of his grace. The order never varies. We trust in the grace that fully cleanses us, so that we can now do what God long before prepared for his glory and our blessing.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the grace that washes away my sin and enables me to please you with the good works that you created me to do. Please give me faith in your grace to fulfill your purposes for my life today and every day.

Daily Devotion - March 6, 2025

Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak. (Exodus 4:12) 

Deep in the beautiful countryside of western Kenya, there live some of the poorest people in the world. In this remote and impoverished region, Anglican Bishop Simon Oketch served faithfully the churches of the small Maseno North Diocese. 

His position would seem unlikely to provide him any distinction, yet the Lord used him, as he used Moses long before, to be a faith leader for many through his simple faithfulness to God’s Word.  

Others have tried to shame Bishop Oketch for his devotion. But his courageous stand for God’s Word has strengthened the resolve of Bible-believing Christians throughout Africa. Those of the remotest jungles and deserts of that continent, and other continents, have turned to God through a man who trusted heaven’s priorities over his own place.

There are no people or places too remote for God’s grace or purposes! He who disregarded the shame and isolation of a cross to fulfill God’s greatest plan can still use those from anywhere in the world and any station in life to advance God’s kingdom. 

Prayer: Lord, help me remember that you choose the weak things of the world to shame the strong, and the insignificant to accomplish what is most significant to you. When I doubt my place or significance, remind me of your sufficient grace that makes your children shine as stars everywhere you want.

Daily Devotion - March 5, 2025

“Does he [the master] thank the servant because he did what he was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” (Luke 17: 9-10)

The master doesn’t say to his servant, “You have the privilege of sitting at my table because you’ve done the chores you were supposed to do.” The master has every right to expect that his servant will fulfill his obligations without additional reward. 

So, if the master says to the servant who merely fulfills his duties, “Sit at my table,” that’s not so much a sign of the servant’s deserving as of the master’s generosity.  

Similarly, just because we’ve done the good works that we are supposed to do, that doesn’t earn heaven’s privileges. What secures our place at our Master’s heavenly table is the graciousness of his heart. That’s the message of the gospel of grace! His mercy, not our merit, assures us of God’s eternal care.

When we perceive how generous is God’s unmerited mercy, and how great is the privilege of sitting at his table in heaven – even when we have not done all we were commanded – then we respond in loving service without expecting to earn the favor that is only granted by his grace!

Prayer: Jesus, I look forward to sitting with you at the great banquet in heaven because of your mercy, rather than my merit! May that sure hope that your grace alone makes possible motivate my loving service to you today.

Daily Devotion - March 4, 2025

He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment — to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. (Eph. 1:9-10 NIV)

It’s been said that “History is His Story.” But how does the story of Jesus unfold across all the stages of time? 

The Bible says that the big picture of God’s dealing with humanity across history began with a good creation that was spoiled by Adam’s fall. Now the redemption of all of creation (and persons) is made possible through the blessings Jesus made available through his death and resurrection. 

Ultimately all things will be perfected under Christ’s future and eternal rule, and all who have trusted Christ to remove the guilt of their sin will participate in the blessings of that rule.

In other words, God has a plan! He didn’t give up on us or our world because of past sin. That means he won’t give up on you either. Despite your sin, God provided a plan for your forgiveness and for an eternity that is free from sin’s consequences. 

We grieve that sin takes such a terrible toll on our lives, but we still take heart, knowing that our Lord had a plan from the beginning that has been made possible by Christ’s gracious rescue. Your history never blots of the blessings of His Story.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, all of history unfolds your great story of creation, fall, redemption, and eternal perfection. Help me to live with confidence that this story is no mystery to you. As I trust in my Redeemer, who gave himself for me, make my eternity no mystery to me either!

Daily Devotion - March 3, 2025

You formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:13-14)

I love to watch the TV series Antique Roadshow. And I'm convinced that one of these days I’m going to poke around in my attic and find a Van Gogh or a Rembrandt. While I may not be a good enough art critic to recognize a masterpiece by its features, I hope that I will at least recognize its preciousness by the artist’s signature.

The Bible teaches us to recognize the signature of God’s handiwork on another kind of masterpiece of his making. Scripture tells us that a child in the womb is formed by God, a wonder of his handiwork. From the very beginning of its life, a child is God's masterpiece. That child is not a Rembrandt or a Van Gogh but a Jehovah!  

Every person is precious because, from the earliest stage of our creation, we bear God’s signature. We each bear God’s name because we are fearfully and wonderfully made by his amazing power and according to his eternal plan. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to realize that I am fearfully and wonderfully made by you and, therefore, am precious to you. And help me to see others the same way. As I encounter people today, may I treat them as priceless works of your art.

Daily Devotion - February 28, 2025

Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. (Col. 3:11)

When Billy Graham started refusing to segregate his crusades in the 1950s, and when Promise Keepers made racial reconciliation for men a priority in the 1990s, they were echoing the Apostle Paul’s charge in the first century: We are all one in Christ. 

Throughout history, believers have been learning what it means to be united as one body in Jesus, our Savior. When we celebrate this unity, we are really celebrating what Jesus has done to form his family.

As our nation renews its struggle with racial injustice and ethnic prejudice, Christians have special opportunity to testify to the transforming realities of God’s grace by treating believers of different backgrounds as brothers and sisters in Christ. In fact, we betray the grace that gives each of us Christ’s identity if we do not treat one another as family.

Ultimately this means that receiving one another in love is not just nice but necessary to fulfill God’s purposes. We are not called merely to tolerate those unlike us in race or ethnicity but to recognize that without love for them we fail him.

One day those from every tribe, language, people, and nation will sing praises to our Savior. To prepare for that day, we are called to love brothers and sisters united in Christ today. This means that we must not only appreciate and welcome the gifts and perspectives of those with different backgrounds but confess that we need them. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for making all believers one family in Christ! Help me share the beauty of my identity by loving all Christians and confessing my need of demonstrating such love for the sake of Jesus’ witness in a hateful world. 

Daily Devotion - February 27, 2025

We have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? (Heb. 12:9)

If hardships are not punitive, then why does God allow them? The writer of Hebrews provides the answer: “He disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness” (Heb. 12:10). 

God has no desire to harm his children, but in a manner similar to an earthly father, he wants to train us in character and conduct that will guard us from danger and lead to future blessings.

When a mother took her fevered child to the doctor, she promised the needed shot “would not hurt.” The doctor knew that was not true, and he spoke honestly to the child: “I may hurt you, but I will not harm you.”

God’s discipline operates similarly. It may hurt (all discipline does), but its design is never for our harm. Instead, God produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those trained by his discipline. He is a good Father, who loves us with the tenderness, wisdom, and power that are best for our spiritual health and eternal good!

Prayer: Father, I must admit that I don’t enjoy your discipline. But help me to accept correction or training from your gracious hand, realizing that your goal is to make me mature and complete in Christ.

Daily Devotion - February 26, 2025

Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. (Psalm 119:129-30)

If our reason for reading our Bibles is to keep God from being mad at us, then we’re reading to earn points that we can use to barter with God for his mercy. That’s not how he desires for us to use his Word.

God wants a relationship with us. He doesn’t want us to read a few verses every day just to get them checked off our “to-do” list – or to keep him off our backs. 

Attempts to convert Bible reading (or prayer, or church attendance, etc.) to obedience nickels that we can plug into a celestial vending machine dispensing heaven’s blessings, always fall apart when we remember that our best works are filthy rags to God. 

The only way we can have a loving relationship with him is not to view any spiritual discipline as a holy bribe, but as bread – God’s gracious provision to nourish and strengthen our faith in his heart.

So, the next time you’re reading your Bible, let the message of his love satisfy you, rather than trying to manipulate him!

Prayer: Father, help me to relish my daily bread of your care through your Word. Make our relationship sweeter, richer and stronger by the grace you reveal that nourishes my faith and binds my heart to yours.

Daily Devotion - February 25, 2025

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” It’s important to note that the Lord does not tell us to request strawberry shortcake or filet mignon, though he is certainly capable of providing such pleasures.

Praying for our daily bread is a request for God to provide our necessities not to be mastered by every personal whim or fancy. But doesn’t this contradict his promise to give us the desires of our hearts? No. God does not contradict himself. 

God’s promise to give you the desires of your heart follows his instruction to delight yourself in him. If he is our greatest delight, then delighting him will be our greatest desire. 

God will inevitably fulfill such desires when we pray for our daily bread from him. Jesus taught us that his provision of such necessities is what enables us to do the will of the Father (Jn. 4:34).  So, when we pray for daily bread, we are praying for whatever is necessary to fulfill God’s purposes. He is certain to provide this bread, and certain to fulfill our deepest desires to delight him in whom we most delight. 

When we pray for whatever is necessary to fulfill God’s will, and delight in fulfilling his purposes, then, he not only gives what we most desire but more than we can ask or even imagine!

Prayer: Lord, help me to delight more in your purposes than anything else in this world, knowing when I ask you for the daily bread to live for you, then you are pleased to give me everything needed to fulfill these desires of my heart.