Today’s Spiritual Disciplines

May the Lord bless your Christian walk today and steady your faith journey with His abiding presence. Wherever you are reading—from a quiet kitchen table to a busy office—God is committed to finishing the good work He has begun in you. These daily devotions are not meant to overwhelm you but to gently guide you into consistent spiritual disciplines that shape the heart, renew the mind, and deepen your Scripture reflections.

This morning begins with “Life and Peace Begin in the Mind” from Romans 8:6. In As the Day Begins, we reflect on how a spiritually minded life produces life and peace. The meditation invites us to examine what governs our thoughts and reminds us that daily victory begins with intentional focus on the Spirit rather than the flesh.

At mid-morning, “The Debt I Could Never Pay—and the Grace I Must Extend” from Matthew 6:12 walks us through forgiveness in A Day in the Life. We consider how Jesus ties our experience of mercy to our willingness to extend it. This devotional helps us internalize the Lord’s Prayer and examine our own hearts for hidden resentment.

By midday, “When God Says Move—and When God Says Rest” from Numbers 9:23 in The Bible in a Year explores obedience. We discover that spiritual maturity includes both action and rest, and that alignment with God’s command protects us from unnecessary detours in our faith journey.

In the afternoon, “When Sight Becomes Testimony” from John 9 in On Second Thought challenges us to move from information to personal witness. The story of the healed blind man reminds us that lived encounter with Christ strengthens conviction under pressure.

Early evening offers “When Passion Speaks in Scripture” in DID YOU KNOW, drawing from Song of Solomon 5 and John 6. This reflection explores how biblical passion reveals covenant love and invites us to examine what truly keeps our hearts awake.

Finally, as night falls, “When Unbelief Quietly Takes the Lead” in As the Day Ends invites quiet self-examination through Hebrews 3 and Psalm 78. We consider what has prevailed in us today—faith or doubt—and surrender our hearts anew before rest.

May these daily devotions anchor your spiritual disciplines and refresh your Scripture reflections as you continue your Christian walk.

Pastor Hogg

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今日属灵操练

愿主赐福你今日的基督徒行走，使你的信心旅程在祂的同在中稳固前行。无论你是在清晨的餐桌旁，还是在忙碌的一天开始之前阅读这些文字，神都在持续完成祂在你里面已经开始的工作。每日灵修并不是要增加负担，而是要在规律的属灵操练中，引导我们进入与神更亲密的关系，使心被更新，使思想被调整，使生命在圣经反思中渐渐成熟。

清晨的灵修《生命与平安始于心思》（罗马书 8:6）带领我们思想“属灵的心思意念乃是生命平安”。在《As the Day Begins》的默想中，我们将探讨是什么在主导我们的思想，以及如何有意识地把注意力从属肉体转向圣灵，使一天从平安开始。

上午的灵修《我无法偿还的债——我必须施予的恩典》（马太福音 6:12）在《A Day in the Life》中帮助我们进入主祷文的核心。我们将反思神如何将祂赦免我们的恩典，与我们是否愿意饶恕他人紧密相连，引导我们在日常生活中活出真正的怜悯。

中午的《当神说走，也当神说停》（民数记 9:23）在《The Bible in a Year》中提醒我们顺服的节奏。以色列人在旷野“遵耶和华的吩咐安营，遵耶和华的吩咐起行”，这教导我们，属灵成熟不仅是行动，也是安息，是在神的命令中生活。

下午的《看见成为见证》（约翰福音 9章）在《On Second Thought》中邀请我们从信息走向经历。那生来瞎眼的人所说的“从前我是瞎眼的，如今能看见了”提醒我们，真正的见证来自与基督面对面的相遇。

傍晚的《当圣经中的热情说话》在《DID YOU KNOW》中结合雅歌第五章与约翰福音第六章，帮助我们反思什么真正使我们的心保持清醒。神的爱不是冷漠的教条，而是立约的热情。

夜晚的《当不信悄然主导》在《As the Day Ends》中带我们回顾一天的心境。希伯来书第三章与诗篇第七十八篇提醒我们，若不信占了上风，生命便会在循环中消耗；但若信心得胜，我们便能进入神为我们预备的应许。

愿这些每日灵修成为你属灵操练的一部分，使你的圣经反思更深刻，使你的基督徒生活更坚定。

Pastor Hogg

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In Him We Rest and Breathe

As the Day Ends

“Our part is to believe God. His part is to be God and do what is ultimately and eternally best.” Those words settle over the heart like a gentle benediction. As this day comes to a close, Acts 17:24–28 calls us to remember who God is—and who we are not. Paul, standing in Athens, declared, “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.” The Creator is not confined, not dependent, not anxious. He is self-sufficient. The Greek phrase kyrios tou ouranou kai tēs gēs—Lord of heaven and earth—places Him beyond every earthly limitation.

And yet, this sovereign God is near. Paul continues, “For in Him we live and move and have our being.” The One who determined “the times set” and “the exact places” for nations also sustains the breath in your lungs tonight. Nothing in your day caught Him off guard. No conversation, no burden, no unanswered prayer slipped past His authority. The God who governs history governs your hours. That realization frees us from the exhausting illusion that we must hold the universe together.

Sometimes, as the day ends, we replay what we wish had gone differently. We second-guess decisions or carry quiet disappointments into the dark. Acts 17 reminds us that God “is not far from each one of us.” The Greek word ou makran emphasizes proximity—He is not distant, not aloof. He arranged our lives “so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him.” Even our restless moments are invitations. Augustine famously wrote, “You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” Tonight, rest is not found in answers but in trust.

Our responsibility is belief—steadfast confidence in God’s character. His responsibility is sovereignty—acting in wisdom beyond our comprehension. When we believe, we relinquish control. When He is God, He accomplishes what is eternally best, even when temporally unclear. As you prepare for sleep, remember: the Lord of heaven and earth neither slumbers nor sleeps. You can.

For further reflection on God’s nearness and sovereignty, consider this article from The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/god-is-closer-than-you-think/

Triune Prayer

Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I come before You humbled by Your greatness and comforted by Your nearness. You spoke galaxies into existence, yet You care about the smallest detail of my life. Thank You for sustaining my breath today. Forgive me for the moments when I acted as though everything depended on me. Teach me to entrust unfinished tasks, unanswered questions, and unresolved tensions into Your wise hands. As I lie down, let my heart rest in the assurance that You are governing what I cannot see.

Jesus, Son of God, You walked this earth under the same sky I see tonight. You experienced fatigue, sorrow, and pressure, yet You trusted the Father fully. Thank You for revealing what faithful obedience looks like. When fear tempts me to grasp for control, remind me that You are my Mediator and my peace. Through Your cross, I am reconciled. Through Your resurrection, I have hope beyond today’s concerns. Help me to believe that Your purposes are steady, even when my understanding is limited.

Holy Spirit, Comforter and Spirit of Truth, quiet my anxious thoughts. Where I have believed lies about my worth or my future, replace them with truth. Guide my heart toward trust, not striving. As I sleep, renew my mind and strengthen my faith. Keep me sensitive to Your leading tomorrow. Thank You for dwelling within me, making the presence of God a living reality.

Thought for the Evening

Release what you cannot control and rest in the One who controls all things. Believe Him—and let Him be God.

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Awake Hearts and Living Bread

DID YOU KNOW

The Bible is not a cold theological manual; it is a passionate love story. From the craftsmanship of the tabernacle in Exodus 37–38 to the poetic intensity of Song of Solomon 5 and the searching words of Jesus in John 6, Scripture pulses with desire—God’s desire for His people and His design for human love. These passages remind us that what fills our hearts, what keeps us awake at night, reveals what we truly worship.

Did you know that God designed romantic passion to reflect spiritual devotion?

Song of Solomon 5:1–4 is not shy or sterile. It is full of energy, anticipation, and wordplay. The bride says, “I slept, but my heart was awake” (Song 5:2). The Hebrew imagery conveys longing that refuses to rest. Even in sleep, her love is alert. This is not casual affection; it is covenantal desire. The man arrives with urgency, and the woman responds with expectation. There is movement, eagerness, even anxiety. True romance, as Scripture portrays it, is neither embarrassed nor indifferent. It is alive.

Yet this is not merely about marriage. Throughout the Bible, marital imagery points beyond itself. Ephesians 5:32 calls marriage a “great mystery” that ultimately refers to Christ and the church. The intensity in Song of Solomon invites us to examine our spiritual temperature. Is our love for God awake, even when the world dulls our senses? Passion in marriage mirrors the passion we are to have for the Lord. When love grows sleepy, devotion fades. When love is alert, obedience becomes joyful rather than mechanical.

Did you know that what keeps your heart awake reveals what rules your heart?

The bride’s confession—“my heart was awake”—forces us to consider our own inner life. What occupies your mind in quiet moments? What stirs your imagination? What do you replay when the day is done? Jesus taught that “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21). Our thoughts expose our allegiances.

John 6 deepens this insight. Jesus contrasts manna with Himself: “Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die” (John 6:49–50). The Israelites experienced daily provision in Exodus 16, yet many still longed for Egypt. Physical bread sustained them temporarily; it did not transform their hearts. In the same way, we may consume spiritual content without cultivating spiritual hunger. Christ does not offer a supplement; He offers Himself as the living bread.

If our hearts are more animated by temporary comforts than by Christ, it reveals a subtle misalignment. Necessary things—career, entertainment, even ministry—can become substitutes for intimacy with Him. The living bread satisfies at a deeper level than anything else. To feed on Christ is to let His words shape our desires and His presence calm our anxieties.

Did you know that the tabernacle’s beauty points to God’s passionate pursuit of communion with you?

Exodus 37–38 describes skilled artisans crafting the ark, the mercy seat, the altar, and the lampstand with intricate detail. Gold overlays wood. Curtains are woven with precision. Measurements are exact. Why such care? Because God intended to dwell among His people. The tabernacle was not merely a religious structure; it was a declaration that the Holy One desired nearness.

The mercy seat, placed upon the ark, was the meeting place between God and Israel. Blood was sprinkled there as atonement. That sacred space foreshadowed Christ, who would become the ultimate mediator. When we read these chapters, we see more than craftsmanship; we see intention. God is not distant or detached. He is deliberate in drawing near.

This same passion culminates in John 1:14: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” The Greek term for “dwelt,” eskēnōsen, literally means “tabernacled.” Jesus is God pitching His tent among humanity. The ornate beauty of Exodus anticipates the incarnation. The God who designed sacred space now invites us into direct relationship through His Son. That realization reframes devotion from duty to privilege.

Did you know that true love requires alertness, not complacency?

In Song of Solomon, the bride initially hesitates before opening the door. By the time she rises, the beloved has withdrawn. The tension in the text reminds us that delay in love carries consequence. Spiritually, complacency can dull responsiveness. Hebrews 2:1 warns us to “give the more earnest heed… lest we drift away.” Love demands attentiveness.

Jesus’ words in John 6 challenged His hearers so deeply that many turned back (John 6:66). Real love perseveres even when teachings are difficult. It listens, trusts, and remains. The bride’s awake heart symbolizes a vigilance that protects intimacy. In our walk with God, that vigilance is cultivated through prayer, Scripture, and obedience. It is possible to attend church yet grow sleepy in spirit. The call is to remain awake—sensitive to conviction, eager for fellowship, quick to respond.

Passion without discipline burns out; discipline without passion dries up. Scripture invites us to both. The tabernacle shows ordered devotion; the Song displays fervent affection; John 6 reveals sustaining truth. Together they paint a portrait of holistic love—structured yet vibrant, anchored yet alive.

As you reflect on these passages, consider what occupies your heart’s attention. Are you feeding on the living bread, or merely sampling substitutes? Is your love alert, or has it grown drowsy? Dedicate yourself intentionally to love—love of family, love of neighbor, and above all love of Christ. Let your heart remain awake to His presence.

The God who crafted beauty in Exodus, who inspired poetic longing in Song of Solomon, and who declared Himself the bread of life in John invites you into a relationship that is alive and enduring. True romance with God does not fade with familiarity. It deepens with devotion.

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Anchored or Adrift?

On Second Thought

There is something unsettling about the word drift. It does not sound rebellious. It does not sound dramatic. It sounds almost harmless. A boat does not announce that it is leaving the dock; it simply moves with the current. A heart rarely declares that it will abandon Christ; it simply loosens its grip.

Hebrews 2:1 gives a sober warning: “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.” The Greek word translated “slip” or “drift away” is pararreō, a nautical term describing something slowly carried downstream. The writer is not describing open apostasy, but subtle neglect. That is what makes drifting so dangerous. It feels gradual, almost invisible.

I have seen this in pastoral ministry more times than I can count. Two friends begin with zeal—Bible open, prayers frequent, service joyful. Then pressures increase, schedules fill, compromises creep in. The movies seem harmless. The friendships shift. The Word becomes occasional instead of daily. Nothing dramatic happens at first. In fact, the enemy whispers, “See? Nothing happened.” But something did happen. The heart shifted.

Titus 1:9 calls leaders—and by extension every believer—to be “holding fast the faithful word.” The phrase “holding fast” comes from the Greek antechomenon, meaning to cling firmly, to grip with intention. Drifting happens when gripping stops. Sound doctrine, Paul tells Titus, is not abstract theology. It is stabilizing truth. It enables us “to exhort and convict those who contradict.” The Word both strengthens and corrects. Without it, our discernment weakens.

Compromise rarely begins with a public declaration; it begins with small concessions. Hebrews urges us to “give the more earnest heed.” The word for “earnest heed” (prosechō) implies attentive devotion, careful focus. When attention wanes, direction changes. It is possible to attend church and still drift. It is possible to sing worship songs and still loosen your anchor. Drifting is not always visible in outward activity; it often shows first in inward affections.

The paradox is that no one intends to drift. In fact, most of us would insist we are committed. Yet all of us feel the subtle temptation not to be “too serious” about our faith. The culture gently pressures us to moderate our devotion so we will not appear extreme. But consider Christ. He did not moderate obedience to the Father. He did not compromise holiness for acceptance. He “gave up everything,” as Philippians 2 reminds us, emptying Himself and becoming obedient unto death.

If Jesus took the will of His Father with utmost seriousness, how can we treat it lightly?

The writer of Hebrews continues in 2:3, asking, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” Notice the word neglect. Salvation is not rejected outright in this warning; it is neglected. The danger is not hostility but apathy. Neglect happens slowly. It is the missed prayer time. The Bible left unopened. The justified compromise. Over time, the attitude shifts. Lifestyle follows.

Yet there is hope embedded in the warning. If drifting happens subtly, anchoring can happen deliberately. “Anchor your life to the Word of God and you will never drift.” That statement is not sentimental; it is structural. An anchor does not remove the waves. It stabilizes the vessel amid them. Psalm 119:105 declares, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” The Word does not eliminate darkness, but it guides through it.

Charles Spurgeon once said, “A Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” That observation is both gentle and searching. Regular exposure to Scripture reshapes the heart. It renews the mind. It recalibrates affection. The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to form the people of God.

And here is another layer we must not miss: drifting is rarely solitary. The Christian song referenced in the study tells of two friends who began together. Community matters. Hebrews later exhorts us not to forsake assembling together (Hebrews 10:25). Isolation accelerates drift. Shared accountability slows it. We need voices around us who hold fast when our grip weakens.

None of us is immune. The strongest believer can drift if vigilance relaxes. But grace remains greater. The same Christ who warns also intercedes. The same Spirit who convicts also restores. If you sense that your devotion has cooled, the solution is not despair but return. Draw near again. Reopen the Word. Reengage in prayer. Confess compromise. Re-anchor.

Drifting does not have to define your story.

On Second Thought

Here is the paradox we rarely consider: drifting often feels like freedom. To loosen our grip can feel like relief. To moderate devotion can seem like balance. The world applauds flexibility. But the irony is this—what we call freedom may actually be bondage to current and tide. A boat without anchor is not liberated; it is vulnerable. It goes wherever forces stronger than itself dictate.

In the same way, a believer untethered from the Word is not free; he is at the mercy of culture, emotion, and impulse. We imagine that relaxing our spiritual discipline will make life lighter. Yet neglect quietly erodes joy, clarity, and conviction. The anchor of Scripture does not restrict us; it stabilizes us. It keeps us from being “tossed to and fro” (Ephesians 4:14). What feels like seriousness is actually safety. What seems like discipline is actually delight in disguise.

On second thought, perhaps the greater risk is not being too devoted—but not being devoted enough. Christ did not drift from the Father’s will. He held fast, even unto the cross. And because He held fast, we are held secure. The invitation is not to strain harder in fear, but to cling more firmly in gratitude. Anchored hearts are steady hearts.

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Between the Cherubim

Learning to Speak and Listen
The Bible in a Year

“When Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims; and he spake unto him.” — Numbers 7:89

As we journey through Scripture together this year, we come to a quiet but powerful scene at the close of Numbers 7. The tabernacle has just been dedicated. For twelve days, the leaders of Israel brought offerings—carefully measured gifts of silver, gold, grain, and animals. There was structure, ceremony, and obedience. And then, when the public celebration concluded, Moses did something deeply personal: he went into the tabernacle to speak with God.

That detail arrests me. After the noise of dedication came the stillness of communion. Moses “was gone into the tabernacle… to speak with Him.” The Hebrew verb suggests intentional movement. He did not drift into prayer; he went. This is supplication—deliberate conversation with God. Moses sensed his need. Leadership without prayer would become hollow. Service without communion would become mechanical.

The lesson is simple and searching. Man needs to speak with God. If prayer is absent, spiritual vitality will wither. James writes, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (James 4:8). That is not poetic exaggeration; it is covenant principle. If God seems distant, the text gently implies that we have stepped back. As Matthew Henry observed, “Those that would have communion with God must carefully keep up their attendance on Him.” The life of prayer is not optional for the believer; it is oxygen.

Yet Numbers 7:89 reveals something more than supplication. It reveals reciprocation. “Then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him.” When Moses entered to speak, he discovered that God was already prepared to respond. This is the rhythm of relationship. Prayer is not monologue; it is dialogue. We do not pray into emptiness. We pray to the living God.

The principle woven throughout Scripture is that God delights to answer seeking hearts. Jeremiah 29:13 echoes it: “Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” In the New Testament, Jesus assures us, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find” (Matthew 7:7). The God of the tabernacle is not silent toward His people. He speaks—through His Word, through conviction, through guidance shaped by truth.

But where did God speak from? The verse is specific: “from off the mercy seat… from between the two cherubims.” This is the location. It matters deeply. Exodus 25:22 records God’s promise: “There I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat.” The mercy seat, or kapporet in Hebrew, was the covering of the ark of the covenant. It was the place where sacrificial blood was sprinkled on the Day of Atonement. It was the meeting place of justice and mercy.

The imagery points forward unmistakably to Christ. Paul declares in 1 Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” The mercy seat foreshadowed Calvary. God communes with man on the basis of atonement. We do not stroll casually into His presence; we come through blood—fulfilled in the cross. The Greek term for propitiation in Romans 3:25, hilastērion, carries the same idea as mercy seat. Christ is our meeting place.

This truth steadies my heart. Prayer is not grounded in my worthiness but in Christ’s mediation. I speak with God not because I have performed flawlessly, but because Jesus has reconciled me. That reality changes the tone of prayer from anxiety to gratitude.

As we reflect on this passage within our year-long study of Scripture, we should ask practical questions. Have we moved intentionally toward God, or do we wait passively for spiritual warmth? Do we cultivate space for quiet communion after seasons of activity? The dedication of the tabernacle was public and elaborate, yet the communion was personal and simple. Moses went in alone.

In our age of constant noise, that lesson is timely. We can fill our lives with religious activity and still neglect the quiet place. The tabernacle reminds us that worship culminates in relationship. A.W. Tozer once wrote, “The man who would truly know God must give time to Him.” That counsel remains wise.

And there is comfort here as well. If we speak, He responds. The verse does not describe thunder or spectacle; it describes voice. God spoke. He communicated. The covenant God remains relational. Through Scripture illuminated by the Holy Spirit, He continues to address His people.

So today, as part of our journey through the Bible in a Year, let us practice what we study. Go into your “tabernacle”—that quiet corner, that early morning chair, that evening pause. Speak honestly. Confess freely. Intercede faithfully. And then listen. Open the Word and expect the God who once spoke between cherubim to address your heart through Christ.

For further study on the significance of the mercy seat and its fulfillment in Jesus, consider this helpful article from Ligonier Ministries: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/mercy-seat

The God who met Moses still meets His people—through the Mediator, by grace, in truth.

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Taught by God to Love

A Day in the Life

“But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:9

There are days when I read a verse like this and feel both comforted and exposed. Paul tells the believers in Thessalonica that they are “taught by God” to love one another. The Greek word he uses is theodidaktoi—literally, “God-taught.” That phrase arrests me. Love, according to Paul, is not merely a moral duty or a social expectation; it is a lesson taught directly by God Himself. This kind of love is philadelphia, brotherly affection rooted in shared life in Christ. It is not sentimental. It is covenantal.

When I look at the life of Jesus, I see what it means to be taught by God to love. Jesus loved the fisherman who misunderstood Him, the tax collector who betrayed his people, and even the disciple who would deny Him. He loved not because others were easy to love, but because love flowed from His union with the Father. “God is love” (1 John 4:16). The Greek word agapē there does not describe mere emotion; it describes self-giving, steadfast commitment. Augustine once wrote, “Love God, and do what you will.” He did not mean that love excuses sin. He meant that when our hearts are formed by God’s love, our actions will reflect His character.

The Thessalonian church had already begun to practice this love, yet Paul encourages them to “excel still more” (1 Thessalonians 4:10). Love is not static. It matures. It stretches. It grows in difficult soil. I think about how often love feels unnatural to me. Perhaps you have known what it is to grow up in a home where affection was scarce. Or maybe you have been wounded deeply, and your heart hardened to protect itself. The study reminds us that love does not always come freely because of sin. And that is true. But the gospel does not leave us there.

Paul had already told these believers that God would “increase and abound in love for one another” (1 Thessalonians 3:12). Notice the source. It is God who increases love. The Christian life is not a self-improvement program where I grit my teeth and try harder to be kind. It is a transformation where the Holy Spirit forms Christ’s character in me. As John Stott observed, “Love is not a sentimental emotion but a practical commitment.” That commitment becomes possible when God supplies what we lack.

In the life of Jesus, we see this divine enablement embodied. When He encountered the woman caught in adultery, He did not condone her sin, but neither did He crush her. His love was truthful and restorative. When He washed the disciples’ feet in John 13, He demonstrated that love stoops. He knew Judas would betray Him, yet He washed his feet. That is love taught by God.

If I am honest, there are people I find difficult to love. Perhaps you do as well. The question is not whether love is required; Scripture is clear. The question is how. Paul’s answer is that God Himself becomes our instructor. Through the Holy Spirit, He reshapes our reactions, softens our defenses, and multiplies our capacity to care. The Spirit of God takes the truth that “God is love” and makes it experiential in our relationships.

Sometimes the struggle is not whether we love, but how we express it. You may care deeply but feel awkward putting affection into words. You may serve tirelessly but rarely say, “I love you.” God understands that limitation. He is prepared to teach us expression as well as intention. Love may look like patient listening, a handwritten note, a prayer whispered over someone’s name, or forgiveness extended before it is deserved. In each case, the source is the same: God’s love overflowing through us.

In a culture that often confuses love with affirmation of every desire, the biblical vision is more insightful and enduring. Biblical love seeks the good of the other in light of God’s truth. It refuses to abandon righteousness, yet it refuses to abandon the person either. As C.S. Lewis wrote in Mere Christianity, “Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person’s ultimate good.” That ultimate good is conformity to Christ.

Today, as I consider a day in the life of Jesus, I ask myself: where is God teaching me to love more deeply? Perhaps it is within my own family. Perhaps it is in the church. Perhaps it is toward someone who feels like an enemy. The promise of 1 Thessalonians 4:9 is that I am not left alone in the effort. The same God who commands love supplies it. The same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead dwells within me to empower obedience.

If you are struggling to love someone, do not withdraw in frustration. Bring that name before God. Admit your limitations. Ask Him to teach you. Ask Him to cause His love to overflow. He is the authority on love. And He delights to train His children in what reflects His own heart.

For further reflection on Christian love and spiritual growth, consider this article from The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/what-is-biblical-love/

As we walk through this day, let us remember that love is not self-generated; it is God-given. And every difficult relationship becomes a classroom where God Himself is the teacher.

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Mercy Is the Place We Start Again

As the Day Begins

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.” — Titus 3:5

There is a quiet relief that comes when we finally stop defending ourselves before God. The apostle Paul writes to Titus with clarity: our salvation does not rest on “works of righteousness” but on mercy. The Greek phrase ouk ex ergōn tōn en dikaiosynē reminds us that even our most disciplined efforts at moral living cannot purchase grace. Salvation flows instead from God’s eleos—His covenant mercy, His tender compassion that moves toward sinners rather than away from them. When we awaken to the reality that we have yielded to temptation, the path forward is not self-justification or spiritual bargaining. It is confession. It is returning.

Many believers begin the day burdened by yesterday’s failures. We rehearse what we said, what we thought, what we did. We imagine that if we just try harder today, we can even the scales. But the gospel dismantles that illusion. As theologian J.I. Packer once wrote, “The gospel is not good advice but good news.” The good news is that mercy precedes improvement. In Titus 3:5–6, Paul continues by speaking of “the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” The word palingenesia (regeneration) means a new birth, a fresh beginning. God does not merely patch our mistakes; He re-creates our hearts. That means this morning is not a continuation of yesterday’s guilt. It is an invitation to begin again.

To begin again does not mean we minimize sin. It means we face it honestly before God. Scripture consistently links confession with freedom. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Notice that forgiveness rests in God’s faithfulness, not our performance. When we confess, we are aligning ourselves with truth rather than hiding in shame. And then, as the article reminds us, we choose not to “listen to Satan nor ponder the things that God has forbidden.” Repentance is not only turning from sin but turning toward obedience. It is a decisive reorientation of the heart.

So as this day unfolds, carry this assurance: mercy is not exhausted. You are not saved by yesterday’s discipline nor condemned by yesterday’s failure. You are sustained by God’s mercy. When temptation whispers, remember that your identity is rooted not in your struggle but in His saving grace. Begin again—not in fear, but in gratitude.

For further reflection on grace and renewal, see this helpful article from Desiring God: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/how-to-fight-guilt-after-you-sin

Triune Prayer

Heavenly Father, I come before You this morning aware of my weaknesses and grateful for Your mercy. You are not surprised by my failures, yet You do not turn away from me. Thank You that my standing with You is not built on my achievements but on Your steadfast love. Teach me to confess quickly, to humble myself without excuse, and to trust Your promise of forgiveness. When shame tempts me to hide, draw me instead into Your light. Help me to begin this day resting in Your covenant faithfulness.

Jesus the Son, Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, I thank You that Your sacrifice is sufficient for my yesterday and my today. You bore the penalty I could not carry. When I am tempted to atone for my own guilt through busyness or self-punishment, remind me that Your cross has already declared, “It is finished.” Shape my thoughts and desires so that I no longer entertain what dishonors You. Let gratitude for Your mercy become the motive for my obedience. Teach me to walk in the freedom You purchased.

Holy Spirit, Spirit of Truth and renewal, wash my mind and steady my heart. Where habits of sin linger, bring conviction with gentleness and clarity. Empower me to resist temptation and to fix my thoughts on what is pure and honorable. Renew me from within so that obedience flows not from fear but from love. Guide my steps today, and let my life reflect the grace that has rescued me.

Thought for the Day

When you fall, do not rehearse your failure—return to mercy. Confess honestly, receive forgiveness fully, and step forward in renewed obedience.

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Today’s Spiritual Disciplines

May the Lord bless your spiritual walk today and steady your steps in every season of your faith journey. The God who began a good work in you remains committed to finishing it. Wherever you are reading from—home, office, patrol car, classroom, or quiet retreat—you are invited into the rhythm of daily devotions and Scripture reflections that shape the Christian walk with clarity and purpose.

This morning begins with “Mercy Is the Place We Start Again” (As the Day Begins). This meditation on Titus 3:5 reminds us that our salvation rests not on works of righteousness but on God’s mercy. It invites us to begin again through confession, renewal, and trust in the grace that restores us daily.

Next, in “Taught by God to Love” (A Day in the Life), we reflect on 1 Thessalonians 4:9 and the life of Jesus. This devotional explores how love is not self-generated but God-taught, calling us to deeper affection for Christ and more intentional love toward others.

At midday, “Between the Cherubim: Learning to Speak and Listen” (The Bible in a Year) guides us through Numbers 7:89. We consider the significance of the mercy seat and the privilege of speaking with God through Christ, our Mediator.

Later, “Anchored or Adrift?” (On Second Thought) challenges us from Hebrews 2:1–4 and Titus 1:9 to examine subtle spiritual compromise. It urges us to hold fast to sound doctrine and remain anchored to the Word of God.

In the evening reflection, “Awake Hearts and Living Bread” (DID YOU KNOW) weaves together Exodus 37–38, Song of Solomon 5, and John 6. It reminds us that what keeps our hearts awake reveals what we truly love and that Christ alone satisfies as the Bread of Life.

Finally, we close with “In Him We Rest and Breathe” (As the Day Ends) from Acts 17:24–28. This devotional invites us to release control, believe God, and rest in the One who governs heaven and earth.

May these spiritual disciplines shape your thoughts, renew your heart, and deepen your trust in Christ today.

Pastor Hogg

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今日属灵操练

愿主赐福你今日的属灵行走，坚固你在信仰旅程中的每一步。那位在你生命中开始善工的神，必定信实地成全这工。无论你此刻身在何处——家中、办公室、执勤途中、教室里，或是在安静独处的角落——都被邀请进入每日灵修与经文默想的节奏，使你的基督徒生活更加清晰、坚定而有方向。

清晨，我们从**《怜悯，是我们重新开始的地方》（As the Day Begins）**开始。透过提多书 3:5 的默想，我们被提醒，得救不是出于自己的义行，而是出于神的怜悯。这篇灵修邀请我们藉着认罪、更新与信靠恩典，再一次从主那里重新起步。

接着，在**《神亲自教导我们去爱》（A Day in the Life）**中，我们思想帖撒罗尼迦前书 4:9，并从耶稣的生命中学习爱的真义。这篇文章强调，爱不是自我产生的能力，而是神亲自教导、圣灵所赐的生命流露，引导我们更深地爱基督，也更真实地爱他人。

正午时分，**《在基路伯之间：学习与神对话》（The Bible in a Year）**带领我们进入民数记 7:89。我们思想施恩座的意义，并明白今日我们能够藉着基督——那位独一的中保——坦然与神相交，这是何等宝贵的恩典。

随后，在**《锚定还是漂流？》（On Second Thought）**中，我们根据希伯来书 2:1–4 与提多书 1:9，反思属灵生命中那种不知不觉的漂流。这篇文章提醒我们要持守纯正的教导，将生命牢牢锚定在神的话语之上。

傍晚的默想**《警醒的心与生命的粮》（DID YOU KNOW）**结合出埃及记 37–38 章、雅歌 5 章以及约翰福音 6 章的信息，提醒我们：真正占据我们心思的，正是我们所爱的。唯有基督——从天降下的生命之粮——才能真正满足我们内在的饥渴。

最后，我们以**《在祂里面安息与呼吸》（As the Day Ends）**作结，默想使徒行传 17:24–28。我们被邀请在夜晚放下掌控，相信那位掌管天地的主，并在祂里面安然歇息。

愿这些属灵操练在今日塑造你的思想，更新你的心志，加深你对基督的信靠，使你的信仰之路更加稳固。

Pastor Hogg

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