Nate's Daily Devotionals (old)

Tips for making habits stick: More variety that is split into 3 difficulties Instead of just GYM, have other options such as BIKE or ROPE Each activity (G, B, R) is split into Mini, Plus or Elite with each increasing in difficulty Track which version of each habit you do each day Some notes: the MINI level should be something you are able to do EVERY day. If you can't do it on some days, then it's too difficult. Increase the difficulty of the any level once you find that it's too easy.

Dopamine plays a key role in deciding what be desire Our brain places priorities based on things that release the most dopamine We release dopamine when we anticipate things that will make us happy The highest dopamine is released when we get an unexpected reward for something Homeostasis means that our bodies require a balance This means we develop a 'tolerance' for dopamine Things that are hard and release dopamine become even less attractive to do since we are used to getting a high level The answer: Dopamine Detox Pick a date to be free from all dopamine  For one day: NO: Internet Phone Computer Music Masturbation Junk Food Yes: Walk Meditate Reflect Journal Track low dopamine activities Reward yourself with high dopamine activities AFTER 1 hour low dopamine = 15 minutes high dopamine

Chapter 2: The Power FOR Marriage Often I find myself serving others to gain a moral high-ground. This is not service, but rather it is just manipulation . At the root of this, is a self-centred pride issue. However, the gospel message liberates me to receive anything when I give to others. The death of Jesus, who joyfully and willingly sacrificed his life to clean my slate allows me to freely give and  freely receive Self-centredness makes you blind to your own sin while being hypersensitive by that of others We need Christ's Spirit to constantly be filling our souls so that we have enough love to allow us to love our spouse even when I'm not getting much affection or kindness I only find happiness after I put the happiness of my spouse ahead of my own - however this needs to be in a sustained way , that is in response to what Jesus has done for me Understand what Jesus has done for me --> liberated from needing to be defined by things of this world --> freely g...

Acts 7 Stephen goes before the Sanhedrin and retells the story of Abraham to Moses He highlights that the pharisees have always persecuted God's elected people and even though they say they are for God, their actions show that they are actually against him They have failed to obey his commands Stephen showed such great humility to even those that were trying to stone him - he understood that all of us are sinners and tried to show mercy and grace even to those trying to kill him

Ezra 7 Ezra comes to Jerusalem and the hand of the Lord was on him (v6) Ezra observed the Law of the God (v10) King Artaxerxes gives Ezra authority to establish the Mosaic Law Ezra's mission was to teach God's statues and rules (v10 v11-28 shows how Artaxerxes supports Ezra by commissioning him and providing further for the temple It clearly shows how the hand of God was over Ezra at this time

Genesis 7 Noah is told to go into the ark and take 7 pairs of every kind of clean animal Noah obeyed to all the commands God had given him God flooded the entire earth - with the water was higher than all the mountains Everything on dry land died and every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty years Matthew 7 Judging Others Do not judge others because however we judge others, that too is how we will be judged Jesus tells the people why do we rebuke others when we are too guilty of the same sin - we are being hypocrites when we criticise others but fail to see our own sin Ask, Seek, Knock God is a God who answers prayer - v7-8 God is also a God of love and he cares for us - v9-12 The narrow road The Christian life is not easy, it is narrow and difficult but it leads to life (v14) However, the gate to worldliness and self-righteousness is easy to fall into but it leads to death and destruction (v1...

Ezra 6 Details of the temple that is to be rebuilt is in exact measurements This shows God's precision and how detailed his holy place is It also demonstrates the holiness of God himself After they had finished building the temple, the people if Israel celebrated with joy The people praised God for allowing them to rebuild the temple and for allowing its completion Acts 6 They chose Stephen who was a man of God and was holy and righteous Stephen is captured and they produced false witnesses against him However, when they looked at Stephen he looked like an Angel

Genesis 6 The punishment for wickedness and evil is death  The human race is innately sinful because of the fall Noah showed faithfulness despite how 'crazy' God's plan might have seemed at the time (v22) Matthew 6 We should serve not infront of others for their reward but focus on the reward that is waiting for us in heave (v1) Give in secret and do not boast about how much you are giving, rather give with a heart that is forgetful and in secret (v2-4) When we pray, it isn't a public thing that we need to do to show others how spiritual we are. It is out words when we pray in secret that God hears (v5-8) Forgive others because he first forgave us (v14-15) Build up treasures in heaven and not this earth where it is temporary and fleeting (v19-21) We cannot have two things at our number 1 priority. It is either God or something that isn't God. (v24) Why do we worry? God cares about us infinitely more than the animals or flowers,  then why do we not t...

Genesis 5 We were created in  likeness of God (v2) This chapter details the chronology from Adam to Noah. It shows me that God's plan is faithful and always has a perfect plan (and timing) for everything Matthew 5 The beatitudes say that the blessed people are Poor in spirit because they will see the kingdom of heaven Those who mourn because they will be comforted The meet for they will inherit the earth Hunger and thirst for righteousness Merciful for they will be shown mercy Peacemakers Pure in heart Persecuted because of righteousness Rejoice and be glad for our reward is in heaven (v12) We are the salt - that is, we cannot lose our salvation because it isn't by our efforts that we gain salvation - God's people are a chosen people and we can't lose our identity in Christ We are the light - that is we were meant to shine our light before others and glorify God because of our holiness Jesus came to fulfill the law (v17-20) God would rather us re...

Genesis 4 Sin is dangerous. It is 'crouching at your door' and will always 'desire' to have us - but God tells us that through Christ we are to rule over it (v7) God is a righteous God (v15) The timeline and descendants of Cain and Abel are detailed (v17-24) Adam has another son named Enosh because Cain killed Abel (v25) Matthew 4 Even Jesus was tempted like us human beings We will not live just by eating and satisfying our stomachs - rather we live by knowing who God is and what he's done for us through his word (v4) Jesus was offered all the glorious riches of the earth (much like us today) - instead he revolted against Satan and knew the dangers of idolatry (v10) When Jesus called his disciples - they immediately left all that they were doing to follow Him (v19) Ezra 4 There was great opposition to the rebuilding of God's temple (v1-4) Xerxes and Artaxerxes convinced the Jews to stop rebuilding the kingdom (v5-24) Acts 4 Peter ...

Genesis 3 God called for Adam (the man) first, even though it was Eve (woman) who was the one that at the fruit first (v9) The wages and consequences of sin are grave and detailed from v14-19 Because we have sinned we will die (v22) Matthew 3 The kingdom of heaven (Christ) is available for us to approach if we repent (v2) Christians who have truly repented should be bearing fruit! (v10) Christ baptises us with the Holy Spirit (v11) We are confirmed that Christ is God's son, and if God is pleased (like in Gen), then he is also perfect - without blemish (v17) Ezra 3 The Israelites rebuilt the alter according to Law  because they knew it had to be specifically done the way God wanted (v1-6) Then they began rebuilding the temple, and celebrated when the foundation was laid (v10) Acts 3 Peter heals the lame beggar through the power of Holy Spirit (v6) The man then didn't praise Peter, but instead praised God who is the one who enabled him to be healed...

Genesis 2 God rested on the sabbath and made it holy (v2-3) It is evident that since the start of the first human (Adam), we were meant to work and take care of God's creation - not to be lazy (v15) It is important to note that before the fall, there was no shame (v25) Heaven will be like this garden of Eden before sin. There will be no more shame, just like how even now on this earth we can live with no shame because of Christ on the cross. Matthew 2 God continues to be faithful to his own word and promises (v5, 15) This chapter is full of recounts of Joseph's faithfulness to God (v21) but also of God being faithful to his people God will lead his people to exactly where they need to be and when they need to be there. His timing is perfect Ezra 2 The list shows that the exiled Judeans responded to Cyrus's decree and took it as a fulfillment of prophecy. The return is not just end of the exile but also a reoccupation of their ancient homeland They gave...

Gen 1 God created everything and saw that it was good. God's creations (the things on this earth) are a gift from Him God created us in His perfect image (Gen 1:27, 31) We are commanded to be fruitful and to multiply (v28) God will provide us with everything that we need (v29) Matthew 1 14 generations from Abraham to David, 14 from David to exile to Babylon and 14 from the exile to Christ (v17) The purpose of Christ was to save us from our sins (v21) God fulfill's all  his promises and Christ is just another one those promises (v22) Joseph shows obedience to God when called upon by his angel (v24) Ezra 1 King Cyrus of Persia declares that the Jewish exiles may return to Jerusalem and rebuild the ruined temple The book of Ezra is the story of God's work to fulfill his promises of bringing back His people from exile and establishing them again in their land (v1) The exiled people gather money and materials for the temple (v5-11) God's faithfulness...

Observations It is shameful for Christians to sue one another and take it to the worldly courts to settle disputes that should be settled in-house at the church. Especially since the Corinthian church at the time, no one bothered to consult the church but went straight to the courts first. Paul says that the magistrates in the court are probably both unbelievers and unjust in their judgments (v1-8) Paul says that those who are unrighteous - that is, they practice behaviour that is indistinguishable from the world may not actually be 'saints'. However we are a people who have been washed - spiritually cleansed from the guilt and dominating power of sin. We are sanctified - that is, God continues to intercede and work in us each and every day to be more like his Son. (v9-11) Application Disputes should be settled within the church and not at the legal authorities. I should constantly strive to be at peace with everyone especially those in the church no matter how hard ...

Observations The Corinthians were suffering from sexual immorality. Not just any sexual immorality but that of incest. Paul heavily condemns this behaviour, saying that he is there with the Corinthians in spirit. However Paul also says that even such a sin like this is able to saved through the power of the Lord (v1-5) Again Paul is emphasising that they should not boast. He uses the analogy of yeast and bread - saying that just like making bread, we should not use old yeast to make new bread. Therefore, we should throwaway the old (our worldly and sinful flesh) but instead take on Christ and his sacrifice on the cross. (v6-8) Paul says that church discipline should be hard on those who call themselves Christian yet are still living in unrepentant sin. We are not to eat and talk with these people in the hope that this abandonment will lead them to see their sin. It is not something out of hate but rather out of love. It is important that this does NOT apply to unbelieving people. ...

Observations God will judge everyone. We should remember that it isn't us who judges people in their final day, it is in fact God.Therefore, we should not jpronounce judgement before the Lord comes. In fact, God will reveal and bring to light any darkness and will disclose all purposes of the heart  (v2-5) We should not put our own understanding beyond what is actually said in the Word of God. In fact, Paul is saying to the Corinthians that they have actually forgotten that all they have is from God - and therefore they should not boast.  Paul then asks what do you have that you did not receive?  - repeatedly asking this question fosters deep humility and thanksgiving (v6-7) Paul implores us to imitate him and in fact, God has designed us to imitate other Christians, imperfect though they may be (v16) Imitating Paul as Paul imitates Christ Application Deep humility comes from repeatedly acknowledging that everything I have received I have received because o...

Points/observations In sin, we are dead. We are non responsive and a simply dead to all that matters However, the good news is that God saved us unconditionally - meaning he made us alive despite us not being able to do anything In fact, Eph 2:4 says that it was an act of "mercy". And not only this but it was only by grace we have been saved  - and raised up with him. This is because Paul is trying to emphasise the freeness of grace  that has been given to us If we are to live in Christ, it involves accepting the totally unconditional and free love that God offers to save us In essence, the freedom is the very heart of grace Application No amount of works can lead to salvation - is offered and delivered by grace alone through grace alone. I should spend less time thinking about what I can do to earn God's good grace, and spend more time remembering the salvation I've already received

Points of observation Our minds possess an amazing power to focus our attention on what we want to The bible repeatedly calls us to use this gift In Romans 8, Paul tells us to set our minds not on fleshly desires but on the treasures in heaven. Notably, if set our mind on this world we will die, but things of heaven leads to life Often we are too passive in our pursuit of change and peace but in the New Testament, Paul shows us a far more aggressive approach to change The mind is a window of the heart and if we let our hearts constantly dwell on the dark, then the heart will feel dark In fact, the great capacity of our minds were designed to focus and consider Christ and how he endured great hostility on the cross for our souls Application Focus and use my energy on the heavenly things - especially when tempted by sins of this world When anxious, stressed or afraid, use the capacity of my mind to focus and consider Christ and know that he will give me rest

Summary of:  https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/how-to-recognize-the-holy-spirit The presence of the Holy Spirit is perhaps our greatest blessing When Paul refers to "walking in the spirit" he focuses not on the Spirit's gifts but on the Spirit's fruit Therefore, we would do well in reflecting on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control We must also remember that Paul's list is not just for when we sit in isolation but also when we are with God's people Love: Do you labour for the good of your brothers and sisters? Our love no longer depends on finding something lovely; having felt hte love of Christ, we carry love wherever we go Such love compels us to care more about our brother's spiritual welfare than our own We gladly consider ourselves as servants Joy: Do you delight in the Christlikness of God's people? By faith, we have seen the glory of Christ - and now we delight to catc...

Thoughts Amidst pains and suffering we often cry out to the Lord about when the suffering will end and or how long it will last It is comforting to hear that those who believe in Christ are promised to be restored, confirmed, strengthened and established  by Christ himself There is assurance that God will not allow me to suffer more than I can endure God is the God of all grace  meaning that we need to endure until the end Faith in a future grace that is to come, strengthened by the memory of past grace is the key to enduring on the narrow and difficult road that leads to life Prayer points Amidst difficulties and struggles, I might rely on God's infinite grace rather than my own human strength and wisdom I would rejoice through suffering because of the victory in Christ that I have received already