Today’s One Year Bible Verses: 1 Chronicles 9:1–10:14, Acts 27:21–44, Psalm 8:1–9, Proverbs 18:23–24

Help Them Find Me

There are people all around us who are quietly hurting.

Some are carrying grief they have never spoken aloud. Others are drowning in anxiety, overwhelmed by loneliness, weighed down by guilt, or searching desperately for hope. They smile on the outside while silently wondering if anyone notices their pain.

In today’s Gem of Knowledge, the Lord lovingly reminds us,

“There are so many hurting and struggling. Help them find Me for help and peace.”

What a beautiful calling.

Sometimes we think helping someone means having all the answers or knowing exactly what to say. But often, the greatest gift we can offer is simply pointing them to Jesus—the One who does have every answer.

Today’s reading in Acts paints a powerful picture. Paul and everyone aboard the ship found themselves in the middle of a violent storm. The crew had lost hope. They had gone many days without food. Fear had settled over every heart.

Then Paul stood up with confidence—not because the storm had ended, but because he knew God was in control and watched over them. He reminded them what God had spoken, that their lives would be spared, and that they could take courage because God always keeps His promises. Paul became a messenger of hope in the middle of despair.

That is exactly what Jesus calls us to be.

Our world doesn’t need more people pointing out how dark things are. It needs believers who gently point hurting hearts toward the Light.

Sometimes that looks like sharing a Bible verse with a friend. Sometimes it’s praying with someone who is overwhelmed. Sometimes it’s listening without judgment or offering a word of encouragement when everyone else has remained silent. You don’t have to rescue people—Jesus is the Savior. But you can lovingly introduce people to Him.

Proverbs tells us, 

“There are ‘friends’ who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24, NLT).

Jesus is that Friend. He never abandons those who come to Him, and when we point someone toward Christ, we are introducing them to the truest Friend they will ever know.

David understood this as well. Looking at the majesty of creation, he declared, 

“O LORD, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens” (Psalm 8:1, NLT).

The God who created the vast heavens is also the God who sees every hurting heart. No burden is too small for Him, and no storm is beyond His control.

Perhaps today God will bring someone to your mind. Don’t dismiss that gentle prompting. Reach out. Send the text. Make the phone call. Pray with them. Share the hope you’ve found in Christ.

You may never fully know how much someone needed to hear about Jesus on the very day you chose to obey. God doesn’t ask us to save people—that’s His work. He simply asks us to help them find the One who can. 💎

Action (5 Minutes with God)

Take 5 minutes to be with the Lord today. Ask Him:

• “Lord, what do You want me to know about this personally?”
  • Journal what He gives you through His Holy Spirit.
• Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
  • Journal what He reveals – then do it!

Allow the Lord to speak to you about this and show you who you can help today.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for being my refuge and peace when life feels overwhelming. Open my eyes to those around me who are hurting and searching for hope. Give me compassion, courage, and wisdom to point them to You. Help me to be an instrument of Your love, never drawing attention to myself but always leading others to Jesus, the only One who can truly heal, save, and bring lasting peace. Use my words, my prayers, and my life to help others find You. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

To read more 5 Minutes with God devotionals click here.

If Gems of Knowledge has blessed your walk with Christ, please subscribe or consider partnering with us today. Your gift helps keep these devotionals free for everyone and carries God’s Word to more hearts. Every seed matters—thank you for sowing into this work! 💛

Test everything by the Word and the Spirit (John 16:13)

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Jesus stands with open arms in a warmly lit doorway while a believer gently invites a hurting person out of a dark, rainy street, symbolizing Christ's invitation to find hope, peace, and rest.

Today’s One Year Bible Verses: 1 Chronicles 7:1–8:40, Acts 27:1–20, Psalm 7:1–17, Proverbs 18:22

There are battles taking place all around us that we cannot see.

People smile while carrying crushing anxiety. They laugh while quietly fighting depression. They appear strong while living in fear, addiction, guilt, or despair. Many are tormented in ways those around them never recognize. Some know where to turn for help. Others don’t.

The Lord drew my attention to this reality in today’s Gem of Knowledge:

“Torment is real. For those who don’t have Me to help them, they have no escape or defense. Be their defense today. Intercede. Intercess. Intervene between them and the enemy, to try and bring them peace. Then bring them to Me so I can help them. Amen.”

What a beautiful picture of God’s heart.

He isn’t asking us to become someone’s Savior. Only Jesus can do that. But He does invite us to stand in the gap. Through prayer, encouragement, compassion, and the truth of His Word, we can become instruments of His peace while pointing people to the One who is able to truly rescue them.

Acts 27 gives us a remarkable example of this. Paul was a prisoner aboard a ship caught in a violent storm. Everyone on board was terrified. The sailors had lost hope, the passengers expected to die, and fear had overtaken the entire ship. Yet Paul remained anchored in God. Because he knew the Lord, he became a source of peace for everyone around him. He encouraged them, reminded them of God’s promise, and urged them not to give up.

Paul couldn’t calm the storm.

But he could calm frightened hearts by pointing them to the God who rules over every storm.

Isn’t that exactly what God asks us to do?

We may not be able to remove someone’s pain, erase their circumstances, or instantly break every chain they carry. But we can pray for them. We can stand beside them. We can speak hope when they have none. We can remind them that they are not alone. And most importantly, we can lead them to Jesus, the only One who can bring lasting peace and true freedom.

David understood this as well. In Psalm 7 he cries out,

“I come to you for protection, O Lord my God. Save me from my persecutors—rescue me!” (Psalm 7:1, NLT)

David knew exactly where his refuge was found. When life became overwhelming, he ran toward God, not away from Him. That is the refuge every hurting person needs, and that is why our role is so important. We may be the very person God uses to pray for someone, encourage them, or lovingly point them toward the Savior they have yet to know.

Today’s Gem reminds us that torment is real, but so is hope.

There are people in your life who desperately need someone to stand beside them today. Your prayers may be the very thing that strengthens them. Your kindness may be the encouragement that keeps them going. Your willingness to share Christ may become the doorway through which they discover the peace they’ve been searching for all along.

You may never know this side of heaven how God uses your faithfulness.

But He does.

So today, stand in the gap. Intercede for someone who is struggling. Intervene with love, compassion, and truth where God gives you opportunity. Then gently lead them to Jesus—the only One who can become their refuge, their defender, and their lasting peace. 💎

Action (5 Minutes with God)

Take 5 minutes to be with the Lord today. Ask Him:

• “Lord, what do You want me to know about this personally?”
  • Journal what He gives you through His Holy Spirit.
• Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
  • Journal what He reveals – then do it!

Allow the Holy Spirit to place one person on your heart today. Pray specifically for them then do what the Lord shows you to do.

Prayer

Dear Father, thank You for being my refuge and my defender. Open my eyes to the people around me who are quietly struggling. Give me compassion to see them, courage to pray for them, and wisdom to encourage them with Your truth. Help me stand in the gap for those who are hurting, always pointing them to Jesus, who alone can rescue, heal, and give lasting peace. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray, amen.

To read more 5 Minutes with God devotionals click here.

If Gems of Knowledge has blessed your walk with Christ, please subscribe or consider partnering with us today. Your gift helps keep these devotionals free for everyone and carries God’s Word to more hearts. Every seed matters—thank you for sowing into this work! 💛

Test everything by the Word and the Spirit (John 16:13)

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A believer gently comforts a frightened person while pointing them toward Jesus, who stands in radiant light as dark storm clouds and shadowy figures loom behind them.

Today’s One Year Bible Verses: 1 Chronicles 5:18–6:81, Acts 26:1–32, Psalm 6:1–10, Proverbs 18:20–21

Honor Begins with God

Honor is a word that has lost much of its meaning in our culture. It is often associated with titles, accomplishments, influence, or the respect of others. But God’s definition of honor is very different. Honor is not something we achieve on our own—it is something we reflect as we become more like Him.

The Lord reminds us today in this Gem of Knowledge:

“I am honor. Honor is found in Me. If you want to be honorable, seek Me and My character. Only I, Honor, can make you honorable. Amen.”

What a profound truth. We cannot manufacture honor by trying harder or polishing our reputation. True honor flows from the One who is honorable in every way. The more we seek His heart, the more His character begins to shape ours.

In Acts 26, Paul stands before King Agrippa to give an account of his faith. Though he is the one wearing chains, he is actually the freest man in the room. Paul understood that honor is not found in earthly position, wealth, influence, or power. It is found in God alone. Because Paul had sought Christ and allowed Him to transform his heart, godly character had become evident in his life. His unwavering faith, humility, courage, and love for the truth made him more honorable than the kings and governors sitting in judgment over him.

This becomes beautifully clear near the end of his testimony. After boldly sharing the gospel, Paul says,

“I pray to God that whether quickly or eventually, not only you but everyone here in this courtroom today will become the same as I am—except for these chains.” (Acts 26:29, NLT)

What an incredible statement. Paul wasn’t wishing imprisonment on them; he was wishing salvation upon them. He understood that knowing Christ was worth far more than earthly freedom, status, or approval. Though physically bound in chains, Paul possessed something his audience did not—the transforming power of a relationship with Jesus Christ. That is true honor. It is the character of God being formed within a person until they begin reflecting Christ Himself.

The long lists of priests and Levites in 1 Chronicles may seem like little more than names, but they remind us that generations of people were set apart to faithfully serve the Lord. Many of them lived lives that history scarcely remembers, yet God remembered them. Honor in God’s Kingdom is not measured by fame but by faithfulness.

David echoes this dependence on God in Psalm 6. In his distress, he doesn’t pretend to be strong. He cries out for mercy and places his hope entirely in the Lord. There is honor in humility because humility recognizes that we need God.

Proverbs 18 reminds us that our words reveal what is happening in our hearts:

“Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction.” (Proverbs 18:20, NLT)

Then Solomon adds,

“The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” (Proverbs 18:21, NLT)

Honorable people speak honorably because honorable words flow from a heart that has been transformed by God.

This is why the Lord says, “Only I, Honor, can make you honorable.”

We don’t become honorable by trying to impress others. We become honorable by spending time with the One who is Honor itself. As we seek His presence, study His Word, and allow His Holy Spirit to shape us, His character begins to replace our own. Our speech changes. Our motives become purer. Our actions become more loving. Gradually, people no longer see our old nature—they begin to see Christ reflected in us.

Honor is not something we chase.

It is someone we follow.

And as we follow Him, His honor becomes evident in our lives. 💎

Action (5 Minutes with God)

Take 5 minutes to be with the Lord today. Ask Him:

• “Lord, what do You want me to know about this personally?”
  • Journal what He gives you through His Holy Spirit.
• Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
  • Journal what He reveals – then do it!

Allow Honor, Jesus, to bring you closer to Him so you may walk more honorably each day.

Prayer

Dear Lord, Tthank You for showing me that true honor is found in You alone. I don’t want to pursue recognition or the approval of people. I want to pursue Your heart and reflect Your character. Transform my thoughts, my words, and my actions until they honor You in every area of my life. May others see You in me and give glory to You. In your mighty name I pray, Jesus, amen.

To read more 5 Minutes with God devotionals click here.

If Gems of Knowledge has blessed your walk with Christ, please subscribe or consider partnering with us today. Your gift helps keep these devotionals free for everyone and carries God’s Word to more hearts. Every seed matters—thank you for sowing into this work! 💛

Test everything by the Word and the Spirit (John 16:13)

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The Apostle Paul stands in chains before King Agrippa, speaking boldly with a radiant countenance as he shares his testimony and proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Today’s One Year Bible Verses: 1 Chronicles 4:5–5:17, Acts 25:1–27, Psalm 5:1–12, Proverbs 18:19

Which Direction Are You Facing?

One of the hardest things for us to do is honestly examine our own hearts. It’s much easier to recognize where someone else is wrong than to ask God to reveal where we have drifted ourselves. Yet that is exactly what the Lord invites us to do in today’s Gem of Knowledge:

“I am only against you if you are against me. Look honestly within to see where you stand, then choose which way you want to go, closer to me or not. Amen.”

Notice that God doesn’t begin with condemnation—He begins with an invitation to examine our hearts. Before we can move closer to Him, we have to be honest about where we are.

Throughout Scripture, we see that God is continually calling His people back to Himself. He isn’t looking for reasons to reject us. Rather, He desires relationship. But relationships require two willing hearts. God will never force us to walk with Him. He invites us to choose Him.

In Acts 25, Paul stands before Festus and King Agrippa after years of false accusations and imprisonment. His circumstances had changed dramatically, but one thing never did—his allegiance to Christ. Paul had already chosen which direction he was going. No amount of opposition, injustice, or pressure could persuade him to turn away from the One he loved.

David expresses that same desire in Psalm 5 when he prays,

“Lead me in the right path, O Lord… Make your way plain for me to follow.” (Psalm 5:8, NLT)

David understood something many of us forget: following God isn’t a single decision we make once in our lives. It’s a daily choice to keep turning our hearts toward Him. Every morning we choose where our attention, our affection, and our trust will rest.

Even the genealogies in 1 Chronicles quietly reinforce this truth. Generation after generation, people made choices that shaped not only their own lives but the legacy they left behind. Every life moved in one direction or another—either toward God or away from Him. The same is true for us today. The small decisions we make each day slowly determine the direction of our lives.

Then Proverbs 18:19 reminds us how difficult broken relationships can become. How much wiser it is to guard our relationship with the Lord before distance has an opportunity to grow.

This is why today’s Gem is so important.

When God says,

“I am only against you if you are against Me,”

He isn’t threatening us. He’s revealing a spiritual reality. God never changes His character. He is always holy, always righteous, and always loving. If we find ourselves resisting Him, walking contrary to His ways, or choosing our own path over His, we are placing ourselves in opposition to the very One who is trying to lead us into life.

But the beautiful truth is that we don’t have to stay there.

The Lord immediately follows His warning with an invitation:

“Look honestly within… then choose which way you want to go, closer to Me or not.”

What a merciful God.

He gives us the opportunity to stop, examine our hearts, and change direction before we wander farther away. He isn’t standing with folded arms waiting for us to fail. He’s standing with open arms, inviting us to come closer.

Today, ask yourself honestly: Is there anything I’ve allowed to come between me and the Lord? If there is, don’t respond with shame. Respond with repentance. Turn back toward Him, because every step you take in His direction is met by the faithful love of a Father who has been waiting for you all along. 💎

“So the LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.” -Isaiah 30:18 (NLT)

Action (5 Minutes with God)

Take at least 5 minutes to be with the Lord today. Ask Him:

• “Lord, what do You want me to know about this personally?”
  • Journal what He gives you through His Holy Spirit.
• Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
  • Journal what He reveals – then do it!

Let today be a day of turning back to the Lord and drawing closer.

Prayer

Dear Lord, search my heart and reveal anything that has come between us. Thank You for loving me enough to correct me and for always inviting me back into close relationship with You. Help me to choose You each day and to walk faithfully in Your ways. Draw me nearer to You, and let my life reflect a heart that delights in following You. In Your name I pray, even Jesus Christ, amen.

To read more 5 Minutes with God devotionals click here.

If Gems of Knowledge has blessed your walk with Christ, please subscribe or consider partnering with us today. Your gift helps keep these devotionals free for everyone and carries God’s Word to more hearts. Every seed matters—thank you for sowing into this work! 💛

Test everything by the Word and the Spirit (John 16:13)

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A man standing before an open wooden gate at sunrise, contemplating the path ahead as warm golden light fills the countryside, symbolizing the choice to draw closer to God.

Today’s One Year Bible Verses: 1 Chronicles 2:18–4:4, Acts 24:1–27, Psalm 4:1–8, Proverbs 18:16–18

Rest in the Father’s Love

There are many voices in this world that try to tell us who we are.

Some remind us of our failures. Others point to our weaknesses, our past mistakes, or the ways we don’t measure up. Over time, if we’re not careful, we begin believing those voices more than the One who created us.

But today, God speaks something far greater in the cherished Gem of Knowledge:

“You are My child and I love you. Never think anything different.”

That truth is not based on your performance. It isn’t earned when you have a good day or lost when you have a bad one. It is rooted in His character as a loving Father.

As we read through the opening chapters of 1 Chronicles, we encounter page after page of names. At first glance they may seem unimportant, but every one of those names mattered to God. Every family, every generation, every life was remembered because each person belonged within God’s unfolding plan. The same is true for you. You are not forgotten or overlooked. Your Heavenly Father knows your name and delights in calling you His own.

In Acts 24, Paul stands before Felix, falsely accused and under constant pressure. Yet he remains calm because his identity is not determined by the opinions of others. He knows who he belongs to. Even while imprisoned, Paul’s confidence rests in the Lord, not in his circumstances.

David expresses that same confidence in Psalm 4:

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.” (Psalm 4:8, NLT)

What a beautiful picture of a child resting securely in the care of a loving Father.

When we truly believe we are loved by God, fear begins to lose its grip. We no longer have to chase the approval of people or prove our worth through achievement. We can rest in the unchanging truth that we belong to Him.

Proverbs 18 reminds us that God is wise in all His ways. His guidance is trustworthy, and His wisdom is available to those who seek Him. When we remember whose we are, we become more willing to trust where He is leading us.

The enemy would love nothing more than for you to question God’s love. If he can make you doubt your identity, he can weaken your confidence. But God settles the matter once and for all:

You are His child.

He loves you.

Never think anything different.

Let that truth become the foundation beneath every thought, every decision, and every circumstance you face today. 💎

Action (5 Minutes with God)

Take 5 minutes to be with Father God today. Ask Him:

• “Father, what do You want me to know about this personally?”
  • Journal what He gives you through His Holy Spirit.
• Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
  • Journal what He reveals – then do it!

Allow His voice to become louder than every other voice competing for your attention.

Prayer

Dear Father, thank You for calling me Your child. Thank You that Your love for me is not based on my performance but on Your unchanging character. Help me to reject every lie that tells me I am unloved, forgotten, or not enough. Let my identity be firmly rooted in Your love so I can walk each day with confidence, peace, and joy, knowing I belong to You. In Jesus’ beautiful name, amen.

To read more 5 Minutes with God devotionals click here.

If Gems of Knowledge has blessed your walk with Christ, please subscribe or consider partnering with us today. Your gift helps keep these devotionals free for everyone and carries God’s Word to more hearts. Every seed matters—thank you for sowing into this work! 💛

Test everything by the Word and the Spirit (John 16:13)

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A loving father figure embracing his weary adult child at sunset, symbolizing God's unconditional love, acceptance, and the security of belonging to Him.

Today’s One Year Bible Verses: 1 Chronicles 1:1–2:17, Acts 23:11–35, Psalm 3:1–8, Proverbs 18:14–15

Making God Your Greatest Priority

The business of life has a way of filling every corner of our days. Between family responsibilities, work demands, and holiday celebrations, our schedules can quickly become crowded. Before we realize it, we’re moving from one thing to the next, trying to keep up with everything that needs our attention.

In the middle of all that busyness, something subtle can begin to happen. Our closeness with God, our time in worship, our moments in His Word, and those quiet times spent with Him can slowly start to slip away.

As I thought about it later, though, I realized something.

When something is truly important to me, I usually find a way to make time for it.

If one of my children or grandchildren needed me, I’d rearrange my schedule. If there were an emergency, everything else would suddenly become less important. If I had an appointment I absolutely couldn’t miss, somehow I’d make it there.

The problem wasn’t really a lack of time.

It was a matter of priority.

As I prayed about that, the Lord gently spoke this Gem of Knowledge to my heart:

“You can always do better if it is important to you…if I am important to you.“

Those words weren’t spoken with condemnation. They were spoken with love. I could almost hear the Father’s heart behind them. He wasn’t trying to make me feel guilty. He was inviting me to honestly examine my priorities.

The truth is, we all make time for the things we value most. We schedule vacations months in advance. We make appointments, watch our favorite television shows, scroll social media, and find time for hobbies we enjoy. Yet somehow, spending time with God is often the first thing to disappear when life gets busy.

I’ve certainly been guilty of that.

In fact, just a few devotionals ago I shared how my evening worship had quietly disappeared without me even realizing it. It wasn’t because I loved God less. It wasn’t because I had stopped wanting to spend time with Him. I had simply allowed other things to crowd Him out.

That’s the danger of busyness. Rarely does it pull us away from God all at once. It happens one day at a time, one skipped prayer, one missed time in His Word, one evening when we’re simply too tired.

Before long, weeks or even months have passed, and we wonder why we don’t feel as close to Him as we once did.

Today’s reading reminded me that relationships aren’t built during occasional moments of crisis. They’re built through consistent time together.

When Paul found himself imprisoned in Acts 23, the Lord stood beside him and encouraged him. I couldn’t help but think how comforting that must have been. Paul recognized the Lord’s voice because he had spent years walking closely with Him. That relationship had been cultivated long before the prison cell.

David expressed that same confidence in Psalm 3. Even while surrounded by enemies, he was able to lie down and sleep because he knew the Lord was watching over him. That kind of trust isn’t developed overnight. It grows one day at a time as we continue choosing God’s presence over the distractions of life.

I think that’s what the Lord was really showing me through today’s Gem.

He isn’t asking us to perform better – He’s inviting us into a deeper relationship with Him

After all, every healthy relationship requires time. A marriage doesn’t flourish without conversation. Friendships don’t grow without spending time together. The same is true with God. The more time we spend with Him, the more we recognize His voice, trust His heart, and become like Him.

Maybe today is simply an opportunity to ask ourselves one honest question:

Does the way I spend my time reflect what I say is most important?

If the answer is no, don’t be discouraged.

His invitation is still the same.

Come closer. 💎

Action (5 Minutes with God)

Who doesn’t have 5 minutes for the King? Take at least 5 minutes to be with the Lord today. Ask Him:

• “Lord, what do You want me to know about this personally?”
  • Journal what He gives you through His Holy Spirit.
• Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
  • Journal what He reveals – then do it!

Let today be a day of honest evaluation with the Lord and realign where needed, because we love Him and He loves us.

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You for gently reminding me what truly matters. Forgive me for the times I’ve allowed busyness to crowd You out. Help me make You my greatest priority, not because I have to, but because I love You and want to know You more. Teach me to recognize Your voice as I spend time in Your presence each day. Draw me closer to You, and let my life reflect that You truly are what matters most. InYour beautiful name, I pray, Amen.

To read more 5 Minutes with God devotionals click here.

If Gems of Knowledge has blessed your walk with Christ, please subscribe or consider partnering with us today. Your gift helps keep these devotionals free for everyone and carries God’s Word to more hearts. Every seed matters—thank you for sowing into this work! 💛

Test everything by the Word and the Spirit (John 16:13)

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Jesus writes "Time with God" into a busy weekly planner filled with appointments, responsibilities, and reminders, illustrating the importance of making God a daily priority.

Today’s One Year Bible Verses: 2 Kings 23:31–25:30, Acts 22:17–23:10, Psalm 2:1–12, Proverbs 18:13

God Is Always Speaking

Today, many of us will celebrate Independence Day.

We’ll gather with family and friends, enjoy cookouts, watch fireworks, and reflect on the freedoms we enjoy as a nation. One of the greatest gifts we’ve been given is the freedom to make our own choices.

God values freedom, too.

He could have created us as robots, programmed to obey Him without question. Instead, He gave us something remarkable—free will. Every day, we have the freedom to choose whether we will follow Him, trust Him, obey Him…or ignore Him.

As I was spending time with the Lord recently, He impressed this simple but powerful Gem of Knowledge on my heart:

“I’m always trying to speak to you. You just have to want to listen.“

Those words made me stop and think – How often have I prayed, “Lord, why aren’t You speaking?” when the real question should have been, “Lord, have I truly been listening?”

Sometimes we expect God to interrupt our busy lives with dramatic signs or unmistakable miracles. Yet more often than not, He speaks through the quiet prompting of the Holy Spirit, a passage of Scripture that seems to leap off the page, wise counsel from another believer, or that gentle conviction in our hearts that nudges us in the right direction.

The problem usually isn’t that God has stopped speaking, it’s that life has become so noisy that His gentle voice is crowded out.

Distractions compete for our attention from the moment we wake up. Notifications, schedules, responsibilities, entertainment, and endless opinions constantly demand to be heard. Before we realize it, we’ve filled every quiet moment with something else.

Yet God is still speaking.

He’s speaking through His Word.

He’s speaking through His Spirit.

He’s speaking through circumstances.

He’s speaking through His people.

The question isn’t whether God wants to speak.

The question is whether we want to listen.

Today’s reading reminds us of that reality. In Acts 22, Paul faithfully shared the message God had given him, but many refused to hear it because they had already decided what they wanted to believe. Their ears were open, but their hearts were closed.

Proverbs 18:13 gives us a timeless warning: “Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.” How often do we do the same thing with God? We rush ahead with our own plans, assumptions, and opinions before we’ve taken time to hear what He has to say.

One of the greatest freedoms God has given us is the freedom to choose whether we will listen.

Every day He gently invites us into conversation.

Every day He offers wisdom.

Every day He offers direction.

Every day He offers His peace.

But He won’t force us to hear Him.

He waits for willing hearts.

As I think about Independence Day, I’m reminded that freedom is a tremendous gift—but every freedom comes with a choice. Today, may we choose not only to celebrate the freedoms we’ve been given as a nation, but also to exercise the freedom God has given each of us to draw near, quiet our hearts, and listen for His voice.

Because He is speaking…He always has been.

Will you listen? 💎

Action (5 Minutes with God)

Today, intentionally create a few minutes of quiet. Set aside your phone, your schedule, and every distraction. Open God’s Word and simply ask:

• “Lord, what do You want to say to me today?”
  • Journal what He gives you through His Holy Spirit.
• Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
  • Journal what He reveals – then do it!

You just have to want to listen.

Prayer

Father, thank You for the freedom You’ve given me—not only to choose, but to walk closely with You. Forgive me for the times I’ve been too busy, distracted, or unwilling to listen. Quiet my heart and help me recognize Your voice above every other voice competing for my attention. Give me ears that are eager to hear You and a heart that is willing to obey what You say. Thank You that You are always speaking because You love Your children. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

To read more 5 Minutes with God devotionals click here.

If Gems of Knowledge has blessed your walk with Christ, please subscribe or consider partnering with us today. Your gift helps keep these devotionals free for everyone and carries God’s Word to more hearts. Every seed matters—thank you for sowing into this work! 💛

Test everything by the Word and the Spirit (John 16:13)

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A young woman sits beneath a tree reading her Bible with Jesus beside her while fireworks light up the night sky in the distance on Independence Day.

Today’s One Year Bible Verses: 2 Kings 22:3–23:30 • Acts 21:37–22:16 • Psalm 1:1–6 • Proverbs 18:11–12

The Power of Our Words

Laughter is one of God’s wonderful gifts. It refreshes our hearts, strengthens relationships, and brings joy into everyday life. Jesus isn’t opposed to healthy humor.

But not every joke is harmless.

As I was praying this morning, the Lord impressed this Gem of Knowledge on my heart: 

“Jokes are fun, but be very careful. They can also be traps placed within you by the enemy to hurt people and cause great pain and damage. Amen.”

Those words made me stop and examine my own heart.

How often do we excuse hurtful words by saying, “I was only kidding,” or “Can’t you take a joke?” Sometimes we laugh because everyone else is laughing, never realizing our words have pierced someone’s heart.

The enemy rarely begins with something obvious. More often, he disguises sin as something small, harmless, or funny. A sarcastic remark. A cutting joke. A nickname that embarrasses someone. A story told at another person’s expense.

What begins as laughter can leave wounds that last for years.

In today’s reading, King Josiah responded very differently when he heard the Book of the Law. Instead of dismissing God’s Word or making light of it, he humbled himself before the Lord. His tender heart brought revival to an entire nation. Josiah understood that words matter because they reveal the condition of our hearts.

Paul demonstrated this same wisdom in Acts. Standing before an angry crowd that wanted to kill him, he didn’t respond with insults or mockery. He spoke with respect and humility, sharing the testimony of what Christ had done in his life. His goal wasn’t to win an argument—it was to win hearts.

Psalm 1 also reminds us to be careful about the influences we allow into our lives. It begins with walking, then standing, then sitting with those who reject God’s ways. That progression reminds us that compromise is often subtle. If we’re not careful, even humor can slowly shape our hearts until what once grieved us eventually makes us laugh.

This doesn’t mean we should become joyless or afraid to laugh. It means we should invite the Holy Spirit into even our sense of humor.

Before telling a joke, ask yourself:

Does this honor God?

Would I say this if Jesus were standing beside me?

Will this leave someone encouraged—or wounded?

Proverbs 18:12 reminds us, “Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.”

Humility is willing to let the Holy Spirit correct even the smallest areas of our lives. Sometimes the greatest acts of love are the words we choose not to say.

May our mouths become instruments of grace rather than weapons of injury. Let our laughter bring healing instead of hurt, encouragement instead of embarrassment, and joy instead of regret.

“Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked… but they delight in the law of the Lord.” — Psalm 1:1–2 (NLT)

“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be a blessing to those who hear you.” — Ephesians 4:29 (NLT) 💎

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Action (5 Minutes with God)

Take 5 minutes to be with the Lord today. Ask Him:

• “Lord, what do You want me to know about this personally?”
  • Journal what He gives you through His Holy Spirit.
• Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
  • Journal what He reveals – then do it!

Allow the Holy Spirit to examine your words before they leave your mouth. If you find yourself about to make a joke at someone else’s expense, pause and ask, “Will this build them up or tear them down?” Choose to be someone whose humor brings life, encouragement, and joy.

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Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of laughter. I know You delight in joy, but I also know You care deeply about the words I speak. Search my heart and reveal any habit, attitude, or joke that could wound someone You love. Forgive me for the times I’ve excused hurtful words by calling them “just a joke.” Remove every trap the enemy has planted in my heart or speech, and replace it with Your love and compassion. Fill my mouth with kindness, wisdom, and grace. Let my humor reflect Your heart and bring healing instead of pain. May my words always honor You and encourage those around me. In Your beautiful name I pray, Amen.

To read more 5 Minutes with God devotionals click here.

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A young man is ridiculed by another while Jesus looks on with sorrow, illustrating how careless jokes and hurtful words can deeply wound others.