Seared in the fire. Crafted into perfection. Ready to be used. Just as the craftsman refines a tool for a select purpose, we were created in Christ Jesus to do good things. God has already given you ambitions and directions. Go fulfill them. Read more: http://odb.org/2015/06/03/something-new/

We prepare to pray, yet our minds wander and every distraction is magnified. That’s when we simply bow our hearts and say, “Lord, teach us to pray!”

Our Father has placed us in a field ripe for harvest. It’s time to get our hands dirty!

Kids love to imitate. That’s how they learn. And just as we pass down our wisdom, skills, or hobbies to our children, God asks us to follow His example. There’s no better way to learn how to love life and live life than from the One who created us.

God, you know me. You planned every intricate detail of my body, my soul, and my personality. And I love you for that.

It’s time to get rid of all the gunk—the dirt, the grime, the residue of old ways. That is not you anymore. You’ve been cleaned. You’ve been changed. You’ve tasted what is good and real and true. So live free.

Our days are filled with endless commitments, choices, fun things, not-so-fun things. Things we have to do. Things we get to do. Wrap your day in prayer because keeping your eyes on God will help keep everything else in focus.

It’s inevitable. Rough waters will come. But the good news is that you are not navigating alone.

Whatever it is that you do—do it well. Do it with purpose. Do it for Him. And at the end of the day, you can say, “It was good.”

When the storms of life threaten to overwhelm you and hopelessness is all you know, there is One who can bring peace to troubled lives. Jesus spoke the winds and the waves into submission, and He can calm your storm too. Just ask Him.