📖 Faithful Friday — This Is Who He Is

All week we've been asking one question:

What does it mean to really know God's heart?

Today, in Exodus 34:5–8, God answers that question in His own words.

Moses had prayed:

“Show me Your glory.”

God promised: “I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you.”

And today... He does.

God describes Himself as compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and truth, forgiving—yet also perfectly holy and just.

This isn't Moses telling us what he thinks God is like.

God tells us who God is.

💭 Today's Truth

If you want to know God's heart, listen to how God describes Himself.

And after God reveals His character, notice Moses' response.

He bows.

He worships.

Because knowing God isn't simply about collecting more information about Him.

Knowing God should always lead us to worship God.

To know God's heart is to know His character so well that you begin to trust Him before you understand Him.

🙏 Today's Prayer

Lord, today I simply want to worship You for who You are. Thank You for Your compassion and grace. Thank You for Your patience, Your faithful love, and Your forgiveness. I praise You because You are holy, just, faithful, and true. Help me know Your character so deeply that I trust You even when I don't understand what You are doing. More than Your gifts, I want You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

If that prayer expresses your heart, pray it with me—or find your own words.

But today, before you begin telling God what you need...

spend some time worshiping Him for who He is.

What a journey this week has been.  Thanks for hanging in there with me!

We began Monday with:

The greatest blessing God gives us is Himself.

And perhaps there is no better way to finish than this:

If God Himself is our greatest treasure, let's worship Him for Himself.

🎙️ Today's Five More Minutes is also available wherever you listen to podcasts.

📖 Thankful Thursday — He Has Made Himself Known

We've been walking slowly through Exodus 33 this week, and today we finally arrive at Moses' incredible request:

“I pray You, show me Your glory!” — Exodus 33:18

But what captured my attention today was God's answer.

God says:

“I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, AND will proclaim the name of the LORD before you...” — Exodus 33:19

I love those two parts.

Moses says, “Show me Your glory.”

And God says, in essence:

“Let Me show you My goodness... and let Me tell you My name.”

Moses wants to see more of God.

And God responds by showing Moses what He is like.

Just think about that for a moment.

God has revealed Himself.

He's given us His Word.

He's shown us His works.

He's revealed His character.

And ultimately, He has revealed Himself to us through His Son, Jesus Christ.

We aren't left guessing about the heart of God.

God has told us who He is.

And the more I think about that, the more thankful I become.

The God I want to know wants to be known.

He has graciously made Himself known.

💭 Today's Truth

God doesn't ask us to trust a character He has kept hidden.

So don't define God by today's circumstances.

When life doesn't make sense, God is still who He says He is.

When prayers aren't answered the way you hoped, God is still who He says He is.

When you can't see what comes next, God is still who He says He is.

🙏 Today's Prayer

Lord, thank You for making Yourself known. Thank You for Your Word, for the ways You have revealed Your character, and ultimately for revealing Yourself through Jesus Christ. Keep me from defining You by my circumstances. Teach me to know Your heart and trust who You are, even when I don't understand what You are doing. Give me a growing desire to know You more. In Jesus' name, Amen.

If that prayer expresses your heart, I invite you to pray it with me—or find your own words and spend some time talking with God today.

And there's one part of God's answer to Moses that we're intentionally leaving unfinished today.

God said: “...I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you.”

Tomorrow, in Exodus 34 He does.

🎙️ Today's Five More Minutes is also available wherever you listen to podcasts.

📖 Wisdom Wednesday — His Presence Is Better Than a Perfect Plan

Have you ever wished God would just show you the whole plan?

What should I do?

Which direction should I go?

How is this going to work out?

Those aren't wrong questions.

But in Exodus 33, Moses asks for something deeper:

“Let me know Your ways that I may know You...”

Moses didn't just want God's direction.

He wanted to know the God who was directing him.

And God's answer is beautiful:

“My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.”

— Exodus 33:14

God didn't hand Moses a detailed map.

He gave Moses something better—His presence.

💭 Today's Truth

God's presence is better than a perfect plan.

You don't have to know everything about where you're going when you know Who is going with you.

🙏 Today's Prayer

Lord, thank You that I do not have to know everything about the road ahead because You are with me. Teach me Your ways so that I may know You more. When I want answers, help me trust Your presence. When I cannot see what comes next, remind me that I can trust the One who walks with me. Let Your presence be more precious to me than any destination I am trying to reach. In Jesus' name, Amen.

If that prayer expresses your heart, I invite you to pray it with me—or find your own words and spend some time with God today.

We're continuing to camp in Exodus 33–34, and I am so thankful we're taking our time here.

Today, don't rush ahead.

Just sit with this:

God is with you.

Rest in that.

Walk in that.

And trust Him with what you cannot yet see.

🎙️ Today's Five More Minutes is also available wherever you listen to podcasts.

📖 Truth Tuesday — Draw Near

There was a detail in Exodus 33 that I couldn't get away from today.

After Israel's sin with the golden calf, Moses pitched the tent of meeting outside the camp—“a good distance from the camp.”

That distance mattered.

Sin had brought disruption where God intended fellowship.

But there was also mercy.

Anyone who sought the LORD could go out to the tent. And there, Moses met with God.

Scripture says the LORD spoke with Moses *just as a man speaks to his friend.”

The more Moses knew God... the more of God he wanted to know.

And here's where this becomes so beautiful for us.

We aren't Israel standing outside that camp.

Through the blood of Jesus Christ, a way has been made for us to come near to God.

Hebrews gives us this incredible invitation:

“...let us draw near...” (Hebrews 10:22)

Not because we've earned our way in.

Not because we've cleaned ourselves up.

Because Jesus has made the way.

And because being near to God is such a precious gift, we shouldn't casually cling to the things that pull our hearts away from Him.

Draw near.

And...*lay aside what entangles.

💭 Today's Truth

Grace brings us near to God—and teaches us to leave behind what pulls us away from Him.

Maybe the Holy Spirit has already been putting His finger on something in your life.

A habit.

An attitude.

Bitterness.

A compromise.

Don't walk away from it so God will love you.

In Christ, turn from it because He has already brought you near.

And remember:

Spending time with God isn't merely something you have to do.

Through Jesus...

you get to draw near.

🙏 Today's Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for making a way for me to draw near to God. Thank You that my access to Him doesn't depend upon my goodness, but upon what You accomplished for me at the cross. Search my heart today and show me anything I am holding onto that is pulling me away from close fellowship with You. Give me grace to lay it aside. I don't simply want to know more about You—I want to know You more. In Jesus' name, Amen.

If that prayer expresses your heart, I invite you to pray it with me—or find your own words and spend some time with God today.

And we're not finished in Exodus 33.

Moses already knew God in an extraordinary way.

But the more he knew Him...

the more of Him he wanted.

We're getting closer to that incredible prayer:

“Show me Your glory!”

I can't wait to keep walking through this together.

🎙️ Today's Five More Minutes is also available wherever you listen to podcasts.

📖 Motivation Monday — The Greatest Blessing

What if you reached the destination you had prayed for...

but missed the greatest treasure along the way?

Israel had sinned terribly with the golden calf. Yet in Exodus 33, the Promised Land was still before them.

The land.

The provision.

The promise.

But then came the devastating words:

"...I will not go up in your midst..." (Exodus 33:3)

Suddenly Israel was confronted with a deeper truth.

The greatest thing about the Promised Land was never the land.

It was the God who promised to go with them.

And that raises an important question for us:

Do I treasure what God gives me more than I treasure God Himself?

We should absolutely pray for provision, healing, direction, restoration, and open doors.

But don't become so focused on the answer you're seeking that you miss the One you're seeking it from.

💭 Today's Truth

The greatest blessing God gives us is Himself.

And here's another thought I hope you'll carry with you today:

Never become so focused on where God is taking you that you forget the treasure is walking with Him.

🙏 Today's Prayer

Lord, thank You for every good gift You have given me. But today, help me remember that my greatest treasure is not what You provide—it is YOU!  Keep me from becoming so focused on where I want to go or what I want You to do that I miss the joy of walking with You today. Teach me to treasure Your presence, know Your heart, and enjoy You along the journey. In Jesus' name, Amen.

If this prayer expresses your heart, I invite you to pray it with me—or find your own words and spend some time with God today.

📖 And we're just getting started.

This week we're camping in Exodus 33–34, slowly walking toward Moses' unforgettable request:

"Show me Your glory."

I cannot wait to see what God reveals about Himself as we walk through these chapters together.

We're not just reading through the Bible together.

We're learning to behold the God of the Bible together.

🎙️ Today's Five More Minutes is also available wherever you listen to podcasts.

📖 Faithful Friday — The Greatest Invitation

Something happened in our Five More Minutes devotions this week that I didn't plan.

Different passages.

Different people.

Different circumstances.

But the Lord kept drawing our attention back to the same place:

Himself.

And today in Jeremiah 9:23–24, God tells us what really matters:

"...let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me..."

What an invitation!

The greatest treasure of the Christian life isn't merely knowing more "about" God.

It's "knowing God."

💭 Today's Truth

God's greatest invitation isn't simply to receive His blessings... it's to know His heart.

And when I talk about knowing God's heart, I mean knowing His revealed character—knowing Him well enough that when life doesn't make sense, we still know what kind of God He is.

This week we've watched God change Asaph's perspective.

We've met "El Roi", the God who saw Hagar in the wilderness.

We've asked God to open our eyes with Elisha's servant.

We've learned with David that God made His ways known to Moses, not merely His acts.

And today.... We are reminded we have been invited to know Him.

🙏 Today's Prayer

Lord, more than simply knowing about You, I want to know You! Teach me Your ways and reveal Your character through Your Word. Help me know You so deeply that when I don't understand what You are doing, I can still trust who You are. Give me a greater hunger for Your presence and a deeper desire to know Your heart. In Jesus' name, Amen.

If that prayer expresses your heart, I invite you to pray it with me—or find your own words—but spend some time talking with the Lord today.

📖 And I really want to encourage you to read ahead this weekend!

Next week we're going to camp for a while in Exodus 33–34

Moses makes one unforgettable request: "Show me Your glory."

And we're going to slow down together and discover how God answers.

So sometime this weekend, open Exodus chapters 33 and 34

Read them slowly.

And read them with one question:

"Lord, what are You showing me about Yourself?"

We're not just reading through the Bible together. We're learning to behold the God of the Bible together.

I cannot wait for next week.

🎙️ Today's Five More Minutes is also available wherever you listen to podcasts.

📖 Thankful Thursday — Know His Ways

Psalm 103 is one of the most loved chapters in the Bible.

Many of us know its beautiful reminders of God's forgiveness, compassion, and love.

But this week, one verse stopped me in my tracks.

"He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel." (Psalm 103:7)

Israel witnessed God's mighty acts.

They saw the Red Sea part.

They ate manna in the wilderness.

They watched miracle after miracle.

But David says something different about Moses.

Moses came to know God's ways.

He came to know God's heart.

💭 Today's Truth

Thankfulness grows deeper when we remember who God is—not just what He has done.

It's easy to spend our prayers thanking God for His blessings.

And we should.

But there is an even deeper place of worship.

When we begin to thank Him for His character...

for His compassion...

His grace...

His patience...

His faithful love...

our gratitude becomes rooted in something that never changes.

🙏 Today's Prayer

Lord, thank You not only for all You have done for me, but for who You are. Thank You that You are compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness. Help me move beyond simply celebrating Your gifts to delighting in Your heart. Teach me Your ways, not just Your works, and let knowing You become my greatest joy. In Jesus' name, Amen.

If these words express your heart today, make them your prayer. Or find your own words and spend a few moments honestly talking with the Lord.

🎙️ Today's Five More Minutes is also available wherever you listen to podcasts.

📖 And one more thing...

This weekend, if you'd like to read ahead, spend a little time in Exodus 33 and 34

Moses asks God one unforgettable request: "Show me Your glory."

God's answer has been stirring my heart all week, and I can't wait to explore it together.

I think you're going to love where we're headed next.

📖 Wisdom Wednesday — Open My Eyes

Some mornings it feels like the problems surrounding us are all we can see.

The bills.

The diagnosis.

The uncertainty.

The difficult conversation.

That's exactly how Elisha's servant felt when he stepped outside and found an enemy army surrounding the city.

His response was understandable:

"Alas, my master! What shall we do?" 2 Kings 6:15

But Elisha prayed a very different prayer than we might expect.

He didn't ask God to remove the army.

He didn't ask God to change the circumstances.

He prayed:

"O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." 2 Kings 6:17

The army was still there.

But the servant finally saw something greater.

God had been with them all along.

💭 Today's Wisdom

The greatest need in fearful moments isn't always changed circumstances... it's opened eyes.

Faith doesn't pretend our problems aren't real.

It reminds us that our problems are never the whole story.

God is always at work in ways we cannot yet see.

🙏 Today's Prayer

Lord, when fear begins to shape my thinking, open my eyes to see You more clearly. Help me remember that Your presence is greater than anything that surrounds me. When I can't understand what You're doing, remind me that You have never stopped working. Give me faith to trust You, even when I cannot yet see what You see. In Jesus' name, Amen.

If these words express your heart today, make them your prayer. Or find your own words and spend a few moments honestly talking with the Lord.

🎙️ Today's Five More Minutes is also available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Before asking God to change your circumstances... ask Him to open your eyes.

📖 Truth Tuesday — The God Who Sees

Sometimes we come to a familiar Bible story and discover something about God we've never fully noticed before.

That's what happened to me this week in Genesis 16.

Most of us know Hagar as the mother of Ishmael.

But before she's remembered for history...

she's a frightened woman alone in the wilderness.

And that's where we read these beautiful words:

"Now the angel of the LORD found her..."(Genesis 16:7)

Hagar wasn't searching for God.

God came looking for Hagar.

Later, she gives Him a remarkable name:

El Roi—"The God who sees."

What a beautiful reminder that God's compassion is never limited by our failures or by the complicated circumstances we find ourselves in.

💭 Today's Truth

Before Hagar found hope, she discovered she had never been out of God's sight.

The same God who met Hagar in the wilderness still sees His children today.

He knows every burden you carry.

Every question you wrestle with.

Every fear you've never spoken out loud.

And He has not forgotten you.

🙏 Today's Prayer

Lord, thank You for being El Roi—the God who sees! Thank You that You know every part of my story, every burden I carry, and every place where my heart feels uncertain. Thank You that Your mercy reaches into the wilderness and Your compassion never runs out. Help me rest in the confidence that I have NEVER been outside of Your loving care. Draw me closer to You today, and help me trust the God who sees me completely.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

If these words express your heart today, make them your prayer. Or find your own words and spend a few moments honestly talking with the Lord.

🎙️ Today's Five More Minutes is also available wherever you listen to podcasts.

The God who found Hagar in the wilderness still delights in revealing Himself to those who seek Him.

📖 Motivation Monday — Until I Saw God Again

Have you ever looked around and wondered why life seemed easier for everyone else?

Asaph did.

In Psalm 73, he honestly admits that his feet "came close to stumbling" because he had become focused on what he saw around him.

Then one word changed everything.

"Until..."

"Until I came into the sanctuary of God..." (Psalm 73:17)

His circumstances didn't suddenly change.

His questions weren't instantly answered.

But in God's presence, his perspective changed.

Sometimes that's exactly what our hearts need.

Not new circumstances...

but a fresh vision of God.

💭 Today's Truth

God's presence changes our perspective before it changes our circumstances.

If life feels confusing today, don't spend all your time looking at your problems.

Spend time with the One who is bigger than your problems.

When we see God clearly, everything else begins to find its proper place.

🙏 Today's Prayer

Lord, when my circumstances begin to cloud my view of You, draw me back into Your presence. Help me remember that You have never stopped being good, faithful, and near. Change my perspective before You change my circumstances. Let me find my greatest joy not in what You give me, but in You! Hold my hand when my faith feels weak, and remind me that You are enough. In Jesus' name, Amen.

If these words express your heart today, make them your prayer. Or find your own words and spend a few moments honestly talking with the Lord.

🎙️ Today's Five More Minutes is also available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Sometimes the greatest change God wants to make today isn't in your circumstances... it's in your perspective.

Let's walk with Him today.