Designed for Devotion Quotes

“Settling an Argument Mark 9:33–37 After Jesus and his disciples traveled to Capernaum, he asked them what they had been arguing about on the way. At first, the men were silent, too embarrassed and ashamed to answer his question. Finally, the disciples admitted that they had argued about which one of them was the greatest. Rank and position were important to the Jews, and in light of the messianic kingdom they expected Jesus to set up, they probably dreamed about status and honor. Jesus gave them a new perspective on greatness and leadership in the form of a paradox. To be important in God’s eyes, he explained, a person must voluntarily become a servant to other people. The goal is not to be first, but rather to take the last place. The highest positions in God’s kingdom go to those who are willing to be lowly enough to serve the needs of others. To illustrate this concept of service, Jesus put his arms around a little child, considered an insignificant person in that culture. He said that when anyone welcomed or showed kindness to a little child in his name, it was the same as doing it for Jesus himself. There’s nothing wrong with ambition or pursuit of excellence as long as they don’t become a source of pride. When we try to achieve greatness by chasing after positions of power, physical strength, popularity, or worldly success, we’re going in the wrong direction. God evaluates us on the basis of humility and service. If we look for opportunities to serve others and put their needs ahead of our own, if we never consider ourselves above doing tasks that seem menial, if we build others up instead of ourselves—that’s when we’re on the track to greatness in God’s eyes. And we just might discover that last place is the best place to be after all.”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation

“We often judge other people by a stricter standard than we use for our own actions. Sometimes we rush to condemn another person but make excuses when we exhibit the same behavior. We may try to impose double standards, but God never does. His standard is the same for all of us—perfection. Since we’ve all sinned, none of us can measure up, no matter how good we think we are. Fortunately, God offers us a way to meet his requirement by accepting the sacrifice of his perfect Son. Since God uses the same measuring stick for everyone, it makes no sense for us to impose double standards on people.”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation

“The one sitting on the throne said, “I am making everything new.” Revelation 21:5”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation

“Pursue what God approves of: a godly life, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the Christian faith. 1 Timothy 6:11–12”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation

“Therefore, we must not fall asleep like other people, but we must stay awake and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:6”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation

“You are Christ’s body and each of you is an individual part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation

“He must increase in importance, while I must decrease in importance. John 3:30”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation

“That is why Scripture says, “I am laying a chosen and precious cornerstone in Zion, and the person who believes in him will never be ashamed.” 1 Peter 2:6”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation

“He will be with you. He won’t abandon you or leave you. So don’t be afraid or terrified. Deuteronomy 31:8”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation

“[Jesus said] “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” Luke 22:20 NKJV”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation

“God has rescued us from the power of darkness and has brought us into the kingdom of his Son, whom he loves. Colossians 1:13”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom will I send? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation

“Don’t let sexual sin, perversion of any kind, or greed even be mentioned among you. This is not appropriate behavior for God’s holy people. It’s not right that dirty stories, foolish talk, or obscene jokes should be mentioned among you either. Ephesians 5:3–4”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation

“I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine. Song of Songs 6:3”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with a lot. Luke 16:10”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation

“God does not see as humans see. Humans look at outward appearances, but the LORD looks into the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation

“We may be tempted to give in to discouragement and bitterness when we face hardships or adversity. But even when our situation looks hopeless, God is working out his plan. It may take a long time to unfold or it may seem to happen suddenly. God loves to reward his children for their faithfulness, and he often works things out in ways we never could have imagined or dreamed. If we hold on to our trust in his goodness and our commitment to obey him during the dark days, we never know when we’ll be surprised by one of God’s happy endings.”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation

“For I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. 2 Timothy 1:12 NASB”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation

“Observing holidays and traditions helps us remember and reflect on spiritual truths. We can also celebrate milestones in our personal history. We might want to remember a decision that changed the course of our life. Or a time when God answered the deepest prayer of our heart or freed us from the grip of bondage. Since even our most precious memories fade with time, it helps to have something tangible to remind us of all that God has done in our life, and to point us toward the Lamb of God.”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation

“Call on me in times of trouble. I will rescue you, and you will honor me. Psalm 50:15”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation

“Today, God still uses people’s evil intentions and actions to accomplish his own purposes. As God’s children, we have his promise that everything that happens to us will somehow work for our ultimate good. Even when people want to harm us, we can trust God to turn it around to fit into his plans for our life and to bring him glory.”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation

“As much as Adam and Eve’s mistake cost them, it cost God far more. In order to restore what had been broken, he would one day become a man and “bruise Satan’s heel” as he died to pay the penalty for our sin (see v. 15). Satan still works to get people to disobey God, and his tactics haven’t changed. He encourages us to follow our desires rather than God’s commands. He plants thoughts in our mind that prompt us to question God’s character. But it’s always a mistake to evaluate choices based on human reasoning when it contradicts God’s Word. If we’re not careful, what looks like a no-brainer at first glance may just turn out to be one of the worst decisions we ever make.”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation

“If left unchecked, a persistent feeling of dissatisfaction can lead us into bitterness, resentment, and jealousy, culminating in open rebellion against God and others. Rather than looking around at what others have, we would be better off learning to be content with what God has given us and where he has placed us. If we don’t, we may be swallowed up by our own dissatisfaction. I’ve learned to be content in whatever situation I’m in. Philippians 4:11”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation

“It's never easy to wait, especially when we're longing for something with all our heart. If we look around and see no sign of god acting to resolve a situation, we may be tempted to come up with our own ideas to hurry the solution along. Our impatience may lead us to make choices that don't line up with God's will. We can find ourselves regretting the long-range consequences of an idea that seemed convenient and logical at the time.
God asks us to prove our trust in him by surrendering to his plan and waiting for him to work in ways that he considers best. We may find it hard to wait patiently when nothing seems to be happening, but taking matters into our own hands apart from God's leading is always a terrible mistake.”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation

“The one who is testifying to these things says, “Yes, I’m coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation

“Those whose names were not found in the Book of Life were thrown into the fiery lake. Revelation 20:15”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. 1 Peter 3:15 NIV”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation

“On his clothes and his thigh he has a name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Revelation 19:16”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation

“Not everything that the world offers—physical gratification, greed, and extravagant lifestyles—comes from the Father. It comes from the world, and the world and its evil desires are passing away. 1 John 2:16–17”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation

“The reward for sin is death, but the gift that God freely gives is everlasting life found in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23”
― Dianne Neal Matthews, Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation