Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

James 4:8a (NKJV)

Good Morning,

Happy Tuesday! Before we dive into today’s devotional, I want to share some exciting news with you. Yesterday, my new book, Rhythm of Rest, made it into Amazon’s Top Ten Best Sellers in the Category of Religious Leadership. Wow! Thank you for your support. If you haven’t ordered your copy yet, order today and help us reach #1.

Recently, I joined Davon Lee for his program where we discussed the Rhythm of Rest and the fix God has for your life in 2026. In our discussion, we cover key insights and nuggets of wisdom that will help you to enjoy and experience the life God has for you! (Click here to stream the episode.)

One more news update for the day before our devotional. As you can tell, the topic of the Rhythm of Rest is very important to me and I want to help people live in that rhythm. As a result, I am starting a brand new podcast to help with that! We will release a new podcast every Saturday starting THIS SATURDAY! This short weekly podcast will help you live in the Rhythm of Rest, so subscribe today!

In James 4:8, the Apostle James shares a wonderful promise from God. The Scripture says that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. That’s amazing. However, have you ever asked yourself what it means to draw near to God?

At the end of last year, the Lord impressed on my heart a message: draw near, don’t fear. A few Sundays ago, I shared that message with my Faith Family as we were snowed and iced in. I want to share it with you today.

The phrase “draw near” means to get close to and it was the phrase used to described how the priests would come into the temple and offer sacrifices to God. The New Testament shares that we as believers in Jesus are royal priests who are called to offer spiritual sacrifices. In our lives, we are faced with many distractions that get in the way of us living purposefully and from drawing closer to God. However, the sacrifices that the Scripture tells us to offer help us get closer to God and live intentionally.

The sacrifices are not complicated. They are simple yet have a profound impact on your life. Every sacrifice offered in faith is met by a divine response. Today pray the daily prayer for 2026 knowing that God wants to give you wisdom and wants to have a closer relationship with you. After you pray this prayer, pause and take time to listen. Always remember, prayer is not complete until you take time to listen.

In today’s podcast, I share in detail about the sacrifices that you should offer that will help you experience a closer relationship with God. It’s so amazing, powerful, and yet so simple. Take some time and stream it today. If you’re reading through the Bible with us this year, your chapter reminders are below. If you want a pdf print out of the plan, click here. Stream today’s podcast and share it with others. I’m praying for you!

I am the salt of the earth. I am the light of this world. Jesus said it so I believe it. I am a carrier of the Glory of God. Today, I will experience the extreme goodness of God. Today, I make myself available for God to show His goodness to others through me.  Today, I am increasing in influence. Today, I will see the goodness of God in my life! Today, something good is going to happen to me so I expect miracles. 

We are reading through the Book of Matthew. Today, read Matthew 21, 22, & 23.