A Heart Turned to God
Andre Dugger • December 15, 2025
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A Heart Turned to God
December 15, 2025 | André K. Dugger
“Turn my heart to your decrees and not to dishonest profit.”
Psalm 119:36 (CSB)
The psalmist recognizes a truth that you must never forget: your heart does not naturally bend toward God. Left to itself, it wanders toward selfishness, pride, and greed. That is why he prays, “Turn my heart to your decrees.” Only God can incline your heart away from sin and toward obedience.
Notice how specific this prayer is: “and not to dishonest profit.” The lure of dishonest gain is as old as humanity itself. From Adam and Eve reaching for the fruit to Judas betraying Jesus for silver, hearts have been tempted to trade righteousness for temporary reward. Greed promises satisfaction, but it delivers emptiness and shame.
God’s decrees, by contrast, lead to eternal treasure. When your heart delights in His Word, you find riches that cannot fade. Jesus warned, “What will it benefit someone if he gains the whole world yet loses his life?” (Matthew 16:26). The temporary profits of dishonesty are nothing compared to the eternal joy of walking in obedience.
This prayer also reminds you of your dependence. You cannot simply will yourself into holiness. You need God to act upon your heart, to redirect its affections, and to give you new desires. That is why Scripture promises, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you” (Ezekiel 36:26). In Christ, that promise is fulfilled; He transforms your desires so that you begin to love what God loves and hate what God hates.
As a follower of Jesus, you are called to integrity. The world may celebrate profit at any cost, but you are called to pursue honesty at every cost. Your heart must be guarded against compromise, because dishonest gain, no matter how small, corrodes your soul. But when your heart is turned toward God’s decrees, you find joy in righteousness that no earthly profit can replace.
- Reflection Question: What desires most often compete with your love for God’s Word, and how can you pray for Him to turn your heart back toward His decrees?
- Prayer: Father, turn my heart away from the false promises of dishonest gain and fix it on Your decrees. Give me joy in obedience, integrity in every choice, and a heart that treasures Your Word above all else. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Walking Freely in God's Word January 5, 2026 | André K. Dugger “I will walk freely in an open place because I study your precepts. I will speak of your decrees before kings and not be ashamed.” Psalm 119:45-46 (CSB) God’s Word does not restrict you; it sets you free. The psalmist says, “ I will walk freely in an open place because I study your precepts. ” Sin promises freedom but leads to bondage ( John 8:34 ). By contrast, when you submit to God’s Word, you discover true liberty. His commands are not chains but guardrails that protect you from destruction and guide you toward abundant life. Jesus affirmed this when He said, “ You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free ” ( John 8:32 ). Walking in God’s Word places you in “ an open place ,” a life of freedom where you can move without fear of stumbling into ruin. Studying His precepts equips you to discern what is good and what is harmful, enabling you to live with confidence and peace. Instead of shrinking under the weight of guilt or confusion, you can walk boldly, knowing that God’s truth lights your path. The psalmist also declares, “ I will speak of your decrees before kings and not be ashamed. ” When you are grounded in God’s Word, you can stand before anyone; whether friends, skeptics, or even rulers; with courage and conviction. Think of Daniel, who stood unashamed before Nebuchadnezzar, or Paul, who boldly proclaimed Christ before governors and kings. Their confidence came not from eloquence or status, but from their unwavering trust in God’s Word. You may never stand in a royal court, but every day you have opportunities to speak of God’s truth, in your workplace, in your home, in your community. The challenge is the same: will you speak boldly or remain silent in shame? When you study God’s Word and delight in His truth, shame loses its grip. The Spirit gives you boldness to proclaim Christ without fear ( Acts 4:31 ). True freedom is not doing whatever you want but joyfully living in obedience to God’s Word and courageously speaking His truth without shame. Reflection Question: Do you live in the freedom of God’s Word, and are you willing to speak it boldly, even when the world may oppose you? Prayer: Father, teach me to walk in the freedom of Your Word. Give me boldness to speak Your truth without shame, whether before kings or neighbors. May my life reflect the liberty and courage found in You. In Jesus’s name, amen.
A New Year, A New Creation: Beginning the Year in Christ January 1, 2026 | André K. Dugger “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (CSB) The arrival of a new year carries a quiet sense of possibility. Calendars reset, routines shift, and resolutions are made with hope for change. Yet Scripture points you to a deeper beginning than a date on the calendar. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” The new year is not simply an opportunity to try harder; it is a reminder of what is already true because you belong to Christ. In Jesus, your identity has been transformed. The old life marked by guilt, self-reliance, and aimless striving no longer defines you. Through His death and resurrection, Christ has made you a new creation at the core of who you are. As the year begins, you are invited to step forward not carrying the weight of past failures, but walking in the freedom of grace. The power to live differently does not come from stronger resolve, but from a renewed heart anchored in Christ. Beginning the year strong means grounding your days in this gospel reality. Honoring Christ daily starts with remembering who you are and whose you are. You wake each morning as a new creation, called to live with purpose, holiness, and trust. When temptations arise or old patterns resurface, you are not enslaved to them. The Spirit of God lives within you, enabling obedience, shaping character, and producing fruit that reflects Christ to the world. A Christ-honoring year is built one faithful day at a time. As you order your priorities; your time, relationships, work, and rest, you are invited to ask whether they align with your new life in Christ. Scripture, prayer, and obedience are not religious tasks to check off, but lifelines that keep your heart centered on Jesus. Growth may feel slow, but transformation is certain because God is at work in you. The new year will bring unknown challenges and unexpected blessings, but your foundation remains secure. You are not defined by what you resolve to do, but by what Christ has already done. As you walk into the months ahead, live confidently as a new creation. Leave what belongs to the old life behind, and step forward in faith, trusting that the God who made you a new creation will faithfully guide you, strengthen you, and use your life for His glory throughout the year ahead. Reflection Question: As you begin this new year, what old habits, mindsets, or priorities do you need to leave behind so that your daily life more fully reflects the new creation you are in Christ? Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for making me new through Jesus Christ. As I step into this new year, help me to live out the reality of the new life You have given me. Give me strength to leave behind old patterns that do not honor You, and grant me wisdom to order my days in obedience and faith. Shape my heart through Your Word, guide my decisions by Your Spirit, and help my life reflect Your grace and truth in every season ahead. May this year be marked by faithfulness, growth, and a deeper love for Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Trusting God’s Word in the Face of Taunts December 29, 2025 | André K. Dugger “Then I can answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in your word. Never take the word of truth from my mouth, for I hope in your judgments. I will always obey your instruction, forever and ever.” Psalm 119:42-44 (CSB) When you place your trust in God’s Word, you are equipped to stand firm even when others mock, question, or oppose you. The psalmist says, “ Then I can answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in your word. ” The world will always have scoffers who ridicule your faith or challenge your hope in Christ. But you do not need clever arguments or human wisdom; your answer flows from God’s Word, which never fails. Just as Jesus resisted the devil’s temptations by saying, “ It is written ” ( Matthew 4:4, 7, 10 ), you too can stand firm by trusting and speaking the truth of Scripture. The psalmist’s prayer continues: “ Never take the word of truth from my mouth, for I hope in your judgments. ” This reveals a deep dependence on God. Without His Word, you would be left powerless, unable to speak truth or endure trials. But with His Word hidden in your heart and on your lips, you have both strength and hope. God’s judgments, His perfect decrees and decisions, are your foundation. When you cling to them, you are not swayed by shifting opinions or hostile voices. Finally, the psalmist declares: “ I will always obey your instruction, forever and ever. ” This is not a short-term commitment or a passing devotion. It is a lifelong resolve, rooted in love for God and trust in His Word. In Christ, you see the perfect example of this obedience, Jesus always did the will of His Father, even unto death ( Philippians 2:8 ). His obedience secures your salvation, and now, by His Spirit, you are empowered to walk in faithful obedience as well. The taunts of the enemy and the mockery of the world will come, but they cannot silence the truth of God’s Word. When your hope is in His judgments, and your heart is resolved to obey, you will have the confidence to endure and the wisdom to answer. Reflection Question: When others question or mock your faith, do you answer with your own words or with the unshakable truth of God’s Word? Prayer: Father, help me to trust in Your Word when I am taunted or opposed. Keep the truth ever on my lips, and strengthen my resolve to obey You faithfully, forever and ever. In Jesus’ name, amen.
