Daily Devotional: Learning to Receive
- David A. Case
- Jan 10
- 3 min read
By David A. Case
Life Sayings:
I only have what I am willing to receive from God.
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”— Romans 8:16
“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”— 1 Corinthians 2:14
A significant part of heart change is learning how to receive from God. Many people struggle here because they expect God to speak primarily to their thoughts or emotions. Scripture teaches something different. God’s primary interaction with us is spirit to spirit.
Romans 8:16 tells us that the Holy Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. When I pray with people to receive Christ, I often ask what they notice afterward. Most do not describe hearing words. They describe a knowing. They describe a sensing. Something settles inside. That inward witness comes first, before thoughts or emotions ever catch up.
The mind and emotions cannot receive the things of God on their own. First Corinthians 2:14 explains that spiritual things are spiritually discerned. The Greek word used for “natural” refers to the soul, the conscious part of a person. God bypasses the soul and speaks directly to the spirit. The conscious mind can observe what has happened, reflect on it, and respond to it, but it does not initiate the connection.
Learning to recognize the tone of God’s voice is essential. God never speaks with condemnation. Romans 8:1 makes that clear. He confronts sin, calls us to repentance, and challenges wrong behavior, but He never attacks our identity. His voice carries hope, even when it brings correction.
God’s voice produces peace and self-control. His anger is never reckless or explosive. Scripture describes Him as slow to anger and rich in mercy. Even His jealousy is relational. He guards His relationship with us the way a faithful husband guards a marriage. There is a godly sorrow that leads to life and a despair that leads to darkness. Learning to tell the difference is part of spiritual maturity.
Many believers mistake intensity of emotion for the voice of God. Human peace often chooses what is easiest. Human joy often spikes when the ego is affirmed. God’s peace has a different quality. It is steady. It is anchored. It holds even when obedience costs something.
The Galatians began their walk with God by receiving the Spirit, then tried to finish by human effort. Paul confronted them sharply. Christianity is not a self-improvement project. It is a partnership. Human effort cannot produce a life that pleases God. Only the Spirit can empower that kind of change.
The Holy Spirit teaches us through Scripture, illuminates truth, and helps us pray when we do not know how. Heart change happens when I slow down enough to notice what God is already doing inside me, then choose to align my thoughts, words, and actions with His leading. Spirit, soul, and body move together in partnership with Him.
Reflection Question
What inner tone or spiritual flow most often influences your decisions, and how does it compare to the qualities of God’s voice described in Scripture?
Prayer
God, I acknowledge my dependence on You. I confess how easily I rely on my own effort and emotions. Teach me to recognize Your voice and to receive what You are already giving. Help me respond with obedience that flows from trust rather than self-reliance. I want to walk with You in true partnership. Amen.
Today’s Step of Obedience
Pause twice today for two minutes. Quiet your thoughts and ask the Holy Spirit to make you aware of His presence, then write down what you notice without trying to analyze it.
This devotional was inspired by the book Heart Change Handbook by David A. Case. If you found it helpful, please consider it for your own self-study and suggest it to your church small group or recovery community as a basis for small group study.
If this message has encouraged you to pursue deeper transformation, I invite you to continue the journey through The Heart Change Handbook. It provides a practical, biblical path for spiritual growth and is an excellent resource for church small groups and recovery communities. Consider getting your copy today and introducing it to your group as a guide toward meaningful heart change.
👉 Learn more about Small Group Resources from Heart Change U.
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