If you are reading these words, I know it’s not by coincidence. I trust that God is intentional and perfect in all of His ways. I write them with tear filled eyes and in complete awe of His goodness. I wish I could catch you up to the point in my story where writing this devotional came to be. Maybe someday I will, but for now I’ll sum it up by saying that one step of surrender after another has led me to this moment. 

More often than not, I haven’t known where I was going, but with every surrendered step, I grow in confidence that the One I am following surely will not lead me astray. Jesus never has and He never will. The more I follow Him, the more my trust in His goodness increases. I move forward continually in the decision that I will follow Him wherever He leads, no matter the cost. It is costly, but I can assure you that the reward is far greater than the cost. His way has rarely led me to the expected road, but He has been faithful with every step.

I can’t tell you how your story will unfold, but I can assure you that the best things in this life will come as a result of knowing, trusting, and following Jesus, not the easiest things, but the best, most abundant things. Proverbs 3:5-6 has become such a thematic passage in my life, selected out of the realization that only in complete surrender have I experienced the abundance of knowing and walking with Jesus. I desire for everyone to experience that abundance. I can’t live it out for you, but I can share my experiences, point you in His direction and encourage you to wholeheartedly follow Him. That’s my heart behind this devotion, to provide you with a resource to grow in understanding who Jesus is, what His word says, and what that means for you personally. 

Wherever you find yourself in this journey of taking Him at His word, I pray that as you read these pages that you will grow in knowledge of the truth, boldness to live out and proclaim it, and love for the One who it’s all about. Jesus, this is all about Jesus. I pray that as you prioritize dwelling in His presence daily that you will experience the evidence of His goodness undeniably and that He will increase your desire to live a life that points people in His direction. 

There is nothing better than a relationship with Your Creator, Savior, Father, and closest friend– it’s what you were created for. His word, applied, delivers. It never returns void. 

He will be found faithful to His word and true to His character in the lives of those who know Him and follow His lead. His plans for you are good and they will prevail. 

Over the next 60 days, I invite you along this journey of knowing Jesus more than you did before. I challenge you to be sincere in seeking, honest in reflection, and expectant for His truth to begin or continue to transform your heart and your life as you apply it. 

I know first-hand that if you give Him your wholehearted yes, He will do more with it for His glory than you could have ever imagined. You, holding this book in your hand is proof. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight.”  Proverbs‬ 3:5-6‬ ‬

Day 1 – Know, Trust, + Follow 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight.”  Proverbs‬ 3:5-6‬ NIV‬‬

[[headings are located immediately following scripture]] There is nothing better than knowing, trusting and following Jesus. You will find Him faithful to His character and true to His word in your life. 

Let me invite you into the process of titling this devotional because it was very intentional. Generally speaking, you can’t trust someone you don’t know, and you won’t follow someone you don’t trust. Therefore, this journey has to begin and end with knowing Jesus. It’s one thing to know of someone, but it’s another to know them personally. There is a huge difference between acquaintanceship and relationship.  

Too many people, yes even people who are raised in the church, spend their lives knowing of Jesus, but outside of personal relationship with Him. I can only imagine how it breaks His heart. Jesus doesn’t want to be your acquaintance; He wants to be your closest friend. Not only does He desire a relationship with His children, but as long as any one of us lives outside of relationship with Him, we are missing out on what we are made for. 

Without knowing Him personally, we can’t graduate to the adventure of trusting and following Him. If you don’t know Jesus personally, He is inviting you to make the best decision you’ve ever made of getting to know Him. If you do know Him, He wants to grow deeper in relationship with you daily, equip you to introduce others to Him, and lead you further along the path of His perfect plan for your life. He will be faithful to complete what He has started in you. 

The more you know Jesus, the more your life will be transformed by the truth of His word. It’s a never-ending process on this side of Heaven. A life of surrender is a life lived in response to your knowledge of who God is and trust in what He says. The evidence of us truly knowing Him is our willingness to do what He instructs. Everything He instructs is intentional and purposeful. Are we living lives that reflect our trust in that promise? 

Continually exchange your own plan and preference for whatever He has in mind. Your own plan will fail you, but He never will. God’s ways are higher than our minds can comprehend. You may not always know or understand what He is doing, but if you know, trust, and follow Him, He will leave you continually in awe of His goodness. Ask yourself this question today, “If my obedience to God’s word is the evidence of my love for Him, am I living like I love Him?” 

“We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.” 1 John‬ 2‬:3‬ NIV‬‬‬‬

Prayer: “Jesus, grow me in the knowledge of who you are and the application of your word to my life. Thank you that as I follow You, You are leading me step by step. Amen.” 

Thank Him for who He is and what He has done, ask Him for what you are believing for and to make you more like Him today. 

Reflection/Application: What have you put before your desire to know Jesus more? 

How do you want to grow in knowing, trusting, and following Him in the days to come? 

TRUST + FOLLOW: a 60 day devotional to  know Jesus more is available (most) everywhere books are sold. Here is the link to order on amazon: