Do you want a strong, vibrant, growing relationship with your Creator? Set your mind on getting to know Him. He wants to be known!

Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them." (Daniel 10:12 NIV)

This mustard seed is going to seem like boasting to some. Please forgive me if it does. (Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:31)

I consistently receive praise (sometimes criticism, too) of these short devotionals. Frankly, I don't get it, but I am thankful for what God is doing through them. Sometimes people will say something like, "I wish I had your passion for God" or "I wish I had the insight into God's Word you seem to have". May I tell you that those are among the highest compliments you can give me, and I am appreciative and humbled by them.

Can I tell you something though? Don't take this too harshly, but, I didn't get there by sitting still! I had to "set my mind" on growing in my relationship with the Lord. It didn't just happen, I made conscious efforts to grow spiritually.

I remember a key verse in my early years of Christian growth. Jeremiah 24:7 says, "I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD." For several years I claimed that promise of God's Word. I read my Bible everyday, without exception. I prayed, fasted, waited upon God to do His will in my life. I committed to trust the Lord, even when it didn't make sense at the time. I decided that nothing would be worth it if it separated me from my devotion to the Lord. Nothing! Not family, not money, not fortune or fame! God had promised that He would give us a heart to know Him, and I have claimed that promise!

Daniel set his mind on knowing God, and God richly rewarded him for it!

Do you want that for your life? Do you want to know God more intimately? Do you want a strong, vibrant, growing relationship with your Creator? My advise, from experience, is to "set your mind" on getting to know Him! He wants to be known!