Daily Devotions From Greg Laurie: Recent Episodes
Greg Laurie
If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God’s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from Pastor Greg Laurie, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you.
“How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.” (Psalm 36:7 NLT)
First Kings 18 tells the story of the prophet Elijah’s epic showdown with the prophets of Baal and Asherah. But before that decisive contest occurs in the chapter, we find a brief encounter between two of God’s servants that illustrates what real, difference-making servanthood looks like.
The chapter begins with these words: “Later on, in the third year of the drought, the Lord said to Elijah, ‘Go and present yourself to King Ahab. Tell him that I will soon send rain!’So Elijah went to appear before Ahab” (1 Kings 18:1–2 NLT). Ahab and his wife Jezebel were two of the evilest characters in Israel’s history. Not only did they oppose the God of Israel, but they also ordered the execution of His prophets. And Elijah was at the top of their hit list.
Even so, when God told Elijah to confront Ahab, the prophet didn’t hesitate to obey. On his way to find Ahab, Elijah encountered Obadiah, “a devoted follower of the Lord” (verse 3 NLT), who was also in charge of Ahab’s palace.
Obadiah had remained faithful to God in a difficult and dangerous environment. In fact, when Jezebel sought to kill the Lord’s prophets, Obadiah hid one hundred of them in caves and supplied them with food and water (see verses 3–4). His actions required courage and helped preserve the lives of God’s servants.
Yet Obadiah and Elijah represent two different ways of serving God during a time of spiritual crisis. Obadiah faithfully served the Lord from within Ahab’s administration, while Elijah openly confronted the king and called the nation back to God. Both men were devoted to the Lord, but Elijah's assignment required a public stand.
As believers, there are times when our faith is expressed through quiet faithfulness and courageous service behind the scenes. But there are also moments when God calls us to speak openly and stand firmly for what is right. If we remain silent when He calls us to speak, others may mistake our silence for approval.
Look again at how Elijah instantly obeyed and firmly declared God's will. We need the courage of Elijah, who stood openly and boldly for the Lord. It is possible to believe quietly, as Obadiah did, but there are moments when God calls His people to speak and stand without compromise.
Elijah realized that he stood in the presence of the most powerful King of all: God Himself. Elijah understood what David, the writer of Psalm 36, meant when he wrote, “How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings” (verse 7 NLT).
Have you ever tried to stand in someone’s shadow? You must stay very close to the person. If they move, you must mirror their actions. Elijah stood in the shadow of God no matter where he was. Sometimes we forget that. We think that when we leave church, we somehow leave God’s presence. The truth is, wherever we go, God is with us.
When we stand in the presence of God, we will not bow before any person. Proverbs 28:1 says, “The godly are as bold as lions” (NLT). There is no room for spiritual compromise in the lives of God’s people.
Reflection question: What would a refusal to compromise, spiritually speaking, look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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“Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8 NLT)
We need to remember that God’s will is good. It may not seem like it at times, but it is. His plan for us is good. However, He usually doesn’t give us a detailed blueprint. Usually, God reveals His will to us in bits and pieces. He sees the big picture, while we see just a little at a time.
If you had been the father of Joseph, surely, like all parents, you would have prayed for the welfare of your child. But when Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers, you could have easily said, “God, what are You doing? Why did You allow this?” Yet if God had not allowed it to happen, Joseph never would have been put into the position of influence that enabled him to save the country and his own family.
If you had been the mother of Moses, how your heart would have broken when you saw your child being taken into Pharaoh’s court! Yet it was all part of God’s plan to mold Moses into the person who would lead Israel out of Egypt and its bondage.
If you had been the mother of Jesus and watched your own Son hanging on the cross, how easily you could have said, “Lord, why did You let this happen?” But if Jesus had not died on that cross and taken our sins upon Himself, we could not know Him today.
The problem for us is that we have a limited perspective. We are confined by time and space. We can see only the things that are happening in the present and only things that occur in our vicinity. The future is obscured to us. And so is the big picture of God’s work.
The apostle Paul put it this way: “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely” (1 Corinthians 13:12 NLT).
In the meantime, we can look to the past for reassurance. God has an unmatched track record for coming through for His people—not just in Scripture, but probably in your life as well. Think about those instances. Remember how He brought good from situations that seemed anything but good.
God’s history is why the psalmist was able to say with confidence, “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8 NLT).
When you look at the will of God in progress, it may not always make sense. But you must believe that God knows what He’s doing. His will is good. Trust Him to finish what He has begun.
Reflection question: What unseen good might God be accomplishing in your life right now? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!” (Psalm 32:1 NLT)
Without a doubt, one of the greatest blessings of the Christian life is that our God gives second chances. The apostle Paul wrote, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (Romans 3:23 NLT). But even if we’ve failed miserably, God gives us the opportunity to put it behind us. He can dramatically turn things around on our behalf. He can forgive us.
We have a choice in the course our lives take. We can either confess our sin and turn from it and know the happiness of being forgiven, or we can try to conceal our sin and then reap what we’ve sown. The Bible tells us that God will not bless people who try to hide their sin. Isaiah 3:9 says of such people, “They are doomed! They have brought destruction upon themselves” (NLT).
On the other hand, Psalm 32:1 says, “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!” (NLT). Doesn’t that sound better? David, the writer of the psalm, understood this well.
David’s story is a classic rags-to-riches tale. David was a shepherd and a musician. He was overlooked even in his own family. When his brothers went off to war, David was given the role of delivery boy. When Samuel the prophet told Jesse, David’s father, that God had sent him to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as the next king of Israel, Jesse didn’t even include David in the lineup.
Yet David thrived in the role of underdog. He killed the giant Goliath. He succeeded Saul as the king of Israel. God gave David the chance of a lifetime, and David rose to the occasion.
Gradually, though, his attention wandered. His priorities shifted. According to 2 Samuel 11:1, King David sent his men to battle the Ammonites while he “stayed behind in Jerusalem” (NLT). While he was idling in Jerusalem, he saw a woman named Bathsheba taking a bath. David sent for her and slept with her, even though she was the wife of Uriah, one of his most faithful soldiers.
When he learned that Bathsheba was pregnant, David called Uriah back from battle, hoping that he would sleep with his wife. That way, people would assume that he was the father of her child. But Uriah refused to enjoy the comforts of home while his fellow soldiers were still camped on the battlefield. In desperation, David arranged for Uriah to be killed in battle so that he could marry the widow Bathsheba in time to make the baby’s birth seem legitimate.
David failed God spectacularly. He committed adultery and murder. And after he was confronted by the prophet Nathan, he felt the weight of his sin. He wrote, “Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin” (Psalm 51:1–2 NLT). God heard his prayer, forgave his sins, and gave him a second chance.
And God will do the same for you, no matter what you’ve done, if you repent and ask for forgiveness.
Reflection question: How does knowing that God offers forgiveness and second chances change the way you respond when you fail? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“The one thing I ask of the Lord—the thing I seek most—is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.” (Psalm 27:4 NLT)
It’s been said that the greatest danger in life is to permit the urgent things to crowd out the important things. You see, the rabbit holes in life can cause us to lose sight of the one thing that matters: Jesus Christ.
It’s interesting to follow the phrase one thing through the pages of Scripture. Each time a biblical author uses this phrase, we find insights into the importance of making time for the Lord. For example, remember when Martha became agitated at her sister, Mary, for sitting at Jesus’ feet while Martha did all the work? How did Jesus reply? He said, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41–42 NLT, emphasis mine). Jesus was essentially saying, “Listen, Martha, I appreciate your desire to work. But there is a time to work and there is a time to sit at My feet. Mary has figured out that one thing is needful.”
Are Martha’s actions a good description of your life right now? Are you so busy with work and life’s nonessentials that you’ve forgotten the one thing? Unless we have a sense of priority, we can find ourselves distracted and quickly forget our purpose: to dwell with the Lord.
We must make the time to sit at the Lord’s feet. If we don’t make time for God’s Word, prayer, and church in our daily lives, we will fall apart spiritually. One thing is needful; pray for the strength and diligence to make time for it.
David had a real insight into who God is and set his heart to follow Him. In Psalm 57:7, he wrote, “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is steadfast and confident!” (AMPC). David’s heart was totally focused on who God was. He was locked into what was right.
Paul made a similar statement in the book of Philippians: “I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us” (3:13–14 NLT).
Everybody is living for something. The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing—that is, to live by a clear set of priorities. What’s the one thing for you? What’s your clear focus in life?
God may not give you everything you hope for in life. Then again, He may give you more. You just leave that up to Him and put Him first.
Reflection question: How can you prioritize the things of God in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb.They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.” (Psalm 19:9–11 NLT)
Solomon “had it all”—or so it seemed. When he succeeded his father David as king of Israel, the Lord appeared to him in a dream and offered to give him anything he asked for. Solomon asked for wisdom, an understanding heart, so that he could govern God’s people well. The Lord was so pleased by Solomon’s request that He gave the young monarch not just an abundance of wisdom but also fame and fortune beyond measure.
And all was well, until Solomon began to ignore his God-given wisdom and rebel against the truth he had learned from the Lord. Solomon shifted his focus from governing God’s people well to sampling just about everything the world had to offer. With virtually unlimited resources at his disposal, he went on a sinful binge.
Afterward, he said that it was all vanity, like chasing after the wind. The book of Ecclesiastes records his analysis for us: “That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty” (Ecclesiastes 12:13 NLT). In other words, “Don’t fight against the laws of God. They were given to us for a reason.”
God, in His commandments, has given us the blueprint for a fulfilled life, a blueprint for happiness, if you will. As Psalm 1 says, “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do” (verses 1–3 NLT).
In contrast, the psalm continues, “But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind” (verse 4 NLT).
In Psalm 19, you’ll find these words: “Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb.They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them” (verses 9–11 NLT). Those words should have been familiar to Solomon. They were written by his father David.
And their truth remains unchanged. You can either find meaning, joy, and fulfillment by avoiding the things that will drag you down and embracing the truth and commandments of God—or you can chase after the wind, as Solomon once tried to do. The choice is yours. Choose wisely.
Reflection question: Why does the freedom of God’s commandments often seem like a restriction? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity.To the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.” (Psalm 18:25–26 NLT)
Some of the most exciting passages of Scripture involve theophanies, occurrences when God made Himself known in observable and tangible form. What’s especially fascinating about these encounters is how God appeared to different people in the Bible. To Abraham, He came as a traveler. According to Genesis 18, Abraham was sitting outside his tent one day when three messengers arrived. Two of the messengers were angels; the other was God Himself. Centuries later, Jesus commented on the encounter. “Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad” (John 8:56 NLT). Why did the Lord come to Abraham as a traveler? Because that’s what Abraham was: a traveler.
According to Joshua 5:13–15, on the night before the Israelites began their siege of Jericho, God appeared to Joshua as the commander of the Lord’s army. Why? Because Joshua was the commander of Israel’s army.
According to Genesis 32:22–32, when God appeared to Jacob, He came as a wrestler. Verse 24 says that God “wrestled with him until the dawn began to break” (nlt). Why did God choose that guise? Because Jacob was always fighting, conniving, resisting, and wrestling to get what he wanted.
Maybe you can relate to Jacob. Maybe there’s something you want from God, perhaps even a good thing, such as the salvation of a loved one. Maybe you’re tired of being single and want to get married. Or maybe you want to serve God in a ministry. Don’t resort to conniving, because you may get what you want, but at a great cost. Jacob got what he wanted and paid dearly for it. I believe that if he had waited on God, he would have received what he needed and what God had promised. And perhaps God would have appeared to him in a different form.
These three biblical accounts reveal an amazing truth about our heavenly Father. He meets us where we are. That’s not to say you can expect a theophany in your life. You don’t need one. If you’re a believer, you have something better. God’s Holy Spirit dwells within you. That’s what Jesus was talking about when He told His disciples, “But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you” (John 16:7 NLT). God communicates to us from within, through His Spirit. And He does it in ways that resonate powerfully with us, just as He did with Abraham, Joshua, and Jacob.
The bottom line is this: God wants to do His will in your life in His way and in His time. If you need something from God, be patient and wait on Him. God will meet you wherever you are to lift you to where He wants you to be.
Reflection question: When has God met you where you were? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“For the righteous Lord loves justice. The virtuous will see his face.” (Psalm 11:7 NLT)
God reveals Himself to us in His Word. We know that God is holy because in Isaiah’s vision of Him, heavenly creatures declare, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies” (Isaiah 6:3 NLT). We know that God is righteous and just because Psalm 11:7 says, “The righteous Lord loves justice” (NLT). Holiness describes God’s character; righteousness and justice describe how He deals with humankind.
These perfections that we find in Scripture aren’t just the result of God’s people seeing what they want to see in Him. Even the enemies of the Lord recognized His perfect attributes. In the book of Exodus, we read about Pharaoh, who hardened his heart by holding on to the children of Israel after the Lord had instructed him to release them. When the Lord sent a series of plagues to Egypt, “Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron. ‘This time I have sinned,’ he confessed. ‘The Lord is the righteous one, and my people and I are wrong’” (Exodus 9:27 NLT).
From the very first verse of the Bible, we see that God is omnipotent, all-powerful. If He were all-powerful without being righteous, He would be just a celestial tyrant doing whatever He wanted wherever He wanted to do it. If He were righteous without being powerful, He would be unable to execute justice on this earth. But the good news is that God is all-powerful—and He is righteous. He can do whatever He wants, but He does the right thing in every situation.
That includes the exercise of His justice. Unlike human justice, God’s justice is perfect. He doesn’t show favoritism. He doesn’t look the other way at certain offenses. He demands that wrongdoing and wrongdoers be punished. Scripture certainly bears that out.
In Isaiah 51:4–5, God says, “Listen to me, my people. Hear me, Israel, for my law will be proclaimed, and my justice will become a light to the nations.My mercy and justice are coming soon. My salvation is on the way. My strong arm will bring justice to the nations. All distant lands will look to me and wait in hope for my powerful arm” (NLT).
Deuteronomy 32:4 says, “He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!” (NLT).
And in Psalm 140:12, David confidently proclaims, “But I know the Lord will help those they persecute; he will give justice to the poor” (NLT).
God’s justice leaves no room for appeal because He is righteous. Everything He determines is, by its very nature, perfectly just. Only our perfect heavenly Father can judge perfectly.
And He wants His people to prize justice as well. Proverbs 21:3 says, “The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices” (NLT). And Isaiah 1:17 instructs, “Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows” (NLT).
Justice matters to the Lord, and it must matter to us.
Reflection question: What would seeking justice look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast
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“Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” (Psalm 1:1–3 NLT)
Many years ago, a young man named Billy Sunday placed his faith in Jesus Christ. An older believer then gave Billy some advice that he never forgot. The man said, “Billy, there are three simple rules I wish you would practice in life as a Christian. If you do, no one will ever write the word backslider after your name. Billy, take fifteen minutes each day to let God talk to you. Take fifteen minutes a day to talk to Him. And then spend fifteen minutes a day telling others about the Savior.” Billy Sunday followed this advice and became one of the most powerful evangelists in the history of the church. Billy Sunday recognized the value of moving forward.
That’s the central message of Psalm 1: Move forward. “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do” (verses 1–3 NLT).
You’ll notice that the people described in these first few verses aren’t passive or stationary. They understand that making a difference for the Lord involves more than not doing bad things. It also involves moving forward in the right things. That’s why “they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night” (verse 2 NLT).
They don’t simply “do their duty” when it comes to God’s Word. They don’t opt for the “hunt and peck” method of reading a little here and a little there with no genuine concern for context. They don’t return to it sporadically and then wonder why it’s not having much of an impact on them.
Instead, they delight in Scripture. They meditate on it. They find joy, meaning, purpose, and direction in it. They recognize its wisdom and actively look for ways to apply it to their lives. They ask key questions about the passages they read, questions such as “Is there any sin here for me to avoid?” “Is there any promise for me to claim?” “Is there any victory to gain?” “Is there any blessing to enjoy?”
Reading Scripture in this way creates a real sense of anticipation. Instead of treating Bible study like a classroom assignment, we approach it like the treasure hunt that it is. We embrace the awe-inspiring reality that we have access to the words of God Himself—and that those words have the power to change our lives.
Reflection question: What would delighting in and meditating on God’s Word look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” (Jeremiah 29:12–13 NLT)
It is fascinating to note how Jesus dealt with people. He never interacted with any two individuals in precisely the same way. He would look beyond the outward veneer and see their hearts. When a person was really seeking and a miracle was in order, Jesus performed one. The Gospels record several miracles He performed for hurting, searching people such as blind Bartimaeus, the woman whose child was sick, the woman who spent everything on doctors and needed a miracle, or the ten lepers who came to Him looking for His touch.
But when people came to Jesus with the wrong motives, it was a different story. In fact, on some occasions, Jesus didn’t even reveal Himself to them. For example, John 2:23 tells us that when Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Passover, “many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did” (NKJV). But the passage goes on to say, “But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man” (verses 24–25 NKJV). Here we see people who believed after they saw Jesus’ miracles, but Jesus would not commit Himself to them. That may seem strange at first glance. But let’s consider what the word commit means. It means “to entrust someone with something.” Jesus would not entrust these people with His truth. If they were true seekers, Jesus would have revealed Himself to them.
These people who saw His miracles weren’t seeking with their whole hearts. They were merely excited about the miracle Jesus had done on that particular day. They were wowed by the spectacle, not moved by the truth. Therefore, Jesus would not commit Himself to them.
There’s an important takeaway from this story, not just for believers and seekers but also for the leaders and wannabe leaders of our nation. Jesus will not commit Himself to those who seek Him with ulterior motives. His message can’t be co-opted to fit a political narrative. Those who would use Him for personal gain or political advantage will not experience a personal relationship with Him.
On the other hand, the Lord promises in Jeremiah 29:12–13, “In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me” (NLT).
A wholehearted search for Jesus is an excellent description of a revival. We have the assurance from Scripture that the Lord will reward such a search. So, to facilitate a much-needed revival in our country, believers must confront ulterior motives when we see them. We must share the simple and unadorned gospel. And we must pray for people’s eyes to be opened to the truth of Jesus.
The restoration and refreshing that will heal our nation requires more than an appreciation of who Jesus is and what He’s done. It requires a wholehearted commitment to Him.
Reflection question: What would a wholehearted commitment to Jesus look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast
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“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:14–16 NLT)
The revival our nation so desperately needs requires believers to show up conspicuously, to make our presence known. Revival requires us to offer light to the world. That was certainly Jesus’ plan for us. He left little doubt about how conspicuous we should be when He said, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:14–16 NLT).
There are two key ways that believers can be light for the world. We can let our light shine by doing good works, and we can let our light shine by proclaiming the gospel. Let’s start with the need for good works.
Since 9/11, the title “first responder” has been given a sense of near reverence. In any discussion of the most important, most beloved, most respected people in our country, first responders are invariably mentioned. First responders run toward dangers, tragedies, disasters, and unsettling situations that most other people run away from. They put themselves at risk, physically and emotionally, to help others in their times of need.
That’s something Christians should aspire to in letting their lights shine. When natural disasters occur, when people are starving, when a country is torn by war or ravaged by disease, Christians should be the first on the scene, doing what they can to bring aid, comfort, and provisions.
On a smaller scale, we can let our lights shine at home or in our workplace by being kind, generous, and loving, and by living sacrificially for others. That’s how we let our lights shine through our good works.
Then, of course, we also should let our lights shine by proclaiming the gospel, by telling others of their need for Christ. We are not to be secretive about our faith. We can tell our neighbors the Good News. We can make sure our coworkers know exactly what a Christian believes. We can make our faith obvious in our neighborhood and in the places we frequent. And we can raise up our children to walk with the Lord. That’s how we can make a difference in our nation.
You can be a conspicuous Christian. Let your light shine! That light is desperately needed in these dark times.
Reflection question: How can you make the light of Christ more conspicuous in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.” (Matthew 5:13 NLT)
In the ancient world, salt was used as a preservative. It still is today—ham, corned beef, olives, pickles, and even anchovies are preserved in brine, a saltwater solution. The purpose of the salt is to stop the food from spoiling, to prevent its corruption.
Jesus referenced the crucial role that salt plays when He said to His followers, “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless” (Matthew 5:13 NLT).
His point was that Christians should seek to be a preservative wherever we are. We should be active agents against corruption. For example, if you’re a parent, you can guide your children in what they see and interact with on social media. You can teach them Christian values and live as an example to them. If you’re the only Christian in your family, then you’re probably always the one who’s asked to give the blessing over the Thanksgiving meal. That’s good, because it means your family notices that you’re a Christian, that your life is different from theirs. So, seize the opportunity.
You also need to be salt in the place where you work. You can refuse to gossip about coworkers, you can do your work without grumbling, and you can be an encouragement to others. You may experience instances when your coworkers are gathered around, telling certain jokes. But when you walk in, everyone suddenly falls silent. Instead of being uncomfortable about such treatment, recognize it for the begrudging acknowledgment it is. Your coworkers know that you’re a representative of Jesus. You’re functioning as a preservative in that situation.
Or maybe you’re that one Christian student in your classroom. You need to stand up for Christian values. You can refuse to participate in harmful activities and tell your friends why. That’s what it means to be salt. No one ever said that being a Christian would make you popular. But it does make you salt. And though it may be hard at times, it’s a responsibility you need to embrace.
When we speak of the need for revival in our nation, we tend to think of it in grand, sweeping terms. In reality, revival is a big movement triggered by countless small acts. In that sense, it’s like the civil rights movement. Civil rights weren’t won in one dramatic moment. They were won by countless acts of resistance and courage.
Likewise, revival begins when individual believers take seriously their assigned roles as salt of the earth. Let the Holy Spirit help and guide you as you add a distinctive Christian flavor wherever you go.
Reflection question: How can you add a distinctive Christian flavor wherever you go? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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“Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me—now let me rejoice.Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt.Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you.” (Psalm 51:7–13 NLT)
As we look at the trouble and turmoil in our country now, it isn’t hard to see that the United States is reaping the results of years of disobedience to God and His Word. We’ve worked hard to remove God and His Word from our courtrooms, from our classrooms, and from society in general.
But our society’s troubles are all symptoms of a deeper problem. Simply put, it’s the effect of sin that we’re seeing. We’ve been so careful to arm ourselves against the enemy on the outside, yet we’ve forgotten the enemy on the inside. And we’ve missed one of the most important blessings of history.
Abraham Lincoln made this proclamation in 1863: “Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.” Honest Abe was right. We are rotting from within.
How will we solve this problem? Politicians can’t do it for us. While they can offer some help, their efforts won’t get to the root of the problem. The only answer is a heaven-sent spiritual awakening. The only answer is a revival.
The words of the psalmist reflect the spirit necessary for a revival. “Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me—now let me rejoice.Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt.Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you” (Psalm 51:7–13 NLT).
There will never be a spiritual awakening in this nation until we believe in the one and only true God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Without this, there will never be moral change or a cure for our countless social ills.
This is the message God has entrusted to believers. This is the message we must deliver to the nation as we pray for and work toward revival.
Reflection question: What would it look like in your life to be restored to the joy of your salvation? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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“So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said.” (Acts 27:25 NLT)
Many Christians are tempted to believe the lie that when we’re in the will of God, everything will be smooth sailing. But often just the opposite is true. Doors slam in our faces. Obstacles appear in our paths. Storms arise that threaten to drive us off course.
That’s why we need to remember that we have a spiritual enemy who wants to stop us from doing what God wants us to do. And he will use any means at his disposal to accomplish his work, including causing us to doubt God’s goodness and protection.
Acts 27 tells the story of the apostle Paul’s voyage to Rome. Though he was a prisoner facing trial, he recognized that his circumstances would give him a momentous opportunity to share the gospel with several highly placed Roman officials. He reasonably could have expected smooth sailing all the way to his destination. After all, he was doing the Lord’s will even as his life hung in the balance.
But that’s not how this story goes. An incredible storm arose that caused the people on his ship to despair of their lives—but not Paul. It seems there was no obstacle big enough to stop the apostle. He always seemed to rise above his circumstances. His words to his sailing companions in Acts 27:25 summarize his mindset: “So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said” (NLT). As he went through the storm, he knew God had shown him what to do, and he would let nothing deter him from that course.
When a hard time hits, when a crisis hits, when a tragedy hits, often our first instinct is to look for a way out. We ask God for an airlift out of our problems.
But God wants us to learn in the midst of them. Romans 8:35 and 37 say, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? . . . No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (NIV). Notice the phrase “in all these things.” It isn’t saying we won’t face some of these things. But it says that in them we are more than conquerors.
If you’re seeking to obey the Lord, expect opposition. Expect obstacles. Expect difficulties. But also expect God to see you through.
That applies on a national level as well. Theodore Roosevelt, our 26th president, once gave a speech in which he talked about “the man in the arena”—that is, a person, such as a national leader, who is heavily involved in doing what he believes is right, all the while enduring the attacks, criticism, and second-guessing of those who sit on the sidelines.
In an earlier devotion we talked about how electing believers into office facilitates revival in our nation. But we also need to stand by those leaders because our spiritual enemy will do his best to wear them down or neutralize them through continuous attacks.
They need our support.
Reflection question: How can you show real support for the Christian leaders of our nation? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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“And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:44–47 NLT)
I love new believers. They are the lifeblood of the church. When I have the privilege of speaking to other pastors, I tell them that if they don’t have a constant flow of new believers coming into their congregations, they will become spiritually dead. We can either evangelize or fossilize.
Show me a church where new believers are not coming in, and I’ll show you a church that is stagnating. Show me a church that has new believers coming in on a regular basis, and I’ll show you a church that has vibrancy and life.
That said, new believers need older believers to stabilize them. New believers’ hearts are full of zeal, but they don’t understand the ground rules yet. They need older believers to teach them.
Older believers also need new believers. They need their zeal. They need their passion. They need their excitement to remind them of what they’ve forgotten.
Sadly, it’s usually the new believers who want to do the most when they know the least. When we ask people to help out with something at Harvest Christian Fellowship, we often have new believers who come and say they want to help: “I’ll do whatever you need. I would like to sign up for six ministries.”
While we’re very appreciative of their willingness to serve, we want them to have a good foundation first so they can be properly trained and equipped to do what God has called them to do.
On the other hand, there are older believers who have known the Lord for years, maybe even decades, who don’t give a passing thought to helping out at church. It should be just the opposite.
But as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, I want to point out that what’s true for the church is also true for our country. New believers are the lifeblood of our country. Our nation was forged in the flames of revival. And we pray for a new revival to sweep across this country.
The description of the church in Acts 2:44–47 serves as a model: “And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved” (NLT).
In the meantime, every new believer, every decision made for Christ, represents a mini revival. As these new believers commit themselves to the biblical truths and principles on which our nation is built, our nation becomes incrementally stronger, more vibrant, and more attuned to God’s leading.
When we share our faith, we’re not only changing lives, but we’re also changing our country.
Reflection question: What would it look like in your life to prioritize sharing your faith? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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“That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13 NLT)
It is my belief that one of the reasons for the great success of the United States of America over our 250-year history can be found in our origins, the fact that our nation’s founding was deeply shaped by a belief that liberty depends on moral virtue, and many of the founders saw biblical faith as essential to that virtue.
Now that certainly is a far cry from where we are today. But we desperately need a biblical worldview today, and we desperately need to follow God’s commandments.
We can either accept the truths of Scripture or fight against them as a nation and as individuals. And, I might add, we will reap the inevitable results.
As Vance Havner, a preacher and revivalist, once said, “We speak of ‘breaking the laws of God’ but actually we cannot break them. If you jump from the Empire State Building you don't break the law of gravitation—you just break your neck! The Ten Commandments stand today, unchanged and unchangeable. When we violate them, we suffer. What we sow, we reap. God is not mocked. When we crash into the pillars of God's eternal principles, we are smashed but the pillars remain standing.”
He’s right. You can’t break the laws of God, but you will break yourself against them. You can buck against these truths and say, “These don’t apply to me, and I will live the way I want to live.” Or you can see the wisdom God has in giving these commandments to us.
The author of Ecclesiastes could not be any clearer on the matter. “That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty” (Ecclesiastes 12:13 NLT).
But obeying God’s commands is more than a duty; it’s also an opportunity. Remember, God created us. He knows exactly how we’re wired and what’s best for us. His commands are one of the means He uses to help us discover what’s best for us.
His commands are intended not to restrict us but rather to allow us to enjoy life to the fullest, as He intends. They show us the way to experience soul-deep joy—the kind of joy that doesn’t depend on circumstances or moods. His commands also point the way toward genuine fulfillment and the peace that comes from knowing that we’re doing what we were created to do.
God’s commands keep us in spiritual balance. Obedience is essential to our relationship with our heavenly Father. When we prioritize His instructions and live according to His principles, we enjoy His blessings.
Likewise, our country was created to honor God’s commandments. Until we begin to prioritize them again, we will not fulfill the destiny He has for us.
It’s our choice. We can do it the easy way, or we can do it the hard way.
Reflection question: What helped you recognize the wisdom in obeying God’s commands? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
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“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” (2 Corinthians 4:17 NLT)
When adversity rears its head, the first reaction of many believers is to pray it away—to ask God to spare us from it or, barring that, to help us get through it as quickly and as painlessly as possible. The ideal for many people is a life free from adversity.
But that misses the point entirely. Adversity is, in fact, one of God’s greatest teaching tools. Adversity prepares us for what God has ahead. God’s people will be better off eternally because they suffered temporarily. The trade-off in eternity will bear this out.
Our troubles won’t last forever. As the apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:17, “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” (NLT).
This argument for the greater good may be the strongest biblical case for the whys of human suffering. But it requires great trust on our part. This means we need to look at our suffering and say, “It will all make sense in eternity, and it will produce something that would not have been there otherwise. So, in faith I am going to accept this truth and wait to see the outcome.”
We also need to keep in mind that even in the worst tragedy, God can bring good out of bad. That doesn’t mean He makes bad things good. But it does mean that despite bad things, He can bring good. This is an important distinction because often people are looking for cause and effect. They try to connect the dots: “This bad thing happened so this good thing would happen. And this even better thing happened. Now I get it.”
Sometimes life works that way. It did for Joseph. After being betrayed by his brothers, he was able to tell them, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people” (Genesis 50:20 NLT).
Of course, sometimes we can’t see the outcome. Even so, as Paul wrote, “We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28 NLT). Ultimately, all things work together for good.
In the case of our country, the adversity we’re facing now may be a forerunner of revival. That may be God’s plan for bringing good from bad. It’s happened before. In fact, our country was founded in the wake of a great revival.
In the meantime, believers must continue to pray, continue to immerse themselves in God’s Word, and continue to share their faith with others so they can see the hand of God at work in our nation, bringing good from bad.
Reflection question: When have you seen God bring good from bad? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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“Won’t you revive us again, so your people can rejoice in you? Show us your unfailing love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.” (Psalm 85:6–7 NLT)
July 2026 is an ideal time for reflection, for looking back at the 250-year history of our nation, and for celebrating God’s work in bringing us to this point. But it’s also a time to look forward and ask some sobering questions. So, here goes.
What is the future of the United States of America? Are we doomed to go the way that so many other once-great nations have gone? Is America headed to the ash heap of history? Are our greatest days behind us, or could they still be ahead? Is there any hope for America?
None of us can answer these questions with any certainty, but we know this much: America is not the superpower of the last days. The greatest nation on earth is conspicuous in its absence from the world stage in the end-times scenario given to us in the Bible. America is not the first, nor will it be the last, nation to rise and fall. Every nation’s days are numbered; America is no exception.
The Bible introduces us to several formidable empires, countries, and cities. Egypt reigned supreme in the book of Exodus. Assyria played a key role in the history of Israel and Judah. Babylon led the people of Judah into captivity. Persia allowed them to return. Greece left an indelible mark on the world. Yet all these empires eventually learned the same lesson: There is no such thing as too big to fail.
Perhaps the biggest cautionary tale from history is the Roman Empire, which provides the backdrop for the Gospels. Rome was once the mightiest empire on the face of the earth. But it collapsed internally before it was conquered externally. Historian Will Durant, in his book on Rome’s history, Caesar and Christ, said, “A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself within. The essential causes of Rome’s decline lay in her people, her morals….”
That’s where the alarm bells start to sound for the United States. We as a country are diligent in guarding against our enemies on the outside, but we should be just as diligent in guarding ourselves from within.
One stark difference between Rome and the United States is that our country was founded on Judeo-Christian values. Unfortunately, we’ve strayed from the original vision of our founding fathers, the vision that produced our nation. What was once “freedom of religion” has now become “freedom from religion.” We’ve succeeded in removing God from our schools, sporting events, public venues, and workplaces.
And now we need God’s intervention. We saw many turn to the Lord after 9/11. Remember those packed churches and prayer vigils on street corners? Remember the members of Congress spontaneously singing “God Bless America”? These memories give me hope that there could be at least one more great revival in America’s future.
The psalmist wrote, “Won’t you revive us again, so your people can rejoice in you? Show us your unfailing love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation” (Psalm 85:6–7 NLT).
If we don’t have revival, I believe that judgment is inevitable. Peter Marshall, former chaplain to the U.S. Senate, once said, “The choice before us is plain: Christ or chaos, conviction or compromise, discipline or disintegration.”
Let’s pray that our nation chooses wisely.
Reflection question: What is your prayer for our nation? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
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“I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:19–20 NLT)
During World War II, a group of pilots known as the Flying Tigers became legendary. Under their commander, Claire Lee Chennault, they managed to down nearly three hundred Japanese aircraft over a period of six months, from December 1941 to July 1942. What was their secret? Chennault said it was cooperation. Although they were usually outnumbered, they always attacked in teams. They completed their missions together.
Roman soldiers also knew the value of working together. When they marched into battle and were barraged with flaming arrows, they put their shields up, linked them together, and hunkered down, effectively forming a protective wall around themselves. They understood that there was safety—and success—in numbers.
It’s a lesson many believers need to learn. When we experience temptation, hardship, despair, or doubt, sometimes our first instinct is to isolate ourselves. We think, “I don’t want to share this with anyone. They might think I’m not a strong Christian. I don’t want to tell anyone that I’m being tempted by this.”
A better option is to go to our Christian friends and say truthfully, “Will you pray for me right now? I’m under attack.”
Jesus said, “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:19–20 NLT). He wants us to understand that there is power in unity—in this case, in united prayer.
We read in the 12th chapter of Acts that James was put to death and Peter was arrested. These were devastating blows to the early Christian movement. So, what did the members of the church do in response? They got together to pray for Peter. Verse 5 says that “constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church” (NKJV). This was a unified effort. The people of the first-century church put their spiritual shields together. God answered their prayers by miraculously freeing Peter from prison.
What worked for the church two thousand years ago still works today. There is power in unity among believers, in working together and praying together. None of us is alone in this spiritual battle. We have Christian brothers and sisters who are marching with us.
Throughout this month, we’ve talked about the need for revival in our country. And we’ve used the imagery of fire to convey the power of revival to sweep across a wide area. But that potential can’t be realized by thousands or even millions of tiny individual flames burning independently of one another.
Revival requires unity among believers. It requires Christians to coordinate and cooperate with one another. It requires God’s people to support, encourage, challenge, confront, and inspire one another as we work to accomplish God’s will for our nation.
Reflection question: What would unity with other believers look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
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“Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands. But he does not hesitate to punish and destroy those who reject him. Therefore, you must obey all these commands, decrees, and regulations I am giving you today.” (Deuteronomy 7:9–11 NLT)
Our founding fathers framed a document that Thomas Jefferson drafted for the Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia. Congress adopted the document on July 4, 1776. We call it the Declaration of Independence. Among other things it says, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Pastor Chuck Smith once said that sometimes we forget that the Declaration of Independence, which declared independence from foreign tyranny, also declared our dependence on an eternal God. We see this in its closing words: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
Our forefathers believed that there is a God who guides the affairs of humankind. And they founded our nation on the teachings of the Bible.
Thomas Jefferson, our third president, said, “The Bible is the cornerstone of liberty.”
Andrew Jackson, our seventh president, called the Bible “the Rock upon which our republic rests.”
And Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president, said of the Bible, “All the good the Saviour gave to the world was communicated through this book. But for it we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man’s welfare, here and hereafter, are to be found portrayed in it.”
Two hundred and fifty years after the founding of our nation, our need for God’s Word has never been greater. Deuteronomy 7:9–11 says, “Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands. But he does not hesitate to punish and destroy those who reject him. Therefore, you must obey all these commands, decrees, and regulations I am giving you today” (NLT). There is much to gain by placing God’s Word once again at the center of American life. And there is even more to lose in rejecting His Word.
The wisdom of God’s Word is eternal, timeless. It’s not outdated. It’s not a relic. It doesn’t belong to an earlier, simpler time. The keys to the spiritual revival our nation so desperately needs can be found in its pages.
That’s why we as believers must continue praying that our country finds its way back to the Word of God.
Reflection question: How can you make God’s Word a bigger part of your daily life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
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“What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance.” (Psalm 33:12 NLT)
A few decades ago, the 75th anniversary issue of Forbes magazine featured a theme that still resonates today: “Why do we feel so bad when we have it so good?” The magazine noted that most Americans live better than almost any other people on the planet, yet many people in our culture struggle with depression and an unfavorable outlook on life.
Editor James Michaels wrote, “Why is this nation that marched so proudly into the 20th century slouching so dejectedly toward the third millennium?” The article went on to cite the alarming loss of values, absolutes, and meaning in contemporary life.
What’s gone wrong? The person on the lowest rung of the economic ladder in America still has it better than most other people in the world today. We enjoy things that citizens of other countries can only dream about, yet we still have a sense of emptiness. Why?
I think Abraham Lincoln answered that question well when he said, “We have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.”
President Lincoln was right. We have forgotten God. And it’s even truer today than it was when he made that proclamation in 1863. We’ve tried to push God out of the courtroom, out of the classroom, and, for all practical purposes, out of our culture. As a result, we’ve lost the joy, fulfillment, and sense of purpose that come from remembering, celebrating, and obeying our heavenly Father.
The psalmist wrote, “What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance” (Psalm 33:12 NLT). The flip side of that would be, “What misery for the nation whose God is not the Lord, whose people have rejected His inheritance.” And that’s where we find ourselves today.
Will good ever prevail over evil? Or are we simply doomed to failure? The answer to America’s problems isn’t political; it’s spiritual. We need to turn back to God. We need to take Him at His Word. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, the Lord said, “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land” (NLT).
Therefore, it is my belief that our country has two choices before it. One is judgment. The apostle Paul wrote, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7 NKJV). That goes for nations as well.
The other option is the one we’ve been focusing on this month: a spiritual awakening or revival. And that’s what we need to pray for today in the United States of America.
Reflection question: What can you do to remember God more often in your daily life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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“When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan.” (Proverbs 29:2 NLT)
I’ve had opportunities to interact with leaders at the highest levels of the United States government, including former Vice President Mike Pence and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. When I met with those men individually, we had a great time talking about our nation, discussing the needs and challenges facing us. I should mention that when I’m around such people, I’m not there as a political pundit. Neither am I there to give any kind of political advice.
I’m there as a pastor to help them, to pray for them, and to perhaps remind them of what Scripture says. In both instances we had wonderful discussions about the Word of God. Both men spoke of their dependence on God to do the job He had called them to do.
Those interactions served as valuable reminders that revival in our nation, if and when it comes, will be aided immeasurably by believers in positions of authority.
The Bible certainly makes a compelling case for godly leadership. Proverbs 29:2 says, “When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan” (NLT). Proverbs 10:9 says, “People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed” (NLT). James 1:5 says, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking” (NLT). And in Mark 10:43–44, Jesus says, “But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else” (NLT).
Our nation is blessed to have an electoral process by which we can vote for our leaders. As believers, we must make the most of that opportunity by getting to know candidates and supporting those who stand for God-honoring principles.
But there’s another responsibility believers must not shirk. We must pray for our leaders. Look at the apostle Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 2:1–2: “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity” (NLT).
We’ve talked a lot this month about what needs to take place for us to have a spiritual awakening, a revival in America. R. G. Lee put it this way:
If all the sleeping folk will wake up,
If all the lukewarm folk will fire up,
If all the dishonest folk will confess up,
If all the disgruntled folk will cheer up,
If all the depressed folk will look up,
If all the estranged folk will make up,
If all the gossipers will shut up,
If all true soldiers will stand up,
If all the dry bones will shake up,
If all the church members will pray up . . .
Then we can have a revival!
We might also add, “If all the believers will wise up in choosing leaders who yearn for revival.”
Reflection question: How can you show wisdom and discernment in selecting and supporting our nation’s leaders? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
Join Greg Laurie for the Annual Jesus Revolution Baptism at Pirate's Cove on July 18.
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
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“Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.” (Acts 3:19–20 NLT)
The strong faith of two men named George played a key role in shaping the United States of America. The first was George Whitefield, our spiritual founding father. He was a British evangelist who came to our shores to preach the gospel. As a result of his ministry, thousands of colonists came to Christ. It was the first great spiritual awakening in what would become known as the United States of America.
Between 1740 and 1742, before the United States was even a nation, the Great Awakening had a remarkable impact in New England. Historians estimate that 25,000 to 50,000 people were added to New England church membership as a result of the revival. With New England’s population only around 300,000 at the time, that means as many as one out of every six people in the region may have been reached in some way by the revival, in which George Whitefield played a leading role. The evangelistic wildfire left in its wake fertile spiritual ground on which the nation could be built. The Christian truths and principles that guided the lives of the new converts found their way into the nation’s DNA. They formed the cornerstone of the United States government.
John Adams, founding father and second president of the United States, wrote, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
Our nation was forged in the flames of revival started by George Whitefield.
The second George is, of course, George Washington—commander of the Continental Army, first president of the United States, and the father of our country. Washington was always quick to give the glory to God for his victories. He never tired of invoking the role of Providence in the formation of the United States of America. In fact, Washington directed that a special flag be flown by the ships of the U.S. Navy. The flag depicted a tree with branches stretching upward. The message of the flag was an appeal to Heaven, a reminder that the United States needed to call on God for its success and sustenance.
Unfortunately, that message got lost along the way. Our nation has drifted away from God and His guidance. The good news is that it’s not too late to go back to Him.
The apostle Peter preached to the people of Israel, “Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah” (Acts 3:19–20 NLT).
That same message is needed in our country today. Our nation, which was forged in a spiritual revival, needs to go through those flames again.
Reflection question: How can you incorporate a concern for our nation’s spiritual well-being into your prayers and Bible study? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
Join Greg Laurie for the Annual Jesus Revolution Baptism at Pirate's Cove on July 18.
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
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“Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.” (1 Corinthians 1:21 NLT)
As we look back in history and see the names of Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, Billy Sunday, Billy Graham, and others, we may be tempted to pray for the Lord to raise up a similar firebrand to ignite a much-needed revival in our nation today. But the Bible makes it clear that revival—the spread of the Good News of Jesus Christ—is not something that’s best left to the experts.
Who’s called to preach the gospel? According to God’s Word, it isn’t just pastors, teachers, evangelists, and missionaries. It’s any person, anywhere, who names the name of Christ.
Jesus Himself gave us our marching orders when He said, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you” (Matthew 28:19–20 NLT). Jesus called His followers to share the gospel. And He called us to share it everywhere.
In another variation of what we call the Great Commission, Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone” (Mark 16:15 NLT). We can localize this by saying, “Go into all your world and preach the gospel. Go to all your family, to your workplace, and to your neighborhood. Go into your sphere of influence.” In other words, lay the groundwork for localized revivals.
Why are we to do this? Because God’s primary way of reaching people is through people. The apostle Paul wrote that “since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21 NLT).
God has chosen to communicate His gospel primarily through us as we share it verbally. That’s not to say there isn’t a place for living the gospel. In fact, living the gospel—letting Christ’s light shine through us—effectively earns us the right to share the gospel. But we shouldn’t merely rely on our silent example.
We need to look for opportunities to specifically articulate the gospel message to others. The apostle Paul also wrote, “And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” (Romans 10:14 NLT). We should be doing this because we care, because we have a burden for people who don’t know the Lord.
As individual believers, we may not be able to plan a revival—not in the broadest sense of the word, at least. But we can launch individual or localized revivals in the lives of others by sharing the gospel as Jesus called us to do.
Reflection question: Where would be a good starting point for igniting a localized revival in your sphere of influence? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
Join Greg Laurie for the Annual Jesus Revolution Baptism at Pirate's Cove on July 18.
—
The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” (Romans 10:14 NLT)
I don’t know about you, but I’m a big fan of hearing people’s stories. When I choose books to read on vacation, they’re generally biographies. Maybe that’s because, for me, the best kind of story is a true story.
When it comes to sharing your faith, one of the most effective tools at your disposal is your personal testimony—the story of how you came to faith and how Jesus has transformed your life.
The apostle Paul wrote, “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” (Romans 10:14 NLT).
The founding fathers of our nation certainly weren’t shy about sharing their stories of faith. Thomas Jefferson wrote, “I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus.” He also said in a different letter, “I have little doubt that our whole country will soon be rallied to the unity of our Creator and, I hope, to the pure doctrine of Jesus also.” Despite his flaws, our third president understood the importance of sharing personal testimony and the power of faith for a nation.
A testimony builds bridges. It’s a way to connect with others so they can see how you came to be the person you are and why you believe what you believe. It’s also a way to help people see how they can come to faith as well.
Another great thing about sharing your testimony is that you can indirectly preach the gospel to someone. For example, instead of just walking up to a person and saying, “You’re a sinner, you need to repent, and Christ died for you,” you can share your testimony.
It might go something like this: “You know, before I was a Christian, my life was going nowhere. I had a sense of emptiness, and I wondered what was wrong, what was missing. Then one day I went to a church service and heard the pastor say . . .”
That’s how you can preach the gospel while you tell your own story. And then you can ask, “What do you think about that? Have you ever heard that before? Have you ever considered who Jesus is?”
Every believer has a testimony, and every testimony matters. Of course, some testimonies are more dramatic than others. But when you really get down to it, everyone’s testimony is essentially the same: “I was lost. I was separated from God and was guilty and lonely and afraid to die. And I was on my way to Hell. But Jesus Christ, in His grace, intervened in my life and transformed me.”
Sharing how the flame of Christ was lit in you can lead to the flame being lit in other people’s lives as well. And as various flames are stoked, the conditions become ripe for all-out revival. That’s the power of a personal testimony.
Reflection question: Which parts of your personal testimony might resonate with other people? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
Join Greg Laurie for the Annual Jesus Revolution Baptism at Pirate's Cove on July 18.
—
The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.” (Luke 6:27–28 NLT)
One of the most difficult things about revival is that it requires us to reach out to people we would prefer to ignore. My mother was married and divorced seven times. After I became a Christian and a pastor, the Lord spoke to my heart and told me to go back to my mother’s husbands and share the gospel with them. It didn’t always go well.
One of the men—Eddie, who lived in Hawaii—had been especially cruel to my mom. He once knocked my mother unconscious with a statue. When I saw her lying on the floor, bleeding profusely, I thought she was dead. Needless to say, I had a very hard heart toward this man even after I was an adult.
But when I was in Hawaii preaching, I felt directed by the Lord to go meet with him. It was obvious that he wasn’t doing well. He lived in a tiny apartment, and he was in great pain. I told him what Christ had done for me, how He had changed me, and I invited him to come and hear me speak. He said no. He wanted nothing to do with the gospel message.
On the other hand, I also had an opportunity to talk to a man I loved. His name was Oscar Laurie. He had adopted me and treated me as a father should treat a son. But my mom left him. Years later, I sought him out too. I visited him and his wife, Barbara, in New Jersey. Over a delicious Italian dinner in their home, Barbara said, “Greg, tell me how you became a Christian and then a minister.”
As I shared my story, Oscar just stared at me. He was a retired attorney, and I felt as though I was standing before a judge giving my testimony. When I finished, he simply said, “Greg, let’s walk in the morning.”
During that walk, he said, “Greg, I was listening very carefully to what you said last night. And I would like to give my life to Jesus Christ.” He dropped to his knees in the middle of a park and prayed.
I can’t tell you for sure what happened in the lives of all the men I shared the gospel. That’s God’s department. My job was to plant the seeds. God is the One who nurtures them and causes them to grow. But to plant those seeds, I had to reach out to people who caused pain and chaos in my life.
Jesus knew how difficult it would be for His followers to obey His instructions in Luke 6:27–28: “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you” (NLT).
But He also knew that extraordinary things happen when we do.
Revival happens.
Reflection question: How can you share the gospel with someone you would rather avoid? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
Join Greg Laurie for the Annual Jesus Revolution Baptism at Pirate's Cove on July 18.
—
The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast
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“So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News.For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 1:8–9 NLT)
Spiritual revival can be compared to a romance between a man and a woman. Guys know that when you first take a girl out, you want to make a good impression on her. So, you shower, make sure your shirt is clean, and show her great respect. Maybe you open the car door for her. You pull out her chair at a restaurant—a nice French restaurant.
But when you get married, things change. You still open the car door for her, but you close it before she’s all the way in. And the closest thing to a French restaurant that you take her to now is Jacque in the Box or Le Golden Arches. Something has happened. The passion has slipped away. You’re no longer making the effort.
That reminds me of a story I heard about a woman who wanted to divorce her husband. She told her attorney, “I want this divorce to hurt him badly. I want him to feel as much pain as possible.”
The attorney said, “Here’s how to do it. For the next three months, smother your husband with affection. Compliment him constantly. Tell him what a great guy he is and how much you care for him. Then, when he’s feeling on top of the world, drop the divorce papers on him. He won’t know what hit him. He’ll be devastated when you walk out.”
The woman agreed to the plan. For the next three months she complimented her husband, affirmed him, and told him how much she loved and appreciated him. When the three months ended, her attorney called her and said, “All right, let’s get this divorce started.”
The woman said, “Divorce? We’re going on our second honeymoon.” By committing to the relationship as God intends, the woman unwittingly ignited the flames of passion again.
Similarly, when believers commit to the Christian life as God intends—by studying Scripture, immersing ourselves in prayer, getting involved in a church, and sharing our faith—we fuel the fire of revival in ourselves and others.
That’s why Paul wrote, “So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News.For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:8–9 NLT).
One person’s spiritual boldness paves the way for others to follow, just as John Hancock’s bold signature on the Declaration of Independence gave others courage to follow.
Passion and boldness are key ingredients of revival.
Reflection question: What would rediscovering your spiritual passion look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
Join Greg Laurie for the Annual Jesus Revolution Baptism at Pirate's Cove on July 18.
—
The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.” (1 Peter 3:15 NLT)
Years ago, I encountered a man on a street in Hawaii. He was holding a sign that read, “The wages of sin is death.” He was also yelling, “God hates you” and “God will judge you” to everyone who passed by. I watched him for a few minutes until I could no longer leave his misrepresentation of Scripture unchallenged.
“Excuse me,” I said. “Why don’t you share the rest of that verse? It’s true that it says the wages of sin is death, but the rest of it says that the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
The man responded by telling me that God was going to judge me. Then he continued misrepresenting God’s Word.
Make no mistake: Judgment can and will come to those who reject the Lord. But if that’s our only message to the world, we’re not doing the gospel justice. Because at the center of the gospel is a message of hope. The apostle Peter wrote, “If someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it” (1 Peter 3:15 NLT).
So, let’s explain it. Jesus Christ took the judgment of God on the cross of Calvary in our place so we don’t have to face it. Everyone who believes in Him will be saved from judgment because of God’s mercy.
As we wrap up our look at the greatest revival in human history, I will remind you that God spared Nineveh. God extended mercy to Nineveh. And as a result, a spiritual awakening occurred in Nineveh. The people of Nineveh seized on the hope in Jonah’s message and believed.
If God could bring a mighty revival in Nineveh with no better representative than Jonah and no more gospel than he preached in their streets, He can surely do the same thing for America. Jesus validated the story of Jonah. He said that just as Jonah was in the belly of a fish for three days, He, the Son of God, would be crucified on a cross, lie dead for three days, and then rise again. That’s why believers have hope.
Jesus endured God’s judgment for your sin. He suffered and died in your place. And He did it as part of God’s plan. God loves you so much that He sacrificed His only Son so that you might have eternal life.
As we celebrate 250 years of God’s blessings on our nation, I want to make sure that you have something greater to celebrate. Have you asked Christ to come into your life? Have you asked Him to forgive you of your sins? Do you have the hope right now that you will go to Heaven when you die? If not, you can have it. Pray these words: Lord Jesus, I know that I’m a sinner. I’m sorry for my sin. I’ve turned from it, and now I choose to follow You from this moment forward. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Reflection question: What would you say if someone asked you about the hope you have as a believer? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
Experience the Harvest Crusade on July 11 when you watch online!
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 NLT)
Our nation was founded on Christian principles but has turned its back on many of them. In his 1796 Farewell Address, President George Washington said, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”
The good news is that God loves to give second chances. The psalmist wrote, “He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve” (Psalm 103:10 NLT). Those who repent receive God’s mercy and forgiveness. We see His mercy and forgiveness at work in His dealings with the city of Nineveh.
Yet if the people of Nineveh had rejected Jonah’s message, the consequences would have been dire. The very existence of Nineveh hung in the balance. Our country will find itself in the same precarious position if we continue to reject God and His Word.
Job wrote, “You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer” (Job 14:5 NLT). That applies to nations as well. So as the salt and light of our nation, believers must develop a sense of urgency about igniting the flames of revival in this country.
Every nation’s days are numbered. Every great empire in history has had a beginning, a middle, and an end. The same will hold true for the United States of America, according to God’s timing. So, here’s what we’re praying for: one more great spiritual awakening—or maybe two or three. That’s up to the Lord. But our job, our mission, is like Jonah’s. We are to proclaim the Good News and tell people that there’s a God who loves them. Ours is a message of mercy but also a message of judgment for those who reject that mercy.
In John 3:16, Jesus said, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son” (NLT). That’s a message of mercy. But then He said, “so that everyone who believes in him will not perish” (NLT). That’s a message of judgment.
In Romans 6:23, Paul wrote, “For the wages of sin is death” (NLT). That’s a message of judgment. But then he wrote, “But the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (NLT). That’s a message of mercy.
Those two themes must be present in our gospel message. They are the twin pillars of revival.
Reflection question: In your circle of acquaintances, who needs to hear that God offers second chances?
Experience the Harvest Crusade on July 11 when you watch online!
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast
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Support the show: https://harvest.org/support
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
“This time Jonah obeyed the Lord’s command and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to see it all. On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: ‘Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!’ The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow.” (Jonah 3:3–5 NLT)
This month we’re celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. The story of our nation is a classic rags-to-riches tale. The upstart 13 colonies won their independence from England and grew into a global superpower.
As we celebrate the past quarter-millennium, we must not take our nation’s future for granted. It would be hubris to assume that the United States will celebrate its 500th anniversary—or even its 251st. God has shed His grace on our nation, but He has made no promises about our longevity. The farther we stray from the Lord, His Word, and His will, the bleaker our long-term prospects look.
Once upon a time, the city of Nineveh must have seemed too big and too powerful to fail. Yet Jonah’s God-given warning threatened its very existence. Jonah 3:3–5 explains it this way: “This time Jonah obeyed the Lord’s command and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to see it all. On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: ‘Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!’ The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow” (NLT).
What would happen if our country were given a forty-day warning? Would we recognize the urgency and turn to God? The story of Nineveh in the book of Jonah offers a template to follow.
When the king of Nineveh heard Jonah’s prophetic words, he stepped down from his throne, took off his royal robes, dressed himself in burlap, and sat on a heap of ashes. In other words, he humbled himself before the Lord. The people of Nineveh prayed earnestly, repenting of their wickedness and asking God to forgive them and show them mercy.
When God saw their response to Jonah’s warning, how they turned from their evil ways, He withheld His judgment and destruction. What a stunning turnaround. The entire city turned to God en masse as one of the greatest revivals in human history unfolded. Their change of heart shows us that no one is beyond the reach of God.
That principle applies not only on a national level but on a personal level as well. Think of the people in your life who seem far from God. Start praying for a Nineveh-like revival in their lives. Do it for forty days—and then for another forty days, if necessary.
Do the work of revival and trust the results to God.
Reflection question: What would doing the work of revival look like in your life?
Experience the Harvest Crusade on July 11 when you watch online!
—
The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish.He said, ‘I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble, and he answered me. I called to you from the land of the dead, and Lord, you heard me. . . . But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the Lord alone.’ Then the Lord ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach.”(Jonah 2:1–2, 9–10 NLT)
The turning point that led to the greatest spiritual revival in human history occurred in the intestines of a giant fish. If that’s not unusual enough for you, consider that the person the Lord called to lead the revival in Nineveh was a rabid anti-Ninevite.
Before the people of Nineveh could change their hearts, Jonah had to change his. And that’s just what he did after he was thrown from a ship in the middle of a storm and swallowed by an enormous sea creature.
“Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish.He said, ‘I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble, and he answered me. I called to you from the land of the dead, and Lord, you heard me. . . . But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the Lord alone.’ Then the Lord ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach”(Jonah 2:1–2, 9–10 NLT).
One of the most remarkable aspects of the story of Nineveh’s revival is that there’s nothing predictable about it. God engineered the redemption of the entire city in the most unlikely way and using the most unlikely person imaginable.
Yet we could also say that God works through unlikely people and circumstances so often in Scripture that it’s almost laughable to call anyone or anything unlikely. Jonah prayed from the belly of a fish. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego prayed from inside a fiery furnace. Daniel prayed from a lion’s den. And God answered all of them.
Revival can start anywhere, with anyone. Keep that in mind if you’re in deep waters right now. No matter where you are, no matter what’s going on in your life, no matter how distant you may feel from God, you can pray. And God will hear.
He will ignite the embers of your heart. He will show you the path He has prepared for you. He will revitalize your relationship with Him. No matter how unlikely it may seem, He will use you to accomplish something bigger than you can imagine.
Jonah was repentant and regurgitated. Believing and barfed. Righteous and ralphed. Bleached and beached. Victorious and vomited.
Who’s to say your story won’t be just as unlikely—and just as compelling?
Reflection question: How has God worked in unlikely ways in your life?
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“Then they cried out to the Lord, Jonah’s God. ‘O Lord,’ they pleaded, ‘don’t make us die for this man’s sin. And don’t hold us responsible for his death. O Lord, you have sent this storm upon him for your own good reasons.’”(Jonah 1:14 NLT)
The possibility of a spiritual revival in Nineveh was almost too terrible for Jonah to contemplate. So, he booked passage on a ship headed in the opposite direction. Before we go any further into his story, though, I want to point out that Jonah would have scoffed at the nonsensical claim that the God of the Old Testament is angry, harsh, and judgmental while the God of the New Testament is merciful and loving.
The whole reason Jonah was on the lam from his prophetic duties is that he was afraid that God would show mercy and love toward his enemies, the Ninevites.
When Jonah ran away, God could have just said, “Okay, that’s it, Jonah. I’m done with you. I’m going to get somebody else.” But the Lord loved Jonah. He had a plan for him. He was going to give him a second chance—and God still gives second chances today.
So, the Lord sent a storm into Jonah’s life. In this case, it was an actual, meteorological storm. Often, however, the Lord sends storms into the lives of His people in the form of hardships or difficulties.
There are three kinds of storms we face as Christians. First, there are perfecting storms. These are trials, tribulations, circumstances, and situations that cause us to grow spiritually as we endure them. In the book of Job, as Job struggles with the tragedies that have befallen him, he says of the Lord, “But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold” (Job 23:10 NLT). He was navigating a perfecting storm.
Second, there are protecting storms. According to John 6, after Jesus fed five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish, the people who witnessed the miracle were so excited that they wanted to make Jesus their king. His disciples, by extension, would rule with Him. Rather than give credence to such talk, Jesus loaded His disciples onto a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee. During the crossing, a great storm arose. It was a protecting storm. Jesus was protecting His disciples from a temptation that would have been very damaging to their lives.
Finally, there are correcting storms. Jonah 1:14 says the sailors on Jonah’s ship, “cried out to the Lord, Jonah’s God. ‘O Lord,’ they pleaded, ‘don’t make us die for this man’s sin. And don’t hold us responsible for his death. O Lord, you have sent this storm upon him for your own good reasons’” (NLT).
Correcting storms are circumstances that we effectively bring upon ourselves. But here’s the good news. God won’t abandon us in our storm. In fact, His sending of the storm is a reminder of His love. Hebrews 12:6 says, “For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child” (NLT). Jonah emerged from the storm corrected and ready to fulfill his calling.
The lesson for us is that if we stay strong in the storms of life, we’ll experience a personal revival, which can lead to something bigger and more widespread. There’s no limit to what God can do with one renewed and recalibrated believer.
Reflection question: How can you discern when you’re facing a correcting storm?
Experience the Harvest Crusade on July 11 when you watch online!
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai:‘Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.’” (Jonah 1:1–2 NLT)
Throughout this month, we’ll be addressing the need for revival in our nation. To help frame our discussion, I want to look back at one of the greatest revivals in human history. This week we’ll be talking about what happened in the Assyrian city of Nineveh, as recorded in the Old Testament book of Jonah.
The first thing we need to understand is that one of the greatest revivals in human history began with one person who was willing to step out of his comfort zone. Okay, maybe Jonah wasn’t exactly willing at first. But after a short stay in the digestive tract of a giant fish, he was quite willing.
By the way, if the idea of a person being swallowed by a giant sea creature seems far-fetched to you, you should read the story of Michael Packard, a veteran lobster diver from Cape Cod, Massachusetts. One day, while Packard was in the water, he was washed into the mouth of a humpback whale. He recalled, “All of a sudden I felt this huge shove, and the next thing I knew it was completely black.” After about 40 seconds, the whale spit him out. The same thing happened to Jonah—it just took about three days longer in his case.
Jonah ended up in the belly of a giant fish because he wanted to stay in his comfort zone. Jonah 1:1–2 says, “The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai:‘Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are’” (NLT). But Jonah refused. The Ninevites were enemies of Israel and were known for their wickedness and cruelty. The idea of God forgiving and showing mercy to them was far outside Jonah’s comfort zone. He had no concern for the souls of the Ninevites. He took comfort in the notion that God would judge Nineveh. He wanted the Ninevites to suffer for all the suffering they had caused Israel.
But God didn’t call Jonah to make himself at home in his comfort zone. He called Jonah to leave his comfort zone far behind and do something that must have felt not only out of character but also beyond his ability.
That’s how revivals begin: ordinary people respond to an extraordinary call. They step outside their comfort zone and place their trust in God to accomplish what He would have them do.
Are you willing to leave your comfort zone to reach people who need Jesus? Are you willing to build bridges to people who are of a different political persuasion than you are? Are you willing to build bridges to people who are of a different race than you are? Are you willing to build bridges to people who are just different from you?
Don’t forget—that’s how revivals get started.
Reflection question: What would it look like in your life to reach out to someone who is different from you?
Experience the Harvest Crusade on July 11 when you watch online!
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 NLT)
Years ago, I was staying at a friend’s cabin in Virginia. He informed me that the cabin was heated by a fireplace and a stove. That meant I had to build a fire in each one using kindling and wood, and then keep the fires stoked. I asked him where I could buy kindling.
In the very nicest way possible, he asked, “What’s wrong with you? You don’t buy kindling. You just pick it up off the ground.” (I should point out that I’m from California and he’s from North Carolina.)
After he showed me how to find kindling, he explained that I would need to empty the ashes from the stove and fireplace using a metal bucket that he kept on a concrete surface. When the embers cooled, I would need to throw them out so I could reuse the bucket. I told him I understood.
Hours later, after he was gone, I got up in the middle of the night to put more wood on the fire. I needed to clean out some of the ashes, but the bucket was full. I assumed that the embers had cooled because they’d been sitting in the bucket for a long time.
So, I went outside where it was very dark and very cold and threw the ashes off the porch into the yard. But along with the ashes came some still-burning embers. And each one started a small fire when it hit the grass and leaves. I almost had a heart attack. I ran out into the yard and started picking up the embers and throwing them up onto the gravel driveway. Then I found a bucket—an extremely small bucket—and started filling it with water to put out the little fires. I was terrified that I’d started a wildfire that was going to burn down the entire area. Thankfully, that didn’t happen. But that’s the nature of fire. A single spark can ignite something massive.
It’s only fitting that on this momentous day we point out that this is the nature of revolution as well. The “shot heard ’round the world” that began the Battles of Lexington and Concord started a revolution that changed the world as we know it.
And it’s also the nature of revival. As Jesus’ words in Acts 1:8 make clear, spiritual revival starts local and spreads, like a fire. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (NLT).
So, start local. Feed the flames of revival in yourself. Ask God to intervene in your life in a powerful way. Ask Him to reboot your spiritual system, to refresh and reenergize you. And then let that spiritual fire spread to those around you. You’ll be amazed at what God can do with a single spark.
Reflection question: In what area of your spiritual life do you most need a spark?
Experience the Harvest Crusade on July 11 when you watch online!
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NLT)
Hope is a precious commodity in today’s world. Our 24-hour news cycle feeds us story after story of events and tragedies that are far beyond our control. Many people spend hours online “doomscrolling,” obsessively searching for content that reinforces their negativity or triggers their anxiety.
As a nation, we’ve certainly faced our share of dark times before. For many, there was little hope to be found during the years of the Civil War or in the struggle for civil rights. But our current culture feels different. The algorithms that drive social media seem to reinforce a sense of hopelessness. And the occasional piece of content that momentarily offers hope often turns out to be AI-generated.
So when people encounter genuine hope, the results are often profound. That’s why the apostle Paul wrote, “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NLT).
Believers understand that with God, there is no such thing as hopelessness. Andrew Jackson understood that. In a letter to his wife he wrote, “I trust that the god of Isaac and of Jacob will protect you, and give you health in my absence, in him alone we ought to trust, he alone can preserve, and guide us through this troublesome world, and I am sure he will hear your prayers. We are told that the prayers of the righteous prevaileth much, and I add mine for your health and preservation untill we again meet.”
The overflowing hope that Paul spoke of springs from a spiritual passion. That’s why revival is essential to the lifeblood of believers and to the lifeblood of our nation. For believers, revival involves recapturing the first bloom of a love relationship with Jesus Christ. Sometimes when we’ve been walking with the Lord for a while, our spiritual passion begins to fade. Our zeal begins to erode. We lose some of our initial excitement about our relationship with Him. Revival is how we get it back.
When we as Christians restore the passion and fervor to our relationship with Christ, good things happen—in and around us. That renewed passion and fervor feeds on itself. Hope fills and then overflows our lives and then splashes all over the people around us. That’s how revival spreads.
I was speaking once with Chuck Smith, who is regarded as the father of the last great spiritual awakening in our country—an event known as the Jesus Movement. I asked him, “Chuck, do you think we’ll ever see another Jesus Movement?”
His answer was this: “I don’t know, Greg. I don’t know if we’re desperate enough.”
It’s time for God’s people to rediscover our passion, our hope, and our desperation.
Reflection question: What would renewed spiritual passion, hope, and desperation look like in your life?
Experience the Harvest Crusade on July 11 when you watch online!
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!” (Psalm 80:19 NKJV)
Before we get too deep in our discussion of revival in our country, we should probably define the term. What is revival exactly? Too often believers mystify the word without understanding its true meaning. Revival is simply another word for “refreshment” or “restoration.”
A psalmist wrote, “Won’t you revive us again, so your people can rejoice in you?” (Psalm 85:6 NLT). Another psalm says, “Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!” (Psalm 80:19 NKJV). Revival carries with it the idea of returning something to its original condition.
Think of someone who buys a beat-up old car from a junkyard. They do bodywork on it. They repaint it. They drop a new engine in it. They put new tires on it. And when you see it cruising down the road, you can hardly believe it’s the same car. That’s called a restoration.
Think of a plant that’s beginning to wither. You give it some water and take it out into the sunshine, and it comes back to life again. Think of the fatigue you experience when you work out in the hot sun all day. Then think of the feeling you experience when you come inside an air-conditioned house and drink some cool water. Revival is the spiritual equivalent of that kind of restoration and refreshment.
A spiritual revival is when God’s people come back to life again because they’ve been refreshed. They’ve been refilled. They’ve been restored to their original condition.
The United States experienced a remarkable revival a few decades before the Declaration of Independence was signed. The impact of that revival reverberated powerfully in the founding of our nation. Being restored to that original condition could look like many different things in our country. Noah Webster, often referred as the Father of American Scholarship and Education, offered a starting point when he said, “The moral principles and precepts contained in the Scriptures ought to form the basis of all our civil constitutions and laws. . . . All the miseries and evils which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible.”
For the church, which is the spiritual center of our nation, being restored to the original condition would resemble the description of Paul and Silas found in Acts 17:6: “These who have turned the world upside down” (NKJV). The church is meant to impact the world, not be impacted by it. It’s meant to disrupt the status quo and not to settle for it. The church is meant to shine a light on the darkness of this world and not to ignore it or make excuses for it.
Revival encourages us to embrace the full extent of our God-given potential. It compels us to do the hard work to become the best possible versions of ourselves—as individuals, as a church, and as a nation.
Reflection question: What would a spiritual refreshing or restoration look like in your life?
Experience the Harvest Crusade on July 11 when you watch online!
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast
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“This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.” (Romans 13:11–12 NLT)
This month, we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation. And this month’s devotions will tie into that celebration. They will also tie into our nation’s greatest need at the quarter-millennium mark in our history: the need for revival.
Let me start with a few questions. Think of the last time you got a phone call in the middle of the night. Did the person begin the conversation with the question, “Did I wake you?” If so, did you have the urge to say, “No, I was already awake”?
Sometimes when I watch television with my wife, she will pick a show that I don’t find very interesting, like some British baking show. And before long, I’ll fall asleep. And when I open my eyes, I’ll find my wife staring at me. “You were sleeping,” she’ll say. And my first instinct is to say, “No, I wasn’t,” even though I woke myself up with my own snoring.
What is it about human nature that causes us to deny that we’re sleeping? Maybe we see tiredness as a weakness. Maybe we’re reluctant to admit that we’re not bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and fully alert every second of the day.
It’s one thing to be physically asleep and not own up to it. It’s quite another thing to be spiritually asleep and deny it—and not just for an individual believer. A nation can be spiritually asleep, and I think that’s the condition the United States finds itself in right now.
This week we will celebrate the grace that God has shed on our country. We will recount the many blessings He has bestowed on us over the past 250 years. Our celebrations will be marked by loud music and fireworks. Yet even then, we will go on spiritually sleeping.
So as the Fourth of July approaches this year, I will be praying for a revival for our nation. And revival begins with a spiritual awakening—a profound awareness of our distance from God and our need to close that distance.
I will be praying for a sense of spiritual urgency among God’s people. The apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Rome, “This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living” (Romans 13:11–12 NLT).
It’s time to sound the alarm. The time for revival has come.
Reflection question: How can you be a “spiritual alarm clock” to the people God has placed around you?
Experience the Harvest Crusade on July 11 when you watch online!
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.” (1 Timothy 2:5–6 NLT)
One of the costs of following Christ is not being able to join in the feel-good consensus that claims, “All paths lead to God.” Believers don’t have the option of nodding in agreement when people say, “It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you’re sincere in your beliefs.”
We don’t have the option because the Bible doesn’t offer it. Jesus Himself said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 NLT). And the apostle Paul wrote, “There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone” (1 Timothy 2:5–6 NLT). These passages leave exactly no room for other spiritual claims or belief systems, no matter how prevalent the idea of religious inclusiveness becomes.
The teaching that Jesus Christ is the only way to God has never been popular. But it’s probably safe to say that it’s never been more controversial than it is today. If you want to get someone’s blood boiling, then quote Jesus’ words in John 14:6 or Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 2:5–6. The “Coexist” bumper sticker on the person’s car will spontaneously catch fire.
The idea that you would have the audacity to say that Jesus is the only way is, in effect, saying that other religions aren’t true. That’s the way the logic works itself out, and people don’t like it. It’s acceptable to say that Jesus is a way to God. But when you dare say that He is the only way, then you can be certain that you’ll get some pushback. You might even be accused of being narrow-minded or worse.
But here’s what it comes down to: As believers, we must say what the Bible says, whether it’s popular or not. We have no authority to edit the message of the Bible. We’re called simply to deliver it, without watering it down or sugarcoating the words to fit what the audience wants to hear.
To do otherwise would be like a doctor discovering a very serious problem with a patient’s health but then being unwilling to say what that problem is—because it might make that patient uncomfortable.
We must tell people the truth about their real spiritual condition, which happens to be sinful, and then seek to save them, which is to point them to Jesus Christ as the only solution. If this means we are falsely accused of exclusivity or some other social media no-no, then so be it. God’s truth is too important to be edited for content.
Reflection question: How can you help people get past their desire to be inclusive and understand that Jesus is the only way to God and eternal life?
Harvest Crusade tickets are fully claimed—but it’s not too late to participate and witness what God does on July 11. Invite your loved ones to watch online with you and make sure you join the waitlist in case more tickets become available.
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.” (Hebrews 13:14 NLT)
I heard a story about an old missionary couple who had been serving in Africa for years and were returning home to retire. Their health was broken down, and they had no pension. As it turned out, the same steamer ship they were traveling on had a very well-known passenger, President Teddy Roosevelt, who was returning home from a hunting expedition. As the passengers disembarked, a crowd of admirers gathered around. They were all there to greet the president of the United States. A band was playing, and the cheers of the crowd were deafening.
But when the missionary couple came ashore, there was no band playing for them. There was no applause. There was no one to welcome them—not a single soul to meet them. Discouraged, the husband buried his face in his hands and moaned, “God, I didn’t expect a band or a parade, but someone could have seen to it to welcome us home.”
Hearing this, his wife looked at him and said, “Now, honey, we are not home yet.”
One of the costs of following Christ is the challenge of living in a place that’s not our home. This creates an inescapable tension. We can’t ignore our earthly responsibilities. We must involve ourselves in many different aspects of life on this planet. At the same time, we can’t become too comfortable in our earthly environment. We must keep the prevailing attitudes and priorities of this world at arm’s length. And we must keep one eye trained on our forever home so that we never lose sight of our ultimate destination.
God’s Word makes it clear that believers are not home yet, but one day we will be. The author of Hebrews wrote, “For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come” (Hebrews 13:14 NLT).
We have no say in the timing of our eventual homecoming. God will call us home according to His timetable. Our job, until that day, is to be faithful with the opportunities and resources He has given to us. There are some people who simply “go for it” as Christians. They take risks for God. They want to do great things for Him. They give it everything they have. Then there are others who want to serve the Lord, but in a more cautious, careful manner. Some people are setting the world on fire while others are still looking for a match.
God has equipped us for our sojourn in this world. We must focus on being faithful to Him and using the gifts, opportunities, and resources He’s given us. This world may not be our home, but while we’re here, we can make a big difference in it.
Reflection question: How do you deal with the challenge of living day to day in a place that isn’t your home?
Harvest Crusade tickets are fully claimed—but it’s not too late to participate and witness what God does on July 11. Invite your loved ones to watch online with you and make sure you join the waitlist in case more tickets become available.
—
The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast
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“David asked the soldiers standing nearby, ‘What will a man get for killing this Philistine and ending his defiance of Israel? Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?’” (1 Samuel 17:26 NLT)
David may have thought to himself, “This is a joke. This guy can’t be serious!”
David was on an errand for his father, who had sent him to the front lines to deliver food to his brothers. He arrived to find Goliath bellowing from the valley, mocking the God of Israel, blaspheming his Lord that he loved so deeply.
Goliath was a gigantic Philistine—nine feet and six inches of solid muscle, covered in armor. Every day he would taunt the Israelites, shouting something to the effect of, “I’ll make you a deal. Send someone out to fight me. If he wins, we’ll be your servants. But if I win, you’ll be our servants. Any takers?”
No one wanted to go near him.
Meanwhile, there stood David. Though David was a musician, a poet, and a tenderhearted guy, he was also as tough as nails. When there were threats against his sheep, he took them on. He had killed a lion and a bear. He wasn’t afraid. And he wanted to know why someone wasn’t responding to Goliath’s challenge.
“David asked the soldiers standing nearby, ‘What will a man get for killing this Philistine and ending his defiance of Israel? Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?’” (1 Samuel 17:26 NLT).
David wasn’t intimidated by this giant because David looked at things differently than everyone else. Everyone else saw a giant of a man and, apparently, a small God. David, however, saw a big God. That giant didn’t intimidate David the way he intimidated everyone else. And we know how that perspective paid off for David in the end.
Maybe you have a giant in your life that’s taunting you right now. Maybe it’s some kind of threat. Maybe it’s a habit or an addiction that has you in its grip. Maybe it’s a situation that needs to be dealt with once and for all. Or, in keeping with the theme of preparing for the Harvest Crusade next month, maybe your loved one does not have a personal relationship with Jesus. This giant, so to speak, seeks to control you. It seeks to hurt you. It seeks to torment you.
What should you do? Like David, you should see God for who He is and your giant for what it is. Align your perspective with spiritual reality. Nothing in your life is too big for God. Nothing is too complex for Him to solve. Nothing is beyond His experience or expertise. Call on the Lord and pray for His power. Pay attention to His prompts. Be willing to step out of your comfort zone in faith, to do the hard—but doable—things necessary. Attack your giant and see what God does in and through you.
Reflection question: How can you attack the most prominent giant in your life right now?
Harvest Crusade tickets are fully claimed—but it’s not too late to participate and witness what God does on July 11. Invite your loved ones to watch online with you and make sure you join the waitlist in case more tickets become available.
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love,he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” (Titus 3:4–7 NLT)
Self-righteous people don’t think they need forgiveness. Self-righteous people don’t think they need Jesus. A self-righteous person will say, “You go preach that gospel in the prisons and on the streets and to the criminals. But don’t bother with me. I’m an educated and intelligent person. I’m a moral person. I don’t need it.”
The Bible takes a different stance on the matter. The apostle Paul wrote,
“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love,he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” (Titus 3:4–7 NLT)
Self-righteous people are different from what I would call garden-variety sinners. Self-righteous people are kind people. They are considerate people. They volunteer and help wherever they’re needed. They do benevolent things. We all know people like this. In fact, I’ve met some non-Christians who are nicer than some Christians I know.
It isn’t wrong to say that there are some relatively “good” people from a worldly perspective, because there are. The Bible acknowledges that, in a human sense, some people appear more moral than others. But the Bible does say that no one is good enough to get to Heaven. We don’t get to Heaven based on niceness. Heaven is not a place for near-perfect people; it’s a place for forgiven people.
We see classic examples of this in John’s Gospel. In John 3, we’re introduced to Nicodemus, who was an upstanding, respected, religious, moral guy. In John 4, we’re introduced to a Samaritan woman, an immoral person who was living in sin. What do these two have in common? They both encountered Jesus. And they both were confronted with their need for Him.
Their encounters remind us that everyone needs Jesus—both the moral and the immoral, both the down-and-outer and the up-and-outer. That message is at the center of our Harvest Crusades. It’s why we do what we do.
Look around at the people in your life. Every one of them who hasn’t received Christ as Savior and Lord needs Him, whether they realize it or not. Your mission is to help them recognize that need and then lead them to the One who can fulfill it.
Will you accept that mission?
Reflection question: How can you convince an unbeliever of their need for Jesus?
Harvest Crusade tickets are fully claimed—but it’s not too late to participate and witness what God does on July 11. Invite your loved ones to watch online with you and make sure you join the waitlist in case more tickets become available.
—
The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
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“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (Romans 3:23 NLT)
Years ago, I was a guest on a morning television show. The host and I were having a nice chat when, near the end of the program, he dropped a bombshell. He said, “Greg, I have a question for you. You believe that most of the world is non-Christian and that because of that, they are going to burn in Hell for all eternity. What kind of loving God would ever create such a scenario? Is that like a petty boss that some people have created, not understanding God?”
I had about two minutes to respond to that question. But after the show ended and the cameras stopped rolling, our conversation continued. He went on to ask me about good people and how a God of love could allow them to face judgment.
I pointed out that we must define what “good” is. As humans, we have a sliding scale of good. Everyone seems to believe that they are good. They are always the moral center of their universe. They immediately give themselves a free pass and believe that other people aren’t as good as they are. The problem is that we have conflicting views regarding what is good.
So, how do we determine what good is? We all have the answer, and it’s found in the Bible. God says, “No one is righteous—not even one” (Romans 3:10 NLT). This doesn’t mean there aren’t good people in a broad sense; it means no one is good enough to get to Heaven on their own merit.
In the end, it’s not our standards of goodness that matter; it’s God’s. And, as the apostle Paul makes clear a few verses later in Romans 3, God’s threshold for goodness is much higher than ours. “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (verse 23 NLT).
Our efforts to be “good enough” on our own don’t impress God. Isaiah 64:6 says, “We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags” (NLT). Our good deeds can’t help us escape the judgment we deserve for our sin. Only God’s forgiveness can do that.
From an eternal perspective, being good isn’t about being the nicest person or the kindest person. It’s about being a forgiven person. That’s who will be in Heaven: forgiven people.
If you’ve always put your faith in your own goodness, now is the time to reevaluate. Consider the warnings of Scripture carefully. Admit that your best isn’t good enough. Confess your sins to God and ask for His forgiveness. Trust in the righteousness of Christ for your salvation.
If you’ve already done that, embark on your own personal mission to take the gospel message to the people around you. Help them understand why good isn’t good enough.
Reflection question: How would you respond to someone who believes that they’ll go to Heaven when they die because they’re a good person?
Harvest Crusade tickets are fully claimed—but it’s not too late to participate and witness what God does on July 11. Invite your loved ones to watch online with you and make sure you join the waitlist in case more tickets become available.
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT)
I think we can all agree that the United States needs a spiritual awakening. Over the years, God has done a powerful work through the Harvest Crusade—through worship, the preaching of the gospel, and many responding in faith. And we look forward to another crusade this coming July. But our role doesn’t end there. We can also pray for a spiritual awakening.
Look at God’s Word in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land” (NLT).
In the Old Testament book of Jonah, we see what happens when a national spiritual awakening is ignited. When the prophet Jonah went to Nineveh, he delivered a message of judgment, according to God’s instructions. The message was this: If the people of Nineveh didn’t repent of their wickedness, their city would be overthrown in 40 days (see Jonah 3:4). There was no explicit promise of forgiveness in Jonah’s message nor any mention of God’s love. Jonah basically was saying, “You’re all going to die.” And he was okay with that outcome—more than okay, actually. The Ninevites were the despised enemies of Israel. Their wickedness was well-known. Jonah believed that judgment and destruction were exactly what they deserved.
But a funny thing happened on the way to judgment. The people of Nineveh listened to Jonah and repented, much to the prophet’s bitter disappointment. Jonah 3:10 says, “When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened” (NLT).
Nineveh’s turnaround may have been the greatest revival in human history. And it started with a message from a flawed messenger.
Like Jonah, we are flawed messengers. But we have a perfect message. It’s the Good News of Jesus Christ. We can tell people that God loves them, that God will forgive them, but that they are separated from Him by their sin. We can tell them that if they will turn from their sin and put their faith in Christ, they can be forgiven.
To do that, however, we must be willing to go to our own figurative “Ninevehs.” One mistake many Christians make when it comes to evangelism is “staying in our lane.” We look at the people in our orbit, decide which ones might be receptive to the gospel message, and focus our efforts on that specific group. But as Jonah discovered, genuine, impactful revival comes when we step out of our comfort zone and into situations we never would have imagined possible.
If we can’t do that physically, we can do it with our prayers. So, here’s my challenge to you: Don’t isolate. Infiltrate. As I’ve often said, Jesus didn’t call the world to go to church; He called the church to go to the whole world.
Reflection question: What would a quest for revival look like in your life?
Harvest Crusade tickets are fully claimed—but it’s not too late to participate and witness what God does on July 11. Invite your loved ones to watch online with you and make sure you join the waitlist in case more tickets become available.
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.’” (Matthew 25:41 NLT)
One of the most insidious lies in our spiritually contentious culture is that God is a vengeful Judge who gets a perverse pleasure from sending people to Hell. But it takes a very selective reading of carefully chosen passages of Scripture to support that view.
A full reading of God’s Word reveals that the last thing God wants is for anyone to go to Hell. More to the point, God has gone to unimaginable lengths to make sure that no one goes to Hell. And that’s the truth we want to highlight as we approach the Harvest Crusade coming up next month.
Jesus frequently spoke about Hell during His earthly ministry. He wanted people to understand the spiritual reality of God’s perfect justice. He warned His listeners about the torment of being separated from God for eternity. And then Jesus did everything He could do so that we would not have to experience such eternal separation and torment. Jesus Christ experienced Hell on earth so that we would not have to face it for eternity.
Jesus was forsaken so that we might be forgiven. Jesus entered the darkness so that we might walk in the light. This was the very mission of His life. And on the cross, He bore our sin. He took the punishment we deserve. He sacrificed Himself so that everyone who believes in Him might be saved.
The cross stands as a reminder that a hellish afterlife is not the only option for people. No one has to endure the torment of eternity apart from God. We can change our eternal address. The gospel is a universal declaration that Hell is not God’s desire for anyone. Look at Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:41: “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons’” (NLT). Hell wasn’t prepared for people; it was prepared for the devil and his demons.
If you want to reject the offer of God, if you want to live in your sin and end up in Hell on that final day, then you’ll have no one to blame but yourself. God doesn’t want you to go there. But you have a free will. And to get to Hell, you will have to effectively step over Jesus because He’s blocking the way.
Jesus said, “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it” (Matthew 7:13–14 NLT).
Which road are you on today?
Reflection question: How would you react to someone who blamed God for sending people to Hell?
Harvest Crusade tickets are fully claimed—but it’s not too late to participate and witness what God does on July 11. Invite your loved ones to watch online with you and make sure you join the waitlist in case more tickets become available.
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast
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“Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away.” (Psalm 90:10 NLT)
Benjamin Franklin wrote, “In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Many people have devised strategies to avoid the second. No one has yet devised a strategy for avoiding the first—and no one ever will.
The Bible is very clear about the fact that there will come a time for every person when life on earth will end. The author of Ecclesiastes wrote, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest” (Ecclesiastes 3:1–2 NLT).
The author of Hebrews wrote, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27 NKJV).Most people assume (or, at least, hope) that their appointed time will come after a long life here on earth. But the Bible makes no such promises. For some people, the time to die comes much sooner than expected. For others, it comes much later. Statisticians have estimated that two people die every second. One hundred and twenty people die every minute. Over seven thousand people die every hour.
That’s why the words of the psalmist still resonate: “Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10 NLT).
A historical legend tells us that Philip II of Macedon commanded his servant to stand in his presence every day and repeat something like, “Remember Philip, one day you will die.” The ruler wanted to be reminded of his mortality.
When Steve Jobs gave a commencement speech at Stanford University, he said, “No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it.”
Death is the great equalizer. It’s no respecter of persons. It comes to everyone. And that reality is what gives our Harvest Crusade its urgency and importance every year. People need to hear about the life beyond this one before this one ends.
According to the Bible, after death there are two destinations. Every person decides now—not later, not after death—which destination it will be. Every person decides where they will spend eternity. Those two options are Heaven or Hell.
The apostle Paul wrote, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9 NLT). That’s how you decide to go to Heaven—to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. To do anything else is to choose to go to Hell.
This is our urgent message. Two people who were alive just one second ago won’t have a chance to hear it again.
Reflection question: What causes you to feel a sense of urgency about sharing your faith?
Harvest Crusade tickets are fully claimed—but it’s not too late to participate and witness what God does on July 11. Invite your loved ones to watch online with you and make sure you join the waitlist in case more tickets become available.
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast
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“For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.” (1 Thessalonians 2:4 NLT)
As believers, we have the sacred trust of the gospel message. Jesus has given us our command: “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15–16 NLT). That’s another worthwhile cost of following Christ: the responsibility of sharing His Good News with others. Every believer is called to do it. Every Christian is tasked with getting the gospel message out.
In his letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul mentions “the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God” (1 Timothy 1:11 NLT). Emphasizing the sacred trust of the gospel again in 1 Thessalonians 2:4, he wrote, “For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts” (NLT).
Here’s what that means. As Christians, we all have the same gospel. And we each must ask ourselves the question, “How am I getting the gospel out?” It doesn’t matter how other people are getting the gospel out. That’s their responsibility. What matters is how we’re doing it. That’s our call as followers of Jesus, and it’s one we can’t ignore. Too much depends on our obedience. We need to think about our family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and others in our sphere of influence and ask, “Am I getting the gospel out to these people in a way that’s clear, concise, and impactful?”
Jesus sees exactly how diligent we are in carrying out our sacred responsibility. In the last chapter of the New Testament, He says, “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds” (Revelation 22:12 NLT).
That reward will be directly connected to how faithful we are in this life. Often, we place far too much stock in this life alone. We act as though everything that’s going to happen happens here. Of course, a lot of significant things do happen in this life. The most important decision we will ever make happens in this life: the decision about what we do with Jesus Christ. But we mustn’t let the things in this life distract us from our responsibility regarding the next life.
Paul framed the urgency of our mission perfectly when he wrote, “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, ‘How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!’” (Romans 10:14–15 NLT).
Our faithfulness here will result in rewards there—in Heaven, and when Heaven comes to earth, when we go home.
Reflection question: What does faithfulness to the gospel message look like in your life?
Harvest Crusade tickets are fully claimed—but it’s not too late to participate and witness what God does on July 11. Invite your loved ones to watch online with you and make sure you join the waitlist in case more tickets become available.
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“The LORD your God will soon bring you into the land he swore to give you when he made a vow to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is a land with large, prosperous cities that you did not build. The houses will be richly stocked with goods you did not produce. You will draw water from cisterns you did not dig, and you will eat from vineyards and olive trees you did not plant. When you have eaten your fill in this land, be careful not to forget the LORD, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 6:10–12 NLT)
One of the costs of following Christ is the realization that adversity isn’t something to be dreaded and avoided; it’s something to be embraced because it serves a vital purpose.
In his book, The Problem of Pain, C. S. Lewis wrote, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”
We talk about the problem of pain, but let’s talk about the problem of prosperity. Prosperity brings responsibility because we are not owners; we are stewards. Everything God gives to us is a gift, and we will be held responsible for what we do with the resources that are at our disposal. Therefore, we want to make sure that we remain dependent on God.
When life gets hard and adversity hits, we pray—and so we should. But sometimes when life is going reasonably well, we sort of forget about prayer. In Acts 12, we read that when James was beheaded, and Peter was put in prison, the church prayed—and they prayed with desperation because they knew that if God didn’t come through, there was no other hope.
The psalmist wrote, “I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word” (Psalm 119:67 NLT).
God gave this warning to Israel before they entered the Promised Land and began enjoying all its blessings: “The LORD your God will soon bring you into the land he swore to give you when he made a vow to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is a land with large, prosperous cities that you did not build. The houses will be richly stocked with goods you did not produce. You will draw water from cisterns you did not dig, and you will eat from vineyards and olive trees you did not plant. When you have eaten your fill in this land, be careful not to forget the LORD, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 6:10–12 NLT).
Adversity levels us and keeps us humble, while prosperity tends to make us proud and self-sufficient. We don’t think we need God when we’re in good health or have a wallet full of credit cards or a lot of money in the bank. But when the economy goes south, or the doctor has bad news, we turn to God because we are reminded of what really matters.
That’s the role of adversity in our lives.
Reflection question: What is the best way to respond to adversity in your life?
Harvest Crusade tickets are fully claimed—but it’s not too late to participate and witness what God does on July 11. Invite your loved ones to watch online with you and make sure you join the waitlist in case more tickets become available.
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast
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“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (Romans 5:3–5 NLT)
Benjamin Disraeli, a former prime minister of Great Britain, once said, “Youth is a blunder; Manhood a struggle, Old Age a regret.” Maybe that seems like a dim view of existence, but there are a lot of people who would agree with his assessment.
In a fallen world, there is no vacation from human suffering and tragedy. Many deep-thinking people have tried to sort out this reality, understand it, and explain it. C. S. Lewis called it “the problem of pain.”
What we need to understand in considering this problem is that there is a God who, even in the worst tragedy, can bring good out of bad. As believers, we acknowledge that life can be bad. We acknowledge that bad things can happen. We acknowledge that tragedies can come into our lives. But we also acknowledge that God is sovereign, which means He’s in control. And we acknowledge that ultimately God can cause all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (see Romans 8:28).
Some people cling to the mistaken notion that because they’re Christians, they won’t suffer. They may not state it outright, but they believe that bad things won’t happen to them. However, Jesus dispelled that notion when He said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NLT).
As we consider the cost of following Christ, we must acknowledge that suffering is part of it. Despite Jesus’ warning, many believers have a hard time putting the words trials, problems, and God loves me into one sentence because they just don’t seem to go together. But let’s look at God’s endgame. Is it to make us happy in the temporal or make us holy in the eternal? Is it to keep us always earthbound or to prepare us for Heaven? The answer in both cases is the second option.
The apostle Paul explained it this way:
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love” (Romans 5:3–5 NLT).
God allows suffering to occur. And while no suffering is good, He can bring good from suffering.
Reflection question: When have you seen God bring good from a situation that was anything but good?
Harvest Crusade tickets are fully claimed—but it’s not too late to participate and witness what God does on July 11. Invite your loved ones to watch online with you and make sure you join the waitlist in case more tickets become available.
—
The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast
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“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.” (1 Peter 5:8–9 NLT)
In our next set of devotions, we’re going to look at considering the cost of following Jesus. The first cost we’ll consider is the spiritual enemy we gain when we start to live for Christ.
Anyone who has ever experienced the Christian life knows it is the greatest life there is. God takes a life that was empty, aimless, and headed to a certain judgment, and He turns it around and transforms it. He removes all our sin. That’s more than enough right there, but then He puts the righteousness of Jesus Christ into our spiritual bank account. That’s called justification. He removes the guilt that haunted us, fills the emptiness inside us, and takes up residence in our hearts. This all comes as a result of the gospel being believed and followed. That’s the good news.
The bad news is that there are some new problems that come along with all of that. You get rid of an old set of problems and inherit new ones. As the great Bible commentator Ray Stedman once remarked, “A Christian is one who is: Completely fearless, Continually cheerful, and Constantly in trouble.”
Once you become a Christian, you gain a very aggressive adversary who has set his crosshairs on you. That adversary is the devil, Satan, and he wants to undermine you. He wants to bring you down. The Bible warns that “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12 NLT). To “suffer persecution” means to be hunted, to be harassed.
We need to be aware of this so that we’re not surprised when attacks come. The Christian life isn’t a playground; it’s a battleground. I think a lot of people believe in a watered-down gospel, and thus they have a watered-down faith that isn’t really faith at all. They’ve heard so many sermonettes that they’ve turned into Christianettes. They’re not prepared for spiritual battle.
We must not make that mistake. We need to understand who we’re up against. The apostle Peter wrote, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8 NLT).
There’s no need to panic. But we must come to terms with the reality that if we live a godly life, persecution will follow. We need to prepare ourselves for the inevitable attacks. We need to strengthen our areas of vulnerability. We need to stay close to the Lord through prayer and Bible study.
Our enemy is formidable, but he can be resisted. God has equipped us with everything we need to stand strong against the devil.
Reflection question: What are the best strategies for standing strong against our spiritual enemy?
Harvest Crusade tickets are fully claimed—but it’s not too late to participate and witness what God does on July 11. Invite your loved ones to watch online with you and make sure you join the waitlist in case more tickets become available.
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“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” (Matthew 7:13–14 NLT)
In our us-versus-them culture, the concept of Hell is reserved almost exclusively for “them.” Many people who believe in Hell believe in it for other people, especially for those who do awful things. They believe Hell is for people who commit horrible crimes without getting caught or punished in this lifetime. People can point to Hell and say, “Well, they’ll get theirs eventually.” They take a comfort of sorts that there will be a final judgment and that evil will be punished forever.
However, the people who view Hell in these terms don’t like the prospect of facing judgment themselves. It’s okay for “them” but not for “us.” But the reality is that it won’t be just the master evildoers who are sentenced to Hell. It will be everyone who chooses to go there. And make no mistake, it is a choice. People who end up in Hell do so because they made a strategic decision to be there. Hell is not what God wants. He’s gone to unimaginable lengths to make sure that no one goes there. Yet people still choose to go. Hell is a prison in which the doors are locked from the inside.
Well-meaning believers and nonbelievers alike tend to emphasize God’s love and mercy above all His other perfections. As a result, they conclude that Heaven is the default destination of every person. But such is not the case. Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount, “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it” (Matthew 7:13–14 NLT).
We go to Heaven because we make a choice to do so by putting our faith in Christ—and Christ alone. There is no other way to get to Heaven. No one is uniquely qualified to meet God’s righteous demands apart from Christ. No prophet, no guru, no religious system is going to do it. Jesus was fully God, and He was fully man. Thus He, and He alone, was able to stand in the gap for us and pay the price for our sins.
That’s why the Bible asks, “So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose” (Hebrews 2:3–4 NLT). If you blow off God’s offer, that’s your choice. But you’re going to face the consequences.
What will you choose?
Reflection question: How would you explain the concept of Hell to an unbeliever?
Harvest Crusade tickets are fully claimed—but it’s not too late to participate and witness what God does on July 11. Invite your loved ones to watch online with you and make sure you join the waitlist in case more tickets become available.
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.” (Matthew 7:24–25 NLT)
While spending time at the beach, I’ve watched people construct some very elaborate sandcastles that took hours and hours to build. I admired their creativity and persistence. But I also knew those impressive structures wouldn’t be around for very long. It was only a matter of time until either a tide came in and swept them away or a toddler appeared out of nowhere and demolished them.
The builders could do little to prevent this eventual erosion or destruction because their efforts were doomed from the start. They used sand as their foundation. And though it may seem like an unusual analogy, I’ve seen many married couples make similar mistakes. They build their marriage on “sand,” like those impermanent sandcastles. They build it on fleeting emotions or sex or some other rash impulse. And they discover all too soon that a marriage must be built on something stronger that will sustain it.
Jesus concluded His Sermon on the Mount with an illustration about the importance of building our lives on the right foundation. His illustration can be applied more specifically to the importance of building a marriage on the right foundation. Look at His words: “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock” (Matthew 7:24–25 NLT).
Jesus didn’t speak of storms as something that might happen. He described them as something that will happen. Marriages go through changes. They go through trials. That’s why it’s essential to build a marriage on the right foundation. Those who do will come to know the truth of Proverbs 18:22: “The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD” (NLT).
When Jesus quoted Genesis 2:24, He placed God in His rightful position at the center of the union between a man and a woman: “Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together” (Matthew 19:6 NLT). And notice how many Scripture passages that deal with maintaining and thriving in a relationship all begin with the assumption that the Lord is at the center of it. The apostle Paul wrote, “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace” (Ephesians 4:3 NLT). He also wrote, “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others” (Colossians 3:13 NLT).
Is your marriage on the Rock of Christ or on the rocks? If it’s built on the Rock, then it will stand the test of time. If it’s built on the Rock, then it will weather the storms. If it’s built on the Rock, then it’s built to last.
Reflection question: How can you tell if a marriage is built on a solid foundation?
Harvest Crusade tickets are fully claimed—but it’s not too late to participate and witness what God does on July 11. Invite your loved ones to watch online with you and make sure you join the waitlist in case more tickets become available.
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8 NLT)
The apostle Paul wrote,
“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:12–14 NLT)
This is a prime example of a person with an undivided heart. Many of us today could say, “I focus on these eight things” or “I focus on these four things,” instead of saying, “I focus on this one thing.” Such is the problem of a divided heart.
Jesus emphasized the importance of an undivided heart in His Sermon on the Mount. He said, “God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8 NLT). The word pure in this context means “undivided.” In other words, blessed, or happy, are the people who have a singular focus. Happy are the people who strive to maintain a pure heart. Happy are the people who know where they’re going in life, who have priorities and live by them. Happy are the people who aren’t trying to live in two different worlds.
The apostle Peter explained why trying to live in two different worlds isn’t an option for believers: “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9 NLT).
We live in a wicked time, one in which we’re exposed to countless things that are spiritually harmful. This presents a serious problem for believers. As Paul wrote in Romans 16:19, “I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong.”
Paul makes the case for an undivided heart in Colossians 3:1–4:
“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory” (NLT).
God is offering you true happiness—happiness that’s not contingent on how much you have but on whomyou know. If you don’t align your life properly with God, you will always be chasing an elusive dream. But if you do align your life with Him and pursue His will, you’ll find purpose in life. You’ll find the happiness you’re seeking.
Reflection question: What would an undivided heart look like in your life?
Harvest Crusade tickets are fully claimed—but it’s not too late to participate and witness what God does on July 11. Invite your loved ones to watch online with you and make sure you join the waitlist in case more tickets become available.
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3 NKJV)
Jesus began His Sermon on the Mount with these words: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3 NKJV). The word translated as poor comes from a verb that means “to shrink, cower, or cringe.” It describes a destitute person or someone who is completely dependent on others for help.
You’ll notice, however, that Jesus didn’t just say, “Blessed are the poor.” He said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” Jesus wasn’t addressing people’s economic situation but rather their spiritual condition. Let’s not miss the implications of His words. Blessed, or happy, are the people who recognize their spiritual poverty apart from God. Blessed, or happy, are those who recognize what they really are in God’s sight: lost, hopeless, and helpless.
Apart from Jesus Christ, everyone is spiritually poor. Regardless of our education, accomplishments, or religious knowledge, we’re all spiritually destitute. We may be tempted to look at someone who’s in prison or who’s down and out or who’s struggling with drug addiction and think, “Now, there’s someone who’s spiritually destitute.”We may be tempted to compare ourselves favorably with them. Maybe we’ve lived a relatively refined life. Maybe we have a good education or have accomplished certain things. If so, we may conclude, “I’m not as destitute as that person.” In one sense, that may be true. But in another sense, it isn’t true at all.
Before God, all people are spiritually destitute and unable to help themselves. Some people have a hard time admitting this. It’s difficult for us to acknowledge we need to reach out to God and need His forgiveness. We prefer the illusion of being spiritually self-sufficient, of being good enough in and of ourselves.
But the Bible doesn’t give us that option. What do we have to offer God—our righteousness? Romans 3:10 says, “No one is righteous—not even one” (NLT).
Our good works? Isaiah 64:6 says, “We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags” (NLT).
The only thing we can offer God is our sincere humility. James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor” (NLT). To receive the blessings Jesus talked about, we must embrace our status as being poor in spirit.
We were created to bring glory to God, not to ourselves. When we prioritize Him by humbling ourselves, we connect to our original purpose. We find a soul-deep sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. We discover our spiritual potential when we acknowledge our spiritual poverty.
Reflection question: How do you maintain a spirit of humility in your relationship with God?
Harvest Crusade tickets are fully claimed—but it’s not too late to participate and witness what God does on July 11. Invite your loved ones to watch online with you and make sure you join the waitlist in case more tickets become available.
—
The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:13–16 NLT)
The religious leaders of Israel thought that they had eliminated the problem of Jesus when they crucified Him. But instead, they multiplied the problem. His disciples started preaching and performing miracles. It was as though Jesus had returned. And so He had—in the hearts and lives of His people.
This reminds us that one of the best arguments for the Christian faith is a transformed life. New believers are ideal advertisements for the Christian faith because their lifestyles change, their attitudes change, and even their countenances change. The greatest biography of Jesus is written in the words and actions of His people. Your godly lifestyle is a testimony, just as if you were a walking miracle, like the lame man whom Peter and John healed.
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said,
“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:13–16 NLT).
Even if you don’t tell people that you’re a Christian, they will sense something different about you, and they will watch you. As a representative of Christ, you’re like a walking lightbulb.
If you’re being the kind of follower of Jesus that God wants you to be, if you’re being a “salty” Christian, then your lifestyle will stimulate a thirst for God in others. The greatest compliment you can get is when people want to know more, when they approach you and say, “What is it about you?” That’s your opportunity to “turn on the light.”
One paraphrase of Scripture puts it this way: “Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy” (1 Peter 3:15 MSG).
Are you ready?
Reflection question: What does being salt and light look like in your life?
Harvest Crusade tickets are fully claimed—but it’s not too late to participate and witness what God does on July 11. Invite your loved ones to watch online with you and make sure you join the waitlist in case more tickets become available.
—
The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast
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“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.” (Matthew 5:21–22 NLT)
“You must not murder” (Exodus 20:13 NLT). At first glance, this seems like the easiest commandment in all of Scripture to obey. Most people can say, “I may not be a saint, but at least I’ve never killed anyone.”
But in His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reframed the idea of murder and brought it closer to home—maybe a little closer than most people are comfortable with. Look at His words:“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell” (Matthew 5:21–22 NLT).
That’s quite an expansion of the concept of murder. It’s not simply an act of physical violence; it also involves thoughts that are less than wholesome. Jesus was saying, “I’m not just telling you that it’s wrong to kill someone; I’m saying that it’s wrong to hate someone. I’m saying that it’s wrong to hold anger in your heart toward someone.”
With those words, Jesus turned one of the easiest commandments to obey into one of the most challenging. Is there anyone you hate? Is there anyone who could cause your blood pressure to spike just by walking into a room? Is there anyone who, though you may not wish them dead, you would not mourn if they did die? If so, then as Jesus said, “You are in danger.” You’re violating God’s commandment. You’re committing a sin for which you need to repent. That doesn’t mean simply confessing the sin; it also means turning away from it.
The apostle Paul wrote, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior” (Ephesians 4:31 NLT). A spirit of love is evidence of our Christian faith. Love toward our fellow believers. Love toward our enemies. The fact that showing love toward certain people seems next to impossible doesn’t relieve us of the responsibility.
The apostle John wrote, “Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7 NLT). That’s the key. The love we show others doesn’t come from us; it comes from God. We love people who are unlovable because God loved us when we were unlovable.
When we choose love over hate, we strengthen our relationship with others as well as our relationship with God.
Reflection question: How can you show love to someone you’re tempted to hate?
Harvest Crusade tickets are fully claimed—but it’s not too late to participate and witness what God does on July 11. Invite your loved ones to watch online with you and make sure you join the waitlist in case more tickets become available.
—
The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” (Matthew 5:10 NLT)
The great preacher John Wesley was riding his horse one day when he realized that three days had passed since he’d been persecuted in any way. In that time, not a single brick had been thrown in his direction. He’d not been hit by even a single egg. He stopped his horse and said out loud, “Could it be that I am backslidden or I have sinned?” Slipping down from his mount, he knelt on one knee and asked the Lord to show him if there was anything wrong with him spiritually.
A man who disliked Wesley happened by and saw him kneeling in prayer. The man picked up a brick and threw it at him, barely missing the preacher. When Wesley saw the brick fly by, he said, “Thank you, Lord! I know I still have Your presence.”Is it any wonder that Wesley was such a powerful preacher?
The takeaway from this story isn’t that we should pray for bricks to be thrown our way. The takeaway is that opposition and persecution are often signs that we’re doing something right, spiritually speaking. There’s no reason for our spiritual enemy to attack ineffective believers. But believers who have the potential to make a difference for God’s kingdom scare him. So, he hauls out the big gun of persecution to try to silence them.
If you’re a follower of Christ, your very presence will bother some people. You don’t even have to say anything to arouse their opposition. Your presence is like a bright light shining in a dark place. And for some people, that’s not necessarily a good thing. Jesus said, “God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil” (John 3:19 NLT).
The persecution we experience because of our beliefs aligns us with the One in whom we believe. Jesus said, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you” (John 15:18–19 NLT). To be treated in the same way that Jesus was treated is an honor and a blessing.
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs” (Matthew 5:10 NLT). Sometimes persecution shows itself as a brick coming our way—that is, as some kind of physical harm, or perhaps even death. Other times, it shows itself in the form of mockery or rejection and causes us to lose friends or perhaps even a job. Whatever form it takes, the reality is this: If you’re living a godly life, then you will face persecution.
If you endure and thrive in the face of that persecution, you’ll forge a powerful testimony that impacts people more than words ever could.
Reflection question: What would enduring and thriving in the face of persecution look like in your life?
Harvest Crusade tickets are fully claimed—but it’s not too late to participate and witness what God does on July 11. Invite your loved ones to watch online with you and make sure you join the waitlist in case more tickets become available.
—
The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” (Matthew 5:44 NLT)
In this week’s devotions, we’re going to focus on one of the most beloved and most challenging passages in all of Scripture: Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Specifically, we’re going to look at some of the people Jesus singled out. And we’re going to start with enemies.
As our culture becomes more and more fractured, it seems that enemies can be found everywhere. In fact, it seems people are actively looking for reasons to separate from others. They tend to focus on differences and areas of disagreement instead of common ground. They define themselves by the people they oppose as much as by the people they embrace.
Even in the church today, believers tend to write off a lot of people, sometimes even their fellow believers. These people seem to live by the slogan, “Us four and no more.” Believers divide over minutiae and allow second-tier and third-tier issues to bring unnecessary division to our ranks.
I’ve had people criticize me for the groups and organizations we work with in our Harvest Crusades. I hear things like, “Why do you let that church come? If that church is coming, then our church isn’t going to participate.” Or “Why did you let that pastor pray at the crusade? I don’t agree with that pastor because in one of his books he quoted someone who once had coffee with someone else, and it’s guilt by association. I want nothing to do with any of this.”
My response to these critics is this: “Look at the essential areas in which we’re in agreement. Even though we have some minor differences in our beliefs, we can still get together for the sake of the gospel of Christ. That’s all I’m trying to do.”
If people still want to withdraw over their sticking points, then I guess that’s what will happen. But I’m going to keep doing what I do and keep preaching the gospel and trying to get as many people to join me as possible. And I want to join many others who are doing this, too.
We mustn’t allow our tendency to separate and oppose to creep into our evangelism. It may be that we avoid sharing the gospel message with certain people. If we’re honest, bringing them to Christ isn’t high on our priority list. In fact, withholding the gospel from them may give us a measure of satisfaction—or at least a sense of payback.
But Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:44 don’t give us that option: “But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” (NLT). Our enemies and persecutors are the target audience for our gospel message.
Believers are called to build bridges, not burn them.
Reflection question: How can you build bridges, instead of burning them, with other believers and enemies?
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?” (2 Corinthians 2:14–16 NLT)
Have you ever eaten something that tasted sweet going down but made you sick later? Let me restate the question: Have you ever eaten eight Krispy Kreme doughnuts in one sitting? I have. I got a little carried away. They were great going down. But less than 10 minutes later, I was asking, “What have I done?”
My gastronomical mistake reminds me of an unforgettable image from the apostle John’s vision in Revelation 10. In his vision, John asked an angel for a small scroll. When the angel gave him the scroll, he told John, “Yes, take it and eat it . . . It will be sweet as honey in your mouth, but it will turn sour in your stomach!” (verse 9 NLT).
John continued, “So I took the small scroll from the hand of the angel, and I ate it! It was sweet in my mouth, but when I swallowed it, it turned sour in my stomach. Then I was told, ‘You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings’” (verses 10–11 NLT).
The message that we believe as Christians may seem sweet to us, but it’s bitter to others. We recognize it as God’s Word. We consume it as spiritual nourishment. Job said, “I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food” (Job 23:12 NLT). For Christians, a Bible study is like a feast. We love it. But for others, it’s misery and torment. They dislike it intensely.
The apostle Paul used another of the five senses to communicate a similar message:
“But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?” (2 Corinthians 2:14–16 NLT)
Some people will hear the gospel message and say, “I love that. I believe it. I want Jesus in my life.” Other people will hear it and say, “Not only do I not like it, I hate it. And I hate you for saying it.”
Of course, we as believers have no way of knowing how someone will respond. So, we must share the gospel with as many people as we can. Whether they embrace it or reject it is up to them.
Reflection question: What are some things that make people react negatively to the gospel message?
The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! Stay updated on all important event details.
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“Reverence for the LORD is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the LORD are true; each one is fair.” (Psalm 19:9 NLT)
Our customization culture tells us that we can have just about anything, exactly as we want it, as long as we’re willing to shell out the necessary dough. Unfortunately, many people try to carry that sense of privilege into their spiritual lives. They try to customize God.
They say things like, “I believe in a God who loves us, not in a God who judges us.” They act as though God can be reduced to a single attribute, as if all His perfections cannot exist in perfect harmony.
Those words sound good, especially to other would-be spiritual customizers. But they’re not grounded in biblical truth. When people say, “I believe in a nonjudgmental god,” what they’re really saying is, “I believe in a god who doesn’t care about right and wrong.” To put it more bluntly, they’re saying they believe in a god they just made up in their heads. They believe in a wish-fulfillment god.
The reality is that if God really is loving, then He also will be just. That’s what the Bible tells us. God’s perfect love makes Him a righteous judge. It cannot be separated from His perfect justice. The psalmist wrote, “Reverence for the LORD is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the LORD are true; each one is fair” (Psalm 19:9 NLT). There is no legitimate excuse for disobeying the Lord or for ignoring His gracious plan of salvation.
Know this: No one in Heaven deserves to be there. The apostle Paul wrote, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it” (Ephesians 2:8–9 NLT).
Likewise, no one will be in Hell who does not deserve to be there. Just as no one will be in Heaven who went there unwillingly, no one will be in Hell who didn’t go there willingly.
God won’t force anyone into eternal life with Him. He won’t say, “Get up to Heaven right now!” You don’t have to go if you don’t want to. And He won’t violate His perfect justice to make exceptions for people who willingly choose to go to Hell.
I like the way J. I. Packer summed it up: “Scripture sees hell as self-chosen. . . . hell appears as God’s gesture of respect for human choice. All receive what they actually chose, either to be with God forever, worshipping him, or without God forever, worshipping themselves.”
How could a God of love send people to Hell? God does not desire that anyone perish, but people end up in Hell because they reject His offer of salvation. But if you ask God to forgive you of your sin, He will remove it from you and bring real change and transformation to your life. You will be born again.
Reflection question: How would you explain to an unbeliever that a person’s eternal destination is self-chosen?
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“Then the LORD spoke to Jonah a second time: ‘Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you.’” (Jonah 3:1–2 NLT)
Most believers have reasons not to evangelize. Some of these reasons might even seem compelling or legitimate. “I don’t want to make the friendship weird or awkward.” “I’m afraid I won’t be able to answer people’s questions.” “I don’t want to become a person that other people avoid.”
The Old Testament prophet Jonah had some pretty compelling reasons not to evangelize. At least, he thought they were compelling. He’d been given an assignment that no prophet in his day would have been excited about. God had called him to preach His Word in Nineveh, which was one of the most wicked cities on earth. The Ninevites were the enemies of Israel. Other prophets had warned Israel that one day the Assyrians would overtake them, and Nineveh just happened to be the capital of Assyria.
Jonah likely reasoned, “Wait a second! If I go and preach to them, they might repent. And if they repent, then God will spare them, and they will conquer us. But if I don’t preach to them, they won’t repent, and God will judge them. That will be one less enemy we have to deal with.”
So, Jonah tried to go in the opposite direction. He went down to Joppa, boarded a ship, and set sail for Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord. He would have saved himself a lot of trouble if he had remembered the words of David, “I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!” (Psalm 139:7 NLT).
You probably know the rest of the story. God sent a great storm that threatened the lives of everyone aboard the vessel. Jonah admitted that he was the cause of the storm and was tossed overboard: “The LORD had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights” (Jonah 1:17 NLT). Jonah repented, and the great fish—likely a whale—vomited him up on shore.
“Then the LORD spoke to Jonah a second time:‘Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you’” (Jonah 3:1–2 NLT). This time, Jonah did what God had called him to do. God helped him recognize what all believers need to understand: The work of evangelism is far more important and pressing than any discomfort we may experience or any objections we may have.
We’ve been called to share the gospel, even with people we may not like. Nonbelievers aren’t the enemy; they’ve been taken captive by the god of this world to do what he wants them to do (see 2 Timothy 2:26). Until the end of our lives or until the Lord returns, our job is to reach them with the Good News of Christ.
Let’s embrace the work God’s given us so that others may experience His forgiveness, salvation, and love.
Reflection question: What seemingly compelling reasons might keep you from sharing the gospel?
The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! Stay updated on all important event details.
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“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.” (Romans 5:1–2 NLT)
The arithmetic of the gospel is fascinating. If you’re born once, you’ll die twice. If you’re born twice, you’ll die once. If that seems confusing to you, you’re in good company. Nicodemus, a notable Jewish scholar and leader in Jesus’ day, asked, “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” (John 3:4 NLT).
By “born once,” I mean the physical birth. By “born twice,” I mean a physical birth as well as a spiritual birth in which you’re born again, after having put your faith in Christ.
Just as there are two births, the Bible teaches that there are two deaths: One is physical, and the other is spiritual. Jesus warned that we are to fear the second death more than the first one.
Revelation 20:14 tells us, “Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death” (NLT). The second death is mentioned again in Revelation 21:8, which says, “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death” (NLT). The second death is Hell.
It has been said, “The second death is the continuance of spiritual death in another and timeless existence.”
Thomas Watson wrote, “Eternity to the godly is a day that has no sunset; eternity to the wicked is a night that has no sunrise.”
Jesus spoke of Hell in a very specific way. He warned of the fire of Hell (see Matthew 5:22). He warned about our bodies being thrown into Hell (see Matthew 5:29). And He warned of the soul and the body being destroyed in Hell (see Matthew 10:28).
The Bible teaches that all Christians—that is, sinners who have been forgiven and saved because they put their faith in Jesus Christ—will be in Heaven. And that offer of forgiveness and salvation is extended to everyone.
The apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory” (Romans 5:1–2 NLT).
Your eternal destination is really your choice. Not everyone will be saved in the end—only those who put their faith in Jesus Christ. That’s the message God has entrusted to every believer. It’s a message we must spread.
Reflection question: In your circle of acquaintances, who needs to hear about the forgiveness and salvation that Jesus offers?
The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! Stay updated on all important event details.
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
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“And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment,so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.” (Hebrews 9:27–28 NLT)
One of the biggest obstacles many people face when it comes to evangelism is a reluctance to talk about the unpleasant parts of the gospel message. They’re happy to share that “the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23 NLT). It’s the first part of Romans 6:23, “the wages of sin is death,” that trips them up (NLT).
But we must not lose sight of the fact that Jesus talked a lot about Hell. In fact, He talked about Hell more than any other preacher in the Bible. Therefore, we don’t want to steer clear of the subject. Instead, we want a biblical understanding of what the Bible says so that we can share this information with others.
The apostle Paul concluded his message on Mars Hill with these words: “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead” (Acts 17:30–31 NLT).
The author of Hebrews certainly didn’t shy away from the topic of judgment: “And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment,so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him” (Hebrews 9:27–28 NLT).
We need to talk about it, too. Of course, in order to do that, we must have a proper understanding of God’s judgment—what it is and what it isn’t.Some people say that it isn’t loving to talk about such things, that it’s resorting to scare tactics. But I couldn’t disagree more. I think talking about these subjects is the most loving thing we can do.
Imagine that I see a house on fire. And through a window I see that there’s a person inside who doesn’t seem to know the house is on fire. Would it be a loving thing for me to kick down the door, grab him, and lead him out of the burning house? Of course it would.
On the other hand, it wouldn’t be a loving thing for me to walk by and say, “Oh, that house is on fire! Very interesting. Oh, well, let me be on my way.” That wouldn’t be loving at all.
If we really believe there’s an afterlife—and more specifically, a final judgment—and if we really believe we’ll be held accountable for the things we say and do, then it will affect the way we live. So, we need to give others the opportunity to hear and respond to the truth about God’s judgment.
Don’t avoid the topic of judgment. It may be instrumental in changing people’s lives.
Reflection question: What’s the best way to talk about God’s judgment with unbelievers?
The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! Stay updated on all important event details.
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. As the Scriptures say, ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.’ So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.” (1 Corinthians 1:18–21 NLT)
In my travels, I’ve found that certain people are more open to the gospel than others. But identifying who will be receptive isn’t always easy. Because I never know how things are going to play out, I just share the Word of God as often as possible and invite everyone to come to Christ.
The apostle Paul used a similar strategy. The book of Acts tells us that he received three reactions to the gospel when he preached it: “And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, ‘We will hear you again on this matter.’ . . . However, some men joined him and believed” (Acts 17:32, 34 NKJV).
Two thousand years later, those three reactions to the gospel are still pretty common. Some people mock. The word mocked used in Acts 17 also could be translated as “sneered” or “burst out laughing.” In other words, “Are you serious? You actually believe that?”
To these educated fools, the Good News of Christ seemed silly and unbelievable. But this very mockery was an indication that they were going to perish. As Paul wrote, “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18 NLT).
Some will mock, while others will delay: “We will hear you again on this matter” (Acts 17:32 NKJV). This is a very common reaction. What it means is, “I really don’t want to decide right now.” The devil uses this tactic to great effect: “Don’t worry about it now. Deal with it later.”
The good news is that some people believed. They repented and changed their minds. Among them was Dionysius the Areopagite, who was a judge, an intellectual, and a ruler of the city.
After his words in 1 Corinthians 1:18, Paul wrote,
“As the Scriptures say, ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.’ So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.” (verses 19–21 NLT)
I’ve come to realize that conversion is God’s job, not mine. It’s the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of an unbeliever. God holds us responsible for proclaiming the truth, even if it seems like “foolish preaching” to others. The rest is up to Him.
Reflection question: What are the most common responses you get when you share the gospel?
The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! Stay updated on all important event details.
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
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“I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again.Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes.Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.” (2 Corinthians 11:23–27 NLT)
Sometimes as believers we tend to be spiritual lightweights. At the first indication of a hardship or difficulty, we fall like a house of cards. We say, “I didn’t sign up for this. I don’t want difficulty; I just want to get along with everyone.”
But if you’re a true follower of Christ, there will be suffering in your life. The apostle Paul was certainly a true follower. And here’s how he described his experience:“I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again.Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes.Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm” (2 Corinthians 11:23–27 NLT).
You’ll find no trace of self-pity or resentment in his words. Paul understood the role that suffering plays in the lives of believers.
The harsh reality is this: If you’re going to be used of God, then you’re going to be attacked. If you live as a real Christian, you will find yourself at odds with the world around you. You’ll face opposition, some of it intense. Think of suffering as a spiritual badge of honor. In fact, if you don’t experience at least occasional suffering or hardship in your life, you might want to examine your Christian walk.
And keep this in mind: The life that Christ offers is well worth any hardship.
Reflection question: How can you develop a proper perspective toward suffering? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! Stay updated on all important event details.
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
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“So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. For we live by believing and not by seeing. Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him.” (2 Corinthians 5:6–9 NLT)
What happens to us as believers when we die? We go straight into the presence of God. The apostle Paul wrote that when we are “away from these earthly bodies . . . then we will be at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8 NLT). There’s no waiting period or shipping delays. The moment our time on earth ends, our time in God’s presence begins.
That’s why Paul wrote, “For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live” (Philippians 1:21–24 NLT). He wanted to continue his work on earth, but the thought of Heaven was irresistible.
When Stephen was being martyred for his faith, he was given a glimpse of glory, which he then described to the people who were putting him to death. “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And he told them, ‘Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!’” (Acts 7:55–56 NLT).
According to Acts 6:15, “Everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel’s” (NLT). Because Stephen was seeing the other side, his face radiated God’s glory.
When the great evangelist D. L. Moody was on his deathbed, his last words were, “Is this dying? Why, this is bliss. There is no valley. I have been within the gates. Earth is receding; Heaven is opening; God is calling; I must go.” After saying this, Moody soon breathed his last breath and passed into eternity.
It comforts me to think that when my son Christopher left this world, he was carried by angels into God’s presence. I believe that with all my heart. And I believe that’s true of all Christians when their lives on earth come to an end.
When we leave this world, we’ll be carried by angels into the presence of the Lord, where we’ll stay forever, filled with utter peace, fulfillment, joy, and awe. If we, too, could see how glorious Heaven is, I’m sure that it would change everything about how we view death.
Enjoy this life while you can but never lose sight of what lies beyond it.
Reflection question: What are you most excited about when it comes to Heaven? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! Stay updated on all important event details.
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
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“Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. ‘For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.’” (2 Corinthians 9:6–7 NLT)
If you ask people to list the top priorities in their lives, you’ll probably get a lot of thoughtful and inspirational answers. But if you really want to know what their top priorities are, you have to look at their financial records. The way people use their money is one of the best indicators of where their priorities lie.
Jesus explained it this way: “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be” (Luke 12:34 NLT). The reality is that we all invest in our passions. If you want to find out what people are truly passionate about, follow the money.
God certainly does. Not because He needs our money, but because everything we have ultimately comes from Him. Not only does He supply our needs, but He also expects us to be wise stewards of our resources, which are actually His resources.
The apostle Peter wrote, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another” (1 Peter 4:10 NLT).
The author of Proverbs wrote, “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25 NLT).
The message is consistent throughout Scripture. We need to take what God has given us and be wise stewards of it, investing generously in the work of the kingdom of God. God will generously bless those who heed the message.
The apostlePaul wrote, “Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. ‘For God loves a person who gives cheerfully’” (2 Corinthians 9:6–7 NLT).
Some people may say, “I can’t afford to give.” Really? I can’t afford not to give. Giving isn’t just for rich people; it’s for all people. Everyone should invest in God’s kingdom. Here’s something to consider: If you’re having financial struggles, maybe one of the reasons is that you’re not honoring the Lord in your giving.
I’m not saying that if you give, God will make you rich. But there’s no denying that the Bible makes a connection between giving and receiving. Paul follows up his words in 2 Corinthians 9:6–7 with this statement: “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others” (verse 8 NLT).
Make God’s work your passion and then invest accordingly. See what happens in your life.
Reflection question: What would cheerful giving look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! Stay updated on all important event details.
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
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“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1:3–5 NLT)
In Luke 19, Jesus tells a parable about a nobleman who is called away to a distant empire. Before he leaves on his extended journey, he entrusts several of his servants with an amount of silver to invest while he’s gone. When he returns from his journey, the nobleman asks each servant to give an account of his investment and profit.
The first servant reports a profit of ten times the initial investment. The second servant reports a profit of five times the initial investment. “But the third servant brought back only the original amount of money and said, ‘Master, I hid your money and kept it safe.I was afraid because you are a hard man to deal with, taking what isn’t yours and harvesting crops you didn’t plant’” (verses 20–21 NLT).
The third servant showed no sense of regret and no sorrow over his lack of productivity. More tellingly, he blamed his boss for his shortcomings.
Many people today take the same approach to life. They look for scapegoats for their own shortcomings. They make excuses for their failure by saying, “I had bad teachers” or “I had bad bosses” or “I had bad parents.” And in many cases, they lay the blame at the feet of God Himself. They claim that He’s too harsh, too distant, too demanding, too mysterious, or too something else.
- W. Tozer once said, “Nothing twists and deforms a soul more than a low or unworthy conception of God.” Our view of God affects everything we do in life. If we have a warped view of Him, it will alter the way we perceive the world and poison the way we respond to the events in our life.
I never had a dad growing up, but I have known my heavenly Father for quite a while now. And I can tell you this: He has always dealt with me in love and has never been inconsistent. I don’t always understand or agree with what my Father in Heaven does. But I submit to Him because I know that He’s looking out for my best interests.
How do I know? His Word leaves little room for doubt. The apostle Paul wrote, “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:3–5 NLT).
Our heavenly Father knows what’s ultimately best for us. We can and should trust Him with our lives.
Reflection question: What would trusting your heavenly Father look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! Stay updated on all important event details.
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
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“Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:8–10 NLT)
Very few people have ever been given a vision of Heaven. Imagine the impact such a vision would have on someone. It isn’t hard to envision a scenario in which such a privilege caused someone to become a little arrogant.
Imagine sitting around with a group of people who were talking about where they went for vacation. “We went to Hawaii.” “We went to Tahiti.” “We went to Italy.”
Can you picture the apostle Paul, sitting back, just waiting for the perfect opportunity to trump them all? “I went to Heaven.”
“Heaven? Are you talking about Heavenly Valley, that ski resort near Tahoe?”
“No, I’m talking about Heaven—the place of eternal reward.”
“Uh huh. And what was it like?”
“I can’t really explain it. But it was better than where you went.”
But Paul didn’t get arrogant about his experience because God initiated a plan to keep him from being filled with pride. Paul described it this way: “So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud” (2 Corinthians 12:7 NLT). He doesn’t say what the thorn in his flesh was. All we know is that it was troublesome enough for Paul to pray to be rid of it.
“Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:8–10 NLT).
Often, we imagine that we’re at our best when we operate from a position of strength—bold, confident, unshakable, and impervious to trials and tribulations. We convince ourselves that we’re most effective after we’ve cleared the obstacles from our path and overcome our infirmities.
God sees it a different way. He prefers that we operate from a position of weakness so that His strength is unmistakable. He wants us to rely on Him so that others can see us rely on Him so that they will rely on Him, too.
That’s why He allowed hardship in Paul’s life. And that’s why He allows hardship in our lives. Hardship makes people usable in God’s kingdom, if we recognize that hardship for what it is.
Reflection question: How can you respond to a current hardship in your life in a way that makes you usable in God’s kingdom? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! Stay updated on all important event details.
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All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.” (2 Corinthians 12:2–4 NLT)
In this week’s devotions, we’re going to focus on passages from the apostle Paul’s second letter to the believers in Corinth. And we’re going to start with a familiar passage, one we looked at briefly in last week’s devotions. We’re going to focus on Paul’s account of his vision of Heaven in 2 Corinthians 12.
Countless books and passages have been written about Heaven, many from people who claim to have experienced the afterlife and then returned to tell the tale. Obviously, most of these accounts must be taken with a grain of salt. There are a few, however, that deserve our attention because they’re found in God’s Word, the ultimate source of truth.
One thing these passages have in common is the difficulty their authors have in describing what they see.
Here’s just one of the things the apostle John wrote about his experience: “Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.’And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it.The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow” (Revelation 4:1–3 NLT).
It appears human words are insufficient to fully capture the heavenly reality. And make no mistake, Heaven is a reality. It’s not a metaphor. It’s not a symbolic place. It’s not a state of mind. Heaven is real.
Like John, Paul was given a glimpse of Heaven and lived to write about it. “I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell” (2 Corinthians 12:2–4 NLT).
The word paradise he uses to describe Heaven occurs in two other places in the New Testament. One is found in Jesus’ words to the criminal on the cross next to Him: “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43 NLT). The other is found in Revelation 2:7 to describe the future dwelling place of believers.
Both passages refer to an actual place. Heaven is real.
Reflection question: What are your takeaways from the biblical descriptions of Heaven? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! Stay updated on all important event details.
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” (1 Corinthians 10:12–13 NLT)
Years ago, I had a close encounter with a giant. My friends and I went out in a small inflatable boat to do some whale watching. We saw a whale breach the surface some distance away, so we went in for a closer look, while still keeping a respectful distance. Suddenly, a young whale swam right under our boat. A few moments later, its submarine-sized mother glided under our little craft as well. She was so close that we could see the barnacles on her body. And as fast as she and her calf had appeared, they disappeared.
Those giants could have caused us real problems, if they had chosen to. But they didn’t. They simply made themselves known, giving a glimpse of their enormity, without using their size against us. Unfortunately, not all giants in this life are as benign.
And not all giants appear in physical form. Some giants are difficult situations. Some giants are hurdles in life that seem insurmountable. Some giants are temptations that refuse to go away. Some giants are challenges that seem beyond our ability to solve. Some giants are personal sins that impact the way we see ourselves. Some giants are addictions that threaten to overwhelm us. Some giants are toxic relationships that leave us bitter, hurt, confused, or lonely.
We all face giants, and we will continue to face them as long as we live. We have an enemy in Satan who will stop at nothing to disrupt our relationship with Christ. So, we all need to embrace these words from the apostle Paul: “If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure” (1 Corinthians 10:12–13 NLT).
If you trust in Christ, you need to remind yourself as often as necessary that every giant can be defeated. There is nothing in this world that can place you under its power. There is no addiction that needs to control your life. There is no lifestyle that you cannot break free from. There is no temptation that’s too compelling to resist. There is no giant that’s too big or too powerful for you. You have everything you need in your relationship with Christ.
There is no power in your life that Christ in you can’t overcome!
Reflection question: What giant are you battling in your life right now? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! Stay updated on all important event details.
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“After that the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power. For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet. And the last enemy to be destroyed is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:24–26 NLT)
When we lose a loved one, there’s a time and place for mourning. The depth of our sorrow is an indication of the depth of our love for that person. But there’s also a place for rejoicing if that loved one is a believer because we know we will see them again.
Even Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus when He saw the devastating power of death. Death is an enemy, although one whose fate is already determined. The apostle Paul wrote, “After that the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power. For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet. And the last enemy to be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:24–26 NLT).
No one wants to die. After all, this life is all we know. No one looks forward to the end of it. But the reality is that we all will die. That’s why it’s important to put our faith in Christ before we enter eternity. It’s also important that we not lose sight of what awaits believers when we die.
The Bible doesn’t offer pictorials of Heaven, but it does provide some tantalizing descriptions. Paul was given a glimpse of Heaven and tried to put his experience into words. “I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell” (2 Corinthians 12:2–4 NLT). (We’ll explore this passage further next week in our study of 2 Corinthians.)
You’ll notice that he used the word paradise to describe what he saw. Paradise is a Greek word that refers to the royal garden of a king. Think about the most beautiful garden you’ve ever seen. If you’re not into gardens, think about the most amazing sight you’ve ever laid eyes on. That’s the depiction of Heaven Paul gave. He was saying, “I don’t really have the words for it, but it was like a paradise.”
As Pastor Adrian Rogers put it, “The God who sculpted the wings of the butterfly, blended the hues of the rainbow, and painted the meadows with daffodils is the same who made Heaven.”
In Heaven all questions are answered, all tears are dried, and all pain is gone. Heaven is pure bliss. That’s why Paul said that he longed to be there. He saw for himself that Heaven is far, far better than earth.
And that’s what all believers can look forward to.
Reflection question: What are your feelings about Heaven? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! Stay updated on all important event details.
—
The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.” (1 Corinthians 9:22–23 NLT)
Our world today is full of religious people, but many of them shy away from using that word to describe themselves. “Religious” has too many negative connotations, as far as they’re concerned. So instead, they use a different word: spiritual. They’ll describe themselves as “very spiritual” and then will add, “But I’m not into organized religion.”
Statements like this can become a segue for sharing the gospel. As believers we can say, “Really? I’m a spiritual person, too. In fact, I’m really into spiritual things, and I want to talk to you about an important spiritual truth I’ve discovered.”
Some people may suggest that this sounds like compromise, agreeing with a worldly point of view. But that’s not the case. It’s not a compromise to acknowledge someone’s belief, even if we don’t agree with that belief. Rather, it’s simply a matter of using understandable language to build a bridge so that you can talk about your relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s a matter of finding common ground, a place where the other person feels conversationally comfortable—and more likely to be receptive to the gospel message.
When the apostle Paul addressed the men of Athens, he said, “I notice that you are very religious in every way, for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about” (Acts 17:22–23 NLT).
Notice that Paul didn’t say, “Hey, what you’re doing is legit.” But neither did he belittle their unusual inscription or try to correct their theology. He simply used language that the people of Athens could understand to connect with them about his most important message. Paul understood what all believers need to understand: Evangelism is a dialogue, not a monologue. You ask a question, and the other person gives you an answer. Then you respond to what the person said. They say something, and you say something.
This is what Paul was talking about when he said, “When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings” (1 Corinthians 9:22–23 NLT). Finding common ground with everyone is a tall order. It’s a good thing the Holy Spirit is with us every step of the way. It’s also a good thing that the first step in finding that common ground requires us to do nothing more than listen.
Reflection question: How do you try to find common ground with others when you share your faith? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! Stay updated on all important event details.
—
The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11 NLT)
The apostle Paul worked with and mentored some incredible people of faith, including Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, the Gospel writers Mark and Luke, Priscilla and Aquila, Titus, and Lydia. Talk about an all-star discipleship team! But as we saw in an earlier devotion, there was an outlier among Paul’s in-crowd. His name was Demas.
In Philemon 1:23–24, Paul name-checks Demas, identifying him as a trusted coworker. In 2 Timothy 4:10, however, Paul breaks this bad news: “Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica” (NLT).
It seems almost unimaginable, doesn’t it? How could someone appear to be radically converted and passionate about the Christian faith and then, without warning, suddenly give it up and walk away?
I’ve seen similar things happen. I’ve met people who were emotional about Jesus and fired up about their faith, only to later fall into gross sin. What happened? I believe they never were rooted in Christ. Some people are just impulsive by nature. They’re always into the latest fad. Whatever grabs their attention is what they want to be into—until something else grabs their attention.
Think of it in terms of exercise equipment. If you walk through a neighborhood on a Saturday afternoon when people have their garage doors open, you’re likely to see more than a few exercise machines. What you’re unlikely to see is people working out on them. Instead, you’ll find that many of the machines serve as nothing more than expensive clothes hangers. Their presence tells the story of people who decided that they were going to get into shape, but whose enthusiasm didn’t stand the test of time.
A similar thing happens to some people who make a commitment to Christ. They get very excited about their faith in the beginning, but their excitement and commitment don’t stand the test of time. One possible explanation is that they built their faith on the wrong foundation.
Maybe they decided to follow Christ because their friends did. Or maybe they put their faith in a certain church, and then found out that it wasn’t perfect, that it was filled with flawed people like them. Perhaps some pastor didn’t measure up to their expectations. Whatever the problem was, they didn’t build their foundation on Christ. The Bible tells us, “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11 NLT).
Jesus Himself said, “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock” (Matthew 7:24–25 NLT).
He is the only foundation that will sustain us as Christians—not another person, not an experience, not a program, not a church, but Jesus Christ. He is our bedrock.
Reflection question: How can you make sure that your commitment to Christ remains firm? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! Stay updated on all important event details.
—
The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.” (1 Corinthians 3:7–9 NLT)
Jesus used the parable of the farmer scattering seed to illustrate different reactions to the gospel message. In the parable, which is found in Matthew 13:1–23, a farmer scatters seed across his field. The seed lands on four different surfaces. The farming methods of Jesus’ day were quite different from the methods of today. Modern farmers prepare the ground, carefully lay the seed, and then use irrigation systems and sophisticated technology to nurture the resulting crop. In Jesus’ day, the process was a little more primitive.
Essentially, a farmer would reach into a sack, grab a handful of seed, and then throw it—to his left, to his right, in front of him, and behind him. Wherever the seed landed, it stayed. In Jesus’ parable, some of the seed fell on a footpath. Some of the seed fell on shallow, rocky soil. Some of the seed fell among thorns. And some of the seed fell on fertile soil. The plowing was done later. After the seed produced its yield, the farmer would harvest his crop.
Jesus compared the scattering of the seeds to the spreading of the gospel. “The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” (verse 23 NLT).
His words hit home with us and with all who engage in crusade or proclamation evangelism. At Harvest Ministries, we throw out the seed of the gospel in stadiums at our Harvest Crusades. We throw it out online. We throw it out over the radio. In other words, the seed gets scattered in countless areas. We have very little say in what happens to the seed after it’s scattered. God is the One who ultimately does the work of conversion. Jesus said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him” (John 6:44 NKJV).
Some people are critical of our type of evangelism. But my question is, why wouldn’t we want to reach as many people as possible, using every form of media available? Our job is to reach as many as we can.
The apostle Paul wrote, “It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:7–9 NLT).
There’s important work to be done. Let’s do it in the best way we know.
Reflection question: What means are available to you to reach people with the gospel? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! Stay updated on all important event details.
—
The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never! And don’t you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, ‘The two are united into one.’” (1 Corinthians 6:15–16 NLT)
In this week’s devotions, we’re going to focus on passages from the apostle Paul’s first letter to the believers in Corinth. And we’re going to start with his words of wisdom to married couples in 1 Corinthians 6.
Can you imagine what our culture would be like if we obeyed the single commandment, “You must not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14 NLT)? Can you imagine how different our world would be? How many divorces would have been avoided? How many families would still be together? How many fathers would be home to raise their children?
Many social ills can be traced to the breakdown of the family and specifically to the absence of the father in the home. And often marriages fall apart because of the sin of adultery—that is, sex with someone besides your spouse.
God established marriage as a union and oneness between a man and a woman. Sex is not some toy that we play with to satisfy our desires. The Bible says, “Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery” (Hebrews 13:4 NLT).
Yet that warning often falls on deaf ears. Some people try to excuse adultery by arguing that anything that happens between two consenting adults is okay. Or by pointing out that spouses aren’t always sexually compatible, which makes it necessary to go outside the marriage. Or by claiming that if no one else ever finds out, it’s a victimless crime.
But the biblical reality is that when a man and a woman come together sexually, a oneness takes place. We are told in 1 Corinthians 6:15–16, “Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never! And don’t you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, ‘The two are united into one’” (NLT).
Jesus identified the roots of adultery in His Sermon on the Mount. “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell” (Matthew 5:27–29 NLT).
Lust, left unchecked, can lead to adultery. That’s why it’s important to separate ourselves from people, scenarios, and settings that can trigger lust. As Jesus points out, no sacrifice is too great to preserve the unity of marriage.
Reflection question: What practical steps can reduce the risk of adultery in a marriage? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! Stay updated on all important event details.
—
The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” (Matthew 6:19–21 NLT)
“Heaven on earth” is a well-worn cliché in popular culture. You can find the phrase or idea in countless songs, books, TV shows, movies, and online content. Of course, God’s people understand that there’s a sharp distinction between Heaven and earth. Heaven is the real deal, the eternal dwelling place. Earth is the temporary dwelling place. There is no comparison. Think of the best things you’ve ever experienced on this earth: your wedding day, the birth of a child, or a special moment with someone you love. Even the most impactful, the most unforgettable, and the most life-changing incidents were merely glimpses of glory, tastes of what’s to come in Heaven.
- S. Lewis wrote in Letters to Malcolm, “The hills and valleys of heaven will be to those you now experience not as a copy is to an original . . . but as the flower to the root, or the diamond to the coal.”
The Bible tells us that one day believers will stand before the judgment seat of Christ, also known as the Bema Seat. There, we will receive rewards for our faithfulness to God. Paul wrote to the churches of Galatia, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9 NLT).
He also offered this reminder in 1 Corinthians 3:8: “The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work” (NLT).
Therein lies our incentive for this earthly life. There will be a reward. This should cause us to want to do everything we can for God’s glory. That’s what Jesus was talking about in Matthew 6:19–21 when He said, “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be” (NLT). He’s talking about traveling light, where material possessions are concerned.
As I’ve often said, we can’t take it with us, but we can send it on ahead. Every investment we make of our lives for God’s glory—the giving of our time, the use of our gifts, the investment of our resources—will result in an eternal reward. By being faithful to the Lord, we are laying up treasure in Heaven for ourselves.
Reflection question: What would laying up treasures in Heaven instead of on earth look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! Stay updated on all important event details.
—
The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!” (Isaiah 54:17 NLT)
In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus makes a fascinating statement that some have misunderstood. Speaking of believers, He says, “They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed” (Mark 16:18 NLT). Some Christians have taken the Lord’s words literally and incorporated snake-handling into their services. But that’s not trusting the Lord; that’s testing the Lord, something believers aren’t supposed to do (see Deuteronomy 6:16; Matthew 4:7).
Here’s what Jesus’ words in Mark 16 do mean: If you’re a Christian, then you’re indestructible until God is done with you. There is a day appointed for your death. And you have no say in when that day will come. Until that day, however, you can approach life with boldness and confidence. (That’s not to say that you should be reckless, however—see Jesus’ words in Matthew 4:7 again.)
That’s certainly what God’s Word encourages you to do. Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you” (NLT).
The psalmist wrote, “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble” (Psalm 46:1 NLT).
And the apostle Paul wrote, “But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3 NLT).
He wrote from experience. Paul survived a shipwreck and found himself on an island. While warming himself by a fire in this environment, he was bitten by a venomous snake. Paul calmly shook off the snake into the fire. The people who witnessed the incident expected Paul to die from the bite. But he didn’t because his time wasn’t up.
Hebrews 9:27 says, “And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment” (NLT). Paul had not yet reached his destination. He wasn’t about to let a snakebite keep him from the Lord’s work.
Likewise, there’s no need for you to worry on your Christian journey. That gives you the freedom to travel light, emotionally speaking. As Isaiah 54:17 says, “But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken” (NLT).
God will keep you and protect you in this world until He welcomes you into the next. So, be bold. Be courageous. As long as God has use for you, you’re indestructible.
Reflection question: What would spiritual boldness and courage look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! Stay updated on all important event details.
—
The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch,strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said.” (Acts 14:21–22 NIV)
I believe that when we get to Heaven, we’ll look back at our time on earth from a different perspective. I believe we’ll realize that the things we viewed as good weren’t nearly as good as we thought they were. I also believe we’ll realize that some things we thought were bad were, in fact, beneficial.
For example, our culture has conditioned us to think of prosperity and success as good things. And for some people, they can be, if they’re used for God’s glory. But quite honestly, for others, financial well-being can be a great distraction, something that causes them to lose sight of God. Material possessions can weigh us down, spiritually speaking, when God wants us to travel light.
In addition, we think of sickness or loss or failure as things that are always bad. And they can be bad. Very bad. But they also can be good, because they cause us to cling to God and to lean on Him like we never would have if things had been easier. So, from Heaven’s perspective, a so-called bad thing can be a good thing.
When his friend Lazarus was sick, Jesus delayed going to see him in Bethany. John 11:5–7 says, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days,and then he said to his disciples, ‘Let us go back to Judea’” (NIV).
Instead of running to help Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, as they hoped He would, Jesus delayed His arrival by two days. Why? He wanted Lazarus’ sickness to run its course. He didn’t simply want to heal His friend. He wanted to bring greater glory to His name. Sickness and death were the means to bring about that greater glory. The Lord doesn’t look at trials and suffering as we do. The question is, whose perspective will we trust?
Here’s a hint: “‘My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the Lord. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts’” (Isaiah 55:8–9 NLT).
I believe that God will reveal the whys of our suffering in time. He will help us see the big picture, how our trials ultimately led to a greater good. But until that day, we need to remember these words from Acts 14:21–22: “They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch,strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said” (NIV).
No matter how many hardships we must endure, the result—eternity in the kingdom of God—is more than worth it.
Reflection question: How can you keep a godly perspective on the “good” and “bad” things that happen to you? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! Stay updated on all important event details.
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“Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers.” (Philemon 1:23–24 NLT)
It’s been said that everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes. For a select few people, however, those fifteen minutes of fame stretched into centuries and millennia. Such is the case with the people mentioned in one of the apostle Paul’s epistles. Imagine what an honor that would be! For example, in his letter to Philemon, the apostle wrote, “Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers” (Philemon 1:23–24 NLT).
I imagine it must have been tempting to bring up those name-checks in casual conversation: “Hi, it’s nice to meet you. My name is Aristarchus. You may have heard of me from one of Paul’s epistles.”
One of the people Paul mentioned was Demas, whose name appeared not only in one epistle, but two. In Philemon, Demas is identified as a coworker of Paul. The bad news is that his second mention involved his apostasy. Something had happened to Demas in the time between Paul’s letter to Philemon and his second letter to Timothy, because we read, “Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica” (2 Timothy 4:10 NLT). In other words, “Hey, remember Demas? Yeah, well, he’s not with me anymore.”The reason? Demas loved “the things of this life.”
Demas serves as a prime example of why the apostle John warned, “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever” (1 John 2:15–17 NLT).
There is nothing wrong with being blessed by God with things like a nice home or a good career. In fact, the Bible tells us that God “richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment” (1 Timothy 6:17 NLT). But if those things have become the most important to you, more important than God Himself, then that is a problem, my friend.
We must recognize the things of this life for the temporary blessings they are. We must be prepared to step away from them if the Lord instructs us to. Traveling light in this world means being prepared to sacrifice anything that gets in the way of our relationship with the Lord.
The Christian walk is challenging enough on its own. The last thing we need is to stumble over misplaced priorities.
Reflection question: How can you keep a godly perspective on the things of this life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! Stay updated on all important event details.
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
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“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief.” (1 Timothy 1:12–13 NLT)
Saul of Tarsus, who later became the apostle Paul, had a ravenous hunger for knowledge, especially as it pertained to Judaism, and an unquenchable desire to be as devout as possible in his Jewish faith. As a Pharisee, he rose to a position of influence among the Jewish leaders, possibly even becoming a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin, which was like the Supreme Court of its day. With this honor, Saul enjoyed great fame and influence.
However, it could be said that Saul was both famous and, ultimately, infamous. He showed the depths of his rigid devotion to Judaism when he sensed a threat to its dominance. He seems to have instinctively recognized that the followers of the Nazarene known as Jesus were dangerous. So dangerous, in fact, that Saul convinced himself that they needed to be wiped off the face of the earth. He made it his mission in life to hunt them down and make them suffer for their faith in Christ. But he didn’t stop with the Christians who were in his immediate jurisdiction. He asked for and received extradition papers from the high priest so that he could take his campaign of persecution on the road. He set out for Damascus, which was 140 miles from Jerusalem.
The journey was arduous, but Saul would not be deterred. He was so filled with hatred that he was willing to go anywhere to find Christians and stop them. He later wrote that he did this ignorantly in unbelief (see 1 Timothy 1:12–13).
Many people, believers and unbelievers alike, have a hard time understanding how a religious person can also be a hateful person. But the unfortunate reality is that some people who claim to be devout act in mean and cruel ways. They use their religion to belittle and destroy others. That was certainly the case with Saul.
Christians who fall into this trap can be dangerous to the cause of Christ. They can also cause great frustration for their fellow believers whose own ministry efforts are undermined or hindered by their un-Christlike behavior. As Vance Havner pointed out, “If we are too busy using our sickles on one another, we’re going to miss the harvest.”
As Christians, we need to travel light in our relationship with other believers. We need to show love, encouragement, and support. We need to let go of anger, competitiveness, and illusions of moral superiority. We need to embrace a spirit of humility and grace so that we can accomplish all that God has for us to do.
Saul certainly learned that lesson. Years later he wrote, “Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith” (Galatians 6:10 NLT).
Jesus put it even more succinctly: “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:35 NLT).
Reflection question: What does showing love for fellow believers look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! Stay updated on all important event details.
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
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“So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus.” (Acts 8:35 NLT)
Every now and again, stories appear in the news about people who pose as physicians even though they’re not licensed to practice medicine. In some cases, the actions of these faux physicians prove to be destructive or even fatal for the people they’re “treating.” Obviously, such malpractice is inexcusable.
But what about spiritual malpractice? I believe that there are some preachers today who are guilty of harmful and destructive spiritual guidance. These questionable Christian leaders are not accurately presenting the gospel message.
The litmus test for determining whether a gospel message is legitimate is simple. If a presentation of the Good News doesn’t contain a message about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, then it’s insufficient. Every effective gospel presentation, whether it’s a sermon given from a pulpit or part of a private conversation, ultimately needs to come down to this: Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sin. He paid the price for every wrong thing we’ve ever done. And after He conquered the power of sin, He rose again to conquer the power of death.
That’s the essence of the gospel. That’s the message we need to take to people.
Too often we bog ourselves down with too many arguments, counterarguments, and debate strategies. We look for “gotcha” moments, opportunities to use unbelievers’ logic against them.
A better option is to “travel light”—to fill our thoughts with Scripture alone. If we want to be effective in sharing our faith, our message must be centered on God’s Word. That’s why the apostle Paul wrote, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 NIV).
When we commit Scripture to memory, when we know the Word of God, we have a well to draw from when someone asks us a question. And as we prepare to respond, we can pray that the Holy Spirit will bring the right passages to mind.
Think again about Philip’s opportunity to share the gospel with a government official from Ethiopia. Acts 8:35 says, “So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus” (NLT). Philip was able to present the gospel accurately and at a moment’s notice because he knew Scripture.
The better we know Scripture and the more of it we commit to memory, the more we give the Holy Spirit to work with. The psalmist wrote, “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11 NLT). When we commit ourselves to that same pursuit, we’ll discover not only that God blesses our efforts but also that our heart has much greater storage capacity than we can imagine.
Reflection question: How much of your heart’s storage capacity is filled with memorized Scripture passages? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! Stay updated on all important event details.
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1–2 NLT)
Reflecting on the passing of human life, ethicist Michael Josephson wrote, “Ready or not, someday it will all come to an end. There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days. . . . So what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured? . . . Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident. It’s not a matter of circumstance but of choice.”
The author of Ecclesiastes wrote, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest” (Ecclesiastes 3:1–2 NLT). The psalmist wrote, “My future is in your hands” (Psalm 31:15 NLT). And Job said to God, “You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer” (Job 14:5 NLT).
Contemplating how short life is and how powerless we are to change that can trigger anxiety in some people. It magnifies the importance of being proactive in the choices you make, not to mention the importance of starting to make those choices as early as possible. To put it another way: The evening of your life is determined by the morning of your life.
If you start prioritizing healthy eating and exercise as a young person and continue the practice throughout your life, you will enjoy the benefits for years and years. Likewise, if you start prioritizing the things of God as a young person and continue the practice throughout your life, you will reap unimaginable blessings for as long as you live.
The author of Proverbs touched on this principle when he wrote, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6 RSV).
If you’re in the morning of your life—if, statistically speaking, you likely have many years ahead of you—now is not the time to sow your wild oats or to do the things you plan to repent for later. Now is the time to establish the habits, practices, and principles that will guide your life. Now is the time to study God’s Word, to memorize and apply it to every area of your life. Now is the time to begin the discipline of prayer, to set aside time every day to speak and listen to the Lord. Now is the time to develop and sharpen your skills when it comes to sharing your faith. If time is on your side, don’t let that advantage slip away.
If you’re in the afternoon or even in the evening of life, the same principle applies, just in a different time frame. It’s never too late to adopt God-honoring disciplines. And right now, you’re as young as you’ll ever be.
Reflection question: How can you prioritize and embrace God-honoring disciplines in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! Stay updated on all important event details.
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.” (John 15:8 NLT)
A headstone serves as a marker for a person’s grave. But it also serves as an extremely brief summary of the person’s life. A typical headstone might read: John Doe, May 29, 1946–October 15, 2025, beloved son, husband, and father.
What’s interesting, though, is that the smallest etching on the headstone—the dash between the date of birth and date of death—represents what ultimately matters most. That dash is the entirety of our days.
We cannot determine how long we will live on this earth. We may try. We may follow every healthy trend we see online. We may load up on high-end supplements. We may constantly obsess about doing the right things, where our health is concerned. But as Jesus asked in Matthew 6:27, “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” (NLT).
God determines the length of our lives. He decided when we were born, and He decides when we will die. We have nothing to say about those dates. But we have everything to say about the dash between them. That dash encompasses every decision we make, every path we choose, every priority we elevate, every interaction we have, and every use of our God-given gifts and abilities. That dash represents how we use the days that God so graciously gives us. More specifically, it reflects whether we pursue God’s agenda or our own.
According to Scripture, we’re all placed on this earth to glorify and honor God and to produce spiritual fruit in our lives. It’s telling that after this life is over, when believers are gathered in Heaven for eternity, we will sing this song: “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased” (Revelation 4:11 NLT).
We exist for the pleasure of God. Jesus said, “You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name” (John 15:16 NLT). He also said, “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father” (verse 8 NLT).
So, ultimately, the dash is our chance to produce as much spiritual fruit, and to make the most of as many spiritual opportunities as we possibly can. Not for our own glory, but for God’s. That means investing our precious time in His Word—studying it, memorizing it, and helping others understand it. It means seeking out opportunities to share our faith and equipping ourselves to make the most of the chances when they come. It means staying connected to the Lord through prayer—seeking His will, giving Him our burdens, and listening for His guidance.
Your dash is a gift from God. Make the most of it.
Reflection question: How can you make the most of your dash? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! Stay updated on all important event details.
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“At this time Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman’s wife as a maid. One day the girl said to her mistress, ‘I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.’” (2 Kings 5:2–3 NLT)
Often the most profound and far-reaching spiritual opportunities are those that happen “behind the scenes.” What’s more, the person who appears to be the main figure in a given situation isn’t always the person God chooses to work through.
One example of this can be found in the book of Nehemiah. King Artaxerxes was obviously the most powerful man in the Persian Empire, ruling over Babylon and much of the Middle East. His word was law. Nehemiah, in contrast, served as the king’s cupbearer. Though his position was several steps down from the ruler of the kingdom, Nehemiah served a vital function—one that kept him always near Artaxerxes. A cupbearer’s job was to taste a drink before the king did to make sure it hadn’t been poisoned. If a drink was poisonous, then that was the end of the cupbearer’s job—and the end of his life for that matter. But the cupbearer did more than sip beverages. Because he spent so much time around the king, he often would become an advisor to the monarch, someone who exerted influence on him. Cupbearer was a very prestigious position in the palace. A cupbearer lived in affluence and influence.
But Nehemiah had another allegiance. He was, after all, an exiled Jew—one who felt passionately about his abandoned homeland. He knew that the walls of Jerusalem had been burned down and were lying in rubble—and that something needed to be done. So, he leveraged his position, at great risk to himself. He asked the king to allow him to return to Jerusalem with a group of fellow exiles to rebuild the walls. He could have lost his life by asking such a thing. But he saw a spiritual opportunity to work behind the scenes to accomplish something meaningful.
Another example can be found in 2 Kings 5. A young Jewish girl, whose name is never mentioned, said to her mistress, “I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy” (verse 3 NLT). Her master was Naaman, the commander of the Aramean army—one of the towering figures of his day. The young girl was a maid who served Naaman’s wife. She, too, saw a spiritual opportunity to work behind the scenes and seized it. Her subtle suggestion prompted Naaman to seek out the Israelite prophet Elisha. Naaman made the journey to Israel and was healed of his leprosy.
These stories serve as reminders that God can and does use anyone to accomplish His purposes. And though the names of the people He uses may be lost to history, they are never lost to Him. He will faithfully reward all who make themselves available to Him.
Reflection question: How can you make yourself available to God? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
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“Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’
The man replied, ‘How can I, unless someone instructs me?’ And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.” (Acts 8:30–31 NLT)
Philip, a leader in the early church, was given a remarkable opportunity to share the gospel. According to Acts 8, he was guided by the Holy Spirit to an Ethiopian official, who was sitting in a chariot, struggling to understand a passage from the book of Isaiah.
“Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’The man replied, ‘How can I, unless someone instructs me?’ And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him” (Acts 8:30–31 NLT).
As you explore the passage further, you’ll find that when Philip shared the gospel with the Ethiopian dignitary, he demonstrated something that’s often lacking in evangelistic efforts, and that’s tact.
Many Christians, when they sense an opportunity to witness to an unbeliever, opt for an all-out blitz. They fire away with everything they have in their spiritual arsenal. They don’t make an effort to engage the people they speak with. They don’t try to establish a dialogue. They don’t bother with building an interpersonal bridge. They simply present their arguments, make their statements, and walk away from the encounter feeling impressed with themselves. Meanwhile, the people they’re talking to are silently wishing they would just stop talking and going away.
Later, the Christian thinks, “Boy, I really blew them out of the water when they said this and that. Wasn’t that great?” No, it wasn’t great. In fact, it was quite foolish, because our job as believers is not to win the argument; it’s to win the soul.
If we want to effectively share the gospel with people, then we need to engage them. What did the master evangelist Jesus do as He talked with the woman at the well in Samaria? He engaged her in conversation. He established some give-and-take. He spoke. He listened. She shared her heart with Him. He revealed the truth to her.
When we share the gospel with people, it must be as a dialogue—and not as a monologue. It’s not just a matter of talking; it’s also a matter of listening. Sharing the gospel involves offering appropriate passages from Scripture and genuine responses from a heart filled with love.
No one will ever be argued into the kingdom of God. No one will come away from an adversarial debate with a believer—after winning or losing—with a desire to “join the other side.” Ultimately, people are going to believe because the Holy Spirit convicted them of their sin. Our job is to simply bring them the essential gospel message in a way that’s compelling, thoughtful, and personal.
Reflection question: How do you use tact when you share the gospel with others? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
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“Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both.” (Ecclesiastes 11:6 NLT)
Here’s something amazing to think about. Saul, who would later become the apostle Paul, was doing the work of God’s kingdom before he was even in it. Remember, Saul was one of the early enemies of the Christian faith. He zealously persecuted believers, which led many to flee their homes and move to distant lands—taking the gospel with them.
Had Saul not been so relentless in his persecution of the church, I think the first-century Christians probably would have been content to stay in their little holy huddle in Jerusalem and never leave town. After all, their situation was almost ideal. God had blessed their evangelism efforts in the city, so there were believers all around. They had no need to leave Jerusalem. But because of Saul’s persecution, Christians were forced to spread out. They took the Good News of Jesus to places where it may not have gone otherwise, or at least not as quickly as it did.
Eventually, of course, Saul stopped persecuting believers and became a believer himself. And I think the person who might have had the greatest influence in bringing about his conversion was Stephen, the church’s first martyr. I believe it could have been Stephen’s bold testimony that threw fuel on Saul’s fire because Saul was under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Stephen didn’t have a long ministry. He never wrote a book of the New Testament. But if his only convert was Saul of Tarsus, then his ministry was profoundly successful.
The same goes for your Christian ministry. You may not reach millions with the gospel. You may not reach thousands. You may not reach hundreds. But you may be the person whom God uses to reach someone who will, in turn, change the world. Or it may be a child you raised in the way of the Lord who reaches someone else, who talks to someone else, and eventually shares the gospel with someone like Saul. So, here’s what you need to realize: It’s not over until it’s over.
Ecclesiastes 11:6 says, “Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both” (NLT). You don’t have to know what your spiritual work will yield. All you have to do is seize every opportunity that’s presented to you.
That’s the takeaway from the story of Saul and Stephen. As believers, we need to be faithful in sowing the seed of the Word of God, because we don’t know where that seed will go—in this life, in the next generation, or in the generation after that.
We sow the seed; God takes it from there.
Reflection question: What would sowing the seed of the Word of God look like in your life right now? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
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“I used to believe that I ought to do everything I could to oppose the very name of Jesus the Nazarene.Indeed, I did just that in Jerusalem. Authorized by the leading priests, I caused many believers there to be sent to prison. And I cast my vote against them when they were condemned to death. Many times I had them punished in the synagogues to get them to curse Jesus. I was so violently opposed to them that I even chased them down in foreign cities.” (Acts 26:9–11 NLT)
Every person in your life who doesn’t know Christ represents a spiritual opportunity for you. If you’re like most people, you probably have some acquaintances who seem as though they would be receptive to the gospel message. It takes no great stretch of the imagination to picture them as fellow believers, worshipping and serving the Lord alongside you. On the other hand, you probably have other acquaintances who seem so far from God—whose lives are so broken and whose priorities are so mixed up—that you’re tempted to write them off as lost causes.
If that’s the case, God’s Word has a message for you: don’t. Don’t fall into the devil’s trap of believing that certain people are beyond God’s reach. The reality is that no one who draws breath is beyond redemption.
In Acts 26:9–11, the apostle Paul describes one of the most amazing conversions of all time—a conversion so unlikely that even Jesus’ disciples didn’t think it was possible. He’s describing, of course, his own conversion.
“I used to believe that I ought to do everything I could to oppose the very name of Jesus the Nazarene.Indeed, I did just that in Jerusalem. Authorized by the leading priests, I caused many believers there to be sent to prison. And I cast my vote against them when they were condemned to death. Many times I had them punished in the synagogues to get them to curse Jesus. I was so violently opposed to them that I even chased them down in foreign cities” (NLT).
When he was known as Saul of Tarsus, Paul was one of the most radical antagonists of the early church. It was Saul who presided over the death of Stephen, the first martyr of the church who courageously stood up for his faith. It was Saul who went out of his way to hunt down Christians, imprison them, and even destroy them. This man was bent on the eradication of the Christian faith.
Yet God saved him and changed his life beyond recognition. That’s the power of the gospel.
If you know an antagonistic person, someone who seems to go out of their way to make your life miserable, someone who’s always trying to stump you with a hard question, it just may be that they’re closer to the kingdom of God than you realize.
Sometimes the people who attack the most or resist the hardest are under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Their lashing out is the last struggle of their old self. They may be closer to conversion than you realize.
No one is beyond the reach of God.
Reflection question: How can you reach out to someone who seems unreachable? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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“Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.” (1 John 2:6 NLT)
I have a problem when I walk with my wife. I always walk a little faster than she does. Every time we go out together, I find myself walking ahead of her. I have to stop and wait for her to catch up. I make a conscious effort to walk more slowly—at least for a while. But the next thing I know, I’m walking fast again.
Many believers face a similar challenge when it comes to walking with God. Some people want to run ahead of Him. They grow impatient waiting for Him to answer a prayer or reveal His will, so they take matters into their own hands. Other people lag behind Him. They’re reluctant to act when He prompts them. They’re hesitant to step outside their comfort zone without two weeks’ advance notice.
Our goal should be to move in harmony with the Lord. We need to stay close to Him and adjust our steps so that they match His. Enoch is listed in the Faith Hall of Fame (see Hebrews 11:5). Yet we know little about him beyond this note in Genesis 5:22 (NKJV), which is repeated in verse 24: “Enoch walked with God” (NKJV).
Referring to our daily relationship with God’s Holy Spirit, the apostle Paul wrote, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25 NIV).
But what does that mean in practice? How do we do it? What does it look like to “keep in step with the Spirit”? It means that we prioritize the things of God. It means that when we get up in the morning, we take time to read the Bible. If we neglect the Word of God, it will show in our lives. Keeping in step with the Spirit also means that we spend time in fellowship with God’s people.
The apostle John put it this way: “Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did” (1 John 2:6 NLT). In short, make time for the things of God. Be proactive in your walk with the Lord. Don’t wait for spare time simply to materialize. Be deliberate about carving out room in your schedule. If it means one less hour of sleep, so be it. If it means delaying a meal, put your appetite on hold. If it means missing a television program, deal with it. Do what you need to do because these things are essential to spiritual growth, to abiding with God, and to bearing spiritual fruit.
Never lose sight of what a privilege it is to walk with the Lord. Any sacrifice you have to make for the sake of that walk will be well worth it. Your walk with God will bring indescribable richness to your daily life.
Reflection question: What would keeping in step with the Spirit look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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“These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us.” (1 John 2:19 NLT)
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus delivered some sobering words to the people who followed Him: “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter” (Matthew 7:21 NLT).
Many people in the audience that day believed that upholding the Law of Moses—that is, being “good enough”—was the ticket to the kingdom of Heaven. Jesus helped them see that changing their entire outlook was necessary. They needed to repent.
Four chapters earlier, He said to the Pharisees and Sadducees—the people whose entire lives were dedicated to upholding the Law of Moses—“Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God” (Matthew 3:8 NLT). The proof of a changed life is found in a person’s response to sin. Those whose faith is genuine will be profoundly affected when they give in to sin. They will repent and restore their relationship with the Lord.
Look at David’s words after he committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged for her husband to be killed. “Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night” (Psalm 51:1–3 NLT).
Look at the apostle Peter’s reaction after he denied being a follower of Jesus three separate times: “And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly” (Luke 22:62 NLT).
The cost was too great for us to take sin lightly. Isaiah 53:5–6 says, “But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all” (NLT). First Peter 2:24 says, “He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed” (NLT).
People who claim to be believers, but then fall away and never come back, were not, in fact, believers. That’s the point John makes in 1 John 2:19: “These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us” (NLT). True believers will be miserable in sin and eventually will beat a path back to the cross of Calvary. True believers will repent and receive God’s forgiveness.
Reflection question: What does genuine repentance look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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“Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.” (1 John 3:2 NLT)
Human ingenuity has devised countless ways to transform the human body. From plastic surgery to weight-loss drugs. From tattoos to piercings. From hair dye to colored contact lenses. Many people, it seems, will stop at nothing to have a new body.
In the third chapter of his first epistle, the apostle John addresses the topics of transformation and new bodies from an eternal perspective. His point is this: Every believer will have a new body in Heaven.Those who are disabled on earth won’t be disabled in Heaven. Those whose bodies are broken by the ravages of age or disease on earth won’t experience that brokenness in Heaven.
John says that our resurrection bodies will resemble the resurrection body of Christ. Think of it! In 1 John 3:2, we read, “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is” (NLT).
What were the differences between the resurrection body of Jesus and the body that was put to death on the cross? When Jesus walked among us on this earth, He voluntarily exposed Himself to the limitations of humanity. Just like everyone else, He got sleepy, thirsty, tired, and hungry. In His resurrected body, there were similarities to the old body but major differences, too.His disciples recognized Him, yet something in them wondered, “Is it really You, Lord?”
Then again, Jesus did things in His resurrection body that He never did in His old body. He suddenly appeared in a room without using a door. He ascended through the air until He disappeared into the clouds.
Will we be able to do similar things in our resurrection bodies?No one can say for sure, but we can know this: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT).
That’s why Paul wrote, “For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies.While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life” (2 Corinthians 5:1–4 NLT).
Reflection question: What is most exciting to you about having a new body in Heaven? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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“If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.” (1 John 1:8 NLT)
Visitors to San Francisco can’t help but be amazed at the architectural marvel that is the Golden Gate Bridge. But its beauty and innovation came at a tremendous cost. During the initial phases of construction, several workers lost their balance and plunged to their deaths in the San Francisco Bay.
The builders were concerned about the human tragedy, of course. But they were also concerned about the delays in the schedule because of the deaths. They needed to find a way to keep their workers safe under the most dangerous conditions. The solution they arrived at was something that had never been done before.
The builders installed a giant safety net under the construction area. The workers knew that if they fell, the net would catch them. The experience wouldn’t necessarily be pleasant for the unfortunate worker, but at least he would live to tell about it. Thanks to the net, workers could go about their business without the fear of dying. With the threat removed, they were able to move quickly and finish the project.
Did you know that God has put a safety net under you? By that I mean, when you slip, when you fall, when you make a mistake, you don’t have to worry that your name will be blotted out of the Book of Life. You don’t have to face the prospect of becoming persona non grata with God.
The apostle Paul wrote, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood” (Romans 3:23–25 NLT).
If you believe in Christ, you have a spiritual safety net. You have a barrier against spiritual death. Because Jesus came into your heart, forgave you, and committed Himself to you, He now protects you, seals you, and justifies you because of that commitment.
The fact is that we as Christians will sin and fall short. The Scriptures, as well as our own experiences in life, tell us this is true. According to 1 John 1:8, “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth” (NLT). This isn’t an excuse for ungodly living. Nor is it a license for sin. It’s a simple acknowledgment of reality.
Yet Paul wrote, “I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love” (Romans 8:38 NLT).
Nothing can dismantle our safety net.
Reflection question: What does your spiritual safety net mean to you? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
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“If someone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.” (1 John 4:20–21 NLT)
One of the first things I remember taking place when I committed my life to Jesus Christ was the erosion of bitterness and anger in my heart and the growth of a love I had not known before. That surprised me because that bitterness and anger had been constant companions of mine. I had nurtured them for longer than I could remember. But such is the power of God and His love.
If we claim to be followers of Christ and harbor bitterness or hatred in our hearts toward someone, that should be a warning sign. The apostle John left little wiggle room when he wrote, “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers” (1 John 4:20–21 NLT). He’s saying that if we have hatred in our hearts toward fellow members of the body of Christ something wrong in our spiritual life. Something that must be addressed immediately if we’re going to grow in our faith.
The apostle Paul wrote, “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other” (Romans 12:9–10 NLT). He’s talking about something more than a passive tolerance here. Something more than simply spending an hour or two together on Sunday mornings. The love he’s talking about involves actively growing closer to others. And often that means finding ways to heal past hurts and remove the obstacles that keep us at a distance from others.
Maybe someone has wronged or hurt you. If so, take it to God. Let Him deal with it. Your job is to heed His call to love and forgive that person and not to avenge yourself. Here’s why: That bitterness and hatred will do more harm to you than to the person you’re directing it toward. It will eat you up inside. It will destroy your life. It will hinder your time of prayer with God. It will hinder your worship. It will, for all practical purposes, act as an obstacle in the relationship God wants to have with you.
There’s no room for hatred, bitterness, or prejudice in the heart of a child of God. God wants our love to be honest and without hypocrisy. That’s the kind of love that changes lives and changes the world.
Reflection question: How can you remove an obstacle that’s keeping you at a distance from someone else? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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“So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.” (1 John 3:13 NLT)
This week we’re going to focus on passages from the first epistle of John. And we’re going to start with one that addresses the topic of Christian persecution.
I heard a story about some fish suppliers who were having problems shipping cod from the East Coast. By the time the cod reached the West Coast, they were spoiled. The suppliers tried freezing the cod, but en route across the country, they turned mushy. The suppliers tried shipping live cod, but they arrived dead. Finally, the suppliers tried sending live cod, but with one difference: They included a catfish in each tank. You see, catfish are the natural enemies of cod. By the time the cod arrived, they were alive and well because they had spent their trip fleeing the catfish.
Believe it or not, there’s a spiritual lesson in that story. Have you ever considered that, spiritually speaking, God may put catfish in the tanks of believers to keep us alive and well spiritually? And that, often, the “catfish” takes the form of persecution?
Maybe you get singled out in your friend group for refusing to go along with certain activities. Maybe you have a coworker who tries to trip you up with hard questions about spiritual things. Maybe you have a neighbor who openly mocks your faith in Jesus. Maybe you have a spouse or family member who doesn’t believe in Christ and can’t understand why you do.
If you’ve ever faced these or other types of challenges to your faith, you may have wondered why God allows them to happen. Think of them as catfish in a cod tank. They keep you alert and focused. As strange as it may seem, they can strengthen your faith in ways that an easy, unchallenged Christian life never could.
Shortly before His crucifixion, Jesus told His disciples, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you” (John 15:18–19 NLT). In other words, “You’re in good company.”
So, rather than ask God to shield you from persecution, ask Him instead to give you the strength and wisdom to deal with it in a way that brings glory to Him. Ask Him to give you the perspective to see the big picture—that is, what’s behind the persecution and what’s to be gained from withstanding it.
If you’re experiencing persecution, here are two things to remember: First, persecution confirms that you are a child of God. Second, persecution causes you to cling more tightly to Jesus. That’s a win-win.
Keep in mind, too, that this world isn’t your real home. If you persevere with a steady, peaceful spirit, trusting in Jesus to help you, your welcome into Heaven will be more glorious than you can possibly imagine.
Reflection question: When have you experienced persecution because of your Christian faith? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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“But Joseph replied, ‘Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you?You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.’ So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.” (Genesis 50:19–21 NLT)
Joseph’s words to his brothers in Genesis 50:19–21 underscore a hard truth for God’s people. We are called to forgive everyone who wrongs us. Keep in mind that Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. He spent the better part of his life separated from his beloved father. He became a servant. He spent years in an Egyptian prison for a crime he didn’t commit. All because his brothers couldn’t control their jealousy.
Yet, years later, when he was finally reunited with them—when he was perfectly positioned to exact revenge on the siblings who had taken so much from him—this is what he said: “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you?You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children” (Genesis 50:19–21 NLT).
Some people get to the end of this story and say, “I could never forgive someone who did that to me.” But the spiritual reality is that they can—and must.
Jesus said, “But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too” (Mark 11:25 NLT). There is no asterisk or fine print listing the offenses that are excluded from His command. Jesus expects us to forgive those who have wronged us. Those who have taken advantage of us. Those who have slandered us. Those who have made fun of us. Those who have betrayed us.
And if we try to argue that someone doesn’t deserve our forgiveness, we’re left with an inescapable truth: That’s what makes us the perfect people to forgive, because we know how it is to receive forgiveness we don’t deserve. As the apostle Paul wrote, “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32 NLT).
We may not always feel like forgiving. We may see people who have wronged us and feel our blood begin to boil. That’s when we need to say, “As an act of faith, as a step of obedience to Jesus Christ, I forgive this person.”
It’s been said, “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” We should forgive not only for the sake of others, but also for the sake of our own mental and spiritual health. We must place our anger, pain, and desire to get even in God’s hands so that we’re no longer tormented by them.
Is there someone you need to forgive today? Are you harboring a grudge toward someone? Forgive. Forgive whoever has hurt you. As Jesus said in Luke 6:37, “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven” (NLT).
Reflection question: What would forgiveness look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
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“But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.” (Job 23:10 NLT)
“Why?” is a very popular question among God’s people. King David asked why his son rebelled against him and why the people of Israel stopped supporting him. Elijah asked why he was the only remaining prophet to stand for God. Jeremiah asked why he was suffering so much for doing what God had called him to do. Jesus Himself asked why God had forsaken Him.
But no one is more closely associated with the question “Why?” than Job. And for good reason. Job was a righteous man who savored God’s blessings in his life. Those blessings included a loving family and great wealth. Then, in quick succession, thieves plundered his livestock. Fire destroyed his servants and his possessions, leaving him with nothing. A house collapse killed his children. Boils broke out all over his body, leaving him in constant, excruciating pain.
His friends told him that he was to blame for his suffering, that he was facing divine retribution for sin. His wife told him to curse God and die.
Job sincerely believed that his suffering had nothing to do with divine retribution. He wasn’t being punished for anything. But that belief raised some serious questions. Questions that a lot of God’s people ask when they’re faced with trials and suffering. Questions that start with “Why?”
Job put it this way: “If only I knew where to find God, I would go to his court.I would lay out my case and present my arguments. Then I would listen to his reply and understand what he says to me” (Job 23:3–5 NLT).
The answer that Job received may or may not have satisfied him. And that brings us to a hard truth of the Christian faith: God doesn’t work His will for our ultimate comfort, security, or benefit. He works His will for His glory. He wants His people to recognize who He is and what He’s done—and then to worship and give thanks accordingly. That’s what we were created to do. That’s what puts us in perfect alignment with Him. That’s what gives us a soul-deep sense of fulfillment and joy.
To accomplish that, God occasionally puts us in situations from which only He can deliver us. He allows circumstances to test us so that we will draw closer to Him and rely on His resources alone to “survive and thrive.”
That way, we can’t “thank our lucky stars” or compliment ourselves on our own cleverness or resourcefulness. Rather, we must say, “Only God could have done this.” God clearly says in Scripture that He will not give His glory to another (see Isaiah 42:8).
Job honestly admitted his struggles and his need for answers. Then he added what would become a classic statement of faith: “But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold” (Job 23:10 NLT). Job was saying, “I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know why God has allowed these things to happen. But I know this: When I am tested, my faith will become purer and more precious.”
That was God’s objective for Job. And it’s His objective for us, too.
Reflection question: How can you “come out pure as gold” from a struggle you’re facing right now? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
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“But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12 NLT)
A woman strolling on a beach noticed a man catching crabs. Every time he caught one, he placed it in an open bucket.
“Don’t you need a lid on that bucket?” the woman asked.
“No,” the man replied, “they can’t get out.”
“Why not?” the woman asked. “The bucket isn’t that big.”
“It doesn’t have to be,” the man explained. “Whenever one crab tries to go over the side, the others reach up and pull it back down again.”
Sounds like human behavior, doesn’t it? There are many people who don’t like to see others reach for the top. When a person begins to climb, they think, “How dare you succeed? How dare you do better than me? How dare you get that promotion? How dare you get that attention? How dare you do well when I’m not doing just as well? You get back down here with me!”
Envy and jealousy are sure signs of misplaced priorities. They spring from a me-first attitude like the kind Jesus was talking about when He said, “But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12 NLT).
It’s been said that envy shoots at another and wounds itself. And it’s hard to deny the truth in that. Left unchecked, envy and jealousy can eat us up inside.
Proverbs 14:30 warns, “A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones” (NLT).
James 3:16 says, “For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind” (NLT).
And Galatians 5:26 warns, “Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another” (NLT).
What’s more, envy causes us to take our eyes off what God has done for us. If we pay too close attention to the good things in other people’s lives, we’re not paying close enough attention to the blessings in our own lives. And we miss the opportunity to give thanks and grow closer to the One who gave them.
The best way to deal with envy is to recognize it as sin and repent of it. We may try to rationalize our jealousy, but we need to realize that it’s wrong and ask God to forgive us. God wants us to put the needs of others above our own, to love one another, and to care for one another. These are essential aspects of our Christian faith.
Instead of worrying about what other people have, let’s be thankful that we’re even drawing breath in our lungs. That in itself is a gift from God. And if God lifts us to an exalted position, then that’s His grace. If He lifts someone else, that also is His grace. None of us deserve it; it’s all the grace of God. Our responsibility is to be faithful to what God has called us to do.
Reflection question: How can you keep envy from getting a foothold in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
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“You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” (Genesis 4:7 NLT)
Years ago, my son Christopher was lying out in the sun at our house when he woke up to find a huge gopher snake, coiled up and hissing at him, poised to strike. It must have been six or seven feet long. Terrified, he ran into the house and shut the door behind him.
His experience reminds me of a hard truth about the Christian life. Like that gopher snake, sin is poised to strike—usually when we least expect it. And it’s been that way since the very beginning.
When Cain saw that the Lord accepted Abel’s offering but not his, he was angry. So, God gave him a warning. He essentially told Cain what was going to happen to him if he didn’t get himself under control: “You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master” (Genesis 4:7 NLT). The passage portrays sin as a dangerous wild animal, always ready to pounce.
The apostle Peter used similar imagery in his description of the devil in 1 Peter 5:8: “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (NLT). And while the imagery is certainly sobering, we need to keep these words of Scripture in proper perspective. It’s not so much an emergency broadcast warning as it is a word to the wise. Peter doesn’t tell us to panic, hide, or be afraid. He tells us to be alert.
Our enemy isn’t all-powerful, but he is always watchful. He looks for opportunities to make us stumble, to make us doubt, to make us lose sight of the path God would have us travel. He attacks us when we’re weak—physically, emotionally, mentally, relationally. He also attacks us when we seem to be strong, after a spiritual victory or a “mountaintop” experience. In good times and bad, he keeps sin crouched at our door, ready to pounce.
But we need not fear. As the psalmist wrote, “The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17 NLT).
So, the next time sin comes knocking at your door, you might say, “Lord, would You mind getting that? I’m going to stand in Your strength. I’m going to trust in You. You are the only one who can give me the strength to overpower sin.” If we will master sin, then we must first be mastered by Him who mastered it.
Reflection question: What types of sin often crouch at your door, poised to strike? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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"For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear." (2 Timothy 4:3 NLT)
There was a time when we were bombarded by a one-sided view of God as an angry deity, ready to throw people into the open fires of Hell. People complained about too much hellfire-and-brimstone preaching.
But when was the last time anyone has heard a hellfire-and-brimstone message? Sadly, the sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” that Jonathan Edwards preached in 1741 would not be allowed in many churches today.
Many people have gone too far in the other direction, teaching that God is an all-loving, benign, supreme being that doesn’t seem to have any opinions about the way we live. The assumption is that as long as we’re true to ourselves, then it’s okay with Him. He accepts us the way we are.
We like the qualities of God such as love, forgiveness, and compassion and the incredible fringe benefit of eternal life in Heaven. On the other hand, we’re appalled by a God of holiness who desperately loves us yet requires repentance as well as trust, a God who promises to judge those who refuse to come to Him on His terms.
Others look at God as some kind of pagan deity who simply needs to be appeased. They think that if they go through religious rituals, they’ve done their part and they can build up credit for sinning that week. People can follow that god as much as they want. But that is not the God of the Bible.
When we start picking and choosing the things about God that appeal or do not appeal to us, we are not only diminishing our view of who God is but also believing and teaching a false gospel.
Some preachers today offer weak, watered-down proclamations in the name of the gospel. They tell you to believe, but they don’t tell you to repent. They tell you there’s a Heaven, but they don’t tell you there’s a Hell. And they tell you there’s forgiveness, but they don’t tell you there’s repentance.
If we don’t include those things, then it isn’t the gospel. We cannot edit the gospel according to what we like or don’t like. It’s for us to share it as God gave it. Otherwise, we strip the gospel of its power and effectiveness.
We cannot control what happens in the world. But at the same time, we cannot allow the belief system of a secular society to influence the way we believe. The idea is not to conform ourselves to the world’s way of thinking. It is not to bend the Bible to the culture.
When we desperately want to please everyone and not offend anyone, we will fail to make an impact on our culture.
When we start tampering with the essentials of our faith such as the Bible, the gospel, and the nature of God Himself, we are making God into a different image.
The God of the Bible does love us and accept us as we are. But the God of the Bible also wants to change us. He wants to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ.
Reflection question: What does it practically look like to share the full gospel—both grace and repentance—without compromising truth? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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“I have followed your commands, which keep me from following cruel and evil people.” (Psalm 17:4 NLT)
When the devil wanted to lead the first man and woman into sin, he started by attacking their minds. According to Genesis 3:1, “The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, ‘Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?’” (NLT). A simple question was enough to plant a seed of doubt. That seed quickly sprouted into full-fledged action. Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate from the forbidden tree. The devil’s strategy worked so well that he still uses the mind-targeting tactic to this day.
The apostle Paul warned of this when he wrote, “But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent” (2 Corinthians 11:3 NLT). The hard truth about spiritual warfare is that the devil attacks our minds incessantly. He knows that our brain, our thoughts, and our imagination are our command center. When you have power over someone’s mind, you can reach into the past through memories, and you can reach into the future through imagination. The devil knows that if he can get us to think about something, to contemplate it, to consider it, then he is halfway to getting us to sin.
Paul also wrote, “We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4–5 NLT).
It’s been said, “Sow a thought; reap an act. Sow an act; reap a character. Sow a character; reap a destiny.” What starts with a thought can lead to a destiny.
Eve’s mind certainly wasn’t filled with the things of God when the devil approached her. Had it been, she could have effectively resisted his temptations. The psalmist wrote, “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11 NLT).
Jesus used God’s Word three times in response to the devil’s temptations in Matthew 4:1–11. The devil had no defense against Scripture. Verse 11 says, “Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus” (NLT).
The devil still has no defense against God’s truth. So, when we hide the Word of God in our hearts, we have everything we need to stand strong against our spiritual enemy and effectively resist his temptation.
In his passage on the armor of God, Paul wrote, “Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17 NLT). Knowing how to wield that sword will keep our enemy out of our minds.
Reflection question: How can you fix your mind on God and His Word so that you’re less vulnerable to the devil’s attacks? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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“Many people say, ‘Who will show us better times?’ Let your face smile on us, Lord. You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.” (Psalm 4:6–8 NLT)
Dissatisfaction is the last of life’s headwinds that we’ll be talking about this week. It’s also one of the most common. Even those of us who like to think of ourselves as low-maintenance and unassuming harbor certain hopes and expectations for this life. We want meaning and purpose, among other things. When life fails to deliver, we’re left feeling disappointed, dissatisfied, and maybe even a little cheated.
Only humans have a longing for meaning in life. I can assure you that my dog doesn’t sit around pondering the reason for his existence. He won’t be looking back on his life and saying, “You know, I tried it all as a dog. I chased cats. I drank toilet water. I tried bones. But deep inside of me, there was a void.” Dogs don’t think that way. They mainly think, “Food . . . sleep.”
Dogs, you see, aren’t made in the image of God. You and I are. We are living souls, designed to know God and to experience something more than a mundane, directionless existence.
From the time of our birth, we’ve been on a quest to discover that “something more.” And we keep searching until we discover that the answer to all our questions is found in a relationship with our Creator. God can give us a sense of joy and fulfillment that far surpasses the puny, fleeting pleasures this world offers. Even better, there’s no hangover in the morning. There’s no guilt or shame that accompanies it.
The psalmists understood this. Psalm 4:6–8 says, “Many people say, ‘Who will show us better times?’ Let your face smile on us, Lord. You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe” (NLT).
And Psalm 16:11 says, “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever” (NLT). There’s pleasure in knowing God, not in chasing after happiness.
In fact, we’ll never find happiness by chasing it. But what we will find is that as we chase God—as we pursue and walk with Him—then one day we will realize that we’ve become happy people. Happiness doesn’t come through actively seeking it but by getting our lives into proper balance, by aligning ourselves with God and His will for our lives. Happiness and joy are the byproducts of that balance and alignment.
Jesus said, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33 NLT). In other words, if you seek God and His plan first, everything else in life, including happiness and peace, will fall into place.
Reflection question: What would seeking God and His plan first look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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“For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10 NLT)
Another of life’s difficult headwinds is guilt. The head of a mental institution in London once said, “I could release half of my patients if I could find a way to relieve them of their sense of guilt.”
Almost all people have a sense of guilt. Some may try to mask it with alcohol or drugs. Some try to work through it with mental health professionals. But the reality is that people must deal with their guilt over the things they’ve done wrong.
There are three things we need to understand about guilt. First, we are all guilty. The apostle Paul wrote, “As the Scriptures say, ‘No one is righteous—not even one.’ . . . For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (Romans 3:10, 23 NLT).
Adam and Eve recognized their guilt in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:7 says, “At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves” (NLT).
Recognizing our guilt—the fact that we have sinned and fallen short of God’s standard—is what compels us to confess our sin, ask for forgiveness, and receive Christ as Savior and Lord.
Second, for those who receive Christ as Savior and Lord, guilt becomes part of the work of the Holy Spirit. He dwells inside all believers and stirs our conscience from within when there are things we need to confess that get in the way of our relationship with God. That’s what Paul was talking about when he wrote, “For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow” (2 Corinthians 7:10 NLT).
And that leads us to the third thing about guilt that we need to understand. Satan uses false guilt to neutralize believers and keep us from growing in our faith. That’s why Paul warned, “But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death” (2 Corinthians 7:10 NLT).
If we allow false guilt to get a foothold in our life, we are, in essence, doubting Jesus’ ability to wipe away our sin. We are also dimming Christ’s light in our lives—the light that should be shining before others (see Matthew 5:16). If unbelievers see a believer who struggles with guilt, they will likely (and understandably) question Jesus’ ability to change lives.
The words of 1 John 1:9 are definitive: “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (NLT). So, if we’ve been forgiven and cleansed, we must stay alert to the Holy Spirit’s promptings. We must allow our constructive guilt to accomplish its purposes and confess our sins as needed. And then we must embrace and celebrate our righteous standing before God so that others will be drawn to what we have.
Reflection question: What role does guilt play in your daily life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (Revelation 21:4 NLT)
One of the most unpredictable headwinds we face in this life is grief. Grief can be expected in the aftermath of a loss. But it isn’t confined to a specific period of mourning. There’s no way to anticipate how long it will last or when it will come roaring back without warning.
Though we may not fully understand grief, we have a Savior who does. Isaiah 53:3–4 says, “He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!” (NLT).
Not only did He carry our sin, but He also carried our sorrows. He was acquainted with our grief. He has a deep and abiding concern for our emotional well-being. The psalmist wrote, “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book” (Psalm 56:8 NLT).
On a tour of Israel several years ago, I was exploring the old city of Jerusalem with my sons, Christopher and Jonathan. At one point in our ramblings, we stopped at an antiquities store, and I noticed a number of little bottles in various sizes and shapes. I asked the shopkeeper, “Sir, what are these bottles for?”
“Oh,” he said, “those are Roman tear bottles.”
“What were they used for?” I asked.
“Well,” he replied, “the Romans believed that when a loved one dies, you need to keep your tears in a bottle. So, they would store their tears in these little containers.”
I have a tear bottle now. But it isn’t on earth; it’s in Heaven. And I’m not the one who has to collect my tears because God said He would do that.
Why does God keep our tears in a bottle? Because He sees and cares about every one of them. He takes note of our every tear. He hears our every sigh.
Revelation 21:4 says, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever” (NLT). We can look forward to that day, knowing that grief will have no place in our eternal life with God.
In the meantime, we can take our feelings of sorrow and loss to the One who designed us, who understands us, and who knows how to comfort and heal us. Psalm 147:3 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds” (NLT).
But it doesn’t stop there. The apostle Paul wrote, “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us” (2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT).
No one is better equipped to help someone through their grief journey than someone who has traveled the road themselves.
Reflection question: What has been your experience with grief? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!
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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
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“Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!” (James 5:17 NLT)
The showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18 is one of the most triumphant scenes in the Old Testament. One man of God versus 450 false prophets in a winner-take-all contest to determine whose God was the true God of Israel.
The rules were simple. Elijah built one altar and placed his sacrifice of a bull on it. The false prophets built another altar and placed their sacrifice of a bull on it. The god who sent fire to burn his sacrifice would be declared the true God.
The false prophets went first. They prayed for hours, begging their god to respond. They worked themselves into a frenzy. They cut themselves, hoping their blood would get Baal’s attention. But nothing happened.
When Elijah’s turn came, he instructed people to pour water on his altar until it and the ground around it were flooded. He wanted to make it impossible, in human terms, for his altar to ignite. And then he prayed. And God sent fire from Heaven that consumed Elijah’s sacrifice and altar, as well as the ground around it.
The Lord left no doubt as to who the true God of Israel was. Yet Jezebel, the queen of Israel, stubbornly refused to acknowledge Him. When she heard what had happened, she sent word to Elijah that he would be killed the next day.
Like that would scare a prophet of the one true God. A man who’d just played a role in God’s miraculous display of power. A guy who literally had just come down from a mountaintop experience. A man brimming with confidence and courage, knowing that he enjoyed the protection and blessing of God.
First Kings 19:3–4 describes Elijah’s memorable response this way: “Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. . . . He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die” (NLT).
Wait . . . what? Why? The simple answer can be found in the passage from James 5 above: “Elijah was as human as we are.”
People tend to put spiritual leaders—teachers, preachers, evangelists, podcasters, influencers—on pedestals. Oh, they’re so spiritual. They never get down. They never struggle with depression or anxiety like I do. Every day is great for them. Not true. Every spiritual leader you admire is just as human as you are and struggles with vulnerabilities and weak moments, just as you do.
The devil knows that the most vulnerable time for many Christians—leaders and laypeople alike—is right after a spiritual victory. Maybe you’ve experienced that. Maybe you took a bold step of faith to do something for God’s glory, and it went well. But immediately afterward you faced a spiritual attack. Maybe your marriage foundered. Or your kids turned from Christ instead of to Him. I’ve experienced these attacks. Waves of depression have hit me after great spiritual victories, such as any crusade we’ve ever done.
Don’t focus on your emotions. Focus on God. Remember, you’re not as good or as bad as people think you are. You’re God’s servant. Just do your job. Give Him the glory and keep moving, whether you’re a leader or a layperson.
If you’re married, you and your spouse can work together to keep one another on an even spiritual keel. You can lift up one another or gently keep one another grounded, as necessary.
Understanding that leaders are as human as you are helps you resist the urge to put them on pedestals. It helps you be more realistic about your expectations for them. It helps you empathize with their responsibilities.
Perhaps most importantly, though, it encourages you to pray for them. The best thing you can do for the spiritual leaders in your life is to ask God to give them the strength, compassion, wisdom, discernment, and patience they need to accomplish God’s work.
Reflection question: What prayer requests will you take to God on behalf of the spiritual leaders in your life?
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“Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” (James 4:17 NLT)
Name a reason you might not use a gift that someone gave you. (You can imagine that you’re playing Family Feud, if it helps you think better.)
Maybe the gift isn’t practical—you have no use for it. Maybe it’s not your style or size. Maybe you think you don’t deserve it. Maybe you don’t have a good relationship with the gift giver.
Now name a reason you might not use a gift that God gave you. That’s a harder one, isn’t it? It’s not a theoretical exercise. God has given you a gift. The apostle Peter wrote, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another” (1 Peter 4:10 NLT).
Since God is the One who gave it, your gift is perfectly practical. And since He created and knows everything about you, it’s exactly your size and style. It’s true you don’t deserve it—but then again, none of us deserves any good thing from God. He gives because He’s merciful and gracious. And if you want to enjoy a healthy relationship with your Gift Giver, you’ll learn how to maximize your gift.
If that’s not motivation enough, there’s always James’ words in James 4:17: “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.”
There are countless people who will benefit from your putting your spiritual gift to work. If you choose to ignore your gift, you’re choosing to ignore them. You wouldn’t dream of neglecting your spouse or your family members or the people closest to you. And you should carry that same attitude toward the people in your church.
Romans 12:4–5 says, “Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other” (NLT). Christianity is not an individual pursuit. Everyone who trusts Christ becomes a member of His body. Biology teaches us that each part of the human body plays an important role. Your eyes, ears, fingers, toes, and internal organs all perform vital functions.
God’s Word teaches us that each member of Christ’s body plays an important role. Your role is determined by the spiritual gift God has given you. In 1 Corinthians 12:18, the apostle Paul says, “But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it” (NLT). One verse earlier, he asks, “If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?” (NLT).
His point is that God has a plan for His people to use their individual gifts to benefit the church, the body of Christ. He helps mesh believers’ different gifts so that they work together as one.
The takeaway is that we all have a part to play in the body of Christ. God has seen to that. If God has given you a gift, it’s irresponsible to not use it. Look at the words of James 4:17 again. And then ask God to show you what your supernatural gift is so that you can begin to use it.
Reflection question: How can you use the gift God has given you in your church community?
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“People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God.” (James 3:7–9 NLT)
If you’ve ever ridden a horse, you know the awesome (and occasionally uneasy) feeling of having its power and strength in your hands. The reins you hold and the bit in the horse’s mouth allow you to control the movement of this incredible animal. Experienced riders can control a whole team of horses that way. Years ago, at the Rose Parade, I saw a man riding a buffalo. He was able to control it with a bit in the animal’s mouth as well.
Human beings have managed to tame many different creatures. Lions and tigers and bears. Killer whales and crocodiles and cockatoos. Name an animal, any animal. Chances are good that someone, somewhere, has tamed one—and probably taught it to do a goofy trick.
The one thing in this world that we haven’t been able to tame, as James points out in the passage above, is the tongue. And that failure rocks us to our core. Because what we say reveals who we are. Socrates once said to a young student, “Speak, so that I may see you.”
The idea of “being seen” by our words applies even more so to believers. The tongue is a barometer of Christian maturity. If your life is really transformed by Jesus Christ, your words will be transformed as well. Your faith will impact you in what you say and what you don’t say.
Jesus said, “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart” (Luke 6:45 NLT).
As Christians, we may take pride in the fact that we don’t do certain sinful things anymore—and that’s certainly a sign of spiritual maturity. But if we don’t also rein in our words, there’s no gain. We would never think of having someone we don’t like assassinated, but we would assassinate their character over Sunday brunch. We would never think of pulling out a knife and stabbing someone, but we would think nothing of plunging the blade of slander into someone’s back.
People who tame wild animals command respect. Crowds breathlessly cheer lion tamers at the circus. People who tame their tongue command the respect of others, too. Others will notice when you refuse to join a gossip session. Or when you talk about people’s good qualities behind their back instead of slandering them. Or when you offer sincere words of praise or encouragement. Because they’ll see that it’s coming from your heart—a heart that’s been transformed by Christ.
The people closest to you—your spouse, your family members, your friends—will be the first to notice. Especially if you’ve never given much thought to taming your tongue in the past. It may take a while to convince them that you’re serious. But in time, they will respond to your transformation.
Taming your tongue is the big battle. If you fight it valiantly, you open the door to other victories. James 3:2 says, “Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way” (NLT).
Reflection question: Based on your words in the past week or so, what’s in your heart?
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“Look here, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.’ How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow?” (James 4:13–14 NLT)
The Scottish poet Robert Burns wrote, “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” If you’ve ever tried to, say, stick to an itinerary on a family vacation, you likely know what he’s talking about.
An old Yiddish expression brings this idea into the spiritual realm: “Man plans, and God laughs.” Or, to put it another way, “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.”
That’s not strictly true, of course. It’s not unspiritual to plan. In fact, it’s very spiritual. Proverbs 6:6–8 says, “Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work,they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter” (NLT). Check out the ants before you step on them. They work hard. They’re always busy. Little ants moving big stuff around, getting ready for the future.
Our nation was built by planners who worked hard, following the example of the ants, to make their plans a reality. We must continue that legacy of forward thinking and hard work. That’s what makes our country strong and prosperous. The apostle Paul warns in Romans 12:11, “Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically” (NLT).
And include Him in your plans.
That’s the unspoken part of the old Yiddish saying. God doesn’t laugh at all plans—just the ones that don’t factor in Him and His will.
In James 4, James is talking to Christians who had done quite well in business. He commends them for their success but reminds them to keep God at the forefront of their lives. He wants to make sure that they never lose sight of the truth that everything they accomplished was due to God.
And that advice goes for us, too. When we make plans, we must make sure that God is at the center of them. We must figure His will into everything we do. We start by studying His Word. We familiarize ourselves with God’s will—and what it looked like in the lives of Bible characters. We look at how God figured into their daily lives. We examine how the heroes of the faith reacted when their plans suddenly changed. We include our spouse and family in the process and seek their input and wisdom.
And then we make sure that our planning process begins, continues, and ends with prayer. We talk to God about our plans. We ask Him for wisdom and strength to carry them out. We pay attention to the prompting and guidance of the Holy Spirit inside us.
And finally, we acknowledge the possibility that success—at least, as we picture it—may not be God’s plan at a given moment. He may very well allow us to experience a season of struggle. We need to prepare ourselves for challenges and setbacks. We need to stay close to Him so that our faith doesn’t waver. We need to remind ourselves that in the big picture of things, trials can be just as valuable to us as success. Remember, God’s ultimate plan for us is not that we become wealthy or successful. It’s that we become humble servants who bring glory to Him.
Reflection question: How does God’s will figure into your personal plans for the future?
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“Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.” (James 1:14–15 NLT)
In our fractured, isolated culture, there’s still one experience common to everyone: the temptation to do wrong. No one is immune from it.
But where does temptation come from? The default answer for many people is the devil. And there’s truth in that. But he’s not the only source. As James points out, temptation comes from us, too. We play a key role in our own temptation. Where there’s no desire on our part, there’s no temptation.
You see, temptation is a process. It’s not a sin to be tempted; it’s an invitation to sin. In other words, it’s not the bait, it’s the bite. If you don’t take the bait when you’re tempted, you haven’t sinned. Having a bad thought come to your mind doesn’t mean you’re evil; it just means you’re being tempted by evil. Just like everyone else.
The question is, how interested are you in the temptation? How does it align with your desires? Do you have the urge to sample it?
At a farmers’ market, a man offered me a free sample of soup. My first response was to say no. Soup to me is like salad—it’s what I eat to warm up for real food. But the man persisted. So I took a little sip from his tiny little cup. Next thing I know, I’m carrying home a bag of frozen soup that I purchased. And it started with a free sample.
The devil uses a similar strategy. He says, “I know you would never do this because you’re such a godly person, but just take this thought for a spin. Or just take a little nibble. It’ll be fun. You don’t have to act on it.” That’s how temptation works. It starts in your mind. And then, as James says, “our own desires . . . entice us and drag us away.”
“And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.” Sometimes when you act on an evil thought, you get a momentary pleasure. Almost immediately, however, if your conscience is working, guilt kicks in. You feel regret, remorse, and a spiritual deadness because you’re separated from God.
Your first reaction may be to blame the devil or someone who led you astray. But you’re the one who’s responsible for your actions. Once you accept that truth, you can claim the promise of 1 John 1:9: “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (NLT).
And don’t lose sight of one other truth from God’s Word: “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12 NLT).
They will also set a shining example for their family. Seeing you patiently endure testing and temptation may inspire your family members to patiently endure their own testing and temptation.
God always provides a way out for us when we’re tempted. He stands ready to help us—and then to reward us when we resist. How amazing is that?
Reflection question: How can you involve God immediately the next time you feel tempted?
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“If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.” (James 3:13 NLT)
“People have a lot to say about lives they’ve never lived.”
“Unless your name is Google, stop acting like you know everything.”
“Those who think they know it all have no way of finding out they don’t.”
“Since you know it all, you should also know when to shut up.”
These quotes could serve as commentary on James 3:13. Let’s be clear: It’s no small accomplishment to be wise and understand God’s ways. You can only do that by studying God’s Word, staying close to Him through prayer and meditation, and learning through experience what it means to honor Him and seek His will in everything you do.
Gaining wisdom and understanding God’s ways is a lifelong pursuit. And it’s natural to want to pass on what you’ve learned to others—especially to your family, the people whose lives are intertwined with yours. But you need to realize that acquiring the knowledge and experience that results in wisdom is only the first step. Knowing how and when to share your wisdom is the second—and often the most challenging—step.
That’s the point James is making. Wisdom is known by its actions. If you claim to have wisdom, and you know Scripture, show it by living a godly life—and doing it with humility. Humility is what keeps you from coming off as a know-it-all. It’s what keeps you from pontificating on all that you’ve learned while your family members roll their eyes. This can be especially challenging for older folks, because we’ve lived long lives, we love to tell stories, and we love to share what we’ve learned.
The problem is, many young people don’t respond well to “in my day” speeches. Neither do many older people, come to think of it. Those know-it-all quotes went viral for a reason.
So if you’re going to pass on your wisdom, as God wants you to, you must first humble your heart. One way to do that is to listen—to give others your full attention. When you listen, you learn. You learn about people’s communication patterns. You learn about the experiences that have brought them to that point in their lives. You learn about the personal barriers they’ve put up. You learn about the triggers that cause them to shut down. You learn about them. No matter how well you think you know others, even your family, there’s always more to learn.
When you adopt a humble attitude, when you listen, when you put the focus on others, it affects the way you respond. Instead of talking to hear yourself speak or to impress others with your wisdom, you’ll look for ways to make genuine connections between what you’ve experienced and what others are experiencing.
If you ask God to help you keep a spirit of humility, He will help you recognize the right moments to share a life lesson or an insight from Scripture. He will help you connect what you have to offer with what others need to hear.
Reflection Question: Who could benefit from your godly wisdom and experience?
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“In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.” (James 3:5 nlt)
Have you ever seen a roast? I’m talking about the comedy performance, not the cut of beef. A roast is when several comedians and celebrities “pay tribute” to a featured guest. The way they pay tribute is through insults.
The tradition started over a century ago at the Friars Club in New York City. In the 1970s, Dean Martin hosted several celebrity hosts as part of his television show. In recent years, however, celebrity roasts have gained notoriety for their anything-goes atmosphere.
It seems that nothing is sacred anymore, not when there’s roasting to be done. No topic is off-limits. No insult is too vile. The further you push the envelope, the more memorable you are as a roaster. Some comedians have become famous because of their vicious roasting routines.
It makes you wonder why someone would volunteer to be roasted. Those who do are praised as good sports and being able to take a joke. Because, after all, it’s all in good fun. Everything is said in jest. So there’s no reason for anyone to get offended or take things personally.
But, of course, that’s not reality. And in recent years, roast participants have talked about how they couldn’t really laugh off some of the things that were said about them. How a single comment wrecked their self-confidence and even their mental health.
Their experiences highlight the truth of what James says in James 3:5: “In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire” (nlt).
People say, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” But that’s not true. You can probably remember words that hurt you deeply. Maybe someone told you that you’d never amount to anything. Or that there’s something wrong with your appearance. Those things are hard to forget.
The good news is, so are heartfelt compliments and words of encouragement. Think of some of the beautiful things your spouse—or your family members or other loved ones—said that still resonate with you today. That’s the point Proverbs 18:21 makes: “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences” (nlt). The choice is yours.
Proverbs 25:11says, “The right word at the right time is like precious gold set in silver” (cev). Saying the right thing at the right time is a gift whose value will increase over time. Your words have the potential to change lives. Ask God for the wisdom to use them to their best advantage.
Your tongue can leave a path of destruction in its wake—or it can leave a legacy of encouragement, healing, confidence-building, and love.
Reflection Question: In what area do you most need God’s help in controlling your tongue or using it for good?
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“Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near. Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door! For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.” (James 5:7–11 NLT)
Being patient is a lost art. Once upon a time, we used to get music on something called an album. We would wait for the album to arrive in our favorite record store. When we got it home, we would lay it on what was called a turntable. We would put a needle into the grooves of the album and listen to it while we pored over the lyrics that were printed inside the album cover. Getting and listening to music was an experience that required some patience.
Then new technology came along in the form of the eight-track machine. You could have one in your car and listen to music on the go. Next came cassette players and then compact disc players. Listening to music became more convenient and required less patience.
Today you can just download everything and get it immediately. You don’t even have to get a whole album. You can get just the song you actually like. And that’s the way most things work today. If you want to get something, you don’t have to go to the store and search for it. You can use Amazon Prime and get same-day delivery. You don’t have to go out to get your food; you just call Uber Eats. Everything comes quickly. So when we read James’ instruction to “be patient,” it’s almost an alien concept.
But it’s the way God wants us to approach the reality of Jesus’ return.
That can be a challenge sometimes. Living in this world as believers can be difficult. We get tired and frustrated as we see our culture trending in ways that defy God’s will. So we look to the Lord’s return with anticipation, because it means our work here will be done and our eternal reward will begin.
James encourages us to maintain our eager anticipation—like a farmer eagerly anticipates rain or a kid eagerly anticipates Christmas morning. But more importantly, he encourages us to remember that God’s timetable is perfect. The longer Christ’s return is delayed, the more opportunities unbelievers will have to hear His Good News and give their lives to Him. That’s good news for us, too, especially if we have family members or other loved ones who haven’t yet accepted Christ as Savior. Our patient work in their lives must continue while we eagerly anticipate the Lord’s return.
Reflection Question: When it comes to the Lord’s return, how can you keep a healthy balance between eagerly anticipating it and waiting patiently for it?
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“How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.” (James 4:14 NLT)
It’s been said that inside every old person is a young person wondering what in the world just happened. Life is a fast-moving ride. And if you’re not aware of just how quickly it moves, there’s a lot you might miss.
The Bible makes the same point in much more eloquent terms. In Job 9:25–26, Job says, “My life passes more swiftly than a runner. It flees away without a glimpse of happiness. It disappears like a swift papyrus boat, like an eagle swooping down on its prey” (NLT).
And David says in Psalm 39:4–7, “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath. We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it. And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you” (NLT).
We’re all rushing headlong to what lies beyond this life. And that’s a scary thought to some. Actor William Shatner, of Star Trek fame, once said, “I’m so not ready to die. It petrifies me. I go alone. I go to a place I don’t know. It might be painful. It might be the end. My thought is that it’s the end. I become nameless, and I spent a lifetime being known.” Someone needs to tell William Shatner that there’s a God in Heaven who loves him, and that he can know where he’s going after he dies. He can go to Heaven if he puts his faith in Jesus Christ, and he can live long and prosper.
In the meantime, we must make the most of our brief stay in this world. In the passage above, James asks, “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow?” What he’s really asking is, “What kind of life are you living? What are you doing with this precious gift called life right now?”
If you want to get more specific, you could change the question to “What are you doing with the precious gift of your marriage?” Or with your family or other loved ones. Time is passing quickly for them, too.
One of the best strategies for living life well is found in Proverbs 3:6: “Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” God knows every possible path that’s laid out before you. He knows where each decision will take you. He knows the routes that will lead to fulfillment, joy, growth, and maturity. And He knows the dead-ends.
If you trust in Him and ask Him to guide you according to His will, He will help you make the most of your brief time in this world.
Life is short. Live it well.
Reflection Question: What would living life well look like for you?
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“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” (James 1:2 NLT)
There are certain passages of Scripture that make you say, “Huh?” James 1:2 is a prime example. It almost defies logic. Doesn’t it seem natural for our circumstances to dictate our response? It’s just input and output, isn’t it? If we’re dealt personal troubles, the obvious responses are anger, frustration, and anxiety. If we experience a betrayal, the logical response is bitterness. If the input is disappointment, the output is sadness. Right?
Not according to James 1:2. “When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” If that seems like a weird thing to say to a suffering person, look more closely. James isn’t saying enjoy it when you suffer. And he’s not saying that troubles are joy because they’re not. Hebrews 12:11 tells us, “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful!” (NLT). James is saying when you’re confronted by difficult situations, make the choice to rejoice.
Jesus set the ultimate example for us in this area. Hebrews 12:2 says, “Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame” (NLT). Joy? What joy? Jesus was scoured with a whip thirty-nine times. His beard was ripped from His face. He was punched countless times by Roman soldiers. He had a crown of thorns pressed into His scalp. After losing a tremendous amount of blood, He was forced to carry a heavy crossbeam to the site of His crucifixion. He had spikes driven through His wrists and feet.
Can you find the joy in this picture? Jesus could. The joy was you. The joy was me.
Jesus knew what His suffering and death on the cross would accomplish. He came to this world to be a suffering Savior, to bear our sins, to die in our place, and then to rise again from the dead. Instead of focusing on the misery and pain of His immediate circumstances, He saw the joy in the big picture. He made the choice to rejoice.
Paul and Silas made the same choice when they sang praises to God after they’d been thrown in a Roman jail for preaching the gospel (see Acts 16:25–40). They didn’t give in to self-pity, fear, or anger behind bars. Instead, they counted it a privilege to suffer for their faith. They understood that God was doing something bigger, and they rejoiced that they were able to play a part in His plan.
You can do the same thing. If you’re going through a time of trial right now, rejoice. It doesn’t matter if you don’t want to or don’t feel like it. Rejoice. Why? Because God is in control. He knows what you’re experiencing. Rejoice because God is working your situation for His purposes.
If you’re struggling in a relationship, rejoice. God may be strengthening your bond. Or He may be giving you clarity about what your next step should be. Whatever the case, know that He is aligning your relationship with His will.
No matter what you’re going through, it will work together for God’s glory and ultimately for your good. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (NLT). God is in control, so we can make the choice to rejoice.
Reflection Question: What might keep you from rejoicing when you face troubles in your life?
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“And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, ‘God is tempting me.’ God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.” (James 1:13 NLT)
The urge to “pass the buck”—that is, to blame others when you get caught doing something wrong—was one of the first byproducts of sin. Genesis 3 tells us that sin entered the world when Eve and Adam ate the forbidden fruit. Shortly thereafter, they heard God walking through the Garden of Eden in the cool of the day, and they hid from Him.
“Then the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’
He replied, ‘I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.’
‘Who told you that you were naked?’ the Lord God asked. ‘Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?’
The man replied, ‘It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.’
Then the Lord God asked the woman, ‘What have you done?’
‘The serpent deceived me,’ she replied. ‘That’s why I ate it’” (verses 9–13 NLT).
First, Adam passed the buck to Eve. What happened to the Adam who said of Eve after she was created, “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man’” (Genesis 2:23 NLT)? He quickly changed his tune to “She did it!” He threw Eve under the bus and then drove it over her a couple times.
What he really did, though, was blame God. If you read between the lines, you see that he’s essentially saying, “Hey, I was just taking a nap. When I woke up, my rib was missing, and she was here. If You hadn’t created her, we wouldn’t be in this mess.”
Eve tried a different approach: “The devil made me do it.” Nope. The devil can’t make you do anything. He can tempt you, but you have to want what he’s offering, or the temptation won’t work. Ultimately Eve was responsible for her sin, even though she was deceived by the serpent.
You’re responsible for your sins, too—no matter what the circumstances were that led to them. The devil’s not to blame. And neither is God. (Look at those words in James 1:13 again.) We all do a pretty good job of getting ourselves into trouble because we have a sinful nature.
But if we try to shift the blame, we miss a golden opportunity to repent and receive God’s forgiveness. First John 1:9 promises that “if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (NLT). To claim that promise, we must take full responsibility for our sin. The verse doesn’t say, “if we incriminate others”; it says, “if we confess.”
When we take responsibility for our sin, we also set a powerful example for our kids. Or other loved ones. Or people who look to us for guidance. Through our example, we give them the courage to take responsibility for their own sin.
Reflection Question: How can you resist the temptation to pass the buck when you do something wrong?
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“He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles.” (1 Corinthians 15:4–7 NLT)
The New Testament book of James was written by someone very close to Jesus: His half-brother. Jesus was the Son of God the Father and Mary, who conceived supernaturally. James was the son of Joseph and Mary. Jesus and James had the same mother, and they were raised by the same man.
The Bible tells us very little about the first thirty years of Jesus’ life. We know that when he was twelve, He amazed the teachers in the Jerusalem temple with His understanding of Scripture (see Luke 2:41–52). Aside from that, we have no information about what He was like as a boy. Or as an older brother to James and His other half siblings.
We know that Jesus lived a sinless life. That means He never lied. He never stole anything. He never lost His temper. He never rebelled or talked back, and He always did His chores.
But did that register with James as a boy? Did he know the story of Jesus’ birth? Did he have the slightest inkling that his brother was the long-awaited Messiah? There’s no indication of it.
And what about later, as an adult? If he didn’t witness any of Jesus’ miracles personally, he certainly knew about them. According to John 7:3–4, “Jesus’ brothers said to him, ‘Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!’” (NLT).
That may seem like a statement of encouragement and faith. But verse 5 says, “For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.” James was aware of Jesus’ miracles, not to mention His teachings and His claims to be the Messiah, the Savior, the Son of God. Yet James refused to believe. He hardened his heart against the truth for as long as he could.
It was Jesus’ disciple Thomas who said, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side” (John 20:25 NLT). But that seems to have been James’ attitude, too. So, as Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15, Jesus appeared to His brother after His resurrection. He didn’t punish James for his years of unbelief. He gave him the evidence he needed to believe.
After decades of a hard-hearted refusal to believe, James’ heart softened. He finally recognized Jesus for who He is. He embraced the truth of Christ.
Hard-heartedness is a tough condition to overcome, but it’s not impossible. If you encounter someone who stubbornly refuses to accept the truth of the gospel, don’t give up. Keep praying and sharing your faith. You never know where the tipping point is.
The hardest people to reach are the ones closest to you—your spouse, your parents, your kids, your siblings, your oldest friends. If you try to tell them how Christ has changed your life, they get suspicious because they know you too well. But don’t get discouraged. You don’t know the work God is doing to soften their hearts and make them more receptive to the gospel.
Reflection Question: What’s the best approach to sharing your faith with someone whose heart is hardened?
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“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” (James 1:5 NLT)
Some people treat prayer like a Christmas list. They see the words “generous God” and launch into their “gimmes.” Gimme a new car. Gimme a vacation home. Gimme a Gulfstream jet so I don’t have to fly commercial. The problem is, if you focus your attention on material possessions, you overlook the most valuable asset God makes available to you: wisdom.
James says, if you need wisdom, ask for it. God won’t rebuke you, no matter how many times you request it. Believe me, I’ve tested the limits. I pray for wisdom all the time. When I start a business meeting. When I prepare a message. When I think about the future of our church. I love to say, “Lord, You’ve promised in Your Word to give us Your wisdom. I’m praying for it right now.” Which is another way of saying, “I need to know Your will, Lord. Show me Your will.”
If you’re married or in a relationship, the need is even more pressing. God’s wisdom can help you navigate the highs and lows of life together. It can help you meet your relationship challenges head-on. It can help you keep your eye on the big picture while you work out the small details.
God’s wisdom is something we should all be seeking after. Proverbs 9:10 says, “Fear of the Lord”—that is, reverence for the Lord—“is the foundation of wisdom” (NLT).
Don’t mistake intelligence for wisdom. You can be smart but not necessarily wise. I’ve seen people who are very intelligent, who have advanced degrees hanging on their wall, and who are very successful in their chosen field do some of the most ridiculous things imaginable.
Intelligence is acquiring knowledge and applying it, developing certain skills. But wisdom comes from a different place. Some wisdom comes from life’s lessons. We learn from things we’ve done right—and we also learn from our mistakes. But the ultimate source of wisdom is God and His Word. That’s what we want to build our lives on.
In Matthew 7, Jesus tells the story of two men who built on two different foundations. The wise man built his house upon rock. When storms came and beat upon the house, it stood firm because it was built on the right foundation. In contrast, the foolish man built his house on sand. When the same storms came, his house collapsed. Jesus said, “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock” (NLT).
Building a life is different from building a house. It’s not always obvious what’s rock and what’s sand. That’s why God wants us to pray—as often as we need to—for wisdom. Some people build their lives on a relationship that seems unshakable—as solid as the Rock of Gibraltar—only to have their foundation collapse when the relationship ends. Other people build their lives on job security or financial security, and then find themselves in rubble when the industry or market collapses.
God will help us find the solid ground of His will in every situation. All we have to do is ask.
Reflection Question: In what area could you use God’s wisdom today?
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“This disciple is the one who testifies to these events and has recorded them here. And we know that his account of these things is accurate.” (John 21:24 NLT)
Simon Peter was a fisherman by trade. So it seems fitting that his first encounter with Jesus had taken place on a boat. Luke 5 tells us that after an unsuccessful fishing excursion, Peter was cleaning his nets when he saw Jesus being followed by a large crowd. Jesus stepped onto Peter’s boat and asked him to row Him out a little bit so that He could teach the crowd from the boat. After Jesus finished teaching, He instructed Peter to row a little further out and let down his nets again. This time when Peter did, the nets became so full of fish that they began to tear. It was a miraculous haul.
In the last chapter of John’s Gospel, Jesus repeats the scene. Peter and six other disciples had returned to their boats in Galilee. After fishing all night with nothing to show for it, they were rowing back to shore. A voice from the beach told them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat. When they did, their nets filled immediately.
“It’s the Lord!” John realized in verse 7 (NLT).
That was all Simon Peter needed to hear. In true Simon Peter fashion, he immediately jumped overboard and swam to shore.
Jesus had breakfast ready for His hungry disciples. After they had eaten, Jesus asked Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” (verse 15a NLT). In other words, “Is your love for Me greater than the love of these other disciples?”
“‘Yes, Lord,’ Peter replied, ‘you know I love you.’
“‘Then feed my lambs,’ Jesus told him” (verse 15b NLT).
Twice more, Jesus asked if Peter loved Him. Twice more, Peter said yes. And twice more Jesus gave a variation of His instruction: “Then take care of my sheep” (verse 16 NLT) and “Then feed my sheep” (verse 17 NLT).
On the night of Jesus’ arrest, Peter had denied three times that he was Jesus’ disciple. On the shore of the Sea of Galilee, three times he announced that he was, in fact, Jesus’ disciple. Jesus gave Peter the chance to redeem himself and prove his true character.
The disciple who had been too timid to admit his connection with Jesus would soon become one of the boldest in proclaiming Jesus’ message. Peter would become one of the cornerstones of the first-century church. And, as Jesus informs him, he would one day die by the same means Jesus did. “You will stretch out your hands” (verse 18 NLT) is a reference to crucifixion. Church tradition tells us that Peter was crucified in Rome.
In the final chapter of John, Jesus shows us that no failure is too devastating to come back from. As long as we have breath to confess and repent, we can recover. Jesus will forgive us. He will restore us. He will give us an important purpose and place in His work.
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“Then Jesus told him, ‘You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.’” (John 20:29 NLT)
Jesus’ followers had seen Him turn water to wine. They’d seen Him heal the sick, the deaf, the blind, the disabled, and the demon possessed. They’d seen Him feed 5,000 people with five small loaves of bread and two fish. They’d seen Him calm a storm at sea. They’d seen Him raise Lazarus from the dead. They’d heard Him explain countless times that He had to die but that He would return.
Yet it doesn’t seem to have occurred to any of them that He would rise from the dead.
Mary Magdalene visited Jesus’ tomb very early on the Sunday morning after the Sabbath. Her plan was to anoint Jesus’ corpse with more spices. When she saw that the heavy stone in front of the tomb had been rolled away, she suspected that His body had been moved.
She found Simon Peter and John and told them. The two disciples ran to the tomb. John, the younger one, got there first but stopped outside. Simon Peter, the bolder one, ran inside. The two of them saw Jesus’ grave clothes—but not His body.
Suddenly the truth dawned on John. “He saw and believed—for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead” (verses 8b–9).
The two disciples returned home without telling Mary Magdalene what they had seen. She stayed at the tomb, crying. But when she looked inside, she saw two angels sitting where Jesus’ body had been. And when she turned around, she saw what she thought was a gardener. She asked him where they had taken Jesus’ body.
“Mary!” the man said in verse 16. That one word was all she needed to recognize Jesus’ voice.
That evening, all but one of Jesus’ disciples met together. Only Thomas was missing. Apparently, they sensed the targets on their backs because they met behind locked doors. Suddenly the risen Jesus appeared to them. He showed them His wounds to prove that He had, in fact, died. Naturally, the disciples were overjoyed to be in His presence again.
But Thomas wasn’t overjoyed when they told him about it later. For him, the news was too good to be true. “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side” (verse 25).
Eight days later, the disciples met again behind locked doors. This time, Thomas was with them. Suddenly Jesus appeared again. “Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!’” (verse 27).
He gave Thomas the evidence he needed to believe. Thomas and the other disciples had an essential ministry ahead of them. They would tell the world what they’d seen Jesus do and what they’d heard Him say so that others, who hadn’t seen or heard Him, might believe. Jesus ensured that His followers had what they needed to carry out their assignment.
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“When Jesus had tasted it, he said, ‘It is finished!’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30 NLT)
The Jewish religious leaders found Jesus guilty of blasphemy. But they didn’t have the authority to execute Him. Only a Roman official could sentence someone to death. That’s why they brought Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor. They hoped that he would rubber-stamp their capital punishment plans.
Pilate saw through their scheme. He sensed that Jesus was innocent. But the religious leaders had instigated a mob to demand Jesus’ blood. Pilate tried to appease the mob’s bloodlust by having Jesus scourged—that is, beaten several times with a multiheaded whip. Each head was studded with sharp bits of metal designed to tear flesh.
Pilate’s soldiers placed a crown made of thorn branches on Jesus’ head and a purple robe on His shoulders. “Hail! King of the Jews!” they taunted in verse 3 (NLT) as they slapped and punched Him.
Pilate paraded the mutilated form of Jesus before the crowd, hoping that would satisfy them. It didn’t. The crowd, many of whom had cheered and welcomed Jesus a short time earlier, wanted Him to die.
“Crucify Him!” the religious leaders shouted in verse 6. “By our law he ought to die because he called himself the Son of God” (verse 7 NLT).
Those words scared Pilate. Romans believed that godlike figures sometimes disguised themselves as humans. People who mistreated them were punished. He didn’t want to make that mistake with Jesus.
He tried to talk to Jesus, but Jesus was interested only in fulfilling God’s plan, no matter what the cost was to Him. Pilate reminded Him that he had the authority to release or crucify Him. Jesus pointed out that Pilate had no real control of the situation. His Roman superiors told him what to do. An angry mob was influencing his actions. And God’s will dictated everything that happened.
With no other options, Pilate turned Jesus over to be crucified. Prisoners sentenced to crucifixion were forced to carry the horizontal beam of their cross to the execution site. Their wrists and feet were nailed to the cross with almost medical precision. The goal was to make them suffer as much pain as possible with as little blood loss as possible. Some people suffered for days on the cross before they finally died.
The Romans often placed a sign on the cross that listed the condemned person’s crimes. Jesus’ sign read “King of the Jews” (verse 19 NLT). The offended religious leaders tried to get Pilate to change it to “He said, I am King of the Jews” (verse 21 NLT). But Pilate refused. So as Jesus suffered and died for the sins of the world, the sign on His cross announced the truth about Him.
Before He died, Jesus arranged for John to care for Mary, Jesus’ mother. With nothing left to accomplish, “he said, ‘It is finished!’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit” (verse 30 NLT). He willingly died. And He did it so that we might live.
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“But Jesus said to Peter, ‘Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me?’” (John 18:11 NLT)
John 18 tells the story of Jesus’ arrest. Keep in mind that John was writing his Gospel decades after the other three were written. The events in the garden and the trials that followed already had been covered in detail by Matthew, Mark, and Luke. And those details were well known in John’s day. That may explain why John doesn’t offer as many specifics in his account.
The fact that Jesus’ enemies brought armed soldiers to arrest Him showed that, despite their years of plotting against Him, they still didn’t understand Him. He refused every effort to make Him king. He had no political aspirations. He never encouraged rebellion among His followers. And He wasn’t a fugitive.
He frequently taught in the temple, where the religious leaders spent most of their time. They could have arrested Him without incident any time they wanted. (Theoretically, of course. The reality is that they couldn’t have arrested Him outside of God’s timetable, not until Jesus’ “time had come”—which it had, in the garden.) And if anyone were prone to violence, it was the religious leaders, who several times picked up rocks to stone Jesus because they refused to believe the truth of His words.
It may not have appeared that way in the confusion of the moment, but Jesus was in control of the situation. As His enemies approached, He stepped forward to identify Himself so that none of the disciples would be harmed. And that should have been the end of it.
But Peter failed to read the room. He boldly drew his sword to “save” Jesus and . . . cut off the right ear of an unarmed slave. Oops. Jesus told Peter to put away his sword and reminded him that what was happening was God’s plan.
In Matthew’s version of the story, Jesus said, “Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?” (Matthew 26:53 NLT). Jesus allowed Himself to be arrested because it set in motion the events that would lead to salvation.
There was nothing just about Jesus’ trials. The verdict was a foregone conclusion. The high priest Caiaphas had already decided that Jesus needed to die for the people—that is, so the Roman government wouldn’t crack down on Jewish religious practices (see John 11:49–53).
John was the disciple who accompanied Peter to the high priest’s residence, where Jesus was being tried. Since John knew the high priest, he was able to get past the gate and into the courtyard. But then he had to convince the woman watching the gate to let Peter in too. “The woman asked Peter, ‘You’re not one of that man’s disciples, are you?’
“‘No,’ he said, ‘I am not’” (verse 17 NLT).
Inside the courtyard, Peter warmed himself by a fire. Twice more, he was asked if he was Jesus’ disciple. Twice more, he said no. This was a total of three denials, just as Jesus had predicted hours earlier.
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“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.” (John 17:20 NLT)
Jesus and His disciples were together for about three years. There’s no telling how many times they prayed together during that time. In John 17, He prays with them for one of the last times before His arrest.
There are three parts to His prayer. In verses 1–5, Jesus prays for Himself. He was facing unimaginable suffering. He was about to take the punishment for the world’s sins. He was about to experience His Father’s perfect wrath.
That explains why Jesus wanted to confirm the connection between them. “Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you” (verse 1 NLT). Jesus was ready to complete God’s mission. To finish the work of salvation. To make eternal life possible. When we picture eternity, we may think of heavenly streets of gold and angels praising God. But Jesus said eternal life is “to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth” (verse 3 NLT).
Jesus also revealed the primary purpose for His saving work: to glorify God. And if we follow Him, that should be our primary purpose too. The apostle Paul wrote, “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT). Everything we do, from the biggest moments of our lives to the smallest daily decisions, is an opportunity to give glory to God. That’s what we were created to do. And that’s where we find genuine fulfillment and joy.
In verses 6–19, Jesus prays for His disciples. Those men would face the consequences of their discipleship. All but one, John, would follow Jesus to their deaths at the hands of their enemies. But they were equipped for battle. Jesus said, “Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world” (verse 18 NLT). Jesus asked God to protect them—not only from the persecution to come but also from spiritual doubt and despair. Jesus would no longer be around to encourage them and lift their spirits. He wanted to make sure they were prepared for what lay ahead.
The key to spiritual well-being is joy. Jesus prayed, “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy” (verse 13 NLT).
If your joy has diminished, ask God to restore it, as the psalmist did in Psalm 51:8. In Matthew 21:22, Jesus says, “You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it” (NLT). God wants to ignite the spark of joy within you so that you can see the world from His perspective.
In verses 20–26, Jesus prays for all believers. His chief request is that we remain unified. There’s strength in numbers. If we can trust that our fellow believers are allies, our ministry benefits. Unity is also a way of identifying believers. God wants unbelievers to see the closeness that exists among us. That can be a powerful draw for some. Our mission is to communicate God’s love to the world. Unity is one of the most powerful tools we have to accomplish it.
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“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NLT)
Ultimate victory is assured to everyone who believes in Christ. On the path to that ultimate victory, however, there are countless battles we must fight and hardships we must endure. That’s Jesus’ message to His disciples in John 16.
Jesus was about to face unimaginable suffering as part of God’s plan of salvation. His disciples were about to face some harsh realities of their own after He left them. He warned them about what was to come not to discourage them, but to encourage them. He didn’t want them to be caught by surprise by the trials and tribulations that lay ahead. He assured them that their faith was strong enough to withstand what was coming. There was no need to abandon it and return to Judaism, which many of His followers would do.
Because of their association with Jesus, the disciples would be banished from the synagogues, the places of Jewish worship. They would have targets on their backs. Jesus refers to “those who kill you” (verse 2 NLT). The disciples had to get used to the reality that eventually they would pay the ultimate price for their discipleship.
And the people doing the banishing and killing? They would claim they were doing it in God’s name. But their opposition to Jesus was proof that they had never known God.
Once again, Jesus comforts His disciples with a reminder of the Holy Spirit’s coming. The Holy Spirit would be the disciples’ most valuable ally. He would make people aware of their sin and their need to repent. He would direct their attention to God’s righteousness. He would give them a sense of God’s coming judgment. He would prepare people’s hearts for the gospel message. And for the disciples, He would be a source of truth, power, direction, and encouragement.
Jesus hinted at His resurrection: “In a little while you won’t see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again” (verse 16 NLT). The disciples were confused in the moment. Later, however, they would look back on those words as evidence of God’s amazing plan.
Jesus also warned them that they would soon lose their courage and scatter, leaving Him alone. But their courage would return. After all, there was a world to be changed.
Jesus’ words in John 16 apply to everyone who follows Him. If you identify yourself with Jesus, you can expect an adventure. You’ll have many trials and tribulations. Jesus gives fair warning. Battles await us. So do temptation and persecution. They’ll test us. They’ll sharpen us. They’ll humble us. They may cause us occasional doubt or anxiety.
But they can’t defeat us. The war is over. Jesus destroyed the power of sin with His sinless life. He destroyed the power of death with His resurrection. God has given us His Holy Spirit to go into battle with us. What do we have to fear?
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“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.” (John 15:18 NLT)
Jesus has already instructed His followers to love one another, to stay connected to Him (the true vine), and to produce fruit in the world. Now He wants us to understand that doing those things will cost us dearly. In fact, people will hate us and persecute us for them.
We shouldn’t be surprised by it. We shouldn’t try to avoid it. We couldn’t if we tried anyway. There’s no safe path for followers of Christ. It’s not a matter of if the world will hate us; it’s only a matter of when. Our best strategy is to anticipate and prepare for it.
But that’s easier said than done, isn’t it? Hate isn’t such a big deal when it’s used to describe a reaction to cauliflower or mosquitoes. But when someone talks about hating a person, it is a big deal. And when that person is you, it’s a really big deal.
But our relationship with Christ is an infinitely bigger deal. And if hatred is the result, it’s a small price to pay. Especially when we consider what Jesus sacrificed for us.
The world’s hatred shows itself in different ways. Maybe you’ve been mocked by friends because you no longer join them in certain activities. Maybe you’ve been the target of online attacks accusing you of intolerance. Maybe you’ve had your job threatened because you refused to compromise your beliefs.
The aim is to silence us—or at least quiet us. To marginalize us. To make us look like radical extremists. To get us to compromise—to meet our enemies halfway. But we can’t do that. Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless” (Matthew 5:13 NLT).
Ultimately, the enemies of our faith don’t hate us for our political affiliation or our stand on social issues. They hate us because we follow Christ. And they hate Him. So there’s something to celebrate in being hated. It means people identify us with Christ. They see Him in us. It tells us we’re doing something right.
Jesus does more than warn us about being hated. He promises that the Holy Spirit, our Advocate, will face down the hatred with us, giving us strength and reminding us how loved we really are. Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as “the Spirit of truth” (verse 26 NLT). The Spirit helps us recognize the lies of the world. He reminds us that if we follow Christ, we’re right, and our enemies are wrong.
He reminds us that the alternative to the world’s hate is much worse than the hate itself. The alternative is compromising or abandoning our relationship with Christ. Persevering through the hate is a much better option. The hatred of the world is a good barometer of our spiritual well-being.
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“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NLT)
Jesus wanted His disciples to know that even though He was leaving them, their connection would never be cut. The image He used is a vine and its branches. Jesus is the true vine. His followers are the branches.
You don’t have to be a master gardener to know that the branches of a vine can’t survive and thrive unless they’re connected to the vine. And we can’t survive and thrive spiritually unless we stay connected to Jesus. He gives us the spiritual nourishment we need to produce good fruit in our lives.
Not all fruit is good. Jesus made that clear in His confrontations with the Jewish religious leaders. These respected men appeared to live very fruitful lives. They worked hard to seem pious. They built their reputations on fulfilling the smallest details of the law. They guarded religious traditions and attacked anyone who challenged their authority.
What appeared to be fruit in their lives, however, was rotten. It wasn’t nourished by the true vine. Jesus said, “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me’” (Matthew 15:7–8 NLT).
The religious leaders wanted people to think that they were close to God, but their hearts were disconnected from Him. Somewhere along the way, they became more concerned about looking like they were producing spiritual fruit than actually producing it.
What they didn’t realize is that we can’t grow spiritual fruit on our own. All we can do is stay connected to the true vine. “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me” (verse 4 NLT). Spiritual disciplines such as Bible study, prayer, quiet times, and sharing our faith keep us connected to Jesus. If we make them part of our daily routine, we will see spiritual fruit grow.
An amazing thing happens when we start to bear spiritual fruit. Jesus said, “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more” (verses 1–2 NLT). God created us. He knows what we’re capable of producing. He can see the areas where we’re blossoming. And He can see the areas where growth and yield aren’t happening.
If we stay connected to Jesus, the true vine, God will help us cut away the unproductive areas of our lives, the things that keep us from producing even more fruit. God, the Master Gardener, will help us increase our spiritual yield. That, in turn, will draw us closer to Jesus. And the cycle continues.
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“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 NLT)
If you had to define Christianity using only one Bible verse, John 14:6 would be a pretty good choice. In two sentences, Jesus gives us the core belief of Christianity, the distinctive feature that sets it apart from all other religions and belief systems.
Our culture encourages us to be spiritually open-minded. To accept all religious teachings as equally valid. To embrace the idea that all paths lead to God. And that it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as your faith is sincere.
But Jesus’ words in John 14:6 don’t give us those options. He is the way. There is no other path to God or Heaven except through Him. He is the truth. Any philosophy or scripture that doesn’t agree with His words and teachings cannot be true. He is the life. There is no way to live forever except through Him.
If that seems narrow-minded, consider this: God sacrificed what was most precious to Him—His Son—because it was the only way to pay the price for our sins. Jesus left His exalted place in Heaven to dwell among us and do what we couldn’t do: live a sinless life. God the Son allowed Himself to be mocked, beaten, and crucified. Even though He was innocent, He took God’s punishment for the sins of the world. He died in our place. He conquered death through His resurrection. He carried out God’s plan of salvation so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life.
If there’s another path to God or Heaven (or if there’s another belief system that gives eternal life), that means God’s plan, the sacrifice of His Son, and Jesus’ suffering and death were unnecessary. If you believe Jesus didn’t have to die for you to be saved, you haven’t put your trust in Him.
Jesus reminds His followers that if we love Him, we will show it by obeying His commands. Relationship experts tell us there are many ways to express love to someone. But when that someone is Jesus, there’s just one: Do what He says. That includes turning the other cheek, going the extra mile, loving your neighbor, loving your enemy, caring for the needy, and prioritizing what’s important to Him. Keep making changes to your life so that it aligns with His.
The news of Jesus’ impending departure surely had a chilling effect on His disciples. No doubt they experienced some anxiety as they tried to imagine life without Him. But he wanted them to know He wasn’t leaving them empty-handed. The Holy Spirit was coming, and He would change their lives in ways they couldn’t imagine.
The Holy Spirit lives inside all believers. He guides us in our daily decision-making. He helps us discern God’s truth. He convicts us to confess and repent when we do wrong. He reminds us of Jesus’ words. He helps us understand Scripture. He helps shape our prayers. He nurtures spiritual fruit in our lives. He shows us how to be Jesus’ disciples.
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“And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” (John 13:14–15 NLT)
It was one thing for Mary to wash Jesus’ feet in John 12. But when Jesus washes His disciples’ feet in John 13, He blurs the lines between servant and master. He makes us rethink what it means to be great.
Washing feet was the job of the lowliest servants. It was unpleasant, for one thing. People walked great distances in Jesus’ day. In sandals. On dirty roads. That were used by animals too. And when they reached their destinations, their feet were not a pretty sight. Or smell.
It was humiliating as well. To wash someone’s feet, you had to kneel before that person. You had to assume a posture of a servant. You had to get your hands dirty.
So it was the perfect way for Jesus to show His disciples what it means to follow Him. One of the disciples’ favorite pastimes was arguing about which of them would be the greatest in God’s kingdom (see Matthew 18:1; Mark 10:35–45; Luke 22:24–27). By performing such a lowly task, Jesus communicated to them (and to everyone who follows Him), “This is what greatness really looks like. If you want to be My disciple, no act of service is beneath you. You can’t feed My sheep and feed your ego at the same time. The greatest in My kingdom are the quickest to humble themselves.” He wants His followers to be recognizable by our sacrificial love. This is especially important for people who want to be leaders. The most effective leaders are also the humblest servants.
Jesus’ humble act of service is even more amazing when you consider that one of the men whose feet He washed was about to betray Him and another was about to deny even knowing Him.
Jesus wasn’t blindsided by Judas Iscariot’s betrayal. He knew what was in His disciple’s heart. Judas’ treachery was part of God’s plan. And when Jesus announced that one of them would betray Him, Simon Peter was quick to show his “bold” discipleship. He motioned for John to ask Jesus who the traitor was. Maybe he figured it was up to him to stop the betrayal.
When Jesus told the group that He would be with them only a little while longer, they misunderstood. They thought He was going on a journey without them. Again, Peter had the boldest reaction. “‘But why can’t I come now, Lord?’ he asked. ‘I’m ready to die for you’” (verse 37 NLT).
He must have been stunned by Jesus’ reply: “Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter—before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me” (verse 38 NLT).
Discipleship involves more than bold words. It involves standing up when you really, really want to lay low. Refusing to abandon your convictions, even when people are ridiculing them. Coming alongside people others reject. Knowing what’s right and risking humiliation to defend it. Being willing to sacrifice whatever is important to you for Jesus’ sake.
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“A large crowd of Passover visitors took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted, ‘Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hail to the King of Israel!’” (John 12:12–13 NLT)
Jesus returned to Bethany to attend a supper celebrating the miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection. But even as Jesus and His friends celebrated life, the specter of death hung in the air, although Jesus was the only one who realized it. John tells us the supper took place six days before the Passover. In other words, about a week before Jesus’ crucifixion.
Jesus knew full well what awaited Him in Jerusalem. He was always aware of God’s timetable for Him. For years, He had said, “My time has not yet come.” But now His time had come. Unimaginable agony awaited Him. Still, He took the time to celebrate with His friends, just as He had mourned with them when Lazarus died.
During the supper, Lazarus’ sister Mary presented Jesus with an extraordinary gift and act of humble service. In the culture of that time, it was customary for hosts to wash the feet of their guests with water and anoint them with a drop of scented oil.
Mary took that custom to the next level. She used a 12-ounce jar of very expensive perfume to wash Jesus’ feet. (By one estimate, the cost of that 12-ounce jar of perfume was equal to a year’s salary.) After she washed his feet, she let down her hair, something Jewish women of that era rarely did in public. She then used her hair to dry Jesus’ feet. She sacrificed her possessions and her pride to honor Jesus.
Her act of service and humility left everyone in the room stunned. And left the room smelling amazing, no doubt. But the stunned silence didn’t last long. Judas Iscariot—the disciple who was about to betray Jesus—complained that Mary should have sold the perfume and given the money to the poor. But don’t get the wrong idea about him. He didn’t care about the poor. He served as treasurer for Jesus and the disciples. He managed the money donated by Jesus’ supporters. He also was a thief who skimmed coins from the treasury. He was probably upset that he didn’t have a chance to “broker” the exchange of funds between Mary and the poor.
Jesus was quick to defend Mary. “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial.You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me” (verses 7–8 NLT). He accepted her humble sacrifice in the spirit in which she intended it.
Meanwhile, back in Jerusalem, the chief priests were plotting to kill not just Jesus but Lazarus too. Many of them were Sadducees, who taught that there was no resurrection. Lazarus’ return to life was an embarrassment to them, and they wanted to eliminate the evidence of it.
When Jesus set out for Jerusalem, news of His coming spread fast. Just as His enemies had feared, people wanted to see the One who had power over death. Crowds lined the streets and waved palm branches because they believed they were welcoming their king. Finally, they had a Messiah who would lead a revolt against Rome. Or so they thought.
In that sense, they were like people today who embrace Jesus when they think He can advance their agenda. These people use the parts of His message that coincide with their own aims and conveniently ignore the rest.
But when those crowds who welcomed Him into Jerusalem learned once and for all what His agenda really involved—and what He really expected from His followers—they didn’t just abandon Him. They angrily demanded His execution.
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“If we allow him to go on like this, soon everyone will believe in him. Then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple and our nation.” (John 11:48 NLT)
Many people who saw Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead believed in Him. That’s not surprising. Miracles will have that effect on people. What is surprising is that other people who were present went straight to the religious leaders in Jerusalem and told them what Jesus had done.
These people saw the grief and suffering of Lazarus’ family and friends. They saw the compassion of Jesus, who mourned with them. They saw His courage in traveling to a region where He was a wanted man. They saw His power over death itself. They were witnesses to one of the most profound miracles in human history.
And their only thought was how they could use the miracle as evidence to prosecute the miracle worker. They reported Him to the authorities. For what? Improper disposal of a corpse? Grave robbing? Tampering with death?
The news of Lazarus’ resurrection raised the stakes for Jesus’ enemies. They didn’t even try to deny His power anymore. Or His appeal to the people of Israel. They knew that as word spread about His power over death, His popularity would soar. And that’s what they were afraid of.
The Jewish religious leaders had a good thing going. They had power, respect, authority, influence, and wealth. And it was all tied to the temple in Jerusalem, the center of worship in Israel. The temple was their domain, and they were prepared to eliminate anyone who threatened their control of it.
They were afraid that if Jesus became too popular, Rome would start to view the entire Jewish religious system as a threat. They were afraid the Roman authorities would outlaw their religious practices and destroy the temple.
Caiaphas, the high priest, made it clear what they had to do. He said, “You don’t realize that it’s better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed” (verse 50 NLT). He had no way of knowing just how prophetic his words were. In a little more than a week, that one man would die not just for His people but for the whole world, so that we would not be destroyed.
You probably know, or know of, people who are as hard-hearted as the spies who witnessed Lazarus’ resurrection. They’ve seen evidence of God’s work—changed lives, answered prayers, small miracles even. Yet they still refuse to believe in or follow Jesus. Instead, they double down on their disbelief and oppose the Christian faith.
Our job isn’t to convince them that what we believe is the truth. We can’t argue them into becoming Christians. Those things are the work of the Holy Spirit.
Our job is to stay humble. To minister with a servant’s heart. To pray for them. To talk about our faith as casually and naturally as we do any other subject. To be ready with an answer when they challenge us. To show genuine concern and compassion. And to model Christ’s love.
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“Then he said, ‘Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up.’” (John 11:11 NLT)
Jesus left Judea because the Jewish religious leaders there were plotting to kill Him. He wasn’t afraid of death; He just knew that the time for it had not yet come. Then He got a message that prompted Him to return.
Lazarus, Mary, and Martha were siblings who lived in the Judean village of Bethany. All three were followers and friends of Jesus. When Lazarus got sick, Mary and Martha sent word to the Lord. That set the stage for one of Jesus’ most remarkable miracles: raising Lazarus from the dead.
There are three takeaways from the story that are as important today as they were 2,000 ago. First, the Lord’s timing is perfect. Jesus could have rushed to Bethany and saved Lazarus on his deathbed. But the impact wouldn’t have been nearly as great. So Jesus waited. And neither His disciples nor Mary and Martha could understand why.
The right thing to do—and the right time to do it—seemed obvious to them. But they couldn’t see the big picture. That’s why it’s important for us to pray for God to work in His way and in His time.
Second, Jesus empathizes with us. Hebrews 4:15 says Jesus “faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin” (NLT). He also experienced all the same emotions we do. He laughed. He celebrated. He got angry. And He cried. He knew better than anyone else how Lazarus’ story was going to end. But when He saw the people mourning, He joined them. He hurt because others hurt. That’s why He’s able to comfort us so effectively. He knows not only how we feel but also how our story will end. He knows when our tears will dry and what good will ultimately come from the situation. And He gives us the opportunity to show the same kind of empathy and love to other hurting people.
Third, nothing is beyond the Lord’s power. Martha and Mary each showed a strong faith in Jesus. Both said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died” (verses 21, 32 NLT). But in their words, they also limited the scope of what they believed Jesus could accomplish. Yes, He had the power to heal Lazarus’ sickness. And yes, He had the power to raise Lazarus in the next life. But it didn’t occur to them that He could still raise Lazarus in this life.
Lazarus’ walk out of the tomb opened a world of possibilities for everyone who trusts Jesus. If He can give life to a corpse after four days, He can change the most stubborn mind. He can soften the hardest heart. He can cure spiritual darkness. He can reconcile the most unlikely people. He can ease the most intense fears. He can heal the most distraught mourners. He can bring something good from the worst circumstances.
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“The Father and I are one.” (John 10:30 NLT)
While Jesus was walking in the Jerusalem temple, He was ambushed by the Jewish religious leaders. Yet again, they hoped to trap Him with a carefully chosen question: “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly” (verse 24 NLT).
Jesus had left no doubt about His identity. He already had told people “plainly” that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life (see John 3:15). That He was the Son of God (see John 5:19). That He would judge all people (see John 5:22). That the Scriptures point to Him (see John 5:39). That He came down from Heaven (see John 6:38). That He is the bread of life (see John 6:48). That He is the light of the world (see John 8:12). That He always did what pleased God (see John 8:29). That He was sent by God (see John 8:42). That He existed before Abraham (see John 8:58). That He is the Good Shepherd (see John 10:11). That He would be resurrected after He died (see John 10:17–18).
The Jewish leaders knew exactly who Jesus claimed to be. They had tried to kill Him several times for speaking blasphemy. What they really wanted was for Him to say the words, “I am the Messiah.” That would have been cause for the Roman governor to have Him arrested and executed.
Jesus had spoken those very words to a Samaritan woman in John 4. But for Jewish people, the word Messiah was loaded with expectations. The Jewish people of Jesus’ day were looking for a Messiah who would lead them against Rome. Jesus knew that if He said, “I am the Messiah,” it would only confuse people. They would be looking for political and military action instead of the much more important spiritual and eternal truths that Jesus taught.
It wasn’t just Jesus’ words that spoke the truth about His identity. Every miracle He performed showed that God had sent Him. Every time He healed someone, He did it in His Father’s name.
The problem wasn’t with Jesus’ words or actions; the problem was with the Jewish leaders’ willingness to believe. They kept asking Him for another sign. And another. But no sign was ever enough to change their unbelief.
Like everyone who refuses to believe in Jesus, they would not receive God’s gift of eternal life. Jesus makes it clear that it’s a gift that can’t be taken away. He is the Good Shepherd. He takes care of His sheep. He keeps us safe and secure. He and His heavenly Father won’t allow anyone to snatch us out of His hands.
“The Father and I are one,” He explained. The religious leaders knew exactly what He was saying. Again, they picked up rocks to stone Him to death. Jesus challenged them to explain their unbelief. They had seen the miracles God wanted Him to perform. Even if they didn’t believe His words, they could at least believe His actions.
Unfortunately, a stubborn heart can convince itself of anything, no matter how much undeniable evidence is presented. And no matter how serious the consequences of unbelief are.
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“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11 NLT)
In Jesus’ day, religious and political leaders were sometimes called shepherds. Jesus wanted His followers to recognize that some shepherds aren’t what they appear to be. After Jesus healed a blind man on the Sabbath, the religious leaders hounded, intimidated, and threatened the man and his family. They wanted the family to support their lie that Jesus didn’t actually heal the man.
These leaders, who were supposed to be shepherds, cared nothing about the sheep in their flock. They were quick to mistreat them when it suited their needs.
Jesus used the image of a sheep pen to help people recognize the difference between a shepherd (leader) who deserves to be followed and an imposter. A good shepherd gains entry to the flock the right way: through the door. He earns the right to lead. He proves himself worthy with his compassion, concern, and courage. He sacrifices his own well-being for the sake of others. He treats his leadership position as a sacred responsibility.
Fake shepherds get their positions in other ways. They use their connections. They dazzle people with their education and credentials. They lie and manipulate. They intimidate and threaten. They make bold power plays. They do whatever it takes to satisfy their ambition.
Fake shepherds take an impersonal attitude toward those who follow them. Often, their focus is on the size of their flock and not the individual sheep. A good shepherd “calls his own sheep by name” (verse 3 NLT). He has a personal connection with the individuals who follow him. He concerns himself with their specific needs. He understands that one leadership style will not necessarily fit all.
Fake shepherds drive their flocks. They make them bend to their will. A good shepherd leads his flock. He inspires confidence and loyalty by spending time among them and making his heart known.
Jesus said, “After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice” (verse 4 NLT). If we follow Jesus, we have to know His voice. We have to know what He said—and what He didn’t say. There are a lot of fake shepherds who try to speak for Him. They’ll tell us which causes Jesus wants us to support, which issues He wants us to oppose, who He wants us to vote for, what He wants us to do with our money, and where He wants us to send our payments.
If we don’t know His voice—if we don’t know the truth about His words—we risk being led in the wrong direction. We learn to recognize Jesus’ voice by studying God’s Word, memorizing His teachings, and applying them to our daily decision-making.
Finally, Jesus said, “The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep” (verse 11 NLT). Jesus sacrificed His life to save us. He proved Himself to be the Good Shepherd. We have everything to gain, and nothing to lose, by following Him.
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“‘I don’t know whether he is a sinner,’ the man replied. ‘But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!’” (John 9:25 NLT)
Jesus and His disciples encountered a man who had been blind his entire life. The disciples asked the Lord, “Why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” (verse 2 NLT). That may seem like an odd question about someone who had been blind since birth. But some Jewish people believed that it was possible for unborn babies to sin in the womb.
Whatever prompted their question, for the disciples, the man’s blindness was an abstract theological puzzle. They had no real compassion for him. They lacked humility, empathy, and concern.
Jesus did not. He explained that the man’s blindness wasn’t the result of his or his parents’ sin. In fact, the man’s blindness gave God an opportunity to work in his life in a way that sighted people would never experience.
The apostle Paul makes a similar point in 2 Corinthians 12. Paul had some kind of disability or affliction that hindered his work. He called it a “thorn in my flesh.” Three times he asked God to remove it from him. And three times God said no. “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT). Our flaws and weaknesses can bring us closer to God if we look at them from the right perspective. They remind us that we need Him. They encourage us to depend on Him.
Jesus showed the power of God in the man’s life in a hands-on way. The man’s blindness wasn’t an abstract theological concept to Him. He spit on the ground, made mud with His saliva, and rubbed it on the man’s eyes. He told him to wash off the mud in the pool of Siloam. And when the man did, he could see! The Light of the world led the man out of his literal darkness.
You can probably guess on which day of the week the healing occurred: the Sabbath. When the Jewish leaders heard about it, they were—again—outraged. How dare Jesus ignore their religious rules to change someone’s life forever by giving him the ability to see for the first time!
Some Pharisees argued that Jesus couldn’t possibly have been sent by God because He worked on the Sabbath. (The man may have been healed of his physical blindness, but their spiritual blindness was still a huge obstacle.) Other Pharisees rightly argued that an ordinary sinner couldn’t perform such a miraculous healing.
Things got so absurd that the religious leaders sent for the man’s parents and tried to get them to admit that their son hadn’t been blind at all. The parents carefully avoided the matter. They had been told that anyone who even suggested that Jesus was the Messiah would be kicked out of the synagogue.
So the leaders again sent for the formerly blind man. They tried to get him to admit that he’d been healed by an ordinary sinner and not the Messiah.
“If this man were not from God, he couldn’t have done it,” the man replied in verse 33 (NLT). The outraged religious leaders threw him out of the synagogue.
Their unwillingness to see Jesus for who He really was clouded their judgment in practically every other area of their lives. They couldn’t see—or admit—the obvious. Their pride kept them in spiritual darkness. They had no interest in the light.
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“Jesus said to the people who believed in him, ‘You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” (John 8:31–32 NLT)
Believing in Jesus involves more than just accepting what He says as the truth. It involves being faithful to His teachings; changing not just your priorities, but the way you think and act; and restructuring your life so that it resembles His. That’s the message Jesus sends in John 8. You can’t be a casual disciple.
The amazing thing about becoming a disciple is that it doesn’t feel like an obligation; it feels like freedom. When you know the truth about what Jesus offers, you’re set free from the pull of your sinful nature. You have what you need to resist temptation and discover a new way of living.
The Jewish leaders who heard Jesus’ offer were unimpressed. “But we are descendants of Abraham . . . We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?” (verse 33 NLT). That was an odd claim, coming from people whose ancestors had been under the control of the Egyptians, Philistines, Babylonians, Persians, Syrians, and Romans at various times in history.
Jesus tried to help them understand that if you sin, you’re a slave to sin because you have no choice in the matter. You have no power to break free from sin’s mastery over you. Only the Son, who enjoys the rights and privileges of being part of God’s family, can free a slave of sin.
The Jewish leaders tried to argue that they were part of God’s family, too, because they were descendants of Abraham. Jesus pointed out that He was the litmus test because He was the true Son of God. Since the Jewish leaders were trying to kill Him, they couldn’t claim that God was their father too.
If God were truly their father, they would have welcomed Jesus. They would have recognized that He had been sent by God. They would have done everything in their power to assist and support Him.
Instead, they showed who their real father was by spreading lies about Him, turning people against Him, questioning His authority, trying to embarrass Him, scheming against Him, and plotting to kill Him. “You are the children of your father the devil,” Jesus told them (verse 44 NLT).
Jesus saw these people for who they were: opponents of God’s work and His will. But not everyone could see through their disguise. The same problem exists today. It’s possible for people to be spiritual leaders, to have respect and authority in the eyes of many people, and still be obstacles to God’s real work. Their teachings may seem reasonable, spiritual, and even scriptural to those who aren’t listening closely.
That’s why God’s Word instructs us to be discerning and wise, to test everything we hear against the truth of Scripture.
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“Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.’” (John 8:12 NLT)
The Jewish religious leaders wanted revenge on Jesus. He had exposed their hypocrisy and made them look foolish in front of a large crowd. They wanted to return the favor. They came up with a plan to embarrass Him in a public setting.
They caught a woman who was having an adulterous affair and brought her to the temple, where Jesus was teaching during the Jewish Festival of Shelters. They asked Jesus what He thought they should do with her. This was a trap. Under Jewish law, a person could be stoned to death for adultery. However, the law was rarely enforced.
If Jesus said, “Let her go,” He would be breaking Jewish law. If He said, “Stone her to death,” He would be breaking Roman law because the Romans didn’t allow Jews to carry out religious executions.
Instead of passing judgment on the woman, Jesus turned the tables on her accusers. “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” (verse 7 NLT). The accusers had sinned by hatching the plot in the first place. And by bringing the woman to Him publicly to humiliate her. And by ignoring the man who had committed adultery with her. And by not really caring about her. They didn’t even try to argue with Jesus. Instead, they just slipped away, one by one. Defeated. Again.
Jesus resumed His teaching with an amazing claim: “I am the light of the world” (verse 12 NLT). His words had special significance during the Festival of Shelters. The Jewish people celebrated God’s pillar of fire that gave light to the Israelites on their way to the Promised Land. Jesus wanted the people to understand that the same light that guided their ancestors centuries before was available to them.
And it’s available to us too. Anyone who follows Jesus will not walk in darkness. Jesus illuminates the way to God. The way to eternal life. The way to lasting joy, peace, assurance, and fulfillment.
Not everyone appreciates that light. Certainly not the men who had just brought the woman to Jesus. There are certain things people prefer to do under cover of darkness. Things they want to keep hidden. Things that might change people’s opinion of them if they were discovered.
So they resent the light. They stay as far from it as possible, for fear of being exposed. They don’t realize that having their sins exposed is the first step of a life-changing process. When we acknowledge our sins, we can ask God’s forgiveness for them. We can break free from their power over us.
Everyone who chooses to walk in Jesus’ light, to turn away from darkness and put their trust in Him, will be saved. And they will walk with Him forever.
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“Others said, ‘He is the Messiah.’ Still others said, ‘But he can’t be! Will the Messiah come from Galilee?’” (John 7:41 NLT)
The Jewish Festival of Shelters, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, was a weeklong celebration of God’s faithfulness to the Israelites during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. As part of the celebration, Jewish families traveled to Jerusalem in Judea, where they stayed in temporary shelters made of branches and leaves.
Jesus didn’t want to draw attention to Himself in Judea because He knew the religious leaders there were plotting to kill Him. He wasn’t afraid of them. He was simply following God’s timeline. It wasn’t time for Him to die yet.
His brothers, the children of Joseph and Mary, thought that was a mistake. One of the reasons the “important” Jewish leaders rejected Jesus is that He did most of His miracles and teaching in Galilee, a region they considered unsophisticated. His brothers wanted Him to show what He could do on the big stage of Jerusalem.
His brothers saw that He could work miracles, but they didn’t believe He was the Messiah. Maybe their sibling rivalry was too strong. It wasn’t until after Jesus’ resurrection that His brothers became His disciples.
Jesus traveled to the festival alone to avoid making a big entrance. But He didn’t avoid making His message known. He went to the temple and began to preach—boldly and with authority.
When the Jewish leaders heard Him, they were amazed and confused. He taught like a highly educated rabbi, but He had no formal training. They were more concerned about His credentials than His message. Jesus explained, “My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me” (verse 16 NLT). In other words, “If you reject it, you reject God.”
Jesus questioned why the religious leaders, who were guilty of sin, wanted to kill Him, who was sinless. He pointed out their hypocrisy. They performed circumcisions on the Sabbath, but they condemned Him for healing people on the Sabbath.
Jesus’ bold confrontation left many people confused. If the religious leaders wanted Him dead, why didn’t they arrest Him? He was challenging them to their faces. Did that mean they believed He was the Messiah?
On the other hand, many of these people knew who Jesus was. They knew His family. They knew where He’d come from and what He’d done for the first three decades of His life. He was one of them. They were waiting for a Messiah who was mysterious and heroic—not a local guy. And especially not a local guy from an insignificant place like Galilee.
The people wanted a Messiah who checked off very specific boxes of their own making. Since Jesus didn’t check off all those boxes, they refused to believe in Him. They chose to overlook the miracles He performed and the powerful truth of His teaching. And they continued their fruitless search for their type of Messiah—one that God never promised.
If we want to understand the truth about Jesus—who He is, what He did, and what He wants from and for us—we have to go straight to the source, God’s Word. We can’t rely on our own ideas or the educated guesses of others.
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“But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.” (John 6:27 NLT)
The people who followed Jesus across the Sea of Galilee woke up the next morning to find that He and His disciples were gone. So they rowed back across the water to Capernaum, hoping to see more miracles. They wanted Jesus to keep feeding them miraculous food. They wanted Him to be their miracle-working, Roman Empire-fighting king. They wanted Him to fulfill their expectations.
They found Him in the synagogue. Religious leaders from Jerusalem were also there to interview Him. Jesus took the opportunity to set them all straight. He made them see that they were seeking temporary fixes, miracles that momentarily satisfied their hunger and stirred their imagination. They were focused on the small picture of the miracles themselves. They missed the big picture of what the miracle worker could do for them eternally.
The physical food Jesus gave them lasted a few hours. The spiritual food He offered would last a lifetime—and then forever. He said, “God the Father has given me the seal of his approval” (verse 27 NLT). They could have confidence in Jesus because God Himself guaranteed the truth of His words.
The people realized that Jesus wasn’t going to bend to their wishes. So they tried a different approach. “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?” they asked in verse 28. Their goal was still the same: to get Jesus to be who they wanted Him to be. What they wanted to know is how they could please God with their works to make that happen.
“Jesus told them, ‘This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent’” (verse 29 NLT). Some translations use the word trust instead of believe. Trusting may seem easier than performing works, but it’s not. Trusting in Jesus means giving up our own agenda and embracing God’s plan. It means letting go of what we want and sincerely asking for what God wants.
The religious leaders from Jerusalem, who had heard about the miraculous feeding of more than 5,000 people, wanted to see Jesus’ power for themselves. And the people who had eaten the loaves and fish wanted to eat again. So they tried to manipulate Jesus using the Old Testament story of God providing manna for the Israelites in the wilderness. They wanted Jesus to provide them daily bread to eat.
In verse 35, Jesus said, “I am the bread of life,” (NLT) the One who had come down from Heaven to give spiritual nourishment—the Word of God and eternal life, things that were much more important than food.
And that’s when the crowd started to murmur. Come down from Heaven? He was the son of Joseph and Mary, local people! The idea of a miracle-working king appealed to them. The idea of trusting in someone for eternal life didn’t. So many followers deserted Jesus.
When Jesus asked His 12 disciples if they wanted to desert too, Peter answered for the group. “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God” (verses 68–69 NLT).
Wise people don’t try to alter the truth to fit their thinking; they alter their thinking to fit the truth.
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“Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted.” (John 6:11 NLT)
Crowds followed Jesus wherever He went. People couldn’t get enough of His healing miracles. When He crossed the Sea of Galilee and headed for a remote hillside for some alone time, 5,000 men (along with an untold number of women and children) joined Him. But only one of them packed food for the journey. A young boy carried five barley loaves and two small fish.
The hilly location was miles and miles away from anyplace that sold food. And even if such a place could be found, the disciples couldn’t pick up the tab for a party of five-thousand-plus.
So one of them, Andrew, did the only thing he could think of. He brought the boy with the loaves and fish to Jesus. Notice the first thing Jesus did after He accepted the boy’s food: He gave thanks. No matter how meager the resources might have seemed, they were a gift from God, and He treated them like one.
Then He broke off piece after piece of the five loaves and two fish and handed them to His disciples to distribute. And He didn’t stop until 5,000 men, along with the women and children, had been fed.
What little the boy had to offer was more than enough to impact thousands of people. Jesus helped His followers see that it’s not how much you have that matters, but rather who’s distributing it. What seems inadequate to us may be just enough to accomplish something incredible.
After witnessing Jesus’ miracle, the crowd got overly excited and tried to make Him their king. They imagined Him using His powers against the Roman Empire. But Jesus had a much greater role to fulfill, so He quietly slipped away into the hills for some much-needed alone time. He had met the people’s needs, but He had no interest in meeting their expectations.
That night, when His disciples couldn’t find Him, they got in their boat and rowed back across the Sea of Galilee without Him. They didn’t get far. The Sea of Galilee was known for its sudden, violent storms. It sits 600 feet below sea level. When the sun sets and the air cools, the wind rushes in from the west and churns the waves. The disciples were headed west, toward Capernaum, so they were heading directly into the storm. After several hours of rowing, they had made it only halfway across.
The physical conditions that held back the disciples had no effect on Jesus. He walked across the water toward His disciples. In the darkness, they couldn’t see that their salvation was coming. They thought the figure approaching them across the water was a ghost, until Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!” (verse 20 NLT).
Jesus’ followers invited Him into their boat—and into their struggles. And they immediately and miraculously arrived at their destination. Jesus’ way may seem scary at times, but when we invite Him into our struggles, He will make sure we get where we need to be.
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“But I have a greater witness than John—my teachings and my miracles. The Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that he sent me.” (John 5:36 NLT)
Jesus returned to Jerusalem to observe the holy days at the temple. While He was there, He passed the pool of Bethesda, a place of hope and despair. The waters of the pool seem to have had a healing effect. Many people believed that an angel occasionally came down to stir the waters. And the first person who entered the pool after the waters had been stirred would be cured of their ailment.
That explains why crowds of sick, blind, disabled, and paralyzed people gathered on the five porches that surrounded the pool. They each hoped for a miraculous healing. One man had been disabled for 38 years. But since he had no one to help him into the water, he had no hope for healing. Or so he thought.
With one sentence in verse 8—“Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” (NLT)—Jesus changed his life forever. The man was healed instantly. He picked up his mat and walked away. Only to be busted moments later by the Jewish religious leaders.
It turns out that the healing had taken place on the Sabbath. And in Jewish culture, there were all kinds of rules about what people could and couldn’t do on the Sabbath.
So when the religious leaders saw this man who had been disabled for four decades suddenly walking, the first thing they wanted to know was . . . why he was carrying a mat on the Sabbath.
And when the man identified Jesus as the One who had healed him, the Sabbath police went after Him. They didn’t express awe over Jesus’ healing power. They didn’t praise Him for His compassion and concern. Instead, they harassed Him for breaking their Sabbath rules.
These hypocritical religious leaders, with their misplaced priorities, were so concerned about Jesus’ growing influence that they started looking for reasons to have Him put to death. Jesus gave them everything they needed and more.
He referred to God as “My Father,” which was the same as calling Himself equal with God. He pointed out that everything He said and did had God’s blessing. That meant His words were God’s truth. He claimed the power of judgment over everyone. He made it clear that anyone who didn’t honor Him—including the Sabbath-obsessed religious leaders—didn’t honor God, who sent Him.
Jesus told them that the power of eternal life rested with Him. And that He was carrying out the will of His Father. So anyone who opposed Him opposed God’s will.
He reminded the religious leaders that they had taken John the Baptist seriously—and John the Baptist’s entire ministry was built on testifying that Jesus was the Son of God. And then He pointed out that the religious leaders revered Moses and his —and Moses had written about Him (Jesus) centuries before.
The truth that Jesus’ enemies couldn’t wrap their heads around still gives us assurance and confidence today: Every reliable witness testifies that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah, the Savior.
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“Then Jesus told her, ‘I am the Messiah!’” (John 4:26 NLT)
As word of Jesus’ miracle-working powers spread, more and more people flocked to see Him. And when they heard His message, they asked to be baptized. Before long, Jesus’ disciples were baptizing more people than even John the Baptist himself. That level of popularity attracted the attention of the Jewish religious leaders. They started to feel threatened by Jesus’ increasing influence. Instead of giving them a chance to scrutinize Him, Jesus returned to His home region of Galilee. And the route He took surely raised some eyebrows.
The quickest route from Jerusalem to Galilee led through Samaria. However, most Jewish travelers preferred to take a longer detour to the east to avoid the region. That’s how much they hated Samaritans.
Samaritans were of mixed ethnicity. Most Jewish people regarded them as half-breeds. Their religious practices combined Judaism with pagan elements, which caused their Jewish neighbors to hate them even more. Centuries of bad blood had created a deep animosity between Jews and Samaritans.
Jesus took the path straight through Samaria. And He stopped at a well near the town of Sychar. While His disciples went into town to buy food, Jesus rested near the well.
Around noon, a Samaritan woman approached the well to draw water. Jesus asked her for a drink. The woman was stunned because there were several invisible, but very real, social barriers between Jesus and her. One, Jews didn’t talk to Samaritans. Two, men didn’t talk to women privately. And three, few people talked to a woman with her reputation. She had been married five times and was living with a man who was not her husband.
Yet Jesus refused to allow these artificial boundaries to prevent Him from making a personal connection and sharing His Good News. The woman pointed out that, like the Jews, the Samaritans were waiting for the Messiah, God’s chosen Redeemer.
“I am the Messiah!” Jesus revealed.
The takeaway here is obvious. Our culture urges us to focus on the differences that divide us. Conservative vs. liberal. Men vs. women. Young vs. old. Christian vs. non-Christian.
Jesus urges us to focus on the things that unite us. The need for compassion, love, understanding, peace of mind, and assurance about our future. The desire to be known, to have a purpose, to find fulfillment and joy, and to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.
The woman told other Samaritans about her encounter with Jesus, and they believed in Him too. So we see that when one person is willing to cross social barriers, the impact can be enormous.
Word of Jesus’ coming arrived in Galilee before He did. The people there welcomed Him because they’d seen what He did in Jerusalem during the Passover celebration. In Cana, the site of His first public miracle, He got an urgent request from a government official whose son was on his deathbed.
In this passage, we see why Jesus initially hesitated when His mother asked Him to intervene when the wine ran out at the wedding feast. Jesus recognized that the spectacle of His miracle-working would overshadow His message. That’s why He asked, “Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?” (verse 48 NLT).
The key to Jesus’ encounter with the government official is that the man believed what Jesus said. In this case, his son was healed. Not every prayer is answered that way. Not everyone recovers from sickness. But everyone who believes what Jesus says will find grace, forgiveness, comfort, strength, direction, endurance, and wisdom.
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“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NLT)
Not all Jewish religious leaders opposed Jesus. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the ruling Sanhedrin. He was educated and influential in Jewish society. And he was impressed by Jesus—so impressed that he wanted to meet with Him personally.
He came to Jesus at night. Maybe he chose that time because that’s when the crowds went home, and he could have some one-on-one time with Him. Or maybe he chose it because he didn’t want other religious leaders to see what he was doing.
Nicodemus recognized that Jesus had been sent by God; no one could do what Jesus did without God’s power. But he thought of Jesus as a teacher—a rabbi—one of many in Israel. Jesus helped him see that He wasn’t bringing new learning; He was bringing new life.
Jewish people believed that their birth assured them a place in God’s kingdom. Because they were God’s chosen people, their Jewish identity guaranteed their entrance into Heaven. Some rabbis even taught that Abraham stood watch at the gates of Hell to make sure that none of his descendants entered by mistake.
Jesus explained that it isn’t the first birth that assures people a place in God’s kingdom; it’s the second birth. To receive eternal life and enter Heaven, we must be born again.
Nicodemus assumed that He was talking about some kind of moral awakening. That would have been confusing to him because the Pharisees considered themselves extremely moral people. They worked hard to be above reproach. As far as Nicodemus was concerned, he had already experienced the new birth.
Jesus helped him see that a second birth—and eternal life—would be possible only if Jesus were “lifted up.” First, on the cross, to take God’s punishment for the sins of the world. And second, when He ascended to Heaven after His resurrection, when He destroyed the power of death forever.
John 3:16 gives us the story of salvation in a single verse. It starts with God’s love, something we’ve done nothing to earn. It’s a gift. All we have to do is receive it. It required an unimaginable sacrifice. God gave the most precious thing He had to give: His Son. He sent Jesus to suffer and die in our place.
Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, everyone who believes in Him will not perish. Believing means more than just agreeing with what the Bible says about Him. It means placing our full trust in Him, embracing the truth that only He can save us.
Everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life. Eternal life refers not just to quantity, the length of time we will exist (which is forever); it also refers to quality. The life we will experience after we die will be deeply fulfilling and joyous. There will be no sickness, suffering, or weakness. We will live as God created us to live.
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“But his mother told the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’” (John 2:5 NLT)
Even with John the Baptist’s hype, Jesus kept a low profile—until He attended a wedding in Cana with His mother, Mary, and His disciples.
Hospitality was an essential part of first-century Jewish culture. The more lavishly a person entertained, the greater his social standing grew. Weddings were the ultimate test of a person’s hospitality. So it wasn’t unusual for wedding celebrations to last for days, with food and wine flowing all the while.
Running out of wine in the middle of a wedding celebration was a worst-case scenario. But that’s what happened at the wedding Jesus attended. Mary realized that the host would face public humiliation and shame if word got out. So she asked Jesus to intervene.
Jesus was reluctant at first. “My time has not yet come,” He told her (verse 4 NLT). He had not yet performed a public miracle. He knew that when word got out about His miracle-working, crowds would follow. And people would be less likely to focus on His teachings if they were just waiting for the next “wow” moment.
Considering that Jesus hadn’t yet performed any public miracles, it’s interesting that Mary believed He could do something in that situation. She’s the first person in John’s Gospel to put her faith in Jesus. “Do whatever He tells you,” she told the host’s servants.
Jesus rewarded her faith. He instructed the servants to fill six water jars, each with a capacity of 20 to 30 gallons, with water. When the servants dipped into the jars, they found that it was wine of the highest quality.
That may have been the first clue for John and the other disciples that the rabbi they were following was something more than a rabbi.
A short time later, Jesus and His disciples traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration. But when Jesus entered the temple, He saw that it had become a place of business. The Jerusalem temple was the center of worship for Jewish people throughout Israel. Many traveled long distances to worship and offer sacrifices there. But rather than bringing their own animals for sacrifice with them, many purchased them from merchants inside the temple complex.
Several merchants exploited the opportunity and turned the temple complex into a marketplace. Jesus had too much reverence for God’s house of worship to allow it to be defiled like that. So He overturned tables, scattered coins across the ground, and chased the merchants out of the temple. And those—like John—who listened closely while Jesus disrupted business as usual at the temple, might have heard Him refer to the building as “my Father’s house” (verse 16).
The Jewish religious leaders demanded that Jesus perform a miracle to prove that He had authority to take such drastic action.
“‘All right,’ Jesus replied. ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up’” (verse 19 NLT). The religious leaders scoffed because they didn’t realize Jesus was talking about His own body. But John and the other disciples realized it less than three years later when Jesus rose from the dead three days after being crucified.
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“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1 NLT)
John wastes no time in establishing Jesus’ identity. The apostle begins his Gospel with the same wording Moses used in Genesis 1:1 to show that God existed before creation. John’s point is that Jesus, too, existed before the world was created. Not only was He with God at the beginning, but He also was God. Jesus is the second person of the Trinity—that is, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Jesus gave life and light to creation. And when the people who received life turned their backs on Him to pursue their own sinful ways, Jesus did something so amazing that John can barely find the words to do it justice.
Jesus, God Himself, entered the world He created. He squeezed His infinite presence into a small container of flesh. He made Himself susceptible to pain, weakness, sorrow, and rejection. He lived among us. He humbly, faithfully, and lovingly served the people He created.
John refers to Him as the Word because He embodied everything that God the Father wanted to communicate to us. Everything Jesus said and did reveals something about God.
Very few people recognized Him as God, even though the Jewish people of His day were waiting for the Messiah, the Son of God. The problem was that they’d already made up their minds about what the Messiah would be like and what He would do. And Jesus didn’t meet their expectations. So they rejected Him. And the ones who led the rejection were the ones who should have recognized Him first: the Jewish leaders of Israel.
Of course, God anticipated that people wouldn’t recognize His Son. So He sent John the Baptist to announce His coming. And He gave John the Baptist a sign so that he would recognize Jesus. When John the Baptist saw a dove descend on Him, he knew Jesus was the Chosen One. That’s why he was able to confidently point to Jesus and announce, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (verse 29)
Still, most people—including the Jewish religious leaders—refused to recognize the truth. The leaders even sent a delegation to John the Baptist to ask if he was the Messiah. All the while, John the Baptist kept pointing to Jesus.
While he was standing with two of his own disciples, John the Baptist saw Jesus and said, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples immediately left John the Baptist to follow Jesus.
Two thousand years later, this same scenario is still being played out. People still refuse to recognize the truth about Jesus because He doesn’t fit their idea of what the Son of God should be. And those of us who do recognize and follow Him still have the opportunity and responsibility to say, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
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“Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.” (John 21:25 NLT)
Happy New Year! We’re going to begin 2025 with a monthlong journey through the Gospel of John.
This Gospel was written by one of Jesus’ closest friends. In fact, John refers to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. Like the other 11 disciples, John was a regular guy. He wasn’t a religious scholar. He wasn’t part of the Jewish elite in Israel. He was a fisherman, a blue-collar man.
He was also a brash, ambitious hothead. He once rebuked a man for casting out demons in Jesus’ name because the man didn’t belong to John’s group of disciples (see Mark 9:38). He asked Jesus for a place of honor in His kingdom (see Mark 10:37). And when a Samaritan village refused to show hospitality to Jesus and the disciples, John asked Jesus if they could call down fire from Heaven to destroy the entire population (see Luke 9:54). It’s no wonder Jesus nicknamed John and his brother James the “sons of thunder.”
Yet John was Jesus’ choice to be His disciple. That meant he had a front-row seat to three years that changed the world. He listened to Jesus’ teachings. He witnessed His miracles. He saw Jesus interact with devoted followers, scheming enemies, and everyone in between.
John saw what very few others were privileged to see: Jesus, up close and personal, day in and day out. And based on everything he saw, John believed. He believed Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah, the Savior of the world.
And he wrote his Gospel so that we might see and believe too.
After Jesus ascended to Heaven, John continued His ministry. He preached the Good News. He helped found the church in Jerusalem and ministered to its members. He faced threats, persecution, and imprisonment because of his faith. But he refused to be silenced.
According to church tradition, John was the only disciple who wasn’t martyred. And when he wrote his Gospel, he was “the last man standing”—the only one of Jesus’ inner circle left to tell the story. He likely wrote it sometime around AD 90, some 60 years after the events occurred. But they were still fresh in his memory.
John lived long enough to witness the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, the center of Jewish worship (not to be confused with the church in Jerusalem). The destruction had a profound effect on Jewish people throughout the Roman Empire. With their place of worship gone, they had to make other arrangements for their sacrifices and festivals.
In his Gospel, John presents Jesus as the answer to their spiritual vacuum. He shows how Jesus fulfilled everything the Jewish sacrifices and festivals were intended to accomplish.
John minced no words in writing about the need to believe in Jesus. John 3:16 may be the best-known verse in the entire Bible. It’s also the core of Christian outreach: “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (NLT)
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Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. (Philippians 2:16 NLT)
Of all of the people who went into the various portions of the Promised Land that God had allotted to the Israelites, Caleb was the only one who successfully drove out all his enemies. And he did it at the age of eighty-five. Caleb had a strength that never waned because he had a love for God that never waned.
Caleb went to Joshua and said, “So give me the hill country that the Lord promised me. You will remember that as scouts we found the descendants of Anak living there in great, walled towns. But if the Lord is with me, I will drive them out of the land, just as the Lord said” (Joshua 14:12 NLT).
He had asked for one of the most treacherous areas in the land, Hebron, which was known for its rugged terrain and fierce opponents.
Yet the Bible goes on to say, “So Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave Hebron to him as his portion of land. Hebron still belongs to the descendants of Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite because he wholeheartedly followed the Lord, the God of Israel” (verses 13–14 NLT).
Maybe there is another reason Caleb wanted Hebron. The very word Hebron means “love, fellowship, communion.” This was the place where Abraham met with God face to face. That is what Caleb longed for. While others longed for Egypt, Caleb longed for Hebron. While others looked back, Caleb looked forward. And while others wanted to please themselves, Caleb wanted to please God.
That is a key to finishing well. You’re always moving forward spiritually, seeking to grow spiritually, and never looking back. Anyone who is running a race knows that you can’t look back. It’s hard to run while you’re looking over your shoulder. You’ll tend to stumble over your own feet.
If you want to finish well, then you have to keep looking forward. Don’t look over your shoulder, and don’t look behind you. Keep moving forward.
Every day we should be seeking to grow stronger spiritually and grow more and more like Jesus.
Corrie ten Boom was a great woman of God who went through incredible suffering in a Nazi extermination camp for hiding Jews in her home. She said, "If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God you'll be at rest."
That is the key. Keep looking forward. As Hebrews 12:1–2 encourages us, “And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith” (NLT).
Jesus Christ Himself is watching us. He is the one who will give us the strength to finish this race. People will let you down, and circumstances will disappoint you. Keep looking to Jesus. He is the one you need to finish the race for.
Keep going. Run the race of life. Don’t give up. Don’t slow down. We need to keep our focus and remember what our objective is. Let’s finish well.
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So that day Moses solemnly promised me, “The land of Canaan on which you were just walking will be your grant of land and that of your descendants forever, because you wholeheartedly followed the Lord my God.” (Joshua 14:9 NLT)
We have a lot of half-hearted people filling the pews of churches today. They want to give only the bare minimum to the One who gave everything for them.
Some people think they have too much of the Lord to be happy in this world, but they have too much of this world to be happy in the Lord. They live in a miserable no-man’s-land. Yet if we want to live the Christian life as it was meant to be lived, then we need follow the Lord wholeheartedly.
That’s what Caleb did. He is a hero of the faith, one of the unsung heroes of Scripture. Caleb never lost his edge spiritually. And in every sense of the phrase, he finished well. He was faithful to the very end.
Where did Caleb get the strength to do it? We find the answer in Joshua 14:9, where Caleb said, “So that day Moses solemnly promised me, ‘The land of Canaan on which you were just walking will be your grant of land and that of your descendants forever, because you wholeheartedly followed the Lord my God’” (NLT).
Caleb wholeheartedly followed the Lord his God. Forty-five years earlier, Caleb, along with Moses, Joshua, and the children of Israel, came to the edge of the Promised Land. They had made the trek from Egypt and now were poised to enter in. And their point of entry was Kadesh-barnea.
Twelve men went in to spy out the land, and Caleb and Joshua were among them. The Israelites probably should have simply gone into the Promised Land, believing that God would give it to them. After all, God had promised He would watch out for them, bless them, and get them through. Instead, they sent out the spies.
After some time in the land, the twelve spies returned. Ten of the men essentially said, “You don’t want to go into that place. Everything in this land is big. The walls are big. The towns are big. There are giants in the land.”
Meanwhile, Joshua and Caleb said, “The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! .. . . Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!” (Numbers 14:7, 9 NLT).
But the people were angry with Joshua and Caleb for daring to suggest they continue into the land. They actually wanted to kill the two men on the spot. As a result, God wasn’t happy with Israel. He basically said, “That’s it. None of you will enter into the land except Joshua and Caleb.” Then they had to wander in the wilderness for forty long years.
If we want to finish well, like Caleb, then we must follow God wholeheartedly. That means we won’t compromise but instead stand our ground. It means we’re more concerned with the approval of God than that of anyone else.
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Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. (Hebrews 10:36 NLT)
One of the many things we can appreciate about the Bible is that it’s such an honest book. It gives us its heroes, flaws and all.
In its pages we find the stories of those who started out with so much promise, but then became spiritual casualties in the race of life. Then there are those who started with little to no promise but finished surprisingly well.
Nicodemus comes to mind. In John 3, we read that he came to see Jesus at night. He went incognito, wanting to have a private conversation with the Lord. Maybe that was because he didn’t want to be seen.
We might criticize him for that. But in the end, he came through. Let’s remember that in everything, there must be a beginning.
Nicodemus turned out to be one of the bravest followers of Jesus Christ. When the body of Jesus was taken down from the cross, Nicodemus went with Joseph of Arimathea to take it away. He also brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes for the burial. He stood up for Christ while His disciples were in hiding.
Some people had a great beginning with Jesus, only to deny Him later. For example, Judas Iscariot started out with promise, but we know how his story ended.
Then there are those who had a good start, looked as though they were goners, but later made a comeback and got back into the race. King David was one of them. Like Gideon, he was plucked from obscurity as a shepherd. God raised him up to replace King Saul, and for a while, David was the greatest king in Israel’s history.
The Bible describes him as a “man after [God’s] own heart” and “the sweet psalmist of Israel” (1 Samuel 13:14; 2 Samuel 23:1 NLT). But then he laid his eyes on the beautiful Bathsheba. He committed adultery with her and then tried to cover it up. And ultimately, he had her husband, Uriah, murdered on the battlefield.
It looked as though David was going to follow in the steps of Saul and also play the fool. But he repented and got right with God. He was able to get back into the race and became a picture of someone who ran, fell, and got up again.
Peter is another man who started out with great promise, handpicked by Jesus Himself. Sure, he had his blunders. But throughout the public ministry of Jesus, Peter was there.
But then Peter denied the Lord. Afterward, he went out and wept bitterly. And then he came back, and he got right with God. In the end, Jesus recommissioned Peter, saying, “Feed my sheep” (John 21:17 NLT).
God wants every one of us to finish our race. He wants every one of us to win the gold and fulfill our ministry. The question is whether we want to do it. Do you want to cross the finish line? If so, you will. And if not, you won’t. It’s entirely your choice.
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And await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. (Jude 1:21 NLT)
The pages of the Bible are filled with the stories of those who had such tremendous potential and started out well, but they ended miserably. They didn’t cross the finish line.
You may know people who started out with great promise in the Christian life. They made a profession of faith in Christ, but they haven’t followed through. They’ve become casualties in the race of life.
The Bible pulls no punches in this regard. It tells us story after story of men and women who initially flourished spiritually. But then they withered.
For example, Saul, the first king of Israel, was someone who had all the right stuff. In fact, if we were going to look for a candidate today to run for office, this would have been our person. He was charismatic, handsome, tall, and sharp. Most importantly, God’s Spirit had come upon him and anointed him for the task at hand.
For a relatively short time, everything was going well. But Saul allowed himself to give way to pride, paranoia, and jealousy. It consumed him. And he met an untimely end on the battlefield. Essentially, he wrote his own epitaph when he said, “I have been a fool and very, very wrong” (1 Samuel 26:21 NLT). How true that was. He threw it all away.
We think of the mighty Samson, whom God supernaturally blessed with an incredible strength to vanquish his enemies with relative ease. On one occasion he killed one thousand Philistines with a bone he picked up off the ground. As a he-man with a she weakness, Samson squandered his incredible potential. He allowed his lust to consume him and ultimately lost his strength, dying an unnecessary death.
Gideon, a man with humble beginnings, was plucked from obscurity when the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” (Judges 6:12 NLT). God raised him up to courageously lead the armies of Israel into battle. But as he came to the end of his life, he lowered his standards and fell into immorality and pride.
The Bible tells us, “And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see” (1 Peter 1:5 NLT).
Jude 1:21 says, “Await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love” (NLT). And James 1:27 tells us, “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you” (NLT).
In 1 John we read, “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts” (5:21 NLT).
Yes, God will keep us, but we have our part to do as well. The goal is to run the race He has set before us and to cross the finish line.
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For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. (Hebrews 3:14 NLT)
We all will leave a legacy of sorts. It will be a positive one or a negative one. But eventually our lives will come to an end, and we will leave a legacy. People might say some nice things about us at our funerals, but afterward, the truth will come out.
Of course, we don’t know how much time God will give to each one of us. We may live long, productive lives. And maybe we will be able to look back eventually and say that we finished well.
Or, our lives may be cut relatively short. We might not live quite that long. That is why we want to make sure that every day counts. We don’t want to waste a single moment.
On more than one occasion, the Bible likens the Christian life to running a race. Writing to the church in Corinth, the apostle Paul said, “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!” (1 Corinthians 9:24 NLT).
And the writer of Hebrews urges us, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us” (12:1 NLT).
The objective in the Christian life is not only to start our race well but also to cross the finish line. We must finish this race. The Bible warns us of failing to do that.
Again, we read in Hebrews, “Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. . . . For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ” (3:12, 14 NLT).
It doesn’t matter whether we’ve been in first place for nine laps in a ten-lap race. We have to cross the finish line. That is why Paul also said, “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27 NLT).
We must be so very careful.
Paul, addressing the elders of Ephesus prior to his departure, spoke of his impending imprisonment. He told them, “But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God” (Acts 20:24 NLT). That was Paul’s goal. He wanted to finish his race.
In the race of life, we’re not competing with each other. I’m not running against you. And you’re not running against me. Our goal is not to outrun each other. Rather, our goal is to stay in our lane and finish the race that God has set before us.
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For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 NLT)
The Christmas story is the greatest story ever told. But it isn’t a fairy tale; it’s history. It is His story. The Son of God, the Savior, God incarnate, entered our world when He was born in Bethlehem on the first Christmas.
But why did God send His Son to Earth? Why did Jesus walk among us as a man? Why was all this done? It was so that God could give us the greatest gift of all: the gift of eternal life. Romans 6:23 says, “The free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23 NLT).
The gift of Christmas is the gift of eternal life. That is why God came to this earth.
When we open Christmas gifts, we’ll initially feel excited about them—or at least about some of them. But it won’t be long until they’re quickly outdated or forgotten.
But God’s gift, the gift of eternal life, only grows in value as we begin to understand what it’s all about. What’s more, it isn’t a gift that we can only enjoy when death comes. It’s a gift that we can enjoy right now.
That’s because one of the aspects of this gift of eternal life is something called justification. This is a unique, biblical word with a twofold meaning. First, it speaks of what God has taken away. And what has He taken away? Our sin. The moment we put our faith in Jesus Christ, our sins are instantaneously forgiven.
Think of all the things you’ve done that you have regretted. God can forgive you of those things because of the death of Jesus on the cross. If you will turn from your sin and call it what it is, God will forgive you.
Second, justification speaks of what God has put in place of our sin. When God justifies us, when we believe in Jesus, He places the righteousness of Christ into our account. And that balances the moral and spiritual budget for us.
Pastor and author Charles Swindoll describes justification this way: “Justification is the sovereign act of God whereby He declares righteous the believing sinner—while he is still in a sinning state.”
The Bible says, “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us” (Romans 5:1 NLT).
The reason we can approach God, the reason we have access to God, and the reason that God will even hear our prayers is because of the gift He has given to us. And while this gift is free to us, it was bought with the blood of Jesus Christ.
Do you know God in a personal way? If you’ve never asked Jesus to come into your life, will you do it today? This is why Jesus was born in Bethlehem. He came to bring you this gift. As Isaiah tells us, “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us” (9:6 NLT). He is God’s gift from Heaven.
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‘Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means “God is with us.”’ (Matthew 1:23 NLT)
For some, Christmas isn’t the happiest time of year. It can be the most dreaded time of year, because it reminds them of something. It might be the loss of a loved one, or it might be another loss of some kind. But Christmas can be a lonely, painful time.
Yet the essential message of Christmas is that Immanuel has come to us. And the name Immanuel means “God is with us.” We read in Matthew 1:23, “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us’” (NLT).
That is really the essence of the Christian life: God is with us.
Jesus knows what it is like to be lonely. When He walked this earth, He probably was the loneliest man ever to live. Yes, He constantly had throngs of people around Him. But on that final day, those multitudes were gone. Even His own, handpicked disciples deserted Him.
And as Jesus hung on the cross, suspended between Heaven and Earth, God the Father momentarily turned away as Christ bore all the sins of the world. He cried out, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matthew 27:46 NLT).
Jesus will comfort us in our lonely moments. He says, “I am with you. I will never leave you or forsake you.” That is His promise to the children of God. We are never alone again.
Without question, one of the most remarkable teachings in the Bible is that Jesus Christ Himself will enter and live in the human hearts of those who put their trust in Him. Jesus said, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them” (John 14:23 NLT).
That is an amazing statement when you think about it. God the Father and the Son are saying they want to make their home with us.
All other religions essentially say, “Do.” “Do this and maybe you will be more spiritual.” “Do that, and maybe you will get closer to God.” But Christianity can be summed up in one word: “done.” Why? Because it is God living His life through us. God is with us.
Jesus said to His disciples, “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20 NLT). He also said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you” (Hebrews 13:5 NLT).
God is with you. That is the message of Christmas. You are never alone again. Maybe your marriage fell apart and you feel alone. Know this: God is with you. Maybe your children have forgotten about you in this Christmas season, and the pain is sharp. Know this: God is with you. Maybe you’re isolated and by yourself. Know this: God is with you.
If you have put your faith in Jesus Christ, God is with you.
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This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. (Hebrews 4:15 NLT)
It is mind-boggling to think that the Creator of the universe became an embryo. He who created the solar system chose to become an infant. The Almighty appeared on Earth as a helpless human being, unable to do anything more than wiggle and make noises.
Jesus didn’t arrive with His full faculties intact. He was a baby who cried and needed His diaper changed. That is the mystery of the Incarnation—that God would allow Himself to live within the limitations of a human body.
There wasn’t a moment when Jesus suddenly became God or ceased to be God. First John 1:1 tells us, “We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life” (NLT).
Jesus was God before Bethlehem. He was God in the manger. He was God as a young man. And He was God during His earthly ministry. He also was God as He hung on the cross, and He was God when He rose from the dead.
Jesus came to live among us. As the prophet Isaiah wrote, “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (9:6 NLT).
At Christmas we celebrate the arrival of God’s Son on Earth. But it also was a departure from Heaven.
Jesus came and walked among us, enduring the limitations of a human body. He experienced the things we experience. Jesus knew what it was like to be hungry and thirsty. And like anyone else, He got tired and had to sleep. While He had the ability to perform miracles—and He did so–He never performed a miracle for His own benefit.
Also, Jesus knew what it was like to be lonely. Imagine how He felt when His disciples deserted Him. When He hung on the cross and all the sin of the world was placed upon Him, at that moment He was the loneliest man who ever lived. He knew what it was like for His friends to betray Him. And He knew what it was like for someone to lie about Him.
Jesus experienced all those things. That is why the Bible says of Him, “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15 NLT).
When we go to God, we’re not talking to some distant celestial being who has no idea of what it’s like to live on Planet Earth. We’re talking about God who became a man. He knows exactly what we’re going through. Therefore, He can help us in our time of need.
It is hard for us to imagine both deity and humanity in one person. Yet when Jesus came to Earth and walked among us, that is who He was.
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So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. (John 1:14 NLT)
Can you imagine looking at God in human form? During the earthly ministry of Jesus, we can imagine the disciples walking along with Him and looking at Him all the time.
The apostle John wrote of Jesus, “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son” (John 1:14 NLT).
The disciples watched Him. They heard His words. Yet interestingly, in all the Gospel accounts, not one person gave a physical description of Jesus. The Bible suggests that Jesus was ordinary in appearance, because Isaiah 53 says, “There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him” (verse 2 NLT).
In other words, when Jesus walked this earth, He was an ordinary-looking man. He didn’t have a striking appearance. Nor did He have a permanent halo. In fact, when Judas Iscariot was about to identify Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, he said, “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss” (Matthew 26:48 NLT).
Why did Judas need to say that? Because they wouldn’t have been able to find Jesus in the crowd. Judas was essentially saying, “Let me point Him out to you.”
This makes it all the more extraordinary that God Almighty became an ordinary human being, a person just like us. He came to this earth. He walked among us.
John was saying, “We walked with Him. We talked with Him. And we want you to know that you can have fellowship with Him just like we had fellowship with Him.”
This isn’t a privilege only afforded to first-century believers. It’s one that is indeed available to twenty-first century believers too. We can know Jesus. Yet for some, God can seem so distant and unapproachable. But Jesus, who was God, came to show us what the Father is like.
Jesus stands apart from all other prophets, teachers, and so-called gurus. Jesus wasn’t a man who became God. Rather, He was God who became a man. And it never will happen again.
If you want to know what God is like, then take a long look at Jesus. You don’t need to look further. If you want to know how God feels about children, then look at Jesus taking the little ones into His arms, blessing them, and saying, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children” (Matthew 19:14 NLT).
And if you want to know how God feels about sinners, then look at Jesus reaching out to the down-and-outers of society and showing them love and compassion. We see Him going out of His way to make time for people that no one else wanted anything to do with.
Thus, if you want to know what God thinks about anything, then look at the story of Jesus. He is showing us what God is like.
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‘Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.’ (Revelation 22:12 NLT)
There were a lot of people who missed the first Christmas, the night that Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem. Of course, there were no the telltale signs that we have today. There were no Christmas carols, brightly colored lights, or sales at the local market.
Yet the first Christmas had its own signs that were being fulfilled before the eyes of the people, because the Hebrew prophets had foretold the arrival of a Savior. However, in the twenty-first century, we would be hard-pressed to miss Christmas. We can’t miss the fact that Christmas is upon us.
People today have a better idea of how to prepare for a Christmas celebration than how to prepare for the return of Jesus Christ. But Jesus Christ, who was born in the manger in Bethlehem, who was crucified on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead, is coming back again. And we don’t want to miss that.
He came right on schedule the first time, and He will come right on schedule the second time.
Jesus said, “Yes, I am coming soon!” (Revelation 22:20 NLT). And the answer of the true Christian will always be, along with the apostle John, “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!” What’s more, anything that would prevent us from saying the same thing is out of place in our lives.
We are not only to be waiting, but we are also to be working. Jesus said, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward” (Luke 12:42–43 NLT).
If watching is the evidence of faith, then working is the evidence of faith in action. Watching for the Lord’s return will help us prepare our own lives, but working will assure that we bring others with us. We should be serving the Lord and looking for opportunities to engage people and tell them about Jesus.
Jesus also said, “The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat!” (verse 37 NLT). The word blessed could be translated as “happy.”
Looking for the return of Christ isn’t a miserable, repressive, confining way to live. It’s a happy, joyful, and purposeful way to live.
Christmas is coming. The signs are all around us. Of course, Christmas will come, and Christmas will go. And before long, we’ll forget about the gifts that we received. But Jesus Christ is coming back again. People missed the first Christmas. But we don’t want to miss it when Jesus Christ comes back again. He is coming for those who are watching and waiting.
So, don’t just be ready for Christmas. Be ready for Christ Himself. It is not about Christmas presents; it’s about His holy presence in our lives.
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What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me? (Psalm 116:12 NLT)
The psalmist David asked, “What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me?” Then he goes on to say, “I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the Lord’s name for saving me” (Psalm 116:12–13 NLT).
One of the most well-known stories in the Bible is that of the wise men who came to visit the child Jesus. There’s a lot of misunderstanding about this story, however. For example, they have been called kings, but we really don’t know that they were. The Bible calls them magi, which is closely related to the word magician.
These men were advisers to the king and more like king makers than actual kings. They were very powerful. They studied the stars and were into astronomy and astrology. These were pagan men who did not believe in the Lord God of Israel. So, God came to them in a way they would understand.
He went to these stargazers, these magi, with a star. And that star brought them to the child Jesus, who had already been born. First they came through Jerusalem, where they met the paranoid King Herod. They told him they had come to worship the King of the Jews.
Then they found their way to Bethlehem. Matthew tells us, “The star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him” (Matthew 2:9–11 NLT).
They came to worship the newborn King. And how did they express their worship? Verse 11 tells us, “They opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (NLT). They didn’t give Jesus their leftovers. They were meeting the living King, and only the best would do.
Sometimes in the church we limit the word worship. In a church service, we often call our time of singing our “worship time.” Then when the singing is done, we say it’s time for Bible study. But hearing a Bible study is also an act of worship, just as giving an offering is. Leaving the church building and sharing our faith with someone is an act of worship as well.
Serving others is an act of worship. In Billy Graham’s home, there was a sign near the kitchen sink that read, “Divine service done here three times daily.” Even doing the dishes can be an act of worship. So, let’s not limit our worship to singing.
At Christmas we celebrate God’s gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, to us. There’s nothing that we ever could give to God that would be even close to being equal to the gift that God has given to us. But there are things we can do for Him to show our thanks.
When someone gives us a nice gift, we say thank you. If someone does something for us, we say thank you. In the same way, God has given us this amazing gift. So, we should say, “Thank you, Lord.”
The real happiness we are looking for is not in Christmas; it is in Christ. It comes from His presence in our lives.
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Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words! (2 Corinthians 9:15 NLT)
There are gifts that you may receive this year that soon will be out of date or out of fashion. Some gifts, however, only grow in value over time. Maybe it’s a family heirloom that you received a long time ago, and it has become even more precious to you now.
God has given us a gift, and it never goes out of style. It’s the gift of all gifts: salvation. If you are a Christian, then you already carry this gift in your heart. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (NLT).
While this gift brings with it the hope of Heaven and the hope of eternal life, there are aspects of it that we can enjoy now. One of them is justification. The Bible says, “Since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us” (Romans 5:1 NLT).
The word justify has a twofold meaning. First, it carries the idea of the forgiveness of all our sin. Maybe you’ve been mulling over your sin and you’re troubled by it. If you have asked God to forgive you of that sin and have repented of it, then He has forgiven you.
God has forgiven you of every sin that you have confessed and turned from. Accept that. Often we dig up those sins, go over them again and again, and beat ourselves up over them. Yet God says, “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins” (Hebrews 8:12 NLT).
Here’s what we need to know: We should not choose to remember what God has chosen to forget. God has forgiven our sins. That is part of the gift that God has given to each of us. But there is also the positive side of justification.
When God justifies us, He places the righteousness of Christ in our account. That balances the moral and spiritual budget for us. We are declared righteous. This is not a gradual process; it’s something that happens immediately when we put our faith in Jesus Christ.
And there is even more. Not only has God justified us, not only has He forgiven our sins and placed the righteousness of Christ into our account, but He also has adopted us into His family.
By adopting us, God is saying, “Don’t merely stand in awe of Me. Come close to Me. I want you to be My child. You have access to Me anytime.” What a great joy to know that we have been adopted into God’s family.
If all there was as a Christian was this life we have now with Jesus, it still would be worth it to be a Christian. But that isn’t all there is. It will get even better. The afterlife will be better than the “before life.” The best is yet to come.
That is God’s gift to you. Open it. Enjoy it. Love it.
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‘And it is one of King David’s descendants, Jesus, who is God’s promised Savior of Israel!’ (Acts 13:23 NLT)
The shadow of the cross lay over the beauty of the first Christmas night. It was there from the very beginning. That is why red is the color of Christmas. It isn’t because Santa wears red or that we sometimes wrap our gifts in red. Red is the color of Christmas, because red is the color of the blood that Jesus shed for us on the cross.
That is what Jesus came to do. He went voluntarily to the cross. Of course, He could have gotten out of it if He had chosen to, but Jesus laid down His life for us.
Jesus did not come so that we could go to endless Christmas events. He did not come to teach everyone how to be good or to love their neighbors, although these are good things to do. To the point, Jesus came to die an agonizing death and to ransom us from an eternal death sentence.
The story of Christmas doesn’t begin with the words “once upon a time,” though it has all the majesty and the magic of the greatest fairy tale you’ve ever heard. It has shepherds, angels, wise men from the East, and a bright, shining star. But it’s a real story pinpointed specifically in time.
Luke begins the Christmas story by telling us who is in power and what was going on at that particular moment in history. Luke was a physician by trade, and he was a stickler for detail. Everything in the world was in place for the arrival of the Messiah.
The Bible says, “But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children” (Galatians 4:4–5 NLT).
When Christmas arrives and the gifts are opened, some of us will be very excited, and some of us will be a little disappointed. That’s because Christmas can’t deliver on its promises. Only Christ can.
What is Christmas at its best? At its best it is gathering with family and friends and perhaps enjoying a meal together. (And of course, worshipping together is one of the greatest things we could do on Christmas.) But these are glimpses of things to come.
In many ways, Christmas is a promise. It’s a glimpse of something greater. It’s a promise that has not been fully kept because it’s really not about Christmas; it’s about Christ.
That is what we’re really longing for—not Christmas but Christ; not merriment, but the Messiah; not goodwill, but God himself.
Put God first, not last. Don’t work Him into your busy schedule. Rather, put Him first in all things. Jesus won’t force His way into your life, but He would love to come and be a part of it. If you will seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness in everything you do, it will change everything about your life.
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But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. (Micah 5:2 NLT)
God could have directed Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem in many ways, but He chose to do it through a Roman emperor’s decree. Because Mary and Joseph both traced their ancestry back to King David, they went to the boyhood town of David, which was Bethlehem.
Joseph and Mary were in Nazareth, but God needed them in Bethlehem. Micah had prophesied, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf” (Micah 5:2 NLT).
Thus, God had a plan. We read in Luke’s Gospel, “At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. . . . And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home… He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child” (2:1, 4–5 NLT).
This reminds us that ultimately, God is in control. World figures come and go. Dictators come and go. Kings, queens, prime ministers, and presidents come and go. But God moves people the way He wants to move them.
Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; he guides it wherever he pleases” (NLT). Billy Graham once quoted, “Jesus is the hinge on which the door of history swings, the point at which eternity intersects with time, the Savior who redeems time by drawing all things to himself.”
Mary and Joseph made their way to Bethlehem. It was a difficult and dangerous journey, and when they finally arrived, they looked for a place to stay. But there was no room for them, which was indicative of the treatment Jesus received when He walked this earth.
Essentially Jesus was homeless. Yes, He would stay in the homes of people, but He also slept out under the stars on the Mount of Olives. We find this interesting verse in Luke: “Every day Jesus went to the Temple to teach, and each evening he returned to spend the night on the Mount of Olives” (21:37 NLT).
The One who created Heaven and Earth, the One who said, “There is more than enough room in my Father’s home” (John 14:2 NLT), left His home in Heaven so that we, too, could have a home there.
It was all part of God’s plan for our Savior to be born in the humblest of settings. At the same time, the innkeeper missed out on an opportunity. The same thing can happen to us. We can be so busy shopping for Christmas and talking about Christmas that we can’t seem to find time to go to church or even take a moment to pray.
Jesus was born so that we could be born again. He left his home in Heaven to make a home in our hearts. We need to make room for Jesus, not only during this Christmas season but all year long.
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That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. (Philippians 2:10 NLT)
Juliet asked Romeo, “What’s in a name?” And then she answered her own question: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
That might be nice if you’re a flower. But if you’re a person, you know that a name can indeed make a difference. Names are so significant that people even will go to court to have them changed.
So, what’s in a name? That all depends on whose name it is. If it’s the name of Jesus Christ, there’s a lot in that name. The Bible says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13 NLT) and “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:10-11 NLT).
Some may claim they never will bow before Jesus. But they will. Atheists will bow and agnostics will bow. Everyone will bow, no matter who they are, at the Great White Throne Judgment of Christ. But sadly, for those at this judgment, it will be too late. There will be no other chances of forgiveness.
That is why we want to bow now so that we’ll be ready to meet the Lord. Jesus wasn’t born in a stable in Bethlehem so that we could have an excuse to go shopping for a month. The message of the angels to the shepherds was not, “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Therefore, go to the nearest mall and spend lots of money.”
Rather, they said He is the Savior of the world. This is good news for us. He was born to die that we might live—and not only live eternally, but live life to its fullest and discover the plan that God has for us.
Have you discovered that plan? Maybe you’re living under the power of a particular sin right now. Maybe some vice, lifestyle, or addiction has its stranglehold on you, and you’re trying to break free. God can deliver you from it.
Maybe you’ve felt all alone. There is an everlasting Father who wants to reveal Himself to you. Maybe you have walked blindly through life, not knowing where to go or what to do. There is a God who wants to give His personal counsel to you. Most importantly, He wants to forgive you of your sin.
Every one of us has broken God’s commandments. Every one of us has fallen short of His standards. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and then rose from the dead three days later. He is saying, “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends” (Revelation 3:20 NLT).
When we look at all that God is and all that He offers to us, it should cause us to be amazed, surprised, astonished, and in awe. And it should cause us to worship Him.
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For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 NLT)
The story of Jesus coming into the world is not so much the story of a birth as it is the story of a gift. From Earth’s perspective, it was the entrance of Jesus into Planet Earth. But from Heaven’s perspective, it was the departure of Jesus Christ from Heaven.
Jesus is God. Therefore, He is eternal. He has always existed. But at just the right time, the Son of God came to this earth. The Bible says, “But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law” (Galatians 4:4 NLT).
We need to remember that Jesus made a choice to leave the glory of Heavenand walk among us as a man. The very Son of God was born into the most unsanitary conditions imaginable, laid in a little bed of straw, and wrapped in pieces of cloth. This is how the Creator of the universe came to us in human form.
The first Christmas was not about a gift to a child; it was about the gift of a child.
Isaiah tells us, “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (9:6 NLT). Each word that Isaiah chose to describe Jesus gives us a different insight into His nature, character, purpose, and plan.
His name is Wonderful Counselor. That takes care of the dullness of life. We no longer have to settle for the cheap substitutes but instead can experience what God has for us. It also takes care of the decisions of life. No longer do the problems we face need to plague us, because there is One who wants to counsel us.
His name is Mighty God. That takes care of the demands of life. We must never forget that Jesus was God incarnate. This means that Jesus has unlimited power. And if we put our trust in this Mighty God, He will give us the power to live the life He has called us to live.
His name is Everlasting Father. That takes care of our future. We know that life is not merely what we experience here and now on Earth. According to the Bible, we will live forever. The big question is where we will live. If we put our faith in Jesus Christ, then we will live in Heaven. Because He was born, crucified, and resurrected, we can have this hope beyond the grave.
His name is Prince of Peace. That takes care of the disturbances of life. Life throws us a lot of curve balls. Frightening things happen, and we don’t know what to do. We need the Prince of Peace to step in.
We don’t have to wait for Christ to return before we can experience His rule and reign in our lives. That can happen right now. We can surrender our lives to Him and experience the purpose and plan that He has for us.
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Jesus replied, ‘All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.’ (John 14:23 NLT)
Being a Christian isn’t merely trying to follow the example of Jesus Christ. Being a Christian is having Jesus Christ Himself taking residence in our hearts and living inside us. It’s what distinguishes the Christian faith from any other belief system.
Jesus said, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them” (John 14:23 NLT). That is an amazing statement when you think about it. God the Father and God the Son are saying they want to make their home with us.
And in Revelation 3, Jesus said, “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends” (verse 20 NLT). It’s interesting that Jesus made this statement to the church of Laodicea. Jesus essentially was speaking to people who were probably in the church and going through the motions of Christianity, but for all practical purposes, they didn’t have a relationship with Him.
A few verses earlier, Jesus said to them, “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!” (verses 15–16 NLT).
In other words, “Lukewarmness turns my stomach.” Thus, Jesus said, “I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”
It’s hard for us to appreciate the significance of that statement in our fast-food culture. We are used to quick meals. In fact, we have developed into an art form the ability to eat while we’re driving.
But in Jesus’ day, there was no such thing as takeout. A meal took much longer back then. Dinner was the main event of the evening, where you sat down with friends and family. You took your time to relax, share the events of the day, and bare your hearts to one another.
So, when Jesus said, “I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends,” He was saying, “I want to have fellowship with you, and I want you to relax and be honest. I want to spend a lot of time with you.”
Is Christ at home in your heart? The apostle Paul wrote, “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong” (Ephesians 3:16–17 NLT).
Is Jesus Christ an honored guest in your home, or is He a permanent resident? He wants to be the latter. Jesus doesn’t just want to be home for the holidays. He wants to live in your heart all year.
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Let us go to the sanctuary of the Lord; let us worship at the footstool of his throne. (Psalm 132:7 NLT)
The Bible doesn’t tell us much about the boyhood years of Jesus. But it does give us an instance where Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration, and they took twelve-year-old Jesus with them. Then they made the journey back home.
In those days, the men and women traveled separately. Joseph thought that Jesus was with Mary. And Mary thought that Jesus was with Joseph. But then they realized they had lost Jesus. So, they frantically made their way back to Jerusalem. They found Him in the temple three days later, where He was speaking with the elders.
Jesus said to them, “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49 NLT). Imagine the panicked couple running around town, asking people if they had seen their son.
We can become so busy, especially at this time of year, that we don’t have time for God. We can be so busy celebrating Christmas that we lose Jesus. We string the lights, trim the tree, and buy the gifts. And during all this busyness, we can forget all about the Lord. We can lose Jesus just like Mary and Joseph did.
We Americans are so busy. You could write on our tombstones, “Hurried. Worried. Buried.” We’re always rushing about, and that is more evident at Christmas than at any other time of year. Lines are long and tempers are short.
We think Christmas will bring us some measure of happiness. But after so much buildup, Christmas can be a letdown. Then there is the mess and cleaning up. Soon the bills start arriving, and reality kicks in.
Experts tell us that calls to psychiatrists and emergency rooms increase during this time of year. That is because Christmas can’t measure up to its romanticized image.
So many of us say, “I would like to make time for God, but I am just so busy. I work too hard and don’t have any time in my schedule. I would like to go to church, but there just isn’t time for that. I would like to read my Bible, but I just can’t find the time.”
However, we find time for what is important to us.
It seems the only place where there ever was room for Jesus was on a cross where He died for the sins of the world. Ironically, Jesus Himself said, “There is more than enough room in my Father’s home” (John 14:2 NLT).
We don’t have room for Him, but He has many rooms for us. Jesus took His place in a manger so that we could have a home in Heaven.
So, let’s forget about the clutter and hype and replace it with the Christ of Christmas. Then it will be great. It is not about Christmas presents; it is about His presence in our lives. The message of the season is not “let it snow” or “let us shop.” It is “let us worship.”
If we will focus on that, then Christmas will be a blessed time for us.
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Mary responded, ‘Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed.’ (Luke 1:46–48 NLT)
Mary was a good Jewish girl who would have learned the Scriptures from her youth. And no doubt she would have heard the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’)” (Isaiah 7:14 NLT).
However, it’s unlikely that, in her wildest dreams, she ever thought, “That is me? I am going to be the virgin that Isaiah prophesied of? I am going to be the mother of the Messiah and carry God incarnate in my womb?”
Mary was stunned, as we see from her reaction to the angel Gabriel when he appeared. He said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:28 NLT). The passage goes on to say, “Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean” (verse 29 NLT).
She was genuinely surprised that God had chosen her. Mary could have said to Gabriel, “It’s about time you showed up!” But of course, her response was nothing like that. When people are truly godly, they never boast of their devotion. They won’t speak of what they’ve done for God. Rather, they always will speak of what God has done for them.
That is why John, in his Gospel, described himself as the “disciple whom Jesus loved.” It might seem a little self-serving. But wasn’t that better than describing himself as “the disciple who loved Jesus”? Our love is fickle. It can vary, depending on circumstances.
On the other hand, God’s love is consistent. God’s love never changes. Thus, John boasted of God’s love for him rather than of his love for God.
By the way, that is a good mark of an effective testimony. A good testimony always will focus on what Christ gave up to save you, not what you gave up to follow Him. When some Christians share their testimonies, they make their past sound more interesting than their present and future.
They say things like, “I used to party and have fun. We did all these great things. Then I heard about Jesus and took up the old, rugged cross. Now I just read my Bible. And one day, I will die and go to Heaven, where I’ll float around on a cloud and play a harp.”
That is neither a proper nor accurate testimony. Instead, let’s focus on what God has done for us.
Mary was a virtuous woman, but she wasn’t a sinless woman. Yes, God chose her and called her. But even Mary needed a Savior. And in the passage that we call the Magnificat, Mary said, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!” (Luke 1:46–47 NLT).
She didn’t fully understand, but Mary obeyed just the same with an attitude of childlike faith and obedience. This is the kind of attitude God looks for in His servants. And God can use you, like Mary, wherever you are.
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So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment. (2 Peter 2:9 NLT)
Little did Zechariah know how life was about to change for him, for his country, and for the world. Gabriel announced to him that he and his aged wife, Elizabeth, were to be the parents of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus. In fact, they would be the parents of the greatest prophet in the history of Scripture and the greatest of the Old Testament prophets.
Israel hadn’t heard from God for four hundred years. There hadn’t been a miracle for four hundred years. And there hadn’t been a prophet for four hundred years. Then along came the angel Gabriel, not just with an announcement of a prophet but of a super prophet, one who would precede the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
But because he was an old man, Zechariah had a hard time believing this. So, Gabriel told him that he would not be able to speak until the child was born. And indeed, Zechariah did not communicate verbally until John was born. Then God restored his ability to speak.
Meanwhile, in a seedy little town called Nazareth, there was a godly young woman named Mary. The angel Gabriel also appeared to her and told her she would have the privilege of being the mother of the Messiah of Israel and the Savior of the world.
But in contrast to Zechariah, who doubted, Mary believed. She said to Gabriel, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true” (Luke 1:38 NLT).
Nazareth was known for its corruption and sin. That is why, when Nathanael heard that Jesus was from Nazareth, he responded by saying, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46 NLT).
This wasn’t the first time God dispatched an angel to a godless city. He sent angels into Sodom and Gomorrah to deliver Lot and his family from the destruction that was coming. Sodom and Gomorrah were known for their sin, just as Nazareth was.
Abraham’s nephew Lot lived in Sodom. The Bible says of him, “Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day” (2 Peter 2:8 NLT). Mary and Lot lived at different times in different cultures. And both cultures were wicked.
Yet Mary lived an uncompromised life. Lot, on the other hand, lived a compromised life. And when it was time to leave the ungodly place where he was living, the angels had to take Lot by the hand and rush him and his family out of the city.
There is no power in a compromised life. Compromising people reach no one. Mary, however, lived a godly life in an ungodly place. Lot was a thermometer, but Mary was a thermostat. Unlike a thermometer that is affected by its surroundings, a thermostat controls the environment around it.
We often blame our wicked culture for the way we are, but the fact of the matter is that it’s our job as followers of Jesus to permeate and affect our culture.
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Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.’ (Luke 1:18 NLT)
Have you ever prayed for something, but it took a long time for God to answer it? Then again, have you ever prayed for something, and the answer came so quickly that it almost scared you? You didn’t believe that your prayer could be answered that quickly. That is why we need to pray about things.
God paid attention to the prayers of godly Zechariah and Elizabeth. And He was about to answer them.
The Bible says, “You don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it” (James 4:2 NLT). There might be a situation in your life right now that prayer could change. Maybe it’s a financial crisis, a hurting marriage, a prodigal child, or a medical condition. Have you prayed about it? God may not answer your prayer immediately. But sometimes He will.
In Acts 12 we find a story about answered prayer. King Herod had beheaded the apostle James. And then he arrested Peter. But the Bible tells us that “while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him” (verse 5 NLT).
God immediately answered their prayers and sent an angel into the prison who opened the doors so Peter could walk out. The Peter went to where the believers were holding a prayer meeting, presumably asking God for his deliverance. Peter knocked at the door, and a servant named Rhoda answered. When she saw that it was Peter, she went back and told the group that Peter was at the door.
Essentially they said, “Don’t bother us. We’re praying for Peter.” But Peter kept knocking, and they finally let him in. Poor Peter. God could deliver him from prison, but Peter couldn’t get into a prayer meeting.
Like Peter’s friends, Zechariah struggled with doubt when the angel Gabriel appeared to him and said he and his wife would have a son named John. Zechariah asked, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years” (Luke 1:18 NLT).
So, Gabriel told him, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time” (verses 19–20 NLT).
Zechariah could have rejoiced, but he questioned instead. Let’s not be too hard on Zechariah. After all, haven’t we done the same thing? How many of us have entertained doubt? Have we ever doubted God’s Word? Doubt is not always a sign that we are wrong; it is actually a sign that we are thinking. And sometimes we have to go through the foyer of doubt before we can enter the sanctuary of certainty.
We need to believe our beliefs and doubt our doubts. We should believe what God says to us and act in faith, not feeling.
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Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. (Luke 1:6 NLT)
Zechariah and Elizabeth had a problem. She hadn’t been able to conceive a child. In their culture, if a woman couldn’t conceive a child, then she would be described as barren and unfruitful. And sometimes people even said that it was a curse from God.
There may have been people who said, “I don’t know about Zechariah and Elizabeth. After all, she is barren, isn’t she? If she really was walking with the Lord, perhaps she would have had a child at this point.”
Of course, we know this was an incorrect view. But it was a perception of the day. The truth was that Zechariah and Elizabeth were godly people. Luke 1:6 tells us, “Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations” (NLT). This doesn’t mean they never sinned; it meant they had a good reputation.
And unbeknownst to them, God was about to give them a child—and not just any child. He was going to give them a prophet—and not just any prophet. They would be the parents of the greatest prophet to ever live: John the Baptist.
Sometimes a person may be suffering outwardly, but inwardly they are blessed. And as time passes, it becomes apparent that God was preparing that individual. For instance, maybe you are suffering today. It just may be that God is preparing you for something wonderful He will do in your life.
God heard the prayers of Zechariah and Elizabeth. The angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah as he served in the temple and said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John” (Luke 1:13 NLT).
God was about to deliver on the promise of a Messiah and His forerunner.
From the original language, it appears that God heard the prayer Zechariah was praying at that moment. Maybe the aged priest walked in and said, “Lord, I know I’m here to do a job. I know I’m here to pray for the people. And I’m going to do that. But if you wouldn’t mind a personal petition, Lord, please give us a son. I know we’re old. But would You answer this prayer and give us a son?”
We don’t know what Zechariah prayed. But we do know that his prayer was heard in Heaven. In the same way, our prayers on Earth are heard in Heaven. God promises that if we call out to Him, He will hear and answer. Psalm 34:15 tells us, “The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help” (NLT). He is listening.
Speaking to the prophet Jeremiah, God said, “Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come” (Jeremiah 33:3 NLT). God hears you. God loves you. And God pays attention to you. But know this: He will answer you in His way and in His time.
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One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. (Luke 1:8–9 NLT)
Zechariah the priest was a faithful man. He was faithful in what God set before him. His job as a priest included serving in the temple in Jerusalem twice a year. It would have been an important occasion to leave his little country parish, go to the big city of Jerusalem to the temple, and enter the holy of holies and offer a sacrifice on behalf of the people of God.
This shows us that God often speaks to His people when they are busy doing their daily tasks. For example, when God called Moses to lead Israel out of Pharaoh’s bondage, he was tending sheep. When God called David to run an errand that would result in the death of the mighty Goliath in the Valley of Elah, he, too, was tending sheep.
When Elijah was looking for a successor to carry on his ministry, he found him plowing a field. And when God called Gideon to deliver Israel from the tyranny of the Midianites, he was threshing wheat. When Jesus called His disciples to change the world, they were mending their nets. They simply were doing what was set before them.
Some of us envision a great ministry for the Lord. We might have said, “One day I would like to be a missionary and cross the ocean for Christ.”
On the other hand, God might say, “Would you mind crossing the street first and talking to your neighbor?” The mission field is all around us. It’s right outside our doors.
God has given us spiritual gifts as Christians. When we come to Christ and ask God to empower us with the Holy Spirit, He gives gifts of the Spirit. Romans 12:6 tells us, “In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well” (NLT).
The gifts of God don’t come fully formed. As Paul wrote to Timothy, “This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you” (2 Timothy 1:6 NLT). We need to take the gift God has given us and start using it. And the way we become better at what God calls us to do is by doing it a lot.
Each of us must take the gift that we have and develop it through use.
You might say, “I don’t know what I am good at.” Sometimes the best way to discover what you’re good at is to first discover what you’re not good at. Sometimes the process of elimination can be helpful. We can benefit from so-called failures by realizing that we’re not gifted in those areas. We all have abilities that God has given us. And we need to use them.
However, it’s difficult to steer a car when the engine isn’t running. And if we want to serve the Lord, we start by going out and doing something for Him. If we are faithful in the little things, then God will give us greater opportunities.
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While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. (Luke 1:11 NLT)
The people of Israel hadn’t heard from God for four hundred years. There had been no miracles, no angelic appearances, and no prophets. And as Luke’s Gospel opens, we find Israel in the midst of a long night of spiritual darkness. But that was about to change.
One day God sent the angel Gabriel to a priest named Zechariah. Interestingly, the last we read of an angelic appearance in the Old Testament is when an angel appeared to a prophet named Zechariah five centuries earlier.
Luke 1 tells us, “While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. But the angel said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John’” (verses 11–13 NLT).
Interestingly, the name Zechariah means “Jehovah has remembered.” And the name of Zechariah’s wife, Elizabeth, means “God is my oath.” This event in their lives would confirm the truth of both their names. God remembered. And God would keep His oath.
So, why did God set Zechariah apart for such an amazing task? He was a humble man. And if you want to be used by God, you need to know that He is looking for humble people. In contrast to the powerful and prideful Herod, whom God ultimately would cut down, Zechariah was a humble servant of God.
As James 4:6 points out, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (NLT). But what does it mean to be humble? Humility is simply seeing yourself as you really are. In fact, it’s our obsession with ourselves that is at the root of so many of our problems.
In his book Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis summed it up this way: “The real test of being in the presence of God is, that you either forget about yourself altogether or see yourself as a small, dirty object.”
That was Zechariah. He was a country priest. Today we might call him a country preacher. At this time in Israel’s history, there were about eight thousand priests. They represented God to people and people to God. The priests interpreted Scripture. They counseled. They provided wise judgment for the people. And twice a year, each priest would leave his local duties to serve in Jerusalem.
In the same way, we are God’s representatives as followers of Jesus Christ. First Peter 2:9 tells us, “You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light” (NLT).
God does extraordinary things through ordinary people. We can be used of God wherever we are. God wants to invade our ordinary lives and do something amazing. Will you say, “Not me. I’m out”? Or, will you say, “Here I am, Lord. Send me”?
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He existed in the beginning with God. (John 1:2 NLT)
Who has affected history more than Jesus Christ? More books have been written and more music has been composed about Jesus than about anyone who has ever lived.
His birth and His death divide human history. The great thing for us as Christians is that we have Christ living inside us. And from the day that we give our lives to Him, our goal should be to get to know Jesus better and become more like Him.
The apostle Paul wrote, “I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!” (Philippians 3:10–11 NLT).
Paul was saying, “This is my heartbeat. This is my passion. I want to know Jesus.” That should be the passion of every follower of Christ.
In Jesus, God spelled Himself out in a language that we can understand. God became a Man. Referring to Jesus, the Bible says, “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him” (John 1:1–3 NLT).
We could translate the phrase “the Word was with God” as “He was continually toward God.” In other words, God the Father and God the Son were continually face to face. In John 17 Jesus prayed, “Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began” (verse 5 NLT). It’s hard for us to grasp how close the Father and the Son were.
John 1 also tells us that Jesus is the Creator. He was involved in the creative process of all that we see.
Sometimes people mistakenly think there is a God of the Old Testament and a God of the New Testament. They perceive the God of the Old Testament as wrathful and perpetually in a bad mood. Meanwhile, they view the God of the New Testament as loving and full of grace and ready to forgive.
Both of those views are incorrect. There is one God from Genesis to Revelation. He is just, He is righteous, He is holy, He is loving, He is merciful, and He is forgiving.
Jesus was God with skin on. He walked in our shoes, breathed our air, lived our lives, and died our death. God came near.
The real message of Christmas is that God came to Earth. It is Immanuel, God is with us. We are not alone. When we get a hold of that, all the other things don’t matter as much. We can still celebrate and enjoy Christmas, of course. We can put up Christmas lights and enjoy giving presents.
But if we focus on the real meaning of Christmas, it becomes so much more significant. That’s because no one is closer to God than those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ.
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‘Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ (Matthew 28:20 NLT)
When we think of the first Christmas, we think of the birth of Jesus, and technically it was. But that is not when Jesus began, because He has no beginning or end. He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. And beside Him there is no other god.
However, there was a moment when God decided to descend from Heaven to Earth and be born in a manger as a helpless little infant. Isaiah 9:6 sums it up perfectly: “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (NLT).
From our perspective on Earth, a child was born. From the Father’s perspective in Heaven, a Son was given. Notice this verse goes on to give us these names for Jesus: “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Jesus is God, and God became a man.
We call the birth of Christ the Incarnation. But there were pre-incarnate appearances of Jesus in the Old Testament. On one occasion someone said to Jesus, “Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?” (John 8:53 NLT).
Jesus answered, “Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad” (verse 56 NLT). Then He added, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am!” (verse 58 NLT).
Then there was Jesus’ appearance to two disciples on the Emmaus Road after His resurrection. Jesus joined their conversation. They didn’t recognize Him at first. And they started telling the story of Jesus to Jesus.
They said, “We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago” (Luke 24:21 NLT).
They didn’t realize He had risen. Jesus said, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” (verses 25–26 NLT).
Luke goes on to say that, beginning with Moses and the prophets, Jesus explained to them what the Scriptures said about Him. He identified all the passages that pointed to Himself. We find Christ in the Old Testament not in name, but in His appearances.
But then one day God came to Earth as a Child, who became a man, who died on the cross and rose from the grave. He always has been there. And He will be there to the very end. Jesus said, “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20 NLT).
The holidays are coming upon us in full force, and retailers can’t wait for you to spend your money. But you will discover the real message of the Christmas season is not presents; it is His presence.
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And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38–39 NLT)
One of my favorite verses in all of Scripture is Jeremiah 29:11. I quote it so often that some people might think I’m slightly obsessed with it. It says, “I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (NKJV).
I like that verse so much that I had those words inscribed on the back of a watch that I gave my son Christopher for his twenty-first birthday. Years later, Christopher went to be with the Lord after a tragic accident.
After he died, I was given a little plastic bag that contained his belongings. In it were his wallet, his keys, and his watch. I took the watch out, held it in my hand, flipped it over, and saw the inscription. “I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” And I thought, Where’s the future for Christopher? Where’s the future for me?
I had to remind myself that it’s not all about our life on earth. Our ultimate future is in Heaven. That’s where it all comes together. As Christians, we’re in a win-win situation. Paul wrote in Philippians 1:21, “For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better” (NLT).
Paul knew that whether we’re alive here on this Earth or in Heaven with Christ, God’s love for us is certain. Paul wrote, “I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow” (Romans 8:38 NLT). We can be thankful for whatever tomorrow may bring because we know we are loved by our Creator. “Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (verse 39 NLT).
Knowing that we don’t need to worry about our future because we are loved by God gives us the perspective we need to face the trials and adversity of this life. In 2 Corinthians 4:17, Paul wrote, “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” (NLT). Instead of focusing on the troubles we see right now, we can look forward to what we can’t see yet. The troubles we see now will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.
Let’s give thanks today that we don’t have to be filled with fear, worry, and anxiety about what the future holds. We can be of good courage and good cheer because God is with us and our future with Him is certain.
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But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (Galatians 5:22–23 NLT)
The mood of John 14 was somber. Jesus was preparing His disciples for His departure. They were understandably dejected and upset. Jesus lifted their spirits with a promise: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you” (verses 16–17 NLT). In other words, hang on. Something big is coming. God’s going to send the gift of the Holy Spirit.
In the Book of Acts, we see the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise. We see the powerful working of the Holy Spirit in the lives of ordinary people just like you and me. Ordinary people were able to do extraordinary things because they possessed a power beyond themselves. They possessed the power of the Holy Spirit.
Some people say it’s really hard to be a Christian. I disagree. I say it’s impossible to live the Christian life. It’s impossible without the empowerment and help of the Holy Spirit. We need His power in our lives. We can’t live the Christian life with only our own willpower. We live it with the Holy Spirit’s power working in us. In Philippians 2:12–13, Paul says, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (NIV). So we do our part, but ultimately, it’s the Holy Spirit who does the work through us.
Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 NLT). But Paul said, “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13 NLT). With our power and strength, we can’t overcome anything. With the Holy Spirit’s power and strength, we can do all things through Christ.
The Holy Spirit doesn’t just empower us; He also changes us. They say if you live with someone long enough, you start to take on some of their characteristics. That’s certainly true of the Holy Spirit, who lives inside all believers. His presence plants spiritual seeds in us. If we nurture them, they produce fruit for everyone to enjoy, including love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities make us better servants of Christ and better people. They draw others to us and open doors for sharing our faith.
One of the amazing truths about the Holy Spirit is that we can be filled with Him again and again and again. Every morning when we wake up, before our feet even hit the floor, we can pray, “Lord, fill me with the Holy Spirit today.” And He will grant our request.
We give thanks today for God’s Holy Spirit, who empowers us, guides us, produces fruit in our lives, and never leaves us.
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Then Esau looked at the women and children and asked, “Who are these people with you?”
“These are the children God has graciously given to me, your servant,” Jacob replied. (Genesis 33:5 NLT)
In Genesis 33:5, Jacob acknowledged that God had “graciously given” his family to him. The members of our family are blessings, graciously given to us by our loving heavenly Father. And today we give God thanks for our family.
The comedian George Burns said, “Happiness is having a large, loving, caring family in another city.” But the quirks, irritations, and annoyances that drive us crazy sometimes are also what give our families their unique flavor. So let’s give thanks for them. Besides, did it ever occur to you that maybe you’re the weird one in your family? That when another family member is telling a story, you’re the crazy aunt or wacky cousin? Some food for thought to go with your turkey.
We don’t all have family to gather with, so that’s where the church comes in. If you are a believer, church is your spiritual family. Sometimes, you can be closer to a fellow Christian than you can be to a blood relative. And in a sense, aren’t Christians blood relatives? Christians are referred to as “brothers and sisters” throughout the New Testament. In Ephesians 2:19, Paul wrote, “You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family” (NLT). We’re all bought with the blood of Jesus Christ, and we’ve been brought into the family of God. So, let’s thank God for our fellow church family members.
Of course, the heartbreaking reality is that not all family dynamics lend themselves to an attitude of gratitude. Dysfunction and abuse make it difficult to see past the pain. If that’s your situation, take some time today to give thanks first for the people who make up your real family. Friends who love you. Neighbors who look out for you. Coworkers who have your back.
And second, give thanks that there’s always hope where your family is concerned. Cycles of abuse and dysfunction can be broken. I don’t believe in generational curses. I do believe that godly and godless behavior can be passed on as a legacy. If you were raised in an alcoholic home, you stand a greater chance of becoming an alcoholic. If you come from a divorced home, you stand a greater chance of getting divorced. But I was raised in an alcoholic home, and my mother was divorced seven times. I don’t drink, and I’ve been married for over forty-seven years. So God can change the narrative in your family.
No family is perfect, just as no family member is perfect. So, if you celebrate the season with your family, bring with you a spirit of grace, patience, forgiveness, and gratitude, along with the dressing and green bean casserole. Savor the little moments, the unguarded conversations, the recollections of years past and loved ones who are no longer with you. Thank God for them—and for His wondrous gift of family, whatever form it takes.
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I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Corinthians 1:4 NLT)
Serving the Lord is one of the greatest joys this side of Heaven. What makes it even better is that God has given each of us unique gifts to make the experience more fulfilling. And for that, we give thanks today.
God gives His gifts as He chooses. We don’t earn them. Some people have an ability to speak publicly. Some are better working behind the scenes. Some have business acumen. Some have athletic skills. Some have an ability to sing. Whatever your gift, God has given it for a very specific purpose. He wants you to use it for His glory and His work.
The apostle Paul wrote, “We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly” (Romans 12:5–8 NLT).
Just as each member of the human body plays an important role, so does each member of Christ’s body, the church. Your specific gifts are needed. You are needed. The work you do with your gifts facilitates the work other people do with their gifts.
Figuring out what you do well, what your God-given gifts are, is part of the adventure of faith. One of the best ways to do that is through the process of elimination. To find out what you’re good at, you must first find out what you’re not good at.
When I was seventeen, I volunteered for everything at church. I said, “I’ll do anything, whatever you want me to do.” I started with janitorial work and moved on to other areas. I quickly discovered that I was not gifted in a lot of them. But then I started finding areas where I was gifted. And I started to develop and cultivate those gifts. You develop a gift by using it, putting it into practice.
And then God does something truly amazing. God takes what we offer and multiplies it. He uses our gifts to work in the lives of others—to bless them, challenge them, motivate them, and bring them to Christ.
God has given us an important role in serving Him. He has equipped us with unique gifts and abilities that we can develop, hone, and use for the rest of our lives. He has made each of us an integral part of the body of Christ. And He multiplies our efforts in ways we can’t imagine to accomplish more than we ever dreamed possible. Let us give thanks.
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Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. (James 1:2–4 NLT)
On your list of things to be thankful for this season, trials may not be in your top ten. Or top one hundred. But God’s Word makes it clear that suffering and adversity are essential for our spiritual growth. And they are evidence of God’s work in our lives.
Adversity keeps us humble. Prosperity and success tend to make people proud and self-sufficient. They don’t pray with the same intensity when their needs are met.
Adversity teaches us eternal truths we would otherwise not learn. For example, it’s human nature to try to avoid pain at all costs. But pain reminds us of a deeper need. Just as hunger pangs remind us that it’s time to eat, adversity can remind us that it’s time to make an important change in our lives.
Adversity gives us a deeper compassion for others in pain. It’s been said, “If you preach to people who are hurting, you will never lack for an audience.” It’s also been said, “Success builds walls; failure builds bridges.” If you say, “Look at how great my life is! I don’t have any problems! Follow me on Instagram! Everything’s perfect!” who can connect with that? But if you talk about your failures, difficulties, and challenges, now you’re speaking the language of real people who live in the real world.
Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 1:4–5, “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ” (NLT). If I could change history, I would choose not to endure the loss of my son. I would bring him back in a heartbeat. But I can say this: God has given me, my wife, and our son a ministry we did not ask for, but a ministry we embrace. It’s a ministry of helping others who’ve lost loved ones.
I don’t want to waste my pain. If I can offer a word of encouragement or hope to someone who’s gone through the worst tragedy imaginable, I’ll seize the opportunity. I’ll tell them that God will be with them through the pain and grief. And I’ll thank God for the ministry opportunity.
It’s easy to give thanks when your health is good, the lights are green, the sky is blue, and the bills are paid. It’s not as easy to give thanks when problems mount. But we must. Psalm 106:1 says, “Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever!” (NLT). If God ceases to be good, we no longer need to give thanks. But God will always be good, so we must always give thanks.
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We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. (Colossians 1:11–14 NLT)
In this week of Thanksgiving, let’s take time to give thanks for God’s specific blessings in our lives. We’ll start with the greatest gift ever given, the most amazing blessing ever bestowed, and the costliest sacrifice ever offered: salvation. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (NLT).
The gift begins with justification. Romans 5:1–2 says, “Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God” (NIV).
Being justified is a two-part process. The first part involves removing our sin and the punishment for that sin. Think about the things you’ve done and said that you regret or are ashamed of. If you have placed your faith in Jesus, your sins are all forgiven—and forgotten—because of Jesus’ death on the cross. In Hebrews 8:12, God promises His people, “I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins” (nlt). If you’ve asked Christ to forgive you, God will never hold your sins against you again. So there’s no need for us to bring them up again or to beat ourselves up over them. Psalm 103:12 tells us that when God forgives us, He removes “our sins as far from us as the east is from the west” (NLT).
The second part of justification involves God putting His righteousness into our account. Acts 13:38–39 says, “Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. Everyone who believes in him is made right in God’s sight” (NLT). So, you stand before God today as a righteous person. Because of Christ alone.
God has dropped one lifeline from Heaven for us to come into a relationship with Him. Only Jesus, the Son of God, was uniquely qualified to bridge the gap between a holy God that we’ve all offended and sinful humanity. Jesus died on the cross, in our place. And it was Jesus who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 NLT). Peter put it this way: “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 NLT).
Jesus finished the work of salvation. Once you believe in Him, you can rest from the weight of sin, and from your fears, forever.
Salvation is a gift so precious that even the angels in Heaven celebrate it. Jesus said, “In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away” (Luke 15:7 NLT).
Let’s celebrate it too. Today, we give thanks to God for His amazing gift of salvation.
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This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. (Romans 13:11–12 NLT)
The setting of Acts 12 is pretty bleak. Peter was in prison, chained to two Roman soldiers. King Herod had already executed James, Peter’s fellow apostle, for his Christian ministry. It was the night before Peter’s trial, where, in all likelihood, he, too, would be found “guilty” and executed. And what was Peter doing in what may have been the last few hours of his life? He was sleeping.
He was probably the only Christian in Jerusalem asleep that night. Everyone else was praying fervently for his release. So why was Peter asleep? Because he trusted in the Lord.
This isn’t the only instance of Peter sleeping in the Bible. In the Garden of Gethsemane, on the night of Jesus’ arrest, Jesus said to Peter, James, and John, “Stay here and keep watch with me” (Matthew 26:38 NLT). Jesus went off to pray, came back, and found them sleeping. “For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” Jesus said (verse 41 NLT).
Jesus went off again, came back, and found them sleeping again. And then it happened a third time.
In Luke 9, Jesus took the same three men to a mountain to pray. While they were there, Jesus was transfigured. Moses appeared on one side of Him; Elijah appeared on the other. And Peter? “Peter and the others had fallen asleep” (verse 32 NLT).
Peter woke up and “blurted out, ‘Master, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’” (verse 33 NLT). Makes you wonder whether Elijah turned to Jesus and asked, “Who is that? Is he with You?” Or whether Jesus rolled His eyes and said, “Yes, he’s with Me.”
But in Acts 12, Peter slept a good sleep. He was at rest with the peace of God in his heart. And nothing, not even the threat of death, could rob him of that peace. But the time for rest was over. The time for action had come. With the help of an angel, Peter walked out of prison and resumed his ministry.
Paul touched on this theme of a time for rest and a time for action in Romans 13 when he said, “This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed” (verse 11 NLT).
His warning is addressed to all Christians. We need to be wide awake because time is short. We’ve never been closer to the return of Jesus than we are right now.
In our society that’s dependent on sleeping pills and tranquilizers, we can take a lesson from Peter on how to trust God. There’s a time to rest and be at peace with Him. But there’s also a time to wake up, to be bold in our faith. To allow our faith to lead us out of our comfort zone—our sleeping zone.
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I, John, am the one who heard and saw all these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me. But he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers the prophets, as well as all who obey what is written in this book. Worship only God!” (Revelation 22:8–9 NLT)
Virtual reality and artificial intelligence are starting to make people question what’s real. Facebook changed its name to Meta to emphasize the metaverse, the virtual world. AR-enabled smart glasses allow us to see other worlds that don’t actually exist. I’ve tried them a few times. And I’ve determined that there’s no way you can look cool, or even normal, when you’re wearing them to fight imaginary battles or whatever. The point is that there are many different universes we can explore that aren’t real.
On the other hand, the supernatural world, the spiritual realm where angels dwell, is very real. It’s as real as our natural world. We just can’t see it. If we could peel away the veil that separates our world from the supernatural world, I believe that what we would see there would blow our minds. If an angel of the Lord were to appear to us right now, we’d be blown away. Or, as the Australians say, we’d be gobsmacked.
In fact, we might be so overwhelmed by the angel’s appearance—and by the fact that it’s so unlike anything we’ve ever encountered before—that we might even be tempted to worship it. That’s the situation the apostle John found himself in in the last chapter of the Bible.
In John’s defense, he was seeing things that no one else had ever seen before. The glory of Heaven. The horror of the Tribulation. The spectacle of God judging the world from His throne. John’s senses must have been close to overload.
So, as he stared at the angel who was revealing these unimaginable things to him, John fell down to worship at his feet. You can almost sense the angel’s alarm at being worshipped. He said to John, in effect, “Stop that! We’re on the same pay grade. I’m a servant, just like you.”
There are several occasions in the Bible where people who encountered angels were not just overwhelmed but terrified. When an angel appeared to a woman to tell her she would give birth to Samson, she told her husband, “A man of God appeared to me! He looked like one of God’s angels, terrifying to see” (Judges 13:6 nlt). The prophet Daniel “became so terrified” that he fell facedown and then fainted when the angel Gabriel approached him and spoke to him (Daniel 8:17–18 nlt). When an angel of the Lord announced the birth of Jesus to shepherds out in the fields, “they were terrified” (Luke 2:9 NLT).
No matter how awesome, powerful, or intimidating angels may seem, they are servants of God, just as we are. They don’t act on their own accord. They do only what God commands them to do. They don’t seek glory or praise. And when they receive it, they deflect it immediately to God.
When the devil attempted to get Jesus to worship him, Jesus answered, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him’” (Luke 4:8). And all the angels of Heaven say, “Amen.”
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“Why did you beat your donkey those three times?” the angel of the Lord demanded. “Look, I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me.Three times the donkey saw me and shied away; otherwise, I would certainly have killed you by now and spared the donkey.’” (Numbers 22:32–33 NLT)
One important work of angels is to stop people from doing things God doesn’t want us to do. Obviously, it’s important and serious work, usually done without our realizing it. Sometimes, though, it can take an unexpectedly humorous turn. That’s what happened in the story of Balaam and his donkey found in Numbers 22.
Balaam was sort of a prophet for hire—more P-R-O-F-I-T than P-R-O-P-H-E-T. Balak, the king of Moab, hired him to curse the children of Israel. Balaam set out on his donkey to do the very thing that God didn’t want him to do. So, God dispatched an angel. The angel’s job was to stop Balaam from cursing the people of Israel.
The angel positioned himself in the middle of the road Balaam was traveling and drew his sword. He was prepared to stop the prophet by any means necessary. Balaam’s donkey saw the angel, but the prophet didn’t. The donkey veered off the road into a field.
The prophet beat the donkey until it returned to the road. The angel moved to a narrow part of the road between two vineyard walls. The donkey tried to go around and pinned Balaam’s foot against the wall. Balaam got angry and beat the donkey again.
The angel moved once more to a spot in the road too narrow for the donkey to get around. So the donkey simply lay down. Enraged, Balaam beat the donkey yet again. And that’s when the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth. The ensuing conversation went something like this:
“What have I done to deserve your beating me three times?”
“You made me look like a fool! If I had a sword, I’d kill you!”
“You’ve ridden me all your life. Have I done anything like this before?”
“Well, no.”
Meanwhile, the angel was still standing there, visible to the donkey, invisible to Balaam. He finally made himself visible to Balaam. He said to Balaam, “Why did you beat your donkey those three times? . . . Look, I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me. Three times the donkey saw me and shied away; otherwise, I would certainly have killed you by now and spared the donkey” (Numbers 22:32–33 NLT). His words must have unnerved Balaam. The prophet realized that the angel had come to stop him from doing something seriously wrong.
What are the takeaway lessons from this story? Number one: Don’t talk to donkeys.
And number two: When God is trying to stop you, don’t keep going in the same direction. How many times have we been headed for destruction when God changed our course by sending an angel to stop us?
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As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” (Acts 1:10–11 NLT)
You’ve probably been prompted by an angel, whether you realize it or not. More than once, in fact. Based on the number of times they appear to God’s people in the Bible, it seems angels are busy intervening in our lives, giving us the push we need in crucial moments. They may not make themselves known, but they make God’s message known. They speak to us in subtle ways but leave no doubt about what we should do.
The Book of Acts begins with a quick visit from angels. In fact, angels show up all throughout the Book of Acts. But in chapter 1, they appear as Jesus’ apostles stand staring at the sky watching the Lord ascend to Heaven. Luke describes them as “two white-robed men” (verse 10 NLT), but they were almost certainly angels.
Just before He ascended, Jesus instructed His disciples to head for Jerusalem and wait there for the arrival of the Holy Spirit. And then He gave them the Great Commission: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NLT).
The angels nudged the disciples to quit sky-gazing and start the journey to Jerusalem. There was important, world-changing work to be done. The angels’ prompt was the kick in the tunic the apostles needed. And after the angels delivered it, they exited the scene. A single encounter was all God ordered.
We find a more individual prompt seven chapters later. “As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, ‘Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza’” (Acts 8:26 NLT). Notice that the angel didn’t give Philip many details. He didn’t tell him what he was supposed to do when he got to the desert. The angel’s job was to tell Philip to go to the desert. Period. And that’s exactly what the angel did.
Philip responded to the prompt and hopped on the southbound desert road. Along the way, he encountered a visiting dignitary from Ethiopia. Philip explained a passage of Scripture from Isaiah to the Ethiopian man, led the man to faith in Jesus, and baptized him. And all this happened because Philip listened to the angel and did what God wanted him to do.
I wonder how many times an angel has prompted me. I can think of several times when I’ve felt directly led to do something, like right now. I need to go to this person and talk to them. I need to take this step of faith. I need to act on this prompt. I have no doubt that those prompts came from an angel sent by God.
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“Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.” (2 Kings 6:16–17 NLT)
One of the most awe-inspiring stories about God’s use of angels is found in 2 Kings 6. To fully appreciate the account, some background information is necessary. The king of Syria declared war on Israel. The Syrian king devised secret battle plans with his servants. Unfortunately for him, nothing is secret from the Lord. God supernaturally revealed the king’s battle plans to the prophet Elisha. Elisha, in turn, relayed the plans to the king of Israel. The king of Israel then made the necessary strategic adjustments to thwart Syria’s plans.
After being outmaneuvered one too many times, the king of Syria began to suspect that an Israelite spy had infiltrated his inner circle. But then he received word about what Elisha was doing. The Syrian king learned that Elisha was staying in the town of Dothan. He sent an enormous army to surround Dothan. He intended to make Elisha pay for his God-assisted espionage.
The scene that plays out starting in verse 14 is almost comic. Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, gets up early in the morning while his master is still sleeping and walks outside to begin his day. What he sees blows his mind and shakes him to his core. The entire city is surrounded by Syrian troops and instruments of war. And Gehazi knows why they’re there.
So, while Elisha is trying to get a little shut-eye, Gehazi starts freaking out. He wakes the sleeping prophet and says something to the effect of, “Master! Master! We’re surrounded by our enemies! What are we going to do?”
Elisha did not panic when he heard the news. In fact, he was probably a little irritated that his sleep was interrupted.
“Don’t be afraid,” he told his servant. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” (verse 16 NLT). Obviously, that math didn’t make sense to Gehazi. Because he was assessing the situation based on what he could see physically.
Elisha asked God to sharpen Gehazi’s vision, to reveal what was invisible to the servant, so that he could have a more accurate sense of the situation. “The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire” (verse 17 NLT). Gehazi saw an invisible army of angels, ready to go to battle at God’s command.
Jesus alluded to a similar invisible army when he rebuked Peter for trying to “save” Him from being arrested. “Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?” (Matthew 26:53 NLT).
Angels have our backs. They stand ready to support us whenever God commands. So when you feel alone, anxious, or outnumbered, pray as Elisha did. Ask God to make you aware of the invisible army that surrounds and protects you.
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Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands. (Psalm 103:20 NLT)
We live in the natural world, but we coexist with the supernatural world. Our realm is visible, but there’s another realm that’s invisible. And it’s just as real as ours. We have physical bodies, but there are other beings who have spiritual bodies. The Bible refers to them as angels. In fact, it mentions angels more than three hundred times. Angels are real. They move back and forth between Heaven and Earth. They do vital work. And they’re actively involved in the lives of the followers of Jesus Christ.
Angels appear frequently in popular culture, which has led to some misconceptions about their nature and work. Here are a few things we need to understand about these important servants of God.
Some people believe that when you die, you become an angel. They comfort grieving loved ones by saying things like, “God needed another angel in Heaven” or “Now you have an angel looking over your family.” And while that may sound comforting, it’s not true. People do not become angels when they die.
Angels are created beings, completely separate from humans. Colossians 1:15–16 says, “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him” (NLT). Other passages of Scripture suggest that angels are eternal; they never die. Angels are divided into different categories, including the cherubim and the seraphim. But none of them are former humans.
Angels appear as men in Scripture. When I told that to my granddaughters, they weren’t happy. They said, “That’s not fair, Papa.” We often think of angels as feminine. We say, “She’s as pretty as an angel.” We don’t often say, “He’s as handsome as an angel.” But the reality is that when angels show up in the Bible, they appear as men.
When some female followers of Jesus went to Jesus’ tomb after His resurrection, “two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes” (Luke 24:4 NLT)—these “men” were angels. And after Jesus’ disciples saw Jesus ascending to Heaven, “two white-robed men suddenly stood among them” (Acts 1:10 NLT). These angels told Jesus’ disciples that Jesus had been taken to Heaven but that He would return.
Angels fulfill specific God-given responsibilities. They “carry out his plans” (Psalm 103:20 NLT). They could be described as God’s secret agents. Or His SEAL Team 6. They do their job, but they don’t draw attention to themselves.
We probably would be amazed to discover how many times angels have stopped us from doing something we’d regret, gotten us out of tight situations, protected us from harm, or spoken directly to us. Hebrews 1:14 sums up their role this way: “Angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation” (NLT).
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“I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.” (Job 42:2 NLT)
Sovereignty is a tough concept to wrap our heads around, especially in today’s highly influenceable culture. Everyone answers to someone. Public figures change their stances based on the feedback they get. Politicians are swayed by donors. Corporations react to boycotts. In contrast to the famous sign on Harry Truman’s desk, the buck doesn’t seem to stop anywhere. There is no ultimate authority, no sovereignty.
Except with God.
Job scratched the surface of God’s sovereignty when he said to God, “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you” (Job 42:2 NLT). In fact, God will do what He pleases with whomever He chooses whenever He wishes. That’s absolute power. God answers to no one. He is not swayed by public opinion or conventional wisdom. He doesn’t have to ask anyone’s permission or worry about anyone’s reaction. He doesn’t seek approval, likes, or popularity. God can’t be second-guessed because everything He does is perfect. His ways are right—always and without fail.
Psalm 115:3 says, “Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes” (nlt). Some people challenge His sovereignty by asking, “What about the bad things that happen in life? Are they part of what He wishes?” And the answer is yes. Evil, suffering, and tragedy aren’t arguments against a sovereign God. They are all firmly under His control. Whatever happens in this life, good or bad, is either caused by God or allowed by God. I know that’s hard for some of us to digest. But that’s because we’re limited in our present circumstances.
Someday, we will better understand the wisdom and purpose of God’s plan. In the meantime, we take the word of the psalmist who wrote this about God: “Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created. Your regulations remain true to this day, for everything serves your plans” (Psalm 119:90–91 NLT). Everything serves God’s plans.
The apostle Paul wrote, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28 NLT). Everything is part of God’s good plan.
In Paul’s words, we find the most amazing truth about God’s sovereignty. The English historian Lord Acton wrote that absolute power corrupts absolutely. But he was referring to human authorities, none of whom ever possessed “absolute power.” The amazing truth is that God, who does possess absolute power, uses His power to accomplish genuinely good things in the lives of His people. God’s sovereignty can’t be separated from His love.
That means we can trust Him to care for us. We may not always understand what that care looks like or why certain things happen, but we can be confident that God will work all things for our good. No one and nothing can thwart His will. We can rest assured in His sovereignty.
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“And in the future, your children will ask you, ‘What does all this mean?’ Then you will tell them, ‘With the power of his mighty hand, the Lord brought us out of Egypt, the place of our slavery.’” (Exodus 13:14 NLT)
Have you ever been in a situation where the only way out was God? In other words, if God didn’t come through for you, you were dead in the water. Maybe it was a report from a doctor who said, “I’m sorry. There’s nothing more we can do for you.” Maybe it was a financial catastrophe that had you on the brink of collapse. Maybe it was the death of a loved one when you thought, I cannot survive this. That’s the type of situation the Israelites faced in Exodus 13.
God had delivered them from Egypt and was leading them to the Promised Land. The problem was they were being chased by the powerful Egyptian army, and their escape route was blocked by the Red Sea. They found themselves in a seemingly impossible situation, trapped between an unconquerable army and an impassable sea.
The good news? God was leading them. “For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37 NKJV). God parted the sea, and the Israelites escaped.
Have you ever looked up the phrase “But God” in the Bible? We see it in Noah’s story. The Lord told Noah to build an ark. Noah boarded it with his family, and they bobbed around in the water for forty days and forty nights. By the thirty-eighth day, Noah must have been thinking, This is impossible! I’m so tired of hanging out with a bunch of stinking animals. Will we ever find dry land? And then Genesis 8:1 says, “But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and livestock with him in the boat. He sent a wind to blow across the earth, and the floodwaters began to recede” (NLT). But God.
We see it in the story of Joseph. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. He was falsely accused of a terrible crime by Potiphar’s wife and sent to prison. Talk about an impossible situation! But in prison, Joseph used his gift from God for interpreting dreams to help Pharaoh’s cupbearer. The cupbearer was released and went back to work for Pharaoh. When Pharaoh had a dream he couldn’t understand, the cupbearer recommended Joseph. Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream and became the second most powerful man in Egypt. A famine struck the land, and Joseph was put in charge of the food supply. And guess who came to Egypt to buy food? Joseph’s brothers, the ones who had sold him into slavery. Joseph said to them, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people” (Genesis 50:20 NLT). But God.
Not even death has the final word. Death seems so permanent, so hopeless. But we read in Psalm 49:15, “But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself” (NIV). But God.
How big is your problem? How big is your obstacle? How big is what you’re facing?
The good news for you is that God is bigger and more powerful than anything you’re facing.
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Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. (James 4:13–14 NLT)
Life passes quickly, although it doesn’t always seem that way. When you’re young, life seems to move at a snail’s pace. I vividly remember being in elementary school, bored beyond comprehension. I was just waiting for the clock to strike the right number so that I could get up for recess or go home. It seemed like I was in elementary school for thirty years. Every day seemed to take forever.
Now weeks fly by in an instant. Another month comes and goes. And before you know it, a new year has arrived. Billy Graham was once asked what the greatest surprise of his life was. He replied, “The brevity of it.”
Researchers tell us that the reason life seems to go faster when you’re older is that you’re not having as many new experiences. You get into routines. You go to the same restaurant, you sit at the same table, you order the same thing off the menu. Apparently, variety is not just the spice of life; it’s also the slow-er of time.
James compared life on this earth to a morning fog: “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here for a little while, then it’s gone” (James 4:14 NLT). But he didn’t mourn life’s shortness. Instead, he urged believers to embrace the challenge of living a meaningful, fulfilling, godly life—a life that matters—all the while realizing that that life could end at any moment. He continued, “What you ought to say is, ‘If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.’ Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil” (verses 15–16 NLT).
He was talking about living with a sense of urgency. That’s not the same as rushing into things. There’s certainly nothing wrong with methodical thinking or long-range planning. The mistake comes in taking for granted that we have the time to do what needs to be done. The mistake comes in assuming that we know how things will play out.
God has surrounded us with opportunities. To unlock the power of prayer in our lives. To take deep dives into His Word and come away with a greater understanding of Him and His will. To share the amazing truth of Christ with people who don’t know Him. To use the gifts He’s given us. To make a difference in the lives of people in need.
No matter how many years God allows us to live, we don’t have enough time to become complacent about seizing those opportunities. We don’t have enough time to procrastinate.
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Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison. (Acts 8:1–3 NLT)
We all know many non-Christians, but I want you to think of someone who’s an antagonistic unbeliever. Maybe it’s a neighbor, spouse, parent, coworker, or someone else. Not only does this person reject Christianity, but they also give Christians a hard time about their faith.
Today, I want you to pray for that person by name, that God would get ahold of them and bring them into His kingdom. Why? Because no one is beyond the reach of God. That’s something we all need to remember. No one is unsavable, even if they seem that way. No matter how much of a mess they’ve made of their life. No matter how many bad decisions they’ve made. No matter how severe the consequences have been. No one is beyond the reach of God.
Our tendency is to say, “That person will never change. That addict will never stop using. That alcoholic will never stop drinking. That person will never stop living that way.” But that’s short-sighted, isn’t it? Because, with God, all things are possible. He can change anyone.
And consider this: That person who is so antagonistic toward the Christian faith actually may be closer to the kingdom of God than you imagine. Their extreme opposition may be due to the fact that they’re under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. That’s what we see in Acts 8, in the conversion of Saul of Tarsus.
It’s hard to overstate how much Saul (also known as Paul) despised Christianity. He presided over the death of Stephen, the courageous first martyr of the church. He forced Christians to scatter to foreign lands with his campaign of terror. He imprisoned believers in his quest to destroy the church.
And then one day Saul met Jesus on the road to Damascus. And he experienced the most radical and unlikely conversion in church history. It was so unexpected that the believers who heard about it dismissed it as a lie or a trick on Saul’s part.
But it was genuine. The man who had previously dedicated his life to the destruction of the church now dedicated it to the spread of the church. He, who had been controlled by hate, was now motivated by love.
No one is beyond God’s reach. So keep praying for that person who rejects you and your gospel message. Don’t get discouraged. Let the joy of Christ continue to shine through you. Keep the lines of communication open. Even the strongest opposition can weaken over time.
Take comfort in the words of Romans 8:31: “If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” (NLT). That’s some hard-earned wisdom right there—straight from the apostle Paul himself.
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The Lord will not reject his people; he will not abandon his special possession. (Psalm 94:14 NLT)
It’s a strange thing to feel alone when you share a planet with more than eight billion people. Yet we all feel alone on occasion—Christians and non-Christians alike. We convince ourselves that we’re living a solitary existence, that no one notices us or cares about what we do or feel.
Psalm 94:14 reminds us that we are, in fact, not alone: “The Lord will not reject his people; he will not abandon his special possession” (NLT). Whatever you’re facing, you’re not alone. God is with you. He walks beside you through your valley. He accompanies you through your storm.
The problem is that distractions can keep us from sensing God’s presence. That’s why He says in Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God!” (NLT). Embrace quiet.
When the prophet Elijah felt all alone and feared for his life, God made His presence known to Elijah with the “sound of a gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19:12). That was all Elijah needed to realize he wasn’t alone.
God also makes His presence known through His Word. So if you feel alone, spend some time reading, meditating on, and memorizing Scripture. Start with passages such Deuteronomy 31:6; Philippians 4:6–7; and 1 Peter 5:7. Pray about the things you read. Ask God to help you sense His nearness.
Prayer is important because we have an enemy who thrives on our weaknesses. The apostle Peter wrote, “Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8 NLT). Like a lion on the prowl, our enemy targets solitary prey. He exploits our feelings of loneliness and tries to create distance between us and God. But God has a plan to defeat our enemy.
God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18 NLT). Peter wrote, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another” (1 Peter 4:10 NLT). Those two verses are not unrelated. To lovingly serve other people, we must look away from our own needs and focus on the needs of others. In doing so, we make a connection with the people we serve. And often we make connections with other people who serve.
The author of Hebrews wrote, “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (10:25 NLT). He’s talking about fellowship, one of God’s most underrated gifts to us. Fellowship—the gathering together of the people of God—is an antidote to aloneness.
Just as serving with others prevents isolation and creates connections, so does worshipping God with others. Your fellow church members share many of your core values and priorities. The more you get involved in your church, the stronger those connections become. So, if you find yourself struggling with feelings of loneliness, draw closer to God and His people.
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Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (Romans 13:7 NIV)
I had an opportunity to speak at an event called Heal Our Patriots, which was sponsored by Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse. The experience was unforgettable. More than seventeen hundred couples attended. These were people who served our country. Many of them had been wounded in battle, some severely. Some were struggling with PTSD. But they made the effort to attend this couple’s conference. They were looking for hope and encouragement from God’s Word. It was an amazing honor to speak to them. The best part for me came when I gave an invitation for people to come to Christ. Many of the attendees walked forward and gave their lives to the Lord. The memories of it still bring me joy. It was an honor to serve those who have served our country.
I had the privilege of honoring our service members then, and I have the privilege of honoring them today. The members of our military are special people. They have the courage and dedication to put their lives on the line for us. I think of Private First Class Ross McGinnis, who was perched in the gunner’s hatch of a Humvee when a grenade whizzed past him into the truck that was carrying him and four of his fellow soldiers. In a split second, McGinnis did the unthinkable. He shouted a warning to the other soldiers and threw himself on the grenade. He absorbed its full impact and died. But the four other soldiers in that truck survived, thanks to the young man’s amazing courage. That’s the character of a soldier. That’s the character of a veteran. And that’s who we honor today.
We can celebrate the veterans in our community by showing up to a parade or a gathering held in their honor and cheering as loudly as we would for our favorite team. We can honor them with a handshake and a sincere “Thank you for your sacrifice and service.” We can pay our respect to those who have died by walking through a cemetery and stopping at the graves marked with flags. We can read the names on the markers and think about what those men and women did so that we may have our freedom.
We can commemorate Veterans Day by praying for military families. For the Gold Star families who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. For the countless others who live in uncertainty while their loved ones are deployed. We can ask God to make His presence known in their lives in unmistakable ways.
And we can praise Jesus, who makes our spiritual freedom possible. “But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ” (Galatians 3:22 NLT). Ephesians 1:7 says that God “is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins” (NLT). Jesus paid the ultimate price—His death on the cross—so we can be eternally free.
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About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church. He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword. When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish people, he also arrested Peter. (Acts 12:1–3 NLT)
Everyone needs a change of narrative sometimes. When life seems to be trending toward disaster, chaos, uncertainty, or suffering, it’s comforting to know that God can intervene. He can rewrite the script. All we have to do is ask. God uses prayer to change not just our circumstances but our attitudes and perspectives, our hearts and minds.
When we pray, we’re acknowledging our weakness. That’s a hard thing for some people to do. We think, I can figure this out. I can resolve this conflict. I can save my own family. But it doesn’t work. So we call on God and say, “Lord, I’m weak. I need Your help. Please come through for me.” And that’s when the narrative starts to change.
In Acts 12, we find a changed narrative. Things were looking dim for the early believers. King Herod had killed the apostle James and imprisoned the apostle Peter, two important church leaders. And how did the believers respond? “The church organized a protest and stormed Herod’s palace.” No, that’s not what happened. “The church boycotted all products made in Rome.” No, not that either.
Here is how the believers responded to Peter’s imprisonment: “Constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church” (Acts 12:5 NKJV). They prayed, but not just one time. They were engaged in constant prayer. For many people, prayer is a last resort. They say, “We’ve tried everything. All we can do now is pray.” Prayer is the first thing we should do. Paul said, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything” (Philippians 4:6 NLT). Nothing is too small to pray about.
Is there a troubling narrative in your life right now? Is there a circumstance that you have no control over that needs to change? Offer it to the Lord in prayer. Jesus said, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!” (John 15:7). In other words, “Trust Me. Ask Me. I will change your narrative.”
The narrative of Acts 12 changes when an angel appears in Peter’s cell. Peter’s chains fall off, and he walks out of prison. And Herod, the man who imprisoned him, gives a speech that’s so impressive that the audience starts referring to him as a god. Herod accepts their praise, falls down dead, and is eaten by worms.
At the beginning of Acts 12, Herod held seemingly absolute power and the church was on the ropes. At the end, Herod was worm food and the church had its leader back. It was a narrative twist no one but God could have predicted. And it was an important reminder that no situation is hopeless. Every narrative can be changed through prayer, including yours.
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I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. (1 Timothy 2:1–2 NLT)
Our nation needs prayer. Our political views, among many other things, divide us, and we need to ask for God’s intervention, for His will to be done. We need to pray for a spiritual awakening to sweep over our country. We need to pray for the church. We need to pray for one another. We all need prayer. Prayer is powerful. Prayer changes things. Prayer changes us.
Notice that prayer is the first thing Paul recommended to Timothy: “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:1–2 NLT).
Prayer sets the proper tone for our country that is polarized by political views because it places things in God’s hands. When we pray, we acknowledge that God’s way is better than ours. We humble ourselves before Him and admit that we must rely on His wisdom and power. Prayer keeps us from placing too much faith in our leaders, our political policies, or ourselves.
Prayer is also the ideal tool for healing the divisions that occur during an election season. Emotions run high. Accusations fly. Grudges form. Unloving words are exchanged. Relationships are damaged. Prayer has the potential to undo that damage and unify people with opposing views. Prayer compels us to show genuine love and concern for “all people”—particularly those with whom we disagree. Notice that Paul makes no distinction about who we must pray for. We don’t get to choose the people we want God to bless. Our responsibility as believers is to intercede on behalf of others and give thanks for them. God wants us to recognize their value.
Paul’s instruction to Timothy, “Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority,” is as important today as it was in the first century. We live in a complex world. Political power must be used wisely. A decision that benefits one group could prove devastating to another. Our leaders desperately need our prayer. They desperately need the Lord’s guidance. Living “peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity” is a goal worthy of striving for.
Prayer is essential because it’s the most powerful spiritual weapon in our arsenal. When a political election is over, the battle rages on. And it’s not a battle between Democrats and Republicans or between progressives and conservatives. In Ephesians 6:12, Paul warns, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (NLT).
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“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT)
We need to pray. We need to pray for our nation. We need to pray for a revival in our nation. A revival is a spiritual awakening in which many people recognize and confess their sinfulness and turn to Jesus in repentance and receive forgiveness and salvation.
In 2 Chronicles 7:14, the Lord gives His prescription for revival: “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land” (NLT). In the context of the passage, the prescription was given to the nation of Israel. In principle, it applies to any nation. It applies to the United States. It applies to Australia. It applies to New Zealand. It applies to China. It applies to Germany. And it applies to the other 190 or so countries in the world today.
More specifically, it applies to God’s people in those countries. Because that’s where revival begins. Would you like to see our land healed? Would you like to see our nation embrace Judeo-Christian principles? Would you like to see our country turn to the Lord? It can happen.
And it starts with humbling ourselves, praying, seeking God’s face, and turning from our wicked ways. Are there any wicked ways you need to turn from right now, even as a follower of Jesus Christ? We are told in 1 John 1:9 that “if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (NLT). God is faithful to forgive.
God calls believers to infiltrate our culture. In Matthew 5, He instructs us to be salt and light to the people around us. To share the gospel. Our country needs to hear the gospel—and it needs to see the gospel in action.
Jesus’ words “You are the light of the world” in Matthew 5:14 could also be translated as “You and you alone are the light of the world.” He emphasizes the fact that we are His representatives. We are the ones unbelievers look to, whether out of curiosity or suspicion. People watch us to see what it looks like to follow Christ.
Let me ask you a question: What if every Christian lived as you live? What if you were the sole representative of Jesus Christ on this earth? Would there be enough gospel in your life for people to believe? Enough saltiness to simulate in them a thirst? Enough light for them to find their way out of the darkness and put their faith in Jesus Christ?
I hope so because this is the message we need to give to others. Remember, gospel means “good news.” Our culture is saturated with fake news or news driven by an agenda. People are hungry for good news. They’re hungry for the truth.
The gospel can satisfy that hunger. And when it does, revival begins. First in the lives of individuals and then throughout the land. That’s how a nation is restored.
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For royal power belongs to the Lord. He rules all the nations. (Psalm 22:28 NLT)
Political commentators would have you believe that something significant happens in the power structure of a nation following an election. If an incumbent is reelected, it solidifies that party’s hold on the reins of power. It’s seen as an endorsement of current policies and leadership tactics. If a challenger is elected, it’s seen as a mandate for sweeping change.
Either way, a sizable portion of the voting population will be unhappy with the result. Some will be extremely unhappy. And they’ll look for scapegoats. It’s very easy in our polarized society today, especially in an election year, to view anyone who disagrees with us as our mortal enemy. We cringe at the idea of their having power or influence in the world. But as believers, we should never think of someone who holds a different view from ours or someone who doesn’t have our faith as an enemy.
Those aren’t the battles we should be fighting. We don’t take our marching orders from party leaders or media personalities. And the truth is that, after an election, nothing really changes in the power structure of the country. Psalm 22:28 says, “For royal power belongs to the Lord. He rules all the nations” (NLT). These words can’t be amended. Power always belongs to the Lord. He rules the nations. He rules our nation. That’s why we still have hope, no matter what the election results are.
It’s not unpatriotic to point out that every nation has a shelf life. The glory of Greece was eclipsed after 268 years. Rome lasted around nine centuries. The United States is 248 years old and counting. Only God knows how many more years this nation will exist. The days of every nation are numbered. Isaiah 40:15 says that “all the nations of the world are but a drop in the bucket. They are nothing more than dust on the scales” (NLT).
Revelation 15:3 says, “Great and marvelous are your works, O Lord God, the Almighty. Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations” (NLT). God is the true King of every nation, and He reigns for eternity. Unlike human leaders, He is sovereign. He will do what He pleases with whomever He chooses, whenever He wishes. Regardless of who wins an election, our responsibility as believers is to do God’s will and to trust Him. He doesn’t want political retribution. (And even if He did, He’s infinitely more capable of dishing it out than we are.)
Our sovereign God wants us to reach out to our so-called enemies. He wants us to be lights in their lives. He wants them to see Christ in us. He wants us to share the truth of the gospel with them. He wants us to truly care about their well-being—to embrace an attitude of humility and concern. He wants us to be ambassadors of His love. He wants us to help them experience His forgiveness and grace. He wants us to fill His kingdom with as many people as possible.
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And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. (Psalm 39:7 NLT)
For many people, voting is an act of hope. Their candidate’s campaign vision and promises for the future of the country resonate with them. They imagine living in a vastly improved nation where the major issues that they care deeply about are resolved. And they see their candidate as the bright, shining hope for making such a future possible.
People who are a little more cynical might suggest that a candidate’s campaign vision and promises for the future should be taken with a heaping teaspoon of salt. And they might point out that, even in a best-case scenario, the changes that a politician can make are temporary at best.
Even if the cynics are right, that doesn’t excuse believers from participating in the electoral process. As Christians, it’s our duty to be the salt and light in the world, actively spreading the gospel and praying fervently for a spiritual revival in our country. As part of that duty, it’s essential that we exercise our right to vote and to support candidates who we believe will uphold the values we find in Scripture.
Of course, there is no perfect candidate. Let’s make that clear. Our task is to find the one whose views are as close to a biblical worldview as possible. That may be difficult sometimes, but we must do it. Because I do believe—and I say this with as much emphasis as I can—that it is our responsibility to vote as Christians. If you want to do your duty as an American citizen and as a follower of Jesus Christ, inform yourself on the issues and vote wisely.
But keep your hope where it belongs—in God. Hebrews 13:5–6 says, “For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’ So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?’” God didn’t fail Elijah in his contest with the prophets of Baal. He didn’t abandon Daniel in the lions’ den or Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. And He will not fail or abandon you in your darkest hour.
God has never broken a promise. His record is spotless. He knows better than we do what is ultimately best for us. Hebrews 10:23 tells us, “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise” (NLT). God can be trusted, and He keeps His promises. If you believe that, you can vote—or make other important decisions in life—with confidence, knowing that your hope is in God, not in the government or anything else.
That’s why we can say with the psalmist, “We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone” (Psalm 33:20–22 NLT).
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“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (Matthew 6:33–34 NLT)
Presidential elections are big events. Billions of dollars are poured into campaigns that run for two years or more. Candidates become fixtures on our television screens and social media feeds. And we start to invest ourselves in the process. We develop a rooting interest. Sometimes, that means rooting for a candidate; sometimes, it means rooting against one.
The more of a stake we have in the outcome of an election, the more likely we are to be anxious about it. The doom-and-gloom predictions about what will happen “if X becomes president” feed that anxiety.
Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:33–34 are a reality check: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (NLT). The things that may change following an election are insignificant compared to the things that absolutely will not change. God still sees the future. He knows the outcome of every decision. His hand is on the steering wheel. He cares about you. And He will always be with you.
Faith and worry cannot coexist. One drives out the other. They’re bad roommates. When faith comes in, worry says, “I’m out of here.” When worry comes in, faith says, “I can’t live here.” That’s why Paul says in Philippians 4:6–7, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (NLT).
Jesus told His followers not to worry. If you are struggling with worry in your life, ask God to help you to trust Him and give you peace. If you’re not sure how to pray for God’s peace—in your life and in the lives of others who are worrying now—here’s a prayer to get you started:
God, I pray that You will help us. I know there are people in trouble right now, people who need divine intervention, people who need You to come through. You are all-powerful. You are bigger than our problem. And You’ve told us to pray about everything and not to worry about anything. But, Lord, You know that’s easier said than done. Even so, we’re going to cast our burden on You. We’re going to offer our questions to You. And we’re going to trust an unknown future to a known God with the confidence that You will get us through whatever we’re facing. You may answer our prayers at an unexpected time or in an unexpected way. So help us recognize the work of Your hand. And we will say, “Lord, that was You.” And we will give You the glory. So we cast all of our burdens and cares on You now, and we thank You that You’re a God who hears and answers prayer.
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Some Christians try to stay above the fray of politics. They point to Jesus’ words in John 17:16, “They do not belong to this world any more than I do” (NLT), to emphasize that believers are to be in the world but not of the world. That is, they take these words of Jesus to mean that believers should not participate in earthly government matters. They cite Paul’s words in Philippians 3:20, “We are citizens of heaven” (NLT), to suggest that we don’t have the spiritual credentials or the calling to try to influence election outcomes.
But is staying away from politics really God’s will for His people? There’s an interesting detail in a New Testament story that shines some light on the issue. The story is found in Acts 27. The apostle Paul was a prisoner, being transported by boat to Rome for his trial. The journey was slow-going at first. The winds were against them.
With great difficulty, the ship made it to the island of Crete and docked at the port of Fair Havens. It was there that the passengers and crew faced a crucial decision: Should they stay docked or continue sailing? The date was around October 5, which was late for sailing. The dangerous winter season in that region, when waves grew treacherous, ran from about September 14 to November 11.
A vote was taken to decide whether the ship would continue on to Phoenix, a more suitable harbor on Crete, or wait out the winter in Fair Havens. Paul voted to stay in Fair Havens. He was a veteran seafarer who had traveled some 3,500 miles on the Mediterranean Sea. On top of that, he’d already been shipwrecked three times.
But Paul was outvoted. The ship set sail—and wrecked on the island of Malta.
But the interesting detail of the story is that Paul cast a vote. He spoke up. He got involved in the process. He knew what was right. He made his case based on what would be best for everyone aboard the ship. Unfortunately for everyone aboard the ship, his vote was outnumbered, and his opinion was ignored. But the responsibility that Paul felt to vote—to get involved in the process by voicing his opinion—can apply to all Christians today because we have a biblical worldview.
We have a book that tells us what’s right and what’s wrong. And it’s absolute truth. Because of it, we know what’s helpful and what’s damaging not only to ourselves but to our country. That’s why it’s important for us to cast our vote. We must apply our understanding of Scripture to the issues facing our nation, our state, and our local community. We must work to elect leaders who align with what we find in God’s Word.
We may not always be in the majority, just as Paul wasn’t. But our input is essential. Because “when the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan” (Proverbs 29:2 NIV).
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So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 8:15 NLT)
Of all the misconceptions about God, one of the most unfair is that He’s a cosmic killjoy. That He regulates the fun out of everything. That we have a choice between following Him or enjoying life. But that’s just not the truth—and never has been.
God gave Adam and Eve a literal Paradise, radiant beauty at every turn, exotic wildlife, the perfect temperature, and, best of all, no sin, guilt, or shame. God said, “Here you go. Enjoy everything that I’ve created.” How many types of trees, plants, and vegetation do you suppose that included? Hundreds? Thousands? Tens of thousands? All for Adam and Eve to taste, savor, explore, and enjoy.
And in that garden full of tasty delights, how many trees, plants, or vegetation were off-limits? Only one—the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Hardly the work of a cosmic killjoy.
In His work of creation, God filled the heavens and earth with awe-inspiring beauty and wonders. He created oceans, lakes, and rivers to sail, swim, ski, scuba—and fish. He wired us with imagination so that we can create and enjoy music, literature, cinema, and more.
And for those who argue that the Lord’s instructions for godly living get in the way of “real” enjoyment, consider this: God knows the outcome of every life choice we make before we even make it. He sees clearly the paths that lead to guilt, shame, and addiction—things that eventually will make it impossible to enjoy life fully. Directing us away from those paths doesn’t make God the enemy of our enjoyment. It makes Him the perfect adviser for enjoying life to the fullest.
God also gives us access to joy that transcends circumstances. That’s why James was able to write, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy” (James 1:2 NLT). On God’s path, nothing gets in the way of joy. We have the capacity to enjoy life regardless of what’s happening in our lives. Paul and Silas sang praises to God in prison (see Acts 16:25). Job praised God after he lost everything (see Job 1:21).
The secret is to stay hopeful and thankful. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (NLT).
Being thankful for that and everything else God has done for you will make you a happier person. So savor the sunset. Enjoy your meal. Linger with family and friends. Live in the moment. Lighten up. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Criticize less. Compliment more. Enjoy life to the fullest, just as God wants you to do.
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For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT)
You don’t have to look hard to find reasons to fear. We live in a crazy world. I can’t think of a scarier time than the present, quite frankly. The 24/7 news cycle and social media amplify our sense of danger by bombarding us with images of the latest mass shooting, a Chinese hypersonic missile, or yet another strain of COVID. And that doesn’t even take into account our personal triggers. We all know what it’s like to wake up in the middle of the night and be gripped by panic, fear, or anxiety.
What we also need to know is that we serve a God who is eternal, sovereign, all-powerful, and loving. He is in control. That’s why Paul wrote, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7 NLT).
Mark 5 tells the story of a demon-possessed man who terrorized people in the region of the Gerasenes. He lived in the tombs and was so powerful that no chains could hold him. Day and night, he cried out and cut himself with stones. He was the stuff of nightmares. Yet when Jesus approached him, it was the demons inside the man who were terrified—because they realized they were powerless against the Lord.
You probably know that when the angel announced Jesus’ birth to the shepherds in the field, his first words were “Don’t be afraid!” or “Fear not!” depending on your translation (Luke 2:10). But did you know that “Don’t be afraid”—or words to that effect—appears more than 350 times in the Bible? That’s almost one “Don’t be afraid” for every day of the year. Obviously, it’s a message God wants us to take away from His Word.
The angel’s next sentence explains why: “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people” (Luke 2:10 NLT). Our goal is to experience God’s joy to the fullest. But fear robs us of that joy. It prevents us from experiencing life as God wants us to. The condition of joy is to let go of fear.
First Peter 5:7 says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (nlt). You choose to have joy. You don’t wait for it to come if and when your fears go away. It doesn’t matter whether you feel it. Paul was in prison when he wrote, “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4 NLT). He was able to say, “I’m choosing to rejoice in the Lord, regardless of my very scary circumstances.” You can make the same choice.
Are you struggling with fear or anxiety? Remember God’s words from Isaiah 43:2: “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you” (NLT).
Let go of your fear. Give it to God. Walk boldly and courageously in the path He’s laid out for you.
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“As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.” (John 9:4 NIV)
The daylight savings time change happens this time of year, when we’re reminded to “fall back” an hour. The idea is that we gain sixty minutes. What will you do with your extra hour?
The number one answer, of course, is sleep. But look again at the words of Jesus in John 9:4. There’s a time crunch ahead of eternity. As believers, we have a lot of work to do—and not a lot of time to do it.
God didn’t save you so that you would say, “Thanks for my salvation. I’m going to go live my life now, and I’ll see You later.” No, when you’re saved, you realize that God has a plan for your life. And your primary purpose for existence is to bring glory to Him.
Everything you do gives you an opportunity to bring glory to God. In 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, Paul says, “You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body” (NLT). Every waking moment is an opportunity to honor God.
Three chapters later, in 1 Corinthians 9:24, Paul says, “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!” (NLT). Run to win. Not to conserve energy. Not to make a respectable showing. But to win. That calls for you to give everything possible. To be the best version of yourself.
In Matthew 6:4, Jesus says that when you do whatever you do for God’s glory, “your Father, who sees everything, will reward you” (NLT). He’s talking about even the smallest gesture. Jesus says in Matthew 10:42, “And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded” (NLT). There’s our motivation to work, to tackle with a sense of urgency the things God would have us do.
Not long ago, I talked to a man shortly after he had retired. Now that he was no longer pursuing his career, he said, “I’m not sure what I should do.”
I said, “Get busy serving the Lord! Find and develop your spiritual gifts and use them for the glory of God.” He had the luxury of not going to his 9-to-5 job anymore, and he had time on his hands. He just didn’t recognize the urgency of doing God’s work. He couldn’t see that it’s still day, but night is coming.
James 3:13 says, “If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom” (NLT).
And Hebrews 10:24 says, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works” (NLT). Consider this your motivation.
Do you have an extra hour this week? You could spend that hour in prayer. Or, in God’s Word, studying a passage that hits a little too close to home and letting God work on you through His Word. You could reach out to someone who would be pleasantly surprised to hear from you. You could speak the truth in love to someone who needs to hear it. You could share the gospel with a friend.
For followers of Christ, there’s always work to do. And not a lot of time to do it.
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Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. (Ephesians 5:7–11 NLT)
One of the first things God did in creation was to separate light from darkness (see Genesis 1:4). That separation between light and darkness becomes a recurring theme in Scripture. Spiritually speaking, light represents God and His ways. Darkness represents evil.
In his Gospel, the apostle John wrote of Jesus: “The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it” (John 1:4–5 NLT). The lines are drawn. Jesus is the light. Everyone who follows Him does so in the light. The light can penetrate the darkness, but the darkness can never extinguish the light.
Not everyone is drawn to the light, of course. Jesus said, “And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed” (John 3:19–20 NLT). It’s not that people don’t believe that Jesus is the Son of God; it’s that they don’t want to follow Him because it means they must turn from their sin. And they don’t want to do that.
Christians ask, “Why do people attack us for our faith? Why do they oppose us for what we believe? Why do they want to cancel us, our message, our voice, and our culture?” The answer is that we’re bright lights in a dark place.
The gravitational pull of darkness is strong. We escaped it when we came to Christ. But it’s still there, trying to drag us back in. Darkness takes advantage of our curiosity. It exploits our boredom. It urges us to join the crowd. It appeals to our sense of adventure and our impulse to walk on the wild side.
In Ephesians 5, Paul counters darkness’s pull with a simple caution: Remember who you are. Remember all that you have in the light. Instead of allowing darkness to pull you in, shine your light on it. Expose it for what it really is.
If you find yourself in darkness, move to the light. Ask God to forgive you and set you back on the well-lit path. The Bible says, “The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires” (Romans 13:12–14 NLT).
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Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” (Genesis 2:18 NLT)
There is an epidemic of loneliness sweeping our nation. Social media hasn’t made us more sociable. It’s made us less sociable and more dysfunctional. It seems like many of us don’t even know how to have a conversation with each other anymore. I read that millennials prefer texting over talking in person. And I think we’ve forgotten how to interact with one another. Research reveals that more than one-third of adults struggle with loneliness. And loneliness and isolation create health risks, including anxiety, depression, and illnesses such as heart disease and dementia.[1] Yet they have found that one or two friendships can dramatically decrease loneliness.
An article on the Vox News site stated that 12 percent of Americans have no close friendships, compared with 3 percent in 1990.[2] The article concluded that we, as a society, have atomized. We’re working, shopping, and socializing online. Our phones have become the primary portal through which we view the outside world. That’s not good.
We’re missing something vital in our lives. We all need living, breathing friends, not anonymous people we play video games with across the planet. Not people who comment on our posts. We need human interaction. We’re not meant to do life alone.
God created us this way. In Genesis, after God made so many amazing things, He said, “This is good.” But when he saw the aloneness of man, God said, “This isn’t good.” So, He created Eve. The same holds true today. It’s not good for any of us to be alone. We need friends.
Not casual acquaintances but people who give us priority in their lives. People who care about what happens to us. People who want the best for us. People who will speak the truth to us in love.
Perhaps the best-known friendship in the Bible is the one between David and Jonathan, as recorded in 1 and 2 Samuel. They were loyal to each other. They looked out for each other. They risked their lives for each other. Not even the murderous rage of Jonathan’s father, Saul, toward David could interfere with their friendship.
Where can such friends be found today? You may be surprised to learn that several potential close friends are already in your circle of acquaintances. And the way to find a Jonathan among them is to be a David. Model the kind of friendship you’re looking for. Take the initiative to deepen your casual conversations. Ask questions. Show concern. Offer encouragement, support, and a listening ear. Share some personal things of your own. Make yourself vulnerable. Be patient through the awkward stages. Learn to enjoy each other’s company. And pray. Ask God to help you be the kind of friend who makes a difference in other people’s lives. And ask Him to bring difference-making friends into your life.
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Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. (James 1:2–4 NLT)
I became a Christian when I was seventeen years old. I’d never been to church, never read the Bible. I’d asked Christ to come into my life, but I knew nothing about the Christian walk. A fellow believer warned me that I would face trials and be tempted by the devil. I didn’t even know the devil existed.
Not long afterward, a pretty girl who I’d noticed but never had the courage to talk to walked up to me in class and said, “Hi, what’s your name?”
While I stumbled for an answer, I was thinking, “Why is this pretty girl talking to me? She’s never even acknowledged my existence before.”
She said, “You’re really cute. I was wondering if you’d like to spend the weekend with me and go to my parents’ cabin.”
And I realized, This is temptation. This is the devil. He doesn’t have a pointed tail. She has dark hair and blue eyes, and she’s looking at me. And I said no.
I wish I could tell you that as the years pass, trials and temptations grow fewer and farther between. But that’s not the case. Of course, I don’t need to tell you that. If you’re not facing a trial or temptation right now, you probably recently faced one. Or you see one on the horizon. And you can’t understand why they keep coming. You’re wondering, “What’s wrong with me? What have I done to deserve this?”
Here’s a better question: What’s right with you? You’re being attacked with trials and temptations because the devil sees you as a threat and wants to stop you. So God’s allowing these trials and temptations for a purpose. It’s said that Christians are a lot like tea bags: You don’t know what they’re made of until you put them in hot water. If you’re feeling the hot water of trials or temptation right now, you have a chance to show what you’re made of.
On the other hand, people who say “I’m not going through any trials, and I can’t remember the last time I was tempted” are revealing their spiritual ineffectiveness. The devil doesn’t waste his time with a neutralized Christian. He focuses his attacks on those who are threats to his stronghold.
But here’s the good news: Jesus said that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against” His church (Matthew 16:18 ESV). Have you ever seen a movie where an army storms a castle and uses a battering ram to smash the gates? Apply that image to Jesus’ words. Christians are the invading army. The gospel is our battering ram. And the gates of Hell—the devil’s strongholds in this world—can’t withstand it.
So, the devil will use the weapons at his disposal, including trials and temptations, to try to take out his most dangerous adversaries. If you’re going through trials and temptations, stay strong. And, congratulations, Satan considers you a threat.
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How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! (Psalm 139:17 NLT)
Have you ever had someone tell you they’ve been thinking about you and praying for you? If that person is important to you, then it’s a significant statement. The very thought of their thinking about and praying for you warms your heart.
The good news is that the Creator of the universe, the almighty God who knows every star by name and every thought that we think, has been both praying for and thinking about us as individuals.
If I knew right now that Jesus was in the next room praying for me personally, I think that would give me the strength to face any problem or obstacle. Yet the fact is that Jesus Christ is interceding for each of us in Heaven.
Hebrews 7:25 tells us that Jesus “is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf” (nlt). And Romans 8:34 says, “Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us” (NLT).
Thus, in a very real sense, Jesus is praying for us. He is pulling for us. He is interceding for us.
And not only that, but God is thinking about us as well. The psalmist David wrote, “How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!” (Psalm 139:17–18 NLT).
God is omniscient, which simply means that He is all-knowing. He knows the end from the beginning and what will happen before it happens.
We, on the other hand, watch history as it unfolds. Yet God sees the big picture. He knows every thought that we think and will think. Earlier in Psalm 139, David wrote, “You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away” (verse 2 NLT).
Not only does God know every thought that we think, but He also knows every word that we speak. He sees every act that we commit. And He is thinking about us constantly.
We should be encouraged by the fact that God is paying attention to us. In fact, it becomes a litmus test of our relationship with Him. If the thought that God is watching us, is aware of us, and is thinking about us brings joy to our hearts, it would be an indication that our lives are right with Him. Of course, that is not to say we’re living perfect, flawless lives. But it is to say we take comfort in the knowledge that God is aware of us constantly.
God knows everything about us. He knows about our fears. He knows about our dreams. And He knows about the things that frighten us and excite us. He is aware of everything we’re facing in life.
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There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24 NLT)
Sociologists tell us that in the first stage of life, we are shaped mostly by our family. In the second stage of life—and for the rest of our lives—we are shaped largely by our friends. Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future. In ways big and small, we become like the people we spend time with. Our friends influence us for better or worse. They either elevate us and motivate us to be our best possible selves, or they take us down with them.
And we do the same for them. Some people bring joy wherever they go. Others bring joy whenever they go. Which one are you? Are you Bobby Buzzkill or Debbie Downer? Are you the one who lights up a room or turns the lights off? Are you the one who builds others up or the one who tears them down?
Proverbs 18:24 distinguishes between destructive “friends” and real friends. But in our lives, it’s sometimes hard to tell the difference between friends “who destroy” and friends who stick “closer than a brother.” And if you don’t have a lot of friends, it’s hard to tell whether a friend who destroys is worse than no friend at all.
The Bible offers several tips for finding godly friends and avoiding ungodly ones. Proverbs 22:24 says, “Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people” (NLT). Psalm 1:1–2 says, “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night” (NLT).
The best places to find these potential friends are where God’s people meet. Worshipping or serving together at church or in a ministry is ideal common ground on which to build a friendship.
If you already have godly friendships, treat them like the treasures they are. Give God thanks for them. Express your gratitude to your friends. Refuse to take them for granted. Respect their time, their opinions, their boundaries, their privacy, and their personal preferences.
Be the godly friend your friends need. Pray for them daily in a meaningful way. Stay informed about their needs and struggles so that you can take each one before God individually. Encourage them with words of comfort, motivation, and wisdom from Scripture. Put genuine effort into your friendship. Give it a place of priority in your life. Do the heavy lifting when necessary. Refuse to allow minor squabbles to grow into something bigger. Be quick to understand and forgive. Keep the lines of communication open.
Be the person who sticks closer than a brother no matter what happens.
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But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. (2 Corinthians 2:14 NLT)
Fragrance is a tricky thing. The right scent, applied in the right amount, can be pleasant and attractive. On the other hand, the wrong scent—or the right scent applied too heavily—can be an annoyance. You probably know someone who wears too much cologne or perfume. Someone who splashes it on by the handful. Someone who makes sure that everyone they come into contact with walks away smelling like them. You don’t want to be that person.
Paul uses fragrance to illustrate what happens when Christians share our faith. When Christians enter a room—or enter a conversation—the knowledge of Christ can be like a sweet perfume. Under the right circumstances, it draws people a little closer and lingers, in a good way, after we leave.
Of course, different people have different reactions to fragrances. A pleasing scent to one person may be a stench to others. And something that’s a pleasing scent in one context may not be in another. Take garlic as an example. It’s delicious on food and smells good when it’s cooking. But it doesn’t smell so great on someone’s breath afterward, does it?
The same goes with living in a godly way and sharing your faith. Some people will be attracted to it; others will be offended by it. But we can’t let people’s potential reactions discourage us from the task at hand. My responsibility is to live and share the gospel. I must live it because nothing is a worse witness than a hypocritical Christian.
If you’re sincere about your faith, I encourage you to engage people in evangelistic conversations. People are scared right now. There’s a lot of uncertainty in the air. Look at the headlines. Opioid use is up. Alcohol sales are up. Suicide rates are up. People are looking for truth and hope. This is a moment for us to step into that conversation and talk truthfully about the hope we’ve found in Christ.
But let me add something that might surprise you. To some people, I would say, please don’t talk about Jesus. You may think I’m contradicting myself, so let me explain. If you’re seeking to live a godly life, then, by all means, look for opportunities to talk about Jesus. Notice that I didn’t say a perfect life. The truth is, we all fall short. We all will mess up. But if you’re sincere—if you’re really trying to honor God in the way you live—you can make a powerful impression on unbelievers.
On the other hand, if you’re living a hypocritical life, if you’re contradicting what the Bible says in the way you live, please do us all a favor and don’t talk about Jesus. Instead, you should focus on repenting of your sin and getting right with God before you talk to others.
A. W. Tozer wrote, “The world is waiting to hear an authentic voice. A voice from God, not an echo from what others are doing and saying, but an authentic voice.” That voice could be yours.
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There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. (Proverbs 16:25 NLT)
Jeremiah 17:9 warns that following your heart—that is, trusting your emotions to guide you—is a bad idea because the heart is deceitful and wicked. But what about your gut instinct, that little voice inside you that occasionally whispers, “Go for it”? Or occasionally shouts, “This is a really bad idea!” Some people refer to it as intuition or a “sixth sense.” And they’ll tell you it’s never steered them wrong yet. Everyone has a story about how their gut instinct kept them from making a decision they would have regretted. Or how it prompted them to take a risk that paid off big time.
Gut instinct seems trustworthy because it’s the voice of experience. It’s the diploma from the School of Hard Knocks. As you experience things—good and bad—in life, you start to get a sense of how things work, whether you realize it or not. You start to recognize which paths lead to greener pastures and which ones lead to regret. So when you’re faced with a dilemma or choice, that hard-earned wisdom makes itself known through gut instinct. Or so the thinking goes.
The problem is, you can’t trust your gut. I don’t know about you, but my gut gets me into trouble. When I’m hungry in the evening as I’m driving home, my mind says, “You should just have a nice salad.” My gut says Taco Bell.
You can’t trust your gut instinct because it doesn’t give you the perspective you need. No matter how much you’ve experienced in life, you don’t have the wisdom to know what tomorrow will bring. Gut instinct is the result of past performance. And as any investor will tell you, past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Proverbs 16:25 cuts right to the heart of the matter: “There is a path before each person that seems right” (NLT, emphasis added). Relying on gut instinct is dangerous guesswork. A path that ends in death may seem right deep down in your gut.
Proverbs 3:5–6 offers a better plan: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take” (NLT). God’s perspective isn’t limited at all. He can see your future as well as your past. He knows exactly where every path leads. He knows the destination that will bring you ultimate joy and fulfillment, and He knows each stop along the way.
God’s path leads to abundant life. That’s why you can trust Him with all your heart.
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“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (Jeremiah 17:9 NLT)
Bruce Springsteen had a “Hungry Heart.” Billy Ray Cyrus had an “Achy Breaky Heart.” Toni Braxton sang “Un-Break My Heart,” and the Bee Gees sang “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” which is a good question if you have an “achy breaky heart.” Of course, Celine Dion reminds us that the heart will go on, even if it’s hungry, achy breaky, or broken.
You can probably think of dozens of other songs that have the word heart in their titles. The heart holds a special place in our culture—especially pop culture—because it represents our deepest emotions. Romantics believe that our emotions are the purest essence of who we are. Your body can be tempted. Your mind can be deceived. But your heart will never lead you astray. Or so says the plot of every romantic comedy to come out of Hollywood. So the only way to find true happiness and ultimate fulfillment in life is to (say it with me) follow your heart.
But in Jeremiah 17:9, God says, “Not so fast.” There’s nothing particularly noble or pure about the human heart. In fact, you’d have a hard time finding anything more deceitful or wicked. The heart is selfish. It wants what it wants, regardless of the consequences or the pain it causes others.
It doesn’t have to be that way. In Ezekiel 36:26, God tells the people of Israel, “I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart” (NLT). This spiritual heart transplant changes everything. You develop a tender, responsive heart by filling your mind with God’s Word, meditating on it, obeying it, and letting it change you from the inside. When your heart becomes a conduit for God’s wisdom and love, it can be trusted. And it can be useful.
David wrote, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires” (Psalm 37:4 NLT). Taking delight in the Lord means recognizing that His ways are best. The result is a desire to make sure His will is done. When you align your life with God’s will, your heart changes. It becomes more like God’s. And when your prayers sync with what God wants for you, God gives you the desires of your heart.
Until God changes your heart, it will lead you astray if you try to follow it. It will deceive you into believing that it can guide you to genuine happiness and fulfillment. In reality, only God can deliver those things.
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Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:1–5 NLT)
I love to talk about Heaven. I love to think deeply about Heaven. Why? It’s my future destination as a Christian—and it’s yours, too, if you’ve received Christ. What will we see when we get to Heaven? What will we do there? The Bible offers us some tantalizing glimpses, but that’s all they are—glimpses.
It reminds me of when I’m in a movie theater, and they show trailers for new films. I remember one film that I was very excited about seeing because the trailer was amazing. And then I saw the film. Guess what? The trailer was better.
We don’t have to worry about that with Heaven. The Bible says, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT).
God blesses us with little glimpses of glory—special moments when you’re with family or friends or when you watch a spectacular sunset, sunrise, or rainbow. If you ever get tired of a rainbow, something just might be wrong with you!
All these beautiful things are God’s creation. And they remind us that something greater is coming. Heaven isn’t a watered-down version of the greatest moments on Earth. The greatest moments on Earth are a glimpse of greater things to come. Heaven will be your greatest dreams realized and even more.
Heaven is a place of feasting and fellowship. A place of activities and worship. A place of fun and celebration that will put the sufferings of this world in context.
Will you be there? We decide in this life where we will spend the afterlife. Do you have absolute certainty that you will go to Heaven when you die? Remember, you don’t go to Heaven to find Christ. You go to Christ to find Heaven. It’s through Jesus—and only Jesus—that we will get to Heaven.
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“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.” (Matthew 5:14–15 NLT)
After Jesus said His followers are “the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13 NLT), He said we’re also “the light of the world.” The contrast between those two images, salt and light, is interesting. Salt is hidden; light is obvious. If you’ve ever been in a movie theater when someone pulls out their phone to check messages or scroll through social media, you know how obvious light is in a dark place.
Salt works secretly; light works openly. Salt works from within; light works from without. Salt represents an indirect influence of the gospel; light represents a more direct communication. Salt and light work in harmony. If I’m salty—that is, if I’m living as I ought to live as a follower of Jesus—it effectively earns me the right to let my light shine before others.
By its very nature, light exposes darkness. Have you ever lost something in the dark? Maybe, say, a burrito in your car at night. You don’t know where it went. But when you look the next morning, you find it with no problem. A little light exposed it.
In the same way, when God’s light shines in our lives, we see things we haven’t seen before. In John 3:19, Jesus says, “And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil” (nlt). People who are evil hate the light. They avoid it, lest their evil deeds be exposed.
That’s why if you ask certain people to go to church with you, you get an emphatic no. They want nothing to do with it. Or if you try to read a Bible passage, you get an objection. Church and God’s Word shine spotlights into dark places. People don’t want to come to the light or have a conversation about Jesus because they don’t want to change their lifestyle. They’ve grown accustomed to the dark and don’t want it exposed.
Remember, though, light also shows the way out of darkness. When I’m in a hotel room, I leave a light on—usually in the bathroom—in case I need to go there in the middle of the night. When I’m navigating unfamiliar territory, I don’t want to trip. The light helps me find my way through the darkness.
In the same way, God’s light helps people navigate through the darkness of this world so that they can find their way to Him. And Jesus gives us the privilege of being that light for others.
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“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.” (Matthew 5:13 NLT)
In Jesus’ day, salt had great value. In fact, Roman soldiers were sometimes paid in salt. That’s where we get the expression, “He’s not worth his salt.” Salt was valuable because it stopped the spread of rot in meat. In the days before refrigeration, people would cut meat into strips and embed it in salt to preserve it. The followers of Christ, the salt of this world, serve a similar function.
Christians stop the spread of rot—or evil—in our culture today. Christians stand up for the rights of the unborn. Christians speak out against racism and try to bring about reconciliation. Christians help people in need. That’s what it means to be salt in our culture today.
Another thing salt does is stimulate thirst. If you eat salty popcorn in a movie theater, it will make you thirsty. (And then you’ll have to spring for a soft drink the size of a small wading pool—with free refills—or a $40 bottled water.)
As the salt of the earth, believers stimulate a thirst to know God in others. When people see someone who loves the Lord, walks with Him, and experiences His joy, they get curious. Maybe a little envious. They start to want what the believer has.
That’s how I came to Christ. I had transferred to a new high school. One of my friends warned me, “Greg, the Jesus freaks are everywhere here. Be careful.”
I said, “Oh, yeah. The last thing that’s ever going to happen is that Greg Laurie will become a Jesus freak.” Famous last words, right?
But here’s what interested me about these people: They had joy and happiness—things I didn’t have. I realized that there was an emptiness in my life. It was the believers’ walk with God that attracted me to them. I showed up at one of their meetings but sat far enough away that people wouldn’t think I was one of them. When I heard what it means to be a Christian, I gave my life to the Lord. The thing that ultimately reached me was Christians being salty. Christians living as Christians ought to live was very attractive to me.
Likewise, Christians who have lost their saltiness can make people turn up their noses at our faith. If you treat your faith like a chore—or if you take it seriously only when it’s convenient for you—people will notice. And they’ll judge your faith to be worthless.
If you live your faith with passion, purpose, and joy, people will also notice. And they’ll start to get thirsty.
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So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. (Ephesians 2:7–8 NLT)
There will be good people in Hell. That’s a sobering thought, isn’t it? Of course, when I say “good” people, I mean people who trusted in their own human efforts, people who trusted in their own personal reality, people who trusted in the religious things they did.
Jesus warned, “On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name’” (Matthew 7:22 NLT). If we updated the passage, the people might say, “Lord! Lord! We were baptized in Your name. We received communion in Your name.” But Jesus’ reply is the same: “I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws” (verse 23 NLT).
These are good people. They paid their taxes. They recycled and put the right trash in the right can and did their best not to damage the environment. They volunteered at soup kitchens and donated to food drives. They did everything right.
But they’re still not good enough. No one is. No amount of good deeds can erase our guilt before God. If they could, we would have something to boast about. Our salvation would be a do-it-yourself project. We could stand back and admire our spiritual handiwork. Eternal life would be something we earned.
Eternal life is possible only because of God’s mercy and grace. He sent His Son to die in our place—not because we’re good people, but because He loves us, even though we’re helpless sinners. We are saved through faith in Christ, not through good works.
That’s not to say that good works play no role in a Christian’s life. True, they’re useless in our salvation. Isaiah 64:6 says, “When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags” (NLT). After we’re saved through grace, however, our good deeds are purified by Jesus. They become evidence of His work in our lives. Good works show others that our faith is alive.
James wrote, “So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now, someone may argue, ‘Some people have faith; others have good deeds.’ But I say, ‘How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds’” (James 2:17–18 NLT).
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And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. (Hebrews 11:9 NLT)
Among the endless parade of articles you can find online are variations of the “fish out of water” theme: “20 Ways to Spot an American in a Foreign Country”; “10 Eye-Opening Things I Learned When I Moved to Portugal”; “5 Surprising Differences Between Living in New Zealand and Living in Australia”; and so on. The idea behind them is that our citizenship marks us in certain ways, that citizens from a country have certain similarities.
In Philippians 3:20, Paul says Christians “are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives” (NLT). In Hebrews 11:9–10, the author says that, as citizens of Heaven, one of the things we have in common is a foreigner status in this world.
God calls His people to walk a thin line. We’re to influence the world without being influenced by it. To care about the things happening around us without being consumed by them. To make a home here without getting too comfortable in it or too possessive about it. To take care of our daily responsibilities while keeping our focus on things above. To be salt and light in this world without getting caught up in power plays, territorial spats, and political machinations. To care enough about the people in this life to make sure that they join us in the next.
Don’t think for a second that Christians have no place here. Or that our contributions as foreigners are minimal at best. Imagine how our world would be if there were no believers standing up for what’s right or speaking out against what’s wrong. God’s people are the restraining force. Once we’re removed, once the church is taken out of the equation, caught up to meet the Lord in the air at the Rapture, all hell will literally break loose.
Until that time, however, we will make our presence felt. And we will remember that our citizenship is in Heaven—and that what awaits us there is beyond compare.
Paul wrote, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT). As you get older, the promise of eternal life becomes more and more appealing.
When I first became a Christian, what interested me as a seventeen-year-old kid was that I could fill a hole in my heart, that I could find meaning and purpose in my life. But now, as a seventy-two-year-old kid, I rejoice in the fact that when I leave this world, I’ll enter God’s kingdom. I’ll go to Heaven, where my citizenship is.
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Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. (Colossians 3:1–2 NLT)
Have you ever tried to talk to someone whose thoughts were obviously elsewhere? It can be a frustrating experience. Instead of meaningful eye contact, you get a faraway stare. Instead of a lively back and forth, you get a few grunts or a noncommittal “Huh.”
Have you ever driven behind someone whose thoughts were obviously elsewhere? It can be an annoying, frightening experience. You can recognize inattentive drivers by their erratic lane changes, their unpredictable slowing and speeding up, and their complete indifference to everyone else on the road.
On a more pleasant note, have you ever interacted with Christians whose thoughts were on a whole different plane of existence? People who refuse to panic about the trials, tribulations, and persecution of this life—even as the end times approach—because they’re anticipating the life to come? People who prioritize eternal things over temporary ones?
Cynics might claim that such people are too heavenly-minded to be of any earthly use. The Bible says otherwise. In fact, believers who set their sights on the realities of Heaven may be the most valuable people on the planet, eternally speaking. Because their priority is to make sure that as many people as possible join them in the life to come.
Their focus is reflected in their prayers. They latch on to Jesus’ promise in John 15:7: “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!” (NLT). They pray with passion and persistence.
Sometimes, we pray for something once, and if that prayer isn’t answered in the affirmative, we conclude that it’s not the will of God. “I prayed for my husband to come to Christ, but he didn’t. So I accepted it.” No! Keep praying! Why? Because you know it’s the will of God to save people. So when you pray for someone to be saved, you’re praying in alignment with God’s will. God “does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent” (2 Peter 3:9 NLT). Don’t stop praying for that husband who doesn’t know the Lord. Don’t stop praying for that wife who needs Jesus. Don’t stop praying for that son, daughter, or grandchild.
My mother came to the Lord toward the end of her life. I prayed for her for thirty-plus years. That’s a long time to pray. But thank God that prayer was eventually answered. Don’t give up. Keep praying. Keep thinking about the things of Heaven.
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But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. (2 Peter 3:10–12 NLT)
After reading Peter’s description of the end times, would you be surprised to learn that many people experience extreme stress when the topic of the last days comes up? Psychologists have coined a phrase for their excessive concern about the end of the world or life as we know it: doomsday anxiety. (The Latin term for it is rapturus nuttiness—okay, maybe not.) The symptoms of this very real condition include chronic nightmares, a constant sense of fear, and obsessive “doom scrolling” through online media.
That’s not the reaction Jesus wants from His followers. He didn’t say, “When all these things begin to happen, freak out.” He said, “When all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!” (Luke 21:28 NLT).
And make no mistake: These things are beginning to happen. Even secular futurologists are sounding the alarms as they see converging lines of danger and instability around the world. So, what does it all mean to us? How should we prepare for Christ’s imminent return?
James 5:7–11 offers a few ideas. The first is to be patient. James isn’t talking about a passive resignation, though. He’s talking about patience with an element of excitement—like a kid waiting for Christmas morning. It’s not something you approach with a relaxed attitude. You’re alert to the possibilities, but you realize there’s nothing you can do to speed things up. You take comfort in the fact that everything is happening according to God’s schedule. You remind yourself that your patience is tied to God’s loving grace. The reason Jesus hasn’t returned yet is that God wants more people to come to Him. He’s giving them a little more time.
The second is to stand in unity with fellow believers. People who haven’t yet come to Christ look to believers for their cues. If they see Christians at odds with one another, treating one another worse than unbelievers do, they’ll question Jesus’ impact on our lives.
The third is to endure. Be courageous and strong in the face of what this world throws at you. Trust God to work His will in your life. And always look to the life He’s promised you when this one is over.
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“Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other.” (Matthew 24:9–10 NLT)
Jesus’ words in Matthew 24 were in response to a question His disciples asked in verse 3: “What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?” (NLT). Think they were sorry they asked? The disciples faced intense persecution for sharing Jesus’ message with the world. All but one of them, John, died a martyr’s death.
But the persecution didn’t stop with them. And it didn’t end in the first century. Some scholars estimate that more Christians were killed in the twentieth century than in all previous centuries combined.
Christians have been persecuted more than any other religious group. And it’s not just confined to atheistic or Islamic countries. We’re starting to see more and more persecution in the United States. We see it in the woke ideology that has infiltrated our education system. We see it permeating the military. We see it being spread by the media. I describe it as an “ABC culture”: Anything But Christ.
When you stand up and say, “I’m a Christian,” you can expect pushback, resistance, and even persecution. Paul said, “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12 NLT). That’s a promise of God we rarely claim.
Yet Jesus said the closer we get to the time of His coming, the more His people will be persecuted. So how should we respond? First, remember that it’s not us people hate; it’s Jesus. And if people see Jesus when they look at us, it means we’re doing something right.
Second, consider the times. Jesus said persecution will intensify as we draw closer and closer to the time of His return. If you notice an uptick in the mistreatment of believers, look up. Don’t get discouraged. Remind yourself that something amazing is on the way. Our suffering is temporary; our glorious reward for faithfulness is eternal.
Third, pray for believers who are facing persecution. Ask God to give them the strength and endurance to persevere. Ask Him to help persecuted Christians remain faithful in their mission and not abandon their faith.
Staying strong in the midst of persecution is one of the most powerful testimonies a Christian can offer. It says to unbelievers, “Here’s something worth suffering for. Here’s something more important than my life.” So as persecution increases in the last days, so do the opportunities to impact other people’s lives with our response. The challenge of Christians is to look beyond our own suffering and persecution to see the good that God is bringing from it in the lives of others.
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Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. (Colossians 2:8 NLT)
Everybody has a worldview—a way of looking at, reacting to, and navigating this life. The question is, do you have a biblical worldview? The way to develop a biblical worldview is to read, memorize, and internalize God’s Word. To fill your mind with the truths of Scripture. As those truths become second nature to you, your thinking starts to change. Your priorities start to change. Your perspective starts to change. Your attitude starts to change. And your actions start to change.
As Christians, our worldview should align with Jesus’ worldview as much as possible. And if you want to know what Jesus’ worldview is, read the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5–7. Do you want to know what Jesus thinks? Read the sermon. (And by the way, you can read the entire sermon in one sitting.) Do you want to know how His heart really beats? Study the sermon. Do you want to know how He feels about living life in general? Read the sermon. Not only is the Sermon on the Mount the longest recorded message that Jesus ever gave, but it’s also one of the most beautiful and best-known portions of Scripture.
In it, you’ll discover that a biblical worldview influences every aspect of the way you live your life. How you express your anger. How you express generosity. How you pray and fast. How you establish healthy priorities and pursue what’s truly important. How you deal with anxiety and uncertainty about the future. How you take full advantage of God’s generosity with a truly grateful heart. How you build your life on a solid foundation.
You’ll also find that a biblical worldview influences the way you interact with others. How you repair damaged relationships. How you respond to people who have wronged you. How you treat your enemies. How you judge others. How you avoid being a hypocrite. How you live the Golden Rule. How you ensure that other people see Christ in you.
And you’ll discover that a biblical worldview influences the way you react to events. If you have a biblical worldview, you won’t panic when evil seems to be winning. You won’t see a world spinning out of control. Instead, you’ll draw on your knowledge of biblical prophecy. You’ll see that events are unfolding as God determines. You’ll see His hand in the things happening around you. Instead of panicking, you’ll rejoice and prepare as you anticipate the return of Christ and eternity with God.
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Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. (1 Timothy 4:1–2 NLT)
False teachers have been a problem for Christians since the earliest days of Christianity. In fact, false teachers appeared on the scene almost at the same time as the first Christian evangelists. The false teachers took advantage of the early believers’ limited understanding of God’s Word.
Paul was often left to clean up the mess left by false teachers. In his first letter to Timothy, Paul identifies some of the teachings that were leading people astray. Apparently, some false teachers were telling people that it was wrong to get married or to eat certain types of foods.
False teachers continue to cause problems for believers and seekers today. And they’ll keep going until Jesus returns. The Bible says so. You may be tempted to duck the problem by saying, “I don’t pay attention to theology. I just love Jesus.” Be careful. You may end up loving the wrong Jesus. Jesus warned that “false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones” (Matthew 24:24 NLT).
The people who are most vulnerable to deception are those who don’t know what the Bible actually says about the end times. Christian history is littered with stories of people who gave up everything to follow some persuasive leader to some specially chosen location to await Jesus’ return. Unfortunately, the stories end with the people awkwardly returning to society, embarrassed, humiliated, and discouraged. The book 88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988 was very popular—until 1989.
The most obvious way to discern between truth and fiction is to study the only trustworthy source of information. You can’t swing a stick in Scripture without hitting a passage that refers to Jesus’ return. You’ll find prophecies written thousands of years before Jesus was born. You’ll find descriptions of signs and events that will precede Jesus’ return. You’ll find words of comfort and encouragement. And you’ll find warnings like this one: “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows” (Matthew 24:36 NLT).
Study these truths. Understand the big picture of what will happen and when. Help others understand it as well. Talk to your pastor about things that aren’t clear to you. Get comfortable with the truth of the end times so that you can spot counterfeit teaching.
And when you do spot counterfeit teaching, call it out. Counter it the way Jesus countered the devil’s temptations in the wilderness: by using the Word of God.
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Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 NLT)
Revelation 17 describes “the great prostitute” who will wreak havoc in the last days. The prostitute is the image John uses to refer to the one-world religion that will dominate the end times. Because of the imagery John uses, it’s hard to say what the false religion will teach. But it’s likely that it will combine the teachings of various major existing religions. Or that it will just gloss over the differences between religions and declare them all to be equally valid. Sound familiar?
It’s a message we hear a lot today: “All paths lead to God.” Instead of focusing on the differences that separate Christianity from other belief systems, we are encouraged to embrace the things we have in common: sincere faith, the desire to make the world a better place, and so on.
It’s a tempting proposition. With all the divisiveness in our world today, what’s wrong with ignoring some of the lines that separate us and finding common ground, especially when it comes to spiritual things?
There are two theological words we need to understand when we talk about this issue: interdenominational and interfaith. An interdenominational ministry bases its doctrine on the nonnegotiables of the Christian faith, starting with Jesus’ words in John 14:6. But in the areas that are negotiable—such as worship style, the observance of the Lord’s Supper, and the interpretation of certain Bible passages—it breaks down the walls that separate different Christian denominations.
An interfaith ministry tries to create common ground among different religions. And here’s where we must be careful. There’s nothing wrong with Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and other religious groups working together to help people in need. But we can’t blur the lines that God’s Word establishes. Jesus said there is no other way to God—no other way to experience eternal life—than through Him. If He’s wrong on that point, how can we trust anything else He said?
There’s value in having a dialogue with people of other religions. We see that in Acts 17, where Paul takes the gospel to Athens, the cultural and intellectual center of the world at that time. Some two thousand years later, I got to do the same thing. I walked in the footsteps of Paul. I even spoke on Mars Hill, where Paul addressed the people of Athens.
Athens was an interfaith city, to say the least. It’s estimated that it housed at least thirty thousand altars to various deities. Acts 17:16 tells us that Paul was “deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city” (NLT). He didn’t see them as equally valid as his Christian faith. He wanted the people who worshipped those idols to know the truth about Christ. So Paul used what he’d learned about those false religions to begin a dialogue. He embraced the interfaith setting as an opportunity to share his faith. And we can do the same—as long as we understand what is nonnegotiable.
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O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? (Psalm 13:1 NLT)
Christians have been asking variations of David’s question for two thousand years: How long, O Lord, will You delay Your return? How much worse does the world have to get? How many more prophecies must be fulfilled? How long will You make us wait?
As the apostles watched Jesus ascend to Heaven, two angels joined them. “‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!’” (Acts 1:11 NLT).
And the waiting began.
There’s no question about what’s going to happen. The Second Coming of Jesus is mentioned more than 1,800 times in the Old Testament and 300 times in the New Testament. One out of every 25 verses in the Bible mentions the Lord’s return.
Jesus said, “When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am” (John 14:3 nlt).
The question is, how do you feel about it?
Charles Spurgeon said, “The sound of His approach should be as music to our ears.” When you think about Christ’s coming, your heart should jump with excitement. If, instead, you feel dread or indifference, I would wonder where you are spiritually. The teaching of the imminent return of Jesus is a great barometer of your walk with God. When you’re right with God, you look forward to Christ’s return.
In fact, anticipating His return has a purifying effect on you spiritually. First John 3:3 says, “All who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure” (NLT).
Jesus is coming again. It’s our blessed hope. We live in a world filled with bad news. And you can find it 24/7 on the newsfeed of your choice. War is imminent. Our nation is unraveling. AI is making us rethink what’s real. It’s enough to stress out anyone.
But what did Jesus say? “So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!” (Luke 21:28 NLT).
Don’t panic. Look up.
The scary stories we see on the news are reminders that God keeps His promises and Jesus is coming back again. I’ve read the last page of the Bible. We win in the end.
Are you ready? Are you living in anticipation of Jesus’ return by honoring and trusting God and putting Him first? Are you sharing the gospel whenever you have the chance? Are you living the life God has called you to live?
We may have many years left before Jesus returns. Or we may have a few. The timing is in God’s hands. Our job is to make every day count for the glory of God until then.
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But Jesus answered, “Rather, how happy are those who hear the word of God and obey it!” (Luke 11:28 GNT)
What makes you happy? The question should be easy to answer, right? “Just give me this, this, and this, and I’ll be happy.” But that’s not always the case, is it? You can surround yourself with your favorite people, immerse yourself in your favorite activities, and still not be happy. You may be amused or entertained, but those are temporary experiences. Happiness is something that goes deeper.
Many people believe money, success, and fame are the surest paths to happiness. Until they have money, success, and fame. When comedian Dave Chappelle was at the height of his popularity, making millions of dollars, he walked away from it all. His reason? “The higher up I go, . . . the less happy I am.”
That’s why it shouldn’t be a shock to us when we read of celebrities overdosing on drugs, or going into rehab for the thirtieth time, or, even more tragically, taking their own lives. These people climbed to the top and found nothing there that could bring them happiness.
Apart from God, the pursuit of happiness is a mad scramble for something—anything—that will bring us sustained joy and fulfillment. Jesus’ words in Luke 11 may not seem like an obvious answer to our search. “Hear the word of God and obey it”? But don’t be too quick to dismiss it. After all, Jesus wrote the schematic of human happiness. He knows how we’re wired, and He knows what input will produce joy and fulfillment in us.
Remember, we’re created in God’s image (see Genesis 1:27). At the very core of our being, we have a vested interest in His will being done. What matters to Him matters to us, whether we realize it or not.
We can deny being created in God’s image and even rebel against it because God gave us free will. But we can’t deny or rebel against it and expect to find genuine happiness. We’re not wired that way.
When people say, “I deserve to be happy,” they’re usually talking about happiness on their own terms. And that’s not how happiness works. And when they say, “God wants me to be happy,” they’re right. Just maybe not in the way they intend.
God wants us to make His Word a top priority in our lives. He wants us to study it, memorize it, meditate on it, obey it, and apply it to our lives. He wants us to pursue His will instead of our own. If we do that, we will find genuine joy and fulfillment. We will be happy. But happiness isn’t the goal. Obedience is. Happiness is just an amazing by-product of obedience—a gift from our loving heavenly Father. That’s why Psalm 144:15 says, “Joyful indeed are those whose God is the LORD” (NLT).
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be happy. We just need to go about finding happiness in the right way. You’ll never find happiness by pursuing it. You’ll find happiness by pursuing the Lord. If you want to live a happy life, live a holy life, live a godly life, and put the Lord first. You’ll find that happiness will come as a result.
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But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (1 John 1:9 NLT)
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God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1 NLT)
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“But if you fail to keep your word, then you will have sinned against the Lord, and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.” (Numbers 32:23 NLT)
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Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32 NLT)
The flow chart of forgiveness in Scripture is simple. God says to us, “I have given you way more forgiveness than you have any right to expect. Do the same to one another.”
Why do we try to complicate it? Why do we add conditions (“if you do this, then I will forgive you”)? God didn’t appoint us gatekeepers of forgiveness. He doesn’t let us decide who’s worthy of it. And He certainly doesn’t authorize us to weaponize forgiveness, to withhold it out of spite or revenge.
Of course, that doesn’t stop us from trying.
Once, I tried to withhold forgiveness from my abusive stepfather. Years after he and my mother divorced, I was preaching in Honolulu, near where he lived. Someone told me he was very sick and asked if I’d like to talk to him. I said, “No, thank you.” The memory of his physical abuse of my mother was still too fresh.
The Holy Spirit had other ideas. “Talk to him,” He said. So I did. I don’t know what impact our conversation had on my stepfather, but I’m glad I listened to the Holy Spirit. He helped me see that conditional forgiveness isn’t God’s forgiveness.
Peter learned the same lesson. In Matthew 18:21, he asks, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” (nlt). He probably thought he was being extra-generous. After all, Jewish tradition required a person to forgive a wrongdoer no more than three times for an offense. Jesus’ reply, “No, not seven times . . . but seventy times seven!” (Matthew 18:22 nlt), showed Peter just how far off the mark he was.
Peter wanted to maintain some authority over his forgiving. He was willing to do it Jesus’ way up to seven times. But after that, he wanted to dispense forgiveness and justice as he saw fit.
We do the same thing when we say, “I can forgive anything but lying” or “You can’t expect me to forgive someone who ruined my life.” We convince ourselves that we’re being generous with our forgiveness if we withhold just a little from the worst people.
Jesus’ reply makes it clear that those options aren’t on the table. Jesus says, in essence, “You should forgive every chance you get.”
Peter might as well have asked, “How many times should God forgive us?” Because in Ephesians 4:32, God connects our forgiveness of others with His forgiveness of us. He wants us to remember how His forgiveness changed our lives. How it lifted an enormous weight from our shoulders. How it rescued us from the emotional effects of guilt and shame. How it gave us hope for the future. How it made a loving relationship possible with the One we hurt.
God wants other people to experience those things through our forgiveness. In His amazing generosity, He gives us a chance to be instruments of change in other people’s lives. Forgiveness isn’t a challenge or a test of our patience and understanding. It’s an opportunity to show others on a small scale what God offers on an eternal scale.
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And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. (John 3:19 NLT)
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“God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:17 NLT)
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“Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death.” (Revelation 20:14 NLT)
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“For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.” (Acts 17:31 NLT)
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For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. (2 Timothy 4:3 NLT)
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These things happened as a warning to us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did, or worship idols as some of them did. (1 Corinthians 10:6–7 NLT)
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Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. (Genesis 22:1 NLT)
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Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. (Romans 1:21 NLT)
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Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts. (1 John 5:21 NLT)
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And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before. (2 Peter 2:20 NLT)
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“Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Matthew 23:28 NLT)
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“Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. That will be the experience of this evil generation.” (Matthew 12:45 NLT)
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“The queen of Sheba will also stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here—but you refuse to listen.” (Matthew 12:42 NLT)
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“All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.” (John 3:20 NLT)
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But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew all about people. No one needed to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart (John 2:24–25 NLT)
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Remember what it says: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.” (Hebrews 3:15 NLT)
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For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2 NLT)
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Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us. (Hebrews 10:29 NLT)
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But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” (Matthew 16:22 NLT)
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Then a demon-possessed man, who was blind and couldn’t speak, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he could both speak and see. (Matthew 12:22 NLT)
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“So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven.” (Matthew 12:31 NLT)
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Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23 NLT)
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“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?” (Luke 9:25 NLT)
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Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. (Romans 5:1 NLT)
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“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32–33 NLT)
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“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.” (Luke 16:10 NLT)
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May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you. (Psalm 25:21 NLT)
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“To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity.” (2 Samuel 22:26 NLT)
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If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. (Psalm 139:8 NLT)
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I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done. (Isaiah 46:9–10 NKJV)
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You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. (Psalm 56:8 NLT)
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And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5 NLT)
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Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. (Psalm 119:2 NLT)
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Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. (Psalm 119:1 NLT)
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I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. (Philippians 3:7 NLT)
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For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. (Psalm 34:7 NLT)
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He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. (Psalm 91:4 NLT)
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Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1 NLT)
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"But I confess my sins; I am deeply sorry for what I have done." (Psalm 38:18 NLT)
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"Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, 'I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.' And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone." (Psalm 32:5 NLT)
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"Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!" (Psalm 32:2 NLT)
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"My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever." (Psalm 23:5–6 NLT)
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"Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts." (Ephesians 5:18–19 NLT)
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"You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies." (Psalm 23:5 NLT)
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“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NLT)
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"These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." (1 Peter 1:7 NLT)
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"Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid." (Psalm 23:4 NLT)
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"He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name." Psalm 23:3
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"Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures." John 10:9
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“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” (John 10:10 NLT)
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"The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need." (Psalm 23:1 NLT)
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Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT)
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“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT)
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"Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe." (Psalm 5:7 nlt)
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"Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly." (Psalm 5:3 NLT)
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"And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus." (Hebrews 10:19 NLT)
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"Hate evil and love what is good; turn your courts into true halls of justice. Perhaps even yet the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will have mercy on the remnant of his people." (Amos 5:15 NLT)
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"O Lord, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning." (Psalm 5:1 NLT)
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“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.” (John 15:4 NLT)
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"I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word." (Psalm 119:16 NLT)
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“God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.” (Matthew 5:6 NLT)
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Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 NLT)
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These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” (Luke 10:2 NLT)
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"We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves." (2 Corinthians 4:7 NLT)
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"Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity." (Colossians 4:5 NLT)
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"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (Matthew 9:36 nlt).
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"God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important." (1 Corinthians 1:28 NLT)
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"And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." (Hebrews 10:25 NLT)
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“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
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A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.
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During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God. (Acts 1:3 nlt)
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A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.
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Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38 ntl).
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A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.
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And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly. (Luke 22:62 nlt)
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A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.
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Don’t envy evil people or desire their company. (Proverbs 24:1 nlt)
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A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.
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"Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and came to the high priest’s courtyard. He went in and sat with the guards and waited to see how it would all end" (Matthew 26:58 ntl).
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A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.
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“Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” (Ephesians 5:14)
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"The wicked will go down to the grave. This is the fate of all the nations who ignore God." Psalm (9:17)
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"Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us." Romans 8:34
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“My wayward children,” says the Lord, “come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.” Jeremiah 3:22
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"There is a way that appears to be right,
but in the end it leads to death." Proverbs 14:12
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"When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders" (Matthew 27:3 NLT).
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We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. John 9:4
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But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, 'That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.' John 12:4–5
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"'I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.'" Matthew 26:13
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"Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed." Acts 12:16
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"'For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.'" Matthew 18:20
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"Never stop praying." 1 Thessalonians 5:17
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So during the night, some of the other believers lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the city wall. Acts 9:25
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So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.' Acts 9:17
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Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. Acts 8:1
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Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand. Zechariah 4:10
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And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. Ephesians 3:18
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He did what was pleasing in the LORD’s sight and followed the example of his ancestor David. He did not turn away from doing what was right. 2 Chronicles 34:2
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Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them. John 14:21
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Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. Revelation 2:5
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But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Revelation 2:4
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Jesus replied, ‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ Matthew 22:37
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The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? Jeremiah 17:9
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He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward. Hebrews 11:26
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It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. Hebrews 11:24–25
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The people of Israel mourned for Moses on the plains of Moab for thirty days, until the customary period of mourning was over. Deuteronomy 34:8
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You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. Matthew 5:13
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I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:14
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‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ So he is the God of the living, not the dead. Matthew 22:32
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Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. Matthew 17:1
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"If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me." Luke 9:23
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"If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it." Matthew 16:25
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"For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. " 1 Corinthians 3:11
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"If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels." Luke 9:26
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"She replied, 'That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.'" Matthew 15:27
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"Bend down, O LORD, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help." Psalm 86:1
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"Then Jesus said to the disciples, 'Have faith in God.'" Mark 11:22
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"But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. 'Save me, Lord!' he shouted." Matthew 14:30
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"I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes." Job 42:5
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"Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home." Matthew 14:22
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"When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, 'Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!'" John 6:14
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"Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. 'There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?'" John 6:8–9
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"You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food." Hebrews 5:12
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"Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle." Luke 23:8
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"Let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water." Hebrews 10:22
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"Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked." 1 Timothy 1:19
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"Jesus also used this illustration: 'The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.'" Matthew 13:33
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"I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it." Luke 18:17
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"The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the LORD and against his anointed one. " Psalm 2:2
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"So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!" Luke 21:28
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"Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith." 2 Corinthians 13:5
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"The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!" Acts 5:4
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"These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. " 2 Corinthians 11:13
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"But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time." Revelation 12:12
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"But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived. " 2 Timothy 3:13
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"For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4:24
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"Jesus replied, 'Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again.'" John 4:13
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"So he left Judea and returned to Galilee. He had to go through Samaria on the way." John 4:3–4
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"Then they said to the woman, 'Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world.'" John 4:42
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"For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body." 2 Corinthians 5:10
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"Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord." 2 Corinthians 5:8
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"When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned." Romans 5:12
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"All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed." John 3:20
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"But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." Romans 5:8
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"Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near." Isaiah 55:6
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"Jesus replied, 'I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.'" John 3:3
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"If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." Mark 8:38
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"If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me." Jeremiah 29:13
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"And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil." John 3:19
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"Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, 'Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas' (which means 'Peter')." John 1:42
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"Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, 'We have found the Messiah' (which means 'Christ')" John 1:41
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"I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, 'Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.'" Revelation 21:3
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"So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." 2 Corinthians 4:18
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"The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time." Psalm 34:19
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"This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him." Psalm 91:2
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"But he said, 'No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers the prophets, as well as all who obey what is written in this book. Worship only God!'" Revelation 22:9
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"Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes and let him see!” The LORD opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire." 2 Kings 6:17
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"Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us." Romans 8:34
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"Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall." Proverbs 16:18
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"Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons." 1 Timothy 4:1
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"And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful." Colossians 3:15
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"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2
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"I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me." John 15:15
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"He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying." Matthew 28:6
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"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.'" Matthew 16:24
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"But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed." Isaiah 53:5
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"Then the entire council took Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor." Luke 23:1
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"But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants." Isaiah 53:10
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"He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, 'My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.'" Matthew 26:39
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"But Jesus said to Peter, 'Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me?'" John 18:11
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"After saying these things, Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley with his disciples and entered a grove of olive trees." John 18:1
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"Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin." Psalm 51:2
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"And he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace." Mark 11:16
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"But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep." Luke 19:41
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"Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, 'Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!'" Mark 11:9
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"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." Matthew 6:33
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"So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, 'Abba, Father.'" Romans 8:15
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"Answer me when I call to you, O God who declares me innocent. Free me from my troubles. Have mercy on me and hear my prayer." Psalm 4:1
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"Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit." Romans 8:5
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"So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death." Romans 8:1–2
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"And 'don’t sin by letting anger control you.' Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry." Ephesians 4:26
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"So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body." Ephesians 4:25
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"Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth." Ephesians 4:14
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"Dear brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in understanding matters of this kind." 1 Corinthians 14:20
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"Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 1:7
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"However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ." Ephesians 4:7
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"Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace." Ephesians 4:3
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"Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God." Ephesians 4:1
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"We love each other because he loved us first." 1 John 4:19
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"In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. " Hebrews 9:22
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"And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus." Hebrews 10:19
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"But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ." Ephesians 2:13
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"For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us." Ephesians 2:14
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"Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it." Ephesians 2:9
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"For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10
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"Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ." Philippians 3:8
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"God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God." Ephesians 2:8
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"You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed." Psalm 139:16
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"You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God." Ephesians 2:2
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"Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins." Ephesians 2:1
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"I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 1:19–20
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"He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins." Ephesians 1:7
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"But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love." Jude 1:20–21
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"Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them." Isaiah 43:7
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"The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent." 2 Peter 3:9
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"God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure." Ephesians 1:5
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"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ." Ephesians 1:3
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"This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. " Ephesians 1:1
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"And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
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"At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God." Philippians 4:18
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"For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him." Philippians 2:13
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"Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, 'I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.'" Hebrews 13:5
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"Hebron still belongs to the descendants of Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite because he wholeheartedly followed the LORD, the God of Israel." Joshua 14:14
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"But my servant Caleb has a different attitude than the others have. He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will possess their full share of that land." Numbers 14:24
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"You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth?" Galatians 5:7
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"So that day Moses solemnly promised me, ‘The land of Canaan on which you were just walking will be your grant of land and that of your descendants forever, because you wholeheartedly followed the LORD my God.’" Joshua 14:9
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"But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31
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"But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love." Nehemiah 9:17
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"Then she cried out, 'Samson! The Philistines have come to capture you!' When he woke up, he thought, 'I will do as before and shake myself free.' But he didn’t realize the LORD had left him." Judges 16:20
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"Can a man scoop a flame into his lap and not have his clothes catch on fire?" Proverbs 6:27
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"When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong." Ecclesiastes 8:11
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"The LORD gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, “Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you there.” So I did as he told me and found the potter working at his wheel." Jeremiah 18:1–3
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"And everyone assembled here will know that the LORD rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the LORD’s battle, and he will give you to us!" 1 Samuel 17:47
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"David replied to the Philistine, 'You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.'" 1 Samuel 17:45
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"The one thing I ask of the LORD—the thing I seek most—is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD’s perfections and meditating in his Temple." Psalm 27:4
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"Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you." 1 Corinthians 1:26
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"But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.'" 1 Samuel 16:7
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"The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives." Psalm 37:23
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"For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death." 2 Corinthians 7:10
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"hat is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams." 1 Samuel 15:22
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"Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!" Deuteronomy 30:19
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"Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant." Galatians 6:7
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"I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified." 1 Corinthians 9:27
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"So I said, 'Laughter is silly. What good does it do to seek pleasure?'" Ecclesiastes 2:2
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"That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty." Ecclesiastes 12:1
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"Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, 'Life is not pleasant anymore.'" Ecclesiastes 12:1
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"I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind." Ecclesiastes 1:14
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"Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,' Daniel said. 'At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king’s food. Then make your decision in light of what you see.'" Daniel 1:12–13
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"At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king." Daniel 1:15
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"For God says, 'At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.' Indeed, the 'right time' is now. Today is the day of salvation." 2 Corinthians 6:2
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"Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us." Hebrews 10:29
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"But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. 'Heaven forbid, Lord,' he said. 'This will never happen to you!'" Matthew 16:22
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"Then a demon-possessed man, who was blind and couldn’t speak, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he could both speak and see." Matthew 12:22
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"So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven." Matthew 12:31
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"Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me." Luke 9:23
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"And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?" Luke 9:25
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"Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven." Matthew 10:32–33
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"For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile." Romans 1:16
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"And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil." John 3:19
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"No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house." Matthew 5:15
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"Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us." Romans 5:1
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"Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works." Hebrews 10:24
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"You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless." Matthew 5:13
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"Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing." 2 Corinthians 2:15
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"Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world." John 17:18
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"You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden." Matthew 5:14
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"I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." Philippians 3:14
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"Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear." Philippians 2:12
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"Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth." 1 Timothy 6:6
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"So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom." Luke 12:32
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"Jesus answered, 'My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.'" John 18:36
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"...Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people." Philippians 2:15
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"So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days." Ephesians 5:15-16
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"Lord, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws; our heart’s desire is to glorify your name." Isaiah 26:8
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"Lord, how great is your mercy; let me be revived by following your regulations." Psalm 119:156
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"We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy." James 5:11
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"For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland." Isaiah 43:19
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"Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you— even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar." Psalm 42:5-6
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"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" 2 Corinthians 5:17
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"And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption." Ephesians 4:30
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"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God." Romans 8:14
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"He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit." Romans 8:4
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"So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1
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"And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death." Romans 8:2
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"But Jesus answered by saying to them, 'You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?' 'Oh yes,' they replied, 'we are able!'" Matthew 20:22
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"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." Philippians 4:6
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"The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple." Psalm 19:7
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"But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." 1 John 1:9
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"Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone." Psalm 32:5
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"People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy." Proverbs 28:13
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"Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!" Psalm 32:2
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"Each time he said, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me." 2 Corinthians 12:9
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"Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me." Psalm 23:4
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"So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while." 1 Peter 1:6
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"Let the godly strike me! It will be a kindness! If they correct me, it is soothing medicine. Don’t let me refuse it." Psalm 141:5
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"Don’t let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness. Don’t let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong." Psalm 141:4
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"The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences." Proverbs 18:21
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"Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips." Psalm 141:3
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"Their tongues sting like a snake; the venom of a viper drips from their lips." Psalm 140:3
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"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." Psalm 139:23-24
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"But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted." Matthew 14:30
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"Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home." Matthew 14:22
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"Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God." Psalm 90:2
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"'My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,' says the Lord. 'And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.'" Isaiah 55:8
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"How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!" Psalm 139:17
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"I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night — but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you." Psalm 139:11-12
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"You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head." Psalm 139:5
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"He counts the stars and calls them all by name." Psalm 147:4
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"Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts." Colossians 3:16
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"Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths." Psalm 119:2-3
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"Won’t you revive us again, so your people can rejoice in you?" Psalm 85:6
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"No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way." Hebrews 12:11
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"Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God." Hebrews 3:12
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"‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment." Matthew 22:37–38
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"Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD." Psalm 119:1
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"Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts." Psalm 119:2
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"So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up." Galatians 6:9
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"The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work." 1 Corinthians 3:8
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"For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body." 2 Corinthians 5:10
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"All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it." 1 Corinthians 12:27
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"So I said, 'Laughter is silly. What good does it do to seek pleasure?'" Ecclesiastes 2:2
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"I said to myself, 'Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.' But I found that this, too, was meaningless." Ecclesiastes 2:1
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"So I set out to learn everything from wisdom to madness and folly. But I learned firsthand that pursuing all this is like chasing the wind." Ecclesiastes 1:17
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"Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay." Romans 8:20–21
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"I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one.'" Ezekiel 22:30
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"Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up." Deuteronomy 6:7
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"So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days." Ephesians 5:15–16
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"Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—this is God, whose dwelling is holy." Psalm 68:5
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"The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight for living." Psalm 19:8
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"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord." Ephesians 6:4
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"You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer." Job 14:5
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"For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1
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"So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image." 2 Corinthians 3:18
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"Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy." Romans 13:13
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"I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind." Ecclesiastes 1:14
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"Yes, joyful are those who live like this! Joyful indeed are those whose God is the LORD." Psalm 144:15
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"They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths." Psalm 119:3
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"Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content." Ecclesiastes 1:8
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"'Everything is meaningless,' says the Teacher, 'completely meaningless!'" Ecclesiastes 1:2
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"Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts." Psalm 119:2
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"But the Lord said to her, 'My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.'" Luke 10:41-42
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"The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name." Psalm 91:14
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"You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God." Hebrews 3:13
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"What are people, that you should make so much of us, that you should think of us so often?" Job 7:17
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"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." 1 Peter 5:7
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"O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens." Psalm 8:1
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"In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles." Psalm 34:6
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"Never stop praying." 1 Thessalonians 5:17
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"For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love." Psalm 5:12
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"For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong." Psalm 73:3-4
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"O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness; you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked." Psalm 5:4
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"Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few." Ecclesiastes 5:2
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"And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words." Romans 8:26
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"O Lord, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning." Psalm 5:1
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"Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her:" Proverbs 31:28
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"The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple." Psalm 19:7
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"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2
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"But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!" John 15:7
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"And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ." 1 Corinthians 11:1
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"Jesus said to the people who believed in him, 'You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.'" John 8:31
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"If you love me, obey my commandments." John 14:15
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"So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own." Luke 14:33
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"When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father." John 15:8
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"Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church." Ephesians 4:15
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"Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other!" Luke 12:51
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"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." Matthew 28:19
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"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." Romans 12:18
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"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:32
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"Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore." Isaiah 59:1-2
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"Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow." James 1:17
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"Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:18
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"Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:17
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"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philippians 4:8
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"For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith." 1 John 5:4
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"Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil." Ephesians 6:11
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"For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared." Ephesians 6:15
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"Then the angel showed me Jeshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD. The Accuser, Satan, was there at the angel’s right hand, making accusations against Jeshua." Zechariah 3:1
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"Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm." Ephesians 6:13
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"If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall." 1 Corinthians 10:12
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"Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong." 1 Corinthians 16:13
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"O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.” 2 Chronicles 20:12
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"A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power." Ephesians 6:10
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"For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12
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"No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us." Romans 8:37
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"But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died." 1 Corinthians 15:20
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"Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne." Hebrews 12:2
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"He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, 'My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.'” Matthew 26:39
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"For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9
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“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me." Mark 8:34
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"No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.” John 10:18
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"Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt." Zechariah 9:9
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"'God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,' Abraham answered. And they both walked on together." Genesis 22:8
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"As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem." —Luke 9:51
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“The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free." —Luke 4:18
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"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many." —Matthew 20:28
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"Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God." —2 Corinthians 4:4
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"God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." —James 1:12
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"For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!" —Ephesians 5:8
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"Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people." —Ephesians 5:3
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"God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure." —Ephesians 1:5
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"Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts." —2 Timothy 2:22
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"Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them." —Ephesians 5:11
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"Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church." —Ephesians 4:15
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"Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you." —1 Timothy 4:16
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"Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world." —1 John 4:1
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"I am writing to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning. I am writing to you who are young in the faith because you have won your battle with the evil one." —1 John 2:13
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"Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth." —Ephesians 4:14
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"Dear brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in understanding matters of this kind." —1 Corinthians 14:20
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"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right." —2 Timothy 3:16
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"I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart." —Psalm 40:8
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"But when she could no longer hide him, she got a basket made of papyrus reeds and waterproofed it with tar and pitch. She put the baby in the basket and laid it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile River." —Exodus 2:3
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"It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command." —Hebrews 11:23
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"'Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!'" —Deuteronomy 30:19
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"'The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.'" —John 10:10
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"'But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'" | Acts 1:8
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"Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works." —Hebrews 10:24
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"All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it." —1 Corinthians 12:27
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"When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me—until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end." —Psalm 73:16–17
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"'Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again.'" —Revelation 3:3
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"'I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.'" —Revelation 3:8
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"Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." —1 Corinthians 15:51–52
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"'Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.'" —2 Chronicles 7:14
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"Tell your children about it in the years to come, and let your children tell their children. Pass the story down from generation to generation." —Joel 1:3
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"Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?" —Psalm 85:6
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"The generous soul will be made rich,
And he who waters will also be watered himself." —Proverbs 11:25
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"'For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.'" —Matthew 18:20
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"We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ." —1 John 1:3
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"All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer." —Acts 2:42
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"And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God." —1 Peter 2:5
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"The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent." —2 Peter 3:9
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"'In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.'" —Matthew 5:16
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"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." —Ephesians 5:15–16
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"Then we will not turn back from You; revive us, and we will call upon Your name." —Psalm 80:18
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"On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!" —Jonah 3:4
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"Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights." —Jonah 1:17
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"'Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.'" —Jonah 1:2
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"For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death." —2 Corinthians 7:10
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"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the LORD will not hear." —Psalm 66:18
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"'Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.'" —Revelation 2:5
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"Thus says the LORD: 'Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls.'" —Jeremiah 6:16
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"Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit." —Psalm 51:12
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"Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." —Psalm 139:23–24
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"Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace." —Ephesians 4:3
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"And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." —1 John 3:3
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"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called" —Ephesians 4:1
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"'So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.'" —Luke 14:33
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"'And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.'" —Luke 14:27
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"'If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.'" —Luke 14:26
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"...as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby" —1 Peter 2:2
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"But Jesus said to him, 'No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.'" —Luke 9:62
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"And another also said, 'Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.'" —Luke 9:61
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"Then He said to another, 'Follow Me.' But he said, 'Lord, let me first go and bury my father.'" —Luke 9:59
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"All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify." —1 Corinthians 10:23
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"Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, 'Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.'" —Luke 9:57
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"But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, 'These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.'" —Acts 17:6
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"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." —Galatians 2:20
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"But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ." —Philippians 3:7
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"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.'" —Matthew 16:24
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"Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it." —Ephesians 2:9
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"And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing." —2 Timothy 4:8
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"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful." —2 Timothy 4:7
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"For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." —Ephesians 6:12
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"'But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry.'" —Luke 15:22–24
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"'...And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.''" —Acts 20:35
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"And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment"—Hebrews 9:27
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"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it." —1 Corinthians 9:24
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"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
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"'The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.'" —John 10:10
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"So I run with purpose in every step..." —1 Corinthians 9:26
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"We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne." —Hebrews 12:2
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"'So that day, Moses solemnly promised me, 'The land of Canaan on which you were just walking will be your grant of land and that of your descendants forever, because you wholeheartedly followed the LORD my God.''" —Joshua 14:9
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"'I am as strong now as I was when Moses sent me on that journey, and I can still travel and fight as well as I could then.'" —Joshua 14:11
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"'But my servant Caleb has a different attitude than the others have. He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will possess their full share of that land.'" —Numbers 14:24
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“These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.” —1 Corinthians 10:11
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"For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory." —Colossians 1:27
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"And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist" —Colossians 1:17
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"After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends." —Luke 2:43-44
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"The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins." —Romans 8:3
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"Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near." —Isaiah 55:6
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"'Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,' which is translated, "God with us."" —Matthew 1:23
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"So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son." —John 1:14
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"'...Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'" —John 20:29
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Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast
Become a Harvest Partner
Give to our mission of making God known
Support the show: https://harvest.org/support
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.