Podcasts about Devo

“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! — 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 Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“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! — 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 Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lucha Libre x Pro Wrestling x Ephesians 4:29-32Your daily crossover of faith and fandom! Experience daily Biblical encouragement from nerdy Christian podcasters, bloggers, and content creators. Join the Nerd of Godcast community at www.NOGSquad.com

“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! — 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 Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As your what changes, set eternity as your why.

Sermão para a Peregrinação ao Santuário de Nossa Senhora de Aparecida, SPPadre Ivan ChudzikCapela móvel em Roseira (SP) - partida da Peregrinação Nacional do IBP.

Studi l'italiano da mesi, conosci la grammatica a memoria, sai coniugare anche i verbi irregolari… poi arrivi in Italia, ti siedi al bar, senti due ragazzi che chiacchierano e... non capisci quasi niente! Il motivo è semplice: nessun libro di testo ti insegna lo slang, quelle parole informali e vive che gli italiani usano davvero ogni giorno. Scopriamo insieme le 20 espressioni gergali per capire — e parlare — come un vero italiano. Impara Queste Espressioni e Smetti di Parlare come un Manuale Lo slang italiano è la chiave per uscire dal "robottino da libro di grammatica" e diventare davvero spontaneo. Le 20 parole che vedremo sono quelle che senti in continuazione nei film, nelle serie TV, nelle canzoni e nelle conversazioni di tutti i giorni. Vediamole una a una, divise in cinque gruppi. Le 5 Parole Jolly dello Slang Italiano Iniziamo con le parole "jolly", quelle che senti in ogni frase e che gli italiani usano come riempitivi naturali per parlare come un madrelingua. 1. Boh La regina indiscussa dello slang italiano: un'interiezione praticamente intraducibile con una sola parola. Significa "non lo so", "non ne ho idea", ma a seconda del tono esprime anche indifferenza, dubbio o rassegnazione. "A che ora apre il museo? – Boh, prova a guardare sul sito!" (= non lo so) "Ti è piaciuto il ristorante? – Mah, boh… niente di speciale." (= indifferenza) "Perché Marco è arrabbiato? – Boh! E che ne so io." (= rassegnazione) Curiosità: si accompagna quasi sempre al gesto delle spalle alzate e delle mani aperte. Lo puoi anche allungare ("booooh!") per enfasi. Lo usano proprio tutti, dai bambini ai nonni. 2. Tipo Letteralmente significa "genere, categoria". Ma nello slang fa due lavori: è un riempitivo, come il famigerato "like" inglese, oppure significa "circa, più o meno", spesso per introdurre un esempio. "Ci vediamo tipo alle otto." (= verso le otto) "Ero tipo sotto shock quando l'ho saputo!" "Mi va qualcosa di leggero, tipo un'insalata." "Un tipo" o "una tipa" indica anche genericamente "una persona". Ma occhio: come riempitivo è il classico tormentone dei più giovani. Usalo per suonare naturale, ma con misura. 3. Roba Parola informale tanto vaga quanto comodissima: significa "cosa, cose, oggetti, materiale" (in inglese "stuff"). È perfetta quando non vuoi, o non sai, chiamare qualcosa con precisione. "Raccogli la tua roba!" (= le tue cose) "Ho un sacco di roba da fare prima di stasera." "Togli questa roba dal tavolo, dobbiamo mangiare." Brilla nelle esclamazioni: "che roba!" per lo stupore, "roba da matti!" per qualcosa di assurdo. Ha origini germaniche: deriva da una parola che significava "bottino", la stessa da cui viene anche il verbo "rubare". 4. Un Sacco Significa "molto, moltissimo, tantissimo". L'immagine è chiarissima: un sacco bello pieno, cioè una grande quantità. Funziona con i verbi, con i nomi e perfino con gli aggettivi. "Mi sei mancato un sacco!" "C'era un sacco di gente alla festa." "Tuo fratello è un sacco simpatico." Fa parte di una bella famiglia di espressioni per dire "tanto", come "una marea di", "una cifra" e "un botto". Insomma, di modi per esagerare in italiano ne abbiamo… un sacco! 5. Anche No Un rifiuto netto e ironico: "no di sicuro", "col cavolo", "manco per sogno". Il bello è che usiamo "anche", che di solito serve ad aggiungere qualcosa, seguito da un secco "no". "Una corsetta domani alle sei di mattina? – Eh, anche no, grazie!" "Lavorare anche nel weekend? Ma anche no." "Pagare quindici euro per un cocktail? Anche no." Tutto sta nel tono: va detto con una certa calma sfrontata, magari con un sopracciglio alzato. Ha una parente strettissima: "anche basta!", che si usa quando qualcosa o qualcuno ci ha davvero stancati. Slang per Giudicare Cose e Persone Quattro parole per esprimere il tuo giudizio su qualcuno o qualcosa, perfette per esprimere entusiasmo in italiano in modo naturale. 6. Figata Sostantivo: una cosa fantastica, bellissima, super interessante (in inglese "a cool thing"). Perfetta per esprimere entusiasmo verso un oggetto, un posto o un'esperienza. "Che figata questo videogioco!" "Vivere in Giappone per un anno? Una figata pazzesca!" "Hanno aperto una pista di pattinaggio in centro: che figata!" Attenzione: "figata" descrive solo le cose, mai le persone. Per le persone c'è "figo/figa". In compenso "figata" è sempre educata e sicura: la puoi usare ovunque senza alcun imbarazzo. 7. Figo / Figa Aggettivo per descrivere persone (e cose) molto cool, in gamba, di tendenza, a volte attraenti: figo al maschile, figa al femminile. "Il tuo nuovo collega è davvero figo." "Che giacca figa!" "Sei stata fighissima a rispondergli così!" Attenzione importante: al femminile, "figa" è anche un termine volgare per indicare l'organo genitale femminile. Riferita a una donna può risultare ambigua o imbarazzante, a seconda del tono. Il trucco: per le cose belle usa "figata"; per dire che un uomo è figo nessun problema; con il femminile, un po' più di attenzione. Origine e Varianti Geografiche Niente a che vedere con il "fico" frutto! Secondo l'Accademia della Crusca nasce probabilmente come slang giovanile romano degli anni '70, da "ficaccio", una deformazione popolare di "efficace" (attestata addirittura in un sonetto di Belli del 1835!). Sul piano geografico, "figo" (con la g) è più tipico del Nord, mentre "fico" (con la c) è più tipico del Centro Italia (Roma, Toscana). 8. Sfigato / Sfigata Il contrario di figo, con due significati vicini: "sfortunato" oppure "perdente" (in inglese "loser"). È il contesto a dirti quale dei due intende chi parla. "Marco perde sempre il treno, gli si rompe tutto: è proprio sfigato!" (= sfortunato) "Smettila di fare lo sfigato e invitala a uscire!" "Sei rimasto a casa il sabato sera? Che sfigato!" (tra amici, scherzando) Deriva da "sfiga", che nello slang significa "sfortuna", da cui anche l'esclamazione "che sfiga!". È un po' offensiva: tra amici e in tono scherzoso va benissimo, ma evita di darla a uno sconosciuto. 9. Spaccare Letteralmente "rompere in due", ma nello slang significa "essere fortissimo, eccezionale, andare alla grande" (in inglese "to rock", "to kill it"). "Questa canzone spacca!" "Hai spaccato all'esame, bravissima!" "Il tuo nuovo taglio di capelli spacca davvero." Per esagerare ancora di più, "spaccare di brutto". Piccola precisazione: "spaccarsi" (riflessivo) significa invece "lavorare durissimo". Ma "spacca!" da solo è semplicemente il massimo dei complimenti. Stati d'Animo: tra Fastidio e Relax Cinque espressioni gergali per parlare di emozioni, fastidi e momenti di relax. Per altre formule simili, puoi consultare la guida sulle espressioni colloquiali quotidiane. 10. Che Palle Un grande classico del fastidio: significa "che noia", "che seccatura", "che rottura". Letteralmente "palle" sono i testicoli, quindi è un po' volgare, ma talmente diffusa che la sentirai ovunque. "Devo rifare tutto da capo, che palle!" "Piove di nuovo e avevo organizzato il picnic… che palle." "Domani riunione alle otto. Che due palle." "Rompere le palle" significa infastidire, mentre "avere le palle piene" vuol dire essere stufi. Tra amici è normalissima, ma evitala in contesti formali; le versioni più educate sono "che noia", "che barba", "che pizza". Per approfondire, c'è una guida dedicata sulle parole volgari in italiano. 11. Sclerare Significa "perdere la pazienza, dare di matto, esplodere per il nervoso" (in inglese "to freak out"). "Quando ho visto il conto, sono sclerato di brutto!" "Mia madre sclera se lascio la stanza in disordine." "Sto sclerando con questo computer che si blocca in continuazione!" Deriva, scherzosamente, dal termine medico "arteriosclerosi" (per via del decadimento mentale che la malattia può causare), ma nello slang non c'entra niente la medicina. C'è anche il sostantivo "sclero": "che sclero!" per una situazione stressante. È una parola piuttosto giovanile. 12. Rosicare Letteralmente "rosicchiare, mordere a piccoli pezzi", ma nello slang significa "rodersi dall'invidia o dalla rabbia, non accettare una sconfitta" (in inglese "to be salty"). "Ho preso trenta e lui rosica perché ne ha presi ventotto." "Hai perso e basta, dai, non rosicare!" "Quando ha vinto la mia squadra, gli avversari rosicavano di brutto." Chi rosica sempre è un "rosicone". Nasce dal dialetto romano, ma ormai la usa tutta Italia. È imparentata con l'espressione "rodersi il fegato": l'immagine è quella dell'invidia che ti rosicchia da dentro. 13. Scialla Significa "tranquillo, stai sereno, rilassati, non c'è problema" (in inglese "chill", "relax"). Un piccolo invito alla calma, perfetto per sdrammatizzare. "Scialla, abbiamo ancora un sacco di tempo!" "Hai sbagliato l'esame? Scialla, lo rifarai!" "Sono in ansia per il colloquio! – Ma scialla, sei preparatissimo." Sull'origine gli esperti si dividono. C'è chi la fa risalire all'arabo "inshallah" ("se Dio vuole"), arrivato forse tramite le parlate liguri e il romanesco, e chi al verbo italiano "scialare" (godersela), dal latino "exhalare". In ogni caso è esplosa in tutta Italia nel 2011 grazie al film Scialla! di Francesco Bruni. 14. Daje Versione romana di "dai", rafforzata: "forza!", "andiamo!", "così si fa!" (in inglese "come on!", "let's go!"). Un grido di incoraggiamento ed entusiasmo. Per scoprire altre espressioni regionali italiane, c'è una guida dedicata. "Daje, ce la puoi fare!" "Pizza stasera? – Daje!" "Daje Roma, daje!" (allo stadio) Si pronuncia "dàie", con la "j" che si legge come una "i" lunga, mai all'inglese! È l'inno della romanità, legatissimo alla Roma e a campioni come Totti,...

Celebrate and delight in the beauty of God’s Word.

“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! — 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 Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The devotional explores Psalm 16 to illustrate how believers can find divine guidance and joy through intimate communion with God. It highlights the practice of night watches as a time for receiving counsel and making difficult life decisions, such as career paths or spiritual concerns for others. The text emphasizes setting the Lord always before oneself to remain unshaken by daily uncertainties. By walking in God's presence, individuals discover the specific path they ought to take and experience fullness of joy. The message encourages consistent prayer and meditation on Scripture to navigate life's challenges with confidence and peace.

The devotional explores Psalm 16 to illustrate how believers can find divine guidance and joy through intimate communion with God. It highlights the practice of night watches as a time for receiving counsel and making difficult life decisions, such as career paths or spiritual concerns for others. The text emphasizes setting the Lord always before oneself to remain unshaken by daily uncertainties. By walking in God's presence, individuals discover the specific path they ought to take and experience fullness of joy. The message encourages consistent prayer and meditation on Scripture to navigate life's challenges with confidence and peace.

The devotional explores Psalm 16 to illustrate how believers can find divine guidance and joy through intimate communion with God. It highlights the practice of night watches as a time for receiving counsel and making difficult life decisions, such as career paths or spiritual concerns for others. The text emphasizes setting the Lord always before oneself to remain unshaken by daily uncertainties. By walking in God's presence, individuals discover the specific path they ought to take and experience fullness of joy. The message encourages consistent prayer and meditation on Scripture to navigate life's challenges with confidence and peace.

Live what you’ve learned, and let Scripture transform your daily life.

“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! — 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 Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gerald Casale is the co-founder, co-lead vocalist and bass player for the ground breaking band Devo. He’s also a foodie and the owner of The Fifty by Fifty winery. For this special 400th episode of Destination Eat Drink, Jerry tells Brent about landing in California in the 70s during a revolutionary time for wine and cuisine. Jerry also talks about surviving on fast food in Devo’s early days, playing Coachella this year, and why Devo’s music is timeless. Plus, tons of Napa restaurant recommendations! [Ep 400] Show Notes: Venice, Italy food & travel guide from Destination Eat Drink The Fifty by Fifty winery Devo tour dates and tickets

The devotional explores the transition from the Old Testament tabernacle to the believer's direct access to God through Jesus Christ. It contrasts the physical restrictions of the Holy of Holies with the spiritual reality that believers now enter the throne room of heaven through faith in Christ's sacrifice. The speaker emphasizes that worship and prayer allow for a face-to-face encounter with God, transforming ordinary spaces into holy ground. This intimate relationship results in personal transformation, reflecting God's glory in the believer's life. Ultimately, the message encourages believers to approach God with confidence, knowing their sins are covered by Jesus' blood.

The devotional explores the transition from the Old Testament tabernacle to the believer's direct access to God through Jesus Christ. It contrasts the physical restrictions of the Holy of Holies with the spiritual reality that believers now enter the throne room of heaven through faith in Christ's sacrifice. The speaker emphasizes that worship and prayer allow for a face-to-face encounter with God, transforming ordinary spaces into holy ground. This intimate relationship results in personal transformation, reflecting God's glory in the believer's life. Ultimately, the message encourages believers to approach God with confidence, knowing their sins are covered by Jesus' blood.

This month Devo talks about his upcoming mockumentary "There's Something About Tira," getting new headshots, The FuMP documentary, finally getting fiber, an in-person audition and callback, his 40th anniversary release, and the first episode of Random Acts of Horror in over a year. Music in this episode is from The FuMP Volume 115: "Let's Not Fight (About Star Trek)" by Via Bella, "Left Over Pizza" by Green Foot, "WMV" by The Kamikaze Snowmen, "Stegosaurus by Robert Lund & Spaff, and "Just the Uncle by Goodbye Charlemagne

The devotional explores the transition from the Old Testament tabernacle to the believer's direct access to God through Jesus Christ. It contrasts the physical restrictions of the Holy of Holies with the spiritual reality that believers now enter the throne room of heaven through faith in Christ's sacrifice. The speaker emphasizes that worship and prayer allow for a face-to-face encounter with God, transforming ordinary spaces into holy ground. This intimate relationship results in personal transformation, reflecting God's glory in the believer's life. Ultimately, the message encourages believers to approach God with confidence, knowing their sins are covered by Jesus' blood.

Reflect on your spiritual influences and pass that influence onward.

“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! — 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 Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The speaker shares a personal journey of discovering the practice of worship, which was initially foreign due to a non-religious upbringing and learning disabilities. By studying the Psalms, particularly Psalm 8, the speaker found accessible language for praising God despite struggles with dyslexia and visualization. The message encourages believers who find worship difficult to use the Psalms as a guide, noting that they serve as the Bible's prayer book. This approach allows individuals to express their hearts through established biblical phrases rather than relying on personal eloquence. Ultimately, the devotional invites listeners to incorporate the Psalms into their daily prayers to deepen their relationship with God.

The speaker shares a personal journey of discovering the practice of worship, which was initially foreign due to a non-religious upbringing and learning disabilities. By studying the Psalms, particularly Psalm 8, the speaker found accessible language for praising God despite struggles with dyslexia and visualization. The message encourages believers who find worship difficult to use the Psalms as a guide, noting that they serve as the Bible's prayer book. This approach allows individuals to express their hearts through established biblical phrases rather than relying on personal eloquence. Ultimately, the devotional invites listeners to incorporate the Psalms into their daily prayers to deepen their relationship with God.

The speaker shares a personal journey of discovering the practice of worship, which was initially foreign due to a non-religious upbringing and learning disabilities. By studying the Psalms, particularly Psalm 8, the speaker found accessible language for praising God despite struggles with dyslexia and visualization. The message encourages believers who find worship difficult to use the Psalms as a guide, noting that they serve as the Bible's prayer book. This approach allows individuals to express their hearts through established biblical phrases rather than relying on personal eloquence. Ultimately, the devotional invites listeners to incorporate the Psalms into their daily prayers to deepen their relationship with God.

The speaker shares a personal journey of discovering the practice of worship, which was initially foreign due to a non-religious upbringing and learning disabilities. By studying the Psalms, particularly Psalm 8, the speaker found accessible language for praising God despite struggles with dyslexia and visualization. The message encourages believers who find worship difficult to use the Psalms as a guide, noting that they serve as the Bible's prayer book. This approach allows individuals to express their hearts through established biblical phrases rather than relying on personal eloquence. Ultimately, the devotional invites listeners to incorporate the Psalms into their daily prayers to deepen their relationship with God.

As trials arise, lean into your faith.

“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! — 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 Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The devotional centers on the biblical truth that God fights for His people, offering a divine answer to human fear and the desire for control. Drawing from Exodus 14 and personal anecdotes about defending one's reputation, the message encourages believers to yield their rights and trust God with difficult situations rather than relying on self-justification. It emphasizes that recognizing personal sin is essential for understanding the need for Christ, while also highlighting that conviction belongs to the Holy Spirit, not human effort. The preacher illustrates how God specializes in impossible circumstances through divine intervention, urging listeners to record answered prayers as evidence of His power. Ultimately, enduring trials prepares believers to share living testimonies that encourage others facing similar challenges.

The devotional centers on the biblical truth that God fights for His people, offering a divine answer to human fear and the desire for control. Drawing from Exodus 14 and personal anecdotes about defending one's reputation, the message encourages believers to yield their rights and trust God with difficult situations rather than relying on self-justification. It emphasizes that recognizing personal sin is essential for understanding the need for Christ, while also highlighting that conviction belongs to the Holy Spirit, not human effort. The preacher illustrates how God specializes in impossible circumstances through divine intervention, urging listeners to record answered prayers as evidence of His power. Ultimately, enduring trials prepares believers to share living testimonies that encourage others facing similar challenges.

The devotional centers on the biblical truth that God fights for His people, offering a divine answer to human fear and the desire for control. Drawing from Exodus 14 and personal anecdotes about defending one's reputation, the message encourages believers to yield their rights and trust God with difficult situations rather than relying on self-justification. It emphasizes that recognizing personal sin is essential for understanding the need for Christ, while also highlighting that conviction belongs to the Holy Spirit, not human effort. The preacher illustrates how God specializes in impossible circumstances through divine intervention, urging listeners to record answered prayers as evidence of His power. Ultimately, enduring trials prepares believers to share living testimonies that encourage others facing similar challenges.

Stand for truth with grace and courage, even when you feel alone.

“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! — 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 Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The devotional explores the phrase "thy will be done" from the Lord's Prayer, emphasizing that God has a specific plan and opinion for every aspect of life. It highlights the inseparable connection between walking in God's will and reflecting His glory, urging believers to seek divine wisdom rather than relying on their own understanding. The message illustrates this principle through a personal testimony of overcoming financial debt by prioritizing tithing and honoring God first. It challenges listeners to align their personal desires with God's sovereign purpose, promising that obedience leads to provision and freedom from burdens. Ultimately, the preacher encourages faith in God's ability to provide when His will is placed above personal convenience.

Devo co-founder Gerald Casale guests on the Fake Show with host Jim Tofte...enjoy!!!

Tune out deception and let God’s Word guide your thinking.

In this episode, Simon sits down with Tom Pucciarella, Chief Business Officer at Devo and Chief Revenue Officer at Strike48, an AI-powered cybersecurity platform designed to help organizations unlock value from their existing technology investments through intelligent automation and vendor-agnostic integration.Drawing on his unique career spanning U.S. intelligence, management consulting, enterprise software, and cybersecurity leadership, Tom shares how Strike48 was built from within an established cybersecurity company rather than as a traditional startup. The conversation explores the challenges of launching an AI-native business inside an enterprise, balancing startup agility with corporate structure, and why listening to customers is the ultimate competitive advantage.Tom also discusses the realities of today's AI cybersecurity market, building trust with enterprise buyers, product-market fit, and how organizations can innovate without forcing customers to replace the technology they've already invested in.Whether you're a cybersecurity executive, startup founder, product leader, sales executive, or technology innovator, this episode offers practical lessons on innovation, customer-centric growth, AI strategy, and building successful products inside large organizations.Key MomentsIntroduction to Tom Pucciarella and his unconventional career journeyFrom U.S. intelligence to cybersecurity leadershipWhy Devo created Strike48 instead of adding another product featureBuilding a vendor-agnostic AI cybersecurity platformCreating a startup inside an established enterpriseAdvantages and challenges of enterprise-backed innovationHow customer feedback shaped Strike48 before launchWhy timing matters when launching new AI productsEducating the cybersecurity market versus selling softwareBuilding trust with enterprise customers in the AI eraMaintaining startup speed inside a large organizationTom's advice for founders building new ventures within existing companiesThe importance of listening to customers before scalingWhat's next for Strike48 and the future of AI-driven cybersecurityTo learn more about Tom Pucciarella, please visit her LinkedIn profileTo learn more about Devo, please visit her website.YOUR HOST - SIMON LADER    Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation.      Get to know more about Simon at:    Website: https://simonlader.com/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/    The Conference Room is available onSpotifyApple podcastsAmazon MusicIHeartRadio

“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! — 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 Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Devo is throwing a birthday party! Who's birthday is it??? Who cares, CAKE!!! Meanwhile, Mikey Mason is quietly fading into obscurity, shaboingboings are having a critter party, and Bill McClintock is causing another genre car crash. I can't look away! 1. "Get Off My Lawn" by Mikey Mason 2. "Jimothy" by shaboingboings 3. News of the Stupid! 4. "The Power of Disco" by Bill McClintock Mikey Mason is at MikeyMason.com Shaboingboings can be found on your favorite streaming service Bill McClintock is on YouTube Thank you to our Patreon backers for making this show possible!!!

The devotional emphasizes the immense value God places on individual lost souls, using the biblical account of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch as a primary example. It illustrates that believers must remain obedient to divine direction, even when it requires interrupting successful ministries or personal schedules to reach those in need. The preacher shares a personal testimony of encountering a struggling young man to demonstrate practical application of this principle. The message encourages Christians to stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit's prompting and to share the simple truth of Jesus Christ with hurting individuals in their daily lives. Ultimately, it calls for a lifestyle of prayerful awareness and readiness to be used by God to bring others to salvation.

Ti è mai capitato di parlare in italiano e sentirti bloccato sulle stesse quattro frasi di sempre? È normale: quando parliamo, tutti tendiamo a usare le espressioni più semplici e conosciute. Ma per suonare davvero naturale e sentirti a tuo agio in ogni situazione, hai bisogno di un vocabolario più ricco. In questa guida trovi 25 frasi utilissime per la conversazione di tutti i giorni, organizzate in cinque momenti tipici: salutare, aggiornarsi, conoscere meglio qualcuno, mantenere i contatti e congedarsi. Sono espressioni un po' più ricercate delle solite, che gli italiani usano spesso nella vita reale e che ti aiuteranno a fare un salto di qualità nel parlato. Parla come un Vero Italiano Quando impari una lingua, all'inizio ti concentri sulle basi: "Come stai?", "Piacere di conoscerti", "Devo andare". Sono frasi utilissime, ma dopo un po' rischiano di far sembrare il tuo italiano un po' scolastico. Il segreto per suonare più naturale è avere diverse alternative per dire la stessa cosa, e scegliere quella giusta a seconda del contesto, del tono e della persona con cui parli. Per un ripasso sulle frasi base della conversazione, puoi consultare la guida dedicata. Frasi per Salutare Qualcuno Cominciamo con le frasi da usare quando incontri qualcuno, che lo conosci o meno. Sono i primi secondi di una conversazione, e valgono tantissimo: una buona apertura mette subito a proprio agio la persona che hai davanti. Per approfondire le forme di saluto, puoi consultare la guida sui saluti in italiano. 1. "Che Bella Sorpresa Incontrarti Qui!" Si usa quando incontri qualcuno che conosci in modo inaspettato: per strada, al supermercato, in una città lontana. Trasmette entusiasmo e piacere per l'incontro casuale. È una frase calorosa che rompe subito il ghiaccio. "Marco! Che bella sorpresa incontrarti qui! Non ci vediamo da mesi!" (incontro casuale con un vecchio amico al bar) "Ma guarda un po', che bella sorpresa incontrarti qui a Parigi!" (incontro casuale in un luogo lontano da casa) 2. "Finalmente Ci Conosciamo di Persona!" Perfetta quando hai comunicato in precedenza con qualcuno solo a distanza, via email, videochiamata o telefono, e finalmente lo incontri dal vivo. La parola "finalmente" trasmette il piacere dell'attesa e dà valore all'incontro. "Buongiorno dottor Bianchi, finalmente ci conosciamo di persona! Dopo tante email, che piacere!" (incontro di lavoro dopo mesi di corrispondenza online) "Ciao Anna, finalmente ci conosciamo di persona! Le videochiamate sono un'altra cosa!" (incontro con una collega straniera in visita in Italia) 3. "Parli del Diavolo e Spuntano le Corna" Un vero classico. Si dice quando qualcuno arriva proprio nel momento in cui se ne stava parlando. È un modo simpatico e leggermente scherzoso per riconoscere la coincidenza. Per approfondire questa e altre espressioni simili, puoi consultare la guida sui proverbi italiani. "Stavamo giusto parlando di te… parli del diavolo e spuntano le corna!" (mentre si chiacchiera con un amico, arriva la persona di cui si stava parlando) "Ecco Giulia! Parli del diavolo e spuntano le corna, dicevamo proprio che dovevamo chiamarti." (in ufficio, appare la collega che si stava per contattare) 4. "Ho Sentito Parlare Molto di Te" Quando incontri qualcuno per la prima volta con cui hai amici o conoscenti in comune, che probabilmente hanno raccontato molto sul suo conto. È una frase che valorizza la persona che hai davanti e crea subito una connessione. "Piacere di conoscerti finalmente! Ho sentito parlare molto di te da Luca." (in una festa, incontro con l'amico di un amico comune) "Tu devi essere Sara! Ho sentito parlare molto di te, tutte cose buone!" (a cena, presentazione a una collega del proprio partner) 5. "Non Credo che Ci Siamo Mai Incontrati" Un modo educato ed elegante per far capire a qualcuno che non lo conosci, invitandolo a presentarsi senza sembrare scortese. Utilissima nei contesti sociali dove non vuoi ammettere direttamente "non ti conosco" ma vuoi comunque aprire la conversazione. "Scusi, non credo che ci siamo mai incontrati. Sono Paolo, e lei?" (a un evento professionale, a qualcuno che sembra conoscerti) "Un attimo, non credo che ci siamo mai incontrati, giusto? Come ti chiami?" (a una cena tra amici, a un ospite mai visto prima) Frasi per Aggiornarsi "Aggiornarsi" in italiano, in questo contesto, significa raccontarsi cosa è successo dall'ultima volta che ci si è visti. È il cuore di molte conversazioni tra amici, colleghi o familiari: sapere come chiedere e come rispondere ti permette di sostenere questi momenti con naturalezza. 6. "Come Vanno le Cose?" Una domanda aperta che lascia all'altro la libertà di scegliere di cosa parlare. È molto più generosa di un semplice "come stai?", perché invita l'altro a raccontare qualcosa di sé. Perfetta con amici e colleghi in un contesto informale. "Ciao Marco, allora, come vanno le cose? Da quanto non ci vediamo?" (incontro casuale con un amico che non vedi da tempo) "Ehi, come vanno le cose in ufficio? Ho saputo del nuovo progetto." (a un collega che non vedi da qualche settimana) 7. "Cosa Hai Combinato di Bello?" Frase amichevole e informale per chiedere cosa qualcuno ha fatto ultimamente. Il verbo "combinare" qui non ha significato negativo: al contrario, suggerisce curiosità simpatica per le attività dell'altro. Da usare con amici e persone con cui hai un rapporto confidenziale. "Allora, cosa hai combinato di bello questo weekend?" (il lunedì mattina, a un amico o collega) "Non ci sentiamo da secoli! Cosa hai combinato di bello negli ultimi mesi?" (a un vecchio amico ritrovato al telefono) 8. "Cosa Mi Sono Perso? Raccontami Tutto" Si usa quando sei stato assente per un po' — magari in vacanza, o solo lontano dal gruppo — e vuoi essere messo al corrente di tutto quello che è successo nel frattempo. Trasmette interesse genuino e voglia di riconnettersi. "Sono stato via due settimane, cosa mi sono perso? Raccontami tutto!" (rientro dal viaggio, con gli amici del gruppo) "Ero in malattia, cosa mi sono persa in ufficio? Raccontami tutto!" (dopo giorni di assenza dal lavoro, a una collega) 9. "Abbiamo un Sacco di Cose da Raccontarci" Si usa quando è passato molto tempo dall'ultima volta che ci si è visti e sono successe tante cose da entrambe le parti. È un modo caloroso per dire "abbiamo tanto da recuperare". L'espressione "un sacco di" è colloquiale e significa "molto, moltissimo". "Dai, vieni a prendere un caffè con me, abbiamo un sacco di cose da raccontarci!" (invito informale a una vecchia amica) "Non ci vediamo da un anno! Abbiamo un sacco di cose da raccontarci, dove ci sediamo?" (a una cena tra amici dopo tanto tempo) 10. "Ci Sarebbe Tanto da Dire, ma non È Né il Momento Né il Posto" Utilissima quando non è opportuno entrare nei dettagli in quel contesto — magari perché ci sono altre persone che ascoltano, o perché il momento non si presta. La frase implica che c'è molto da raccontare, ma lo si farà in un'altra occasione più adatta. "Guarda, ci sarebbe tanto da dire, ma non è né il momento né il posto. Ne parliamo la prossima settimana?" (in ufficio, davanti a colleghi, su una questione delicata) "Con la storia con Luca ci sarebbe tanto da dire, ma non è né il momento né il posto. Ti chiamo domani." (a un evento pubblico, a un'amica curiosa) Frasi per Conoscere Meglio Qualcuno Queste sono domande aperte pensate per far parlare le persone di sé. Sono ottime nelle conversazioni con qualcuno che hai appena conosciuto, quando vuoi andare oltre le solite domande scontate come "che lavoro fai?" o "di dove sei?". Per approfondire l'uso delle domande in italiano, puoi consultare la guida dedicata. 11. "Come Ti Sei Avvicinato a Questo Campo?" Un modo educato e curioso per chiedere come qualcuno è arrivato al proprio lavoro o alla propria passione. Rispetto al più banale "perché hai scelto questa professione?", questa formulazione invita a raccontare un percorso, un'evoluzione, magari con qualche aneddoto. "Interessante quello che fai. Come ti sei avvicinata a questo campo?" (a una conferenza, con una relatrice appena conosciuta) "L'archeologia è affascinante. Tu come ti sei avvicinato a questo campo?" (a una cena, con un nuovo conoscente) 12. "Cosa Fai nel Tempo Libero?" Apre la porta a conversazioni su hobby, sport, interessi e passioni. È una delle domande più utili in assoluto per trovare argomenti in comune con qualcuno. Da tenere sempre pronta quando la conversazione rischia di spegnersi. "Cosa fai nel tempo libero? Hai qualche hobby particolare?" (a un primo appuntamento o incontro sociale) "Con tutto il lavoro che hai, cosa fai nel tempo libero per rilassarti?" (con una persona molto impegnata, per conoscerla meglio) 13. "Cosa Ti Appassiona Davvero?" Chiede cosa muove una persona nel profondo, cosa la entusiasma e la coinvolge emotivamente. È una domanda intima ma non invadente, che apre a conversazioni molto interessanti. Da usare quando c'è già un minimo di confidenza. "Al di là del lavoro, cosa ti appassiona davvero?" (in una conversazione più profonda, dopo aver parlato di lavoro) "Dimmi, cosa ti appassiona davvero nella vita?" (a un amico dopo qualche bicchiere di vino, in una serata tranquilla) 14. "Cos'È che Ti Fa Alzare la Mattina?" Domanda che va alla radice della motivazione di qualcuno. È una formulazione molto italiana che chiede in modo poetico "qual è il tuo scopo, cosa ti spinge?". Perfetta in conversazioni profonde, magari davanti a un caffè o dopo cena. "Dopo tutto quello che hai fatto, cos'è che ti fa alzare la mattina ancora oggi?" (a una persona di successo, dopo una lunga chiacchierata) "Sei sempre così pieno di energia, cos'è che ti fa alzare la mattina?...

“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! — 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 Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“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! — 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 Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“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! — 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 Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The devotional examines Simon Magus's attempt to purchase spiritual power, highlighting Peter's rebuke of his twisted thinking and the necessity of repentance. It transitions to practical advice for discipling new believers through four key disciplines: reading the Bible, memorizing scripture, taking thoughts captive, and praying with specific promises. The speaker emphasizes that conversion does not instantly erase old mindsets, requiring intentional effort to replace carnal thoughts with God's truth. Personal testimony illustrates how these methods helped overcome learning disabilities and establish a lasting walk with Christ. Ultimately, the message urges believers to help others adopt divine thinking patterns to grow closer to God.

“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! — 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 Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The sermon explores the purpose of miracles by identifying God as the Living God who reveals His character through mighty acts. It distinguishes between paralyzing fear and a reverent awareness of God's omnipresence that motivates faithful living. The speaker shares personal experiences and global ministry statistics to illustrate how trusting in God's promises provides encouragement during difficult times. Believers are urged to focus on God's faithfulness rather than their circumstances, following the example of Peter walking on water. Ultimately, the message encourages prayerful reliance on God for guidance and strength in daily life.

“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! — 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 Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The devotional emphasizes the necessity of pursuing a deeper, more intimate relationship with God rather than remaining spiritually complacent. It highlights specific spiritual disciplines such as solitude, study, prayer, service, and fasting as essential means to cultivate godly character. The speaker illustrates how consistent daily choices shape habits, which in turn form the character of Christ within a believer. Through personal anecdotes and biblical examples, the message encourages believers to engage in these practices not as ends in themselves, but as pathways to knowing and loving God more fully. Ultimately, the goal is to develop a lifestyle that reflects Christlike love and trust in everyday situations.

“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! — 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 Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“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. — 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 Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.