POPULARITY
Categories
Around Valentine’s Day, the world celebrates romantic love—but it can’t satisfy our deepest hearts. 1 John 4:19 reminds us that true love begins with God: “We love because He first loved us.” When we make romantic relationships the ultimate priority, we risk putting God on the back burner. The Bible calls us to love God above all else, cultivating a heart that reflects His love first—because only then can we truly love others. Intersecting Faith & Life What is your focus this Valentine’s Day—God’s love or romantic pursuit? How can you cultivate your love for God first, so that all other relationships are strengthened? Take time today to ask God to center your heart on Him, letting His love overflow into your interactions with others. Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org Full Transcript Below: God Is All We Need By Alexis A. Goring Bible Reading:“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:19 (NIV) Earlier this year, I saw an illustration on Instagram of two women shopping in a store. One woman had overloaded her shopping cart with everything from cosmetics to jewelry. These were in the form of large, white boxes with the labels of worldly possessions on each box. She was looking at a woman walking beside her, carrying just one medium-sized box in her hands and walking with ease. The label on the box only had three letters that said, “God.” The woman with all the boxes in her cart labeled with words that symbolized every material possession we can chase after in this life on Earth, asked the other woman, “Is that all you need?” The woman smiled sweetly and said simply, “Yes.” This illustration reminded me of a real-life story that happened to me many years ago. A ministry leader at a church I attended gave everyone there a free, new Bible and told us to give it away to someone who needs it. I kept the Bible in my car and prayed for the perfect opportunity to share it with someone. One day, God answered my prayer as I sat in the driver’s seat of my car at a stoplight. I noticed a woman dressed in plain clothes who was standing on the median in the road by the stoplight, begging for money. I didn’t have any cash to give her, but I remembered I had a Bible. What better gift? So, I rolled down my window and waved until she saw me and walked over to my car. When I gave the Bible to her, she flipped through the pages with a wide smile, then looked at me and said with great enthusiasm, “If we have Jesus, we have everything! If we don’t have Jesus, we have nothing!” I said, “Amen!” Then drove away because the traffic light had turned green. Years later, I reflected on that memory and the truth of her simple yet profound statement. This caused me to reflect on my personal values and outlook on life. What was I chasing after? Worldly wealth so I could afford all my material needs, stability in the workforce with a job that’s fulfilling and purposeful, relationships, friendships…the list goes on. This reminds me of a quote I saw online that said something like, “If we chase Jesus as much as we chase people, then maybe He would give us people we don’t need to chase.” I found the same to be true when it comes to seeking Jesus Christ instead of worldly desires. The Bible says in Matthew 6:33 (NLT), “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” I’m learning to apply this verse to my daily living. It’s important to not just read the Bible and study it but to apply the advice written within it. When it comes to seeking God and His Kingdom first, I am doing that by starting my day with Him in Bible study and prayer, then continuing the conversation with God as I move through my day. You don’t have to pray to Him out loud. You can whisper a prayer or stay silent as you converse with God privately in your head. You don’t have to literally pray every second, 24/7, 365, but the point is for us to involve God in our day and make time for Him, just like we would for a best friend or family member whom we love. The older I become, the more I see how true it is that when we have Jesus, we have everything we need, but without Him, we have nothing. Think about it: There are people who have great financial wealth but are dying on the inside. They need a Savior because no amount of money can save you. There are popular people who are influential and famous yet feel empty because they’ve found that fame can never satisfy this deep hunger in their souls. Whether they know it or not, only Jesus Christ can quench their thirst and satisfy their hunger. While he was living on Earth, Blaise Pascal said, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man, which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ.” As we go through this new year and the rest of our lives, let’s seek God first before everything and everyone else, then experience how He completes us. Before you go, please listen to these four songs for reflection: Song of Reflection #1: “You’re All I Need” by Hezekiah Walker. Listen to it HERE. Song of Reflection #2: “God Is” by Rev. James Cleveland. Listen to it HERE. Song of Reflection #3: “First Things First” by Consumed by Fire. Listen to it HERE. Song of Reflection #4: “You’ll Never Thirst” by Anointed. Listen to it HERE. Intersecting Faith & Life: How does it feel to know God is all you need? Further Reading: Psalm 16:5Psalm 20:6-72 Peter 1:32 Corinthians 9:8Jeremiah 17:7-8 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Thank you to Dave, Earl, Jade, Zach, and Don for being part of the service. Songs from this service: Firm Foundation - https://youtu.be/UfDFgYG-62Q -- All Hail The Power Of Jesus Name - https://youtu.be/T8IdK0KgJ0A -- Lead Me To Calvary - https://youtu.be/abb1FvD1YMA -- His Mercy Is More - https://youtu.be/Yv66MwwS4No -- Sing Hallelujah To The Lord - https://youtu.be/qimwYiChOWA -- I Am Thine O Lord - https://youtu.be/mi1cODPkQfU -- The Blessing - https://youtu.be/gcZ_chRtwLI Scriptures from this service: Communion - 1 Corinthians 11:17 (NLT); 1 Corinthians 11:18-19 (NLT); 1 Corinthians 11:20-22 (NLT); 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NLT); 1 Corinthians 11:26 (NLT); 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 (NLT). Old Testament Reading - Hosea 2:19-23 (NIrV). New Testament Reading - 1 Corinthians 1:4-6. Sermon - 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1:3; 1:4-6; 1:10-11; 1:12; 1:13-15; 1:16-17; 1:20-21; 1:30; 3:9; 4:15-16; 4:15; 9:24 10:1-2; 10:18; 10:19-20; 10:24; 10:33; 11:2-3; 11:20-21; 11:28; 12:27; 15:1-3; 15:12; 15:27; 15:51-54; 15:58; 16:13-15; 16:19; 16:21; Hosea 13:14. [accordion] [accordion-item title="NIV Copyright" state=closed]Scripture quotations marked (NIV) taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version© NIV© Copyright © 1973 1978 1984 2011 by Biblica, Inc. TM Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.[/accordion-item][accordion-item title="NLT Copyright" state=closed]Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.[/accordion-item][accordion-item title="NIrV Copyright"]Scripture quotations marked NIrV taken from The Holy Bible, New International Reader's Version®, NIrV® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc. used with permission of Zondervan. www.zondervan.com[/accordion-item][/accordion]
Daily Word Christians disagree about whether Jesus was rich or poor. However, this question may be misguided because, although money was necessary for Jesus' life and ministry, it was personally irrelevant to him. Whenever money was needed, Jesus manifested it or its equivalent to meet his needs and those around him. Let's analyze how easily Jesus acquired money so you can apply the same principles in your life and business. __________ John 14:12 KJV, Matthew 6:24–25,32–33 NLT, Matthew 17:24–27 KJV, John 6:5–13 KJV, 2 Kings 4:5–7 KJV, Mark 11:1–7 KJV __________ Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com Leave a Comment: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/comments __________
Bible Study Most believers already have a good basic knowledge of what God has called them to do because God has not been hiding it from them. He has revealed it to them throughout their lives. The real issue is that many of us have not accepted our calling. We are full of self doubt and excuses. However, until we willingly accept our calling, we won't have clarity about our calling. __________ Exodus 3:10–14 ERV, Exodus 4:1,8,10–17 ERV, Luke 4:16–22 NLT, Judges 13:5 NIV, Judges 16:18–19 NIV, Judges 16:26–30 NLT __________ Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com Leave a Comment: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/comments __________
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.’” (Exodus 14:15–16 NLT) Ecclesiastes 3 identifies various seasons of life: “A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance” (verses 2–4 NLT), to name just a few. In Exodus 14:15–16, we find two more: a time to wait and a time to move. When the Israelites found themselves between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea, Moses seems to have misread that particular season of life. He believed it was a time to wait. He continued to cry out to the Lord. God helped him understand that it was a time to move. “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground’” (Exodus 14:15–16 NLT). Knowing when to wait and when to move is one of the key aspects of discipleship. Waiting is essential. Waiting involves praying. And the apostle Paul wrote, “Never stop praying” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT). But there comes a point when we don’t need to pray about something anymore. There comes a time when we need to act—that is, in the way that God would have us move. Let’s say a couple is having trouble in their marriage. The husband is praying for his wife to change. But maybe he should change his prayer instead. Maybe he should say, “Lord, help me to be the godly person you want me to be. Help me to do my part.” His wife, of course, needs to pray the same thing. Maybe someone has wronged you or offended you. Maybe they’ve wounded you or insulted you. You want to forgive them. You’ve prayed about it. Now it’s time to do it. It doesn’t matter whether you’re feeling it. Just do it. The emotions most likely will follow when you take that step of obedience. Maybe you’ve been praying for the salvation of a friend or a loved one. You’ve prayed for them for years and years. But have you shared the gospel with them? Maybe it’s their moment to come to Christ. Keep praying but do your part. God was saying to Moses, “Stop crying to me. Stop praying about it. Get moving. The miracle is coming.” When you’re led by the Lord, make your move. There’s a time to pray, and there’s a time to move. Reflection question: What would “making your move” look like in your life right now? 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.
Sunday, February 8th 2026 | Pastor Jason Wallace | “A man without Jesus is poor, regardless of how much he may possess!” - Pastor Jason WallaceYes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God. Luke 12:21 NLT
“But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.” (1 John 4:4 NLT) The apparent dead-end at the Red Sea must have seemed especially cruel to the people of Israel. Moses had led them out of slavery in Egypt, according to God’s instructions. They had tasted freedom, and they were on their way to the land God had promised their ancestors. But for a moment it looked as though they would get no further than the water’s edge. The Red Sea blocked their forward progress, and the pursuing Egyptian army blocked any hope of retreat. Fighting their way out was out of the question. Pharaoh’s army was the mightiest military on the face of the earth. Imagine the terror and devastation the Israelites must have experienced when they saw that mighty force—with its chariots, horses, shields, swords, and spears—bearing down on them in the distance. The Israelites thought they were dead. “But Moses told the people, ‘Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm’” (Exodus 14:13–14 NLT). Just stay calm. That’s a mighty tall order to cram into three small words. But the wisdom served the people of Israel well. God parted the waters of the Red Sea so that they could walk across on dry land. And when Pharaoh and his army tried to pursue, God closed the waters and drowned them. Just stay calm. Those words will also serve us well as disciples of Christ. Like the people of Israel, we are being pursued by our enemy after being set free. When the devil senses that he has us in a vulnerable position, he will come at us with everything he has, including temptations and deception. And they can be intimidating. We may start to question whether we can withstand his barrage. Spoiler alert: We can. The apostle John wrote, “But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world” (1 John 4:4 NLT). If you are a believer, the Spirit of God lives in you. You belong to the Lord. Yes, the devil can tempt you. He can hassle you. But he cannot overcome you, because you are under God’s protection. In Ephesians 6, the apostle Paul talks about the believer’s spiritual armor: the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the sword of the Spirit, and so forth. But before he describes the armor, he writes, “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10 NLT). In other words, just stay calm. Stand still and watch the Lord rescue you. Reflection question: How can you stay calm when troubles come? 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.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7 NLT) Some people can sleep through anything. I’m not one of them. If I hear one little noise, I’m awake. If a bird chirps, I’m awake. I’m a light sleeper. Apparently, Jesus was a heavy sleeper. Luke’s Gospel tells us that as the disciples battled a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus was sound asleep. Water made its way into the boat as it pitched back and forth. Sinking seemed like a very real possibility. The terrified disciples woke up Jesus, crying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” (Luke 8:24 NLT). On the one hand, they panicked. And they can be faulted for that. On the other hand, they channeled their anxiety in the right direction. They cried out to the Lord. In a sense, they prayed. When we are in trouble, we need to follow their example. We need to pray. We need to give our worries to the Lord and trust Him. We need to place our faith in Him. Faith and worry cannot coexist. One chases out the other. Do you know people who don’t get along? Maybe you want to invite one of them to your house, but you’re hesitant to invite the other because there’s always conflict between the two of them. Faith and worry have the same type of relationship. Where there is worry, there is no place for faith. Faith is driven out by worry, and worry is driven out by faith. The apostle Paul wrote, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7 NLT). The New Testament in the modern English PHILLIPS Bible puts it this way: “Don’t worry over anything whatever; tell God every detail of your needs in earnest and thankful prayer, and the peace of God which transcends human understanding, will keep constant guard over your hearts and minds as they rest in Christ Jesus.” It has been said that if your knees start shaking, you should kneel on them. In other words, when things get scary, pray. Cry out to God. Prayer is essential to discipleship. The sooner new believers learn to give their fears, doubts, concerns, and problems to God as those issues arise, the quicker they will grow in their faith. The disciples in the boat that day were left in awe by Jesus’ ability to answer their prayers. Their faith was bolstered beyond measure. The same thing happens when Jesus’ followers pray today. Reflection question: How can you prioritize prayer 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.
“Because of me, kings reign, and rulers make just decrees. Rulers lead with my help, and nobles make righteous judgments.”- Proverbs 8:15-16 NLT
Daily Study So God has given you a calling. But what type of calling? Is it a business, nonprofit, or ministry? Well, if you are pondering this question, check out today's message as we explore the differences among business, nonprofit, and ministry callings. __________ Ephesians 4:11-12 NLT, Ephesians 4:13-14 NLT, Matthew 10:5-8 NLT, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NLT, 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 KJV, Numbers 18:21 NLT, Luke 8:1-3 NLT, Luke 4:18-19 KJV, 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV, Proverbs 11:26 NLT __________ Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com Leave a Comment: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/comments __________
“So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!” (Exodus 14:22 NLT) There’s a reason that Exodus 14:22 ends with an exclamation point. “So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!” (NLT). Imagine how thrilling it must have been for the Israelites to walk through the middle of the Red Sea on dry ground as they followed God’s leading. Maybe they saw fish swimming by in the walls of water on either side of them, like something out of the best aquarium ever. The people of Israel walked for hours. The journey across the basin of the Red Sea took all night. But the Lord was with them every step of the way. No one who crossed the sea that day could have anticipated just how long their eventual journey would take—or where it would lead them. Their experience serves as an excellent illustration of the Christian life. It, too, is just a walk with the Lord. And discipleship is what happens along the way when we prioritize that walk. Often the beginning of the Christian journey is filled with excitement and wonder, as the realization of what God has done for us sinks in. But as was the case with the Israelites during their forty-year journey through the wilderness, the excitement and wonder begin to wane over time. We start to take things for granted. We become apathetic. That’s what happened with people who came to see Jesus during His earthly ministry. After the initial excitement and newness wore off, people began to drift away. They rejected Jesus and His teachings for a variety of reasons (see Matthew 8:34; Mark 6:3; Luke 4:28–29). They became apathetic toward their walk with Him and began to search elsewhere for something new, something different. If you struggle with apathy in your walk with Christ, then you need to prioritize, what I call, your “R.P.G.S.”: (1) Read the Bible every day. You never outgrow it and never get beyond it. God’s Word never becomes irrelevant. (2) Pray about things. Bring things up before the Lord. You need to have a prayer life. (3) Go to church. You need to be a regular part of the church. (4) Share your faith with others. Many believers stop doing these things and then wonder why spiritual apathy is seeping into their lives. It’s because they’re not doing the basics. If you decide not to eat anymore, here’s what will happen: You’ll get lightheaded. You’ll feel almost sick. And if it goes on for a while, you’ll start to die. You can’t live that way. You must eat to survive. In the same way, if you neglect spiritual disciplines, it won’t be long until you start to wither. Friedrich Nietzsche said, “The essential thing ‘in heaven and in earth’ is that there should be long obedience in the same direction.” As Christians, our lives are a walk of faith. We need to keep walking that walk. Reflection question: How can you avoid apathy in your walk with the Lord? 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 LORD will bless you with rain at planting time. There will be wonderful harvests (NLT)
“Common sense and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine.”- Proverbs 8:14 NLT
“But Jesus told him, ‘Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.’” (Luke 9:62 NLT) It took God one night to get Israel out of Egypt. But it took forty years to get Egypt out of Israel. The Israelites were always looking back. After they learned that giants occupied the Promised Land, “Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. ‘If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!’ they complained. ‘Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?’ Then they plotted among themselves, ‘Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!’” (Numbers 14:2–4 NLT). Some Christians take a similar approach to life. They’re always looking back. They say, “Remember the good old days—you know, before I was a Christian? Man, we would party! We had so much fun!” Really? Were they in fact the good old days? Were those times really as good as they seem now? Or is the memory of them a little distorted? Have those believers forgotten the emptiness? Have they forgotten the despondency? Have they forgotten the repercussions of the things they did? Have they forgotten that dull ache deep inside? Have they forgotten the havoc their actions brought on their family? They’ve conveniently forgotten about those things and remember only the few good times they had. That’s what the Israelites were doing. They were always looking back. But before we judge them, let’s realize that we often do the same thing. This is why Jesus said, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62 NLT). Discipleship is forward-facing. The baseball player Satchel Paige once said, “Don’t look back. Something might be gaining on you.” There’s spiritual truth in his words. Sometimes looking back can awaken old fears and anxieties. It can cause you to forget what God has done in your life. It can make you lose focus on what He has in store for you. Looking back is often a way of retreating to a safer, more familiar place and time. We need to remember, however, that God is our refuge. And the plan He has for us is as certain as anything in our past. God always blesses and rewards spiritual forward progress. You can’t live in two worlds. You can’t go forward when you’re looking back. And you can’t walk forward spiritually if you’re always looking over your shoulder. Disciples are called to change the world and not be changed by it. World changers see opportunities; those who are changed by this world see obstacles. World changers see bridges; those who are changed by this world see walls. Perspective is everything. Make sure you stay focused on what lies ahead. Reflection question: How can you keep your spiritual focus on what’s ahead of you instead of what’s behind you? 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.
ALC Recommends: Find a mentor!“All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech.”- Proverbs 8:13 NLT
“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20 NLT) Every now and then, it seems that my GPS has a mind of its own. I’ll be driving on the freeway, going to a destination where I’ve never been before, when suddenly my device tells me to turn right at the next off-ramp. It doesn’t make sense, but I turn right. Then it tells me to turn left, so I turn left. Then it takes me back to the freeway. What was that all about? It makes no sense at all. The Lord gave the Israelites an amazing GPS system: a fire by night and a cloud by day. It was very simple. When the cloud moved, they moved. When the cloud stopped, they stopped. At night, when the fire moved, they moved. When the fire stopped, they stopped. We might be tempted to think, “I wish I could have that kind of obvious guidance, because a lot of times I don’t know what I should do or where I should go.” But as believers under the New Covenant, we have something better than a cloud or a fire. We have Christ Himself living in our hearts. Every one of us who believes in Jesus Christ has God residing within us. We don’t need a fire in the sky. We have the fire of the Holy Spirit in our life, giving us the power to do what God has called us to do. As believers, we are not masters of our fate. We do not control our spiritual journey. The apostle Paul wrote, “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20 NLT). The Lord will lead us in the way that He wants us to go. Sometimes His will won’t make sense to us. Sometimes it may seem as though God is trying to ruin all our fun. But in time we will realize that God knew what He was doing all along. Unlike the GPS maps on our devices, we can’t plug in our destination coordinates for this life. That’s because we have no idea where it will take us. That doesn’t stop us from trying, of course. We may try to plug in where we would like to end up. Or where we’re planning to end up. But as the old Yiddish expression goes, “Man plans, and God laughs.” Proverbs 19:21 (NIV) puts it this way: “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” GPS devices aren’t always right, but God is. God’s way is always the right way. Reflection question: How can you trust God’s way even when it doesn’t make sense to you? 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.
John 3:16 is routinely translated, "For God so loved the world." The NLT translates it, "For this is how God loved the world." The difference roots in a Greek adverb, the sentence as a whole, and the theological logic employed by John. Dr. George Kalantzis, who has been on this podcast before, is Professor of Theology and Director of The Wheaton Center for Early Christian Studies at Wheaton College. Among his publications are Theodore of Mopsuestia: Gospel of John and Caesar and the Lamb: Early Christian Attitudes on War and Military Service. He has been editor or co-editor of several volumes, including, Come, Let Us Eat Together: Sacraments and Christian Unity. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4c5vikE M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3NQWucV
Empathy for Exiles | Tullian Tchividjian | "The Undoing", Part 03 John 15:1-8 NLT
We live in a broken world that often enslaves us to a life that's far less than what God created us to live. As 2 Peter 2:19 declares, “For you are a slave to whatever controls you (NLT). God, however, wants to set us free from anything that keeps us from really living. He wants to set us free from our baggage, worries, stress, hopelessness, brokenness, despair, and sin. As we kick off 2026, we're diving into the Old Testament story of the Exodus, which reveals God's overwhelming desire to set His people free. God not only wants to set us free; He desires to see us live free.
“I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.”- Proverbs 8:12 NLT
Luke 10:25-28 NIV“On one occasion, an expert in the Law stood up to test Jesus, “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he (Jesus) replied. “How do you read it?” He answered: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this, and you will live.”Romans 8:38-39 NLTAnd I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.John 15:9 NIV“As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you.”Galatians 2:16 KJV1. We know that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ…2. For by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”Luke 10:29 NKJVBut he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”Luke 10:30 NKJVThen Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.Luke 10:31 NKJVNow, by chance, a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.Luke 10:32 NKJVLikewise, a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.Luke 10:33 NKJVBut a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had COMPASSION.“Compassion:” The gut-level place where something moves you before you can stop itPrms Definition: Loving Loud: Is going to — not waiting for! You move, and you can't help it, you can't stop it, you can't deviate from it, you just love LoudLuke 10:34 NKJVSo he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.Luke 10:35 NKJVOn the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.'Luke 10:36 NKJVSo which of these three do you think was a neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”Luke 10:37 NKJVAnd he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”“Mercy” “eleos” someone who demonstrates active COMPASSION — Someone displaying divine grace…
February 08 2026 Sunday Who Jesus Made You To Be / Week 12 / T. Stacy Hayes #findoutwhoyouare My Vision My vision is to teach the world Who They Are In Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior! To Teach them what the Bible says about them and who they have been made to be in the promises of God's Word. This changed my life years ago and completely transformed me from a person full of doubt, fear and unbelief to a strong confident Christian that knows I can do anything through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. And I'm determined to teach the world what God has taught and commissioned me to teach and that is His Word. That commission takes me to jails and detention centers weekly along with other open doors at many churches and ministries that are wanting to teach these important truths to the world. My podcast goes out 6 days a week to help the people I am ministering to grow in the truths that God has taught me for many years now. This podcast is free to all that want to listen and grow strong in who God has made them to be in Christ Jesus their Lord and Savior. Isaiah 53:5 Healing… Matthew 18:19 Agree with God's Word… Mark 10:29-30 100 Fold Return… Acts 10:34 God is no respecter of persons 'to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. ' Ephesians 1:6 KJV 'So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. Ephesians 1:6 NLT ' [So that we might be] to the praise and the commendation of His glorious grace (favor and mercy), which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.' Ephesians 1:6 AMPC 'For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: ' Ephesians 5:8 KJV 'For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! ' Ephesians 5:8 NLT ' For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [lead the lives of those native-born to the Light].' Ephesians 5:8 AMPC 'Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. ' Ephesians 6:10 KJV 'A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ' Ephesians 6:10 NLT ' In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].' Ephesians 6:10 AMPC 'In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Ephesians 1:7 KJV ' "He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins." Ephesians 1:7 NLT ' In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor,' Ephesians 1:7 AMPC 'in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: ' Ephesians 1:11 KJV '"Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan." Ephesians 1:11 NLT ' In Him we also were made [God's] heritage (portion) and we obtained an inheritance; for we had been foreordained (chosen and appointed beforehand) in accordance with His purpose, Who works out everything in agreement with the counsel and design of His [own] will,' Ephesians 1:11 AMPC Romans 10:9-10 Salvation… Romans 10:17 Faith in God comes from hearing His Word… Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus'Yoke is Easy… John 3:16 God gave Jesus to pay for our Salvation… God Loves The abortion dr As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Philippians 12:2 Work out your own Salvation… Romans 8:1 No condemnation in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Luke Chapter 15 The Story Of The Prodigal Son… Philippians 4:19 God will supply all your needs let Him… Romans 4:20 Don't Stagger at What God Is Saying In His Word… John 15:5 We can't do anything aside from Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:17 We are new creatures in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:21 We are The Righteousness of God In Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Mark 10:29-30 100 Fold Return… Ephesians 2:8 We are Saved by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Believe God's Word Above All Opinions God Loves The abortion dr's As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Mark 10:29-30 100 Fold Return… Share This Podcast On Your Social Media… Website https://the-prodigalson.com Email tstacyhayes@gmail.com YouVersion Bible App https://my.bible.comi iOS App https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/prodigal-son/id1450529518?mt=8 … Android App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.prodical Social Media https://www.facebook.com/The-Prodigal-SON-209069136315959/ https://www.facebook.com/noreligion1511/ https://twitter.com/noreligion1511 https://www.instagram.com/noreligion1511/ https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCPx4s1CLkSYef6mp4dSuU4w/featured
Bible Study Your calling becomes clearer when you understand whether it is ministry, good works, or business, since God usually gives each person one primary calling. Ministry equips believers and is supported by generous giving, good works meet public needs through donor support, and business creates value through profitable exchange—each is equally noble and God-honoring. Confusion and ineffectiveness come from mixing these categories, but clarity and fruitfulness come from embracing the specific role God has given you. __________ Ephesians 4:11–14 NLT, Matthew 10:5–8 NLT, Numbers 18:8–10 NLT, Numbers 18:21 NLT, 1 Corinthians 9:13–14 NLT, Luke 8:1–3 NLT, 2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT, Proverbs 11:26 NLT, 2 Kings 4:7 NIV, 2 Chronicles 26:16–21 NLT, 1 Chronicles 28:2–3 NLT, Leviticus 19:19 NLT, 1 Corinthians 12:12–27 NLT, 1 Corinthians 14:33 KJV __________ Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com Leave a Comment: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/comments __________
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19–20 NLT) As Christians, we need to not only seek to win people to Jesus Christ, but also help them get on their feet spiritually so that they can move on in their relationship with Him. We are called not just to convert but also to make disciples. Jesus said, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19–20 NLT). Somewhere along the line, we have separated evangelism from discipleship. But God wants us to not only lead people to Christ but also to help them get on their feet spiritually. I am so thankful that God brought a person like this to me. Shortly after my commitment to Christ, I didn’t know a lot of Christians. I wasn’t acclimating very well. I was in that awkward stage where I didn’t feel totally comfortable with Christians, but I didn’t want to hang out with my old friends either. Then one day a guy named Mark came up to me and introduced himself. He brought me to church and introduced me to other Christians. He told me what to read and what it meant. I had so many questions, and he patiently explained things to me. He helped me make that transition. He made a difference in my life. Every Christian can fill a similar role in the life of a new believer. That prospect may seem daunting to some people because they don’t feel equipped to disciple others. They convince themselves that it’s a job for “experts,” little realizing that they are the experts whom God has equipped to fulfill that responsibility. Transparency is the key. You can introduce a new believer to the realities of the Christian life, as opposed to certain idealized (and unrealistic) portrayals of it. You can show a new believer the struggles, setbacks, and victories—big and small—that come from spending time in God’s Word, engaging in regular prayer, sharing your faith with others, and making daily choices that honor God. Maybe God hasn’t called you to be a preacher or to lead worship, but you can be a friend to someone who has recently made a commitment to Christ. You can hang out with them. You can show them what a real Christian is like in the real world. Reflection question: How can you help a new believer understand what it means to live for Christ? 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.
In this Power Hour teaching from Word on the Way for Central Assembly of God, we talk about:How to let go of the past without denying itWhy unforgiveness and victim mentality keep people stuckWhat the Bible says about forgiveness, freedom, and renewing the mindHow reframing, releasing, and speaking truth out loud leads to real healingWhy your life can look completely different one month from now if you apply God's WordThis teaching is rooted in Scripture and focuses on practical obedience, not just emotion. Jesus said His instructions lead to life — and when we follow them, freedom becomes real.
(Bilingual) このメッセージでは太助牧師が「人間関係の中にある喜び」について以下の3つのポイントから話します。ディスカッション用の質問はノートの最後に確認できます。In this message Ps Tasuke talks about “GET TO JOYFUL RELATIONSHIPS STEP BY STEP” in these 3 points:Check the questions for discussion at the end of the note.詩篇16:11 JCB / Psalm 16:11 AMPルツ1:16-17 JCB / Ruth 1:16-17 NLTマタイ 7:12 SKY2017 / Matthew 7:12 NLTルツ2:2 SKY2017 / Ruth 2:2 NLTルツ2:7 SKY2017 / Ruth 2:7 NLTルツ2:3 SKY2017 / Ruth 2:3 NLTルツ2:10-12 JCB / Ruth 2:10-12 NLTルツ4:17 JCB / Ruth 4:17 NLT2テモテ2:8 SKY2017 / 2 Timothy 2:8 NLT1.すべては敬いから始まる EVERYTHING BEGINS WITH HONOR2.仕えることで扉が開き始めるAS YOU SERVE, DOORS START TO OPEN3.正しい時に、正しい場所に置かれる PLACED IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME4.実践的なポイント PRACTICAL TAKEAWAYSBIG3 (ジャーナルとシンプルな祈り、クリーンハート)は敬いを学ぶ最高の習慣教会は仕えることを学ぶ最高の場所今いる場所に、機会を見出すThe BIG 3 (journaling, simple prayer, and a clean heart) are the best daily habits for learning honor.The church is the best place to learn how to serve.Find opportunities right where you are.6.イエス JESUSQUESTIONS(質問) : How can we show honor to our family and friends like Ruth did?What are some small ways to serve others in your current situation?Have you ever felt God put you in the right place at the right time?Which habit (prayer, journaling, or a clean heart) do you want to work on?How can we better prioritize loving God and others as Jesus commanded?How does the joy of the Lord give you strength when things get difficult?ルツがしたように、私たちは家族や友人をどのように大切にできますか?今の状況の中で、周りの人にどのように仕えることができますか?(小さなことでも良い)「今ここに置かれたのは神様のタイミングだ」と感じたことはありますか?祈り・ジャーナル・クリーンハートの中で、今いちばん向き合いたい習慣はどれですか?イエスが命じたように、神様と人を愛することをもっと優先するにはどうしたらいいですか?物事がうまくいかないとき、神様の喜びはどのようにあなたの力になっていますか?Connect with us:Web: mylifehouse.comInstagram: instagram.com/lifehouseglobal/Facebook: facebook.com/lifehouseglobalVideo Messages: ビデオメッセージ: youtube.com/LifehouseTokyoOther Podcasts:Want to listen to our messages in other languages?Lifehouse Messages (English):
Audio taken from the teaching "Sexual Scandal - God's Plan for Broken Leaders" - https://youtu.be/tnsqjkavojMToday will be difficult. Sadly, I found out just days ago that a pastor very close to me, and my family, has been involved in perverted ongoing sexual sin.Rather than cover or minimize the transgression, I am choosing to open the Scriptures and take a fresh look at the biblical blueprint for sexual scandal, and morally broken leaders.In our Bible study today we will examine and answer these 3 important questions.1 - What are the moral qualifications for a minister? 2 - Can a minister be restored after moral failure?3 - How should a church respond to moral failure?Key Scripture used in today's teaching: Galatians 6:1 NLTOther Scriptures referenced: 1 Timothy 3:1-7; 1 John 1:9; Matthew 7:2; 1 Corinthians 10:12; In Galatians 1:6; Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Timothy 5:24; Romans 9:15-16; Numbers 32:23; I Corinthians 5:9-13; 1 Timothy 5:20 (ESV); 1 Corinthians 10:13Unless otherwise noted, most Scripture will be read from the New Living Translation (NLT) Bible.Other titles mentioned in today's teaching - “Sin, Scandal & Secrets” https://youtu.be/mHWlvRgklnc?si=e2F3lfwtc6pKbHCOIf you prayed with Tiff, click here https://lostlamb.org/ and let him know! Be sure to check out the playlist “New Beginnings” - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsX8E19Azl58_FjxELPxjnsL8CAtmama4Thank you for listening, and subscribe for new content each week. Connect with Tiff Shuttlesworth:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LostLambAssociation/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiffshuttlesworth/ X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/tiffshuttleswor Learn more about my ministry: https://lostlamb.org/ Learn more about my ministry in Canada: https://www.lostlamb.ca
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:35 NLT) Before I became a believer, one of the things that attracted me to the Christian faith was the way Christians loved each other. I was raised in the 1960s, when the hippie and drug culture was coming on strong. We wore peace symbols and used words like groovy. We talked incessantly about love and peace. But it was a sham. There was no love or peace—at least, not as we envisioned it. It didn’t take me long to recognize the hypocrisy at the heart of the counterculture. Having been raised in a broken home, I wanted love and peace, and I thought maybe the movements of the 1960s were where I needed to look. I tried to buy into their philosophies for a time, not because I was looking for a buzz or excitement, but because I was looking for meaning in life. But nothing really resonated with me until I started meeting Christians. They had the love and peace I was searching for. They would get together for Bible studies on my high school campus, and I would watch them hug each other and say, “God bless you.” I thought, “This can’t be real. They can’t really care about each other. There’s no way.” But as I kept watching them, it started bugging me. And then I thought, “What if they’re right and I’m wrong? What if the love is real and not an act? What if God really is living inside them? What if they have the truth? If that’s true, then I don’t have it, and I don’t have the answers. That means I need to hear what they have to say.” Jesus understood that need and longing for genuine love. That’s why He told His followers, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:35 NLT). That love for one another doesn’t always come naturally. Nor should it. Nothing worthwhile is easy. They say politics makes strange bedfellows but so does the Christian faith. Jesus urged His followers to “go and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19 NLT). That involves bringing people together from all walks of life—people who are culturally, politically, socioeconomically, and temperamentally different from one another. In other words, people with little in common. The apostle Paul wrote, “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28 NLT). Yet the prejudices and misunderstandings that exist between these disparate groups don’t magically disappear when people come to Christ. Believers must work to change their thinking, to reach out to people who are different from them, to tear down walls and build bridges. To show love. Can people see that kind of love in your life? When people of different ages, backgrounds, and cultures set aside differences and come together to worship in the name of Jesus Christ, it serves as a powerful testimony to a world that is more divided than ever. Reflection question: What does love for 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.
Discover a secret from Mark 4 that Jesus wants kids to know—especially if they are born-again, children of God! “He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God.“ Then Jesus said to them, “If you can't understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables?” Mark 4:11, 13 NLT #kids, #biblestoriesforkids, #christiankids, #bedtimestoriesforkids, #storiesforchristiankids, #biblelessonsforkids, #Jesusparables, #plantgodswordinyourheart, #godswordisseed, #fishbytesforkids, #fishbytes4kids, #fishbitesforkids, #fishbites4kids, #ronandcarriewebb, #roncarriewebb
“Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.” (Matthew 7:20 NLT) Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ? Not every Christian necessarily is. Some people go no further than making a decision to accept Christ as Savior. They treat their Christian faith as an eternal life insurance policy or a “Get out of Hell free” card. They will take a few steps in their walk with Christ, but only if the path is smooth or the route is pleasant. In their reluctance to commit wholeheartedly, however, they don’t get to experience the transformative power of discipleship. When you submit to becoming a disciple of Christ—to live as He lived, to love as He loved, and to prioritize what He prioritized—you will see things happen in your life that are unimaginable otherwise. And you won’t be the only one who sees those things happening in your life. A disciple of Jesus Christ will bring forth spiritual fruit. Jesus said, “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father” (John 15:8 NLT). He also said, “Just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions” (Matthew 7:20 NLT). If you’re a disciple of Jesus Christ, people will be able to tell based on the spiritual fruit they see in your life. In the parable of the sower, Jesus talks about seeds falling on different kinds of ground. Each type of ground represents a different reaction to the gospel. The final type represents people who bring forth fruit after hearing the gospel. “And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” (Mark 4:20 NLT). Those who last as disciples spiritually embrace this truth and produce spiritual fruit. Spiritual fruit makes itself known in a variety of ways. The author of Hebrews says, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name” (13:15 NIV). Praising God is a way of producing spiritual fruit. What we say is also evidence of the spiritual fruit in our lives. Jesus said, “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart” (Luke 6:45 NLT). Our change in conduct and character is also a type of spiritual fruit. Galatians 5:22–23 tells us, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” (NLT). Can people see these traits in your life? A Christian’s life should be characterized by these things. Are you bringing forth spiritual fruit? Reflection question: What spiritual fruit do you want people to see 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.
What does it really look like to care for others well – and how do you do it without becoming overwhelmed? In this episode, Haley and Dustin unpack the biblical foundations of effective care and counsel – and why every believer is called to help in some capacity. They address common barriers that hold people back – fear, self-doubt, and feeling unqualified – and share 10 biblical principles for helping others well. This conversation is packed with practical insight for anyone who wants to walk alongside others with confidence, reflect God's heart, and trust Him with the outcome. Be sure to listen through to the end because they share a special 30% discount on Hope for the Heart's Foundations of Care course, The Care and Counsel Handbook, and their summer Called to Care training event (details in the show notes). Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues with compassion, warmth, and wit. So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means everything. Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart. Listen in to learn more [0:05:00] God Is the Ultimate Counselor and Caregiver [0:10:00] God's Correction Flows From Care, Not Condemnation [0:13:09] Common Barriers: Feeling Unequipped, Pride, and Over‑Identification [0:18:20] Know Your Role: Help People, Don't Try to Fix Them Hope for the Heart resources Use code HOPETALKS30 to save 30% on the following resources: Foundations of Care video course: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/store/foundations-of-care The Care and Counsel Handbook: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/care-and-counsel-handbook Called to Care training event on Saturday, June 13, 2026: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/called-to-care Other Hope for the Heart Resources Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopefortheheart Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefortheheart Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a difficult life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night God's plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you/ Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart: https://raisedonors.com/hopefortheheart/givehope?sc=HTPDON ---------------------------- Bible verses mentioned in this episode Isaiah 46:4 (NLT) – “I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” When you care for someone, you reflect the heart of God who “cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7). When you help someone, you reflect the heart of Go,d who is called “my helper” (Psalm 54:4 NLT). When you help someone who has fallen, you reflect the heart of God who “upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down” (Psalm 145:14). When you offer a gentle touch or supportive hand, you reflect the heart of God who “takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13). When you listen to someone tell their story or share a memory, you reflect the heart of God who “turns his ear to me” (Psalm 116:2 NIV), “bends down to listen” (NLT). When you provide wise counsel to someone, you reflect the heart of God who “counsel[s] you with my loving eye on you” (Psalm 32:8). When you sympathize with someone grieving or crying in pain, you reflect the heart of God who promises to “wipe away every tear” (Revelation 21:4). When you simply sit with someone and keep them company, you reflect the heart of God who says, “I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10).
Welcome to Day 2790 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2790 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 109:6-25 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2790 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2790 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Boomerang of Justice – Wearing Curses Like a Cloak. Today, we are walking into the storm. We are continuing our journey through Psalm One Hundred Nine, and we are covering the most difficult and controversial section of the entire book: verses six through twenty-five, in the New Living Translation. In our previous trek, we stood with David in the opening five verses. We saw him as a man betrayed. He said, "I love them, but they try to destroy me." He told us that in return for his friendship, they acted as his "accusers"—literally, they acted as "satans" or adversaries against him. They repaid evil for good and hatred for love. David's response in that first section was to become "prayer"—to retreat entirely into God. But today, we see what he prayed. And frankly, it is terrifying. Verses six through twenty are often called the "Imprecatory Psalms"—the cursing psalms. David unleashes a torrent of judgment upon his enemy that leaves no stone unturned. He prays for his enemy's death, the destruction of his family, the loss of his job, and the erasure of his name from history. Many people struggle with these verses. They ask, "How can a man after God's own heart pray this way? Isn't this un-Christian?" To understand this, we must put on our Ancient Israelite worldview lenses. This is not personal revenge; this is an appeal to Retributive Justice. This is the law of the boomerang. David is asking God to let the punishment fit the crime exactly. The enemy wanted to destroy David's life and legacy without cause; David is asking the Divine Judge to let that destruction fall back on the enemy's own head. It is a passionate plea for the moral order of the universe to be upheld. So, brace yourselves. We are about to witness the severity of God's justice. The first Segment is: The Appointment of the Accuser. Psalm One Hundred Nine: verses six through seven. They say, "Get an evil person to turn against him. Send an accuser to bring him to trial. When his case comes up for judgment, let him be pronounced guilty. Count his prayers as sins." Now, there is a debate among scholars here. Some translations, and the NLT implies this with "They say," suggest that these verses are actually the enemies' curses against David. However, the Hebrew text is ambiguous, and historically, most interpreters view this as David speaking against his enemy, asking God to subject the enemy to the very legal warfare he used against David. We will proceed with that understanding, as it fits the flow of the rest of the psalm. David prays: "Get an evil person to turn against him. Send an accuser to bring him to trial."...
“If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26 NLT) Many people choose not to follow Jesus because they’re afraid of what others will think. They choose not to commit their lives to Christ because they’re worried about the opinion of someone else. Maybe it’s a boyfriend or girlfriend, or maybe it’s a husband or a wife. Maybe it’s a close buddy or a group of friends they hang around with. Maybe it’s their parents. They recognize that if they were to fully give their lives to Christ, they would lose a bunch of so-called friends. Or it would mean the end of a relationship. Or it would cause friction in their home. So, they allow the potential consequences to hold them back. But Jesus said, “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26 NLT). His declaration may seem shocking, especially because it includes the word hate. But as we balance this statement with other passages of Scripture, we discover that Jesus clearly wasn’t advocating for hatred. Certainly, the Bible doesn’t teach people to hate others. Why would Jesus tell us to honor our father and mother and then also demand that we hate them? Or why would Paul tell husbands to “love [their] wives, just as Christ loved the church” (Ephesians 5:25 NLT)? In context, Jesus wasn’t saying that His followers should hate people. Essentially, He was saying that we should love God so much more than anyone or anything else that our love for those people or things would seem like hatred in comparison. Jesus was talking about priorities. If you ask people to list the top priorities in their life, you’ll probably get a lot of heartwarming, inspiring answers. Near the top of people’s lists will be things like a relationship with Christ, family, nonprofit volunteer work, personal well-being, and career. But real priorities aren’t spoken or listed; they’re lived. The things in your life that get the majority of your time, focus, and interest—whether they are video games, social media, streaming services, significant others, habits/addictions, or other things—are your actual top priorities, whether you care to admit it or not. In Luke 14:26, Jesus is saying, “If you claim to follow Me, I should be in that top spot. What’s more, I should be so far ahead of number two on your priority list that there’s no comparison.” That makes perfect sense when you think about it. If you want to live your Christian life to the fullest, then love Jesus more than anything else. Do you love Him that way? Reflection question: How can you make sure that Jesus is your top priority? 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.
Healing: who God is, what God does, what God has done through Jesus, what Jesus' followers do “Divine healing is a miracle. It is the power of Almighty God intervening in human affairs and suspending natural law in order to bring healing to our bodies. This is what God's Son did when He was on the planet, and God desires His Church, the Body of Christ, to do the same today. He wants to see miracle working power in your body.” – Pastor Wendell Smith PhD in Faith for Healing Wisdom for Health Who God is: “They traveled in this desert for three days without finding any water. When they came to the oasis of Marah, the water was too bitter to drink. So Moses cried out to the Lord for help, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. Moses threw it into the water, and this made the water good to drink. It was there at Marah that the Lord set before them the following decree as a standard to test their faithfulness to him. He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you (Yahweh-Rapha).” – Exodus 15:22-27 NLT Who Jesus is: Isaiah 53 (Prophetic prediction of who Jesus would be and what He would do) 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering who knew what sickness was. He was like someone people turned away from; he was despised, and we didn't value him. 4 Yet he himself bore our sicknesses, and he carried our pains; (Illness and mental/emotional pain) but we in turn regarded him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds. 6 We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished him for the iniquity of us all. 11 After his anguish, he will see light and be satisfied. By his knowledge, my righteous servant will justify many, and he will carry their iniquities.” – Isaiah 53 CSB What Jesus did and has accomplished on the cross: “He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and he healed all the sick. This fulfilled the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, who said, ‘He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases.'” – Matthew 8:14-17 NLT (quoting Isaiah 53) “He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.” – 1 Peter 2:24-25 NLT (quoting Isaiah 53) Matthew 4:24, Luke 4:38-39, Mark 1:32-34, 6:5-6 Jesus heals blindness, paralysis, leprosy, and raises from the dead… sicknesses of all kinds. Matthew 4:23-24. (that which was beyond medicine) “Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all.” – Matthew 4:23-24 NLT Jesus responds to the faith of those who want to be healed and those interceding for them. “A Roman officer pleaded with him, ‘Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.' Jesus said, ‘I will come and heal him.' But the officer said, ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,' and they go, or ‘Come,' and they come.' When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, ‘I tell you the truth, I haven't seen faith like this in all Israel!' Jesus said, ‘Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.' And the young servant was healed that same hour.” – Matthew 8:5-13 NLT “The leader of a synagogue, ‘My daughter has just died,' he said, ‘but you can bring her back to life again if you just come and lay your hand on her.' So Jesus and his disciples got up and went with him. Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him. She touched the fringe of his robe, for she thought, ‘If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.' Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, ‘Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.' And the woman was healed at that moment When Jesus arrived at the official's home, he saw the noisy crowd and heard the funeral music. ‘Get out!' he told them. ‘The girl isn't dead; she's only asleep.' Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up!” – Matthew 9:18-26 NLT Mark 9:20-24 “'I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!'” Jesus delivered and healed the boy. Luke 17:19 Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.” (leprosy) Many healing miracles through Jesus-followers! Philippians 2:25-27 Acts 2:43, 3:1-8, 5:12, 14:3, 8-10, 19:11-12, 28:7-9 (and many more Scriptures OT and NT) …using various methods, and same outcome. “A man was sitting, who had never walked, and had been lame from birth. He listened as Paul spoke. After looking directly at him and seeing that he had faith to be healed, Paul said in a loud voice, ‘Stand up on your feet!' And he jumped up and began to walk around.” – Acts 14:8-10 CSB “God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled.” – Acts 19:11-12 NLT “As it happened, Publius's father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him. Then all the other sick people on the island came and were healed.” – Acts 28:8-9 NLT There are many calls to repentance of sin and warnings against a refusal to repent, in association with healing. “Go and sin no more.” – Jesus often said. New Testament church warned: “That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God's judgment upon yourself. That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died.” – 1 Corinthians 11:29-30 NLT Faith, Miracles and Healing given to many NT believers (not just the first 12). “The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing.” – 1 Corinthians 12:9 NLT “All of you together are Christ's body, and each of you is a part of it. Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages.” – 1 Corinthians 12:27–28 NLT Faith is essential in relationship with God. “It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” – Hebrews 11:6 NLT Pray and keep on praying! “Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” – James 5:12-16 NLT Faith: See, Agree, Act God, I choose to see you for who you say that you are. God, I choose to agree with what you say. God, I choose to take action based on this faith.
Daily Word Because your pastor is not in business, you may feel like that they don't have the experience or knowledge to counsel you in your own business endeavors. However, this line of thinking will stop you from receiving game-changing business success or could cause you to crash and burn in business. __________ Luke 5:4-6 KJV, Ephesians 4:11-12 NLT, Hebrews 13:17 NLT, 2 Chronicles 25:5-12 NLT, Judges 18:3-6, 19-20 NLT, Proverbs 24:6 KJV, Proverbs 15:22 KJV __________ Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com Leave a Comment: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/comments __________
“So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.” (Hebrews 6:1 NLT) As a father and a grandfather, I know from personal experience that babies are a lot of work. For instance, it takes a great deal of effort to teach a baby how to eat. You start with baby food, which presents its own unique set of challenges. And then comes solid food, which must be cut into baby-sized bites. Of course, a baby doesn’t always want to eat, so you must think of creative ways to get the baby to take the food. Children need to learn how to eat their food, cut up their food, and ultimately prepare their food. That’s all part of growing up. The author of Hebrews reframes this idea of growing up in spiritual terms. Many people have never grown up spiritually. They made an initial commitment to Christ but have never really understood what it means to be a totally committed follower of Jesus. In short, they have not responded to what the Bible calls discipleship. This isn’t just a matter of ignoring biblical exhortations such as “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18 NLT). It’s also a matter of missing vital opportunities and life experiences. Think of all the culinary delights you’ve enjoyed since you progressed from baby food to solids. Think of how your palate has changed and matured. Think of all the different tastes you’ve experienced. Think of the many ways you’ve been nourished. The same principle applies to Christian growth. Progressing from spiritual milk to spiritual meat, as described in Hebrews 5:11–14, requires effort and a willingness to stretch, to step outside your comfort zone. But the rewards are more than worth the effort. The Christian life is more than simply saying a prayer of commitment to Christ. It involves following Jesus not only as your Savior but also as your Lord. If your only source of spiritual intake is hearing other people preach sermons, then you will be in a relatively weakened state spiritually. There is a place for teaching and preaching, but you must learn how to cut your own food, so to speak. You must learn how to feed yourself spiritually. Hebrews 6:1 says, “So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God” (NLT). We need to mature as believers and refuse to be spiritual babies forever. We need to grow up to be men and women of God. Reflection question: In what areas do you need to grow spiritually? 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.
From “In the Beginning” to Amen // Job Part 2 Job 38:1-3 (NLT)“Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind: Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.” Job 38:16 (NLT)“Have you explored the springs from which the seas come? Have you explored their depths?” Job 39:1-2 (NLT)“Do you know when the wild goats give birth? Have you watched as deer are born in the wild? Do you know how many months they carry their young? Are you aware of the time of their delivery?” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NASB)“He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Chris's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” 1. Recognize God's Supremacy and bow before him2. Recognize God's Sovereignty and let it be your comfort (He is Good)3. Pursue a right view of God and a right view of self (Humility)4. Repent of pride and arrogance5. Take a posture of surrender
Nothing to Offer | Tullian Tchividjian | "The Undoing", Part 02Hebrews 11:6 NLT
We live in a broken world that often enslaves us to a life that's far less than what God created us to live. As 2 Peter 2:19 declares, “For you are a slave to whatever controls you (NLT). God, however, wants to set us free from anything that keeps us from really living. He wants to set us free from our baggage, worries, stress, hopelessness, brokenness, despair, and sin. As we kick off 2026, we're diving into the Old Testament story of the Exodus, which reveals God's overwhelming desire to set His people free. God not only wants to set us free; He desires to see us live free.
Ask Me How I Know: Multifamily Investor Stories of Struggle to Success
Many relationships carry quiet pressure to perform in order to belong. This episode explores what happens when exhaustion, faith, and identity meet — and how being known without striving begins when love no longer has to be earned.There is a kind of exhaustion that doesn't come from doing too much — but from trying to be loved by doing.After a week of releasing pressure and softening relational roles, many high-capacity humans arrive at a deeper question: Am I loved when I'm not performing? This Sunday episode turns toward that question gently, without urgency or instruction.This conversation centers on Vertical Alignment — the grounding that comes not from effort or clarity, but from being seen, known, and held by God. Drawing from Psalm 139 (NLT), we explore a faith-rooted truth that reshapes how intimacy works both spiritually and relationally: you cannot outrun God's love, and you do not have to earn being known.Rather than offering advice or behavior change, this episode creates space for rest, recognition, and re-rooting identity beyond performance. When love is no longer something we extract from relationships, pressure loosens. Presence replaces striving. Intimacy becomes safer because it is no longer carrying the weight of being our source.This is not mindset work.It is not productivity or self-improvement.It is Identity-Level Recalibration — the root-level realignment that allows every other tool, boundary, and relationship to function with integrity.If you are faith-filled, faith-curious, or simply longing for a truer way of being, you are welcome here.Today's Micro Recalibration:Place one hand on your chest. Take one slow breath.Orient to this truth:“I am already known — therefore I don't have to perform to be loved.”Let your body receive it without trying to apply it.Explore Identity-Level Recalibration→ Join the next Friday Recalibration Live experience → Take your listening deeper! Subscribe to The Weekly Recalibration Companion to receive reflections and extensions to each week's podcast episodes. → Follow Julie Holly on LinkedIn for more recalibration insights → Schedule a conversation with Julie to see if The Recalibration is a fit for you → Download the Misalignment Audit → Subscribe to the weekly newsletter → Books to read (Tidy categories on Amazon- I've read/listened to each recommended title.) → One link to all things
The Seven Attributes of Jesus (Christology 1)Big Idea: Jesus Christ is not just a chapter in the story of God; He is the Author, the Hero, and the Ending. When we see Jesus for who He truly is, every other priority in our lives finds its proper place.Today we begin a nine-week journey through the Book of Hebrews, a letter written to magnify the greatness of Jesus Christ. Hebrews isn't primarily about religious rules, moral improvement, or spiritual techniques. It's about Jesus—who He is and what He has done. Everything else flows from that foundation.The original audience was likely Jewish Christians living under Roman rule, facing intense persecution. As pressure mounted, many were tempted to abandon their faith in Jesus and return to the familiarity and safety of traditional Judaism. Hebrews speaks directly into that tension with one clear message: Jesus is greater than anyone or anything that came before Him. To walk away from Him would be to walk away from the fulfillment of all God's promises.The author of Hebrews remains anonymous, one of the great mysteries of the New Testament. While Paul may have influenced it, the writing style is far more polished and rhetorically sophisticated than Paul's letters. Hebrews chapter 1 proves this immediately. Verses 1–4 form a single, majestic sentence in the original Greek—an exordium, designed to grab attention with both beauty and weight.Hebrews 1:1–4 (NLT) sets the stage:“Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son…”In the Old Testament, God spoke in fragments—a dream here, a burning bush there, a prophet's warning along the way. But in Jesus, God didn't just send messages; He sent the Message. This is Christology—the study of the person and work of Jesus Christ—and Hebrews wastes no time getting to the point.In verses 2–3, the author unleashes a rapid-fire description of Jesus using seven distinct attributes. In Scripture, the number seven represents completeness and perfection. Together, these form a full portrait of the Son.Jesus is the Heir—the goal of history. God has promised everything to Him as an inheritance. History is not random; it is moving toward the coronation of King Jesus. He is the “why” behind all creation.Jesus is the Creator—the architect of reality. Through Him, God made the universe. Jesus is not a created being; He is the source of all things. Nothing exists apart from His will.Jesus is the Radiance—the shining glory of God. He doesn't merely reflect God's glory like the moon reflects sunlight; He radiates it. The Son is the visible manifestation of the invisible God—“Light from Light.”Jesus is the Expression—the exact imprint of God's nature. The Greek word charaktēr refers to a stamp or seal. Jesus doesn't resemble God; He perfectly represents Him. To see Jesus is to see God.Jesus is the Sustainer—the glue of the cosmos. He holds everything together by the power of His word. The universe doesn't persist on autopilot; it endures because Jesus commands it to.Jesus is the Savior—the cleanser of sin. When He purified us from our sins, the work was finished. Unlike Old Testament priests who never sat down, Jesus completed the work once for all.Finally, Jesus is the Ruler—the seated King. He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven, a position of total authority. The victory is won.Hebrews 1:4 reminds us that Jesus is far greater than angels, traditions, or anything else we might be tempted to trust. For believers facing hardship, this truth re-centers everything.The message of Hebrews is clear:...
God’s Plan for Your Growth 2 Peter 1:3-4 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. (NLT) 2 Peter 1:5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith… (NLT) 2 Peter 1:5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence… (NLT) 1. Moral Excellence Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (NLT) Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. (NIV) 2. Knowledge 2 Peter 1:5 Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge. (NLT) 2 Peter 3:18 Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (NLT) 3. Self-control 2 Peter 1:5-6 Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control. (NLT) Proverbs 25:28 A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. (NLT) Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. (NIV) 4. Patient endurance 2 Peter 1:5-6 Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance. (NLT) Hebrews 6:19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. (NIV) 5. Godliness 2 Peter 1:5-7 Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness. (NLT) 2 Peter 2:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life. (NIV) 6. Brotherly affection 2 Peter 1:5-7 Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection. (NLT) 1 John 4:20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? (NLT) Hebrews 13:1 Keep on loving each other as brothers. (NIV) 7. Love for everyone. 2 Peter 1:5-7 Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. (NLT) 1 Corinthians 13:13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. (NLT) 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. (NIV) 1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. (NIV) 2 Peter 1:8 For IF you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV) 2 Peter 1:8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (NLT)
1 Chronicles 28:2 - 29:19 NLT 2 David rose to his feet and said: “My brothers and my people! It was my desire to build a Temple where the Ark of the Lord's Covenant, God's footstool, could rest permanently. I made the necessary preparations for building it, 3 but God said to me, ‘You must not build a Temple to honor my name, for you are a warrior and have shed much blood.' 4 “Yet the Lord, the God of Israel, has chosen me from among all my father's family to be king over Israel forever. For he has chosen the tribe of Judah to rule, and from among the families of Judah he chose my father's family. And from among my father's sons the Lord was pleased to make me king over all Israel. 5 And from among my sons—for the Lord has given me many—he chose Solomon to succeed me on the throne of Israel and to rule over the Lord's kingdom. 6 He said to me, ‘Your son Solomon will build my Temple and its courtyards, for I have chosen him as my son, and I will be his father. 7 And if he continues to obey my commands and regulations as he does now, I will make his kingdom last forever.' 8 “So now, with God as our witness, and in the sight of all Israel—the Lord's assembly—I give you this charge. Be careful to obey all the commands of the Lord your God, so that you may continue to possess this good land and leave it to your children as a permanent inheritance. 9 “And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 10 So take this seriously. The Lord has chosen you to build a Temple as his sanctuary. Be strong, and do the work.” 11 Then David gave Solomon the plans for the Temple and its surroundings, including the entry room, the storerooms, the upstairs rooms, the inner rooms, and the inner sanctuary—which was the place of atonement. 12 David also gave Solomon all the plans he had in mind[a] for the courtyards of the Lord's Temple, the outside rooms, the treasuries, and the rooms for the gifts dedicated to the Lord. 13 The king also gave Solomon the instructions concerning the work of the various divisions of priests and Levites in the Temple of the Lord. And he gave specifications for the items in the Temple that were to be used for worship. 14 David gave instructions regarding how much gold and silver should be used to make the items needed for service. 15 He told Solomon the amount of gold needed for the gold lampstands and lamps, and the amount of silver for the silver lampstands and lamps, depending on how each would be used. 16 He designated the amount of gold for the table on which the Bread of the Presence would be placed and the amount of silver for other tables. 17 David also designated the amount of gold for the solid gold meat hooks used to handle the sacrificial meat and for the basins, pitchers, and dishes, as well as the amount of silver for every dish. 18 He designated the amount of refined gold for the altar of incense. Finally, he gave him a plan for the Lord's “chariot”—the gold cherubim[b] whose wings were stretched out over the Ark of the Lord's Covenant. 19 “Every part of this plan,” David told Solomon, “was given to me in writing from the hand of the Lord.[c]” 20 Then David continued, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don't be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly. 21 The various divisions of priests and Levites will serve in the Temple of God. Others with skills of every kind will volunteer, and the officials and the entire nation are at your command.”Gifts for Building the Temple 29 Then King David turned to the entire assembly and said, “My son Solomon, whom God has clearly chosen as the next king of Israel, is still young and inexperienced. The work ahead of him is enormous, for the Temple he will build is not for mere mortals—it is for the Lord God himself! 2 Using every resource at my command, I have gathered as much as I could for building the Temple of my God. Now there is enough gold, silver, bronze, iron, and wood, as well as great quantities of onyx, other precious stones, costly jewels, and all kinds of fine stone and marble. 3 “And now, because of my devotion to the Temple of my God, I am giving all of my own private treasures of gold and silver to help in the construction. This is in addition to the building materials I have already collected for his holy Temple. 4 I am donating more than 112 tons of gold[d] from Ophir and 262 tons of refined silver[e] to be used for overlaying the walls of the buildings 5 and for the other gold and silver work to be done by the craftsmen. Now then, who will follow my example and give offerings to the Lord today?” 6 Then the family leaders, the leaders of the tribes of Israel, the generals and captains of the army,[f] and the king's administrative officers all gave willingly. 7 For the construction of the Temple of God, they gave about 188 tons of gold,[g] 10,000 gold coins,[h] 375 tons of silver,[i] 675 tons of bronze,[j] and 3,750 tons of iron.[k] 8 They also contributed numerous precious stones, which were deposited in the treasury of the house of the Lord under the care of Jehiel, a descendant of Gershon. 9 The people rejoiced over the offerings, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord, and King David was filled with joy.David's Prayer of Praise 10 Then David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly: “O Lord, the God of our ancestor Israel,[l] may you be praised forever and ever! 11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. 12 Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength. 13 “O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name! 14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us! 15 We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace. 16 “O Lord our God, even this material we have gathered to build a Temple to honor your holy name comes from you! It all belongs to you! 17 I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously.
The Seven Attributes of Jesus (Christology 1)Big Idea: Jesus Christ is not just a chapter in the story of God; He is the Author, the Hero, and the Ending. When we see Jesus for who He truly is, every other priority in our lives finds its proper place.Today we begin a nine-week journey through the Book of Hebrews, a letter written to magnify the greatness of Jesus Christ. Hebrews isn't primarily about religious rules, moral improvement, or spiritual techniques. It's about Jesus—who He is and what He has done. Everything else flows from that foundation.The original audience was likely Jewish Christians living under Roman rule, facing intense persecution. As pressure mounted, many were tempted to abandon their faith in Jesus and return to the familiarity and safety of traditional Judaism. Hebrews speaks directly into that tension with one clear message: Jesus is greater than anyone or anything that came before Him. To walk away from Him would be to walk away from the fulfillment of all God's promises.The author of Hebrews remains anonymous, one of the great mysteries of the New Testament. While Paul may have influenced it, the writing style is far more polished and rhetorically sophisticated than Paul's letters. Hebrews chapter 1 proves this immediately. Verses 1–4 form a single, majestic sentence in the original Greek—an exordium, designed to grab attention with both beauty and weight.Hebrews 1:1–4 (NLT) sets the stage:“Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son…”In the Old Testament, God spoke in fragments—a dream here, a burning bush there, a prophet's warning along the way. But in Jesus, God didn't just send messages; He sent the Message. This is Christology—the study of the person and work of Jesus Christ—and Hebrews wastes no time getting to the point.In verses 2–3, the author unleashes a rapid-fire description of Jesus using seven distinct attributes. In Scripture, the number seven represents completeness and perfection. Together, these form a full portrait of the Son.Jesus is the Heir—the goal of history. God has promised everything to Him as an inheritance. History is not random; it is moving toward the coronation of King Jesus. He is the “why” behind all creation.Jesus is the Creator—the architect of reality. Through Him, God made the universe. Jesus is not a created being; He is the source of all things. Nothing exists apart from His will.Jesus is the Radiance—the shining glory of God. He doesn't merely reflect God's glory like the moon reflects sunlight; He radiates it. The Son is the visible manifestation of the invisible God—“Light from Light.”Jesus is the Expression—the exact imprint of God's nature. The Greek word charaktēr refers to a stamp or seal. Jesus doesn't resemble God; He perfectly represents Him. To see Jesus is to see God.Jesus is the Sustainer—the glue of the cosmos. He holds everything together by the power of His word. The universe doesn't persist on autopilot; it endures because Jesus commands it to.Jesus is the Savior—the cleanser of sin. When He purified us from our sins, the work was finished. Unlike Old Testament priests who never sat down, Jesus completed the work once for all.Finally, Jesus is the Ruler—the seated King. He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven, a position of total authority. The victory is won.Hebrews 1:4 reminds us that Jesus is far greater than angels, traditions, or anything else we might be tempted to trust. For believers facing hardship, this truth re-centers everything.The message of Hebrews is clear:...
Daily Word Have you been serving God and sowing seeds, but you're still broke? If so, you aren't alone. Unfortunately, this is common in the body of Christ, but this is not God's will for you or others in this situation. In this study, let's address how to stop being broke and turn around your financial situation sooner than later. __________ 2 Kings 4:1-7 NLT, Matthew 17:27 NIV, Ecclesiastes 3:5 KJV __________ Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com Leave a Comment: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/comments __________
Bible Study What God has called you to do comes with specific limitations that we must honor to succeed in our calling. Many people attempt to take on too much instead of staying focused on the specific calling God has given them. When we go beyond the boundaries of our calling, we lose focus, become distracted, and fail to fulfill our purpose. __________ Acts 6:1–2 NLT, Matthew 10:5–8 KJV, Matthew 15:22–24 NLT, Romans 15:14–16 NIV, Galatians 2:8 NIV, Mark 12:14–17 NLT, Luke 9:52–56 KJV, 1 Chronicles 17:1–7 NLT, John 14:12 NLT, 1 Chronicles 28:2–6 NLT, John 21:20–22 NLT __________ Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com Leave a Comment: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/comments __________
What if wealth isn't about luck, connections, or hustle—but about how you think? In today's episode, we unpack a fascinating story of a 17-year-old dishwasher who spent a decade working inside a high-end country club alongside ultra-wealthy members. What he learned completely dismantled common assumptions about rich people—and surprisingly, many of his lessons line up directly with Scripture. Bob and Linda walk through 7 mindset shifts that separate people who grow wealth from those who stay stuck, and why renewing your mind around money may be the most biblical financial move you can make. This isn't about chasing money—it's about becoming the kind of person God can trust with more. Episode Highlights 1. Rich people aren't greedy—greed is the problem Money doesn't change your heart; it amplifies what's already there. When we believe "all rich people are greedy," we subconsciously sabotage our own growth. 2. Be cool (aka: be kind) True wealth shows up as humility and generosity toward those earlier on the path. Kindness is influence. 3. Wealthy kids inherit a mindset before they inherit money What did you inherit about money growing up? Limiting beliefs can be rewired—especially through God's Word. "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." —Proverbs 23:7 (NLT) 4. You don't need school to be successful—but you do need wisdom Education matters, but obedience to God matters more. College doesn't guarantee provision—God does. 5. Stop chasing money; start creating value Money is a result, not a target. It's simply a reflection of the value you bring to others. 6. Money is a learnable skill You don't have to be "good at math" to be good with money. One book, one framework, one habit can radically change your financial future. 7. Focus on becoming who God created you to be Growth, wisdom, and Christlikeness compound over time—and so does stewardship. Key Scriptures Mentioned (NLT) Proverbs 23:7 — "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." Romans 12:2 — "Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." Matthew 6:26 — God's provision for the birds (and for you) Action Item for This Week Do these three things: Identify one limiting belief you inherited about money. Find one biblical truth that directly contradicts it. Learn one practical thing about how money actually works (book, podcast, or Scripture). Small shifts in thinking can unlock massive change. Wealth doesn't start in your bank account—it starts in your beliefs.
Daily Word Are you broke? Meaning you don't have enough money for the things you need and desire. If so, DO NOT believe it because being broke is a futuristic mindset that projects today's resources onto tomorrow's needs. This mindset can destroy your faith for prosperity. In today's Daily Word learn how to overcome the broke mindset. __________ Proverbs 23:7 KJV, Ecclesiastes 10:19 KJV, 2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV, Matthew 6:24-34 NLT, Hebrews 11:1 KJV, Exodus 16:4-5 NLT __________ Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com Leave a Comment: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/comments __________
“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38 NKJV) Have you ever been caught doing something you weren’t supposed to do? One day I found my son playing a game on the computer, something he wasn’t allowed to do until he finished his schoolwork. With a guilty expression on his face, he looked at me and said, “I couldn’t resist myself.” That’s a correct view of temptation. When we give in to temptation, we like to blame others. Think of when Adam was caught in the act in the Garden of Eden. The Lord asked, “Did you eat of that tree?” And Adam replied, “It’s the woman You gave me, Lord. She made me do it” (see Genesis 3:8–12). And then there’s Aaron, who offered a classic example of a bad excuse for giving in to temptation. When Moses went up the mountain to receive God’s commandments, he entrusted the people to his brother Aaron. When Moses returned, he saw the people dancing naked around a golden calf. Aaron explained it this way: “We just threw the gold into the fire, and this calf came out.” The truth was that Aaron told the people to bring their gold jewelry. He molded it into a calf. And then he encouraged them to worship it (see Exodus 32:22–24). James 1:14 leaves little room for bad excuses. “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (NKJV). Every person plays the key role when they give in to temptation. The devil may tempt you. Someone may try to trap you. But they will not succeed unless you give in. The Bible makes it clear that no temptation is irresistible. “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT). “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7 NLT). Despite those assurances, temptation is shockingly easy to give in to. But you probably don’t need to be told that. Perhaps there’s a sin in your life that’s caught up with you. Perhaps you’re contemplating getting involved in a sinful relationship. Perhaps because of your sin, you’ve been overcome with guilt. If so, there’s something you need to know: God gives second chances. First John 1:9 says, “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (NLT). And David, who knew a thing or two about giving in to temptation and seeking God’s forgiveness, wrote, “He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust” (Psalm 103:10–14 NLT). Reflection question: What is your most effective strategy for avoiding or resisting temptation? 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.
Daily Study Many Christian entrepreneurs want God to increase their business, but growth does not always stop for financial or strategic reasons. This Daily Word examines a leadership principle from 3 John that reveals how truth must be able to move freely through a business for God to scale and sustain it. Using the examples of Gaius, Diotrephes, and Demetrius, this message shows how hospitality allows truth to flow, ego blocks correction, and integrity sustains long-term growth. It also highlights John's warning not to imitate what is evil, explaining how unguarded success can quietly reshape standards and undermine alignment. Christian entrepreneurs are encouraged to examine whether their leadership posture allows truth, accountability, and goodness to govern their decisions so God can trust their business with increase. __________ 3 John 1 CSB, Hebrews 13:1-2 TPT, Romans 12:13 TPT, Proverbs 16:18 ERV, James 4:6 NLT, Proverbs 11:3 MSG, Luke 16:10 NLT __________ Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com Leave a Comment: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/comments __________